The Order of the Table

This card is made for paper. When you print this page, the card prints alone: one sheet, two columns. Fold it once and keep it at the table.

For a household, or a few friends: a light meal, a reading, the bread and the cup. About an hour. You need a room, a table, and the people you love. Anyone may lead any part; take turns.

1. Open

Light a candle if you wish. One person prays:

Father, we are gathered in your name, a few people at one table, the way your first followers gathered. Be among us now. Open our eyes to your Son and our hearts to each other. Amen.

2. Make peace

If you hold anything against anyone here, set it down. If anyone here has something against you, ask them quietly to forgive you. Then say to one another:

Peace be with you.

And also with you.

3. The meal and the talk

Share the meal. As you eat, let each person speak to Jesus and his teaching: a saying from the Gospels, or how his words met your week. If there are children at the table, they pass the food.

4. The reading

Read aloud a passage from the Gospels, a Psalm, or the prophets: the week's reading, or one you choose.

5. The bread and the cup

Clear the table. The bread and the cup are for everyone at the table; bring whatever belief you honestly have. Pray together the Lord's Prayer, in the form your family uses. Then one person says the words Jesus gave:

On the night before he died, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his friends, saying: this is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. After supper he took the cup and said: this is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Over the bread:

We thank you, our Father, for the life and the knowledge you made known to us through Jesus. As grain was once scattered across the hills and then gathered into one loaf, gather your people from everywhere into your kingdom. To you be the glory, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.

Break and share the bread. Over the cup:

We thank you, our Father, for the true vine of David, made known to us through Jesus your servant. To you be the glory forever. Amen.

Share the cup. Then, by one voice or together:

We thank you, holy Father, for your name that lives in our hearts, and for all you have made known to us through Jesus. You made all things for your own sake. To you be the glory forever. Amen.

6. Look outward

Talk about the world, near and far: where is there need, and where is there good? Then decide the giving: one thing you will do this week for someone in need. Nothing is owed.

7. Be still

Sit in silence for a while. Let it last as long as it wants to. When you are ready, one voice closes:

We thank you for this table, and for each other. To you be the glory, forever. Amen.

Put out the candle.