Agape Meal

House Church Set up is important. The room should be comfortable and may be lit with candles for ambience. The table and chairs in a "U" or "horseshoe" shape - set for dinner - so that all are facing each other. Distribute the Gospel and Epistle readings in written form for everybody in advance.

The service begins with a call to attention such as "The Lord be with you" (assuming people have arrived and are engaged in casual conversation)

Washing of Hands.

Hand Washing One person with a jug of warm water and bowl, another with a towel pass around the group and pour water over each person's hands saying, "This is a reminder of Jesus' love and servant hood" and then to each person says, "In Jesus' name, we welcome you."

The persons with the jug and the towel have their hands washed last of all.

Opening prayer (See Resources Step Five)
Epistle Reading (someone pre-chosen)
First Course

Soup or salad

Soup and Salad During the general conversation ask for a volunteer to say or share a poem or a testimony later in the dinner.

When first course is finished

Gospel Reading.

Stand for Gospel.

Homily

3 - 5 minute designed to be interactive (what did you think of this or that?)

The Main Course

is served - general conversation when almost done main course begin testimonies or poems

Apostles' Creed

Refectory (appropriate to whether clergy are there or not)

The Last Supper Narrative

Read from scripture (as opposed to the Prayer of Consecration)

Then two people administer the bread and wine with "the body of Christ" or "the blood of Christ" (The wine should be in separate little cups rather than a communal cup or chalice - this is an important detail insisted on by Archbishop Finlay). The bread and wine can be consumed individually or together.

Prayers of the People

Anointing Oil Open prayer and laying on of hands/anointing with oil when appropriate. Someone is prepared to pray for the church, the world etc.

Dessert

and general conversation. Say together "Glory to God from generation to generation..."

Blow out candles

"In Jesus' name, we welcome you."

^ Top Page

Next

Previous