Ministry to the Sick

The Celebration of Holy Communion at Home or in Hospital

with the Sick and Housebound

Note

Forms of service for a celebration of Holy Communion may be modified or shortened in the light of pastoral need and of the context within which they are used. Any material from authorized rites (such as forms of confession and absolution) may be used. When the Holy Communion is celebrated in the presence of the sick an authorized Eucharistic Prayer, the Breaking of the Bread and the Lord’s Prayer are always included.

For further Notes, see here.

¶    Two sample services follow, using Order One (here) and Order One in Traditional Language (here).

¶    If Order Two is used, the service follows the pattern in Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, pages 228-266.

The Celebration of Holy Communion at Home or in Hospital

with the Sick and Housebound

Order One

¶    The Gathering

The Greeting

Peace to this house and to all who live in it.

(or)

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

Prayer of Preparation

This prayer may be said

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

This or another invitation to confession may be used

[Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.]

God shows his love for us

in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Let us then show our love for him

by confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

This or another authorized Confession is used

All   Almighty God, our heavenly Father,

we have sinned against you

and against our neighbour

in thought and word and deed,

through negligence, through weakness,

through our own deliberate fault.

We are truly sorry

and repent of all our sins.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,

who died for us,

forgive us all that is past,

and grant that we may serve you in newness of life

to the glory of your name.

Amen.

The president says

Almighty God,

who forgives all who truly repent,

have mercy upon you,

pardon and deliver you from all your sins,

confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,

and keep you in life eternal;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Collect

The president introduces a period of silent prayer with the words ‘Let us pray’ or a more specific bidding.

The Collect is said, and all respond

All   Amen.

¶    The Liturgy of the Word

Readings

Either one or two readings from Scripture are used.

The Gospel reading follows.

Prayers of Intercession

Appropriate intercessions may be made.

The Laying on of Hands with Prayer and Anointing may follow (here).

¶    The Liturgy of the Sacrament

The Peace

If this greeting has not already been used, the president may introduce the Peace with a suitable sentence, and then says

The peace of the Lord be always with you

All   and also with you.

These words may be added

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

All may exchange a sign of peace.

Preparation of the Table
Taking of the Bread and Wine

The table is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it.

At the preparation of the table this or another suitable prayer may be said

Pour upon the poverty of our love

and the weakness of our praise

the transforming fire of your presence.

All   Amen.

The president takes the bread and wine.

The Eucharistic Prayer

This or another authorized Eucharistic Prayer is used.

Prayer E

The president says

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.

It is right to give you thanks

in sickness and in health,

in suffering and in joy,

through Christ our Saviour and Redeemer,

who as the Good Samaritan

tends the wounds of body and spirit.

He stands by us and pours out for our healing

the oil of consolation and the wine of renewed hope,

turning the darkness of our pain

into the dawning light of his kingdom.

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.]

We praise and bless you, loving Father,

through Jesus Christ, our Lord;

and as we obey his command,

send your Holy Spirit,

that broken bread and wine outpoured

may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.

On the night before he died he had supper with his friends

and, taking bread, he praised you.

He broke the bread, gave it to them and said:

Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;

do this in remembrance of me.

When supper was ended he took the cup of wine.

Again he praised you, gave it to them and said:

Drink this, all of you;

this is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did,

in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice made once for all upon the cross.

Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation,

we proclaim his death and resurrection

until he comes in glory.

This or another acclamation is used

[Great is the mystery of faith:]

All   Christ has died:

Christ is risen:

Christ will come again.

Lord of all life,

help us to work together for that day

when your kingdom comes

and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.

Look with favour on your people,

gather us in your loving arms

and bring us with [N and] all the saints

to feast at your table in heaven.

Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father,

for ever and ever.

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.

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

Breaking of the Bread

The president breaks the consecrated bread.

The Agnus Dei may be used as the bread is broken.

Giving of Communion

The president says this or another invitation to communion

Jesus is the Lamb of God

who takes away the sin of the world.

Blessed are those who are called to his supper.

All   Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,

but only say the word, and I shall be healed.

This prayer may be said before the distribution

All   We do not presume

to come to this your table, merciful Lord,

trusting in our own righteousness,

but in your manifold and great mercies.

We are not worthy

so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table.

But you are the same Lord

whose nature is always to have mercy.

Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord,

so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ

and to drink his blood,

that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body

and our souls washed through his most precious blood,

and that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us.

Amen.

The president and people receive communion.

Authorized words of distribution are used and the communicant replies

Amen.

Prayer after Communion

Silence is kept.

The Post Communion or the following prayer, or another suitable prayer, is said

All   Almighty God,

we thank you for feeding us

with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.

Through him we offer you our souls and bodies

to be a living sacrifice.

Strengthen us

in the power of your Spirit

to live and work

to your praise and glory.

Amen.

¶    Conclusion

The president may use a suitable blessing, or

The peace of God,

which passes all understanding,

keep your hearts and minds

in the knowledge and love of God,

and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

All   Amen.

The Celebration of Holy Communion at Home or in Hospital

with the Sick and Housebound

Order One in Traditional Language

¶    The Gathering

The Greeting

Peace to this house and to all who live in it.

(or)

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

Prayer of Preparation

This prayer may be said

All   Almighty God,

unto whom all hearts be open,

all desires known,

and from whom no secrets are hid:

cleanse the thoughts of our hearts

by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit,

that we may perfectly love thee,

and worthily magnify thy holy name;

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayers of Penitence

This or another invitation to confession may be used

[Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.]

God shows his love for us

in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Let us then show our love for him

by confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

The following or another authorized confession is used

All   Almighty God, our heavenly Father,

we have sinned against thee

and against our neighbour,

in thought and word and deed,

through negligence, through weakness,

through our own deliberate fault.

We are heartily sorry

and repent of all our sins.

For the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ,

who died for us,

forgive us all that is past,

and grant that we may serve thee in newness of life

to the glory of thy name.

Amen.

The president says

Almighty God,

who forgives all who truly repent,

have mercy upon you,

pardon and deliver you from all your sins,

confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,

and keep you in life eternal;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Collect

The president introduces a period of silent prayer with the words ‘Let us pray’ or a more specific bidding.

The Collect is said, and all respond

All   Amen.

¶    The Liturgy of the Word

Readings

Either one or two readings from Scripture are used.

The Gospel reading follows.

Prayers of Intercession

Appropriate intercessions may be made.

The Laying on of Hands with Prayer and Anointing may follow (here).

¶    The Liturgy of the Sacrament

The Peace

If this greeting has not already been used, the president may introduce the Peace with a suitable sentence, and then says

The peace of the Lord be always with you

All   and with thy spirit.

These words may be added

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

All may exchange a sign of peace.

Preparation of the Table
Taking of the Bread and Wine

The table is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it.

At the preparation of the table this or another suitable prayer may be said

Pour upon the poverty of our love

and the weakness of our praise

the transforming fire of thy presence.

All   Amen.

The president takes the bread and wine.

The Eucharistic Prayer

This or another authorized Eucharistic Prayer is used.

Prayer C

The Lord be with you.

All   And with thy spirit.

(or)

The Lord is here.

All   His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts.

All   We lift them up unto the Lord.

Let us give thanks unto the Lord our God.

All   It is meet and right so to do.

It is very meet, right and our bounden duty,

that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto thee,

O Lord, holy Father,

almighty, everlasting God,

through Jesus Christ thine only Son our Lord.

This or another short Proper Preface may be used

And now we give thee thanks

that thou hast shown the greatness of thy love for us

by sending him to share our human nature

and accomplish our forgiveness.

He embraces us in our weakness,

he suffers with the sick and the rejected,

and, bringing thy healing to the world,

he rescues us from every evil.

Therefore with angels and archangels,

and with all the company of heaven,

we laud and magnify thy glorious name,

evermore praising thee and saying:

All   Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts,

heaven and earth are full of thy glory.

Glory be to thee, O Lord most high.

[Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.]

All glory be to thee,

almighty God, our heavenly Father,

who, of thy tender mercy,

didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ

to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption;

who made there,

by his one oblation of himself once offered,

a full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world;

and did institute,

and in his holy gospel command us to continue,

a perpetual memory of that his precious death,

until his coming again.

Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee,

and grant that, by the power of thy Holy Spirit,

we receiving these thy creatures of bread and wine,

according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution,

in remembrance of his death and passion,

may be partakers of his most blessed body and blood;

who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread;

and when he had given thanks to thee,

he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;

do this in remembrance of me.

Likewise after supper he took the cup;

and when he had given thanks to thee, he gave it to them, saying:

Drink ye all of this;

for this is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it,

in remembrance of me.

One of the following may be used

[Great is the mystery of faith:]

All   Christ has died:

Christ is risen:

Christ will come again.

(or)

[Jesus Christ is Lord:]

All   O Saviour of the world,

who by thy cross and precious blood hast redeemed us,

save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.

Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father,

we thy humble servants,

having in remembrance

the precious death and passion of thy dear Son,

his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension,

entirely desire thy fatherly goodness

mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise

and thanksgiving;

most humbly beseeching thee to grant that

by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ,

and through faith in his blood,

we and all thy whole church may obtain remission of our sins,

and all other benefits of his passion.

And although we be unworthy, through our manifold sins,

to offer unto thee any sacrifice,

yet we beseech thee

to accept this our bounden duty and service,

not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences;

and to grant that all we, who are partakers of this holy communion,

may be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

by whom, and with whom, and in whom,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all honour and glory be unto thee,

O Father almighty,

world without end.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

(or)

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

The president breaks the consecrated bread.

The Agnus Dei may be used as the bread is broken.

Giving of Communion

The president says this or another invitation to communion

Jesus is the Lamb of God

who takes away the sin of the world.

Blessed are those who are called to his supper.

All   Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof,

but speak the word only, and my soul shall be healed.

This prayer may be said before the distribution

All   We do not presume

to come to this thy table, O merciful Lord,

trusting in our own righteousness,

but in thy manifold and great mercies.

We are not worthy

so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy table.

But thou art the same Lord

whose nature is always to have mercy.

Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord,

so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ

and to drink his blood,

that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body

and our souls washed through his most precious blood,

and that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us.

Amen.

The president and people receive communion.

Authorized words of distribution are used and the communicant replies

Amen.

Prayer after Communion

Silence is kept.

The Post Communion or the following prayer, or another suitable prayer, is said

All   Almighty God,

we thank thee for feeding us

with the body and blood of thy Son Jesus Christ.

Through him we offer thee our souls and bodies

to be a living sacrifice.

Strengthen us

in the power of thy Spirit

to live and work

to thy praise and glory.

Amen.

¶    Conclusion

The president may use a suitable blessing, or

The peace of God,

which passes all understanding,

keep your hearts and minds

in the knowledge and love of God,

and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

All   Amen.

Notes to the Celebration of Holy Communion at Home or in Hospital

with the Sick and Housebound
1  Prayers of Penitence

These may be omitted when the service has been preceded by a penitential rite.

2  Seasonal Material

Seasonal or Sunday provision may be used in place of that provided here. At Christmas, Easter and Pentecost some at least of the seasonal provision for the Festival should be used.

3  Laying on of Hands and Anointing

The form here may be used at the Prayers/Prayers of Intercession (Order One) or between the Absolution and Comfortable Words (Order Two).

4  Anointing

Canon B 37 provides that the priest should use ‘pure oil consecrated by the bishop of the diocese or otherwise by the priest himself ‘ and that the anointing should be made on the forehead with the sign of the cross. In some circumstances it may also be appropriate to anoint on the hands.

5  Reception of the Consecrated Bread and Wine

Communion should normally be received in both kinds separately, but where necessary may be received in one kind, whether of bread or, where the communicant cannot receive solid food, wine.

6  Spiritual Communion

Believers who cannot physically receive the sacrament are to be assured that they are partakers by faith of the body and blood of Christ and of the benefits he conveys to us by them.

7  Residential Homes

These forms may be used in residential homes where pastorally appropriate.

The Distribution of Holy Communion at Home or in Hospital

to the Sick and Housebound

An Outline Order (Order One)

For Notes, see here.

The Greeting

This may be

Peace to this house and to all who live in it.

Words of Introduction

These or other suitable words may be used

The Church of God, of which we are members, has taken bread and wine and given thanks over them according to our Lord’s command. These holy gifts are now offered to us that, with faith and thanksgiving, we may share in the communion of the body and blood of Christ.

[Prayer of Preparation]
Prayers of Penitence

These may include this invitation to confession

[Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.]

God shows his love for us

in that when we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Let us then show our love for him

by confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

The Collect
Reading(s) and Prayers
[Laying on of Hands and Anointing]
The Lord’s Prayer
Invitation to Communion
[Prayer of Humble Access]
Giving of Communion
Prayer after Communion

This may include the following varied form

All   Almighty God,

we thank you for feeding us

with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.

Through him we offer you our souls and bodies

to be a living sacrifice.

Strengthen us

in the power of your Spirit

to live and work

to your praise and glory.

Amen.

The Grace or a Blessing

The Distribution of Holy Communion at Home or in Hospital

to the Sick and Housebound

An Outline Order (Order Two)

For Notes, see here.

The Greeting

This may be

Peace be to this house, and to all that dwell in it.

Words of Introduction

These or other suitable words may be used

The Church of God, of which we are members, has taken bread and wine and given thanks over them according to our Lord’s command. These holy gifts are now offered to us that, with faith and thanksgiving, we may share in the communion of the body and blood of Christ.

[Prayer of Preparation]
The Collect
Reading(s) and Prayers
Prayers of Penitence

These may include this invitation to confession

[Come unto me, all that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.]

God shows his love for us

in that when we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Let us then show our love for him

by confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

[Laying on of Hands and Anointing]

[Prayer of Humble Access]
Invitation to Communion
Giving of Communion
The Lord’s Prayer
Prayer after Communion

This may include the following varied form

All   Almighty God,

we thank thee for feeding us

with the body and blood of thy Son Jesus Christ.

Through him we offer thee our souls and bodies

to be a living sacrifice.

Strengthen us

in the power of thy Spirit

to live and work

to thy praise and glory.

Amen.

The Grace or a Blessing

Notes to the Distribution of Holy Communion at Home or in Hospital

to the Sick and Housebound

1  The Distribution of Communion to the Sick and Housebound

   Ministers may be either ordained or lay persons authorized by the bishop to assist in the distribution of Holy Communion.

   When the consecrated bread and wine are to be conveyed directly from a celebration to those not present, they are given to the ministers at the distribution or at the end of the service. The ministers may receive communion either at the celebration or with those to whom they take the elements, or on both occasions.

   When Holy Communion is distributed at other times to those absent from a celebration, the minister may receive with them but need not do so.

   Words of introduction linking the consecrated elements with the celebration at which they were consecrated must be used.

2  Prayers of Penitence

These may be omitted when the service has been preceded by a penitential rite.

3  Seasonal Material

Seasonal or Sunday provision may be used in place of that provided here. At Christmas, Easter and Pentecost some at least of the seasonal provision for the Festival should be used.

4  Laying on of Hands and Anointing

The form here may be used at the Prayers/Prayers of Intercession (Order One) or between the Absolution and Comfortable Words (Order Two).

5  Anointing

Canon B 37 provides that the priest should use ‘pure oil consecrated by the bishop of the diocese or otherwise by the priest himself’ and that the anointing should be made on the forehead with the sign of the cross. In some circumstances it may also be appropriate to anoint on the hands.

6  Reception of the Consecrated Bread and Wine

Communion should normally be received in both kinds separately, but where necessary may be received in one kind, whether of bread or, where the communicant cannot receive solid food, wine.

7  Spiritual Communion

Believers who cannot physically receive the sacrament are to be assured that they are partakers by faith of the body and blood of Christ and of the benefits he conveys to us by them.

8  Residential Homes

These forms may be used in residential homes where pastorally appropriate.

The Distribution of Holy Communion at Home or in Hospital

to the Sick and Housebound

A Sample Service (Order One)

This form of service follows the Outline Order here.

For Notes, see here.

The Greeting

Peace to this house and to all who live in it.

(or)

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

Words of Introduction

These or other suitable words may be used

The Church of God, of which we are members, has taken bread and wine and given thanks over them according to our Lord’s command. These holy gifts are now offered to us that, with faith and thanksgiving, we may share in the communion of the body and blood of Christ.

Prayer of Preparation

This prayer may be said

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

This or another invitation to confession may be used

[Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.]

God shows his love for us

in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Let us then show our love for him

by confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

This or another authorized confession is used

All   Almighty God, our heavenly Father,

we have sinned against you

and against our neighbour

in thought and word and deed,

through negligence, through weakness,

through our own deliberate fault.

We are truly sorry

and repent of all our sins.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,

who died for us,

forgive us all that is past,

and grant that we may serve you in newness of life

to the glory of your name.

Amen.

The minister says

Almighty God,

who forgives all who truly repent,

have mercy upon us,

pardon and deliver us from all our sins,

confirm and strengthen us in all goodness,

and keep us in life eternal;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Collect

The minister introduces a period of silent prayer with the words ‘Let us pray’ or a more specific bidding.

The Collect is said, and all respond

All   Amen.

Reading(s) and Prayers

Either one or two readings from Scripture are read.

The Gospel reading follows.

Appropriate intercessions may be made.

The Laying on of Hands with Prayer and Anointing may follow (here).

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.

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

Giving of Communion

The minister says this or another invitation to communion

Jesus is the Lamb of God

who takes away the sin of the world.

Blessed are those who are called to his supper.

All   Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,

but only say the word, and I shall be healed.

This prayer may be said before the distribution

All   We do not presume

to come to this your table, merciful Lord,

trusting in our own righteousness,

but in your manifold and great mercies.

We are not worthy

so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table.

But you are the same Lord

whose nature is always to have mercy.

Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord,

so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ

and to drink his blood,

that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body

and our souls washed through his most precious blood,

and that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us.

Amen.

The minister and people receive communion.

Authorized words of distribution are used and the communicant replies

Amen.

Prayer after Communion

The following, or another suitable prayer is said

All   Almighty God,

we thank you for feeding us

with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.

Through him we offer you our souls and bodies

to be a living sacrifice.

Strengthen us

in the power of your Spirit

to live and work

to your praise and glory.

Amen.

Conclusion

The minister says the Grace or a suitable blessing.

The Distribution of Holy Communion at Home or in Hospital

to the Sick and Housebound

A Sample Service (Order Two)

This form of service follows the Outline Order here.

For Notes, see here.

The Greeting

Peace be to this house, and to all that dwell in it.

(or)

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

Words of Introduction

These or other suitable words may be used

The Church of God, of which we are members, has taken bread and wine and given thanks over them according to our Lord’s command. These holy gifts are now offered to us that, with faith and thanksgiving, we may share in the communion of the body and blood of Christ.

Prayer of Preparation

This prayer may be said

Almighty God,

unto whom all hearts be open,

all desires known,

and from whom no secrets are hid:

cleanse the thoughts of our hearts

by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit,

that we may perfectly love thee,

and worthily magnify thy holy name;

through Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

This Summary of the Law or the Kyrie eleison may be said

Our Lord Jesus Christ said:

Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord;

and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,

and with all thy strength.

This is the first commandment.

And the second is like, namely this:

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

There is none other commandment greater than these.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

All   Lord, have mercy upon us,

and write all these thy laws in our hearts, we beseech thee.

The Collect

The minister says the Collect.

Reading(s) and Prayers

Either one or two readings from Scripture are used.

The Gospel reading follows.

Appropriate intercessions may be made.

Invitation to Confession

This or another invitation to confession may be used

[Come unto me, all that travail and are heavy laden,

and I will refresh you.]

God shows his love for us

in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Let us then show our love for him

by confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

Confession

All   Almighty God,

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

maker of all things, judge of all men:

we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins

   and wickedness,

which we, from time to time,

   most grievously have committed,

by thought, word and deed,

against thy divine majesty,

provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us.

We do earnestly repent,

and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings;

the remembrance of them is grievous unto us;

the burden of them is intolerable.

Have mercy upon us,

have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;

for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake,

forgive us all that is past;

and grant that we may ever hereafter

serve and please thee in newness of life,

to the honour and glory of thy name;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The minister says

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,

who of his great mercy

hath promised forgiveness of sins

to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him:

have mercy upon us;

pardon and deliver us from all our sins;

confirm and strengthen us in all goodness;

and bring us to everlasting life;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Laying on of Hands with Prayer and Anointing may follow (here).

The Comfortable Words

Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith

unto all that truly turn to him:

Come unto me, all that travail and are heavy laden,

and I will refresh you.

Matthew 11.28

So God loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son,

to the end that all that believe in him should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

John 3.16

Hear also what Saint Paul saith:

This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received,

that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

1 Timothy 1.15

Hear also what Saint John saith:

If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,

Jesus Christ the righteous;

and he is the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 2.1

Prayer of Humble Access

This prayer may be said

We do not presume

to come to this thy table, O merciful Lord,

trusting in our own righteousness,

but in thy manifold and great mercies.

We are not worthy

so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy table.

But thou art the same Lord,

whose property is always to have mercy:

grant us therefore, gracious Lord,

so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ,

and to drink his blood,

that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body,

and our souls washed through his most precious blood,

and that we may evermore dwell in him,

and he in us.

All   Amen.

Giving of Communion

The minister and people receive communion. To each is said

The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee,

preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life.

Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee,

and feed on him in thy heart by faith with thanksgiving.

The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee,

preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life.

Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.

The Lord’s Prayer

As our Saviour Christ hath commanded and taught us,

we are bold to say

All   Our Father, which art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done,

in earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive them that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

Prayer after Communion

The following or another suitable prayer is said

All   Almighty God,

we thank thee for feeding us

with the body and blood of thy Son Jesus Christ.

Through him we offer thee our souls and bodies

to be a living sacrifice.

Strengthen us

in the power of thy Spirit

to live and work

to thy praise and glory.

Amen.

The Blessing

The minister says the Grace or a suitable blessing.

Laying on of Hands with Prayer and Anointing

This form may be used at the prayers during the visitation of the sick, either at Holy Communion with the sick or as part of another form of prayer at the bedside. If Anointing is administered, the minister must be authorized for this ministry as required by Canon B 37.

Blessed are you, sovereign God, gentle and merciful.

Your anointed Son brought healing to those in weakness and distress;

he broke the power of evil and set us free from sin and death

that we might become partakers of his glory.

Remember in your mercy all for whom we pray;

in the fullness of time complete your gracious work

that we may be restored in your image, renewed in your love,

and for ever praise your great and holy name,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Holy God, in whom we live and move and have our being,

we make our prayer to you saying,

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Grant to [N and] all who seek you

the assurance of your presence, your power and your peace.

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Grant your healing grace to [N and] all who are sick,

that they may be made whole in body, mind and spirit.

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Grant to all who minister to the suffering

wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience.

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Sustain and support the anxious and fearful

and lift up all who are brought low.

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Hear us, Lord of life.

Heal us, and make us whole.

A period of silence follows.

O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people;

in the multitude of your mercies look with compassion

upon us and all who turn to you for help;

for you are gracious, O lover of souls,

and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

now and for ever.

Amen.

The Laying on of Hands is administered.

In the name of God and trusting in his might alone,

receive Christ’s healing touch to make you whole.

May Christ bring you wholeness

of body, mind and spirit,

deliver you from every evil,

and give you his peace.

Amen.

These words are used when Anointing is administered

N, I anoint you in the name of God who gives you life.

Receive Christ’s forgiveness, his healing and his love.

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

grant you the riches of his grace,

his wholeness and his peace.

Amen.

The minister says

The almighty Lord,

who is a strong tower for all who put their trust in him,

whom all things in heaven, on earth and under the earth obey,

be now and evermore your defence.

May you believe and trust that the only name under heaven

given for health and salvation

is the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Common Worship: Pastoral Services, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000, 2005 and published by Church House Publishing.