The Order of the Table

A simple way to gather at home, the way the first followers of Jesus did

For a household, or a few friends. A light Sunday meal, early enough that everyone can still have supper later. About an hour. You need a room, a table, and the people you love. No building, no leader, no one's permission. 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, and keep us awake and watching for the day of his coming. Amen.

2. Make peace

Before the meal, 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 website offers a reading for each week, or you may choose your own.

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. A father once said to Jesus, "I believe; help my unbelief," and that was enough for him.

Pray together the prayer Jesus taught, the Lord's Prayer, in the form your family uses.

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 together about two things.

The watch: where the watching stands, and what is happening in the world, including with the new minds we have made. What might it mean? Hold it against what Jesus taught.

The giving: what will you do this week for someone in need? A gift, a visit, a kindness. Decide together. Nothing is owed.

7. Be still

Sit in silence for a while. This is the watch, kept quietly. Let it last as long as it wants to.

When you are ready, one voice closes:

Let grace come, and let this world pass away. Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus.

Put out the candle.

That is the whole of it. A home, a few people who love each other and love God, and an eye kept on the road.