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.
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