Love Feast of God's Word
- James Collazo
- Jun 20, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Introduction
We call this liturgy the Love Feast of God's Word. The first disciples broke bread with fire in their hearts, and we follow their path. This feast stands on two commands from Jesus: Hear my Word and obey it (Matt. 7:24–27). To hear without obedience is like building on sand. To hear and act builds on the rock that no storm can move.
We draw this feast from deep, ancient streams. We follow the Torah portions of Israel's triennial cycle, the same Scriptures that shaped Jesus and his apostles. We echo the Didachē, the first-century manual that taught believers how to worship in Spirit and truth. We stand with the Revised Common Lectionary, letting the Old and New Testaments rise together—promise and fulfillment, shadow and light, Moses and the Messiah.
This feast does not stop at hearing. It drives us to the agapē meal—the love feast. Here, we break bread, lift thanksgiving, and bear witness. Here, the body of Christ binds together in unity and strength. This liturgy is no dead form. It breathes. It burns. It is Word and table, hearing and doing, faith and love bound together in Christ.
Order for the Love Feast of God's Word
This Love Feast of God's Word is no empty ritual. It is a table of fire—Word and bread, Spirit and fellowship. The first believers gathered in this way, and the Spirit still calls us. Here, heaven and earth meet; grace breaks in, and Christ himself is present among his people. As we eat and drink, we proclaim his death, rejoice in his resurrection, and await the day when he comes again in glory.
Gathering & Welcome
Leader: Brothers and sisters, come as the family of God. Enter this feast with open hearts. The love feast binds us together, roots us in the Word, and lifts us into fellowship.
Opening Hymn (from Our Great Redeemer's Praise: A Hymnal for All God's People).
Opening Prayer (inspired by the Didachē).
We thank you, Father, for the gift of life and the light of knowledge revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Gather your people into one loaf, as grain once scattered becomes one bread of life. Unite us in your Spirit, that your church may glorify your name in faith, love, and service now and forever. Amen.
Bread & Wine
The people share bread and wine—the signs of Christ's love.
Leader: The bread of life, the fruit of the vine, Christ among us.
All: Thanks be to God.
All eat and drink together in holy silence.
Prayers & Gifts of the Spirit
The church does not sit silent—it lifts its voice in prayer. Brothers and sisters cry out for one another, for the body's needs, and for the broken world beyond these walls. The Spirit fills the gathering with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, lessons, revelations, tongues with interpretation, and testimonies (1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 5:19–20; Col. 3:16; 1 Pet. 3:15).
The Lord's Prayer
Leader: Let's pray as Jesus taught us:
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. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
The Word of God
Read the Scriptures—Old and New, law and gospel, promise and fulfillment..
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Dialogic Sermon
The Word speaks through the leader and the people together.
Leader Reflection (5 minutes): Start with Scripture and truth.
Guided Questions (15 minutes):
Leader Conclusion (2–3 minutes): Gather the voices into one call to faith and action.
Testimonies & Sharing
Speak of God's work. Tell of his mercy. Give him glory in this fellowship.
Thanksgiving Prayer
Leader:
We thank you, Father, for your presence among us, for your living Word, for the Spirit's power, and for the Lamb who makes us one. Keep us steadfast in your love, and send us forth in your mission to the world. Gather and renew your church from every nation until Christ returns in glory and your kingdom is complete. Amen.
Closing
Leader:
Go in the Spirit's power. You have eaten the bread of life. You have drunk the cup of love. You have heard the Word of truth. Do not only hear—obey. Love as Christ loves you. Serve as he serves. Live as his people in a world that needs his fire.
Closing Hymn (from Our Great Redeemer's Praise: A Hymnal for All God's People).
Benediction (from Eph. 3:20–21).
Now to him who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power at work within us—to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. May his Spirit strengthen our hearts, his grace sustain our lives, and his love guide us in all we do, to the praise of his holy name. Amen.
Prayer
Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of heaven and earth. Stay with us as we gather; speak through your Word and nourish us with grace. Open our eyes to see your presence among the faithful. Strengthen hearts to walk in faith and love. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bibliography
Atkerson, Stephen E. The Lord's Supper: An Actual Meal—Oneness, Fellowship. Atlanta: New Testament Reformation Fellowship, 2023.
⸻. The Practice of the Early Church: A Theological Workbook. Atlanta: New Testament Reformation Fellowship, 2024.
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. Vanderbilt Divinity Library. [link].
Richardson, Cyril C., trans. and ed. "A Church Manual—The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, Commonly Called the Didache." In The Library of Christian Classics, Vol. 1. Edited by John Baillie, John T. McNeill, and Henry P. Van Dusen. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1953.
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.
