The 2019 Book of Common Prayer’s lack of a Eucharistic Prayer and a Post-Communion Thanksgiving that embodies the reformed doctrines of the English Reformation and which would appeal to Anglican clergy and congregations influenced by the worship renewal movement of the last thirty years inspired this project.
The following Eucharistic Prayer has been crafted from the Anglican Standard Eucharistic Prayer largely in accordance with the rubrics of the 2019 Book of Common Prayer. It is designed to be more Reformational in its doctrine than the two existing Eucharistic Prayers in that Prayer Book and more suitable for the North American mission field in the twenty-first century. At the same time it is designed to be flexible enough where it may be used in a variety of styles of worship. Links are provided to YouTube videos of examples of the service music that may be used with this Eucharistic Prayer.
The accompanying Post-Communion Thanksgiving is also designed to meet the same requirements. The two prayers provide clergy and congregations in the Anglican Church in North America with an option that stands squarely in the central Anglican theological tradition.
The People stand. The President, facing them across the Table, sings or says
[President The Lord be with you.]
[People And with you.]
President Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them up to the Lord.
President Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.
The President continues
It is right, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
Here a Proper Preface (pages 152-158) is normally sung or said.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
President and People
Open this link in a new tab to play Holy, Holy, Holy from Tony Alonso's Mass of Joy & Peace
Open this link in a new tab to play Holy, Holy from Scott Soper's Mass of Awakening (Traditional Style)
Open this link in a new tab to play Holy, Holy from Scott Soper's Mass of Awakening (Contemporary Style)
Open this link in a new tab to play Holy, Holy from Dan Schutte's Mass of Christ the Savior
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.]
The President continues
All praise and glory is yours, O God our heavenly Father, for in your tender mercy, you gave your only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption. He made there, by his one oblation of himself once and for all time offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and he instituted, and in his Holy Gospel commanded us to continue, a perpetual memory of his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again.
[And now, O merciful Father, in your great goodness, we ask you to bless and sanctify, with your Word and Holy Spirit, these gifts of bread and wine, that we, receiving them according to your Son our Savior Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his suffering and death may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.;
or
[Hear us, O merciful Father, and grant that we who receive 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 most precious Body and Blood.]
At the following words concerning the bread, the President is to hold it, or lay a hand upon it, and here* may break the bread; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing the wine to be consecrated.
For on the night that he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks, 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, Jesus took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sins: Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.”
President
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
President and People
Open this link in a new tab to play When We Eat This Bread from Tony Alonso’s Mass of Joy & Peace
[When we eat this bread
and drink this cup
we proclaim your death, O Lord,
until you come again.]
or
Open this link in a new tab to play When We Eat This Bread from Scott Soper's Mass of Awakening (Traditional Style)
Open this link in a new tab to play Holy, Holy from Dan Schutte's Mass of Christ the Savior
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.]
The President continues
All praise and glory is yours, O God our heavenly Father, for in your tender mercy, you gave your only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption. He made there, by his one oblation of himself once and for all time offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and he instituted, and in his Holy Gospel commanded us to continue, a perpetual memory of his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again.
[And now, O merciful Father, in your great goodness, we ask you to bless and sanctify, with your Word and Holy Spirit, these gifts of bread and wine, that we, receiving them according to your Son our Savior Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his suffering and death may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.;
or
[Hear us, O merciful Father, and grant that we who receive 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 most precious Body and Blood.]
At the following words concerning the bread, the President is to hold it, or lay a hand upon it, and here* may break the bread; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing the wine to be consecrated.
For on the night that he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks, 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, Jesus took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sins: Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.”
President
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
President and People
Open this link in a new tab to play When We Eat This Bread from Tony Alonso’s Mass of Joy & Peace
[When we eat this bread
and drink this cup
we proclaim your death, O Lord,
until you come again.]
or
Open this link in a new tab to play When We Eat This Bread from Scott Soper's Mass of Awakening (Traditional Style)
Open this link in a new tab to play When We Eat This Bread from Scott Soper's Mass of Awakening (Contemporary Style)
[When we eat this bread
and drink this cup
we proclaim your death, O Lord,
until you come again, until you come again.]
or
Open this link in a new tab to play When We Eat This Bread from Dan Schutte's Mass of Christ the Savior
[When we eat this bread
and drink this cup
we proclaim your death, O Lord,
until you come again.
When we eat this bread
and drink this cup
we proclaim your death, O Lord,
until you come again.]
President
O Lord and heavenly Father, 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. And we humbly ask you, that all we who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ, be filled with your grace and heavenly benediction, and be made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him
Open this link in a new tab to play Doxology and Amen from Tony Alonso’s Mass of Joy & Peace
Open this link in a new tab to play Doxology and Amen from Scott Soper’s Mass of Awakening (Traditional Style)
[When we eat this bread
and drink this cup
we proclaim your death, O Lord,
until you come again, until you come again.]
or
Open this link in a new tab to play When We Eat This Bread from Dan Schutte's Mass of Christ the Savior
[When we eat this bread
and drink this cup
we proclaim your death, O Lord,
until you come again.
When we eat this bread
and drink this cup
we proclaim your death, O Lord,
until you come again.]
President
O Lord and heavenly Father, 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. And we humbly ask you, that all we who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ, be filled with your grace and heavenly benediction, and be made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him
Open this link in a new tab to play Doxology and Amen from Tony Alonso’s Mass of Joy & Peace
Open this link in a new tab to play Doxology and Amen from Scott Soper’s Mass of Awakening (Traditional Style)
Open this link in a new tab to play Doxology and Amen from Scott Soper’s Mass of Awakening (Contemporary Style)
Open this link in a new tab to play Doxology and Amen from Dan Schutte’s Mass of Christ the Savior
Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever. Amen.
In this Eucharistic Prayer the word “celebrant” has been replaced with “president” in recognition that whole eucharistic assembly, not the priest, are the celebrants at the Holy Eucharist. The role of the priest is to preside over the gathering and at certain places in the liturgy to serve as the “tongue” of the assembly.
The Salutation at the beginning of the Sursum Corda may be omitted.
The president may at his discretion use an alternative epiclesis, based upon the petition, “Hear us, O merciful Father…” from the eucharistic prayer in the 1552-1662 Communion Services.
The self-oblation or offering, “And here we offer and present to you, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice…” has been omitted so the Christ’s offering of himself—what he has done for us--is the sole focus of the prayer. In its place has been substituted a petition for the forgiveness of sins and other benefits of Christ’s suffering and death.
The memorial acclamation and the doxology and amen are taken from the new English translation of the Roman Missal. The memorial acclamation is also used in a number of Anglican service books and is based upon 1 Corinthians 11:26. The acclamation was chosen due to the availability of musical settings as well as due to those two reasons.
The doxology and amen was chosen due to the availability of musical settings. Except for some minor changes in wording and word order, it is essentially the same doxology as the one used in the Anglican Standard Eucharistic Prayer. In the new English translation of the Roman Missal the doxology is sung by the priest alone. In this Eucharistic Prayer it sung by the entire assembly. This is the practice in a number of Anglican Eucharistic Prayers.
The Lord’s Prayer and the communion of the president and the people would immediately follow the Eucharistic Prayer.
The distribution of the elements may be introduced with these words, “Come let us eat and drink in remembrance that Christ died for us, and feed on him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving.”
Open this link in a new tab to play Doxology and Amen from Dan Schutte’s Mass of Christ the Savior
Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever. Amen.
In this Eucharistic Prayer the word “celebrant” has been replaced with “president” in recognition that whole eucharistic assembly, not the priest, are the celebrants at the Holy Eucharist. The role of the priest is to preside over the gathering and at certain places in the liturgy to serve as the “tongue” of the assembly.
The Salutation at the beginning of the Sursum Corda may be omitted.
The president may at his discretion use an alternative epiclesis, based upon the petition, “Hear us, O merciful Father…” from the eucharistic prayer in the 1552-1662 Communion Services.
The self-oblation or offering, “And here we offer and present to you, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice…” has been omitted so the Christ’s offering of himself—what he has done for us--is the sole focus of the prayer. In its place has been substituted a petition for the forgiveness of sins and other benefits of Christ’s suffering and death.
The memorial acclamation and the doxology and amen are taken from the new English translation of the Roman Missal. The memorial acclamation is also used in a number of Anglican service books and is based upon 1 Corinthians 11:26. The acclamation was chosen due to the availability of musical settings as well as due to those two reasons.
The doxology and amen was chosen due to the availability of musical settings. Except for some minor changes in wording and word order, it is essentially the same doxology as the one used in the Anglican Standard Eucharistic Prayer. In the new English translation of the Roman Missal the doxology is sung by the priest alone. In this Eucharistic Prayer it sung by the entire assembly. This is the practice in a number of Anglican Eucharistic Prayers.
The Lord’s Prayer and the communion of the president and the people would immediately follow the Eucharistic Prayer.
The distribution of the elements may be introduced with these words, “Come let us eat and drink in remembrance that Christ died for us, and feed on him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving.”
Alternately their distribution may be introduced with these words, “Come let us take this holy sacrament of the body and blood of Christ in remembrance that he died for us, and feed on him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving.”
It is recommended that the 1552 Words of Administration or the 1559 Words of Administration should be used when the bread and the wine are given.
It is recommended that the 1552 Words of Administration or the 1559 Words of Administration should be used when the bread and the wine are given.
The 1552 Words of Administration are, “Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith, with thanksgiving.” “Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s Blood was shed for you, and be thankful.”
The 1559 Words of Administration are, “The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving.” “The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.”
It is further recommended that during the distribution of the elements simple hymns and worship songs should be sung, in which the communicants can take part as they go to and from communion. After the distribution of the elements an extended period of silence should be observed, followed by a hymn or some other song of praise and then the post-communion thanksgiving, the parting blessing, and the dismissal.
The Post-Communion Thanksgiving is adapted from a Post-Communion Thanksgiving in The Holy Communion, Second Order, of An Australian Prayer Book (1978) and combines language from the first and second Post-Communion Thanksgivings of the 1552-1662 Communion Services.
Father, we thank you
that you feed us who have received these holy mysteries
with the spiritual food of the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ.
We thank you for this assurance of your goodness and love
that we are living members of his body
and heirs of his eternal kingdom.
Accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving,
and help us grow in love and obedience,
that with all your saints we may worship your forever.
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.
I envision the use of this Eucharistic Prayer and Post-Communion Thanksgiving in a streamlined liturgy, one that is free from the liturgical clutter that characterizes the Anglican Standard Eucharistic Rite. What follows is a proposed order of service. The elements of the service, which are bracketed, are optional.
[Prelude]
[Entrance Song]
[Opening Acclamation]
[Kyrie or Trisagion]
[Gloria or Other Song of Praise]
The Lord be with you The Lord bless you
or
Peace be with you And with you peace
Let us pray
Silence
Prayer of the Day
Reading from the Old Testament or Acts of the Apostles
Silence
[Hymn, Psalm, Canticle, Worship Song, or Anthem]
Reading from the Epistles or Revelation
Silence
[Gospel Acclamation]
Sermon
Silence
[Apostles Creed or Nicene Creed]
Prayers of the People
[Concluding Prayer]
Invitation to Confession
Confession of Sin
Declaration of Forgiveness
[Assurance of Forgiveness]
Eucharistic Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Communion of Priest and People
[Hymns, Psalms, Canticles, Worship Songs, and/or Anthems]
Silence
[Hymn or Other Song of Praise]
Post-Communion Thanksgiving
[Hymn or Other Final Song]
Parting Blessing
[Hymn or Other Final Song]
Dismissal
[Postlude]
More than twenty years of pioneering new churches and worshipping in non-traditional settings has convinced me of the need for a more streamlined eucharistic liturgy, one which can double as a service of the Word when a congregation has a deacon or licensed lay reader in charge. The experiences of churches that have moved their services online and my own observation of these services has reinforced this conclusion. The existing patterns of worship in the 2019 Prayer Book do not lend themselves to non-traditional worship settings or to online use.
It is further recommended that during the distribution of the elements simple hymns and worship songs should be sung, in which the communicants can take part as they go to and from communion. After the distribution of the elements an extended period of silence should be observed, followed by a hymn or some other song of praise and then the post-communion thanksgiving, the parting blessing, and the dismissal.
The Post-Communion Thanksgiving is adapted from a Post-Communion Thanksgiving in The Holy Communion, Second Order, of An Australian Prayer Book (1978) and combines language from the first and second Post-Communion Thanksgivings of the 1552-1662 Communion Services.
Father, we thank you
that you feed us who have received these holy mysteries
with the spiritual food of the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ.
We thank you for this assurance of your goodness and love
that we are living members of his body
and heirs of his eternal kingdom.
Accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving,
and help us grow in love and obedience,
that with all your saints we may worship your forever.
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.
I envision the use of this Eucharistic Prayer and Post-Communion Thanksgiving in a streamlined liturgy, one that is free from the liturgical clutter that characterizes the Anglican Standard Eucharistic Rite. What follows is a proposed order of service. The elements of the service, which are bracketed, are optional.
[Prelude]
[Entrance Song]
[Opening Acclamation]
[Kyrie or Trisagion]
[Gloria or Other Song of Praise]
The Lord be with you The Lord bless you
or
Peace be with you And with you peace
Let us pray
Silence
Prayer of the Day
Reading from the Old Testament or Acts of the Apostles
Silence
[Hymn, Psalm, Canticle, Worship Song, or Anthem]
Reading from the Epistles or Revelation
Silence
[Gospel Acclamation]
Sermon
Silence
[Apostles Creed or Nicene Creed]
Prayers of the People
[Concluding Prayer]
Invitation to Confession
Confession of Sin
Declaration of Forgiveness
[Assurance of Forgiveness]
Eucharistic Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Communion of Priest and People
[Hymns, Psalms, Canticles, Worship Songs, and/or Anthems]
Silence
[Hymn or Other Song of Praise]
Post-Communion Thanksgiving
[Hymn or Other Final Song]
Parting Blessing
[Hymn or Other Final Song]
Dismissal
[Postlude]
More than twenty years of pioneering new churches and worshipping in non-traditional settings has convinced me of the need for a more streamlined eucharistic liturgy, one which can double as a service of the Word when a congregation has a deacon or licensed lay reader in charge. The experiences of churches that have moved their services online and my own observation of these services has reinforced this conclusion. The existing patterns of worship in the 2019 Prayer Book do not lend themselves to non-traditional worship settings or to online use.
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