6. This is our Story

This is our Story

Notes

Type of service

¶    A Service of the Word with Holy Communion;

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

¶    Makes less ‘standard’ choices of texts and structure and is not intended for regular Sunday use.

Style and mood

The style of the service is generally informal.

The Gathering

This is seen as the time in the service to share news, including learning themes for adults and young people.

The Bible (or Gospel book) which is placed on the lectern could have been carried in by a member of the congregation (perhaps a child) and the responses could be led by that person before the Bible is placed on the lectern.

Candles on stands near the lectern could be lit. These could be moved to stand beside the holy table during the peace, when the focus of the service moves from lectern to table. If this is done, it is not appropriate to have candles alight on the holy table from the beginning of the service.

Opening Prayer

The responsive form printed could be replaced by the Prayer of Preparation from Common Worship Order One, or another suitable prayer.

Praise

The song of praise could be a version of the Gloria in Excelsis.

The Prayers

The prayers begin with the penitential material (which is used there, as part of the response to the Word, rather than at the beginning of the service) and then move on to intercession. The Lord’s Prayer is used as the conclusion to the intercessions, and is used there rather than after the Eucharistic Prayer.

Eucharistic Prayer

This service is designed to use Prayer D, but another prayer could be used.

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

Greeting

Welcome in the name of Christ!

God’s grace, mercy and peace be with you

All   and also with you.

The president introduces the service.

A hymn or song may be sung.

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.

All   May it be a lamp to our feet

and a light to our path.

A Bible is placed on the lectern and candles near it are lit.

Sit. News and learning themes for different age groups are shared.

Opening Prayer

Lord, speak to us

All   that we may hear your word.

Move among us

All   that we may behold your glory.

Receive our prayers

All   that we may learn to trust you.

Amen.

Praise

A song or hymn of praise is sung.

The Collect

The president introduces a time of silent prayer and then says the Collect, the prayer of the day.

Proclaiming the Word of the Lord

Reading(s)

At the end of the reading(s) this response is used

This is the word of the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Gospel Reading

Before the Gospel reading this response is 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

A hymn or song(s) may be sung.

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.

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.

The president declares God’s forgiveness.

Praying for Others

The prayers of intercession may include the response

In faith we pray.

All   We pray to you our God.

and may end with

Lord of the Church:

All   hear 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

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.

Sharing at the Table of the Lord

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.]

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.

All   This 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.

All   This 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.

All   This 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.

All   This is our song:

Hosanna in the highest.

The prayer continues, concluding with

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.

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   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.

Amen.

Going out to serve the Lord

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.

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