The Lord be with you.     And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.      We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Spring of time, God before being, molder of matter, breather of life: We do not know how to pray to you, but your Spirit within us makes us bold to speak. We stand in wonder that we are in your Image, and we see your Spirit at work in everything that is made.

You blew a wind over the first waters, and breathed life to our African mothers and fathers. As our forebears spread into Asia and Europe, Australia and Pacific Islands, and last of all, the distant shores of the Americas, your Spirit spoke to many families and they knew you as Creator. In the fullness of time you made an oath and pledge with Abraham and his children forever. By the Spirit you taught Moses and the people of Israel, you led David to dance before the Ark, and to sing of your mercy and strength. When pride leads us astray your wind blows us straight: your prophets see visions and dream dreams, and speak your word to challenge those in power, and comfort to the wounded and those in need.

And so with all your children from every age and place, and with all that is made, both seen and unseen, we sing:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full, full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

We give thanks for Jesus, born of Mary, Word made flesh, on whom your good will fell. He was driven by the Spirit to face temptation and evil, and was not overcome. He announced your peace with power and stories that open our souls to the coming of that Spirit in our midst. In humility and care he gave himself for all, even into the hands of those who would hurt him and kill him. By a love stronger than death he rose from the tomb and so he changed us all.

On the night he was betrayed Jesus took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it and gave it to his friends, saying, “Take and eat: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave you thanks, and said “Drink this all of you, this is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for you and for many.”

As Jesus took bread and wine, so we take this loaf [these loaves] and this cup [these cups]. As he said the blessing, so we say this prayer. As he broke bread with his followers, so we follow his example. As he shared the bread and wine with the hungry, so our hunger is fed by him and our and thirst is slaked. In eating his body, we become the Body of Christ. In drinking his blood, we join him in the rule of God. Breathe on this offering of bread and wine so thatwe may be the ‘body of Christ’ loving God with all our hearts, with all our souls, with all our minds, and with all our strength, and neighbour  as ourselves.

Gather all your people into your Holy Feast so that we all shall know you, from the least to the greatest. For in this meal we are joined with you in love and glory, our beginning and our end, through Jesus your son, with your Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.