Service of Holy Communion
Heritage Sunday
(Such a time as this)
Invitation
One: All are truly welcome at this table.
Grace is found here, not just for some, but for all.
And for with Christ, all means all, no matter who.
Come, be transformed by this gift of perfect love.
Confession:
All: You have taken the gag from our mouths, yet we have not spoken for the silenced.
You have loosed the zip ties from our wrists, yet we have not clasped the hands of the oppressed.
You have freed us from the shackles on our legs, yet we have not rushed to the aid of those in need.
You have swung open our prison doors, yet we cling to its sheltering obscurity.
You have freed the United Methodist Church for a time like this, once again you have given us the whole world
for our parish.
Renew your fire in our hearts. We will not turn back from following your Spirit of perfect love. Amen.
Words of Assurance:
One: Those whom God has set free, are truly free. There is no greater law than love. By the grace found in the sacrifice of Christ, you are forgiven and empowered to serve.
All: Those whom God has set free, are truly free! There is no greater law than love. By the grace found in the sacrifice of Christ, you too are forgiven and empowered to serve. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Great Thanksgiving:
One: A year ago at a General Conference, we were set free from bondage.
All: Repressive laws and rigid rules were struck down.
One: God has set us free to love every neighbor.
All: God has set us free to speak up clearly for those still without voice.
One: Freedom filles us with joy and strength and hope!
All: We will be yet more vile as we dance before Your holy presence.
One: Yet how can we dance:
When gender non-conforming children are crying?
When refugees are terrorized?
When women have lost the right to bodily autonomy?
When the creatures of Eden are facing extinction?
When genocidal wars seek to destroy all hope?
Yet for just a time as this, you have set us free to be the People called Methodist.
We dance a dance of liberation, inviting others to be free.
We sing with joy a song of defiance, shouting “no”, to tyranny.
We proclaim a hope empowered by Your restorative justice created by your Shalom.
We are set ablaze with all your saints on earth and the fiery host of heaven to proclaim:
All: You give us freedom to love anybody.
You give us freedom to heal the beaten down.
You give us freedom to speak words of mercy and forgiveness.
You give us freedom to act with compassion.
You give us the freedom to dream again and to catch your vision.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
One: You do give us freedom as we follow Christ.
When told to be silent, Jesus spoke clearly.
When told not to heal, Jesus reached out his hand.
When told not to deliver, Jesus cast the demons out.
When told to stay away or die, Jesus chose to come near.
Jesus expressed God’s existence through diversity, equity, and inclusion
inviting us to become one, just as they are one.
We have been set free to follow Jesus.
To take up the towel and basin
and wash the feet of all who betray us;
comfort all who would deny us;
and to encourage those still too afraid.
We have been set free to follow Jesus,
as we take sacred bread in our hands to prayerfully break it,
remembering what Jesus said:
“Share this bread, it is my body, broken for you.”
We have been set free to follow Jesus,
as we take sacred wine to prayerfully pour,
remembering what Jesus said:
“Drink from my cup, it is filled with my blood,
spilt by violence and covered with prayers of forgiveness,
my expression of God’s eternal covenant of Grace
that embraces every soul.”
We rejoice in this freedom,
even as our hearts break for those still found in bondage.
So we take our next faithful steps by faith
proclaiming this holy mystery:
All: Christ was willing to die;
Christ was willing to rise again;
Christ is willing to come again.
One: Open Door No One Can Shut,
Awaken us to the reality held in this bread and wine
reveal them to us as the very body and blood of Christ
setting all free.
Open Door No One Can Shut,
Awaken the world to the reality held in our lives
reveal to them that we are your church,
the living body and devoted bride of Christ
setting all free.
Open Door No One Can Shut,
Awaken the United Methodist Church to all the opportunities that are now ours:
To provide hope for terrorized trans children and their families;
To act against racism, xenophobia, sexism, and homophobia wherever they present themselves;
And to live before the world the presence of your Trinity experienced through diversity, equity and inclusion.
All: Hear our cries.
Receive our praise,
our Creator, our Redeemer, our inspiration, and guide
for we have been set free as a church for a time such as this. Amen.
One: Now as disciples of Jesus let us follow his model for prayer:
All: O sacred example of diversity, equity and inclusion, loving are your ways.
Guide our lives on earth in ways that portray your heaven.
Provide each day for all our needs.
Forgive the harm we do to others, as we forgive the harm others have done to us.
Give us the strength to resist the temptation to return evil with evil,
help us always respond with good.
We are blessed to be here, may we be your blessing, not just to some but to all. Amen.
Prayer after Communion
All: We are blessed by this holy mystery. In it we have found a means of grace sufficient to give strength to our souls. Our hearts have been set on fire and our lives have found the freedom of true disciples of Jesus. Now send us out into the world to be your witnesses of love and grace. Give us wisdom to live lives of restorative and redemptive justice for all people. May we all dwell in your kindom of peace. Amen.
The communion liturgy was written by Rev. Mary Johnson specifically to support the 2025 Heritage Sunday theme of "Sacred Stories: Ministries of LGBTQ+ United Methodists. The content was published May 6, 2025. Contact is Crystal Caviness.