Eucharist, 2017 (Full Text)
A 21st Century revision of the 1866 Holy Communion service; offered to the Church for study, meditation, and congregational use, by T.D.B. Vigil of the Resurrection of Our Lord, 2017. (Revised 2018)
I. SERVICE OF PREPARATION (Guilt)
Silent Meditation
“I Lift up my eyes to the hills; from where does my help come?” -Psalm 121
Prelude Music
(ALL MAY STAND)
Introit and Procession
(The Introit and additional music may be played or sung, such as hymns, as needed; If a cross is carried in the procession, the congregation may show reverence for the significance of this holy symbol by bowing as it passes them.)
Invocation
Minister: (facing the people) In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
Confession of Sin
M: (facing the altar) Almighty and everliving God, who by the blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ, has consecrated for us a new and living way into the holiest of all; cleanse our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we, your redeemed people, may offer to You an acceptable sacrifice in righteousness, and worthily magnify Your glorious Name, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
M: (facing the people) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us; but if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Let us humble ourselves before the throne of Almighty God, our heavenly Father, and confess our sins and transgressions with lowly and contrite hearts.
(ALL MAY KNEEL, or sit, and face the altar; a brief silence is held for self-examination)
M: Almighty God, our heavenly Father:
C: We unworthy sinners abhor ourselves and repent in dust and ashes.
(all may lightly strike their breast)
We have sinned, we have sinned, we have grievously sinned against You,
In thought, word, and deed,
By what we have done and by what we have left undone.
Remembering our transgressions and shortcomings fills us with sorrow and shame.
For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ: Have mercy on us.
Forgive us our sins.
Enable us to forgive others, as we ask You to forgive us.
Help and guide us to serve You, and please You, in newness of life,
To the honor and glory of Your holy Name. Amen.
M: (The Minister stands and faces the people) Hearken now unto the comforting assurance of the grace of God: The Lord your God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live. For God so loved the world that God gave their only begotten Son, that whosoever trusts in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Therefore, beloved in Christ: Ye who do truly repent of your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ with full purpose and new obedience, I announce and declare, by the authority and in the name of Christ, that your sins are forgiven according to the promise of the Gospel, through the perfect merit of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
(ALL MAY STAND)
Kyrie
A: Lord, have mercy upon us.
C: Lord, have mercy upon us.
A: Christ, have mercy upon us.
C: Christ, have mercy upon us.
A: Lord, have mercy upon us.
C: Lord, have mercy upon us.
II. SERVICE OF WORD (Grace)
Gloria in Excelsis OR A Hymn of Praise (Omitted during Advent and Lent)
A: (still facing the altar) Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward all.
C: All glory be to God on high, Who has our race befriended!
To us no harm shall now come nigh, The strife at last is ended;
God shows such great goodwill to all, And peace shall reign on earth for all;
O, thank God for such goodness!
We praise, we worship You, we trust And give You thanks forever,
O Father, that Your rule is just And wise, and changes never;
Your boundless Love o’er all things reigns, You do whate’er Your will ordains;
‘Tis well You are our Ruler!
O Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, Begotten of the Father,
O You who have our peace restored, And the lost sheep still gather,
O Lamb of God, enthroned on high, Behold our need and hear our cry;
Have mercy on us, Jesus!
O Holy Spirit, precious Gift, O Comforter unfailing,
Please now our troubled souls uplift, Against the foe prevailing;
Avert our woes and calm our dread: FOR US THE SAVIOR’S BLOOD WAS SHED;
In this great faith, sustain us! Amen.
Salutation and Collect
M: (facing the people) The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
M: Let us pray. (Facing the altar, the Minister continues with the Collect Prayer for the day)
C: Amen.
(ALL MAY SIT)
Hebrew Scripture
A: (facing the people) A reading from the book of _____.
(After the reading…)
A: The word of our Lord.
C: Thanks be to God!
Psalm or Anthem
Epistle Scripture
A: (facing the people) A reading from the book of _____.
(After the reading…)
A: The word of our Lord.
C: Thanks be to God!
(ALL MAY STAND)
Hymn on the Day’s Themes OR Alleluia Gradual Sequence
(The Book of Gospels may be carried in procession, with torches, into the middle of the congregation.)
Gospel Scripture
A: (facing the people) The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to _____.
(After the reading…)
A: The Gospel of our Lord.
C: (facing the altar, bowing) Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
(upright) As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
(ALL MAY SIT)
Sermon
Silent Meditation
(ALL MAY STAND)
(If the Children have been in another room, let them now join this room and participate in the remainder of the Eucharist celebration.)
Creed
M: (facing the people) Let us confess the faith of the Church, the faith in which we baptize.
(facing the altar) We believe in one God,
C: the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord,
(ALL MAY BOW)
Jesus Christ,
(UPRIGHT)
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:
(ALL MAY KNEEL)
By the power of the Holy Spirit He became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
(ALL MAY STAND)
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. With the Father and the Son
(ALL MAY BOW)
She is worshiped and glorified.
(UPRIGHT)
She 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.
III. SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING (Gratitude)
Peace of Christ
M: (facing the people) The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
C: And also with you.
M: United as one family in Christ, let us share a sign of God’s peace with one another.
(All may share a sign of peace with one another, saying: “Peace be with you.”)
Announcements of the Parish
Children’s Sermon
M: (The children join the Minister in facing the altar) The eyes of all wait upon You, O Lord and You open Your hand to satisfy the needs of every living thing. Receive, O Lord, these gifts You have first given us: our selves, our time, and our possessions – for the help of all in need, and the praise and glory of Your holy Name.
C: Amen.
(Hymns, Anthems, and other Music may be offered as the children and/or ushers collect the gifts of the people. They bring these gifts to the Minister who then reverently places them on or near the altar as an oblation to God. Gifts of Bread and Wine may be brought forward and made ready for the Eucharist. The Minister may also offer silent prayer and gifts of burning incense at the altar. The Assisting Minister may also offer incense to the people, greeting them with a bow.)
M: (facing the people) The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
M: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
M: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
M: (facing the altar) It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times and in all places, give thanks to You, Lord God Almighty: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Before the mountains were made, before heaven and earth and all that fills them, from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
In the beginning, You gave birth to all things. By Your Word, You breathed into being all things seen and unseen. You made humankind, in your own image, after your own likeness. You set us as stewards over your creation. You gave us righteousness and You formed us for immortality.
But, through the fraud and malice of Satan, we have fallen from this first estate. And yet, You have not abandoned us. By Your promise of redemption through Jesus Christ, You raise us up and restore us to the joyful hope of everlasting life.
For all Your mercies and favors, known to us and unknown, WE GIVE YOU THANKS. But most of all, we praise You, Father everlasting, for the gift of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. By Christ’s appearing, death is abolished, and life and immortality are revealed through the Gospel.
And now, mighty God, our heavenly King, we magnify and praise You, with patriarchs, matriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs; with your holy Church throughout all the world, and with the heavenly Jerusalem – the joyful assembly and congregation of the first-born on high; with angels, cherubim, and seraphim, we worship and adore You and praise Your glorious Name:
(ALL MAY BOW)
C: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Sabaoth:
Heaven and earth are full, are full of the majesty of Thy Glory.
(UPRIGHT)
C: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest!
Blessed + is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest!
M: Let us pray.
(CONGREGATION MAY KNEEL OR SIT)
M: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, send down the powerful benediction of Your Holy Spirit upon these elements of bread and wine, that now being set apart from a common use to a sacred and mystical use, they may exhibit and re-present to us with true effect the body and blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
And we remember that on the same night He was betrayed, (lifting the bread) our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: “Take and eat; this is My body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of Me.”
After supper, (lifting the cup) He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: “This cup is the new testament in My blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of Me.”
May we be made, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to partake really and truly of His blessed life, so that we may be saved from death, and raised to immortality at the last day. Lord, in Your mercy:
C: Hear our prayer.
Be pleased now, O most merciful Father, graciously to receive at our hands this memorial of the blessed sacrifice of Your Son; in union with which we here offer and present to You the reasonable sacrifice of our own persons, consecrating ourselves, in soul and body, property and life, on the altar of the Gospel, to your most blessed service and praise. Look upon us through the mediation of our great High Priest. Make us accepted in the Beloved, and let His Name be as a pure and holy incense, through which all our worship may come up before You, as the odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. Lord, in Your mercy:
C: Hear our prayer.
M: Remember Father, Your Church throughout the whole earth. Build up our desolations, heal our disorders, and mend our divisions. Grant us prosperity, safety, unity, and peace. Remember this congregation, our pastors, elders, deacons, and people. Accept our piety and faith, and increase in us your heavenly grace, so that we may lack no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Lord, in Your mercy:
C: Hear our prayer.
M: Father, we pray for all lands and people. We pray for all leaders and the people committed to their charge and care. We pray for this land and its leaders [names]. Make us a righteous people, and give us power and strength to serve You in the bonds of peace. Lord, in Your mercy:
C: Hear our prayer.
M: Father, grant us favorable weather, that the earth’s produce may ripen and be gathered in due season. Preserve us from war, disease, and famine. Lord, in Your mercy:
C: Hear our prayer.
M: Send forth Your light and truth to the ends of the earth. Cause the glorious Gospel of your grace to be proclaimed among all nations. Powerfully incline the hearts of people everywhere, that they may hear, trust, and obey You with joy. Lord, in Your mercy:
C: Hear our prayer.
M: Look in tender compassion among Your people, especially those who are called to suffer heavy affliction, or temptation and trial of any kind [names]; draw near to them with Your divine help and care according to all their needs. Lord, in Your mercy:
C: Hear our prayer.
M: Father, we commend to you all who are now departing this life. Embrace them in Your loving arms, at this their hour of death. Defend them against the assaults of the Devil. Enable them to joyfully commit their spirits into Your hands, and so receive them to blessed rest. Lord, in Your mercy:
C: Hear our prayer.
M: God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named: we rejoice before You here in the blessed communion of all Your saints, in which You have given us also to have part. We praise You for this holy fellowship of patriarchs, matriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, and the whole glorious company of the redeemed of all ages. Thank You for your grace and the many gifts bestowed on the generations of those who have gone before us in the way of salvation, who now surround us throughout our lives as a great cloud of witnesses. Enable us to follow their faith, that we may enter at death into their joy. Abide with them in rest and peace, until both they and we shall reach our common consummation of redemption and bliss in the glorious resurrection of the last day. Uniting, now, our voices with theirs, we pray the prayer Christ taught us:
C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, in earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours, now and forever. Amen.
M: (facing the altar; raising the bread and breaking it)
Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, blest are all invited to the supper of the Lamb.
C: Lord, I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the word and I shall be healed.
C: (facing the altar; breaking larger wafers into smaller pieces)
O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world: have mercy upon us;
O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world: have mercy upon us;
O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world: grant us Thy peace. Amen.
(The congregation may kneel or sit until it is their turn to approach the altar for Communion. Anthems, hymns, and other music or silence may be offered. The bread may be given to each person with the words: “The body of Christ given for you.” To which the person may respond: “Amen.” Likewise, the wine may be given to each person with the words: “The blood of Christ shed for you.” To which the person may respond: “Amen.” Once all have communed, the altar is cleared.)
(ALL MAY STAND)
M: (facing the altar) Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God,
C: We give You hearty thanks for feeding us through these holy mysteries with the spiritual food of the most precious body and blood of Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. You have assured us thereby, that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of Your Son, and heirs through hope of Your everlasting kingdom, by the merits of His death and passion.
We humbly ask You to assist us with Your grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as You have prepared for us to walk in.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord, to whom with You and the Holy Spirit be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
Te Deum OR Hymn of Thanksgiving
C: (facing the altar)
Holy God, we praise Your name; Lord of all, we bow before You.
All on earth Your scepter claim, All in heav'n above adore You.
Infinite Your vast domain, Everlasting is Your reign.
Hark! The glad celestial hymn Angel choirs above are raising;
Cherubim and seraphim, In unceasing chorus praising,
Fill the heav'ns with sweet accord: "Holy, holy, holy Lord!"
Lo, the apostolic train Join your sacred Name to hallow;
Prophets swell the glad refrain, And the white-robed martyrs follow;
And from morn to set of sun Through the Church the song goes on.
Holy Father, holy Son, Holy Spirit, Three we name You;
While in essence only One, Undivided God we claim You;
And, adoring, bend the knee While we own the mystery. Amen.
Benediction
M: (facing the people) The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of the Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit be with you and remain with you now and forever.
C: Jesus! I live to Thee, The loveliest and best;
My life in Thee, Thy life in me, In Thy blest love I rest.
Jesus! I die to Thee, Whenever death shall come;
To die in Thee is life to me In my eternal home.
Whether to live or die, I know not which is best;
To live in Thee is bliss to me, To die is endless rest.
Living or dying, Lord, I ask but to be Thine;
My life in Thee, Thy life in me, Makes heav’n forever mine. Amen.
Recessional Postlude