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Holy Communion Liturgy

 

Sing Hymn (Elders and minister take their places and the elements are uncovered).  Then the minister shall give the invitation.

 

The Invitation

Beloved in the Lord, hear what gracious words our Savior Christ says unto all who truly turn to him.

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

 

Let us pray:

It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto you, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, everlasting God, who did create the heavens and the earth and all that in them is; who did make man in your own image and whose tender mercies are over all your works.

(A proper preface for the Christian year may be inserted.)

Therefore, with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify your glorious Name, evermore praising you, and saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to you, O Lord most high. Amen.

 

The Words of Institution

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Hear the words of the institution of the holy supper of our Lord Jesus Christ, as they are delivered by the Apostle Paul:

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death until he come (I Corinthians. 11:23-26).

 

As the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, I take these elements of bread and wine, (Here the minister shall lay his hand upon the plate and the chalice.) to be set apart from all common uses to this holy use and mystery; and as He gave thanks and blessed, let us draw near to God and present him our prayers  and thanksgivings.

The Lord be with you.

And with your Spirit

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up unto the Lord.

Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.

It is meet and right so to do.

All glory and thanksgiving be to you, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for out of your tender mercy, you gave your only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption.  That same Lord Jesus made a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memorial of his precious death and sacrifice until his coming again.  Wherefore, O Lord, and heavenly Father, according to the institution of your dearly beloved Son our Savior Jesus Christ, we, your humble servants, do celebrate with these your holy gifts, which we now offer unto you, the memorial your Son has commanded us to make.  We do this remembering his blessed passion, and precious death, his mighty resurrection, and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming again with power and great glory.  Amen.

 

Breaking the Bread

According to the holy institution of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in remembrance of Him, we do this: For in the night in which he was betrayed

(Here the minister takes the bread into his hands.)

He took bread

And when he had blessed, and given thanks, he brake it.

(The minister breaks the bread.)

And said Take, eat: this is my body that is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 

(The minister raises the cup.)

After the same manner also, he took the cup.

Saying: this cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do you as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace.

 

Let us return to the Lord in prayer.

We, your unworthy servants ask you, most merciful Father, to hear us, and to send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that, being blessed and hallowed by his life-giving power, they may become the Body and Blood of your most dearly beloved Son, to the end that all who shall receive the same may be sanctified both in body and soul, and preserved unto everlasting life.

And here we humbly offer and present unto you, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto you, beseeching you that all we who are partakers of this Holy Communion may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ, and be filled with your grace, and made one body with him, that he may dwell in us and we in him.  And although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto you any sacrifice; yet we ask you to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord: by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory be unto you. O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.

 

As our Savior Christ has commanded us, we are bold to pray:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors; 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. Amen.

 

(The minister gives the bread to the elders)

Take, eat, this is the body of Christ that is broken for you; this do in remembrance of him.

(Afterwards the minister serves the elders and himself last.)

 

 (In giving the cup the minister says)

This cup is the New Covenant in the blood of Christ, which is shed for many unto remission of sins; Drink you all of it.

 

(When all have received, and the bread and wine have been replaced on the table and reverently covered, the minister says)

The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you,

 

Prayer

Almighty and ever-living God we most heartily thank you that in your great love you have fed us at your table with this spiritual food.  Lord, you have thus assured us of your goodness toward us and have reassured us that we are member of the mystical Body of your son.  We are part of that blessed company of all faithful people who are heirs of your everlasting kingdom.  We ask, O heavenly Father, that you will assist us with your grace that we may continue in the fellowship of believers and live henceforth to your glory.  This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns and is worshiped and glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit until the end of the world.  Amen.

 

(A hymn of praise is sung)

Benediction

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 Ghost, be among you and remain with you always.

 

 

If you have questions or comments, email Tony Grant

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Last modified 04/19/04