Eucharistic Prayer: The Great Thanksgiving
(Sexuality/Community Theme)
Written for Affirmation Colorado, 1997, by Ben Roe
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing,
always and everywhere to give thanks to you,
God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
You created us, unique, human creatures,
created to love and be loved,
created to seek relationship with you
and each other.
We give thanks to you for your gift of our sexuality,
that which calls us into intimate relationship
with each other.
We give thanks to you for your gift of those we love
and who love us,
especially those in covenant relationship with us,
who embody your presence to us in many and holy ways.
And so,
with your people on earth
and all the company of heaven
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus the Christ.
Through him, you showed us a new way to be
in relationship with you and with each other,
to care for one another and the stranger,
and to see you in different ways.
Through him, you showed us a new level of acceptance
and new ways to worship you.
By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection
you gave birth to your church,
delivered us from slavery to sin and death,
and made with us a new covenant
by water and the Spirit.
Through this community which you have called together
through our concern, our passion,
and our seeking to know you,
we learn more about you, your sustaining love,
and your own passion for justice and liberation for all.
On the night in which he gave himself up for us
Jesus took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples, and said:
"Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me."
When the supper was over, he took the cup,
gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said:
"Drink from this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
poured out for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me."
And so,
in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a holy and living sacrifice,
in union with Christ's offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,
and on these gifts of bread and wine.
Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ,
that we may be for the world the body of Christ,
redeemed by his blood.
Strengthen us for our witness and our service in your name,
Increase our courage and wisdom as we live and work
for your realm.
By your Spirit make us one with Christ,
one with each other,
and one in ministry to all the world,
until Christ comes in final victory,
and we feast at the heavenly banquet.
Through your Son Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit in your holy church,
all honor and glory is yours, almighty Creator,
now and for ever.
Amen.
And now, with the confidence of children of God, let us pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever. Amen.
The bread of Life, given for you.
The cup of Joy, given for you.
Published in Shaping Sanctuary: Proclaiming God's Grace in an Inclusive Church, Kelly Turney, ed. Chicago: Reconciling Ministries Network, 2000.