Signs of support for the elementary school students at the International Community School in my neighborhood in Decatur, GA
Today is “Immigration Sunday” in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Especially this year, it feels important to recognize Immigration Sunday at the Lord’s table. The following communion prayer is inspired by Immigration Sunday and the lectionary gospel passage, Matthew 10:40-42, and was written for Central Presbyterian Church.
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.
Thanks and praise to you, O God,
Creator of all that has been, all that is, and all that will be.
From the beginning of beginnings, you have been good.
You formed humanity from the earth,
Giving us life and purpose.
In you, we are beloved dust:
Children of a loving God,
Called, claimed, and redeemed.
Through the centuries you have shouted and whispered to tell us of your love.
You have spoken through prophets and teachers,
Through the life of your son Jesus,
Through the holy stories of scripture,
Through the history of the church,
And through the unpredictable winds of your spirit.
You are faithful, O God of Abraham,
And your grace is a cup of cold water,
Refreshing us to our core.
In Jesus Christ, you showed us your vision for the world you created.
You showed us that kindness is worth the risk,
And love never fails.
You taught us that compassion will free us if we help it,
And selfishness will bury us if we let it.
You told us that the lines we draw to separate people are ours, not yours,
For we are all beloved dust: no more and no less.
Through Christ’s death and resurrection,
You turned our power structures upside down,
For your love is stronger than death itself.
At this table, we are united with Christ and with one another,
through the power and presence of your Holy Spirit.
At this table, all are welcome,
For you are both host and guest.
Come, Holy Spirit, and fill this space,
Enliven our hearts, open our minds, and empower our bodies
To recognize you in this holy meal.
Pour out your presence upon these gifts of bread and wine,
And upon all who partake of them,
That we might taste the goodness of our God.
All praise you, God of welcome,
And to Christ who taught to us to pray:
Blessed One, our Father and
our Mother, Holy is your
name. May your love be
enacted in the world. May
your will be done on earth
as in heaven.
Give us today our daily
bread and forgive us our
sins as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us in the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For all that we do in your
love, and all that your love
brings to birth,
and the fullness of love that
will be, are yours, now and
forever. Amen.
(Inclusive Lord’s Prayer from “A New Monastic Handbook: From Vision to Practice” by Ian Mobsby and Mark Berry.)
