22
All Creation Worships (Holy Communion)
Notes
Type of service
¶ A celebration of Holy Communion;
¶ An example of a one-off service.
This service differs from the other sample services in that it is provided here in three versions. The order of service and contents are the same in each: what the three versions illustrate is three ‘levels’ of presentation of a service.
1 The first is a worked out order of service suitable for putting in the hands of the congregation.
2 The second is a basic outline that shows the structure and (unlike the other sample service outlines) includes in full the texts which are ‘special’ for this service (with the exception of those which are printed in the congregation’s text). This would be for the service leaders and others with a particular role, such as musicians, sidespeople, wardens, and so on. It could be used by them during the service itself, in conjunction with the congregational version.
3 The third illustrates a fully worked out leaders’ order of service, which includes all the congregational text, plus the texts and instructions needed by those leading the service or taking particular roles in it, plus indications of opportunities for creativity. This sort of sheet might be used during the planning of the service. It could act as a leaders’ version for use during the service itself.
In this example it is not so much the texts, as the possibilities for creativity, which are being illustrated.
A service such as this might be used on the Second Sunday before Lent (when there is a ‘creation’ theme running through the readings) or elements from it might be used in Rogationtide or for Harvest Thanksgiving.
Eucharistic Prayer E has been used, with an extended responsorial preface drawn from one of the acts of praise and thanksgiving in this book. Other eucharistic prayers could have been used, with this short proper preface:
And now we give you thanks
because all things are of your making,
all times and seasons obey your laws,
but you have chosen to create us in your own image,
setting us over the whole world in all its wonder.
You have made us stewards of your creation,
to praise you day by day for the marvels of your wisdom and power:
so earth unites with heaven
to sing the new song of creation:
All Holy, holy, holy Lord …
All Creation Worships – text for the congregation
The congregation say the words in bold.
Gathering
Greeting
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All Amen.
The Lord be with you
All and also with you.
The Spirit of God hovered over the water
All and brought life to all creation.
Come, Holy Spirit
All and renew the face of the earth.
Silence is kept.
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
Human sin disfigures the whole creation,
which groans with eager longing for God’s redemption.
We confess our sin in penitence and faith.
B6
We confess to you
our lack of care for the world you have given us.
Lord have mercy.
All Lord have mercy.
our selfishness in not sharing the earth’s bounty fairly.
Christ have mercy.
All Christ have mercy.
We confess to you
our failure to protect resources for others.
Lord have mercy.
All Lord have mercy.
B56
The president declares God’s forgiveness.
Gloria in Excelsis
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 Collect is said.
The Liturgy of the Word
Reading(s)
At the end of each reading this response is used
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
Alleluia, alleluia.
You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honour and power,
for you created all things.
All Alleluia.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
At the end
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
Affirmation of Faith
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.
E11
This response is used
Lord of creation
All hear the cry of our hearts.
The prayers end
Merciful Father,
All accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
The Liturgy of the Sacrament
The Peace
The president introduces the Peace and then this response is used
The peace of the triune God 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.
Hymn
The Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord be with you
All and also with you.
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.
This response recurs during this part of the prayer
Lord of all creation
All we worship and adore you.
This part of the prayer concludes
… where we worship you with all of your creation, singing:
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, and this acclamation is used
Jesus Christ is Lord:
All Lord, by your cross and resurrection
you have set us free.
You are the Saviour of the world.
At the conclusion of the Prayer, all say
All 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.
The Agnus Dei is used as the bread is broken
All Jesus, Lamb of God,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer of the world,
grant us peace.
Giving of Communion
God’s holy gifts
for God’s holy people.
All Jesus Christ is holy,
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The president and people receive communion.
Prayer after Communion
Silence is kept.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe,
creator of light and giver of life,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
In Jesus your light has shone out;
and you have given your Holy Spirit
as a mighty stream of life-giving water
to refresh and renew the face of the earth.
Let your light shine in us
that we may be beacons of justice
and bearers of hope.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
All Blessed be God for ever.
Dismissal
Blessing
The Dismissal
Go in the light and peace of Christ.
All Thanks be to God.
A service from New Patterns for Worship. Compilation copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2002.
All Creation Worships – outline and leaders’ text
Gathering
Greeting
Prayer of Preparation
Penitence
Kyrie confession.
This absolution
May the Father of all mercies
cleanse you from your sins,
and restore you in his image
to the praise and glory of his name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
B78
Gloria in Excelsis
or another song or hymn of praise.
The Collect
This bidding introduces the silence
In a time of silence,
let us pray that our worship will bring us closer to the one who has
created all things.
The Liturgy of the Word
Reading(s)
Gospel Reading
This acclamation heralds the Gospel
Alleluia, alleluia.
You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honour and power,
for you created all things.
All Alleluia.
Sermon
Affirmation of Faith
We say together in faith
All Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God almighty …
E11
Prayers of Intercession
The leader introduces the prayers saying
Creation groans with pain …
This response may be used
Lord of creation
All hear the cry of our hearts.
The Liturgy of the Sacrament
The Peace
Peace to you from God who is our Father.
Peace from Jesus Christ who is our peace.
Peace from the Holy Spirit who gives us life.
The peace of the triune God be always with you
All and also with you.
H10
Preparation of the Table
Taking of the Bread and Wine
Hymn
Eucharistic Prayer E
This Extended Proper Preface is used
Father, we give you thanks and praise
for your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
He is the image of the unseen God,
the firstborn of all creation.
He created all things in heaven and on earth:
everything visible and everything invisible,
thrones, dominions, sovereignties, powers,
all things were created through him and for him.
Lord of all creation
All we worship and adore you.
He is the radiant light of your glory:
he holds all creation together by his word of power.
Lord of all creation
All we worship and adore you.
He is first to be born from the dead.
All perfection is found in him,
and all things were reconciled through him and for him,
everything in heaven and everything on earth,
when he made peace by his death on the cross.
Lord of all creation
All we worship and adore you.
The Church is his body,
he is its head.
He takes his place in heaven
at your right hand,
where we worship you with all of your creation, singing:
All Holy, holy, holy …
G66
Acclamation:
Jesus Christ is Lord:
All Lord, by your cross and resurrection …
The Lord’s Prayer
Modern version
Breaking of the Bread
This version of Agnus Dei is used
All Jesus, Lamb of God,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins …
Giving of Communion
God’s holy gifts …
Prayer after Communion
The deacon (or president) then lights a large candle and says the following prayer
Blessed are you, Lord our God …
Final Hymn
The candle is taken to the door for the blessing and dismissal.
Dismissal
Blessing
May God
who clothes the lilies and feeds the birds of the sky,
who leads the lambs to pasture and the deer to water,
who multiplied loaves and fishes and changed water into wine,
lead us, feed us, multiply us,
and change us to reflect the glory of our Creator
now and through all eternity;
and the blessing …
J70
The Dismissal
Go in the light and peace of Christ.
All Thanks be to God.
New Patterns for Worship, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2002 and published by Church House Publishing.