The Holy Communion, First Order, is a contemporary version of the 1552 service of Holy Communion.
The 1552 service represents Archbishop Thomas Cranmer’s mature thinking on the
sacrament of the Lord’s Supper and embodies the biblical and Reformation
doctrine of justification by grace alone in Christ alone. It was first used
during the reign of Henry VI, suppressed by his Roman Catholic older sister
Mary upon his death, and revived upon the ascension of his Protestant older
sister Elizabeth I to the English throne. It would be the Holy Communion service
used during the reigns of James I and Charles I. The only changes to the
service were that the 1549 Words of Distribution were added to the 1552 Words
of Distribution in 1559 and the Declaration on Kneeling was omitted.
The 1662 service of Holy Communion is substantially the 1552
service with addition of the manual acts to the Prayer of Consecration, the 1559
Words of Distribution, and an Amen after the Words of Institution. The
Restoration bishops also restored the Declaration on Kneeling. It is the
reformed 1552 Prayer Book in its 1662 edition that forms along with the
Articles of Religion of 1571 and the Ordinal of 1661 the Anglican Church’s
authoritative standard of doctrine and worship, second only to the Bible.
This contemporary version of the 1552 service of Holy
Communion incorporates a number of features introduced in later rites. “Minister”
is used throughout the entire service. The initial Lord’s Prayer, originally a
private devotion of the priest, has been dropped. An optional Sentence of
Scripture may be said or sung at the beginning of the service. The congregation
joins the minister in saying the Collect for Purity. Our Lord’s Summary of the
Law may be substituted for the Ten Commandments. Both the Ten Commandments and the
Summary of the Law may be omitted.
Three Bible readings may be read. The Gloria Tibi may be said before the reading from the Gospel. An optional congregation response may be used
after each reading. A pause for silent reflection may be observed after each
reading. A psalm, a psalm portion, or a canticle may be sung or said after the
first reading. Metrical versions of the psalms and canticles may be used. If
three Bible readings are read, the reading from the Gospel may be introduced
with an alleluia or a suitable hymn or song. The Sermon may be preached before
or after the creed. The Apostles’ Creed may be substituted for the Nicene
Creed. On weekdays the creed may be omitted. A hymn or song may be sung after
the Sermon.
Alternative forms for the Prayers may be used and may be
concluded with the Lord’s Prayer. An optional prayer has been provided for use when
the collection is received and the form for the Prayers printed in the service
is not used.
The Exhortations in the 1552 service have been replaced with
two shorter optional Exhortations.
The selection of special prefaces has been expanded. An alternative Sanctus may be used. The
Prayer of Humble Access has been revised to eliminate any suggestion that the
bread cleanses the body and the wine the soul. An alternative Prayer of Humble
Access has been provided. The congregation may join the minister in saying the
Prayer of Humble Access. The exordium “all glory to you” has been added to the
Post-Sanctus.
The 1559 Words of Distribution may be substituted for the
1552 Words of Distribution and an optional Amen may be said after the Words of
Distribution.
Other versions of the Gloria in Excelsis may be
used. A suitable hymn of praise may be substituted for the Gloria in Excelsis. Other
suitable Blessings may be substituted for the parting Blessing printed in the
service
THE HOLY COMMUNION
FIRST ORDER
(a contemporary
version of the 1552 service of Holy Communion)
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
The
minister may greet the people. A hymn or song may be sung.
A
Sentence of Scripture appropriate to the day may be read.
This
Prayer of Preparation is said.
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.
The minister may
read a form of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–17) or our Lord’s Summary of
the Law (Matthew 22:37–40).
Hear the commandments which God gave his people Israel.
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.
Do not make any idol for yourself; you shall not bow down to them or
serve them.
Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days shall you labour
and do all you have to do, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord
your God.
Honor your father and your mother.
Do not murder.
Do not commit adultery.
Do not steal.
Do not give false testimony against your neighbour.
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
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
The Collect of the
Day
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
Two or three Bible readings are read, one
from the Old Testament and one or two from the New Testament. A reading from
the Gospel is always included. A brief period of silence for reflection may
follow each reading.
After each reading the reader may say
Hear the word of
the Lord,
thanks be to God.
After the first reading a psalm, a portion
of a psalm, or a canticle may be sung or said, or a hymn or song may be sung.
Metrical versions of the psalms and canticles may be used here and elsewhere in
the service.
If three readings are read, the reading from
Gospel may be introduced with an alleluia or a suitable hymn or song.
All 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 says
This is the Gospel
of the Lord,
or
[For] the Gospel
of the Lord,
praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
The Sermon is preached here or after the
creed.
On Sundays the Nicene Creed or the Apostles’
Creed is said or sung, all standing. The creed may be omitted on weekdays.
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 worshipped 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;
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 Sermon is preached here if it has not
been preached earlier.
A hymn or song may follow.
THE OFFERTORY
One or more Sentence of Scripture such as
Matthew 5:16; 6:19-20; 7:21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6, 10; Hebrews
13:16; 1 John 3:17 may be read, and a collection may be taken. As the collection
is taken, a hymn or song may be sung.
THE PRAYERS
The minister or one
or more members of the congregation may pray, using this form or a suitable
alternative.
Let us pray for all people, and for Christ’s church
throughout the world.
Almighty and eternal God through the apostle Paul you
teach us to pray and to give thanks for all people.
In your mercy [accept our gifts and] receive our prayers.
[Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.]
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.]
Pour out your Spirit on your church, so that all who
acknowledge your holy name may agree in the truth of your word, and live in
unity and godly love.
[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, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only
mediator and advocate. Amen.
If an alternative
form of the Prayers is used, the following may be said at the end of the Prayers
when appropriate.
Merciful Father,
accept these our
prayers
for the sake of
your Son,
our Savior Jesus
Christ. Amen.
or other suitable
words
or
Accept our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord, who
taught us to pray:
Our Father…
If the Lord’s Prayer
is used at this point in the service, it is not used after the Communion.
THE PREPARATION FOR THE LORD’S SUPPER
The minister may read one of the following
exhortations.
Beloved in the Lord, in
coming to the holy communion of the body and blood of our Savior Christ,
consider how Saint Paul urges us to examine ourselves, before we presume to eat
of the bread, and drink of the cup. For the benefit is great, if with a truly
repentant heart and a lively faith we receive that holy sacrament. We then
spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drink his blood; we dwell in Christ,
and Christ in us; we are one with Christ, and Christ with us. Yet also the
danger is great, if we receive the sacrament unworthily. Judge yourselves
truly, brothers and sisters, that you will not be judged by the Lord; repent
truly for your past sins; have a lively and steadfast faith in Christ our
Savior; amend your lives, and be in perfect love with all people; so you will
be worthy partakers of these holy mysteries.
And above all things you
must give most humble and heartfelt thanks to God for the redemption of the
world by the death and passion of our Savior Christ, both truly God and truly man.
He humbled himself, even to the death on the cross, for us unhappy sinners, who
were in darkness and the shadow of death; that he might make us the children of
God, and exalt us to everlasting life.
or
Brothers and sisters in Christ, we who come to receive
the holy communion of the body and blood of our Saviour Christ can come only
because of his great love for us. For, although we are completely undeserving
of his love, yet in order to raise us from the darkness of death to everlasting
life as God’s sons and daughters, our Saviour Christ humbled himself to share
our life and to die for us on the cross. In remembrance of his death, and as a
pledge of his love, Jesus instituted this holy sacrament, which we are now to
share.
But those who would eat the bread and drink the cup of
the Lord must examine themselves, and amend their lives. They must come with a
repentant heart and steadfast faith. Above all, they must give thanks to God
for his love towards us in Christ Jesus.
And then the minister says
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.
A
pause for self-examination may follow. All then say the following confession
together.
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.
The
minister stands and says this declaration of God’s 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.
The
minister says the following words of assurance.
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
THE GREETING OF
THE PEACE
All stand, and the minister may exchange the
Greeting of the Peace with the people, saying
The peace of the
Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
All may exchange the greeting, saying, for
example, “Peace be with you,” which they may accompany with a handclasp or a
similar action.
A hymn or song may be sung.
If the table has not been prepared earlier,
it is prepared here.
THE LORD’S SUPPER
The minister says
Lift up your hearts
People We lift them to the Lord.
Minister Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks
and praise.
Minister It is indeed right, and our duty
and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and
praise to you, holy Father, heavenly King, almighty and eternal God, through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord..
On certain
occasions a special preface (see below) is said here
Therefore with
angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we proclaim your great
and glorious name, for ever praising you and saying:
The minister and people say
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts,
heaven
and earth are full of your glory.
Glory to you, O 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.
Advent
You sent your Son to
redeem us from sin and death and to make us inheritors of everlasting life;
that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we
may with joy behold his appearing, and in confidence may stand before him.
Christmas; the Presentation of Christ in
the Temple; Annunciation
You gave your only
Son to be born for us. By the work of the Holy Spirit he was made
true man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother. He was without sin, to
make us free from all sin.
Epiphany
In coming
to dwell among us as man, your Son revealed the radiance of your
glory and brought us out of darkness into your own marvelous light.
Lent
He was in every way tempted as we are; yet remained
sinless. By his grace we are able to overcome our sinful desires and to live
not for ourselves, but for our Lord who died for us and rose from the dead.
Passiontide; Holy Week
Though he is one with you and the Holy Spirit, he humbled himself and
was obedient, even to death on a cross, that we might have life through him.
Eastertide
But chiefly we praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son. 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.
Ascensiontide
After his glorious resurrection,
he revealed himself to all his apostles.
In their sight, he ascended into heaven to prepare a place for us, so
that we might also ascend to where he is and reign with him in glory.
Pentecost (or Whitsun)
By the sure promise of your Son the Holy Spirit
came down from heaven upon the apostles with the sound of a mighty wind and in
tongues of fire. The Holy Spirit came to teach them
and to lead them into all truth. He enabled them to speak other languages and
gave them continuing boldness to preach fervently the gospel to all
nations. By that gospel we have been
brought out of darkness and error into the light and into true knowledge of you
and of your Son Jesus Christ.
or
When he had ascended into heaven and was enthroned at your right hand, he poured out the promised Holy Spirit on his chosen people. At this whole earth greatly rejoices, praising you with many tongues.
Trinity Sunday
You are one God, one Lord, not one person but three
persons in one substance. What we believe of the glory of the Father, we
believe also of the glory of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, without any
difference or inequality.
Other
occasions
He is the true high priest who has cleansed us
from sin and made us a royal priesthood called to serve you for ever.
After each of these prefaces the minister continues
with the words “Therefore, with angels and archangels and all the company of
heaven, etc.”
The minister and people together or the minister
alone says this prayer
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.
The minister says
All glory to
you, our heavenly Father, for in your love and mercy you gave your only Son
Jesus Christ 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.
Hear us, merciful
Father, and grant that we who eat and drink these gifts of bread and wine
according to our Savior’s command, in remembrance of his suffering and death,
may be partakers of his body and blood.
At Jesus’ words of institution are said, the
minister breaks the bread and takes hold of the cup before all the people.
On the night he was
betrayed, Jesus took bread and, when he had given you 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 says
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 bread is given with these words
Take and eat this,
remembering that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith,
with thanksgiving. [Amen]
or
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. [Amen]
The cup is given with these words
Drink this,
remembering that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful. [Amen]
or
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. [Amen]
AFTER
COMMUNION
The Lord’s Prayer has not been used earlier,
it is used here.
.
Let us pray.
[As our Savior Christ has 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 one of
these prayers of thanksgiving and dedication
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, we thank
you
that you
continually feed us who have received these holy mysteries
with the spiritual
food of the body and blood of our Savior Jesus Christ.
We thank you for
this assurance of your goodness and love;
that we are living
members of his body
and heirs of your
eternal kingdom.
Help us with your
grace to continue
in the holy
fellowship of your faithful people
and to do all the
good works you have prepared for us to do.
May we shine like
lights before the world
to the glory and honor of your name. Amen.
The Gloria in Excelsis is sung or said.
Other versions of this canticle may be used, or another suitable hymn of
praise.
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.
The minister says this or another 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.
NOTES
1. The minister may greet the people after the opening hymn or song. The optional Sentence
of Scripture permitted at the beginning of the service may be read by the
minister or sung as an anthem by the choir before the opening hymn or song.
2. A brief period of silence for reflection may be observed
before the Collect of the Day and after all have received communion.
3. The recommended position for the Sermon is after the Gospel Reading. A sermon should be normally
preached at this service.
4. When the collection is received, if the petition, “accept our gifts,” is
omitted from the Prayers or an alternative form of the Prayers is used, the
following prayer may be said.
Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power,
the glory, the splendor, and the majesty;
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
all things come from you
and of your own do we give you.
5. Before the Prayers the minister or a member of the
congregation may invite special petitions and thanksgivings from the
congregation. Additional petitions may be inserted into the the form for the
Prayers.The people should be given
an opportunity to offer their own petitions silently or aloud before the
versicle and response or before the concluding prayer.
When the form for the Prayers is offered as a single prayer,
the congregation may join in the invariable paragraphs of the prayer.
6. The consecrated elements are distributed immediately
after the words of institution. During the Communion hymns, songs, and anthems
may be sung or instrumental music may be played.
To receive the elements, the
congregation may kneel, stand, or sit. What matters is the attitude of the
heart with which a communicant receives the elements, not the posture.
For the significance of kneeling to receive the Lord’s
Supper, see the declaration which is printed at the conclusion of the Communion
service in The Book of Common Prayer
(1662).
7. If the consecrated bread or wine is insufficient for the
communion, the minister is to consecrate more, beginning at “on the night he
was betrayed” to consecrate the bread; and at “in the same way after the meal…”
to consecrate the wine.
8. If any of the consecrated bread and wine remains, the
minister and any communicants that he requests to assist him shall reverently
consume it immediately after the Blessing.
9. Notices may be given before the service begins, before
the collection, before the Prayers, before the final Blessing, or at another appropriate time..
10.The Readings
from the Old and New Testament are introduced, “A reading from…, chapter…,
beginning at verse…”
