This is our Story

 

¶ A Service of the Word with a Celebration of Holy Communion

 

We say together the words printed in bold.

 

¶ Gathering as the People of God

 

The Greeting

 

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

 

The president introduces the service.

 

Words of welcome or introduction may be said.

 

Preparing for the Word

 

We worship with Christians near and far,
living and departed, old and young.
God's word is for all of us.
AllMay it be a lamp to our feet
and a light to our path.

 

Opening Prayer

 

Lord, speak to us
that we may hear your word.
Move among us
that we may behold your glory.
Receive our prayers
that we may learn to trust you.
Amen.

 

Praise

 

A song or hymn of praise is sung

 

The Collect

 

The president says the Collect, the prayer of the day.

 

¶ Proclaiming the Word of the Lord

 

Readings

 

Reader: None

 

At the end the reader may say

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.

 

Reader: None

 

Gospel Reading

 

When the Gospel is announced the reader says

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

 

Reader: None

 

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
AllPraise to you, O Christ.

 

Sermon

Preacher: None

 

The Creed

AllI 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,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and 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.

 

Praying for Ourselves

 

Come, let us return to the Lord and say:

All Lord our God,
in our sin we have avoided your call.
Our love for you is like a morning cloud,
like the dew that goes away early.
Have mercy on us;
deliver us from judgement;
bind up our wounds and revive us;
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

cf Hosea 6

 

The president declares God's forgiveness

 

Praying for others

 

The prayers of intercession may include the response

 

In faith we pray
we pray to you our God.

 

and may end with

 

Lord of the Church,
Allhear our prayer,
and make us one in heart and mind
to serve you with joy for ever.
Amen.

 

The Lord's Prayer

 

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray:

 

AllOur 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.

 

¶ Sharing at the Table of the Lord

 

The Peace

 

After the introductory words

 

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

 

The Eucharistic Prayer

 

The Lord be with you
Alland also with you.

 

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

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

Almighty God, good Father to us all,
your face is turned towards your world.
In love you gave us Jesus your Son
to rescue us from sin and death.
Your Word goes out to call us home
to the city where angels sing your praise.
We join with them in heaven's song:

 

AllHoly, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

 

Father of all, we give you thanks
for every gift that comes from heaven.

To the darkness Jesus came as your light.
With signs of faith and words of hope
he touched untouchables with love and washed the guilty clean.

This is his story.
AllThis is our song:
Hosanna in the highest.

The crowds came out to see your Son,
yet at the end they turned on him.
On the night he was betrayed
he came to table with his friends
to celebrate the freedom of your people.

This is his story.
AllThis is our song:
Hosanna in the highest.

Jesus blessed you, Father, for the food;
he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and said:
This is my body, given for you all.
Jesus then gave thanks for the wine;
he took the cup, gave it and said:
This is my blood, shed for you all
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this in remembrance of me.

This is our story.
AllThis is our song:
Hosanna in the highest.

Therefore, Father, with this bread and this cup
we celebrate the cross
on which he died to set us free.
Defying death he rose again
and is alive with you to plead for us and all the world.

This is our story.
AllThis is our song:
Hosanna in the highest.

Send your Spirit on us now
that by these gifts we may feed on Christ
with opened eyes and hearts on fire.

May we and all who share this food
offer ourselves to live for you
and be welcomed at your feast in heaven
where all creation worships you,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

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

 

Breaking of the Bread

We break this bread
to share in the body of Christ.

AllThough we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.

 

Giving of Communion

The president invites the people to receive communion.

Each communicant replies Amen to the words of distribution.

 

After Communion

 

The president may use a post communion prayer
and then this prayer may be said together

 

Lord,
we have broken your bread
and received your life.
By the power of your Spirit
keep us always in your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

¶ Going out to serve the Lord

 

Hymn

 

Blessing

The peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds
in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
AllAmen.

 

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