Holy Eucharist Common Worship - Order One Family Communion Parish of Greater Whitbourne
Family Communion This service (based on Christ is our Peace - A Service of Holy Communion, from New Patterns of Worship) allows us to celebrate the Eucharist at any time of the Church s Year, in greater simplicity. It keeps the main structure of our usual Eucharist service, and worshippers will recognise its familiar pattern, but it encourages greater flexibility of use in more informal situations, especially when children are involved. A children s bible is sometimes used for the readings. The Eucharist is the main service of Holy Communion in our parish. Eucharist is the Greek word, used in the original language of the New Testament, and means thanksgiving. Thanksgiving lies at the heart of this service, which concentrates on the saving acts of Jesus, in his life and death, resurrection and ascension.
We gather Welcome and notices Hymn Stand In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The Greeting The Lord be with you and also with you. Prayer of Preparation Sit or kneel 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. 1
Confession and Forgiveness A seasonal confession may be said My brothers and sisters, as we prepare to celebrate the presence of Christ in word and sacrament, let us call to mind and confess our sins. 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. May almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to everlasting life. 2
The Collect The president says the Collect, the prayer of the day, and all respond We listen to God s word Sit There may be readings from the Old Testament, the Psalms, and the New Testament. At the end the reader says This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Hymn Stand Gospel Reading A seasonal acclamation may be used When the Gospel is announced the reader says Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Glory to you, O Lord. 3
After the Gospel This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon Sit Affirmation of Faith Stand Do you believe and trust in God the Father, who made the world? We believe and trust in him. Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ, who redeemed humankind? We believe and trust in him. Do you believe and trust in his Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God? We believe and trust in him. This is the faith of the Church. This is our faith, we believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 4
We pray Sit or kneel The prayers of intercession may include the response Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer. and may end with Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. We share in Holy Communion The Peace Stand A seasonal sentence may be used God is love and those who live in love live in God and God lives in them. The peace of the Lord be always with you and also with you. Let us offer one another a sign of peace. 5
Hymn During the hymn the bread and wine may be brought to the altar rail, and a collection may be taken Bread for his body, wine for his blood, gifts from God to his table we bring. We shall remember Jesus. The Eucharistic Prayer Remain standing The Lord is here. His Spirit is with us. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give thanks and praise. It is right to praise you, Father, Lord of all creation; in your love you made us for yourself. When we turned away you did not reject us, but came to meet us in your Son. You embraced us as your children and welcomed us to sit and eat with you. 6
In Christ you shared our life that we might live in him and he in us. He opened his arms of love upon the cross and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin. On the night he was betrayed, at supper with his friends he took bread, and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to them, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. Father, we do this in remembrance of him: his body is the bread of life. At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine, he gave you thanks, and said: Drink this, all of you: this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins; do this in remembrance of me. Father, we do this in remembrance of him: his blood is shed for all. As we proclaim his death and celebrate his rising in glory, send your Holy Spirit that this bread and this wine may be to us the body and blood of your dear Son. As we eat and drink these holy gifts make us one in Christ, our risen Lord. 7
With your whole Church throughout the world we offer you this sacrifice of praise and lift our voice to join the eternal song of heaven: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. The Lord s Prayer Sit or kneel As our Saviour taught us, so we pray 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. 8
Breaking of the Bread We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace. 9
Giving of Communion God s holy gifts for God s holy people. Jesus Christ is holy, Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The people receive communion. Each communicant replies Amen to the words of distribution. All baptised Christians of Churches who believe in the Holy Trinity are welcome to receive Holy Communion. If you feel unable to do this you are welcome to come to the altar rail (bringing a hymn book with you) for a blessing from the priest. 10
After Communion The president may use a post communion prayer. 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. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. We go out to serve God A seasonal blessing may be used The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Hymn Stand Please join us for light refreshment after the service. 11
Please leave this booklet for future use 12 Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included in this service, is copyright The Archbishops Council (2000) Parish of Greater Whitbourne
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The Parish of Greater Whitbourne is in Hereford Diocese. It is a group of six parishes: Edvin Loach, Tedstone Delamere, Tedstone Wafre, Whitbourne, Wolferlow, and Upper Sapey. The parishes marked no longer have a church in use. Produced in 2008 by the Parish of Greater Whiotbourne. Design: John Bland. Photos: Front cover (rainbow at Whitbourne) - Annette Howell; Back cover (Whitbourne reredos restoration wall hangings) - John Bland. The Parish of Greater Whitbourne