Extracts from A Prayer Book for Australia
The Holy Communion
THIRD ORDER
1The priest greets the people. The service may begin with songs or hymns of praise and thanksgiving.
2The minister says this or another suitable Sentence of Scripture.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said:
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Matthew 22.37–40, Mark 12.30–31
Let us pray.
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.
3‘Glory to God in the Highest’ (page 179) or some other hymn of praise may be sung.
4The Collect of the Day
5The Bible readings follow, one from the Old Testament and one or two from the New Testament. A reading from the Gospels is always included.
After each reading the reader may say
Hear the word of the Lord,
thanks be to God.
6A psalm or portion of a psalm may be sung or said and a suitable hymn or song may follow any of the readings.
7All stand for the Gospel reading.
The reader may say
The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to...
[chapter... verse...]
Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ.
After the Gospel, the reader says
This is the Gospel of the Lord,
or [For] the Gospel of the Lord,
praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
8The Sermon is preached here or after the creed.
9On Sundays the Nicene Creed or the Apostles’ Creed is said or sung, all standing.
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,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary
and became truly human.
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,
who with the Father and the Son
is worshipped and glorified,
who 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.
or
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
from there he will come to judge
the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
10The Sermon is preached here if it has not been preached earlier.
11A hymn or song may follow.
12One or more members of the congregation may pray, using this form or a suitable alternative (see pages 183–87).
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ has promised that you will hear us when we ask in faith: receive the prayers we offer.
For the nations
We give thanks for... We pray for...
Guide with your wisdom and power the leaders of the nations, so that everyone may live in peace and mutual trust, sharing with justice the resources of the earth. Give the people of this land a spirit of unselfishness, compassion, and fairness in public and private life.
Father, hear our prayer
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
or
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
For the Church
We give thanks for... We pray for...
Send out the light and truth of your gospel and bring people everywhere to know and love you. Enable those who minister among us to commend your truth by their example and teaching. May we gladly receive and obey your word.
Father, hear our prayer
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
or
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
For those in need
We give thanks for... We pray for...
We commend to your fatherly care, merciful God, all who are in sorrow, sickness, discouragement or any other trouble. Give them patience and a firm trust in your goodness.
Help those who care for them, and bring us all into the joy of your salvation.
Father, hear our prayer
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
or
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
Thanksgiving for the faithful departed
We give thanks for the life and work of...
We praise you for all your servants whose lives have honoured Christ. Encourage us by their example, so that we may run with perseverance the race that lies before us, and share with them the fullness of joy in your kingdom.
The prayers conclude with
Hear us, Father,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
or
Accept our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord, who taught us to 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.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
PREPARATION FOR THE LORD'S SUPPER
13An exhortation may be read (see page 108). One of the following or a suitable alternative may be read.
As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
1 Corinthians 11.26–28
Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.
Isaiah 55.6–8
We are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
1 John 3.2–3
14A time of silence may follow.
The deacon or other minister says
Knowing the goodness of God and our failure to respond with love and obedience, let us confess our sins, saying together,
Heavenly Father,
you have loved us with an everlasting love,
but we have broken your holy laws
and have left undone what we ought to have done.
We are sorry for our sins
and turn away from them.
For the sake of your Son who died for us,
forgive us, cleanse us and change us.
By your Holy Spirit,
enable us to live for you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
15The priest stands and declares God’s forgiveness in these or other authorised words.
God is slow to anger and full of compassion,
forgiving all who humbly repent
and trust in his Son as Saviour and Lord.
God therefore forgives you in Christ Jesus,
in whom there is no condemnation. Amen.
One or more of the following passages may also be read as an assurance of God’s forgiveness.
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
John 3.16
As far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our sins from us.
Psalm 103.12
Our Lord Jesus Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
1 Peter 2.24
16All stand. The Greeting of Peace is introduced with these or other suitable words.
We are the body of Christ.
His Spirit is with us.
The priest says
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
All may exchange a sign of peace.
17 The gifts of the people are brought to the Lord’s Table. A hymn or song may be sung.
18Bread and the wine for the communion are placed on the Lord’s Table. The priest says the following or another authorised Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration.
[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 our thanks and praise.
You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honour and power,
for you created all things,
making us in your own image.
We praise you for your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who by his death on the cross
and rising to new life
offered the one true sacrifice for sin
and obtained an eternal deliverance for his people.
Therefore, we lift our voices to praise you, saying,
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
And now, gracious God, we thank you
for these gifts of bread and wine,
and pray that we who receive them,
in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
according to our Saviour’s word,
in remembrance of his suffering and death,
may share his body and blood.
On the night before he died, Jesus took bread,
and when he had given you thanks
he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying,
‘Take and eat. This is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.’
[If the bread is broken here, the priest may say
We who are many are one body in Christ,
for we all share in the one bread.]
After supper, he took the cup,
and again giving you thanks
he gave it to his disciples, saying,
‘Drink from 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.’
We eat this bread and drink this cup
to proclaim the death of the Lord.
We do this until he returns.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Father, as we recall his saving death and glorious resurrection,
may we who share these gifts
be renewed by your Holy Spirit
and united in the body of your Son.
Bring us with all your people
into the joy of your eternal kingdom,
there to feast at your table and
join in your eternal praise:
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive praise and honour
and glory and power
for ever and ever. Amen.
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD AND THE COMMUNION
19If the bread has not already been broken, the priest does so here. This may be done in silence, or the following may be said.
[We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.]
We who are many are one body,
for we all share in the one bread.
20Those who distribute the bread and deliver the cup may say
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving.
The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.
or
The priest may say
Draw near with faith, to feed on Christ in your hearts with thanksgiving.
Those who distribute the bread and deliver the cup may say
The body of Christ keep you in eternal life. Amen.
The blood of Christ keep you in eternal life. Amen.
THE SENDING OUT OF GOD'S PEOPLE
21If the Lord’s Prayer has not been said earlier (at ¶ 12), it is said here. This or another thanksgiving is then said.
Gracious God, thank you for feeding us
with the spiritual food of the body and blood
of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Thank you for assuring us of your goodness and love,
and that we are living members of Christ’s body.
22All say together
Father,
we offer ourselves to you
as a living sacrifice
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Send us out in the power of your Spirit
to live and work to your praise and glory.
23This Hymn of Praise or a suitable alternative may be said or sung.
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s 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.
24The priest says this or an appropriate seasonal Blessing.
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 Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
25The deacon may say
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.