Sunday Holy Communion
Welcome
A warm welcome to the parish church of All Saints with Holy Trinity. Today 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 somber 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.
Our services are often live streamed, so those at home can worship with us. If you wish to ensure you are not seen on camera please sit on the right hand side of the church as you enter, please ask a steward if you are unsure. The cameras do not film people coming up for communion.
Children are always welcome in church and we understand that they do not always find it easy to be quiet! Please move around as you need to with them and if toddlers need a wander that is fine as long as they remain under your supervision. Church buildings are great places to explore but please be mindful of uneven floors, sharp edges and candles. Most weeks during term time Children’s Church takes place in Fearon Hall and families re-join us in the church building in time for communion.
During this penitential season instead of a traditional creed we use an affirmation of faith adapted from the statement of the Inclusive Church network of which we are a part. This helps to remind us of the work that is still to be done to ensure that all people can be fully welcomed and participate in the life of the Christian community. Our prayer is that through this holy season of self-reflection we might be challenged and encouraged in the welcome that we offer to one another.
Before the service begins an informal welcome is given. Please join in with the words in bold type. The hymn numbers are on the boards at the front of church and on the pew sheet. The parts in italics are instructions or an indication of what is happening. You will find throughout the service there are notes to stand, sit or kneel. These are invitations not commands, so please do whatever helps you to worship.
The Gathering
Our worship may begin with the choir singing an introit or the music group may play a piece of music
Processional Hymn
All stand to sing the hymn as the organ music begins and the servers and ministers process
The Greeting
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father.
and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you
and also with you.
The theme of the service is introduced. We are invited to sit or kneel.
Prayer of Preparation
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. Amen.
Confession
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 our 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.
Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God,
though we have rebelled against him.
Let us then renounce our wilfulness
and ask his mercy by confessing our sins
in penitence and faith.
Father eternal, giver of light and grace,
we have sinned against you
and against our neighbour,
in what we have thought,
in what we have said and done,
through ignorance, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We have wounded your love,
and marred your image in us.
We are sorry and ashamed,
and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
who died for us, forgive us all that is past;
and lead us out from darkness
to walk as children of light.
Amen.
May the Father of all mercies
cleanse us from all our sins and restore us
in his image to the praise and glory of his name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
The Collect
The priest introduces a period of silent prayer before the Collect for the day is said and all respond
Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
The first reading
We sit to listen to the first reading appointed for the day taken from the Bible, from the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures as it is also known. At the end of the reading we respond:
Here ends the reading
Thanks be to God
The Psalm
The Psalms are the song book of the ancient Israelites and are recited as part of both Jewish and Christian worship. There are Psalms of joy, of praise and of lament and Psalms that recount the story of God’s saving work. We may say the Psalm, listen to the choir sing the verses and join in with the refrain or sometimes the music group may sing a contemporary setting of the Psalm.
The second reading
The second reading comes from the New Testament, this part of the Bible is mostly made up of letters sent to early Christians communities.. At the end we respond:
Here ends the reading
Thanks be to God
Gospel Reading
We stand and sing together as the Gospel book is carried to the middle of the church and the congregation turn to face the reader. The choir or music group sing a verse and then we repeat the chorus Praise to you…
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N
Glory to you, O Lord
At the end
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
We sing Praise to You, O Christ, Our Saviour as the gospel is carried back.
Sermon
After the sermon there is a brief pause for reflection. Sometimes the choir or music group may sing or play a piece of music and then we all stand to affirm our faith. During this penitential season of Lent we use words adapted from the statement of Inclusive Church, a network to which All Saints belongs.
Affirmation of Faith
We believe in an inclusive church:
A church which celebrates and affirms every person and does not discriminate.
We believe no –one should be shut out from God’s church on grounds of disability, economic power, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity or sexuality.
We believe in a church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ;
A church which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation; A church which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.
Prayers of Intercession
All sit or kneel for the prayers, which are led by a member of the congregation. One of the following responses may be used or another response may be given.
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
We stand
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.
Members of the congregation turn to one another and greet their neighbours by saying ‘peace be with you’ and making a sign of peace.
Offertory Hymn
During this hymn bread and wine are brought forward and the altar-table is prepared. The offertory plate is presented, symbolic of both the financial gifts of the people and the gifts of time and talent that are offered throughout the week, the president gives thanks for these while the deacon or lay assistant is laying up the altar-table.
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 symbolically washes their hands
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.
The president praises God for His mighty acts and all respond
The Last Supper is recalled and then this acclamation is used:
Jesus Christ is Lord:
Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free.
You are the Saviour of the world.
The prayer continues leading into the final words of praise
. . . for ever and ever.
Amen.
OR
We worship you, Father almighty, in songs of everlasting praise:
Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours for ever and ever. Amen
We kneel or sit and observe a period of silence
The Lord’s Prayer
We say this prayer together, each in whichever language is closest to our hearts. It may be led by a member of the congregation using one of the global languages that make up our intercultural community.
As our Saviour taught us, so we pray:
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 remaining consecrated bread is broken and the communion assistants come to the front the choir or music group sing a setting of the ancient prayer known as the Agnus Dei or Lamb of God. It may be sung in English or Latin.
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.
Most merciful Lord,
your love compels us to come in.
Our hands were unclean,
our hearts were unprepared;
we were 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.
Please come forward when directed by the stewards. Christians of any church tradition are welcome to receive the bread and wine including children who have been admitted to communion, here or at another church. Alternatively you can come forward for a prayer of blessing, please indicate if this is your wish by crossing your arms across your chest.
As we share communion the choir or music group may sing an anthem or song and sometimes instrumental music will be played. We all join in singing the communion hymn that follows, the number for which can be found on the notice sheet and on the hymn board at the front of church.
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 including 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 servers and ministers process. Children are welcome to join the procession. Please turn to face the ministers for the dismissal.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Most weeks refreshments are served after the service