Wednesday, July 24, 2019

A Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration for Use at the Lord's Supper


By Robin G. Jordan

This Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration is a revision of a prayer that I included in my article, “A Modern Anglican Service of the Lord's Supper: The Liturgy of the Table.” It incorporates textual material from two Lutheran sources, Now the Feast and Celebration (1990) and Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006) and two Anglican sources, An Australian Prayer Book (1978) and Common Worship: Resources for Gospel-Shaped Gatherings (2012). Except for the omission of the Prayer of Humble Access and the addition of “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain…” and “Renew us in your service, Father…,” the prayer follows the basic structure of the 1552 Canon.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, our duty, and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks and praise, Lord, holy Father, Mighty Creator and eternal God.

Here the minister continues with the preface for the day if one is appointed (see A Service of Holy Communion for the North American Mission Field) continuing…

Therefore, with all those gathered around your throne in heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious, name, in words of never-ending praise.

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Glory to you, Lord most high.

or

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

You are indeed holy, gracious and merciful God; everything, everywhere is filled with your glory. We give you thanks for your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, who by his death on the cross and rising to new life offered the one true sacrifice for sin, and obtained an eternal deliverance for his people.

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive praise and honor,
and glory and power,
for ever and ever!

Hear us, heavenly Father, and grant that we who receive these gifts of your creation, this bread and this wine according to our Savior’s command, in remembrance of his suffering and death, may be partakers of his body and blood.

Renew us in your service, Father, and help us to love one another as members of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As Jesus’ words of institution are said, the minister breaks the bread and takes hold of the cup in the sight of all the people.

On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread and, when he had given thanks, he broke it, then gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’

In the same way after the meal, Jesus took the cup and, when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’

The minister may say

Come let us eat and drink in remembrance that Christ died for us, and feed on him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

All receive communion.

Those who distribute the bread and deliver the cup may say

The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving.

The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.

or

Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving.

Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.

The minister says

Let us pray.
As our Savior taught us, we are confident to say,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen

The minister leads the people in a prayer of thanksgiving and dedication.

I would appreciate feedback from anyone who gives this prayer a trial.

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

A Service of Holy Communion for the North American Mission Field: Additional Notes and Appendices


Introductory Notes and Order of Service

NOTES

1. For the communion the Holy Table is spread with a white cloth.

2. The optional sentence of scripture permitted at the beginning of the service may be said before the opening greeting; or it may be used immediately before the Prayer of the Day.

3. The priest may greet the people with these or other suitable words.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

From Easter Day to Pentecost the priest may add:

Christ is risen. [Alleluia]
He is risen indeed. [Alleluia]

4. The Two Great Commandments or the Ten Commandments (see Appendices) may be said when the confession follows.

5. In addition to declaring God’s forgiveness the priest may read one or more of the following passages of Scripture as an assurance of God’s forgiveness:

Hear these words of assurance for those who truly turn to Christ.

Jesus said: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’. Matthew 11:28

‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.’ John 3:16

The apostle Paul said: ‘Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’. 1 Timothy 1:15

The apostle John said: ‘If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins.’ 1 John 2:1–2

God so loved the world that he gave his only Sond, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16

As far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our sins from us. Psalm 103:12

Our Lord Jesus Christ himself bore no sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteous; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24

6. The ‘Glory to God in the highest’ may be used wherever a hymn or song is permitted instead of before the Prayer of the Day.

7. The first and second reading may be introduced by the reader in this way: ’A reading from [the book]… [chapter… beginning at verse…]. One of the readings may be omitted.

8. The use of the psalm in the Ministry of the Word is encouraged (as is singing it.) Metrical versions of the psalm may be used. The ‘The Glory to the Father’ is best omitted when a psalm is used in this context.

9. The use of an alleluia and verse or an alleluia to herald the Gospel reading is recommended. During Lent the alleluia and verse or the alleluia is customarily omitted and a Lenten acclamation is sung in its place.

10. The sermon is integral to the Ministry of the Word. A sermon should be normally preached on Sundays and Holy Days.

11. A time of children’s ministry may take place at any point during the Ministry of the Word.

12. Silence is important in this rite. It may be observed as follows: before the Prayer of the Day, after each of the readings and the sermon, before the confession, after the distribution of communion.

13. Particular intentions may be said before the Prayers of the Day. Additional petitions may be added when and where they are appropriate.

14. When the confession follows the Prayers of the People, a prayer of preparation (see appendices) may be said before the Greeting of Peace.

15. At the Greeting of Peace all present may greet one another with a handshake or other suitable gesture of reconciliation, saying ‘Peace be with you.’

16. The Great Thanksgiving is a single prayer. Its unity may be obscured by changes in posture in the course of it; standing for the whole of the prayer is recommended.

17. The symbolism of one bread and one loaf has great value. It is suggested that one loaf of bread and one chalice of wine only be placed on the table for the Great Thanksgiving. If need be, extra loaves of bread and some suitable jug or other container of wine may be placed on the table. Other chalices may then may be filled from the jug after the Breaking of the Bread. It is sufficient that the bread be that normally eaten and that the wine be fermented juice of the grape.

18. Communion may be received kneeling or standing.

19. Any remaining consecrated bread and wine is to be reverently consumed after the distribution of communion or immediately after the service. This may be done at the Holy Table, at a credence table, or at some other discreet place.

20. If announcements are to be made, they may be made before the Prayers of the People, after the Greeting of Peace, before the final blessing, or at another appropriate time.

21. With the exception of the declaration of God's forgiveness, a deacon or authorized lay person may read the priest's parts of the service through the Prayers of the People when there is no communion. The service may conclude with the Lord's Prayer, the Grace, or some other suitable ending, and the Greeting of Peace. The deacon or authorized lay person may also introduce the Greeting of Peace if it is used.

APPENDICES

Sentences of Scripture (See An American Prayer Book (2009): Sentences)

Alternative Opening Prayers

Almighty God,
you know our hearts
and nothing can be hidden from you.
By your Holy Spirit, cleanse our thoughts and desires,
so that we may truly love you
and bring honor to your name,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

or

Almighty God,
You bring to light
things hidden in the darkness,
and know the shadows of our hearts;
Cleanse and renew us by your Spirit
that we may walk in the light
and glorify your name,
through Jesus Christ,
the Light of the Word. Amen.

The Two Great Commandments and the Ten Commandments

Jesus said: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength’.
This is the first and greatest commandment.
The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Lord have mercy on us, and write your commandments in our hearts by your Holy Spirit.

or

Hear the commandments which God gave his people Israel.

1. I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery; you shall have no other gods besides me.

2. Do not make any idol for yourself; you shall not bow down to them or serve them.

3. Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

4. Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days shall you labor and do all you have to do, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.

5. Honor your father and your mother.

6. Do not murder.

7. Do not commit adultery.

8. Do not steal.

9. Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.

10. Do not covet anything that is your neighbor’s.

After each commandment, the people may say

Lord, have mercy on us and incline our hearts to keep this law.

After the last commandment, or after the commandments have been read together, the people may say

Lord, have mercy on us, and write your commandments in our hearts by your Holy Spirit.

or

Hear the commandments which God gave his people Israel.

1. I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery; you shall have no other gods besides me.

2. Do not make any idol for yourself; you shall not bow down to them or serve them.

3. Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

4. Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days shall you labor and do all you have to do, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.

Lord, have mercy on us and incline our hearts to keep this law.

5. Honor your father and your mother.

6. Do not murder.

7. Do not commit adultery.

8. Do not steal.

9. Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.

10. Do not covet anything that is your neighbor’s.

Lord, have mercy on us, and write your commandments in our hearts by your Holy Spirit.

Alternative Confessions

If the following confession is used, it may be introduced with these words:

You then who truly repent of your sins, and are reconciled with others, intending to lead a new life of joyful obedience to God, draw near with faith, and take this holy sacrament to strengthen and sustain you. But first, let us make a humble confession of our sins to Almighty God.

Almighty God,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
you made all things, 
and you call everyone to account. ,
With shame we confess,
the sins we have committed against you, ,
in thought, word and deed. ,
We rightly deserve your condemnation. ,
We turn from our sins and are truly sorry for them; ,
they are a burden we cannot bear. ,
Have mercy on us, most merciful Father. ,
For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, ,
forgive us all that is past. ,
Enable us to serve and please you in newness of life,
to your honor and glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ,

or

If the following confession is used, it may be introduced with these words:

God calls us to live our lives to his glory. Jesus said: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’ But we fail to honor him as we should and to respond to his love for us. Recognizing our guilt and trusting in God’s mercy and grace, let us confess our sins together.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father
we have gone our own way,
not loving you as we ought,
nor loving our neighbor as ourselves.
We have sinned against you
in thought, word and deed
and in what we have failed to do
. We deserve your condemnation.
Father, forgive us.
Help us to love you and our neighbor,
and to live for your honor and glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Alternative Declarations of Forgiveness

Almighty God our heavenly Father,
who has promised to forgive the sins of all
who turn to him with repentance and faith,
have mercy on you;
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
strengthen you to do his will, and
keep you in eternal life,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

or

Merciful  Lord,
we rejoice that you pardon and forgive
those who truly repent and trust in your Son.
Deliver us from all our sins,
confirm and strengthen us in all goodness,
and keep us in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“Glory to God in the highest”

Glory to God in the highest
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly king,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy upon us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One;
you alone are the Lord;
you alone are the Most High
, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Trisagion

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal,
Have mercy on us.

Alternative Forms of the Prayers of the People (See 'Prayers for Sunday Services', An American Prayer Book (2009): Prayers for Various Occasions)

Alternative Prayers of Preparation

We do not presume
to come to your table, merciful Lord,
trusting in our own righteousness,
but in your many and great mercies.
We are not worthy
so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table.
But you are the same Lord
whose nature is always to have mercy.
Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord,
so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ,
and to drink his blood,
that we may evermore dwell in him,
and he in us. Amen.

or

We do not presume to come to your table,
merciful Lord,
trusting in our own righteousness,
but in your boundless goodness and mercy.
We are not even worthy
to eat the crumbs under your table.
But you are the same Lord, always rich in mercy.
Enable us by faith to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ,
and to drink his blood,
that we may be cleansed from sin
and forever dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

or

Gracious Lord,
we are not worthy to eat the crumbs from under your table,
but your love compels us to draw near.
We come with repentance and faith
to express our need
for all the benefits of your Son’s death for us.
Renew us in your service
and help us to love one another
as members of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Alternative Post-Communion Thanksgivings

Lord and heavenly Father,
in your loving kindness,
accept our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.
Grant that by the merits and death of your Son Jesus Christ
, and through faith in his blood,
we and your whole church
may receive forgiveness of our sins
and all other benefits of his suffering.
With gratitude for all your mercies,
we offer ourselves to you as a living sacrifice,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Send us out in the power of your Spirit
to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.

or

Father of all, we give you thanks and praise
that when we were still far off
you met us in your Son and brought
us home. Dying and living, he declared your love,
gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory.
May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life;
we who drink his cup bring life to others;
we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world.
Keep us in this hope that we have grasped;
so we and all your children shall be free,
and the whole earth live to praise your name. Amen.

Alternative Blessing

To him who is able to keep you from falling
and to present you before his glorious presence
without fault and with great joy,
to the only God our Savior
be glory, majesty, power and authority,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
before all ages, now and for evermore! Amen.

or

People accompany their first three responses with a sweep of the arm towards the cross behind the Holy Table, and their final response with a sweep toward heaven.

Priest       All our problems,
People     We send to the cross of Christ.

Priest       All our difficulties,
People     We send to the cross of Christ.

Priest      All the devil’s work,
People    We send to the cross of Christ.

Priest      All our hopes,
People    We set on the risen Christ.

Priest      Christ the Sun of Righteousness
               Shine upon you and scatter the
               darkness from before your path:
               And the blessing of God Almighty, Father,
               Son and Holy Spirit, be among you,
               and remain with you always. Amen.

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

A Service of Holy Communion for the North American Mission Field: Introductory Notes and Order of Service


INTRODUCTORY NOTES

1. No doctrine or practices may be construed or based on this service, apart from those authorized by the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion and/or the Book of Common Prayer of 1662.

3. Words in square brackets may be omitted.

4. Words in bold type are said or sung by the congregation.

5. Where parts of the service are sung to a musical setting, the words for which these setterings were composed may be used.

6. Hymns and songs may be sung with this service otherwise than where provision is made for them. In the selection of hymns and songs careful attention to the themes of the service and also to the relation of the hymn or song chosen to its position within the service.

7. Additional notes for the conduct of this service will be found at the end of the service.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

The priest greets the people. The service may begin with songs or hymns of praise and thanksgiving

The minister may read a sentence of scripture appropriate to the day.

All may say

[Let us pray.
 Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden,
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.]

or another suitable opening prayer

The Confession may be said here or after the Prayers of the People.

The deacon or other minister says

Knowing the goodness of God and the times we fail to respond with love and obedience, let us confess our sins together.

Heavenly Father,
you have loved us with an everlasting love,
but we have often gone our own way
and rejected your will for our lives.
We are sorry for our sins
and turn away from them.
For the sake of your Son who died for us
forgive us, cleanse us, and change us.
By your Holy Spirit enable us to live for you
and to please you in every way,
for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

The priest stands and declares God’s forgiveness in these or other authorized words.

God is slow to anger and full of compassion.
He forgives all who humbly repent
and turn to his Son Jesus Christ,
in whom there is no condemnation. Amen.

In the absence of a priest a deacon or other minister says 1 John 2:1-2.

Hear these words of assurance from the apostle John: If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

The Prayer of the Day

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

The Bible readings follow, one from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. A reading from the Gospels is always included.

After each reading the reader may say

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Silence may be kept.

A psalm, portion of a psalm, or canticle may be sung or said after the reading from the Old Testament. “Glory be to the Father…” may be omitted.

A hymn or song may be sung before the Gospel.

All may stand for the Gospel reading.

The reader may say

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to… [chapter… verse…]
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

After the Gospel, the reader may say

This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

Silence may be kept.

The sermon is preached here.

On Sundays the Nicene Creed or the Apostles’ Creed is said or sung, all standing.

In response to God’s word, let us affirm with Christians across the ages our confidence in the God who has spoken.

We believe in one God,
   the Father, the Almighty,
   maker of heaven and earth
   of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
   the only Son of God,
      eternally begotten of the Father,
   God from God, Light from Light,
   true God from true God,
   begotten not made,
   of one being with the Father;
   through him all things were made.
   For us and for our salvation
   he came down from heaven:
   he was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary
   and became truly human.
   For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
   he suffered death and was buried.
   On the third day he rose again
   in accordance with the Scriptures;
   he ascended into heaven
   and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
  He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead
  
    and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
   the Lord, the giver of life,
   who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
   who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,    
         who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
   We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
   We look for the resurrection of the dead,

   and the life of the world to come. Amen.

or

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
   creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
   his only Son, our Lord,
   who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
   born of the virgin Mary,
   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;
   from there he will come 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.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

One or more members of the congregation may pray, using this form or a suitable alternative.

Almighty and eternal God through the apostle Paul you teach us to pray and to give thanks for all people. In your mercy receive our prayers.

Set the nations on the path of righteousness and peace. Lead their rulers to wise decisions and right actions for the welfare of all.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

We pray for the leaders of our nation (especially …), and for all who exercise authority in this land. Enable them to uphold justice, restrain wickedness and promote integrity and truth.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

Comfort and sustain, merciful Lord, everyone in this fleeting life who is in sorrow, need, sickness, or any other distress (especially …).

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

Give your church boldness to preach the gospel in all the world, making disciples of all nations and teaching them to obey all that you have commanded.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

Give grace to all bishops and other ministers (especially …), to set forth your life-giving word by their example and teaching and rightly administer your holy sacraments.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

Give grace to your people gathered here, to receive your word with humble and obedient hearts and serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

We praise you for all who have died in the faith of Christ (especially …). Help us to follow their good examples, that with them we may inherit your heavenly kingdom.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

Hear us, Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen

or

Accept our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord, who taught us to pray

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

If the Confession and the Declaration of Forgiveness have not been used earlier in the service, they may be used here.

THE GREETING OF PEACE

All stand. The Greeting of Peace is introduced with these or other suitable words.

We are the body of Christ.
His Spirit is with us.

The priest says

The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.

All may share a sign of peace. This may be introduced with the words:

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

A deacon or one or more members of the congregation may prepare the Lord’s Table.

A hymn or song may be sung.

The gifts of the people are brought to the Lord’s Table. They may be presented in silence, or these words may be said.

Lord, yours in the greatness,
And the power, and the glory 
and the victory and the majesty;
All things come from you
And of your own we give you.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

The bread and wine for the communion are placed on the Lord’s Table if this has not already been done.

The priest says the following or another authorized Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration.

[The Lord be with you
And also with you]

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Always and everywhere, it is right for us to praise you, Lord, holy Father, mighty Creator and eternal God.

On certain days a special preface (see below) is said here.

Therefore, with all those gathered around your throne in heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, in words of never-ending praise:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

[Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
]

Special prefaces for Christmas, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost and Trinity:

Christmas
We praise you for giving your only Son Jesus Christ to be made man for us. By the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the virgin Mary his mother, without sin, to make us free from all sin.

or

We praise you that the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Easter
We praise you especially for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. He is the true Passover lamb who was offered for us and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death; by his rising to life again he has restored to us eternal life.

Ascension
We praise you through Jesus Christ our ascended Lord, who was seen by his disciples after his resurrection and in their sight went into heaven to sit at your right hand and prepare a place for us, that where he is we might also be and reign with him in glory.

Pentecost
We praise you through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whose sure promise the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles to teach them and lead them into all truth, giving them boldness and fervent zeal to preach the gospel to all nations. By that gospel we have been brought out of darkness and error into the true knowledge of you and of your Son Jesus Christ.

Trinity
You are one God, one Lord, not one person but three persons. For all that we believe of your glory, Father, we believe also of the glory of your Son and of the Holy Spirit. We worship you, one God in Trinity and Trinity in unity.

All Saints
We praise you through Jesus Christ our Lord for the saints in whom you have given us an example of godly living, that rejoicing in their fellowship, we may run with perseverance the race that is set before us, and with them receive the unfading crown of glory.

After the special preface the priest and people continue with the words “Therefore, with all those gathered….”

Standing at the table, the priest continues to give thanks

We thank you, heavenly Father, that in your great love and mercy you gave your only Son to die on the cross for our salvation.

By this offering of himself once and for all time, Jesus made a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world and commanded us to continue a remembrance of his precious death until his coming again.

The priest takes the bread into his hands and says

On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread and, when he had given thanks, he broke it, then gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’

The priest takes the cup into his hand and says

In the same way after the meal, Jesus took the cup and, when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’

[Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.]

Christ has died
Christ is risen
Christ will come again

With this bread and this cup we commemorate and proclaim his saving death, as our Savior commanded, recalling his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension and looking for his coming again.

Hear us, merciful Father, and grant that we who receive these gifts of your creation, this bread and this wine, according to our Savior’s command in remembrance of his suffering and death, may be partakers of his body and blood.

Accept this our heart-felt thanks and praise through your Son Jesus Christ. Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours, gracious Father, for ever and ever, Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer may be said here or after the communion if it has not been used earlier in the service.

As our Savior taught us, we are bold to say
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD AND THE COMMUNION

The priest breaks the bread in the sight of the people.

Silence is kept.

Then may be said

[Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.]

The priest may say

Come let us eat and drink in remembrance that Christ died for us, and feed on him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

The priest and people receive communion.

Those who distribute the bread and deliver the cup may say

The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving.

The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.

or

The body of Christ keep you in eternal life. Amen.

The blood of Christ keep you in eternal life. Amen.

or

Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving.

Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.

THE SENDING OUT OF GOD’S PEOPLE

If the Lord’s Prayer has not been said earlier it is said here. This or another thanksgiving is then said.

Almighty and ever-living God,
thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food
of the body and blood of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Thank you for assuring us of your goodness and love,
that we are members of his body,
and heirs, through hope, of your eternal kingdom.
Keep us faithful to your Son, and strengthen us by your Spirit
to do the good works you have prepared for us to do
for your honor and praise. Amen.

A hymn or song may be sung.

The priest says this or some other suitable blessing.

May the peace of God, which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

The deacon may say

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.

Additional Notes  and Appendices