rev. dr. MLK mash-up

yesterday at MBCC, nick explored the word justice in his sermon, and i was charged with doing a communion liturgy (minus the magic must be ordained to say words) that integrated a remembrance to dr. king as well. and so, i can't claim original writing on much (if any) of this, but i mashed up john 13, online resources from dr. king, and a prayer from the book of common worship. let me know if you want the break of of what is what.

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When we come to this table, we don’t always tell the whole story of the last supper. Often, we remember what Jesus did for us, but not what Jesus did for others.

In account of the last supper in the gospel of John, before they broke bread, Jesus wrapped a towel around his waist, poured water into a basin, and knelt at the feet of his disciples. Despite their protests, he washed each of their feet and said:

Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me teacher and Lord, but and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another’s feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. understood what Jesus did for us. He followed the pattern, and by doing so, gave us new ways to follow the pattern as well.

Listen audio from the King center here.

Let else develop the dangerous unselfishness that Dr. King encouraged and let it be fed by the Spirit of God present at this table.

Words of Institution/Breaking Bread etc. Bruce style

Serve communion

Prayer after communion:

God of grace,
you renew us at your table with the bread of life.
May this food strengthen us in love
and help us to serve you in each other.

Give us the strength to respond to this charge that Dr. King gave to us, the night before he died:

Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation.

We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

Amen.