All Age Communion
Holy Communion
Lent 2022
A warm welcome to the parish church of All Saints with Holy Trinity. Each Sunday morning we gather for the service of Holy Communion. It is sometimes known as ‘The Lord’s Supper,’ ‘The Eucharist,’ or simply as ‘Mass’ but whatever name is used it is the central act of worship for the Christian Community.
Lent is a time when Christians have traditionally been prepared for baptism and the whole church reflects on the themes of repentance and forgiveness. We are encouraged to ‘keep a holy Lent’ through prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy word. This sombre season is reflected at church; purple is the colour of the season, there are no flowers and there is a subdued tone to our worship. This is a season of preparation for the joy of Easter which is to come.
This year we are exploring the theme of Embracing Justice in our weekday Lent groups and our bible readings on Sunday are taken from Revd. Dr. Wilda Gafney’s ‘A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church’ continuing to explore our faith through the often neglected stories of women in the scriptures. For an in depth look at these readings tune in to Ministers Muse on our YouTube channel, live on Tuesdays at 12 noon.
Children are always welcome in church and we understand that they do not always find it easy to be quiet! There is a parent led crèche in the Trinity Room at the front of church where the service can be heard through a loud speaker if they get really restless. Most weeks many of our families choose to attend Children's Church meeting in Fearon Hall before coming across to the church building in time to receive communion. On the first Sunday of the month we all worship together for our All Age Communion service.
All those who have been baptised in any church tradition are welcome to receive communion here. Currently the bread is dipped into the wine by the minister and then placed in your hand. If you need a gluten free wafer please speak to one of the stewards before the service.
At the time of publication we are still asking members of the congregation wear a face mask (unless exempt) when entering and moving around the building and to consider leaving it on throughout the service and sit in the outer aisles and towards the back of church if you wish to remove it. This is to support members of our congregation who would otherwise feel unable to attend worship.
Before the service begins an informal welcome is given and then we take a moment of quiet before the processional hymn. Throughout the service there are moments when we stand, sit or kneel, please only do so if you are comfortable and able to do so. The choir or music group lead our singing and we all join in with words in bold type.
The Gathering
Processional Hymn
All stand to sing the hymn as the organ music begins and the ministers and servers process.
Take this moment, sign and space;
take my friends around;
here among us make the place
where your love is found.
Take the time to call my name,
take the time to mend
who I am and what I’ve been,
all I’ve failed to tend.
Take the tiredness of my days,
take my past regret,
letting your forgiveness touch
all I can’t forget.
Take the little child in me
scared of growing old;
help me here to find my worth
made in Christ’s own mould.
Take my talents, take my skills,
take what’s yet to be;
let my life be yours, and yet
let it still be me.
The Greeting
In my head, in my heart and all around me Jesus is here.
In my head in my heart and all around me Jesus is here.
The president introduces the theme of the service and invites the people to sit or kneel. At an All Age service the Preparation and Confession are informal and we use the following song.
Wash me in the river
Wash me in the river
Wash me, O wash me
I need a new start.
May the God of love bring us back to himself,
forgive us our sins, assure us of his eternal love
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
The Collect
The president introduces a period of silent prayer before the Collect for the day is said and all respond Amen
The Liturgy of the Word
We sit and listen to the reading appointed for the day.
Genesis 2.7-9, 15-25
Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.’
Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.’ So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said,
‘This at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
this one shall be called Woman,
for out of Man this one was taken.’
Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed.
Here ends the reading
Thanks be to God
Gospel Reading
We stand and sing as the Gospel book is carried to the middle of the church and the congregation turn to face the reader.
Praise To You, O Christ, Our Saviour
Word of the Father, calling us to life;
Son of God who leads us to freedom:
glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Mark 16.9-15
Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.
After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
We sing Praise to You, O Christ, Our Saviour and sit after the preacher offers an introductory prayer.
Sermon
After the sermon there is a brief pause for reflection, there may be an anthem or song from the choir or music group and then all stand to affirm the faith of the church using either the Creed or the Affirmation of Faith.
Affirmation of Faith
Let us declare our faith in God
We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and earth is named.
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen
Prayers of Intercession
At an All Age service we may use the following song
For the world and all people, hear our prayer
For all Christians in all places, hear our prayer
For the places that we live in, hear our prayer
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer.
For the sick and the lonely, hear our prayer
For our friends and our families, hear our prayer,
For me and my life, hear our prayer
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer.
When the prayers are led more formally one of the following responses may be used
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer.
or
Lord hear us
Lord graciously hear us
The prayers conclude with these words:
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
The Liturgy of the Sacrament
The Peace
Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us access to his grace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
We offer a sign of peace from our seats to one another.
Offertory Hymn
During this hymn bread and wine are brought forward and the altar-table is prepared. Gifts of the people are presented and the president gives thanks for the money that is offered. Many people make their financial gift through their bank via PGS (see page 13 for details) but you can also make a one off gift any Sunday through cash or card at the back of church before or after the service.
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
the Holy One, is here;
come bow before him now
with reverence and fear:
in him no sin is found —
we stand on holy ground.
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
the Holy One is here.
Be still, for the glory of the Lord
is shining all around;
he burns with holy fire,
with splendour he is crowned:
how awesome is the sight —
our radiant King of light!
Be still, for the glory of the Lord
is shining all around.
Be still, for the power of the Lord
is moving in this place:
he comes to cleanse and heal,
to minister his grace.
No work too hard for him,
in faith receive from him.
Be still, for the power of the Lord
is moving in this place.
Taking of the Bread and Wine
God of our journey,
as we walk with you on your path of obedience,
sustain us on our way and lead us to your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
The president washes their hands a symbol of us all wanting to come to the table with pure hearts and minds. We remain standing but please sit if you need to.
The Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
Lord of all life,
you created the universe,
where all living things reflect your glory.
You give us this great and beautiful earth,
to discover and to cherish.
You give us your love,
even when things go wrong.
Jesus knew hurt and pain.
Through him you wipe away our tears,
and fill us with your peace.
You made us all,
each wonderfully different,
to join with the angels
and sing your praise:
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord,
Holy is the Lord God almighty
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord,
Holy is the Lord God almighty
Who was and is and is to come
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.
Blessed, blessed, blessed is the Lord,
Blessed is the Lord God almighty
Blessed, blessed, blessed is the Lord,
Blessed is the Lord God almighty
Who was and is and is to come
Blessed is the Lord.
The president continues to tell the story of the Last Supper and then the prayer ends:
And now with the blessed Mary and all your saints
we give you glory,
through Jesus Christ,
in the strength of the Spirit,
today and for ever.
Amen.
We kneel or sit and observe a period of silence
The Lord’s Prayer
As our Saviour taught us so we pray each offering these words in the language that is closest to our hearts
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Breaking of the Bread
Every time we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
While the president breaks the remaining consecrated bread and the communion assistants come to the front we sing together the ancient prayer known as the Agnus Dei
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is the Lord,
Jesus is the Lord God almighty
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is the Lord,
Jesus is the Lord God almighty
Who takes away the sin of the world
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is the Lord.
Giving of Communion
Draw near with faith. Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ which he gave for you, and his blood which he shed for you. Eat and drink in remembrance that he died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.
We do not presume to come this your table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and great mercies.
We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table. But you are the same Lord whose nature is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen
Please come forward when directed and fold your arms across your chest if you wish to receive a prayer instead of the bread & wine.
As we share communion music may be played or sung and then we all join in singing the communion hymns, the numbers for which can be found on the notice sheet and on the hymn board at the front of church.
From ashes to ashes, from dust to dust,
from life through death to eternal life.
Now is the time to turn from sin,
be faithful once more to your God.
God the Father created you,
he loves you, he calls to you now.
So patiently he waits for you
to turn back to him once again.
Stay awake and be ready,
for you know not the day nor the hour.
Remember the words of Jesus Christ:
‘Repent and believe the good news.’
Holy Spirit of God,
renew in us your power and love.
Come guide our hearts and minds today,
that we may repent and believe.
The God of compassion and love awaits
with tenderness to forgive you now.
Come back to him with all your heart:
receive his mercy and love.
Purify my heart,
let me be as gold and precious silver.
Purify my heart,
let me be as gold, pure gold.
Refiner’s fire, my heart’s one desire
is to be holy, set apart for you, Lord.
I choose to be holy, set apart for you, my Master,
ready to do your will.
Purify my heart,
cleanse me from within and make me holy.
Purify my heart,
cleanse me from my sin, deep within.
Prayer after Communion
A brief silence is kept. The president says the post communion prayer for the day before we say the following prayer together:
We thank you Lord,
that you have fed us in this sacrament,
united us with Christ,
and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet
prepared for all peoples.
Amen
The Dismissal
Notices and publishing of the banns of marriage
The Blessing
We stand for the president to give the blessing
Christ give you grace to grow in holiness, to deny yourselves, take up your cross, and follow him; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Recessional Hymn
As we sing our final hymn the choir, servers and ministers process. Please turn to face the ministers for the dismissal.
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
my hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send?
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Please sit and enjoy the organ voluntary or music. Some weeks refreshments are served at the front of church. The ministers leading the service will be pleased to greet you outside or by the door.