Two Service of the Lord’s Supper for the North American Mission Field--REVISED AND UPDATED

Both services of the Lord's Supper have been streamlined in a number of places and are adaptable to a variety of circumstances. In both service communion follows immediately after the consecration as in the 1552-1662 Prayer Books. The texts used in these service were taken or adapted from Common Prayer: Resources for Gospel-Shaped Gatherings and other sources. Songs may be used at points in the service other than those indicated.

One of the reasons that I am posting these two two services is to show that  the ACNA Prayer Book and Common Liturgy Task Force could easily produce liturgies that are agreeable to the teaching of the Bible and the doctrine of the Anglican Formularies and which are suitable for the North American mission field if it was inclined to do so.  From what the task force has produced so far, its priority appears to be promoting unreformed Catholicism, not advancing the Gospel and extending the Kingdom.

THE SERVICE OF THE WORD

The service may begin with a song. The minister and those assisting him may enter in procession during this song or immediately before the song or take their places before the beginning of the service.

The minister greets the people with these or similar words

The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Minister Let us pray

The minister says the Prayer of the Day

The First Reading is read.

A psalm or canticle may be sung or said. An anthem may be sung in place of the psalm or canticle. Metrical versions of the psalms and canticles may be used here and elsewhere in the service.

The Second Reading is read

An alleluia or gospel verse* may be sung

The Gospel Reading is read

The Sermon is preached

The Nicene Creed, Apostles’ Creed, or another affirmation of faith may be said

This or an alternative form of the Prayers is said

After each petition, silence may be kept. Further specific petitions may be added at appropriate points in the prayers or before the response.

We pray for the peace of the world, the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority.

God of mercy,
hear our prayer

We pray for the welfare of your holy Church, our Bishop N, and for all clergy and people.

God of mercy,
hear our prayer

[We pray for seasonable weather and for an abundance of the fruits of the earth.]

God of mercy,
hear our prayer

We pray that we may share with fairness and generosity the resources of the earth, and live in trust and goodwill with one another.

God of mercy,
hear our prayer

We pray for the aged and the infirm, for the bereaved and the lonely, and for the sick and the suffering.

God of mercy,
hear our prayer

We pray for the poor and the oppressed, for prisoners and captives, and for all who care for them.

God of mercy,
hear our prayer

We pray for ourselves and each other.

God of mercy,
hear our prayer

We praise you, Lord God, for the communion of saints and for the glorious hope of the resurrection to eternal life.

God of mercy,
hear our prayer

Here silence may be kept.

Merciful Father,
accept these our prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE SERVICE OF THE TABLE

The minister says

Knowing the goodness of God and the times we fail to respond with love and obedience, let us confess our sins together.

The minister and the people may kneel if circumstances permit kneeling

Heavenly Father, you have loved us with an everlasting love, but we have often gone our own way and rejected your will for our lives. We are sorry for our sins and turn away from them. For the sake of your Son who died for us forgive us, cleanse us, and change us. By your Holy Spirit enable us to live for you and to please you in every way, for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

The minister stands and says this declaration of forgiveness

God is slow to anger and full of compassion. He forgives all who humbly repent and turn to his Son Jesus Christ, in whom there is no condemnation. Amen.

All stand

The minister says

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People And also with you.

A song may follow and a collection taken. Members of the congregation may be encouraged to support the work of the gospel and provide for the needy by the reading of biblical passages such as Matthew 5:16; 6:19-20; 7:21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6, 10; Hebrews 13:16; 1 John 3:17. When the collection is received, one of the following prayers may be said.

Heavenly Father, thank you that we have these gifts to share. Help us to be generous in supporting the work of the gospel and caring for those in need, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

or

Gracious God, all things come from you, and you teach us to be generous with what we have. We pray that our gifts may be wisely used for the ministry of the gospel and the relief of those in need, for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

If the table has not been prepared earlier, it is prepared here.

The minister says

Lift up your hearts

People We lift them to the Lord.

Minister Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Minister  It is indeed right, and our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, holy Father, heavenly King, almighty and eternal God.

A special preface may be said here

Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and saying:

The minister and people together say

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Glory to you, O Lord most high.

The minister and people continue

We do not presume to come to your table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your boundless goodness and mercy. We are not even worthy to eat the crumbs under your table. But you are the same Lord, always rich in mercy. Enable us by faith to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may be cleansed from sin and forever dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

The minister says

All glory to you, our heavenly Father, for in your love and mercy you gave your only Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our salvation. By this offering of himself once and for all time Jesus made a full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world and commanded us to continue a remembrance of his precious death until his coming again.

Hear us, merciful Father, and grant that we who eat and drink these gifts of your creation, this bread and this wine, according to our Savior’s command, in remembrance of his suffering and death, may be partakers of his body and blood. 

As Jesus’ words of institution are said, the minister breaks the bread and takes hold of the cup before all the people

On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread and, when he had given you thanks, he broke it, then gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me’.

In the same way after the meal, Jesus took the cup and, when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’

The minister says

Come let us eat and drink in remembrance that Christ died for us, and feed on him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving

The bread is given with these words

Take and eat this, remembering that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith, with thanksgiving. Amen.

The cup is given with these words

Drink this, remembering that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said

The minister leads the people in this prayer of thanksgiving and dedication

Lord and heavenly Father, in your loving kindness, accept our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Grant that by the merits and death of your Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and your whole church may receive forgiveness of our sins and all other benefits of his suffering. With gratitude for all your mercies, we offer ourselves to you as a living sacrifice, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen

The service may conclude with a song and this or another suitable blessing

May 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. Amen.

* A gospel verse is an acclamation sung in place of the alleluia during Lent and Holy Week.

AN ALTERNATIVE SERVICE OF THE TABLE

The minister says

Knowing the goodness of God and the times we fail to respond with love and obedience, let us confess our sins together.

The minister and the people may kneel if circumstances permit kneeling

Heavenly Father, you have loved us with an everlasting love, but we have often gone our own way and rejected your will for our lives. We are sorry for our sins and turn away from them. For the sake of your Son who died for us forgive us, cleanse us, and change us. By your Holy Spirit enable us to live for you and to please you in every way, for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

The minister stands and says this declaration of forgiveness

God is slow to anger and full of compassion. He forgives all who humbly repent and turn to his Son Jesus Christ, in whom there is no condemnation. Amen.

All stand

The minister says

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People And also with you.

A song may follow and a collection taken. Members of the congregation may be encouraged to support the work of the gospel and provide for the needy by the reading of biblical passages such as Matthew 5:16; 6:19-20; 7:21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6, 10; Hebrews 13:16; 1 John 3:17. When the collection is received, one of the following prayers may be said.

Heavenly Father, thank you that we have these gifts to share. Help us to be generous in supporting the work of the gospel and caring for those in need, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

or

Gracious God, all things come from you, and you teach us to be generous with what we have. We pray that our gifts may be wisely used for the ministry of the gospel and the relief of those in need, for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

If the table has not been prepared earlier, it is prepared here.

The minister says

Lift up your hearts

People We lift them to the Lord.

Minister Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Minister  It is indeed right, and our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, holy Father, heavenly King, almighty and eternal God.

A special preface may be said here

Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and saying:

The minister and people together say

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Glory to you, O Lord most high.

The minister says

All glory to you, our heavenly Father, for in your love and mercy you gave your only Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our salvation. By this offering of himself once and for all time Jesus made a full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world and commanded us to continue a remembrance of his precious death until his coming again.

Hear us, merciful Father, and grant that we who eat and drink these gifts of your creation, this bread and this wine, according to our Savior’s command, in remembrance of his suffering and death, may share in his most precious body and blood.

As Jesus’ words of institution are said, the minister breaks the bread and takes hold of the cup before all the people

On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread and, when he had given you thanks, he broke it, then gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me’.

In the same way after the meal, Jesus took the cup and, when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’

With this bread and this cup we show forth our Lord’s death until he comes again glory.

Renew us in your service and help us to love one another as members of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom, with whom, and in whom, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we worship you, Father almighty, in songs of never-ending praise:

Blessing and honor and glory and power are yours for ever and ever. Amen. 

Come let us eat and drink in remembrance that Christ died for us, and feed on him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving

The bread is given with these words

Take and eat this, remembering that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith, with thanksgiving. Amen.

The cup is given with these words

Drink this, remembering that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said

The minister leads the people in this prayer of thanksgiving and dedication

Lord and heavenly Father, in your loving kindness, accept our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Grant that by the merits and death of your Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and your whole church may receive forgiveness of our sins and all other benefits of his suffering. With gratitude for all your mercies, we offer ourselves to you as a living sacrifice, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen

The service may conclude with a song and this or another suitable blessing

May 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. Amen.