First Story of Communion

But let me tell you a story within a story
the very first story of this meal

It was a special time
where a meal was shared
where everything they ate
reminded everyone
of an ancient story
and of a man called Moses
who with God’s help
freed his people
who had been made slaves in a land called Egypt
and every year since they escaped
and Pharaoh let God’s people go
Jesus’ people had remembered that story
together
of the night God helped them escape
through the red sea
towards the promised land

And as Jesus and his friends remembered that story together
Jesus broke open a new story
because he took bread from the passover table
and said to his disciples (take bread)

“This bread now
unleavened
will from tonight
remind you of me
for this is my body
broken for you
and whenever you eat together
remember me”

And the disciples were unsure
and afraid
for they didn’t understand what Jesus was talking about
and it reminded Nicodemus of that time earlier he didn’t understand

But before they could ask
Jesus took the cup of bitter wine

“This cup
is like my blood.
It is a sign of the new covenant
the new promise
between God and you all
a reminder that love will never let you go
and whenever you drink it together
remember me”

And Jesus passed the wine around

It is a story that goes way back to times no one can remember
but forward to into the future where we don’t yet know what will be
because it is about a love
that bring us together
and never lets us go

Let us share this story
this promise
together

Holy, holy holy God of power and might
heaven and earth are full of your glory
hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest
blessed it the one who comes in the name of the Lord
hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest

Let us share this meal together
taking the oatcakes and breaking them in two
and sharing them with others
and as we share we sing songs of faith
together
for each other
that remind us these are the gifts of God
for the people of God