THANKSGIVING COMMUNION ACCORDING TO THE DIDACHÉ (Hora ah 9 & 10) The Didaché ( - pronounced dee-dah-kay which means teaching), also known as Teaching of the Twelve, is a very early Nazorean text rediscovered in the last 150 years dealing with rituals, authority, hospitality and organization of the yahadim. 1 Some of the so-called Church Fathers considered the Didaché to be part of the New Testament. One of our oldest congregations, the Ethiopic Orthodox Church, has accepted it into the canon. Christian churches accept it as part of the vast literature called Church Fathers. We (the Nazorean Community) generally accept it as inspired teaching. The Didaché shows a great deal of affinity to the Epistle of Barnabas and many scriptural texts. One of the evidences of its Nazorean / Hebraic origin is in the use of the term vine as a synonym for the line of Davidic kings. Yahshua is equated with the vine and with David, and is called the son of David rather than the (that is, the son of theos). Some Hebraic Congregations rightly recognize that Yahshua instituted a unique feast a type of Unleavened Bread Feast that could be celebrated not only annually, but daily (see 1 Corinthians 11:25, **Acts 2:42-46). Here is a translation of the Communion liturgy: Concerning the Great Thanksgiving, give thanks in this manner: We thank you, Father, for your name Yahweh, the name you have caused to live in our hearts, and for the knowledge, faith and timelessness that you have made known to us through Yahshua your Son; may you be esteemed le olam vaed. You, Almighty Sovereign, brought all things into being for the sake of your Name, and have granted both food and drink for humanity to enjoy, so that we might give you thanks. Yet to us you have granted spiritual food and drink, and life age to age, through your Son. Above all, we thank you that you are powerful to rescue us; may you so be esteemed forever. Remember, O Sovereign, your Yahad, 2 to redeem it from every evil one, to complete it in your ahava, and to gather it from the four winds even every one who has been elected for your reign you have so prepared; for yours is the Reign and with great appreciation forever. Let refinement come, and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the Ben Dawid! If anyone is elect, let him come to the Todah Rabbah; if anyone is not, let him change his mind. Maranatha. First, concerning the cup. We thank you, our Father, for the Qodesh Vine, David your Son, whom you have made known to us through Yahshua the Anointed One, your Son; may you be esteemed le olam va-ed. And concerning the broken bread. We thank you, our Father, for the life and knowledge that you have made known to us through Yahshua your Son; may you be greatly honored le olam va-ed. As this broken bread was once scattered upon the mountains, and after it had been brought together became one, so may your Yahadim be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your Reign; for yours is the adoration and the power, through Yahshua the Anointed One, le olam va ed. {The elements are served.} Now we charge the prophets to give thanks, so far as they are willing to do so. (Let the people pray.) At this point in the service, we may bring our praise reports and petitions. This would also be a fine time to anoint the sick. The reader might notice that the cup is presented first, and in the Scriptures, there are two cups. I have used this with either cup or bread first. This short liturgy is perfect for visitation, home or personal communions. It would be appropriate to prepare hearts before-hand, since the actual service is so short. It is meant to be performed with people who are already prepared through prayer, silence and / or fasting the meal before. 1 Yahad = The Together Ones.
SHORT HOME OR PERSONAL COMMUNION SERVICE This service is based on the older Methodist Communion. The little meal has already been prepared and is awaiting consumption. It is composed of unleavened bread that can be torn or broken and wine in a common cup or individual cups. A short lesson from scripture might be read and/or an explanation of what the Sacrament means. It would be good if all communicants could read the prayers together. The leader may do the narrations parts alone. A prayer of humble access or repentance may be spoken. (1) Let us pray: Almighty heavenly Father, who mercifully gave your only Son Yahshua the Anointed to suffer death for our redemption, a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, who commanded us to continue a memorial of his death until his return: Hear us. Set apart these gifts of bread and wine that we may partake of his divine nature. (2) Narration: On the night he was betrayed, Yahshua took bread; gave thanks, broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. {The bread may be broken and displayed for a moment, then returned.} (3) Narration: After supper he took the cup; gave thanks, and offered it to them, saying, Drink this; it is my blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins; do this in remembrance of me. {The cup is likewise lifted and returned.} (4) Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we desire your goodness to accept our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, asking you to grant that we may be forgiven of our sins and receive all other benefits of his passion, by the merits and death of your Son Yahshua the Anointed, through faith in his blood, (5) We offer to you our souls and bodies as a reasonable and set-apart sacrifice, humbly asking that we who partake may be filled with your grace and approval. (6) And though, because of our many sins, we are unworthy to offer you any sacrifice, yet we ask you to accept this our duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offenses. (7) Father, allow us to partake of this Sacrament of your Son Yahshua the Anointed, that we may walk in newness of life, may grow into his likeness, and may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. All this through Yahshua the Anointed our Sovereign Master, by whom, and with whom in the unity of the Set-apart Spirit, all honor and esteem be yours, O Father Almighty, world without end. The bread is offered with the words: The body of the Anointed One broken for you. The cup is offered with the words: The blood of the Anointed One spilled for you. {Other prayers of thanksgiving, petition or healing may here be said.} Benediction, raise your hands: May the peace which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of our Elohim and of his Son Yahshua the Anointed Messiah; and the blessing of the Almighty, the Father, Son, and Set-apart Spirit, remain with you always. 6009 JacksonSnyder.org
THE TODAH RABBAH Eucharist means Thanksgiving This liturgy, slightly adapted from the Book of Common Prayer (Anglican), has roots from the second century. It has been used for centuries throughout the world and is used today in some form by many parts of the believing body. The following is the True Names Version. After a prayer of confession, the liturgy begins: May the Sovereign be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to Yahweh. Let us give thanks to Yahweh Elohim. It is right to give him thanks and praise. It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Malachin and Malachim ha Gadol and with all the company of the Father s Realm, who forever sing this tehilla to esteem your Name: Qadosh, qadosh, qadosh Yah, Sovereign of power and might, sky and earth are full of your kavod. Hoshiana El Elyon. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of Yahweh. Hoshiana El Elyon. Devoted and favoring Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Yahshua the Anointed, Your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the Eloha and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the stake, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world. On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Master Yahshua the Anointed One took matzah; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, Take, eat; This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, Drink this, all of you; This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do so in remembrance of me. Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: The Savior has died. The Savior is risen. The Savior will come again. We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer these gifts back to you. Sanctify them by your Devoted Spirit so as to be for your people the very Body and Blood of your Son, the qadosh food and drink of new and unending life in him. Set us apart also so we may faithfully receive this Thanksgiving feast, and thus serve you in unity, constancy, and shalom; and at the last day bring us with all your tzadikim into the joy of your eternal Realm.
All this we ask through your Son Yahshua the Anointed One. By him, and with him and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and majesty is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. [Leader lifts, and/or lifts and breaks, the bread.] Hallelujah! Messiah our Passover is sacrificed for us! Therefore let us keep the feast! Hallelujah! [Servers hold the Bread as the Leader continues... ] The Body of Messiah, the bread of heaven. Take this and eat it in remembrance that the Anointed One died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with todah rabbah. [Servers serve the Bread] [Returning to the Table, the Servers hold the Wine as the Leader continues... ] The Blood of the Messiah, the cup of salvation. Take this and drink it in remembrance that the blood of the Anointed One was shed for you, and be thankful. [Servers serve the Wine] [After Communion, or as a Benediction, the following] Let us pray. Eternal Elohim, sky Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Yahshua the Anointed, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Yahad of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in shalom, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through the Anointed Messiah our Master. [or] Almighty and everliving Elohim, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Yahshua the Anointed Messiah, and for assuring us in these devoted mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son and heirs of your eternal Realm. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of the Anointed Messiah our Master. To him, to you, Ruach haqodesh, be honor and esteem now and forever.
ANCIENT SPIRITUAL PRAYERS COME, O CREATOR SPIRIT Come, O Creator Spirit, come, and make within our heart thy home; to us celestial favor give, who of thy breathing move and live. O Comforter, that name is thine, of El Elyon the gift divine; the well of life, the fire of love, our souls' anointing from above. Thou dost appear in sev nfold dower (gift) the sign of The Almighty Power; the Father's promise, making rich with saving truth our earthly speech. Our senses with thy light inflame, our hearts to heav nly love reclaim; our bodies' poor infirmity with strength perpetu l fortify. Our mortal foes afar repel, grant us henceforth in peace to dwell; and so to us, with thee to guide, no ill shall come, no harm betide. May we by thee the Father learn, and know the Son, and thee discern, who art of both; and thus adore in perfect faith for evermore. True Names Version of the Latin verse, tenth century; trans. Robert Bridges, 1899 THE SPIRITUS SANCTUS PRAYER O holy Spirit, by whose breath life rises vibrant out of death: Come to create, renew, inspire; come, kindle in our hearts your fire. You are the seeker's sure resource, of burning love and living source, Protector in the midst of strife, the giver and the King of Life. In you great energy is shown, to us your varied gifts made known. Yours is the tongue and yours the ear. Teach us to speak, teach us to hear. Flood our dull senses with your light; in mutual love our hearts unite. Your power the whole creation fills; confirm our weak, uncertain wills. From inner strife, grant us release. Turn nations to the ways of peace. To fuller life your people bring that as one body, we may sing Praise to the Father! Let it ring! To Son, To Spirit! El is King! 6006 JacksonSnyder.org