Service of the Word: First Order

Service of the Word, First Order is now on the A Prayer Book for North America website. From the introduction to the service:

This Service of the Word closely follows the pattern of the liturgy of the Word in the Holy Communion, Second Order. An exception is the location of the Invitation to Confession, Confession of Sin, and Prayer for Forgiveness. They may be said at the beginning of the service or after the Sermon or less formal exposition of Scripture as a response to the Sermon or teaching. A collection may be taken and solemnly dedicated after the Prayers of Intercession. The service concludes with an optional Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication, a Benediction, and an optional Dismissal. The service may be tailored to the circumstances of a particular congregation using it, and may be lead by a lay person. In its simplest form it consists of Invitation to Confession, Confession of Sin, and Prayer for Forgiveness, Collect of the Day, Bible Readings, Creed, Prayers of Intercession, and Benediction. A designated person preaches a sermon or explains one or more passages from the Readings or members of the congregation share their thoughts on the Readings, particularly how they are applicable to their lives.

At celebrations of Holy Communion the first three parts of the service may be used in place of all that precedes the Greeting of the Peace. In this case a collection may be taken and solemnly dedicated after the Greeting of the Peace. At such celebrations the Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration from the Holy Communion, First Order, or one of the four Prayers of Thanksgiving and Consecration from the Holy Communion, Second Order, may be used.

Follow this link to A Prayer Book for North America.