The Church of the Incarnation - A Visitor's Guide To Our Worship Service

A Visitor's Guide to Today's Worship Service,

commonly called

THE HOLY EUCHARIST

The Holy Eucharist, also called the Mass, the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion, is the primary act of Christian worship and comes down to us from the Apostles. The form and manner in which we worship here today would be familiar to Jesus' early followers.

Our service is divided into two parts and reveals the Jewish roots of Christian worship. The first part is the Liturgy of the Word, which is most similar to the practice in the synagogue, including singing, the public reading of Scripture, and a sermon. The second part is the Liturgy of the Eucharist, which is a combination of the Passover Seder with the sacrificial offerings of the Jewish Temple. "Christ," Scripture says, "is our Passover." He is also our sacrifice for sin, once offered for us all.

The Eucharist, like the Passover, is a "remembrance." By "remembrance," we do not mean it in the same manner as one would remember an event like Memorial Day or Pearl Harbor Day. For instance, at each Passover meal, a devout Jewish believer joins with his family and believes that the past event of the first passover is mystically brought forward in time and space so that every new generation participates in that past event -- personally and intimately.

So it is with the Eucharist. Today we sit with Jesus in His final hours and hear his last words. Today we receive Him into our lives and ask Him to transform our hearts, minds and bodies to make us more like Him. Today, He comes to us just as he said He would in the Gospels.

Our response is an offering of thanksgiving and praise. This is Jesus offering Himself for us. It is not an empty ceremony. Instead, it is His work once offered on our behalf. Each week, we enter into that mystery -- the mystery of the Upper Room, the Cross and the Empty Tomb and we offer up "ourselves, our souls and bodies" to Him, even as He offers up Himself for us.

Part I: The Liturgy of the Word

¶ We begin our service in prayerful silence. You will see many people kneeling, others reading and still others watching and waiting. The service begins after the first hymn, found in your bulletin, and a processional, or march, as the priest and altar servers follows the cross. Jesus said, "Take up your cross and follow Me." The processional symbolizes our obedience to that command.

THE PROCESSIONAL HYMN

¶ The dark blue book in the pew is the Hymnal. The Hymn Number is found in your bulletin. After the first hymn we are called to prayer. The priest will say:

Let us pray.

THE COLLECT FOR PURITY

¶ Most people kneel after the priest says, "Let us pray" and they remain kneeling until the Gloria In Excelsis. A "Collect" is a prayer, usually found in a "collection" of prayers in the Altar Book, thus the name, "Collect." From here on out, any words in bold italics are words the people in the pew are to say or sing. Now the priest prays:

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE INTROIT

¶ The Introit is usually a Psalm or other Scripture that is sung, followed by a praise of "Alleluia" and a "Glory Be to the Father, etc." It gives the "flavor" or theme of the entire service that follows. You will hear the people join in. The Introit is found in the bulletin insert.

THE SUMMARY OF THE LAW

¶ God's Law, the Ten Commandments, has been an important devotional feature of Anglican worship. Along with the Collect for Purity, it assists us in focusing our hearts and minds on God. We ask the Holy Spirit to cleanse our thoughts and prepare us for worship. Reciting the Ten Commandments during Lent, or this short Summary of the Law during the rest of the year, prepares our hearts to confess our sins to God. At this moment, we begin to humble our hearts before God. The priest says:

Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it; thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hand all the Law and the Prophets."

THE KYRIE

¶ Kyrie is a Greek word, meaning "Lord." We have learned of the Jewish roots of our faith, but there are also deep Greek roots as well. Many of the early Jewish converts lived in the Greek speaking part of the Roman Empire. It was these men and women who first led non-Jewish people to Christ. The Kyrie is an acknowledgement of those who have gone before us and their labors in the Faith. Singing the Kyrie is the way in which we enter into worship, laying ourselves, body, mind and soul, before God in humility. We sing this in response to hearing God's Law and how we have failed at keeping it. Join us as we ask God to have mercy on us.

Lord have mercy upon us.

Christ have mercy upon us.

Lord have mercy upon us.

THE GLORIA IN EXCELSIS

¶ The Christian Faith is not one which wallows in self-pity. There are many places in our service where it may seem at first glance that we are humbling ourselves too much. However, immediately following each act of contrition is an acknowledgement of the grace, glory and joy of our new life in Christ. At the Gloria we cease from kneeling and asking God's mercy and stand with joy and sing this song together. We do this because God is merciful. He is loving. And He has forgiven us. Please stand and sing with us:

GLORY be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King,God the Father Almighty.

O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.

For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY

¶ This is the prayer specially offered for today's service. Like the Introit, it gives the week's worship theme. Most of these prayers are over 1500 years old and many include direct Scripture quotes. They come down to us from the early church and were transmitted first by oral tradition until they were written down in the 500's under the reforms of St. Gregory the Great. Throughout the service, after the priest says, "Let us pray," it is customary to kneel.

Priest: Peace be unto you.

People: And with thy spirit.

Priest: Let us pray.

¶ This prayer is found in your bulletin insert. Ask God to speak to your heart this Sunday as you pray along with the congregation.

THE EPISTLE

¶ Please be seated. The Epistle reading is nearly as old as the Church that Christ founded. Once the Apostles began writing the New Testament, their works were read publicly in much the same manner Scripture is read in synagogues today. After the Epistler is finished reading, he will say:

The Word of the Lord.

¶ Our response is:

Thanks be to God!

THE GRADUAL

¶ At this point, the priest prepares to read the Holy Gospel. In larger churches this involves moving books and people up front. So over time the Church added another Psalm or Scripture reading, sung by choir or soloist, or in our case, the priest himself, in order to allow time for movement to take place up front. This is found in the bulletin insert.

¶ Before the reading of the Holy Gospel, the priest prepares himself in prayer to read the words of Jesus. He says the following quietly to God:

GRADUAL PRAYER

[Cleanse my heart and my lips, O thou Almighty God, who didst purge the lips of Isaiah the Prophet with a live coal: and of thy sweet mercy vouchsafe so to purify me, that I may worthily proclaim thy holy Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lord be in my heart and on my lips, that I may worthily and rightly proclaim His Holy Gospel. Amen.]

¶ Then the priest, with the crucifer, or cross-bearer, the thurifer, or incense-bearer, and an Altar Server, walk down from the Altar and stand in the midst of the congregation, signifying that Jesus came down from heaven to live among His people. Please stand with the congregation. Then the priest says:

The Lord be with you.

¶ The people say:

And with thy spirit.

THE HOLY GOSPEL

¶ The priest will then say:

The Holy Gospel of the Lord...

¶ The Gospel is a reading, usually of Jesus' own words, from one of the books, Matthew, Mark, Luke or John which are found in the Bible. You may read this passage in the bulletin insert. The congregation responds by making the sign of the cross with their thumb, 1) on the forehead, that Jesus would renew their mind to hear His Word, 2) on the lips, that Jesus would cleanse their tongue from hateful and hurtful words, leaving only His own Word in their mouths, and 3) on the heart, that Jesus would soften their hearts to receive Christ anew today. Ask God to do the same for you today. Then join us and sing:

Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

¶ When the reading is over, the congregation sings:

Praise be to Thee, O Christ.

THE NICENE CREED

¶ Along with the Apostle's and Athanasian Creed, the Nicene Creed is the skeleton of what we believe and how we worship. Works of faith, hope and love in God put the muscle and skin on what we believe. However, in the final analysis, our faith is historical and based in reality -- in real people, places and ideas. In short, we believe that who Jesus is and what He has done for us is true and life-changing. We say the Creed together:

I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible:

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God; Begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God; Begotten, not made; Being of one substance with the Father; By whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man: And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried: And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures: And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father: And he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spake by the Prophets: And I believe One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church: I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins: And I look for the Resurrection of the dead: And the Life of the world to come. Amen.

THE SERMON

¶ Ask God to speak to your heart. Ask him to speak to your family or work situation and to your relationships with others. Then listen for God to speak through the Word of God preached to you. When the priest has finished, he will turn toward the Altar and offer up a prayer for the congregation. At this time the congregation will stand. This ends the Liturgy of the Word.

Part II: The Liturgy of the Eucharist

THE OFFERTORY

¶ TheOoffertory is a long and detailed piece of ceremonial that comes down to us from the earliest Christian communities. During this time, the offering is taken and an Offertory Hymn is sung. As this goes on, the priest prepares the bread and wine for holy communion. First-time visitors ought to sing the hymn and allow the words of the hymn to speak to their hearts. We do not require or expect you to give money to our ministry. However, if you believe God is leading you to give to our church, we offer you our heartfelt thanks. God will bless you in whatever manner in which you give. If you are a second- or third-time visitor, consider praying the following prayers along with the priest as he prepares. The priest begins by saying:

The Lord be with you.

¶ The people respond:

And with thy spirit.

¶ Then the priest says:

Let us pray.

¶ It is customary to stand during the Offertory. The priest will say another Psalm or Scripture reading that goes with the theme for the day. Then the Hymn of Preparation will be sung.

THE HYMN OF PREPARATION

¶ The Hymn Number is found in your bulletin.

¶The priest now prepares and offers to God the bread and wine for the Eucharist. This portion is bracketed because what follows is prayed quietly at the Altar by the priest as we sing the Hymn of Preparation. As he offers the bread, he prays:

[Receive, O Holy Father, Almighty and Everlasting God, this spotless Host, which I thine unworthy servant now offer unto thee, My God, the living and the true, for all my countless sins, offences, and negligences, and for here present, and for all the faithful in Christ, both quick and dead; that it may be profitable both to me and to them for salvation unto life eternal. Amen.

¶ At the mixing of the Chalice, he prays:

O God, who didst wondrously create, and yet more wondrously renew the dignity and nature of man; grant unto us, that through the mystery of this water and Wine, we may be made partakers of the divine nature of Him who vouchsafed to made a partaker of our humanity, Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth God, world without end. Amen.

¶ As he offers the Chalice, he prays:

We offer unto thee, O Lord, the Cup of Salvation; humbling beseeching thy mercy, that it may go up before thy Divine Majesty with a sweet savour for our salvation, and for that of the whole world. Amen.

In the spirit of humility, and with a contrite heart, let us be accepted by thee, O Lord, and so let our sacrifice be in thy sight this day, that it may be well pleasing unto thee, O Lord our God. Come, O Sanctifier, Almighty and Everlasting God, and bless this sacrifice prepared for thy Holy Name. Receive O Holy Trinity, this oblation which we offer unto thee in memory of the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ our Lord; and in honor of blessed Mary ever-Virgin, of blessed John Baptist, of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul; and of all thy Saints: that it may avail them to their honour, and us to our salvation; and may they whose memory we celebrate on earth vouchsafe to intercede for us in heaven; through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then the priest ceremonially washes his hands and prays:

I will wash my hands in innocency, O Lord: and so will I go to thine Altar. That I may show the voice of thanksgiving: and tell of all thy wondrous works. Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house: and the place where thine honor dwelleth. O shut not up my soul with the sinners: nor my life with the blood thirsty in whose hands is wickedness: and their right hand is full of gifts. But as for me, I will walk innocently: O deliver me, and be merciful unto me. My foot standeth right: I will praise the Lord in the congregations. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.]

THE OFFERTORY RESPONSE

¶ Once the Hymn of Preparation has ended, the Ushers will walk the offering monies to the front of the church and give them to the altar server, who will then give it to the priest. The priest will lift the offerings of the people up to God. Then the people sing:

All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee. Amen.

¶ The priest then turns to the people and "bids" the people's prayers. This means he is asking the people, now and throughout the week, to pray for certain individuals and situations that have been brought to his attention. After he is finished, he says:

Pray, brethren, that this my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty.

¶Throughout the service, there is an interaction between the priest and the people. But always the priest is standing on behalf of Christ to the people and on behalf of the people to Christ. There is no room for a priest to consider himself above his people. He is in need of their prayers just as much as they are in need of his. The people respond:

The Lord receive this sacrifice at thy hands, to the praise and glory of His holy Name, both to our benefit and to that of all His Holy Church.

¶ The priest finishes the prayer, saying:

Amen.

¶ Then he says:

THE PRAYER FOR CHRIST'S CHURCH

Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men; We humbly beseech thee most mercifully to accept our alms and oblations, and to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the Universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: And grant that all those who do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.

We beseech thee also, so to direct and dispose the hearts of all Christian Rulers, that they may truly and impartially administer justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion, and virtue Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops, Priests and Deacons, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments.

And to all thy People give thy heavenly grace; and especially to this congregation here present; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear, and receive thy holy Word; truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.

And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all those who, in this transitory life, are in

trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.

And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee to grant them continual growth in thy love and service, and to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

THE INVITATION

¶ Then shall the priest say to those who come to receive the Holy Communion:

YE who do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways; Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, devoutly kneeling.

THE CONFESSION

¶ At this point the people kneel and begin to confess their sins to God, both with this written prayer, as well as quietly in the silent moments, considering the sins that were committed throughout the week. If God has spoken to your heart today and made known to you your sins, join with us in asking His forgiveness. Jesus stands with arms open wide to receive any sinner who truly turns from his or her ways. God loves you. We remain kneeling until the time of communion. Join with us and pray:

ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE ABSOLUTION OF SIN

¶ Jesus came and made His home with us. He gave power and authority to forgive sin to His disciples -- power and authority that continues to this day through the ministry of those who have been ordained in that long chain of disciples since Jesus' day. God knew that we would doubt His forgiveness. He knew that we would need to hear with our ears that we are forgiven. He knew that we would need a hand on our shoulder that says, "Your sins are washed away." He knew that we would need someone to wipe our tears away. Receive God's forgiveness this morning. The priest will now stand up, and turn to the People, and say:

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him; Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE COMFORTABLE WORDS

¶ This is another uniquely Anglican devotion. Hear the Word of God and allow it to put to an end to your doubts and fears. You can be forgiven. You can live a new life. Then shall the priest say:

Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all who truly turn to him:

COME unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. Saint Matthew 11:28.

So God loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have

everlasting life. Saint John 3:16.

Hear also what Saint Paul saith:

This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I Timothy 1:15.

Hear also what Saint John saith:

If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the Propitiation for our sins. Saint John 2:1-2.

THE SURSUM CORDA

¶ Sursum Corda means, "Lift up your hearts." After we confess our sins and receive God's forgiveness, we are to immediately lift up our hearts to heaven. Psalm 121 says, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." As we receive God's forgiveness and lift up our hearts, we are acknowledging that it is God alone who can help and save us. During the Sursum Corda, the priest and people say this alternately:

The Lord be with you.

And with thy spirit.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up unto the Lord.

Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.

It is meet and right so to do.

It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto thee; O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God;

FOR the precious death and merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and for the sending of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter;

who are one with thee in thy Eternal Godhead.

Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name;

evermore praising thee, and saying,

THE SANCTUS

¶ What follows is a short hymn called the Sanctus. Sanctus means "holy." It is the heavenly hymn. In the book of Isaiah, those in heaven are singing this hymn. 700 years later, in the book of Revelation, those in heaven are still singing it. Even now, they are singing it and we are joining in with them today. There are no walls between earth and heaven in the life of the Christian. Those who have died in Christ are just as alive, vibrant, loving and prayerful as they were on earth. In fact, since they now stand in the presence of God, one could argue that they are more attentive to those things. So when we worship here on earth, we are joining in the worship service that is already in progress now in heaven. Sing:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY,Lord God of hosts;

Heaven and earth are full of thy glory:

Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High!

Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest!

THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION

¶ Allow the prayers that follow to become your own. Each one of us is like the piece of bread that He takes into His hands. Jesus gives thanks for us. Through the trials of our life, he breaks us. Then in our brokenness, He gives us to others so that they would be nourished. How do we know this? We know this because that is what He has done for us and continues to do for us with His own Body and Blood each Sunday. Ask Jesus to take your life, your joys and sorrows, your trials and talents, and turn them into something of eternal value and worth. God is able to make your life new. At this time, the priest prays:

ALL glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that thou, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who made there by his one oblation of himself once offered a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again.

For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took Bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake 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.

¶ At this time bells ring, signifying the solemn nature of the offering. They ring three times in honor of the Holy Trinity. Typically, at the second ringing of the bells, the congregation will look up at the uplifted Host and say quietly, "My Lord and My God" -- which are the words of the Apostle Thomas at the sight of the risen Lord. Look with the eyes of faith at the risen Lord Jesus today. He comes to us today in the manner in which He has told us. He is the One who is saying to you, "Take eat, this is My Body." He calls each one of us to not look with eyes of doubt, but, like St. Thomas, to look with faith, see Him and receive Him.

Likewise, after supper, he took the Cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this; for this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins; Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.

¶The bells will again ring three times. The people will again make the sign of the cross and say, "My Lord and My God." Then the priest will say:

WHEREFORE, O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of thy dearly beloved Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, we, thy humble servants, do celebrate and make here before thy Divine Majesty, with these thy holy gifts, which we now offer unto thee, the Memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same.

AND we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us; and, of thy almighty goodness, vouchsafe to bless and sanctify, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine; that we, receiving them according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.

AND we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness, mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we, and all thy whole Church, may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion.

¶ Many will pray this prayer quietly with the priest:

AND here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee, that we, and all others who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him.

¶ What follows is a list of those early Christians who were killed for their faith in Jesus. Since the earliest days of Christianity, Christians have determined never to forget those who have died for the name of Jesus. Along with them we remember our own friends and family who have died. The highest act of love is prayer. And prayers ought never to cease, either here on earth, or in heaven above. Thus we ask for the prayers of all the Church, whether in heaven or on earth, for all those who have departed this life.

REMEMBER also, O Lord, thy servants and handmaidens (N) who have gone before us with the sign of faith and are at rest in the sleep of peace. To these, O Lord, and to all who rest in Christ, we beseech thee to grant a place of refreshment, of light, and of peace. And vouchsafe to give unto us some portion and fellowship with thy holy Apostles and Martyrs; with John, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicitas, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucia, Agnes, Cecillia, Anastasia, and with all thy Saints; within whose fellowship we beseech thee to admit us.

AND although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice; yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end.

¶ Then the people respond:

Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

And now, as our Saviour Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say,

OUR FATHER, who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for

for ever and ever. Amen.

¶ At the moment that we pray "But deliver us from evil," the priest quietly prays this prayer for us:

[Deliver us, we beseech thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present, and to come: and at the intercession of the blessed,

glorious, ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with that of thy blessed Apostles, Peter and Paul, and of Andrew and with all Saints, favorably grant peace in our time, that by the help of thy mercy, we may ever be kept free from sin, and safe from all disquietude. Through the same Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, Who with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth God,] World without end.

¶ Then the people sing:

Amen.

THE FRACTION

¶ At this time, the priest breaks the Host, signifying to us that Christ was broken for us. It is the climactic point in the service. If you listen carefully you will hear the fraction of the Body of Christ. The priest then says:

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

¶ The people sing:

And with thy spirit.

¶ The priest then prays:

May this mingling and consecration of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord avail us who partake thereof unto life eternal. Amen.

THE AGNUS DEI

¶This is one of the oldest hymns in the Church. It is the words of St. John the Baptist when he first saw the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus at His baptism. We sing them today because Christ, the Lamb of God, is in our midst.

O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace.

¶ Then the priest prays:

O LORD Jesus Christ, who saidst unto thine Apostles, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: Regard not our sins, but the faith of thy Church, and grant to it that peace and unity which is according to thy will, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

¶ Together, the priest and congregation prays:

WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

¶ The priest shall then recite this Psalm quietly:

[What reward shall I give unto the Lord for all the benefits that he hath done unto me? I will receive the cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord, which is worthy to be praised, so shall I be safe from mine enemies.]

¶ He will then say "Lord, I am not worthy," three times over. This is a found in Matthew 8:8 and was spoken by the Centurion whose servant was sick. He recites the full verse at the altar, but only the first five words can be heard in an audible voice.

THE COMMUNION OF THE FAITHFUL

¶ Then the priest shall turn to the people bearing the Body and Blood of Christ, and raise it up, saying with a loud voice:

Behold the Lamb of God, Behold Him that takest away the sin of the world.

¶ The people now make the sign of the cross and pray the words of the Centurion. You may see some who beat their breasts as they say it.

Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof, but speak the word only and my soul shall be healed.

¶ At this time the people come forward to receive Holy Communion. If you are a baptized Christian who desires to follow Jesus, and have either been confirmed by a bishop in Apostolic Succession, or are desirous and willing to be confirmed, please come and receive Him in the Eucharist. If you are not prepared to receive Him today, you may still come forward to receive a blessing. We invite you to come forward, and once you get to the altar rail, kneel with your arms crossed over your chest. This will signify to the priest that you desire a blessing. All young children are welcome in our midst during the entire service and can receive a blessing each time they attend.

THE COMMUNION HYMN

¶ After all have received Holy Communion and take their seats a hymn is sung. The Hymn Number is found in your bulletin.

¶ After all have been communicated, the priest, as he cleanses the vessels, says quietly:

[Grant, O Lord, that what we have taken with our lips, we may receive with a pure heart; and that from a temporal gift it may

become for us an eternal remedy. Let thy Body, O Lord, which I have taken, and thy Blood which I have drunk, cleave unto my soul; and grant that no spot of sin may remain in me, whom this pure and holy Sacrament hath refreshed; Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.]

¶ Then the priest and people will pray together, the congregation kneeling:

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee, for that thou dost vouchsafe to feed us who have duly received these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom, by the merits of his most precious death and passion. And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

THE POST-COMMUNION COLLECTS

¶ The priest and people again say alternately:

The Lord be with you.

And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

¶ Three prayers are now prayed by the people, led by the priest. These prayers are found in the bulletin insert.

THE BLESSING

¶ The priest and people alternately say the following:

The Lord be with you.

And with thy spirit.

Depart in peace.

Thanks be to God.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

From this time forth for evermore.

Our help is in the Name of the Lord.

Who hath made heaven and earth.

¶ The priest then gives the blessing to the Congregation saying:

The Peace of God, which passeth 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 Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always.

¶ The people respond:

Amen.

¶ At this time everyone stands for the final Gospel.

THE LAST GOSPEL

¶ The Last Gospel was a devotional practice in the medeival church observed throughout Europe and England. It was meant, for practical purposes, to allow for the reading of any given Sunday's reading along with those of a special feast day. In absence of another reading, the practice grew to read the first chapter of the Gospel of John each week, reminding us that it was God who "became flesh and dwelt among us. " When those words are read, the congregation briefly kneels, demonstrating that Christ humbled Himself to become a Man. So we also, humble ourselves at the mention of such a profound mystery and miracle. The priest and people say alternately:

The Lord be with you.

And with thy spirit.

The beginning of the Holy Gospel according to Saint John.

Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with

God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

¶ Then the people respond:

Thanks be to God.

THE RECESSIONAL HYMN

¶ The Hymn Number is found in your bulletin. The Recessional is the cross, altar servers and priest walking in procession to the back of the church, followed by a final prayer.

Please join us for coffee and refreshments in our fellowship hall.

Also, we invite you to sign our guest book on the way out the door.

We thank you for attending our church and look forward to seeing you again!

Let all guests who arrive be received as Christ, because He will say: "I was a stranger and you took Me in." And let due honor be shown to all, especially to those "of the household of the faith" and to wayfarers.

+ + +

from

The Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 53