Parish of Christ Church, Eastbourne THE EUCHARIST Common Worship Order One Christmas and the Epiphany ¶ A Form of Preparation Summary of the Law Our Lord Jesus Christ said: The first commandment is this: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Collect for Purity Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: 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. Prayer of Humble Access Most merciful Lord, your love compels us to come in. Our hands are unclean, our hearts are unprepared; we are not fit even to eat the crumbs from under your table. But you, Lord, are the God of our salvation, and share your bread with sinners. So cleanse and feed us with the precious body and blood of your Son, that he may live in us and we in him; and that we with the whole company of Christ, may sit and eat in your kingdom. Amen. ¶ Structure of the Mass The people and the priest ¶ greet each other in the Lord’s name ¶ confess their sins and are assured of God’s forgiveness ¶ keep silence and pray a Collect ¶ proclaim and respond to the word of God ¶ pray for the Church and the world ¶ exchange the Peace ¶ prepare the table ¶ pray the Eucharistic Prayer ¶ break the bread ¶ receive communion ¶ depart with God’s blessing ¶ Welcome to Christ Church the Parish Church of Seaside. A warm welcome to you this Christmas season. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a joyous Christmas and a peaceful New Year. It is hoped that, in midst of frantic preparations for Christmas and New Year, you find space here to dwell on the significance of the coming of God in the human flesh of the Christ-child. In our hymns and prayers we can hear the re-telling of the incredible story of these events. To help you follow the service please see the detail on the notice sheet and most importantly read the small print that is in this style within this booklet—that should see you through. All those who are confirmed or who are in good standing with their own denomination are invited to receive communion. If either does not apply to you, please still come forward and receive a blessing—please keep your head bowed and your arms by your side. Finally, I pray that you might listen and hear the voice of God calling you to walk the Way of Christ, living in his love. Fr Neil This Order of Service uses the text of Common Worship, published in November 2000, together with other traditional prayers. Please take the news-sheet away with you for use during the week. Please do not take this booklet away. ¶ The Gathering At the entry of the ministers a hymn is sung. The president says In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. All Amen. The Greeting The president greets the people Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you All and also with you. Words of welcome are said. Prayers of Penitence A minister uses an invitation to confession, for example Christ the light of the world has come to dispel the darkness of our hearts. In his light let us examine ourselves and confess our sins. Lord of grace and truth, we confess our unworthiness to stand in your presence as your children. All We have sinned: forgive and heal us. The Virgin Mary accepted your call to be the mother of Jesus. Forgive our disobedience to your will. All We have sinned: forgive and heal us. Your Son our Saviour was born in poverty in a manger. Forgive our greed and rejection of your ways. All We have sinned: forgive and heal us. The shepherds left their flocks to go to Bethlehem. Forgive our self-interest and lack of vision. All We have sinned: forgive and heal us. The wise men followed the star to find Jesus the King. Forgive our reluctance to seek you. All We have sinned: forgive and heal us. The president prays for absolution saying May God who loved the world so much that he sent his Son to be our Saviour forgive us our sins and make us holy to serve him in the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. All Amen. Gloria in Excelsis The Gloria is sung All Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. The Collect The president introduces a period of silent prayer with the words “Let us pray” or a more specific bidding. The Collect is the special Prayer of the Day, and all respond All Amen. ¶ The Liturgy of the Word Readings Two readings from Scripture precede the Gospel reading. At the end of each the reader may say This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God. The psalm follows the first reading. Gospel Reading Stand, and turn to face the gospeller. An acclamation heralds the Gospel reading. When the Gospel is announced the reader says Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N. All Glory to you, O Lord. At the end This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon The Creed Stand. The Creed is the corporate Statement of the Faith of the Church. All 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 men and for our salvation He came down from heaven: By the power of the Holy Spirit He became incarnate of 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 worshipped 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. Prayers of Intercession One of these responses is used Lord, in your mercy All hear our prayer. (or) Lord, hear us. All Lord, graciously hear us. When remembering the dead the response is Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord All and let light perpetual shine upon them. And at the end Let us join our prayers with Mary ... saying All Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. ¶ The Liturgy of the Sacrament The Peace Stand. The president introduces the Peace using these or similar words: Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace. and then says The peace of the Lord be always with you All and also with you. Let us offer one another a sign of peace. All exchange a sign of peace. Preparation of the Table Taking of the Bread and Wine A hymn is sung. The gifts of the people may be gathered and presented. God of life, Saviour of the poor, receive with this money gratitude for your goodness, penitence for our pride and dedication to your service in Jesus Christ our Lord. All Amen. The Altar is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it. The president takes the bread and wine. Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation: through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life. All Blessed be God for ever. Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation: through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become for us the cup of salvation. All Blessed be God for ever. Pray, my brothers and sisters, that this my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father. All May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of his name, for our good, and the good of all his Church. The president may say an additional prayer over the gifts. The Eucharistic Prayer The president says The Lord be with you All and also with you. Lift up your hearts. All We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All It is right to give thanks and praise. A proper Preface may be used instead of the first three paragraphs. Blessed are you, Lord God, our light and salvation; to you be glory and praise for ever. From the beginning you created all things and all your works echo the music of your praise. In the fullness of time you made us in your image, the crown of all creation. You give us breath and speech, that with the angels and archangels and all the powers of heaven we may find a voice to sing your praise: All 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. How wonderful the work of your hands, O Lord. As a mother tenderly gathers her children, you embraced a people as your own. When they turned away and rebelled your love remained steadfast. From them you raised up your Son, Jesus our Saviour, born of the Virgin Mary, to be the living bread, in whom all our hunger is satisfied. He offered his life for sinners, and with a love stronger than death he opened wide his arms on the cross. Gathered with his disciples on the night before he died, Jesus took bread and gave you thanks. He broke it and gave it to them, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine, he gave you thanks, 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. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. Great is the mystery of faith: All Christ has died: Christ is risen: Christ will come again. The Prayer continues Father, we plead with confidence his sacrifice made once for all upon the cross; We remember his dying and rising in glory, and we rejoice that he intercedes for us at your right hand on high. Pour out your Holy Spirit as we offer you these gifts of your creation; May they be for us the body and blood of your dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. As we eat and drink this life giving bread, this saving cup, form us in the likeness of Christ, and build us into a living temple to your glory. Remember, Lord, your Church in every land. Reveal her unity, guard her faith, and preserve her in peace: we pray for... Bring us at last with Mary, the mother of Christ our God, the Apostles, and all the saints who have done your will throughout the ages, to the vision of that eternal splendour for which you have created us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom, with whom, and in whom, with all who stand before you in earth and heaven, we worship you in songs of ever lasting praise: All Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours for ever and ever. Amen. The Lord’s Prayer Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us 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, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Breaking of the Bread The president breaks the consecrated bread. We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. All Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread. The Agnus Dei is sung as the bread is broken All Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace. Giving of Communion The president says this invitation to communion Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Blessed are those who are called to his supper. All Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed. The president receives communion. A communion sentence is said and the people receive. During the distribution hymns, chants and anthems may be sung. Prayer after Communion Silence is kept. The president says a prayer of thanksgiving and then all say this Post Communion prayer together. All Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen. A post-communion hymn may be sung. ¶ The Dismissal The president says a prayer of blessing over the people and all respond saying; All Amen. A minister says The Mass has ended. Go in the peace of Christ. All Thanks be to God. A hymn is sung during which the ministers depart. This service contains material from Common Worship, which is the copyright property of the Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Reproduced with permission. Do not take this booklet away.