A Liturgy for the Agape Meal from Father Andrew Gentry

 Please note that this is not a lay-led or 'Home' Eucharist.

Lay Persons officiating at the Eucharist does not meet with our understanding of Sacramental Theology.

An Agape Meal gives us all a tangible experience of sharing the presence of God through extended Christian worship. By extended, we mean outside the walls of our churches, bringing the love of Christ into our homes and amongst those we care about. Satan loathes it when Christians extend the living presence of Christ into their lives; it devastates the dark one when God's Kingdom within our modern world shows signs of expanding its outreach so enjoyed by the early Christian Church.

 This meal resonates with the commitment we have all made to live as the early church believers did but in our modern, busy and complicated world. To be at one with Christ and His apostles; with the saints and angels and also, with each other. It will build on your experience of you own faith journey and offers a parallel to the beauty of worship experienced by the early Christians - it returns you to a simple way to be close to God - to revel in His presence and to see His light shine upon the faces of all those you know and care about within your own communities. An Agape Meal does not replace the Eucharist - nothing can do that. However it will enhance our Christian lives, our devotion and our closeness to God.

The Preparation of the Table.

Let each person bring a plate to the table as a symbol of bringing themselves in and with the fellowship that has come together to share a meal with the gifts and the uniqueness of  every person who sits at table in the company of the Sacred Three in One and One in Three.

At the head of the table, let there be a plate with a plain cloth folded upon it and a glass or cup to the right of the plate. This plate at the head of the table symbolizes the Body of Jesus and the white cloth the shroud that was wrapped around his Body.

The glass or cup symbolizes the Blood of Christ shed for us and the empty plate recalls the empty Tomb.

In front of the plate and glass, place two candles to remind everyone that Jesus is the Light of the world and, in lighting the candles, recall it is we; who carry his light to each other and to everyone we meet.

After everyone comes to the Table, a moment of silence is observed followed by a prayer offered by anyone so moved to do so.

The Leader of the Meal reminds all of why the plate, cup, cloth and candles are there. He or she then invites all to sit and hold each others hand whilst someone says the Blessing over the food.

The Leader could say the following:

A candle to remind us of Jesus who said, “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life”.

  A loaf of bread, the symbol of Jesus who said, “I am the bread of life. The bread that I shall give is myself for the life of the world”.

   A cross, to remind us that Jesus said, “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. All will know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another”.

All present could say the following:

Lord, we welcome your presence with us. May the food and companionship we share nourish our bodies, hearts and minds and may our spirits be refreshed as we live in the light of your presence with us now, and at all times and places.  Amen.

This Blessing may be extemporaneous or a written blessing from the various Faith Traditions represented at the Table.

Before the meal is served, the leader (or someone else) invites the Holy Trinity to sit and sup with the fellowship - and makes the sign of the Cross over the people and the Table - and then invites the Whole Company of Heaven and all the Holy Angels to also be present.

In the centre of the Table there will be a large loaf of bread and a container of wine. After the Invitation to sup at Table, the leader takes the bread, breaks it and passes a portion to the person on their right.

They in turn, passes a portion, until all of have partaken and likewise the wine is poured and shared. As each person shares, he or she says the following:

 We are one in Christ Jesus,

we are one in his Love,

we are now and forever at peace. 

Following the sharing, all partake of the meal with joy and gladness and make merry the delight of the Lord of the Dance. When the meal is over, any so moved gives the Benediction.

The Benediction Prayer.

May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you His favour
and give you His peace.

If there is any bread and wine left over, it is taken to the homes of each person so that they may share the Love of Christ in the fellowship of their homes, with families, friends and strangers alike.