Resource for Election Day Communion available

In the context of a divisive political climate during this election season, many congregations are choosing to celebrate Holy Communion on Election Day, November 8. This comes as an expression of unity in one Lord, one hope, one baptism in Christ.  Some of our churches serve as polling sites, many schools are closed, and the day is ripe for providing a prayerful, meaningful worship opportunity for our communities. This prayer of Great Thanksgiving has been specially written for Election Day as a way of offering a timely word, in season.  Most of all, it is offered for sharing in congregations who aspire to seek the welfare of the very place where they are and live into the grain of God’s kingdom while at the same time rejoicing that our eternal citizenship lies in God’s family. The authors are Abby Kocher and Sam Wells, who have recently published a collection of prayers for use in holy communion entitled Eucharistic Prayers. Rev. Abby Kocher is pastor at Oak Ridge UMC in Oak Ridge, NC and Rev. Dr.  Samuel Wells is Vicar at St. Martin in the Fields in London, England. Election Day Electing God, you chose humanity when you created us in your image; you chose a people for yourself when you called Abraham; you chose freedom when you led your children with Moses through the Red Sea. In Jesus you chose us despite the folly and failure of our own choices; and in his resurrection and ascension you chose us for yourself, forever. And so with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and celebrate the glory for which you have elected us. Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Living God, as you rejoice in making all things new, create your new community of love among us gathered here, that in this holy meal we may together glimpse your new heaven and new earth. As we remember Christ’s saving passion, transform your church through the renewing of our minds, that we may discern your good and pleasing and perfect will and walk the paths that lead to peace. Send your Holy Spirit upon this bread and cup that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ. Who, at supper with his disciples, took bread, gave you thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to them, saying, “Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup. Again he gave you thanks, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Drink this, all of you: this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” Great is the mystery of faith. Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. Everlasting God, you have taught us to search for you with all our heart and to seek the welfare of the land where you have placed us. Send your Spirit upon those who lead, pour your wisdom on those who are elected, and restore by your mercy all who are not chosen. Through your same Spirit, visit your people in the struggles that no vote can resolve; show us where what you call from us is love and forgiveness and mercy; empower your church to overcome evil with good. Since here we have no abiding city, give us a yearning for the city that is to come. Hasten the day when all that would separate us from one another will fall away, when we rejoice to enter that dwelling place where you have chosen to be with us forever, where all is redeemed in the presence of the Son through the power of the Spirit, God most high  Amen.   Download copy in Word Document