GUIDELINES FOR SERVICES OF THE WORD

In Service of the Word, First Order, and Service of the Word, Second Order, A Prayer Book for North America provides two models for a Service of the Word, one based upon the pattern of The Holy Communion, Second Order, and the other on that of Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer in The Book of Common Prayer. With the following guidelines A Prayer Book for North America also makes provision for the development of local patterns of worship. It recognizes that the local church is often in a better position than a denomination and its judicatories to determine the pattern of worship that will best serve the mission of the Church in its particular community. 

1. Local churches may develop orders of service for their own use for occasions of public worship at which a Service of the Word is needed.

2. Such orders of service must include the praise of God, confession of sin, prayer for forgiveness, reading and preaching of God’s Word, and intercession.

3. The praise of God may take the form of acclamations (or ascriptions of praise), anthems, canticles, hymns, prayers of thanksgiving, psalms, responsaries, testimonials, and songs.

4. These elements of the service should be selected with careful attention to the appropriateness of their tone and subject for the particular place they are used in the service.

5. Only authorized confessions of sin, assurances of forgiveness, and prayers for forgiveness may be used.

6. One of the following prayers or a similar prayer may be used before the reading of God’s Word.

Thank you, Father, for making yourself known to us

and showing us the way of salvation through faith in your Son.

Teach us through your word

 and equip us for every good work,

for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

or

Thank you, Father, that all Scripture is God-breathed

and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting

and training in righteousness.

Open our hearts to receive your word,

that we may know you better

and be thoroughly equipped for every good work,

through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

or

Heavenly Father, give us faith to receive your word,

understanding to know what it means,

and the will to put it into practice,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

or

Gracious God, your word is alive and active,

sharper than any double-edged sword.

Today, when we hear your voice,

deliver us from hardness of heart.

Help us to put away everything that keeps us

from persevering in your way,

for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

7. The reading of God’s Word should be drawn from both Old Testament and New Testaments. At celebrations of the Holy Communion a reading from the Gospels should be included.

8. A variety of ways, including drama, interviews, and other techniques, may be used to proclaim the message of the Gospel.

9. A time of congregational reflection may follow the sermon, involving questions and discussion, and mutual encouragement or warning, based on the sermon and/or the readings. This time may conclude with prayer responses to what has been shared.

10. The fundamental characteristic of a Service of the Word is simplicity. A useful liturgical principle to apply is the principle that less is more. Extraneous and redundant elements should be avoided.Only necessary elements should be incorporated into the order of service. Careful attention should be given to the logic of their progression.  The service should flow smoothly from one element to the next. Disjunctive elements should not be paired with each other. 

11. Any announcements should be made at the most appropriate place where they do not interrupt the flow of service but if possible contribute to it.

12. No element that embodies a doctrine or practice incongruent with the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion of 1571 and The Book of Common Prayer of 1662 should be used in the order of service.

13. Foremost in the minds of those developing the order of service should be the ministry target group or groups that the local church is seeking to reach and engage. The first step is to seek to understand their culture or cultures before adopting a specific pattern of worship for the use of the local church.

14. At celebrations of Holy Communion an order of service developed in accordance with these guidelines may be used in place of all that precedes the Greeting of the Peace. In this case if there is a collection, it is taken after the Greeting of the Peace. The people's gifts may be brought to the Lord’s Table, They may be dedicated with a suitable prayer. 

SERVICE OF THE WORD, SECOND ORDER

This Service of the Word is modeled on Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer in The Book of Common Prayer and follows a pattern of 

Preparation, 
Praise, 
Proclamation
Prayer

The opening preces have been shortened. The Jubilate has been restored to its ancient and biblical function as a psalm of entrance and may be sung as an alternative invitatory psalm to the Venite. The office hymn follows the invitatory psalm where it is a fitting response to the Venite's call to worship God in song. There is no singing before the opening preces. In the evening, the office hymn immediately follows the opening preces. Other versions and forms of the Phos hilaron may be used or another suitable hymn or song. 

Following the Eastern Christian tradition the psalm(s) of the day conclude with the recitation or singing of the lesser doxology, Gloria Patri. The greater doxology, Gloria in Excelsis, may be sung in place of the lesser doxology. Metrical versions of both doxologies may be used. 

Whenever possible, the invitatory psalms, the Easter Anthems, the Phos hilaron, and the canticles after the readings should be sung. Metrical versions of these texts may be used. Hymns and songs praising God and echoing the imagery and themes of the canticles may be substituted for the canticles. The canticles serve as responses of praise to God's Word. 

The Gloria in Excelsis may be used in place of the Te Deum or the Song of Zechariah. If the Gloria in Excelsis is used after one of the readings or the sermon, the Gloria Patri should be recited or sung after the psalms. If the Gloria in Excelsis is used in place of the Song of Zechariah, A Song of Creation, in its long or shorter version, The Song of the Three Young Men, or another suitable canticle should be used in place of the Te Deum. 

A hymn or song after the Old Testament Reading and the Gloria in Excelsis  after the New Testament Reading, the Gospel Reading, or the sermon is another possible combination. Where the sermon is preached determines where the second canticle is used. The canticle should follow the reading if the sermon is preached at the end of the service. Otherwise, the canticle should follow the sermon. 

A sermon is normally preached at this service and may be preached immediately after the readings or at the end of the service.

This service may be tailored to the particular circumstances of the congregation using the service and may be led by an authorized lay person. 

SERVICE OF THE WORD, SECOND ORDER

GATHERING IN GOD'S NAME

The minister may greet the people and briefly explain the theme of the service. The minister may read one or more sentences of Scripture appropriate to the day or season.

The minister says

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The minister may say this exhortation. He may omit the second paragraph.

The Bible tells us not to hide our sins from God our heavenly Father, but to confess them with a repentant and obedient heart, so that we may be forgiven through his boundless goodness and mercy.

[We ought to admit our sins to God at all times, and especially when we come together like this, to give thanks for the benefits we have received from him, to offer the praise that is due to him, to hear his holy word, and to ask him to supply whatever we need. 

]

The minister says

So let us approach the throne of our gracious God, with a true heart in full assurance of faith, and pray together:

Merciful Father,

we have strayed from your ways like lost sheep.

We have followed too much the schemes and desires of our own hearts

and have broken your holy laws.

We have left undone what we ought to have done,

and we have done what we ought not to have done.

Yet, good Lord, have mercy on us;

restore those who are repentant,

 according to the promises declared to us

through your Son Jesus Christ.

Grant, merciful Father, for his sake,

that from now on,

we may live godly and obedient lives,

to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

The minister stands and says this assurance of God’s forgiveness

God desires that no one should perish, but that all should turn to Christ and live. We confess our sins in response to his call. God pardons those who humbly repent and truly believe the gospel. Therefore, we have peace with God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

or the minister may say this prayer

 Almighty God and loving Father,

we rejoice that you pardon and forgive

those who truly repent and sincerely believe your holy gospel.

Grant us true repentance and your Holy Spirit,

that we may live godly, righteous and holy lives,

and finally come to your eternal glory,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

MORNING

All stand, and the minister says

Lord, open our lips.

And we shall declare your praise.

Psalm 95 is said or sung

O come, let us sing to the Lord;*

let us heartily rejoice in the rock of our salvation.

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving*

and be glad in him with psalms

For the Lord is a great God*

and a great king above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth*

and the heights of the mountains are his also

The sea is his, for he made it,*

and his hands have molded the dry land.

Come, let us worship and bow down*

and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

For he is our God;*

and we are the people of his pasture

and the sheep of his hand.

The canticle may end here with 'Glory to the Father…'

O that today you would listen to his voice:*

'Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,

on that day at Massah in the wilderness,

'When your forebears tested me, and put me to the proof,*

though they had seen my works.

'Forty years long I detested that generation and said,*

"This people are wayward in their hearts;

they do not know my ways."

'So I swore in my wrath,*

"They shall not enter into my rest." '

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,*

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning, is now*

and shall be for ever. Amen.

or Psalm 100

O be joyful in the Lord, all the earth;*

serve the Lord with gladness

and come before his presence with a song.

Know that the Lord is God;*

it is he that has made us and we are his;

we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;*

give thanks to him and bless his name.

For the Lord is gracious; his steadfast love is everlasting,*

and his faithfulness endures from generation to generation.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,*

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning, is now*

and shall be for ever. Amen.

or especially in Eastertide, the Easter Anthems

Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us:*

so let us celebrate the feast.

not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness:*

but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Christ once raised from the dead dies no more:*

death has no more dominion over him.

In dying he died to sin once for all:*

in living he lives to God.

See yourselves therefore as dead to sin:*

and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Christ has been raised from the dead:*

the first fruits of those who sleep.

For as by man came death:*

by man has come also the resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die:*

even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Glory to the Father and to the Son*

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning, is now*

and shall be for ever. Amen.

These and other canticles may be used in other versions and forms.

A hymn or song may follow.

EVENING

The minister stands and says

O Lord, we call to you: come to us quickly.
Hear us when we cry to you.

The Phos hilaron or a similar hymn or song may be sung.

O joyful light,

from the pure glory of the eternal heavenly Father,

O holy, blessed Jesus Christ.

As we come to the setting of the sun

and see the evening light,

we give thanks and praise to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit of God.

Worthy are you at all times

to be sung with holy voices,

O Son of God, O giver of life,

and to be glorified through all creation

The Psalm(s) of the day

After the last psalm

Glory to the Father and to the Son*

and to the Holy Spirit;

As it was in the beginning, is now*

and shall be for ever. Amen.

The First Reading from the Old Testament

The readings are announced, The First/Second Reading from…, chapter…, beginning at verse….

After each reading silence may be kept.

MORNING

The Te Deum or a similar hymn of praise

We praise you, O God,

   we acclaim you as the Lord;*

all creation worships you,

   the Father everlasting.

To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,*

the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:

Holy, holy, holy, God of power and might,*

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you;*

the noble fellowship of prophets praise you.

The white-robed army of martyrs praise you;*

throughout the world, the holy Church acclaims you:

Father, of majesty unbounded,

   your true and only Son, worthy of all praise,*

the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the King of glory,*

the eternal Son of the Father.

When you took our flesh to set us free,*

you humbly chose the Virgin’s womb.

You overcame the sting of death*

and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You are seated at God’s right hand in glory:*

we believe that you will come to be our judge.

Come then, Lord, and help your people,*

bought with the price of your own blood,

and bring us with your saints*

to glory everlasting.

The Te Deum may end here.

Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance:*

govern and uphold them now and always.

Day by day we bless you:*                                                                                               
we praise your name for ever.

Keep us today, Lord, from all sin:*                                                                               
have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy

Lord, show us your love and mercy,*                                                                              
for we put our trust in you. 

In you, Lord, is our hope.*                                                                                               
let us never be put to shame

See Canticles for other suitable hymns and canticles for use in the morning.

EVENING

The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55), or another hymn

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,*

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

he has looked with favor on his lowly servant;*

from this day all generations will call me blessed;

the Almighty has done great things for me*

and holy is his name.

He has mercy on those who fear him,*

from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm*

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

casting down the mighty from their thrones*

and lifting up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things*

and sent the rich away empty.

He has come to the aid of his servant Israel*

to remember his promise of mercy,

The promise made to our ancestors,*

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father and to the Son*

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning, is now*

and shall be for ever. Amen.

See Canticles for other suitable hymns and canticles for use in the evening.

The Second Reading from the New Testament

If two New Testament readings are read, the Gospel reading is read here.

The sermon may be preached here or at the end of the service.

MORNING

The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79), or another hymn

Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,*

who has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,*

born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets God promised of old*

to save us from our enemies,

   from the hands of all that hate us

To show mercy to our ancestors,*

and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath God swore to our father

Abraham:*

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

Free to worship him without fear,*

holy and righteous in his sight

   all the days of our life.

And you, child, shall be called the prophet

of the Most High,*

for you will go before the Lord to prepare

his way,

To give his people knowledge of salvation*

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God*

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

To shine on those who dwell in darkness

   and the shadow of death,*

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father and to the Son*

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning, is now*

and shall be for ever. Amen.

EVENING

The Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32), or another hymn

Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace*

your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation*

which you have prepared in the sight of every people;

A light to reveal you to the nations*

and the glory of your people Israel

Glory to the Father and to the Son*

and to the Holy Spirit; 

as it was in the beginning, is now*

and shall be for ever. Amen.

The Apostles’ Creed.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth;

and 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, dead, and buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;

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.

The prayers may be introduced with these or similar words.

Let us pray for the world and the Church.

   or

Let us pray for all people and the Church throughout the world.

   and/or

Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ has promised that you will hear us when we ask in faith: receive the prayers we offer.

Particular intentions may be mention before this form, or petitions added at appropriate points.

Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church
  that we all may be one in Christ.

Grant that every member of your Church may truly and humbly serve you:
  that your name may be glorified by everyone.

We pray for all bishops, priests and deacons
  that they may be faithful ministers of your word and sacraments.

We pray for all who govern and exercise authority in the nations of the world

  that there may be justice and peace among all.

Have compassion on those who suffer or are in grief any grief or trouble
  that they may be delivered from their distress.

We praise you for all your saints who have entered into eternal joy
  may we also share in your heavenly kingdom.

Open prayer may be offered and silence may be kept.

The Collect of the Day

The minister says

Joining our prayers and praises with Christians in every place and every generation, let us 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 forever. Amen.

The minister says

Lord, you have given us grace to agree in these our prayers, and you have promised that when two or three ask together in your name you will grant their request. Fulfill now, Lord, our desires and prayers as may be best for us. Grant us, in this life, knowledge of your truth and in the age to come, life eternal. Amen.

A hymn or song may be sung and a collection may be taken. The gifts of the people may be presented at the Lord’s Table. One of these prayers may be said.

Heavenly Father,

thank you that we have these gifts to share.

Help us to be generous

in supporting the work of the gospel

 and caring for those in need,

in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

or

Gracious God, all things come from you,

and you teach us to be generous with what we have.

We pray that our gifts may be wisely used

for the ministry of the gospel

 and the relief of those in need,

for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

If the sermon has not been preached earlier in the service, the sermon is preached here.

SENDING OUT OF GOD’S PEOPLE

All may say together

Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created, and by whose love we are redeemed: Guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and live each day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

or

Lord Jesus Christ, send us out with confidence in your word

to tell the world of your saving acts, and bring glory to your name. Amen.

or

Lord God, we rejoice in your greatness and power, your patience and love, your mercy and justice. Enable us by your Spirit to honor you in our thoughts, words and actions, and to serve you in every aspect of our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

or a similar prayer

A hymn or song may be sung.

The Benediction is said.

The Lord bless us and keep us:

The Lord make his face to shine upon us

and be gracious to us:

The Lord lift up his countenance upon us

and give us peace. Amen.

or

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,

And the love of God,

And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,

Be with us all evermore. Amen.

[Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ.]

NOTES

1. Where they occur, the directions to stand, sit, or kneel are suggestions only.

2. The minister and those assisting him should quietly take their places before the service. A musical prelude or a processional is not appropriate.

3. A brief period of silence for self-examination may be observed before the Confession of Sin.

4. Metrical versions of the invitatory psalms and the Easter Anthems may be used. A hymn or song normally follows the invitatory psalm or the Easter Anthems, though it may be omitted. This hymn or song should properly be a hymn for the morning, the feast, or the season  or a similar song. . A hymn or song praising God may also be used.

5. In the evening the Phos hilaron normally precedes the Psalm(s) of the day. It may be omitted. A metrical version of the Phos hilaron may be used. Another hymn or song may be sung in place of the Phos hilaron. This hymn or song should properly be a hymn for the evening, the feast, or season or a similar song, A hymn or song praising God may also be used.

6. The greater doxology, Gloria in Excelsis, may be used in place of the lesser doxology. Gloria Patri, after the psalm (s) of the day. If the Gloria in Excelsis is used after the psalm(s) of the day, it is not used elsewhere in the service. Metrical versions of the Gloria in Excelsis and the Gloria Patri may be used.

7. The Readings from the Old and New Testament are concluded, “Here ends the reading.” Or the reader may say, “Hear the word of the Lord,” and the people respond, “thanks be to God.”

 8. Metrical versions of the canticles may be used. Hymns or songs praising God and echoing the imagery and themes of the canticles may be sung in place of the canticles.

 9. A Sermon is an integral part of this service. A less formal exposition of Scripture is permissible. Where no one is designated to preach a sermon or give a less formal exposition of Scripture, members of the congregation may share brief reflections on the day’s readings.

The recommended position for the Sermon is after the New Testament Reading. If there are two New Testament Readings, the Sermon should follow the Gospel Reading.

  

10. Traditional versions of the Creeds and the Lord’s Prayer may be used in place of the texts printed in the service.

11. Notices may be given before the Prayers, before the collection, before the parting Benediction, or at another appropriate time.

12. At celebrations of Holy Communion the first three parts of this order of service, the Gathering in God’s Name, the Ministry of the Word, and the Prayers of the People, may be used in place of all that precedes the Greeting of the Peace. In this case if there is a collection, it is taken after the Greeting of the Peace, and the gifts of people may then be brought to the Lord’s Table and this prayer may be said.

Lord, yours is the greatness

and the power and the glory

and the victory and the majesty;

for all things come from you

and of your own we give you.

At celebrations of Holy Communion a reading from the Gospel is always included.