considering corpus christi sunday: june 14 online eucharist

One of the gifts I have been given during the sheltering at home days of the pandemic is

writing and sharing brief spiritual reflections for our L'Arche Ottawa community. Since our respective modest "lock downs" went into effect some 12 weeks ago, the spirituality committee (of which I am a part) has been hosting two Zoom gatherings each week: Tuesday at 7 pm and Fridays at 4 pm. I have been unable to participate in our Tuesday evenings for a variety of reasons, but have been at most Friday celebrations. And while Zoom is an imperfect medium, it still allows about 40 of us friends, core members in the L'Arche community homes, leadership team members as well as former assistants from around the world a chance to see one another, share stories and prayers, sing and reflect on a passage of Scripture. Early on I was invited to share a brief set of spiritual reflections based upon the lectionary text of the day and have found this to be a rich way of staying connected. That another friend can translate my words into French - and share it in French for the Francophone folk - adds grace upon grace. 

Another unexpected gift of this contagion has been my weekly FB live-streaming worship reflections. They started in support of a congregation I was going to visit for supply preaching. When all non-essential gatherings were prohibited in early March, however, I suggested we try to use Face Book to stay connected as a community in worship. With minor glitches, this not only worked out for the church, but gave impetus to my staying "live on-line" after my two week stint was over. (Thanks be to God this congregation has now mastered their own version of Zoom worship and I will have the privilege of joining them again at the end of this month for Sunday, June 28th @ 10 am.) It has been both invigorating to explore sharing Sunday morning thoughts with a small collection of friends and gratifying as the weekly viewings grow. It is a very home-grown affair with no glitz or high tech programming: just me, sometimes my guitar and the words of Scripture shared in a contemplative reflection.

On both Palm Sunday and Easter, we hosted an in-home Eucharist with a streamlined liturgy available for printing ahead of time. In the liturgical life of the wider church, this coming Sunday is Corpus Christi Sunday, or, the Solemnity of the Body of Christ. As a child of the Reformation I have never given this high holy day my attention. To be sure, I have written and spoken a GREAT deal about Eucharist and living as a part of Christ's body; but I have not explored the texts or theme for that day. 

So... this week I shall - and I think it is time to celebrate Holy Communion with my sheltering in place friends, too. Here is the liturgy we will use. Please print it out or have it available for your use on Sunday morning. At the close of the liturgy I have printed out a simple recipe for a communion loaf. You will want to set your table and have wine/juice available, too. To join me and a few others, please go to my spiritual direction page on Face Book at

: https://www.facebook.com/Be-Still-and-Know-913217865701531/

Celebration of Eucharist

Gathering, Welcome and Simple Taizé Chant
Kyrie, kyrie eleison – kyrie, kyrie eleison. (2x)

Call to Worship and Prayer
Leader: Open my lips, O Lord,
People: And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Leader: Create in me a clean heart, O God.
People: And renew a right spirit within me.
Leader: Cast me not away from your presence,
People: And take not your holy Spirit from me.
Leader: Give to me the joy of your saving help,
People: And sustain me with your never-ending love.
Leader: Blessed be God: Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be the presence of God’s grace in our lives, now and forever.
Leader: Let us pray.
Unison: Almighty God, our hearts are open to you: our desires are known, and no secrets are denied. Cleanse us in the ways we need most by the loving presence of your Holy Spirit, that we may return thanks to you in this time of prayer and renew our commitment to living into the ways of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

Sung Response (Old Hundredth)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all creatures here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore: One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen.

The Lessons and Prayer
v Deuteronomy 8: 14-16
v Psalm 125: 1-2
v John 6: 51-58

The Reflection

The Affirmation of Faith
Glory be to the Creator, and to the Christ, and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord is with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right give God thanks and praise.
Leader: It is right… 

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.

Let us continue to pray: Holy and gracious God… all this we ask through Jesus Christ: by him, with him and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty God, now and forever. Amen.

The people may pray the Lord’s Prayer here in their own tradition

The Communion of the People
Leader: These are the gifts of God for the whole people of God. All who hunger and thirst for a better life, for a deeper faith, for a more just and loving world: here is the bread of life – feed on it with gratitude.
People: Amen.

The people may share the bread at this time.

Leader: Here is the cup of blessing – poured out for us in abundance - drink from it and believe.
People: Amen.

The people may share the cup at this time.

Leader: Let us pray…

The Blessing and Sung Response: Eight-fold Alleluia 

A few notes: our liturgical language is borrowed from the Book of Common Prayer which allows us to use it without violating any copyright concerns. If you would like to prepare you own Eucharistic Bread, I have found this recipe simple and fun, and have used to with great success. I cut it down given it is just for Di and myself: v1 cup flour – a pinch of salt – one and a half tablespoons of sugar – 2 tablespoons butter – 2 or 3 tablespoons milk. Stir dry ingredients in a bowl. Cut in butter and mix. Add enough milk to pull the dough together. Kneed gently for a few minutes. Roll out the dough, cut into a circle using a large teacup (2 large unleavened thick wafers) and mark with a sign of the Cross. Bake on a cookie sheet for 15 minutes at 400. Go to see an online recipe: https://www.food.com/recipe/unleavened-communion-bread-437607. Please also set your communion table with care having a cup of wine/juice as well as any decorations.