Mealtime
Most of our important gatherings and celebrations include a meal, including those in the church, fellowship hours, potluck suppers, and communion all bring us around a table. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience God's presence among us.
Creating Mealtime RitualThink about some of your favorite holidays and celebrations.
How was food a part of them? Were there special foods always served? Was the table set a special way? Who was invited to the table? Think about how to bring some of those elements to your daily or weekly meal. Create a new ritual from one of these ideas or one of your own- set an extra place at the table for those who are hungry, invite one or more people from church or your neighborhood to share in a meal, include reading an inspirational reflection or scripture before, during, or after the meal |
Mealtime Graces
Bless us, Oh Lord,
and these thy gifts,
which we are about to receive,
from thy bounty,
through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
and these thy gifts,
which we are about to receive,
from thy bounty,
through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
May all be fed.
May all be healed.
May all be loved.
-John Robbins, The Food Revolution
For food in a world where many walk in hunger;
For faith in a world where many walk in fear;
For friends in a world where many walk alone;
We give you thanks, O Lord.
May this food restore our strength, giving new energy to tired limbs, new thoughts to weary minds. May this drink restore our souls, giving new vision to dry spirits, new warmth to cold hearts. And once refreshed, may we give new pleasure to You, who gives us all.
May all be healed.
May all be loved.
-John Robbins, The Food Revolution
For food in a world where many walk in hunger;
For faith in a world where many walk in fear;
For friends in a world where many walk alone;
We give you thanks, O Lord.
May this food restore our strength, giving new energy to tired limbs, new thoughts to weary minds. May this drink restore our souls, giving new vision to dry spirits, new warmth to cold hearts. And once refreshed, may we give new pleasure to You, who gives us all.
Lord God and Giver of All Good Gifts,
we are grateful as we pause before this meal,
for all the blessings of life that You give to us.
Daily, we are fed with good things,
nourished by friendship and care,
feasted with forgiveness and understanding.
And so, mindful of Your continuous care,
we pause to be grateful
for the blessings of this table.
Pause for silent reflection.
May Your presence
be the "extra" taste to this meal
which we eat in the name of Your Son, Jesus.
Amen.
Hays, Edward, Prayers for the Domestic Church: A Handbook for Worship in the Home (Kansas: Forest of Peace Books, 1979), 110.
we are grateful as we pause before this meal,
for all the blessings of life that You give to us.
Daily, we are fed with good things,
nourished by friendship and care,
feasted with forgiveness and understanding.
And so, mindful of Your continuous care,
we pause to be grateful
for the blessings of this table.
Pause for silent reflection.
May Your presence
be the "extra" taste to this meal
which we eat in the name of Your Son, Jesus.
Amen.
Hays, Edward, Prayers for the Domestic Church: A Handbook for Worship in the Home (Kansas: Forest of Peace Books, 1979), 110.