Here are two resources for World Communion Sunday, celebrated this year on October 7. These both come from the book Gifts in Open Hands. If you would like to purchase a copy of Gifts in Open Hands, please go here.
A Call to Worship for World Communion Sunday written by Christina J. DelPiero of the United States
One: Welcome, my friends! A feast has been spread here before us, and the Risen Christ, our host, gathers us together as guests around one table.
All: Our table is an altar that reaches around the world as Christians from every country on earth share the bread of life and the cup of blessing.
One: Can you hear the voices of parents, grandparents, and care-givers near and far calling their children home for supper? Listen now as people from around the world call us home for supper:
(Here names and languages can be listed for people from the congregation who have agreed to share typical words that would call children in for supper: “Supper’s ready!”, “Vengan niños a comer,” “A comida esta pronto,” etc. The more languages, the better!)
All: We hear God’s voice in many languages. Let us praise God in song as we prepare to gather around the Communion table this day!
Call to Worship or Invitation to Communion
This is a creative way to begin World Communion Sunday from a congregation in the United States. You can invite the children, youth and adults in the church to dress in native attire from around the world, and enter the sanctuary carrying these many varieties of breads. You may ask immigrant members of the congregation or people whose heritage comes from different ethnicities. Lay the many baskets of bread on the communion table. These are suggestions but individuals can write about the breads they bring. The suggestion comes from Jennifer Mills-Knutsen
One: Today we celebrate World Communion Sunday. With Christians everywhere, we gather at Christ’s welcome table to share in simple elements of bread and cup. In our unity, Christ is alive. In this sacrament, Christ is made known throughout the earth.
People: We come to this World Communion table to unite our hearts with brothers and sisters in every nation who seek to know Christ’s presence in the breaking of the bread.
North America: I represent North America, and I come bringing corn bread from Mississippi and sourdough rolls from California and tortillas from Mexico and bagels from New York.
All: Praise God for the bread of life, gift of the earth
Bless, O God, all those who dwell upon the earth.
Asia: I represent Asia, and I come bringing rice cakes from Japan and wontons from China and na’an from India.
All: Praise God for the bread of life, gift of the earth
Bless, O God, all those who dwell upon the earth.
Africa: I represent Africa, and I come bringing fufu from the Congo and pounded yam from Nigeria and chin chin from Ghana.
All: Praise God for the bread of life, gift of the earth
Bless, O God, all those who dwell upon the earth
Europe: I represent Europe, and I come bringing baguettes from France and sweet rolls from Portugal and foccacia from Italy and black rye from Russia.
All: Praise God for the bread of life, gift of the earth
Bless, O God, all those who dwell upon the earth.
South America: I represent South America, and I come bringing pao de coco from Brazil and empanadas from Colombia and cassava bread from Venezuela.
All: Praise God for the bread of life, gift of the earth
Bless, O God, all those who dwell upon the earth.
Middle East: I represent the Middle East, and I come bringing pita from Turkey and challah from Israel and lavash from Armenia.
All: Praise God for the bread of life, gift of the earth
Bless, O God, all those who dwell upon the earth.
Central America: I represent Central America, and I come bringing bulla cakes from Jamaica and ozzies from the Dominican Republic and cheese bread from El Salvador.
All: Praise God for the bread of life, gift of the earth
Bless, O God, all those who dwell upon the earth.
Leader: Many grains were gathered together to make this bread.
So we who are many, and come from many places, are one in Christ.
May the peace of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.
Gifts in Open Hands 