The Eucharist during Lent 1
An Introduction to the Season Lent may originally followed directly on from Epiphany, just as Jesus time in the wilderness followed immediately on his baptism, but it soon became firmly attached to Easter, as the principal occasion for baptism and for the reconciliation of those who had been excluded from the Church s fellowship for serious faults. This history explains the characteristic notes of Lent selfexamination, penitence, self-denial, study, and preparation for Easter, to which almsgiving has traditionally been added. Now is the healing time decreed For sins of heart and word and deed, When we in humble fear record The wrong that we have done the Lord (Latin, before 12 th century) As the candidates for baptism were instructed in the Christian faith, and as penitents prepared themselves, through fasting and penance, to be readmitted to communion, the whole Christian community was invited to join them in the process of study and repentance, the extension of which over forty days would remind them of the forty days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, being tested by Satan. Ashes are an ancient sign of repentance; from the Middle Ages it became the custom to begin Lent by being marked in ash with the sign of the cross. The calculation of the forty days has varied considerably in Christian history. It is now usual in the West to count them continuously to the end of Holy Week (though not including Sundays), so beginning Lent on the sixth Wednesday before Easter, Ash Wednesday. Liturgical dress is the simplest possible. Churches are kept bare of flowers and decoration. Gloria in excelsis is not used in the liturgy. The Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare or Refreshment Sunday) was allowed as a day of relief from the rigour of Lent, and the Feast of the Annunciation almost always falls in Lent; these breaks from austerity are the background to the modern observance of Mothering Sunday on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, As Holy Week approaches, the atmosphere of the season darkens; the readings begin to anticipate the story of Christ s suffering and death, and the reading of the Passion Narrative gave to the Fifth Sunday of Lent its name of Passion Sunday. Many devotional exercises may be used in Lent and Holy Week outside the set liturgy. The Stations of the Cross, made popular in the West by the Franciscans after they were granted custody of the Christian sites in the Holy Land, are perhaps the best known. 2
At the entry of the procession we sing the first HYMN. 1 The Gathering We meet in the name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. The Lord our redeemer be with you and also with you. Everyone is made welcome. The Presiding Priest briefly introduces the service. 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. 2 Summary of the Law Our Lord Jesus Christ said: The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, & with all your strength. The second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. On these two commandments hang all the law & the prophets. Amen. Lord have mercy. 3
3 The Penitential Rite We stand before God, the one from whom no secrets are hidden: therefore let us ask his forgiveness of our sins (A moment of silent reflection follows) Lord, you call us to new ways of living, for you are our hope and our salvation: help us to deepen our faith and trust in you. Lord, when we fail you and one another, forgive us and heal us. Lord, you offer us new and transformed lives; you pour upon us the light of life: Lord, you banish darkness and evil; forgive us when we prefer the darkness. Lord, you offered your life for us that we might have new life in you: forgive us when we fail to share that life with others. Lord, when we fail you and one another, forgive us and heal us. 4 The Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy) We say or sing together, EITHER Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. OR Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison. (each petition may be repeated) 4
The Presiding Priest declares the absolution, saying: May God, the Father of all mercies, cleanse you from your sins, and restore in you his image to the praise and glory of his name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 5 The Collect for the day The Presiding Priest says the Opening Prayer (Collect) and the people make it their own by responding, Amen. THE LITURGY OF THE WORD 6 The Readings ALL SIT At the end of each reading: For the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. We stand to sing the Lent HYMN. If you will only let God guide you, and hope in God through all your ways, whatever comes, God stands beside you and sees you through the hardest days, O trust in God's unchanging love; build on the Rock that cannot move. Georg Neumark, 1657, Trans. Catherine Winkworth 1827-78; alt 5
Before the Gospel: ALL TURN TO FACE THE GOSPEL BOOK The Lord is a great God, listen to his voice. Do not harden your hearts. Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory. Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to... Glory to you, O Lord. At the end, This is the gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. A sermon is preached, after which a moment of silence is kept. 7 The Creed ALL STAND We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. 8 Prayers of Intercession ALL SIT OR KNEEL The following, or another response, may be used: Leader All In you, O Lord, we put our trust The prayers conclude with: God of love and compassion, hear our prayers and help us to hear and answer the cries for help from those around us. Let your love in us be the well-spring of our caring and of our forgiveness. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 7
THE LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT 9 The Peace ALL STAND We are the body of Christ. In one Spirit we were all baptized into one body Let us then pursue all that makes for peace and builds up our common life. The peace of the Lord be always with you and also with you. Let us offer one another a sign of that peace. As the altar is prepared we sing the offertory HYMN during which the bread and wine is brought to the altar and the collection is taken. Blessed be God, who feeds the hungry, who raises the poor, who fills our praise. Blessed be God for ever. 10 The Eucharistic Prayer (E) STANDING The Lord is here or The Lord be with you His Spirit is with us And also with you 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 8
It is indeed right and good to give you thanks and praise, almighty God and everlasting Father, through Jesus Christ your Son. For in these forty days you lead us into the desert of repentance that through a pilgrimage of prayer and discipline we may grow in grace and learn to be your people once again. Through fasting, prayer and acts of service you bring us back to your generous heart. Through study of your holy word you open our eyes to your presence in the world and free our hands to welcome others into the radiant splendour of your love. As we prepare to celebrate the Easter feast with joyful hearts and minds we bless you for your mercy and join with saints and angels for ever praising you and singing: FROM LENT 5 ONLY: It is indeed right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. For as the time of his passion and resurrection draws near the whole world is called to acknowledge his hidden majesty. The power of the life-giving cross reveals the judgment that has come upon the world and the triumph of Christ crucified. He is the victim who dies no more, the Lamb once slain, who lives for ever, our advocate in heaven to plead our cause, exalting us there to join with angels and archangels, for ever praising you and singing: 9
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. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ: Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life: Lord Jesus, come in glory. 10
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 our Blessed Lady, St 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. Amen. 11 The Communion Rite As our Saviour taught us, so we pray: 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. 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. 11
One of the following is sung: Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace. OR 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. God s holy gifts for God s holy people: Jesus Christ is holy, Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Most merciful Lord, your love compels us to come in. Our hands were unclean, our hearts were unprepared; we were not fit even to eat the crumbs from under your table. But you, Lord, are the God of our salvation, and share your bread with sinners. So cleanse and feed us with the precious body and blood of your Son, that he may live in us and we in him; and that we, with the whole company of Christ, may sit and eat in your kingdom. Amen. Everyone comes to the Altar to receive communion or a blessing. Each communicant replies Amen to the words of distribution. If you do not receive communion, please carry this card with you to the Altar and a minister will give you a blessing. 12
After communion a period of SILENT PRAYER is kept by everyone. 12 Prayer after Communion 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. Amen. 13 The Dismissal All stand Christ give you grace to grow in holiness, to deny yourselves, take up your cross, and follow him; and the blessing of God almighty, the + Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be upon you this and every day. Amen. FROM LENT 5: Christ crucified draw you to himself, to find in him a sure ground for faith, a firm support for hope, and the assurance of sins forgiven: and the blessing of God almighty, the + Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be upon you this and every day. Amen. We stand to sing our final HYMN. 13
The Eucharist is ended, our service must now begin. Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen. Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included in this service is copyright the Archbishops Council 2000 14