As we worship from home, we have not been able to gather to celebrate Holy Communion. Next Sunday, October 18, you will have the opportunity to receive the sacrament from your car between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm. As you pull into the parking lot, I will be waiting by the front doors of the church. As you pull up, we will share a prayer, hear the Words of Institution and share the sacrament and a blessing.
As you make plans to receive communion, I encourage you to incorporate it into your Sunday worship time. You may find it helpful to follow the pattern used in worship. Many people find music as a way to help them enter into a time of worship, so consider choosing some of your favorite songs to add to your worship or start with Jim’s music reflection at www.risenlordlc.org/blog which is posted on Fridays. Then, spend time in the Word, listening to the sermon and prayers posted for Sunday. You could share the peace with others by making a couple encouraging phone calls or writing some cards. Consider the offering you are called to make, using your time, talent and treasure for God’s glory. A prayer of confession or of preparation is also appropriate. You can use one of the following or pray your own.
Prayer of Confession:
Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Prayer of Preparation:
Merciful God, we do not presume to come to your table trusting in our own righteousness, but in your abundant mercy. Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat and drink the body and blood of your dear Son, Jesus Christ, that we may live in him and he in us, now and forever.
Amen.
(prayers from Evangelical Lutheran Worship)
You are also invited to join a new worship opportunity on Wednesday evenings in October at 8 pm. We are gathering online for a quiet, contemplative worship service with prayer, scripture and reflection. If you are interested in joining us, please email pastorlecia@risenlordlc.org for the login information.
I hope to see you on Wednesday or Sunday as we continue to worship while we are apart!
In the abiding hope of the Risen Lord,
Pastor Lecia