THE HOLY COMMUNION: SECOND ORDER - A Service of Holy Communion in Modern English for Today's Congregations

The Holy Communion, Second Order is designed for use in a variety of worship settings—both traditional and non-traditional. It may be tailored to the circumstances of the congregation using it.

The Sentence of Scripture, the Collect for Purity, and the Gloria in Excelsis may be omitted at the beginning of the service and the minister may greet the people immediately before the Collect of the Day, permitting the restoration of the simplicity of the original entrance rite in the Western tradition.

Three Bible readings may read. The sermon may be preached before or after the creed. The Apostles’ Creed may be used in place of the Nicene Creed and the creed may be omitted on weekdays.

The Prayers of the People may conclude with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration has two epicleses—a brief petition before the Words of Institution in which the minister prays that those eating and drinking the bread and wine may share in Christ’s body and blood and a petition after the anamnesis in which the minister prays that by the power of the Holy Spirit God will make the communicants increase and overflow with love for each other and “all the peoples of the Earth and strengthen their hearts so that they will be pure and blameless in God’s presence at Christ’s second coming. The phrase “share in his most precious body and blood” in the first epiclesis is taken from Holy Communion, First Form, in the Prayer Book of the Church of England in South Africa (1990) and is an allusion to 1 Corinthians 10:16. The second epiclesis is adapted from 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13.

The exordium that begins the Post-Sanctus is a “recognition and joyful exclamation of God’s blessedness,” acknowledging that God is “the fullness and source of all blessing.’” Blessing God is not only a part of the Jewish synagogue services but also Jewish table prayers. Jesus, when he gave thanks to God over the bread and the cup at the Last Supper, would have blessed God for the bread and the wine.

The people’s parts in the prayer are the responses in the Sursum Corda, the Sanctus, the Memorial Acclamation, and the concluding Doxology.

Consistent with Reformed theology the prayer contains no invocation of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the bread and wine nor oblation of any kind.

Communion immediately follows the consecration of the bread and wine. The bread may be broken during the Words of Institution or immediately before the Communion. During the Communion hymns, songs, and anthems may be sung.

After the Communion a period of silent reflection may be observed. If the Lord’s Prayer has not been said at the conclusion of the Prayers of the People, it is said after the Communion. The congregation joins the minister in saying one of two prayers of dedication and thanksgiving. If the Gloria in Excelsis has not been sung earlier in the service, it may be sung after this prayer. Or a suitable hymn or song may be sung. The service concludes with a parting Blessing and an optional Dismissal.

This service of Holy Communion was inspired in part by the Holy Communion, Third Order, in the Anglican Church of Australia’s A Prayer Book for Australia (1995) and the Lord’s Supper, Second and Third Forms, in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney’s Common Prayer: Resources for Gospel-Shaped Gatherings (2012).

THE HOLY COMMUNION

SECOND ORDER

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

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

The minister may say this or another suitable Sentence of Scripture.

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145: 18

The minister and the people may say this Prayer of Preparation.

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 ‘Glory to God in the Highest’ or some other hymn of praise may be sung.

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. 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.

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 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

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

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

After each petition, silence may be kept. Further specific petitions may be added at appropriate points in the prayers or before the response.

We pray for the peace of the world, the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority.

God of mercy,

hear our prayer

We pray for the welfare of your holy Church, our Bishop N, and for all clergy and people.

God of mercy,

hear our prayer

[We pray for seasonable weather and for an abundance of the fruits of the earth.]

[God of mercy,

hear our prayer]

We pray that we may share with fairness and generosity the resources of the earth, and live in trust and goodwill with one another.

God of mercy,

hear our prayer

We pray for the aged and the infirm, for the bereaved and the lonely, and for the sick and the suffering.

God of mercy,

hear our prayer

We pray for the poor and the oppressed, for prisoners and captives, and for all who care for them.

God of mercy,

hear our prayer

We pray for ourselves and each other.

God of mercy,

hear our prayer

We praise you, Lord God, for the communion of saints and for the glorious hope of the resurrection to eternal life.

God of mercy,

hear our prayer

The prayers conclude with one of the following.

Merciful Father,

accept these our prayers

for the sake of your Son,

our Savior Jesus Christ. 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 forever. Amen.

PREPARATION FOR THE LORD’S SUPPER

This or another suitable exhortation may be read.

At the heart of the Christian life is active trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and his sacrificial death for sin.

In this symbolic meal, originating from Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples, we express and strengthen our trust in him, as we eat and drink with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The Lord’s Supper is an outward and visible sign of the grace shown to us in Christ. As we share bread and wine together, we are invited to feed on him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving. We are faced again with God’s love for the unworthy and are strengthened by faith in the one whose body was given and whose blood was shed for us.

Come then with heartfelt repentance and genuine trust in the Lord Jesus, recognizing the significance of sharing in this way.

If in good conscience it would not be right for you to participate, please use this time to reflect on God’s love for us in Christ.

A time of silence may follow.

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 minister stands and says this declaration of forgiveness.

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.

The minister may say 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.

The gifts of the people are brought to the Lord’s Table. A hymn or song may be sung.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

Bread and wine for the communion are placed on the Lord’s Table. The minister says the following or another authorized Prayer of Consecration and Thanksgiving.

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, 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 here.

Therefore with angels and archangels and the whole company of heaven

We proclaim your great and glorious name,

For ever praising you and saying:

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

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 the whole earth greatly rejoices, praising your name 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.”

Blessed are you, Blessed One,

blessed above all blessing.

In your great love for our fallen world,

you gave your only begotten Son

that whoever believes in him should not perish

but have eternal life.

By his death on the cross and rising to new life

He offered the one true sacrifice for sin,

and obtained an eternal deliverance for his people.

And now, merciful Father, we pray

that we who eat and drink these your gifts of bread and wine

according to our Savior’s word,

in remembrance of his suffering and death,

may share in his most precious body and blood.

On the night before he died,

Jesus took bread,

and when he had given you thanks, he broke it,

and gave it to his disciples, saying,

‘Take and eat. This is my body given for you.

Do this in remembrance of me.’

The bread may be broken here.

After the meal, he took the cup,

and when he had given thanks,

he gave it to his disciples, saying,

‘Drink from this, all of you.

This is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for you and for many

for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’

For whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim

The Lord’s death until he comes.

Christ has died,

Christ is risen,

Christ will come again.

Father, as we obey his command,

We recall his life of obedience to you,

His saving death and glorious resurrection,

And his promise to be with us always

to the very end of the age.

By the power of your Holy Spirit

make our love increase and overflow for each other

and for all the peoples of the Earth.

Strengthen our hearts

that we may be blameless and holy

in your presence

at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through him, with him, and in him,

In the unity of the Holy Spirit,

All glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, now and forever. Amen

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD AND THE COMMUNION

If the bread has not been already broken, the minister does so here. This may be done in silence or the following may be said.

We, being many, are one body

for we all share in the one bread.

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]

THE SENDING OUT OF GOD’s PEOPLE

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.

One of these prayers of thanksgiving and dedication said.

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.

This Hymn of Praise or suitable alternative may be said or sung.

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.

[Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:

In the name of Christ. Amen]

NOTES

1. The minister may greet the people after the opening hymns and songs or immediately before the Collect of the Day. 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 hymns or songs.

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. 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 form of 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 of the Prayers is offered as a single prayer, the congregation may join in the invariable paragraphs of the prayer.

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

6. The Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration is a single prayer. Changes in posture in the course of the prayer may obscure its unity. Standing throughout the entire prayer is recommended.

7. During the Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration the minister should take the cup into his hand at the words, “Jesus took the bread and likewise the cup at the words, “he took the cup.”

8. Whenever the bread is broken, it should be done in full sight of all.

9. The versicle and response, “We, being many, are one body” is best used when a single loaf of bread is broken during the Breaking of the Bread.

10.The consecrated elements are distributed immediately after the Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration or the Breaking of the Bread.

11. During the Communion hymns, songs, and anthems may be sung or instrumental music may be played.

12. 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).

13. If the consecrated bread or wine is insufficient for the communion, the minister is to consecrate more, saying the portion of the Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration beginning at “Merciful Father” and ending “in remembrance of me.”

14. If any of the consecrated bread and wine remains, the minister and any communicants that he requests to assist him shall reverently consume it after the distribution of the communion or immediately after the service.

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…”