J Conclusion

Stories from the four churches

Today at St Ann’s the whole service has been centred around the theme of God’s love. After the distribution of Communion, there is silent prayer, and then the whole congregation joins together in the Post Communion prayer:

Lord, we have broken your bread,

and received your life.

By the power of your Spirit

keep us always in your love … (J35)

The first verse of ‘We are marching in the light of God’ is sung followed by the Blessing and Dismissal from the chancel step, and then the whole congregation go out singing the rest of the hymn.

At St Bartholomew’s today there has been a baptism, so the Baptism Post Communion prayer is used (page 362 in Common Worship), followed by the threefold Blessing, ‘The Father, whose glory fills the heavens, cleanse you by his holiness and send you to proclaim his word …’ (J98). One of the churchwardens then presents a lighted candle to the parents of the baby who has just been baptized. He uses the words on page 363 of Common Worship. The minister says the Dismissal, and leads the baptism party out first with the candle held high, as a symbol of bearing the light of Christ into the world.

At St Christopher’s after the Post Communion prayers there is a recessional hymn during which the choir move to the back of the church. The president pronounces the Blessing from the sanctuary, and moves to the door as the Deacon says the Dismissal from the back of the church.

The president at St Dodo’s starts the shorter congregational Post Communion prayer and, while that is being said, fumbles with the ribbons in Common Worship to find the Post Communion for the day. Unfortunately he turns to the page where the traditional form of the prayer is found, when the rest of the service has been in modern English. He goes straight into the Blessing, having just invited the congregation to kneel and given them insufficient time to do so. After the Dismissal he announces the final hymn. At the end of this, everybody kneels for the final vestry prayer which is amplified for the congregation to hear. Nobody moves, as they have been taught – wrongly – that the service is not over until that point, and that they should wait for the final ‘liturgical ending’.

Ending services

The service should have a clear ending. This may be

*    a blessing;

*    a dismissal (with or without a preceding blessing);

*    some other liturgical ending, including the Peace, the Grace or a suitable ascription or responsive conclusion.

This is set out in the final rubric and Note 9 to A Service of the Word. The Dismissal in Order One Holy Communion (Common Worship, page 183) provides for a blessing (which is optional) and a responsive dismissal (which must be used, though three options are given) after which ‘The ministers and people depart’. One form of blessing is provided on page 183, but the rubric says that the seasonal or another suitable blessing may be used, and more are provided on page 299 and 300–329. Those planning the service will want to ensure that both the blessing and any prayer immediately before it gather up what has been going on in the service and focus on God who now sends his people out into the world.

So any prayer near the end of the service should not be general intercession, but a brief combination of thanksgiving and petition for grace to go out and serve God. Many of the Post Communion prayers (pages 376–521) are also suitable for use at the end of A Service of the Word as well, and more are provided below, divided into these two categories. Note 22 to Common Worship Holy Communion suggests that if two prayers are used after communion, the second should be a congregational one. If only one is used, it may be presidential or congregational, and may be one of those printed in the main text or one of those in the supplementary texts, some of which are included below. This may have a seasonal or thematic flavour.

A dismissal, ending or blessing should be the last item in any service, and should not normally be followed by a hymn or more prayers.

Notes to the resources

This section includes:

*    Closing prayers, suitable for use in a non-eucharistic Service of the Word;

*    Prayers suitable for use at the end of a service of Holy Communion, either as Post Communion prayers, or as part of the sending out;

*    Blessings;

*    Acclamations for the end of a service.

In general the congregational ‘Amen’, which concludes a prayer said by the leader, has not been printed here. It may need to be added if a full congregational text is being produced.

Texts in bold are suitable for congregational use.

Closing prayers

These prayers are particularly suitable as closing prayers for a non-eucharistic service. Though they do not refer explicitly to the sacrament, some of them could also be used as a Post Communion prayer, or as part of the Dismissal in a service of Holy Communion. The prayers printed in bold type are suitable for the whole congregation to join in.

General

Heaven

J1

Heavenly Father,

we share together the blessing of your presence.

Give us in this life knowledge of your truth,

and in the world to come life everlasting;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

General (morning)

J2

Eternal God,

our beginning and our end,

accompany us in this day’s journey.

Dawn on our darkness,

open our eyes to praise you for your creation

and to see the work you set before us today.

Take us and use us

to bring to others the new life you give in Jesus Christ

our Lord.

General (evening)

J3

Lord, you have brought us through this day

to a time of reflection and rest.

Calm us,

and give us your peace to refresh us.

Keep us close to Christ

that we may be closer to one another

because of his perfect love.

In his name we pray.

General (evening)

J4

God, you are everything to us,

giving us life,

filling us with love,

and setting us free from sin

that we might live in you.

Accept the work of our hands this day,

take our lives,

give us your peace

and renew us in the service of Jesus Christ our Lord.

General (evening)

J5

Gracious God,

you have given us much today;

grant us also a thankful spirit.

Into your hands we commend ourselves

and those we love.

Stay with us,

and when we take our rest

renew us for the service of your Son Jesus Christ.

General (morning)

Lament

J6

In darkness and in light,

in trouble and in joy,

help us, heavenly Father,

to trust your love,

to serve your purpose,

and to praise your name;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

General (time)

Christ’s coming

J7

Almighty God,

by your command time runs its course;

forgive our impatience,

perfect our faith,

and, while we wait for the fulfilment of your promises,

grant us to have a good hope because of your word;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

General (time)

Lament

J8

Jesus, lord of time,

hold us in your eternity.

Jesus, image of God,

travel with us the life of faith.

Jesus, friend of sinners,

heal the brokenness of our world.

Jesus, lord of tomorrow,

draw us into your future. Amen.

Father, Son and Spirit

J9

O God our mystery,

you bring us to life,

call us to freedom,

and move between us with love.

May we so participate

in your dance of trinity

that our lives may resonate with you,

now and for ever.

God in creation

J10

Creator God,

you give seed for us to sow,

and bread for us to eat;

make us thankful for what we have received

and generous in supplying the needs of others

so all the world may give you thanks and glory,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Christ’s coming

J11

Lord our God,

on the first day of creation

you made the light that scatters the darkness.

Let Christ, the light of lights,

hidden from all eternity,

shine at last on your people

and free us from the darkness of sin.

Fill our lives with joy

as we go out to welcome your Son at his coming.

We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

Incarnation

J12

God our Father,

[in this night] you have made known to us again

the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

confirm our faith and fix our eyes on him

until the day dawns

and Christ the Morning Star rises in our hearts.

To him be glory both now and for ever.

Amen.

Incarnation

J13

God our Father,

your Word has come among us

in the Holy Child of Bethlehem:

may the light of faith illumine our hearts

and shine in our words and deeds;

through him who is Christ the Lord.

Incarnation

J14

Father of all,

you have given us your Son to be the Saviour of the world.

Welcome us your children into your kingdom

to enjoy your presence now and for ever.

Incarnation

J15

Son of Mary, Son of God,

we have joined the worship of the angels;

may we never lose that heavenly vision.

Like the shepherds,

we have rejoiced at the news of your birth;

help us to proclaim that message in word and deed,

to your praise and glory.

Incarnation

J16

God of glory,

you nourish us with your Word

who is the bread of life:

fill us with your Holy Spirit

that through us the light of your glory

may shine in all the world.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Cross

J17

Most merciful God,

by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ

you delivered and saved the world:

grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross

we may triumph in the power of his victory;

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.]

Cross

Church and mission

J18

Lord Jesus Christ,

you humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant,

and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation:

give us the courage to follow you

and to proclaim you as Lord and King,

to the glory of God the Father.

Cross

Lament

J19

Jesus, Son of God, our true and only Saviour:

you died like a criminal on a cross;

but you are God who forgives.

Once broken, helpless and in pain,

you are God in whom there is hope.

You have shown us a love beyond words:

give us your forgiveness, hope and love.

Cross

Heaven

J20

Lord Jesus Christ,

Son of the living God,

set your passion, cross, and death between your

judgement and us,

now and at the hour of our death.

Give mercy and grace to the living,

rest to the faithful departed,

to your holy Church peace and concord,

and to us sinners eternal life and glory;

for you are alive and reign with the Father

and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Resurrection

J21

God of our salvation,

you have restored us to life,

you have brought us back again into your love

by the triumphant death and resurrection of Christ.

Continue to heal us,

as we go to live and work

in the power of your Spirit,

to your praise and glory.

Ascension

Heaven

J22

Almighty God,

who raised Jesus from the dead

and exalted him to your right hand on high:

may we know your resurrection power in our daily lives

and look with hope to that day

when we shall see you face to face

and share in your glory,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

one God, now and for ever.

Holy Spirit

Christian beginnings

J23

God of power,

may the boldness of your Spirit transform us,

may the gentleness of your Spirit lead us,

may the gifts of your Spirit equip us to serve and

worship you

now and always.

Holy Spirit

Christian beginnings

J24

Faithful God,

who fulfilled the promises of Easter

by sending us your Holy Spirit

and made known to every race and nation

the way of life eternal:

open our lips by your Spirit,

that every tongue may tell of your glory;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Word

J25

Almighty God,

we thank you for the gift of your holy word.

May it be a lantern to our feet,

a light to our paths,

and a strength to our lives.

Take us and use us

to love and serve

in the power of the Holy Spirit

and in the name of your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Church and mission

J26

Keep us, Father, in this community of faith,

the Church of your Son Jesus Christ,

and help us to confess him as Messiah and Lord

in all we say and do.

We ask this in his name.

Church and mission

J27

Draw your Church together, O God,

into one great company of disciples,

together following our Lord Jesus Christ

into every walk of life,

together serving him in his mission to the world,

and together witnessing to his love

on every continent and island.

Church and mission

J28

Eternal God, giver of love and power,

your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world

to preach the gospel of his kingdom:

confirm us in this mission,

and help us to live the good news we proclaim;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Christian beginnings

J29

God of our pilgrimage,

you have led us to the living water:

refresh and sustain us

as we go forward on our journey,

in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lament

J30

God of compassion,

through your Son Jesus Christ

you have reconciled your people to yourself.

As we follow his example of prayer and fasting,

may we obey you with willing hearts

and serve one another in holy love;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Living in the world

J31

Lord God,

you hold both heaven and earth in a single peace.

Let the design of your great love

shine on the waste of our anger and sorrow,

and give peace to your Church,

peace among nations,

peace in our homes,

and peace in our hearts,

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Living in the world

Relationships and healing

J32

Great God, you are one God,

and you bring together what is scattered

and mend what is broken.

Unite us with the scattered peoples of the earth

that we may be one family of your children.

Bind up all our wounds

and heal us in spirit,

that we may be renewed as disciples of Jesus Christ,

our Master and Saviour.

Living in the world

J33

To be said facing the open doors

To a troubled world

peace from Christ.

To a searching world

love from Christ.

To a waiting world

hope from Christ.

Heaven

J34

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

bring us to the dwelling

which your Son is preparing for all who love you.

Give us the will each day

to live in life eternal.

Let our citizenship be in heaven

with the whole company of the redeemed

and with countless angels,

praising, worshipping and adoring him

who sits upon the throne for ever and ever.

Post Communion prayers

General

J35

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.

General

J36

We thank you, Lord,

that you have fed us in this sacrament,

united us with Christ,

and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet

prepared for all peoples.

Christ’s coming

J37

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.

Christ’s coming

J38

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.

Christ’s coming

J39

God our guide,

you have fed us with bread from heaven

as you fed your people Israel.

May we who have been spiritually nourished

be ready to follow you all our days;

we ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Incarnation

J40

We praise and thank you, creator God,

for you have not left us alone.

Every year we celebrate your coming as Emmanuel.

Every eucharist celebrates his death,

in the bread we break and the cup we share,

until that day when we shall see you face to face,

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Cross

J41

Faithful God,

may we who share this banquet

glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,

our salvation, life and hope,

who reigns as Lord now and for ever.

Resurrection

J42

God of truth,

we have seen with our eyes

and touched with our hands the bread of life:

strengthen our faith

that we may grow in love for you

and for each other;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Holy Spirit

Christian beginnings

Relationships and healing

J43

Father, in baptism we die to sin,

rise again to new life

and find our true place in your living body.

Send us out sealed in Christ’s blood of the new covenant,

to bring healing and reconciliation to this wounded world,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Word

J44

Lord God,

you feed us with the living bread from heaven;

renew our faith,

increase our hope,

and strengthen our love.

Teach us to hunger

for Christ who is the true and living bread,

and to live by every word

that comes from your mouth,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Church and mission

J45

Fill us, good Lord, with your Spirit of love;

and as you have fed us with the one bread

of heaven,

so make us one in heart and mind,

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Church and mission

J46

Eternal God and Father,

whose Son at supper prayed that his disciples

might be one,

as he is one with you:

draw us closer to him,

that in common love and obedience

to you we may be united to one another

in the fellowship of the one Spirit,

that the world may believe that he is Lord,

to your eternal glory;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lament

J47

Eternal God,

comfort of the afflicted and healer of the broken,

you have fed us at the table of life and hope:

teach us the ways of gentleness and peace,

that all the world may acknowledge

the kingdom of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Living in the world

J48

Father of lights,

from whom comes every good and perfect gift:

keep us in the light of Christ,

to shine in your world,

that all may believe in you,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

cf James 1.17

Living in the world

J49

Merciful God,

you have called us to your table

and fed us with the bread of life.

Draw us and all people to serve your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Living in the world

J50

Father of all,

we thank you that you have shared this feast of your

kingdom with all peoples

and have united all races in your Son Jesus Christ:

may the unity we have known here

give us a joyful anticipation of the fullness of life

to which you call us;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God for ever and ever.

Heaven

Relationships and healing

J51

Father of all, you gathered us here

around the table of your Son;

we have shared this meal with the saints

and the whole fellowship of the household of God.

In that new world

where the fullness of your peace will be revealed,

gather people of every race, language and way of life

to share in the one eternal banquet of

Jesus Christ the Lord.

Blessings

The triple ‘solemn blessings’ included here (with Amens between each section) need particular care to ensure that the congregation know when to respond with ‘Amen’. Printing the full text for the congregation is one way of doing this. Another approach is to make sure that someone taking the deacon’s role has the full text and is clearly visible to give a lead to the congregation.

If a form of dismissal is used it should follow the blessing.

General

J52

The almighty and merciful Lord,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

bless us and keep us.

Amen.

General

J53

Now may the Lord of peace himself

give you peace at all times and in every way.

The Lord be with you all;

and the blessing …

cf 2 Thessalonians 3.16

General

J54

May God give to you and to all those you love

his comfort and his peace,

his light and his joy,

in this world and the next;

and the blessing …

General

J55

Christ the good shepherd,

who laid down his life for the sheep,

draw you and all who hear his voice,

to be one flock within one fold;

and the blessing …

General

J56

The God of all grace,

who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus,

establish, strengthen and settle you in the faith;

and the blessing …

General

J57

The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing;

and the blessing …

General

J58

May God, who in Christ gives us a spring of water welling

up to eternal life,

perfect in you the image of his glory;

and the blessing …

General

J59

God, who from the death of sin raised you to new life in Christ,

keep you from falling and set you in the presence of his glory;

and the blessing …

cf Jude 24

General

J60

God grant to the living, grace;

to the departed, rest;

to the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth, and all humankind,

peace and concord;

and to us and all his servants, life everlasting;

and the blessing …

General

J61

God the Father,

who has given to his Son the name above every name,

strengthen you to proclaim Christ as Lord;

and the blessing …

General

J62

The Lord bless you and watch over you,

the Lord make his face shine upon you

and be gracious to you,

the Lord look kindly on you and give you peace;

and the blessing …

cf Numbers 6.24,25

General

J63

The love of the Lord Jesus

draw you to himself,

the power of the Lord Jesus

strengthen you in his service,

the joy of the Lord Jesus fill your hearts;

and the blessing …

General

J64

Christ, who has nourished us with himself the living bread,

make you one in praise and love,

and raise you up at the last day;

and the blessing …

General

J65

You are called and loved by God the Father

and kept safe by Jesus Christ.

Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance,

from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

cf Jude 1,2

General

J66

The congregation accompanies the first three responses with a sweep of the arm towards a cross, as if throwing the objects of the prayer; the final response is a sweep of the arm towards heaven.

All our problems

we send to the cross of Christ.

All our difficulties

we send to the cross of Christ.

All the devil’s works

we send to the cross of Christ.

All our hopes

we set on the risen Christ;

and the blessing of God almighty …

Father, Son and Spirit

J67

[The Lord bless you and keep you.

Amen.

The Lord make his face to shine upon you,

and be gracious to you.

Amen.

The Lord lift up his countenance upon you

and give you peace.

Amen.]

The Lord God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

the holy and undivided Trinity,

guard you, save you,

and bring you to that heavenly city,

where he lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Amen.

cf Numbers 6.24,25

Father, Son and Spirit

Relationships and healing

J68

May God keep you in all your days.

May Christ shield you in all your ways.

May the Spirit bring you healing and peace.

May God the Holy Trinity drive all darkness from you

and pour upon you blessing and light.

God in creation

J69

May God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who is the source of all goodness and growth,

pour his blessing upon all things created,

and upon you his children,

that you may use his gifts to his glory and the welfare of all peoples;

and the blessing …

God in creation

J70

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 …

Christ’s coming

J71

May God the Father,

who loved the world so much that he sent his only Son

to come among us in great humility,

open your eyes to look for his coming again.

Amen.

May God the Son

give you grace to live in the light of his coming as redeemer and judge.

Amen.

May God the Holy Spirit

free you from sin,

make you holy,

and bring you to eternal life.

Amen.

And the blessing …

Christ’s coming

J72

May God the Father,

who loved the world so much that he sent his only Son,

give you grace to prepare for life eternal.

Amen.

May God the Son,

who comes to us as redeemer and judge,

reveal to you the path from darkness to light.

Amen.

May God the Holy Spirit,

by whose working the Virgin Mary conceived the Christ,

help you bear the fruits of holiness.

Amen.

And the blessing …

Christ’s coming

J73

May God the Father, Judge all-merciful,

make us worthy of a place in his kingdom.

Amen.

May God the Son, coming among us in power,

reveal in our midst the promise of his glory.

Amen.

May God the Holy Spirit make us steadfast in faith,

joyful in hope and constant in love.

Amen.

And the blessing …

Christ’s coming

J74

May God himself, the God of peace,

make you perfect and holy,

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

for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ;

and the blessing …

cf 1 Thessalonians 5.23

Incarnation

J75

God sent his angels from glory to bring to shepherds

the good news of Jesus’ birth.

Yes! We thank you Lord.

You have heard his story, the story of God’s own Son.

Yes! We thank you Lord.

May he fill you with joy to bring this good news to others today.

Yes! We thank you Lord.

And the blessing …

Incarnation

J76

May the Father,

who has loved the eternal Son

from before the foundation of the world,

shed that love upon you his children.

Amen.

May Christ,

who by his incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly,

fill you with joy and peace.

Amen.

May the Holy Spirit,

by whose overshadowing Mary became the God-bearer,

give you grace to carry the good news of Christ.

Amen.

And the blessing …

Incarnation

J77

Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary,

revealed in his glory,

worshipped by angels,

proclaimed among the nations,

believed in throughout the world,

exalted to the highest heavens.

Blessed be God our strength and our salvation

now and for ever. Amen.

And the blessing …

cf I Timothy 3.16

Incarnation

J78

When the Word became flesh

earth was joined to heaven in the womb of Mary:

may the love and obedience of Mary be your example.

Amen.

May the peace of Christ

rule in your hearts and homes.

Amen.

May you be filled with the joy of the Spirit

and the gifts of your eternal home.

Amen.

And the blessing …

Incarnation

J79

Christ the Son of God perfect in you the image of his glory

and gladden your hearts with the good news of his kingdom;

and the blessing …

Incarnation

J80

May God the Father,

who led the wise men by the shining of a star

to find the Christ, the Light from Light,

lead you in your pilgrimage to find the Lord.

Amen.

May God who has brought us out of darkness

give us a place with the saints in light

in the kingdom of his Son.

Amen.

May the light of the glorious gospel of Christ

shine in your hearts and transform your lives,

to bring his light to others.

Amen.

And the blessing …

cf Colossians 1.13; 2 Corinthians 4.4

Cross

J81

You believe that by his dying

Christ destroyed death for ever.

Amen.

You have been crucified with Christ

and live by faith in the Son of God,

who loved you and gave himself for you.

Amen.

May he send you out to glory in his cross,

and live no longer for yourselves but for him,

who died and was raised to life for us.

Amen.

And the blessing …

cf Galatians 2.20; 2 Corinthians 5.15

Cross

J82

May the Father,

who so loved the world that he gave his only Son,

bring you by faith to his eternal life.

Amen.

May Christ,

who accepted the cup of sacrifice

in obedience to the Father’s will,

keep you steadfast as you walk with him the way of his cross.

Amen.

May the Spirit,

who strengthens us to suffer with Christ

that we may share his glory,

set your minds on life and peace.

Amen.

And the blessing …

Resurrection

J83

You believe Jesus has been raised from the dead in glory.

Amen.

You believe you have been raised with Christ.

Amen.

May your hearts and minds be set on things above,

where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Amen.

And the blessing …

Resurrection

J84

God the Father,

by whose love Christ was raised from the dead,

open to you who believe the gates of everlasting life.

Amen.

God the Son,

who in bursting the grave has won a glorious victory,

give you joy as you share the Easter faith.

Amen.

God the Holy Spirit,

whom the risen Lord breathed into his disciples,

empower you and fill you with Christ’s peace.

Amen.

And the blessing …

Resurrection

J85

May Christ,

who out of defeat brings new hope and a new future,

fill you with his new life;

and the blessing …

Resurrection

J86

God the Father,

by whose glory Christ was raised from the dead,

strengthen you to walk with him in his risen life;

and the blessing …

Resurrection

J87

God, who through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ

has given us the victory,

give you joy and peace in your faith;

and the blessing …

Ascension

J88

Christ our ascended King

pour upon you the abundance of his gifts

and bring you to reign with him in glory;

and the blessing …

Ascension

J89

Christ our King make you faithful and strong to do his will,

that you may reign with him in glory;

and the blessing …

Ascension

J90

God the Father,

who has given to his Son the name above every name,

strengthen you to proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord.

Amen.

God the Son,

who is our great high priest passed into the heavens,

plead for you at the right hand of the Father.

Amen.

God the Holy Spirit,

who pours out his abundant gifts upon the Church,

make you faithful servants of Christ our King.

Amen.

And the blessing …

Holy Spirit

J91

May the Spirit,

who hovered over the waters when the world was created,

breathe into you the life he gives.

Amen.

May the Spirit,

who overshadowed the Virgin when the eternal Son came among us,

make you joyful in the service of the Lord.

Amen.

May the Spirit,

who set the Church on fire upon the day of Pentecost,

bring the world alive with the love of the risen Christ.

Amen.

And the blessing …

Holy Spirit

J92

May Christ’s holy, healing, enabling Spirit be with you

and guide you on your way at every change and turn;

and the blessing …

Holy Spirit

Christian beginnings

J93

God poured out his promised Holy Spirit in tongues of flame

on the day of Pentecost.

Amen.

You have been baptized with the Spirit and with fire.

Amen.

May that same Holy Spirit send you out to tell his story,

and give you a voice to glorify God before all people.

Amen.

And the blessing …

cf Acts 2.1-4

Holy Spirit

Church and mission

J94

May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing,

through the power of the Holy Spirit;

and the blessing …

cf Romans 15.13

Word

J95

Hear the teaching of Jesus:

‘Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’

Go now to do God’s will;

and the blessing …

Church and mission

J96

May God, who gives patience and encouragement,

give you a spirit of unity

to live in harmony as you follow Jesus Christ,

so that with one voice

you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ;

and the blessing …

cf Romans 15.5,6

Church and mission

Living in the world

J97

May Christ draw you to humility and worship,

and bring you to see God at work;

and the blessing …

Church and mission

Christian beginnings

J98

The Father, whose glory fills the heavens,

cleanse you by his holiness

and send you to proclaim his word.

Amen.

The Son, who has ascended to the heights,

pour upon you the riches of his grace.

Amen.

The Holy Spirit, the Comforter,

equip you and strengthen you in your ministry.

Amen.

And the blessing …

Christian beginnings

Incarnation

J99

May God the Father,

who led the wise men by the shining of a star

to find the Christ, the Light from Light,

lead you also in your pilgrimage to find the Lord.

Amen.

May God the Son,

who turned water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana,

transform your lives and make glad your hearts.

Amen.

May God the Holy Spirit,

who came upon the beloved Son

at his baptism in the river Jordan,

pour out his gifts on you

who have come to the waters of new birth.

Amen.

And the blessing …

Lament

J100

May God the Father,

who does not despise the broken spirit,

give to you a contrite heart.

Amen.

May Christ,

who bore our sins in his body on the tree,

heal you by his wounds.

Amen.

May the Holy Spirit,

who leads us into all truth,

speak to you words of pardon and peace.

Amen.

And the blessing …

cf Psalm 51; Isaiah 53

Relationships and healing

Heaven

J101

May God,

whose Son revealed his glory at a wedding in Cana,

bring you the blessings of his presence.

Amen.

May God,

whose power turned water into wine,

transform your lives and make glad your hearts.

Amen.

May God, who works miracles in our lives,

fill you with his Spirit,

and change you day by day to reflect his glory,

until that day when you see him face to face.

Amen.

And the blessing …

cf John 2.1-11

Relationships and healing

J102

May the Father

from whom every family in earth and heaven receives its name

strengthen you with his Spirit in your inner being,

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith,

[and that, knowing his love,

broad and long, deep and high beyond our knowledge,

you may be filled with all the fullness of God;]

and the blessing …

cf Ephesians 3.15-19

Living in the world

J103

God, who has prepared for us a city with eternal foundations,

bring you to the triumphant joy of the city of the great King;

and the blessing …

Living in the world

J104

Go forth into the world in peace;

be of good courage;

hold fast that which is good;

render to no one evil for evil;

strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak;

help the afflicted; honour everyone;

love and serve the Lord,

rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit;

and the blessing …

1 Thessalonians 5.13-22

Living in the world

J105

Now may the blessing of God the Father,

who made from one every nation that occupies the earth;

of God the Son who bought us for God

from every tribe and language and people and nation;

and of God the Spirit who brings us together in unity,

be with us and remain with us always.

Amen.

cf Acts 17.26; Revelation 5.9

Holy Communion

J106

May the Father,

who fed his children with bread and honey in the wilderness,

strengthen you in your pilgrimage to the Promised Land.

Amen.

May the Son,

who gave his flesh for food and his blood for drink,

keep you in eternal life and raise you up on the last day.

Amen.

May the Holy Spirit,

who leads us into all truth,

help you discern the Lord’s body

and empower you to proclaim his death until he comes.

Amen.

And the blessing …

Heaven

J107

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 …

cf Colossians 1.12; Ephesians 1.17,18; 2.14

Heaven

J108

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 …

Heaven

J109

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 in their 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 …

Heaven

Living in the world

J110

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 …

Heaven

J111

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 …

Heaven

J112

May God give you

his comfort and his peace,

his light and his joy,

in this world and the next;

and the blessing …

Final acclamations

These may be used on their own to conclude the act of worship, or they may precede or follow a blessing. If one of these is used with a dismissal, the dismissal should come at the very end.

General

J113

The Lord God almighty is our Father:

he loves us and tenderly cares for us.

The Lord Jesus Christ is our Saviour:

he has redeemed us and will defend us to the end.

The Lord, the Holy Spirit, is among us:

he will lead us in God’s holy way.

To God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

be praise and glory today and for ever.

Amen.

General

J114

Let us bless the Lord:

thanks be to God.

Blessing, honour and glory be yours,

here and everywhere,

now and for ever.

Amen.

General

J115

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible,

the only wise God,

be honour and glory for ever and ever.

Amen.

cf 1 Timothy 1.17

General

J116

We go into the world

to walk in God’s light,

to rejoice in God’s love

and to reflect God’s glory.

Father, Son and Spirit

J117

To God the Father, who loved us,

and made us accepted in the Beloved:

to God the Son, who loved us,

and loosed us from our sins by his own blood:

to God the Holy Spirit,

who spreads the love of God abroad in our hearts:

to the one true God be all love and all glory

for time and for eternity.

Amen.

Father, Son and Spirit

Christian beginnings

J118

The Holy Trinity,

in whose name we were baptized,

preserve us,

members of Christ,

children of God,

inheritors of the kingdom of heaven,

saved by the waters,

and filled with the Spirit.

Glory to God,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Ascension

J119

Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power,

the glory, the splendour, and the majesty:

for everything in heaven and on earth is yours.

Yours, Lord, is the kingdom:

and you are exalted as head over all.

Alleluia, Alleluia. Amen.

cf 1 Chronicles 29.11

Church and mission

J120

Glory to God,

whose power, at work among us,

can do infinitely more

than all we can ask or conceive;

to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

cf Ephesians 3.20,21

Heaven

J121

To him who is able to keep us from falling

and to present us without blemish

before the presence of his glory with rejoicing,

to the only God, our Saviour through Jesus Christ our Lord,

be glory, majesty, dominion and authority,

before all time and now and for ever.

Amen.

cf Jude 24,25

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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