CANTICLES

The following canticles and hymns of praise are suitable for use in Morning and Evening Prayer, a Service of the Word, and Holy Communion

Venite (Psalm 95)

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

Jubilate (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.

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

Phos hilaron

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

   or

Hail, gladdening Light, of his pure glory poured,

Who is the immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of holies, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now we are come to the sun's hour of rest,

The lights of evening round us shine,

We hymn the Father, Son and Holy Spirit divine

Worthy are you at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world your glories, Lord, they own.

   or

Light of gladness, Lord of glory,

Jesus Christ our king most holy,

Shine among us in your mercy:

Earth and heaven join their hymn.

Let us sing at sun’s descending

As we see the lights of evening,

Father, Son, and Spirit praising

With the holy seraphim.

Son of God, through all the ages

Worthy of our holiest praises,

Yours the life that never ceases,

Light which never shall grow dim.

Words © 1982 Christopher Idle/Jubilate Hymns

USA © 1982 by Hope Publishing Company,

Carol Streams IL 60188

Suggested Tune: Quem pastores laudevere

Meter: 8887

Te Deum

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

Gloria in Excelsis

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 on 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 lone are the Most High

Jesus Christ wit the Holy Spirit:*

in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79)

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.

The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

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.

The Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)

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.

A Song of Creation (Song of the Three Young Men, 35-65)

Bless the Lord all you works of the Lord:*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord you heavens:*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord you angels of the Lord:*

bless the Lord all you his hosts.

bless the Lord you waters above the heavens:*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord sun and moon:*

bless the Lord you stars of heaven.

bless the Lord all rain and dew:*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord all winds that blow:*

bless the Lord you fire and heat.

bless the Lord scorching wind and bitter cold:*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord dews and falling snows:*

bless the Lord you nights and days.

bless the Lord light and darkness:*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord frost and cold:*

bless the Lord you ice and snow.

bless the Lord lightnings and clouds:*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

O let the earth bless the Lord:*

bless the Lord you mountains and hills.

bless the Lord all that grows in the ground:*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord you springs:*

bless the Lord you seas and rivers.

bless the Lord you whales and all that swim in the waters:*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord all birds of the air:*

bless the Lord you beasts and cattle.

bless the Lord all people on earth:*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

O people of God bless the Lord:*

bless the Lord you priests of the Lord.

bless the Lord you servants of the Lord:*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever

Bless the Lord all you of upright spirit:*

bless the Lord you that are holy and humble in heart.*

bless the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit:*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

A Song of Creation (Song of the Three Young Men 35,60-65) – Shorter Version

Bless the Lord all you works of the Lord:*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord you heavens:*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

bless the Lord all people on earth:*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

O people of God bless the Lord:*

bless the Lord you priests of the Lord.

bless the Lord you servants of the Lord:*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever

Bless the Lord all you of upright spirit:*

bless the Lord you that are holy and humble in heart.*

bless the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit:*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

The First Song of Isaiah (Isaiah 12:2-6)

Surely God is my salvation;*

I will trust, and will not be afraid.

For the Lord is my strength and my song;*

and he has become my salvation.

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.*

And you will say in that day:

   Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;

Make known his deeds among the nations;*

proclaim that his name is exalted.

Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;*

let this be known in all the earth.

Shout aloud and sing for joy, O inhabitants of Zion,*

For great in your midst is the Holy One of 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 Song of the Three Young Men (28-34)

Bless the Lord God of our forebears,*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless his holy and glorious name,*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless him in his holy and glorious temple,*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless him who beholds the depths,*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless him seated between the cherubim,*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless him on the throne of his kingdom,*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless him in the heights of heaven,*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,*

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

  

Great and Wonderful (Revelation 15: 3,4 and 5: 13b)

Great and wonderful are your deeds, Lord God the Almighty.*

Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations.

Who shall not revere and praise your name, O Lord?*

for you alone are holy.

All nations shall come and worship in your presence:*

for your just dealings have been revealed.

To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb*

Be praise and honor, glory and might,*

for ever and ever. Amen.

Glory and Honor (Revelation 4:11 and 5: 9,10,13b)

Glory and honor and power:*                                                                                       

are yours by right O Lord our God.

For you created all things:*                                                                                          

and by you will they have their being.

Glory and honor and power:*                                                                                           

are yours by right O Lamb for us slain; 

For by your blood you ransomed us for God:*                                                               

from every race and language                                                                     

from every people and nation.

To make us a kingdom of priests:*                                                                               

to stand and serve before our God.

To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb:*                                                         

be praise and honor, glory and might,                                                                             

for ever and ever. Amen.

Cantate Domino (Psalm 98)

Sing to the Lord a new song*

for he has done marvelous things.

His own right hand and his holy arm*

have won for him the victory.

The Lord has made known his salvation.*

his deliverance has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness

   towards the house of Israel,*

and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Sound praises to the Lord, all the earth;*

break into singing and make music.

Make music to the Lord with the lyre,*

with the lyre and the voice of melody.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn*

sound praises before the Lord, the King.

Let the sea thunder and all that fills it,*

the world and all that dwell upon it.

Let the rivers clap their hands*

and let the hills ring out together before the Lord,

   for he comes to judge the earth.

In righteousness shall he judge the world*

and the peoples with equity

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.

Deus Miseratur (Psalm 67)

God be gracious to us and bless us*

and make his face to shine upon us,

That your way may be known upon earth,*

your saving power among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;*

let all the peoples praise you.

O let the nations rejoice and be glad,*

for you will judge the peoples righteously

   and govern the nations upon earth.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;*

let all the peoples praise you.

Then shall the earth bring forth her increase,*

and God, our own God, will bless us.

God will bless us,*

and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

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. 

A THIRD ALTERNATIVE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND CONSECRATION

This alternative Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration may be used in the Holy Communion, Second Order. Like the other three prayers it has two epiclesis, no invocation of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the bread and wine, and no oblation of any kind. Like the first and second alternative Prayers of Thanksgiving and Consecration, it has no special prefaces. The preface incorporates phrases from the special prefaces of the Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration printed in the Holy Communion, Second Order, giving it a fuller commemoration of Christ’s saving work than the first and second alternative Prayers of Thanksgiving and Consecration. The first epiclesis forms the post-sanctus and contains an allusion to 1 Corinthians 10:16. The second epiclesis contains an allusion to Ephesians 5:8. The prayer has five acclamations—one after the first epiclesis, one after the Words of Institution about the bread, one after the Words of Institution about the cup, one after the second epiclesis, and a doxology at the conclusion of the prayer. This prayer may be used year round.

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 a good and joyous thing

 that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks to you, Holy Father,

almighty and everlasting God,

for you sent your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ
to redeem us from sin and death

to be the first fruits of a new creation.

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.

On the cross he offered his life to you in perfect obedience,

making there propitiation for not only our sins

but the sins of the whole world.

By his death he has destroyed death;

by his rising to life again he has restored to us eternal life.

When he had ascended into heaven

and was enthroned at your right hand,

he poured out the promised Holy Spirit on his chosen people,

and made us a royal priesthood called to serve you for ever.

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:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest!

Holy God, we thank you for these gifts of bread and wine,

and pray that we who eat and drink them,

believing our Savior’s word,

may share in his most precious body and blood.

Amen. We believe.

The minister takes the bread into his hands and says

On the night that he was betrayed, he took bread;

and, when he had given thanks,

he broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying: Take, eat;

this is my body which is given for you:

Do this in remembrance of me.

Amen. His body was broken for us.

The bread may be broken here.

The minister takes the cup into his hands and says

In the same way, after supper he took the cup;

and, when he had given thanks,

he gave it to them, saying: Drink 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.

Amen. His blood was shed for us.

Father, with this bread and this cup

we do as our Savior commanded,

we remember all that he has done for us,

and we look for his glorious coming.

Amen. Come Lord Jesus.

Strengthen us, Father, with your Holy Spirit

that we may walk as becomes children of the light,

bearing witness to the world that Christ is our life,

and glorifying you in all we do and say.

Amen. Come Holy Spirit.

Accept this our prayer

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

with whom and in whom,

by the power of the Holy Spirit,

we worship you, Father almighty,

in songs of never-ending praise:

Blessing and honour and glory and power

are yours for ever and ever. Amen.

SERVICE OF THE WORD: FIRST ORDER

This Service of the Word closely follows the pattern of the liturgy of the Word in the Holy Communion, Second Order. An exception is the location of the Invitation to Confession, Confession of Sin, and Prayer for Forgiveness. They may be said at the beginning of the service or after the Sermon or less formal exposition of Scripture as a response to the Sermon or teaching. A collection may be taken and solemnly dedicated after the Prayers of Intercession. The service concludes with an optional Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication, a Benediction, and an optional Dismissal. The service may be tailored to the circumstances of the particular congregation using it, and may be lead by a lay person. In its simplest form it consists of Invitation to Confession, Confession of Sin, and Prayer for Forgiveness, Collect of the Day, Bible Readings, Creed, Prayers of Intercession, and Benediction. A designated person preaches a sermon or explains one or more passages from the Readings or members of the congregation share their thoughts on the Readings, particularly how they are applicable to their lives.

At celebrations of Holy Communion the first three parts of the service may be used in place of all that precedes the Greeting of the Peace. In this case a collection may be taken and solemnly dedicated after the Greeting of the Peace. At such celebrations the Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration from the Holy Communion, First Order, or one of the four Prayers of Thanksgiving and Consecration from the Holy Communion, Second Order, may be used.

SERVICE OF THE WORD

FIRST ORDER

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

The minister may greet 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.

Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth! Psalm 96: 9

The minister says

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins,

God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Let us confess our sins to almighty God.

All say 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.

The minister stands and says

Merciful Father,

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.

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 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.

When the following form is used, the names of particular persons or needs may be added to the petitions; other similar petitions may be added..

In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.

For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the Holy Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For N our bishop, for the leaders of our sister Churches, and for all clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the spread of the gospel, for all laborers in the harvest, [for …,] and for own witness, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For N our President, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority,
let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For this community, for every city, town and village, and for all the people who live within them, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For good weather, and for abundant harvests for all to share, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For those who travel by land, air, or water, for the sick and the suffering, [for … ,] for prisoners and captives, and for their safety, health and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For our deliverance from all affliction, strife and need, and for the forgiveness of our sins and offences,
let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Giving thanks for [… and] all who have gone before us in your faith and fear, we commend ourselves, and one another, and our whole life to you, Lord God.

Here silence may be kept.

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.

If a collection is taken, a hymn or song may be sung.

The gifts of the people may be brought to the Lord’s Table.

All may say together

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.

THE SENDING OUT OF GOD’s PEOPLE

All may say together

Loving God, we thank you for hearing our prayers, feeding us with your word, and encouraging us in our meeting together, take us and use us to love and serve you and all people, in the power of your Spirit and in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 or

God of wisdom, grant, we pray, that the words we have heard today  may be grafted in our hearts so that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good works to the honor and praise of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

or 

Almighty God,

we thank you for the gift of your holy word.

May it be a lantern to our feet,

a light to our paths,

and a strength to our lives.

Take us and use us

to love and serve all people

in the power of the Holy Spirit

and in the name of your Son

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

or a similar prayer

A hymn or song may follow.

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. The minister may greet the people after the opening hymns and songs or immediately before the Invitation to Confession. 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.

3. The recommended position for the Sermon is after the Gospel Reading. A sermon should be normally preached at 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

  

4. The Invitation to Confession, the Confession of Sin and the Prayer for Forgiveness may on some occasions be said after the Sermon.

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

6. 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.

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

8. Hymns and songs may be sung in these services otherwise than where provision is made for them. In the selection of hymns and songs, careful attention should be given both to the appropriateness of the words to the themes of the Bible readings and the sermon and also to the relation of the hymn or song chosen to the position within the service.

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

10.The Readings from the Old and New Testament are introduced, “A reading from…, chapter…, beginning at verse…”

11. 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 the prayer, “Lord, yours is the greatness” may be said. 

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

A SECOND ALTERNATIVE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND CONSECRATION

This alternative Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration may be used in the Holy Communion, Second Order. Like the other two prayers it has two epicleses, no invocation of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the bread and wine, and no oblation of any kind. Like the first alternative Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration it has no special prefaces. The preface contains allusions to Isaiah 57:15, Revelation 10:16, Genesis 1:27-28, and Genesis 2:15. The first epiclesis contains an allusion to 1 Corinthians 10:16. The post-sanctus contains an allusion to 1 Peter 2:9. The acclamation that follows the words of institution comes from Revelation 5:12. The second epiclesis is taken from 1 Thessalonians 5:23. This prayer may be used year round.

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 right to praise you, faithful God, always and everywhere, for you are the most high and exalted One, the only true God who lives for ever. You created the heavens, the earth, and the seas, and all that is in them, and you sustain all that you have created. You created us in your image, man and woman you made us, and gave us dominion over all living creatures, great and small, entrusting your creation to our care. When we rebelled against you, you did not abandon us to sin and death but opened to us the way of salvation.

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:

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

heaven and earth are full of glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

You are indeed holy, heavenly Father, the wellspring of all holiness, the source of all life and breath. You have called us out of darkness into your marvelous light that we might proclaim your wonderful deeds, the might acts of the One who has freed us from slavery to sin and death.

Out of the abundance of your love and mercy you gave your Son Jesus Christ to become a human being like ourselves and to suffer death on the cross to redeem us. He made there a full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.

He instituted and in his holy gospel commands us to continue a remembrance of his precious death until he comes again.

Father, we thank you for these gifts of your creation, this bread and this wine, and pray that we who eat and drink them, in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, obeying our Savior’s command, may be partakers of his body and blood.

The minister takes the bread into his hands and says

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’.

The bread may be broken here.

The minister takes the cup into his hands 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.’

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

Remembering his suffering and death and celebrating his resurrection and ascension, we look for his coming in glory.

By the power of your Holy Spirit, gracious Father, make us holy in every way and keep our whole spirit, soul, and body free from every fault at the coming of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Through him, by him, and with him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours, Father eternal, now and forever. Amen