Instructed Eucharist (Rite 2)

 

 

 

 

Prelude                                                                                               Noel on “Puer Nobis”            LeBeque

 

Hymn 473                                                                                                                  Crucifer

 

The Opening Acclamation             The Celebrant and people begin not by exchanging “good mornings,” but by stating briefly but beautifully what we have come together to do.  First, we have come to bless God, which means to give him honor and worship.  Second, we have come to bless his kingdom, to become part of it and to help it grow.  Third, we proclaim and remember that the Lord is One God in Three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

Salutation

Celebrant  Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People       And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

 

The Collect for Purity             This prayer has begun Anglican worship for centuries.  In it we acknowledge who God is and recognize that we need his help and grace in order to love and worship him.

 

(The Celebrant continues.)

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: 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.

 

Gloria                                                                                                              Hymnal S-204

Glory be to God on high,

      and on earth peace, good will towards men.

We praise thee, we bless thee,

      we worship thee,

      we glorify thee,

      we give thanks to thee for thy great glory,

O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.

O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ;

      O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

      that takest away the sins of the world,

      have mercy upon us.

Thou that takest away the sins of the world,

      receive our prayer.

Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father,

      have mercy upon us.

For thou only art holy;

thou only art the Lord;

thou only, O Christ,

      with the Holy Ghost,

      art most high in the glory of God the Father.  Amen.

 

            Celebrant  The Lord be with you.

            People       And also with you.

            Celebrant  Let us pray.

 

The Collect of the Day             The original beginning of the Eucharist, the Collect of the Day is a special prayer in a particular form.  It is usually only one sentence, and begins with an address to God that names an attribute of his and gives him praise.  The second half of the prayer draws together the theme for the day and makes the petition.  The Collect is extremely important for understanding the day’s theme and making that theme the motif for all the worship which follows.

 

The Collect of the Day

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Psalm 130 (said antiphonally by verse)                                                              De profundis

Out of the depth have I called to you, O LORD;

LORD, hear my voice; *

      let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.

If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, *

      O Lord, who could stand?

For there is forgiveness with you; *

      therefore you shall be feared.

I wait for the LORD: my soul waits for him; *

      in his word is my hope.

My soul waits for the LORD,

more than watchmen for the morning, *

      more than watchmen for the morning.

O Israel, wait for the LORD, *

      for with the LORD there is mercy;

With him there is plenteous redemption, *

      and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son,

      and to the Holy Ghost;*

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,

      world without end.  Amen.

 

(The people sit.)

A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians                                  7:17-23

Let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you.  This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but obeying the commandment of God is everything. Let each of you remain in the condition in which you were called. Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now more than ever.  For whoever was called in the Lord as a slave is a freed person belonging to the Lord, just as whoever was free when called is a slave of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters.

            The Word of the Lord.

            People Thanks be to God.

 

(The people stand.)

Hymn 566 (1940 Hymnal)                                                                                           Galilee

 

 

The Gospel             The liturgical Gospel is a reading from one of the four scriptural Gospels that proclaims some word or act of our Lord. The Gospel may be sung or said in the midst of the people as a symbol that Christ came into the world.  The Gospel is sometimes read from the north corner of the Altar, which gives rise to the practice of referring to the north side of the church building as the “Gospel side.”  Proclaiming the Gospel is one of the special tasks of the deacon.  Because all priests have also been ordained deacons, if no deacon is present, a priest may read the Gospel.  At the announcement of the Gospel, some people sign themselves with a small cross on the forehead, lips, and breast to signify their desire that the Gospel may live in their understanding, on their lips, and in their hearts.

 

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Mark                             1:14-20

            People          Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” As Jesus passed along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

            The Gospel of the Lord.

            People         Praise to you, Lord Christ.

 

Hymn 566 (1940 Hymnal)                                                                                          Galilee

 

 

The Sermon             The Homily or Sermon follows the Gospel with no interruption and is intended to be an exposition of the Word that has just been read.  Today, this commentary takes the place of the Sermon, but normally one would hear a Sermon at every Eucharist.   The Creed             The people’s response to the Gospel is the faith of the Church as expressed in the Nicene Creed, which dates from the fourth century’s struggles against several heresies, or false teachings.  The Creed sums up those beliefs required to be held by all Christians.  In Rite Two, we say “we believe,” showing that we all believe together.  In Rite One, we say “I believe,” because the Church is one body, and as the bride of Christ, we speak in the singular.

 

 

The Nicene Creed  (The people 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;

      by the power of the Holy Spirit

            he became incarnate from 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.

      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.

      With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.

      He 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.

 

The Prayers of the People             The people’s response to God’s Word continues with intercession.  Prayer is offered for the Church, the Nation, the welfare of the world, those who suffer and who are in any trouble, and the departed.

 

The Prayers of the People  (The people remain standing.)

In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.

 

For all people in their daily life and work;

            For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.

 

For this community, the nation, and the world;

            For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

 

For the just and proper use of your creation;

            For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

 

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;

            For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.

 

For the peace and unity of the Church of God;

            For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

 

For George our Archbishop, Frank our Presiding Bishop, and Jerry our Bishop; and for all bishops and other ministers;

            For all who serve God in his Church.

 

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation, [especially __].

 

Hear us Lord;

            For your mercy is great.

 

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life, [especially __].

 

We will exalt you, O God our King;

            And praise your Name for ever and ever.

 

We pray for all who have died [especially __], that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.

 

Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;

            Who put their trust in you.

 

Confession of Sin             It is important that, before we approach the Lord’s Table, we remember that although God is all-merciful and forgiving, he is also all-righteous and holy.  We kneel in penitence to acknowledge that we are sinful and in need of God’s forgiveness.  Repentance is as necessary as faith in order for us to receive God’s grace, and we must set right the relationship between ourselves and God before we approach his altar.  Sometimes, a penitential introduction begins the Eucharist, and the confession is said there, at the very beginning of worship.              The absolution is not merely a prayer by the priest, asking or hoping for our forgiveness; it is the declaration of our forgiveness, and is performed only by a priest or bishop.  On rare occasions, the confession and absolution may be omitted.

 

We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.

 

All        Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;

            in your compassion forgive us our sins,

            known and unknown,

            things done and left undone;

            and so uphold us by your Spirit

            that we may live and serve you in newness of life,

            to the honor and glory of your Name;

            through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

Celebrant        Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.  Amen.

 

The Peace             The end of the Liturgy of the Word is the exchange of the Peace.  The Peace is not a social hour or half-time.  The purpose of the Peace is to briefly exchange with one or two people a greeting not in our own names, but in the name of the Lord we have gathered to worship.

 

Morning Prayer             It is the practice at Grace, once a month, to replace the Liturgy of the Word, that is, everything that has just preceded, with the service of Morning Prayer.

 

The Peace (The people remain standing.)

            Celebrant  The peace of the Lord be always with you.

            People       And also with you.

 

 

 

The Offertory             The Offertory begins this second half of the Eucharist.  The term “offertory” does not refer to taking a collection, but rather refers to the offering of ourselves together with our monetary gifts and the elements of bread and wine which will be consecrated.  The deacon prepares the holy table by preparing the elements.  Enough bread for all is placed on the altar, and a little water is added to the wine in token of the union of human and divine natures in Christ.  At the end of the offertory, the server washes the celebrant’s hands, who recalls verses from the 26th Psalm: “I will wash my hands in innocency, before I go unto the altar of the Lord.”

 

The Offertory Sentences

Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.  (Acts 20:35)

 

Offertory Anthem                  Sing a Song of Thanks and Joy                                   Hopson

The morning sun lights up the day, and brightens all the earth. In constant watch it speaks of God, unchanging, ever new. Sing a song with all your heart. Sing a song of thanks and joy. Sing a song with all your heart. Sing, for God is good. The moon on high lights up the night, and sheds its gentle ray. The countless stars in beauty shine, and each one has a name.

 

At the Presentation (All stand)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;                                                                                 Old 100^th

Praise him, all creatures here below;

Praise him above, ye heavenly host:

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

 

Our father’s God, to thee, author of liberty, to thee we sing                           America

Long may our land be bright with freedom’s holy light:

Protect us by thy might, great God, our King.

 

The Great Thanksgiving             In the Great Thanksgiving we do what Jesus himself asked us to do, thanking God and recalling all that he has done for us.  The Great Thanksgiving, or Eucharistic Prayer, is a long prayer with four parts.  Each of these four parts corresponds to a different action of our Lord, where he takes, blesses, breaks, and gives his Body and Blood.   The first part is like an introduction, and begins with a dialogue, called by its original Latin name, Sursum Corda.  The original is so ancient that it doesn’t even contain a verb.  “Sursum Corda” means simply “up [your] hearts!”  There are many different occasions for celebrating the Eucharist.  It may be for a baptism, a wedding, or a funeral.  It may be a special season of the year, or we may want to remember one of God’s saints.  The proper preface is the portion of the prayer in which we name the occasion and thank God for it.  After the preface, the people join in with the heavenly host’s song, the Sanctus.

 

The Great Thanksgiving

Celebrant  The Lord be with you.

People       And also with you.

Celebrant  Lift up your hearts.

People       We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant  Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People       It is right to give him thanks and praise.

 

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

 

Because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of your glory in the face of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

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:

 

Sanctus                                                                                                                                               Willan

 

 

The Consecration, or the Canon of the Eucharist             This is the most important part of the service.  When the priest blesses the bread and wine, using Jesus’ own words, something very special happens.  Christ comes to us and his Body and Blood are really and truly present in the bread and wine in a way we don’t understand, but accept by faith in his words.  This prayer has several parts, beginning with a short recitation of salvation history, the record of God’s reaching toward us.

 

(The people kneel.)

Holy and gracious Father:  In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.

 

He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.

 

The Institution             We remember Christ’s actions at the Last Supper and recite his words.

 

 

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat:  This is my Body, which is given for you.  Do this for the remembrance of me.”

 

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he 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.  Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

 

The Mystery of Faith             At the very heart of this celebration, we acclaim the heart of the Christian faith, the means by which God himself accomplishes our salvation. By our baptisms we are made one with Christ in his death and in his resurrection. Note the tenses of the verbs in this acclamation: past, present, and future. God, dwelling in eternity, is beyond our limitations of time.

 

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

All        Christ has died.

            Christ is risen.

            Christ will come again.

 

The Oblation In this portion of the prayer we offer the Father’s gifts back to him.

 

The Celebrant continues

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.  Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

 

The Invocation             Here we pray for the presence and blessing of the Father, through the Word and the Holy Spirit, on both us and the elements, so that we may receive Christ. We ask for him to make us holy, and to help us to receive Christ, so we may serve God as one and remain faithful to him, made one with the communion of saints.

 

Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him.  Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

 

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ.  By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.  Amen.

 

The Lord’s Prayer             The prayer most appropriate for us to pray at this moment is the one Our Lord himself taught.

 

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

(said by all.)

            Our Father, who art in heaven,

                  hallowed be thy Name,

                  thy kingdom come,

                  thy will be done,

                        on earth as it is in heaven.

            Give us this day our daily bread.

            And forgive us our trespasses,

                  as we forgive those

                        who trespass against us.

            And lead us not into temptation,

                  but deliver us from evil.

            For thine is the kingdom,

                  and the power, and the glory,

                  for ever and ever. Amen.

 

The Breaking of the Bread             The breaking of the bread not only recalls our Lord breaking the bread at the Last Supper, but also reminds us that Jesus’ body was broken on the cross for us.  The anthems sung or said at the breaking of the bread all speak of Christ as the Passover Lamb, sacrificed to take away our sins.

 

The Breaking of the Bread

The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread.  Then shall be said

      Celebrant  Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

      People       Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

 

Agnus Dei                                                                                                                                          Willan

 

 

The In