Christ is our Peace

Notes

Type of service

¶    A Service of Holy Communion;

¶    A fully worked out sample, suitable for local reproduction;

¶    Designed to be suitable for regular use and for a variety of contexts.

This straightforward order of service follows the basic structure of Common Worship Order One in a simple way, with minimal rubrics.

Eucharistic Prayer

¶    This order is suitable for use with Eucharistic Prayers A, B, C, E and G. The full text of the Eucharistic Prayer is not included. The order is not suitable in this form for use with Eucharistic Prayers D, F or H;

¶    Only one of the four memorial acclamations is included in this order of service.

Christ is our Peace

A Service of Holy Communion

We say together the words printed in bold.

We gather

Greeting

The minister welcomes the people with a greeting, which may include

The Lord be with you

All   and also with you.

Prayer of Preparation

This prayer may be used

All   Almighty God,

to whom all hearts are open,

all desires known,

and from whom no secrets are hidden:

cleanse the thoughts of our hearts

by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,

that we may perfectly love you,

and worthily magnify your holy name;

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Confession and Forgiveness

All   Almighty God, our heavenly Father,

we have sinned against you

and against our neighbour

in thought and word and deed,

through negligence, through weakness,

through our own deliberate fault.

We are truly sorry

and repent of all our sins.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,

who died for us,

forgive us all that is past

and grant that we may serve you in newness of life

to the glory of your name.

Amen.

The president declares God’s forgiveness.

Praise

This, or another song, may be said or sung

All   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 alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

The Collect

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

We listen to God’s Word

There will be two or three readings from the Bible.

The final reading is the Gospel. Psalms or songs may also be used.

Reading(s)

At the end of the reading(s) this response may be used

This is the word of the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

Before the Gospel reading this response may be used

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.

All   Glory to you, O Lord.

After the Gospel

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All   Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Creed

The Apostles’ Creed is used

All   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,

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.

We pray

Prayers of Intercession

The prayers of intercession may include the response

Lord, in your mercy

All   hear our prayer.

and may end with

Merciful Father,

All   accept these prayers

for the sake of your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

We share in Holy Communion

The Peace

After the introductory words

The peace of the Lord be always with you

All   and also with you.

The Eucharistic Prayer

One of the authorized Eucharistic Prayers is used.

The Lord be with you

All   and also with you.

(or)

The Lord is here.

All   His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts.

All   We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All   It is right to give thanks and praise.

The president continues the prayer, praising God.

All join in the words

All   Holy, 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.]

The prayer continues and may include this acclamation

Great is the mystery of faith:

All   Christ has died:

Christ is risen:

Christ will come again.

The Eucharistic Prayer ends with

All   Amen.

(or)

All   Blessing and honour and glory and power

be yours for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   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.

All   Though 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

All   Almighty God,

we thank you for feeding us

with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.

Through him we offer you our souls and bodies

to be a living sacrifice.

Send us out

in the power of your Spirit

to live and work

to your praise and glory.

Amen.

We go out to serve God

A blessing may be given, and the service ends with

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

All   In the name of Christ. Amen.

(or)

Go in the peace of Christ.

All   Thanks be to God.

A service from New Patterns for Worship. Compilation copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2002.