Any Saint; Holy Men and Women

White

Invitation to Confession

The saints were faithful unto death

and now dwell in the heavenly kingdom for ever.

As we celebrate their joy,

let us bring to the Lord our sins and weaknesses,

and ask for his mercy.

(or)

Christ calls us to share the heavenly banquet of his love

with all the saints in earth and heaven.

Knowing our unworthiness and sin,

let us ask from him both mercy and forgiveness.

Kyrie Confession

Let judgement for me come forth from your presence,

and let your eyes discern the right:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Search my heart and visit me;

try me by fire:

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Keep me as the apple of your eye;

hide me under the shadow of your wings:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

(or)

Lord, you are gracious and compassionate:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

You are loving to all,

and your mercy is over all your creation:

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Your faithful servants bless your name

and speak of the glory of your kingdom:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

(or)

You give your kingdom to the poor in spirit:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

You satisfy those who hunger for righteousness and justice:

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

You give joy and gladness to those who mourn:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Collect

(general)

Almighty Father,

you have built up your Church

through the love and devotion of your saints:

inspire us to follow the example of N,

whom we commemorate today,

that we in our generation may rejoice with him/her

in the vision of your glory;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or (for Christian rulers)

Sovereign God,

who called N to be a ruler among his/her people

and gave him/her grace to be their servant:

help us, following our Saviour Christ

in the path of humble service,

to see his kingdom set forward on earth

and to enjoy its fullness in heaven;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or (for those working with the poor and underprivileged)

Merciful God,

you have compassion on all that you have made

and your whole creation is enfolded in your love:

help us to stand firm for your truth,

to struggle against poverty,

and to share your love with our neighbour,

that with your servant N

we may be instruments of your peace;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or (for men and women of learning)

God our Father,

who gave wisdom and insight to your servant N

to fathom the depths of your love

and to understand your design for the world you have made:

grant us the help of your Holy Spirit

that we also may come to a full knowledge of your purposes

revealed in your Son Jesus Christ, our wisdom and our life;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or (for those whose holiness was revealed in marriage and family life)

Eternal God,

whose love is revealed in the mystery of the Trinity:

help us, like your servant N,

to find in our human loving a mirror of your divine love

and to see in all your children our brothers and sisters in Christ,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Lectionary

General

Genesis 12.1-4; Proverbs 8.1-11; Micah 6.6-8; Ecclesiasticus 2.7-13 [14-end]

Psalms 32; 33.1-5; 119.1-8; 139.1-4 [5-12]; 145.8-14

Ephesians 3.14-19; or 6.11-18; Hebrews 13.7,8,15,16; James 2.14-17; 1 John 4.7-16; Revelation 21.[1-4] 5-7

Matthew 19.16-21; or 25.1-13; or 25.14-30; John 15.1-8; or 17.20-end

Christian rulers

1 Samuel 16.1-13a; 1 Kings 3.3-14

Psalms 72.1-7; 99

1 Timothy 2.1-6

Mark 10.42-45; Luke 14.27-33

Alfred the Great (26 October): also 2 Samuel 23.1-5; John 18.33-37

Edward the Confessor (13 October): also 2 Samuel 23.1-5; 1 John 4.13-16

Margaret of Scotland (16 November): also Proverbs 31.10-12,20,26-end; 1 Corinthians 12.13–13.3; Matthew 25.34-end

Those working for the poor and underprivileged

Isaiah 58.6-11

Psalms 82; 146.5-10

Hebrews 13.1-3; 1 John 3.14-18

Matthew 5.1-12; or 25.31-end

Elizabeth of Hungary (18 November): especially Matthew 25.31-end; also Proverbs 31.10-end

Josephine Butler (30 May): especially Isaiah 58.6-11; also 1 John 3.18-23; Matthew 9.10-13

William Wilberforce (30 July): also Job 31.16-23; Galatians 3.26-end; Luke 4.16-21

Men and women of learning

Proverbs 8.22-31; Ecclesiasticus 44.1-15

Psalms 36.5-10; 49.1-4

Philippians 4.7,8

Matthew 13.44-46,52; John 7.14-18

Those whose holiness was revealed in marriage and family life

Proverbs 31.10-13,19,20,30-end; Tobit 8.4-7

Psalms 127; 128

1 Peter 3.1-9

Mark 3.31-end; Luke 10.38-end

Mary Sumner (9 August): also Hebrews 13.1-5

Monica (27 August): also Ecclesiasticus 26.1-3,13-16

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia.

I have called you friends, says the Lord,

for all that I have heard from my Father

I have made known to you.

cf John 15.15

Alleluia.

(or, in Lent)

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

I have called you friends, says the Lord,

for all that I have heard from my Father

I have made known to you.

cf John 15.15

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

(or)

Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Matthew 5.8

Alleluia.

(or)

Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Matthew 5.9

Alleluia.

Intercession

Not every section of this intercession need be used on every occasion.

In every age you have raised up holy men and women

to reflect the light of Christ and to teach us the way of holiness.

We thank you for those who have been teachers in the school of Christ:

give understanding to those who study the faith the Church has handed on,

and clarity to those who communicate the gospel in a changing world …

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

We thank you for those who have been shepherds of your people:

give a pastoral heart to deacons, priests and bishops,

and the needful gifts to all your people in their ministry …

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

We thank you for those who have been Christian rulers in the world,

and for those who carried the good news to lands where it had not been before:

give wisdom to all who have power and influence among the nations,

and establish God’s sovereignty among people of every race …

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

We thank you for those whom you have called to live in community:

establish mutual love among those drawn into fellowship in your service,

and bless with Christ’s presence all the communities to which we relate …

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

We thank you for those who have lived out their vocation in family life:

give your grace to all who nurture children

and all who care for the aged,

and enfold in your love all your sons and daughters …

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

We thank you for those who have brought wholeness

through the medicine of the gospel:

give skill to all who minister healing and reconciliation in your name,

and comfort all who cry out to you from any sort of distress …

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

We thank you for the noble army of martyrs

by the shedding of whose blood the Church has been enriched:

keep under your protection those who are persecuted for the cause of Christ,

and acknowledge, we pray,

those who have passed through death trusting your promises …

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

[We thank you today for …

As we celebrate his/her memory and rejoice in his/her friendship,

we ask you to bless …

Keep in one communion and fellowship all those for whom Christ died.

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.]

Hasten, Lord, the day when people will come from east and west,

from north and south,

and sit at table in your kingdom,

and we shall see your Son in his glory.

Merciful Father,

accept these prayers

for the sake of your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

(or)

United in the company of all the faithful

and looking for the coming of the kingdom,

let us offer our prayers to God, the source of all life and holiness.

Merciful Lord,

strengthen all Christian people by your Holy Spirit,

that we may live as a royal priesthood and a holy nation

to the praise of Christ Jesus our Saviour.

Lord, have mercy.

Bless N our bishop, and all ministers of your Church,

that by faithful proclamation of your word

we may be built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets

into a holy temple in the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Empower us by the gift of your holy and life-giving Spirit,

that we may be transformed into the likeness of Christ

from glory to glory.

Lord, have mercy.

Give to the world and its peoples

the peace that comes from above,

that they may find Christ’s way of freedom and life.

Lord, have mercy.

Hold in your embrace all who witness to your love

in the service of the poor and needy;

all those who minister to the sick and dying;

and all who bring light to those in darkness.

Lord, have mercy.

Touch and heal all those whose lives are scarred by sin and pain,

that, raised from death to life in Christ,

their sorrow may be turned to eternal joy.

Lord, have mercy.

Remember in your mercy those gone before us

who have been well-pleasing to you from eternity;

preserve us who live here in your faith,

guide us to your kingdom, and grant us your peace at all times.

Lord, have mercy.

Hasten the day when those who fear you in every nation

will come from east and west, from north and south,

and sit at table in your kingdom.

Lord, have mercy.

And so we give you thanks

for the whole company of your saints in glory,

with whom in fellowship we join our prayers and praises;

by your grace may we, like them, be made perfect in your love.

Blessing and glory and wisdom,

thanksgiving and honour and power,

be to our God for ever and ever.

Amen.

Introduction to the Peace

May the God of peace sanctify you:

may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness

that you may be blameless before him

at the coming of our Lord Jesus with his saints.

1 Thessalonians 5.23; 3.13

Prayer at the Preparation of the Table

Eternal God,

we give you thanks for the triumph of Christ

in the life of your servant N.

Accept this sacrifice of thanks and praise

and give us grace to run our course with faith,

that we may come with all your saints

to the eternal banquet in heaven,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Preface

And now we give you thanks

that your glory is revealed in [N and] all the saints.

In their lives you have given us an example of faithfulness to Christ.

In their holiness we find encouragement and hope.

In our communion with them we share the unity of your kingdom.

(or)

And now we give you thanks

for the work of your grace in the life of Saint N

and that by the same grace you lead us in the way of holiness,

setting before us the vision of your glory.

(or)

And now we give you thanks

for the hope to which you call us in your Son,

that following in the faith of all your saints,

we may run with perseverance the race that is set before us,

and with them receive the unfading crown of glory.

(or)

And now we give you thanks

because in him you have received us as your sons and daughters,

joined us in one fellowship with the saints,

and made us citizens of your kingdom.

Extended Preface

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,

always and everywhere to give you thanks,

holy Father, almighty and eternal God,

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.

We rejoice in the glorious splendour of your majesty

for you have given us a share with N

in the inheritance of the saints in light.

In the darkness of this passing age

they proclaim the glory of your kingdom.

Chosen as lights in the world,

they surround our steps as we journey on

towards the city of eternal light

where they sing the everlasting song of triumph.

In communion with angels and archangels

and all who have served you on earth

and worship you now in heaven,

we raise our voices to proclaim your glory,

for ever praising you and saying:

Post Communion

Faithful God,

who called N to serve you

and gave him/her joy in walking the path of holiness:

by this eucharist,

in which you renew within us the vision of your glory,

strengthen us all to follow the way of perfection

until we come to see you face to face;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(or)

God our redeemer,

who inspired N to witness to your love

and to work for the coming of your kingdom:

may we, who in this sacrament share the bread of heaven,

be fired by your Spirit to proclaim the gospel in our daily living

and never to rest content until your kingdom come,

on earth as it is in heaven;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(or)

Father,

from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name,

your servant N revealed your goodness

in a life of tranquillity and service:

grant that we who have gathered in faith around this table

may like him/her know the love of Christ

that surpasses knowledge

and be filled with all your fullness;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(or)

God, the source of all holiness and giver of all good things:

may we who have shared at this table

as strangers and pilgrims here on earth

be welcomed with all your saints

to the heavenly feast on the day of your kingdom;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

God give you grace to follow his saints

in faith and hope and love;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

(or)

God give you grace to share the inheritance

of his saints in glory;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

(or)

God give you grace to follow his saints

in faith and truth and gentleness;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

(or)

May Christ who makes saints of sinners,

who has transformed those we remember today,

raise and strengthen you, that you may transform the world;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

(or)

God,

the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation,

to know the hope to which he has called you.

Amen.

God,

who has shown you a pattern of holy living and holy dying in the lives of the saints,

bring you to share their glorious inheritance.

Amen.

God,

who calls you no longer strangers

but fellow citizens with the saints,

set your hearts and minds on things above,

where Christ is seated at God’s right hand.

Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

Amen.

(or)

May God the Father bring us to the home

which his Son prepares for all who love him.

Amen.

May God the Son give us the will

to live for him each day in life eternal.

Amen.

May God the Holy Spirit give us the assurance

that our citizenship is in heaven

with the blessed and beloved,

and the whole company of the redeemed.

Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

Amen.

(or)

May God,

who kindled the fire of his love in the hearts of the saints,

pour upon you the riches of his grace.

Amen.

May he give you joy and fellowship

and a share in their praises.

Amen.

May he strengthen you to follow them in the way of holiness

and to come to the full radiance of glory.

Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

Amen.

(or)

May God, who has given you in the lives of the saints

patterns of holy living and victorious dying,

strengthen you to follow them in the way of holiness.

Amen.

May God, who kindled the fire of his love in the hearts of the saints,

pour upon you the riches of his grace.

Amen.

May God, who calls you no longer strangers and aliens

but fellow-citizens with all the saints,

bring you to your home in heaven.

Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

Amen.

cf Ephesians 1.7,8; 2.19

Ending

The Lord God almighty,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

the holy and undivided Trinity,

guard you, save you,

and bring you to the heavenly city,

where he lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Acclamation

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised:

there is no end of his greatness.

One generation shall praise your works to another:

and shall declare your power.

All your works praise you, Lord:

and your faithful servants bless you.

They make known the glory of your kingdom:

and speak of your power.

My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord:

let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

(or)

In the city of God, night shall be no more:

the people of God need no light of lamp or sun.

For the Lord God will be their light:

and they will reign for ever and ever.

Short Passages of Scripture

The righteous shall receive a blessing from the Lord,

and a just reward from the God of their salvation.

Psalm 24.5

If you come forward to serve the Lord,

set your heart right and be steadfast.

Ecclesiasticus 2.1,2

Jesus said,

‘I was hungry and you gave me food,

I was thirsty and you gave me drink,

I was a stranger and you welcomed me.’

Matthew 25.35

Jesus said,

‘The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve,

and to give up his life as a ransom for many.’

Mark 10.45