Extracts from A Prayer Book for Australia
The Holy Communion
FIRST ORDER
1A psalm, hymn or anthem may be sung when the ministers enter.
The priest may begin the service at the prayer desk, or at some other convenient place.
2The priest may greet the people.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
3A Sentence of Scripture appropriate to the day may be read.
4The people kneeling, this Prayer of Preparation is said by the priest, or the priest and people together.
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.
5The priest reads aloud the commandments. They may be read as a continuous passage, or after each commandment except the last the people may answer
Lord, have mercy on us:
and incline our hearts to keep this law.
Hear the commandments which God gave his people Israel.
1 I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of slavery; you shall have no other gods but me.
2 You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them.
3 You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
4 Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shall you labour and do all you have to do, but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord your God.
5 Honour your father and your mother.
6 You shall do no murder.
7 You shall not commit adultery.
8 You shall not steal.
9 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
10 You shall not covet anything that is your neighbour’s.
Lord, have mercy on us: and write your law in our hearts by your Holy Spirit.
Or this
‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 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.’ Jesus said: ‘This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
Lord, have mercy on us: and write your law in our hearts by your Holy Spirit.
6The priest says
Let us pray.
and then says the Collect of the Day.
7A Reading or Readings from the Bible, as appointed.
Each is introduced,
The reading from ..., chapter ... beginning at verse ...,
and at the end, the reader may say
Hear the word of the Lord,
thanks be to God.
8A psalm, hymn, or canticle may be said or sung between the readings.
9The people stand for the Gospel, which is introduced
The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to...
[chapter…verse…]
The people may respond
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.
10The Sermon is preached here, or after the creed.
11The Nicene Creed is said or sung, all standing. It may be omitted on weekdays.
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.
12The Sermon is preached here if it has not been preached earlier.
13The priest begins the Offertory, saying one or more of these sentences.
Let your light so shine that others may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5.16
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal: but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6.19–20
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 7.21
Whenever we have opportunity, let us do good to all, and especially to those of the household of faith.
Galatians 6.10
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13.16
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9.6–7
How does God’s love abide in anyone who has this world’s goods, sees a brother or sister in need, and yet refuses help?
1 John 3.17
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, pay your vows to the Most High. Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honour me. To those who go the right way I will show the salvation of God.
Psalm 50.14, 23
Through Christ, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Hebrews 13.15
14While these sentences are being read, the alms and other offerings of the people are collected and brought to the priest who reverently presents and places them on the Holy Table.
A hymn may also be sung during the collection.
When there is a communion, the priest then places sufficient bread and wine on the table.
15The minister may bid special prayers and thanksgivings.
The Intercession is then said.
If there are no alms or oblations, the words in italics in the first paragraph of this prayer are omitted.
Let us pray for all people, and for the Church throughout the world.
Almighty and everliving God, we are taught by your holy apostle to make prayers and supplications and to give thanks for all people: we ask you in your mercy [to accept our alms and oblations and] to receive our prayers which we offer to your divine majesty.
We pray that you will lead the nations of the world in the ways of righteousness and peace, and guide their rulers in wisdom and justice for the tranquillity and good of all. Bless especially your servant Elizabeth our Queen, her representatives and ministers, her parliaments, and all who exercise authority in this land. Grant that they may impartially administer justice, restrain wickedness and vice, and uphold integrity and truth.
We beseech you to inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord; and grant that all who confess your holy name may agree in the truth of your holy word, and live in unity and godly love.
Give grace, heavenly Father, to all bishops and other ministers (especially N our bishop and...), that, by their life and doctrine, they may set forth your true, life-giving word, and rightly and duly administer your holy sacraments. And to all your people give your heavenly grace, and especially to this congregation here present, that they may receive your word with meek hearts and due reverence and serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.
We ask you of your goodness, Lord, to comfort and sustain all who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.
We also bless your holy name for all your servants who have died in the faith of Christ. Give us grace to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of your heavenly kingdom.
Grant this, Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only mediator and advocate. Amen.
16A hymn may be sung.
PREPARATION FOR THE LORD'S SUPPER
17This exhortation may be read.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, we who would come to the holy communion of the body and blood of our Saviour Christ must consider how St Paul exhorts us to examine ourselves before presuming to eat of that bread and drink of that cup.
For the benefit is great, if with a penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy sacrament. We then spiritually eat the flesh of Christ and drink his blood; we dwell in Christ and he in us; we are one with Christ and Christ with us.
Yet also the danger is great, if we receive the bread and cup unworthily. Judge yourselves therefore, that you be not judged of the Lord. Repent truly of your sins, having a steadfast faith in Christ our Saviour. Amend your lives and love your neighbour.
Above all, give hearty thanks to God for the redemption of the world by the death and passion of our Saviour Christ, truly God and truly human, who humbled himself to death on the cross for us sinners, that he might make us children of God, and raise us to eternal life.
or
Brothers and sisters in Christ, we who come to receive the holy communion of the body and blood of our Saviour Christ can come only because of his great love for us. For, although we are completely undeserving of his love, yet in order to raise us from the darkness of death to everlasting life as God’s sons and daughters, our Saviour Christ humbled himself to share our life and to die for us on the cross. In remembrance of his death, and as a pledge of his love, Jesus instituted this holy sacrament which we are now to share.
But those who would eat the bread and drink the cup of the Lord must examine themselves, and amend their lives. They must come with a penitent heart and steadfast faith. Above all they must give thanks to God for his love towards us in Christ Jesus.
18The minister continues
You who truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God and walking in his holy ways, draw near with faith, and take this holy sacrament to strengthen and comfort you. But first, let us make a humble confession of our sins to almighty God.
19A pause for self-examination may be observed.
All then say this General Confession.
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
maker of all things, judge of all people,
we acknowledge with shame the sins we have committed,
by thought, word, and deed, against your divine majesty, provoking most justly your wrath and indignation
against us.
We earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry
for all our misdoings.
Have mercy on us, most merciful Father.
For your Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake
forgive us all that is past,
and grant that we may ever hereafter
serve and please you in newness of life,
to the honour and glory of your name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
20The priest, or bishop if present, stands and pronounces this Absolution.
Almighty God our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins to all who with hearty repentance and true faith turn to him: have mercy on you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and keep you in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
21The Words of Assurance
One or more of these sentences is said.
Hear the words of assurance for those who truly turn to Christ:
Jesus said: Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11.28
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3.16
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
1 Timothy 1.15
If any one sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the perfect offering for our sins.
1 John 2.1, 2
22The priest then begins the Thanksgiving and Communion.
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.
It is indeed right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to you, Lord, Mighty Creator, and Eternal God.
On certain days a special preface is said here (see ¶ 23 below).
Therefore with angels and archangels, and with the whole company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, evermore praising you, and saying:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Glory to you, O Lord most high.
23Special prefaces
Christmas, Presentation, Annunciation
And now we praise you because you gave your only Son Jesus Christ to be born for us. By the power of the Holy Spirit he was conceived of the virgin Mary his mother; being himself without sin, to make us clean from all sin.
Easter season
But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. He is the true passover lamb who was offered for us and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death; by his rising to life again he has restored to us eternal life.
Ascension
We praise you through our Lord Jesus Christ, who was seen by his disciples after his glorious resurrection and in their sight ascended into heaven to prepare a place for us, that where he is we might also be and reign with him in glory.
Whitsunday/Pentecost
We praise you through our Lord Jesus Christ, for, in accordance with his promise, the Holy Spirit came down from heaven upon the apostles, to teach them and to lead them into all truth; giving them power and boldness with fervent zeal to preach the gospel to all nations, by which we have been brought out of darkness into the true knowledge of you and of your Son Jesus Christ.
Trinity
For you are one God, one Lord, three Persons in one God. For all that we believe of your glory, Father, we believe equally of the glory of your Son and of the Holy Spirit. We worship you, one God in Trinity and Trinity in unity.
Dedication festival and other occasions
We praise you through Jesus Christ our Lord, the true high priest who has cleansed us from sin and made us a royal priesthood called to serve you for ever.
Saints’ days
We praise you for the example and encouragement of your saints; for their witness to the truth of your gospel; and for the hope of glory which we share with them in Jesus Christ our Lord.
24Then the priest, kneeling down at the Lord’s Table, says this prayer in the name of all who are to receive the communion (or all may join in saying the prayer).
We do not presume
to come to 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 we may evermore dwell in him,
and he in us. Amen.
25The priest arranges the bread and wine so that they may be taken, and the bread broken, in the sight of the people. The priest says the Prayer of Consecration.
All glory to you, our heavenly Father, for in your tender mercy you gave your only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death on the cross for our redemption: who made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world; and instituted, and in his holy gospel commanded us to continue, a perpetual memory of his precious death until his coming again.
Hear us, merciful Father, we humbly pray, and grant that we who receive these gifts of your creation, this bread and this wine, according to your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed body and blood; who on the
night he was betrayed took bread1, and when he had given you thanks, he broke it2, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take, eat3; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ Likewise after supper he took the cup4, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them saying, ‘Drink from this, all of you5; for this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’
All answer Amen.
1 Here the Priest is to take the bread.
2 Here to break the bread.
3 Here to lay hands on all the bread.
4 Here the Priest is to take the cup.
5 And here to indicate every vessel (be it chalice or flagon) in which there is any wine to be consecrated.
26 The priest receives the communion in both kinds and then proceeds to distribute it to any bishops, priests, and deacons who are present, and then to the people in their hands as they kneel.
The minister gives the bread, saying
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 minister gives the cup, saying
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.
27If the consecrated bread or wine prove insufficient for the communion, the priest is to consecrate more, beginning at ‘Our Saviour Christ on the night ...’ for the bread and at ‘Likewise after supper ...’ for the cup.
28When all have received, the minister reverently places on the table what remains of the consecrated elements, covering it with a fair linen cloth.
29The priest says
Let us pray.
[As our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are confident 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.
30Then is said
Lord and heavenly Father, we your humble servants entirely desire your fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, and to grant that, by the merits and death of your Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and your whole Church may receive forgiveness of our sins and all other benefits of his passion.
And here we offer and present to you, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice, humbly beseeching you that all we who are partakers of this holy communion may be fulfilled with your grace and heavenly benediction.
And although we are unworthy, through our many sins, to offer you any sacrifice, yet we pray that you will accept this, our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, Father, world without end. Amen.
or
Almighty and everliving God, we heartily thank you that you graciously feed us, who have duly received these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious body and blood of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, and thus assure us of your favour and goodness towards us and that we are true members of the mystical body of your Son, the blessed company of all faithful people, and are also heirs, through hope, of your eternal kingdom, by the merits of the most precious death and passion of your dear Son.
And we humbly beseech you, heavenly Father, so to assist us with your grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as you have prepared for us to walk in, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
31This Hymn of Praise (Gloria in excelsis) is 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.
32The priest, or bishop if present, lets the people depart with this 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 amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen
33If any of the consecrated bread and wine remain, it shall not be carried out of the church, but the priest (and other communicants asked by the priest if required) shall reverently eat and drink the same immediately after the Blessing.
Notes
1 The reader may preface the announcement of the Gospel with the salutation, ‘The Lord be with you’, to which the people respond, ‘And also with you’.
2 The sermon may be omitted on weekdays.
3 Formal notices may be given before the service begins, before the sermon, after the Nicene Creed, or after the intercession.
4 The versicle and response, ‘Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer’ may be used between the paragraphs in the intercession at ¶ 15.
5 For the significance of kneeling to receive the Lord’s Supper, see the declaration which is printed at the conclusion of the Communion service in The Book of Common Prayer, and note 4 on page 822.