Order of Service – Sunday Holy Communion during Lent

Opening Hymn/Song

The Greeting

Welcome in the name of Christ.
God’s grace, mercy and peace be with you
and also with you.

Unity Prayer

We Say the Unity Prayer together where-ever we might be worshiping today.

Words of Welcome and Introduction

Prayer of Preparation

Faithful one, whose word is life:
Come with saving power 
To free our praise, 
Inspire our prayer
And shape our lives
For the kingdom of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Lord
Amen

Confession

These or other words may be used.

Our selfishness betrays you:
Lord forgive us.
Christ have mercy.

We fail to share the pain of your suffering:
Lord forgive us.
Christ have mercy.

We run away from those who mock you:
Lord forgive us.
Christ have mercy.

Silence for personal reflection followed by Absolution.

Absolution

Verses from Psalm 51

Create in me a clean heart O God
And put a new and right spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from your presence
 and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Create in me a clean heart O God.
And put a new and right spirit within me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation
And sustain in me a willing spirit.
Create in me a clean heart O God.
And put a new and right spirit within me.

O Lord, open my lips
And my mouth will declare your praise.

The Collect

This week’s Collect can be found here.

Readings

This week’s first reading can be found here.

At the end the reader says:
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

This week’s Gospel Reading can be found here.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,
according to N.
Glory to you, O Lord.

At the end:
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

The Creed

Though he was divine,
he did not cling to equality with God,
but made himself nothing.
Taking the form of a slave,
He was born in human likeness.
He humbled himself and was obedient to death,
Even the death of the cross.
Therefore God has raised him on high,
and given him the name above every name:
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen

Prayers of Intercession

Prayers will include responses as led, and are on-line here

The following response may be used:
Lord, meet us in the silence
Hear our prayer

And at the end:

Merciful Father,
accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

The Peace

The Peace is introduced with these or other suitable words.

Since we are justified by faith,
we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has given us access to His grace

The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you 

We exchange a sign of peace

Offertory Hymn

Preparation of the Table

The altar is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.

And now we give you thanks
because he was tempted in every way as we are, yet did not sin.
By his grace we are able to triumph over every evil
and to live no longer for ourselves alone,
but for him who died for us and rose again.

Blessed are you, Lord God, our light and our salvation;
to you be glory and praise for ever.
From the beginning you have created all things
and all your works echo the silent music of your praise.
In the fullness of time you made us in your image,
the crown of all creation.
You give us breath and speech,
that with angels and archangels
and all the powers of heaven
we may find a voice to sing your praise:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory. 
Hosanna in the highest.

How wonderful the work of your hands, O Lord.  
As a mother tenderly gathers her children,    
you embraced a people as your own.    
When they turned away and rebelled
your love remained steadfast.          
From them you raised up Jesus our Saviour,
born of Mary, to be the living bread,
in whom all our hungers are satisfied.          
He offered his life for sinners,    
and with a love stronger than death    
he opened wide his arms on the cross.  

On the night before he died,
he came to supper with his friends    
and, taking bread, he gave you thanks.    
He broke it and gave it to them, saying:    
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;    
do this in remembrance of me.          

At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine,    
he gave you thanks,
and said: 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.

Christ is the bread of life:
When we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus,
until you come in glory.

Father, we plead with confidence    
his sacrifice made once for all upon the cross;    
we remember his dying and rising in glory,    
and we rejoice that he intercedes for us at your right hand.    

Pour out your Holy Spirit as we bring before you  
these gifts of your creation;    
may they be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.      
As we eat and drink these holy things in your presence,    
form us in the likeness of Christ,    
and build us into a living temple to your glory.          
Bring us at the last with all the saints    
to the vision of that eternal splendour    
for which you have created us;    
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,    
by whom, with whom, and in whom,    
with all who stand before you in earth and heaven,  
we worship you, Father almighty, in songs of everlasting praise:  

Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours for ever and ever.
Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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.

Breaking of the Bread

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.

Giving of Communion

Jesus is the Lamb of God
who takes away the sin of the world.
Blessed are those who are called to his supper.
Lord I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word and I shall be healed.

Prayer after Communion

Merciful God,
you have called us to your table
and fed us with the bread of life.
Draw us and all people to serve your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Closing Hymn

The Blessing and Dismissal

An appropriate ending and blessing will be used.

Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ.  Amen.

Some material included in this service is copyright: © The Archbishops’ Council 2000

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