Introduction
This liturgy, the "Agapē Feast of God's Word," is based on the communion meals shared by the first-century church. It encompasses two essential things that Jesus wants us to do: listen and act (see Matt. 7:24-27). The Jewish triennial reading cycle for the Torah portions and the first-century worship manual known as the Didache inspire the "Agapē Feast of God's Word." It features the Revised Common Lectionary, balancing the Old Testament with the New Testament. The second part of the liturgy is the agapē, or "love feast" (see "Communion: Partaking in Faith").
Order for the Agapē Feast of God's Word
Welcome
Greeting: the church warmly greets one another, expressing joy and fellowship.
Opening hymn: simple songs of praise and worship are sung.
Opening prayer: the leader offers thanksgiving for God's blessings and provisions.
Readings
Old Testament
Psalms (either read or sung)
New Testament letters
Hymn of Affirmation
Gospels
Dialogic Sermon
The minister leads a dialogic sermon based on the Revised Common Lectionary, teaching by the historical-grammatical method. Questions are permitted and highly encouraged. The minister bases their sermon on the scripture readings, offering insights, exhortations, and practical applications for Christian living.
Apostles' Creed
I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day, he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Lord's Supper
Communion hymn
Memorial reading:
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes (1 Cor. 11:23-26).
Communion Meal
All share this meal in attendance to celebrate a godly life together (agapē). The church shares in a common meal, referred to as the "love feast" or "agape meal," symbolizing unity, fellowship, and equality among believers. The goal is to apply church funds to cater this meal each Sunday around 10:00 am.
Intercessory Prayer
The church lifts up prayers for one another, for its needs, and for the broader community. Psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, lessons, revelations, tongues with interpretation, testimonies (see 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 5:19-20; Col. 3:16; 1 Pet. 3:15). Intercessory prayer takes place simultaneously with the church partaking in the communion meal.
Sending
Benediction
Commission
Closing hymn
Dismissal
Resources Applied
New International Version (Biblica, 2011)
Revised Common Lectionary (Abingdon, 1992)
Our Great Redeemer's Praise: A Hymnal for All God's People (Seedbed, 2022)
Prayer
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for the evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen.
Bibliography
The Book of Common Prayer. Huntington Beach, CA: Anglican Liturgy Press, 2019. p. 607. https://bcp2019.anglicanchurch.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/BCP2019.pdf.
Janicki, Toby. The Way of Life—Didache: A New Translation and Messianic Jewish Commentary. Marshfield, MO: Vine of David, 2017.
O'Laughlin, Thomas. The Didache: A Window on the Earliest Christians. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2010.
Our Great Redeemer's Praise: A Hymnal for All God's People. Franklin, TN: Seedbed, 2022.
Revised Common Lectionary. Consultation on Common Texts. Nashville: Abingdon, 1992. https://www.commontexts.org/rcl.
Roberts, Alexander, and James Donaldson, trans. "Didache." Peter Kirby, edited for Early Christian Writings, 2001. https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-roberts.html.
Wright, N. T., and Michael F. Bird. The New Testament in Its World: An Introduction to the History, Literature, and Theology of the First Christians. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2019.
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