8. Come, Lord Jesus: Holy Communion in Advent

Come, Lord Jesus:

Holy Communion in Advent

Notes

Type of service

    A Service of the Word with a Celebration of Holy Communion for use in Advent;

    A fully worked out sample, suitable for local reproduction (note that it does not include all the words required by the president).

Advent ring

A position is suggested for the lighting of appropriate candles on the Advent ring (if there is one). Other possible positions for this would be:

    after the sermon;

    before the peace;

    before the dismissal.

There are several different patterns of ‘meanings’ suggested for the four or five candles of the ring. Care needs to be taken that the congregation understands what the candles are signifying.

If words are said and a song sung, care is needed to maintain a sense of event. A suggested pattern is:

    Congregation stands;

    Words are said (either words of explanation, or a sentence of Scripture, or a versicle and response);

    Candle is lit;

    Song is sung.

Where the Collect follows, the congregation remain standing in silence before the president prays the Collect.

Intercessions

The response printed is F72 from the intercessions (‘We pray for the coming of God’s kingdom …’), but any form of intercessions could be used with the same response.

Eucharistic Prayer

This order is suitable as printed, for use with Prayers A, B, C, E and G, though Prayer G does not allow for a seasonal Proper Preface.

Come, Lord Jesus

A Service of the Word with a Celebration of Holy Communion in Advent

We say together the words printed in bold.

The Gathering
The Greeting

The Lord be with you

All   and also with you.

One of these sentences may be used

Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem,

for the Lord has comforted his people.

Isaiah 52.9

Lift up your heads, O gates; lift them high, O everlasting doors, and

the king of glory shall come in.

Psalm 24.7

Watch at all times, praying for the strength to stand with confidence

before the Son of Man.

Luke 21.36

Look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing

near.

Luke 21.28

Our Lord says ‘Surely I come quickly.’ Even so; come, Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22.20

Prayer of Preparation

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.

Prayers of Penitence

Christ the Light of the world has come to dispel the darkness of our hearts. In his light let us examine ourselves and confess our sins.

All   Most merciful God,

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

we confess that we have sinned

in thought, word and deed.

We have not loved you with our whole heart.

We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.

In your mercy

forgive what we have been,

help us to amend what we are,

and direct what we shall be;

that we may do justly,

love mercy,

and walk humbly with you, our God.

Amen.

The president declares God’s forgiveness.

Advent Ring

If there is an Advent ring, candles on it may be lit at this point.

The Collect
The Liturgy of the Word
Reading(s)

After each reading

This is the word of the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

This, or another psalm or scriptural song, may be used

Psalm 130

Out of the depths I have called to you, Lord.

Let your ears be open to hear my voice.

All   My hope is in God’s word.

If you recorded all our sins

who could come before you?

All   My hope is in God’s word.

There is forgiveness with you:

therefore you shall be feared.

All   My hope is in God’s word.

My soul is longing for the Lord,

more than those who watch for daybreak.

All   My hope is in God’s word.

O Israel, wait for the Lord,

for with the Lord there is mercy.

All   My hope is in God’s word.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

All   My hope is in God’s word.

Gospel Reading

When the Gospel is announced the reader says

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

All   Glory to you, O Lord.

and at the end

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All   Praise to you, O Christ.

Affirmation of Faith

This, or a creed or other authorized Affirmation of Faith is used

We say together in faith

All   Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God almighty,

who was, and is, and is to come.

We believe in God the Father, who created all things:

All   for by his will they were created

and have their being.

We believe in God the Son,

who was slain:

All   for with his blood,

he purchased us for God,

from every tribe and language,

from every people and nation.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit:

All   the Spirit and the Bride say,‘Come!’

Even so come, Lord Jesus!

Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

This response is used

We pray for the coming of God’s kingdom, saying:

Father, by your Spirit

All   bring in your kingdom.

The prayers conclude

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

The Lord’s Prayer may be said here or after the Eucharistic Prayer

Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom

in the words our Saviour taught us.

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.

The Liturgy of the Sacrament
The Peace

In the tender mercy of our God,

the dayspring from on high shall break upon us,

to give light to those who dwell in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you

All   and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

All may exchange a sign of peace.

If the Service of the Word is to end here, the Dismissal takes place here.

Preparation of the Table
Taking of the Bread and Wine

This prayer may be used

Blessed be God,

who feeds the hungry,

who raises the poor,

who fills our praise.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

The Eucharistic Prayer

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 praises God for his mighty acts, ending

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 president recalls the Last Supper.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

The Prayer ends

All   Amen.

(or)

All   Blessing and honour and glory and power

be yours for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said here if not already used.

Breaking of the Bread

Every time we eat this bread

and drink this cup,

All   we proclaim the Lord’s death

until he comes.

The Agnus Dei (‘Lamb of God’) may be said or sung.

Giving of Communion

The president invites the people to receive communion.

Prayer after Communion

Silence is kept.

One or both of these prayers may be said

Loving Father,

your Son Jesus Christ has come to us

in word and Spirit, in bread and cup.

Make us holy

and bring us to perfection,

when we stand before him

as he comes to judge the living and the dead,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

All   Generous God,

you have fed us at your heavenly table.

Set us on fire with your Spirit

that when Christ comes again

we may shine like lights before his face;

who with you and the Spirit lives for ever.

Amen.

The Dismissal

These words may be said

Our Lord says, I am coming soon.

All   Amen. Come Lord Jesus.

May the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting.

All   Amen.

The president may use this seasonal blessing

May God himself, the God of peace,

make you perfect and holy;

and keep you all safe and blameless, in spirit, soul and body,

for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And the blessing …

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.

Come, Lord Jesus

New Patterns for Worship, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2002 and published by Church House Publishing.

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