14 April ~ 5:00PM EDT
Join Zoom Worship on computer/smart device here:
https://zoom.us/j/99005230944
Join Worship via telephone: call 16468769923,
enter 99005230944# when prompted
Hello & good day. We are glad indeed that you are here.
This is a place where we nurture souls with prayerful worship.
If we can help you in any way, please let us know:
Office: 570-563-1564
Rev. Lou Divis: 570-878-4670 Rev. John Davis: 570-575-8689
Join Zoom Worship on computer/smart device here:
https://zoom.us/j/99005230944
Join Worship via telephone: call 16468769923,
enter 99005230944# when prompted
Hello & good day. We are glad indeed that you are here.
This is a place where we nurture souls with prayerful worship.
If we can help you in any way, please let us know:
Office: 570-563-1564
Rev. Lou Divis: 570-878-4670 Rev. John Davis: 570-575-8689
~If you are joining us from home, I encourage you to create a small sacred space. In it you might have a simple cross of wood, perhaps some purple fabric, a candle, a branch or other symbols and signs that speak of the presence of God in your daily life. On this night, you might add a bowl of water that will be blessed by our prayers together and can be used for hand or foot washing after the service. ~
Silent Entrance
Liturgy for Maundy Thursday
Celebrant Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins;
People His mercy endures for ever.
Celebrant: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8,9
Lord, have mercy #S-96 Kyrie
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy, have mercy.
The Collect of the Day
The Celebrant says to the people
The Lord be with you.
People
And also with you.
Celebrant
Let us pray.
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Reading from the Book of Exodus 12:1-4, 11-14
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the LORD. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.
Here ends the lesson.
(no response)
Psalm 116:1, 10-17. We will pray it together.
1 I love the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, *
because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.
10 How shall I repay the LORD *
for all the good things he has done for me?
11 I will lift up the cup of salvation *
and call upon the Name of the LORD.
12 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD *
in the presence of all his people.
13 Precious in the sight of the LORD *
is the death of his servants.
14 O LORD, I am your servant; *
I am your servant and the child of your handmaid; you have freed me from my bonds.
15 I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and call upon the Name of the LORD.
16 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD *
in the presence of all his people,
17 In the courts of the LORD’s house, *
in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
[The "Hallelujah!" which closes verse 17 is omitted on Maundy Thursday.]
A reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 11, verses 23-26
I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Here ends the lesson.
(no response)
Gospel Hymn #439 What Wondrous Love is This
1 What wondrous love is this,
O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this,
O my soul!
What wondrous love is this
that caused the Lord of bliss
to lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
to lay aside his crown for my soul!
2 To God and to the Lamb
I will sing, I will sing,
to God and to the Lamb
I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb,
who is the great I AM
while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
while millions join the theme, I will sing!
3 And when from death I'm free,
I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
and when from death I'm free,
I'll sing on.
And when from death I'm free
I'll sing and joyful be,
and through eternity I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
and through eternity I'll sing on!
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (13:1-17, 31b-35)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean."
After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord--and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
"Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Christ
Sermon
The Ceremony of the Washing of Feet
The Lord Jesus, after he had supped with his disciples and had washed their feet, said to them, "Do you know what I, your Lord and Master, have done to you? I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done."
Peace is my last gift to you, my own peace I now leave with you;
peace which the world cannot give, I give to you.
I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you.
Peace is my last gift to you, my own peace I now leave with you;
peace which the world cannot give, I give to you.
By this shall the world know that you are my disciples: That you have love for one another.
Prayers of the People
[People respond: hear our prayer.]
Lord God, you are both host and servant at this meal and in our lives. Teach us, we pray, to follow your example of love, hospitality and service.
In your mercy, Lord,
hear our prayer.
We pray for your church, broken in many ways. We wait on your guidance and nourishment for our lives, for encouragement and strength for your mission.
In your mercy, Lord,
hear our prayer.
We pray for our leaders, responsible for shaping our common life, that they may lead us in ways of justice and peace.
In your mercy, Lord,
hear our prayer.
We pray for those who struggle to find food and shelter tonight, who hunger for peace, who ache for warmth and friendship. Heal broken hearts and spirits. Envelop the sick with your healing embrace.Please offer names for which we now pray, aloud or in silence. Epiphany School in Uganda, its Primary Class Seven.We pray for those who know the pain of betrayal, and for those who face death today.
In your mercy, Lord,
hear our prayer.
We leave this place singing hymns of love. Embed them in our lives that we may teach others to sing. We follow you into the garden, into the unknown, teach us to trust the lessons of this night.
In your mercy, Lord,
hear our prayer.
Celebrant adds a Concluding Collect
Deacon: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept.
Minister and People: Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The Priest, stands and says: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
The Peace & The Announcements
Deacon: Offertory sentence: I appeal to you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1
Offertory Hymn #315 Thou, Who at Thy First Eucharist
1. Thou, who at thy first Eucharist didst pray
that all thy Church might be for ever one,
grant us at every Eucharist to say
with longing heart and soul, "Thy will be done."
O may we all one bread, one body be,
through this blest sacrament of unity.
2. For all thy Church, O Lord, we intercede;
make thou our sad divisions soon to cease;
draw us the nearer each to each, we plead,
by drawing all to thee, O Prince of Peace;
thus may we all one bread, one body be,
through this blest sacrament of unity.
3. So, Lord, at length when sacraments shall cease,
may we be one with all thy Church above,
one with thy saints in one unbroken peace,
one with thy saints in one unbounded love;
more blessed still, in peace and love to be
one with the Trinity in Unity.
Holy Communion Prayer A
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. You bid your faithful people cleanse their hearts, and prepare with joy for the Paschal feast; that, fervent in prayer and in works of mercy, and renewed by your Word and Sacraments, they may come to the fullness of grace which you have prepared for those who love you. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Sanctus #S-130
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full, full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world. On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me." After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, 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. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me." Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom. All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray:
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,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
Agnus Dei #S-164 Fraction Anthem
Jesus, Lamb of God: have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins: have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer, redeemer of the world:
give us your peace, give us your peace.
The Gifts of God for the People of God.
Prayer of Spiritual Reception:
In union, O Lord, with the faithful at every altar of Thy Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, we desire to offer you praise and thanksgiving. We present to you our soul and body with the earnest wish that we may always be united to you. And since we cannot now receive you sacramentally, we beseech you to come spiritually into our heart. We unite ourselves to you, and embrace you with all the affections of our soul. Let nothing ever separate you from us. May we live and die in your love. Amen. (Adapted from The Armed Forces Prayer Book 1951)
Communion Hymn LEVAS#152 Let Us Break Bread Together
1 Let us break bread together on our knees (on our knees);
Let us break bread together on our knees (on our knees).
Refrain:
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun, Oh Lord, have mercy on me (on me).
2 Let us drink wine together on our knees (on our knees);
Let us drink wine together on our knees (on our knees). [Refrain]
3 Let us praise God together on our knees (yes, on our knees);
Let us praise God together on our knees (yes,on our knees). [Refrain]
Prayer after Communion – BCP pg. 366
Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Stripping & Washing of Altar
Hymn #826 from Wonder, Love & Praise
Stay with me, remain here with me; watch and pray, watch and pray.
(repeat as necessary while altar is stripped)
Blessing
May the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you today and always. Amen.
Dismissal
Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Thanks be to God.
Leave in Silence
~ All are encouraged to share a special, simple meal with loved ones as you are able this evening. Before the meal, take your bowl of water and your hand sanitizer, cleaners, wipes or soap and pray a prayer of gratitude for it and a prayer of concern for those who have none or who are exposed to the virus as they are doing their essential jobs. Wash hands or feet together or on your own, wash down your counters, doorknobs, handles, mobile devices, etc. and pray for ourselves, each other and for the world. If you have a sacred space, you could now simplify it or strip it or cover it with a cloth until the fire of the Easter Vigil is kindled on Saturday night. ~
Silent Entrance
Liturgy for Maundy Thursday
Celebrant Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins;
People His mercy endures for ever.
Celebrant: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8,9
Lord, have mercy #S-96 Kyrie
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy, have mercy.
The Collect of the Day
The Celebrant says to the people
The Lord be with you.
People
And also with you.
Celebrant
Let us pray.
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Reading from the Book of Exodus 12:1-4, 11-14
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the LORD. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.
Here ends the lesson.
(no response)
Psalm 116:1, 10-17. We will pray it together.
1 I love the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, *
because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.
10 How shall I repay the LORD *
for all the good things he has done for me?
11 I will lift up the cup of salvation *
and call upon the Name of the LORD.
12 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD *
in the presence of all his people.
13 Precious in the sight of the LORD *
is the death of his servants.
14 O LORD, I am your servant; *
I am your servant and the child of your handmaid; you have freed me from my bonds.
15 I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and call upon the Name of the LORD.
16 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD *
in the presence of all his people,
17 In the courts of the LORD’s house, *
in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
[The "Hallelujah!" which closes verse 17 is omitted on Maundy Thursday.]
A reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 11, verses 23-26
I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Here ends the lesson.
(no response)
Gospel Hymn #439 What Wondrous Love is This
1 What wondrous love is this,
O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this,
O my soul!
What wondrous love is this
that caused the Lord of bliss
to lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
to lay aside his crown for my soul!
2 To God and to the Lamb
I will sing, I will sing,
to God and to the Lamb
I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb,
who is the great I AM
while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
while millions join the theme, I will sing!
3 And when from death I'm free,
I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
and when from death I'm free,
I'll sing on.
And when from death I'm free
I'll sing and joyful be,
and through eternity I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
and through eternity I'll sing on!
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (13:1-17, 31b-35)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean."
After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord--and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
"Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Christ
Sermon
The Ceremony of the Washing of Feet
The Lord Jesus, after he had supped with his disciples and had washed their feet, said to them, "Do you know what I, your Lord and Master, have done to you? I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done."
Peace is my last gift to you, my own peace I now leave with you;
peace which the world cannot give, I give to you.
I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you.
Peace is my last gift to you, my own peace I now leave with you;
peace which the world cannot give, I give to you.
By this shall the world know that you are my disciples: That you have love for one another.
Prayers of the People
[People respond: hear our prayer.]
Lord God, you are both host and servant at this meal and in our lives. Teach us, we pray, to follow your example of love, hospitality and service.
In your mercy, Lord,
hear our prayer.
We pray for your church, broken in many ways. We wait on your guidance and nourishment for our lives, for encouragement and strength for your mission.
In your mercy, Lord,
hear our prayer.
We pray for our leaders, responsible for shaping our common life, that they may lead us in ways of justice and peace.
In your mercy, Lord,
hear our prayer.
We pray for those who struggle to find food and shelter tonight, who hunger for peace, who ache for warmth and friendship. Heal broken hearts and spirits. Envelop the sick with your healing embrace.Please offer names for which we now pray, aloud or in silence. Epiphany School in Uganda, its Primary Class Seven.We pray for those who know the pain of betrayal, and for those who face death today.
In your mercy, Lord,
hear our prayer.
We leave this place singing hymns of love. Embed them in our lives that we may teach others to sing. We follow you into the garden, into the unknown, teach us to trust the lessons of this night.
In your mercy, Lord,
hear our prayer.
Celebrant adds a Concluding Collect
Deacon: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept.
Minister and People: Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The Priest, stands and says: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
The Peace & The Announcements
Deacon: Offertory sentence: I appeal to you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1
Offertory Hymn #315 Thou, Who at Thy First Eucharist
1. Thou, who at thy first Eucharist didst pray
that all thy Church might be for ever one,
grant us at every Eucharist to say
with longing heart and soul, "Thy will be done."
O may we all one bread, one body be,
through this blest sacrament of unity.
2. For all thy Church, O Lord, we intercede;
make thou our sad divisions soon to cease;
draw us the nearer each to each, we plead,
by drawing all to thee, O Prince of Peace;
thus may we all one bread, one body be,
through this blest sacrament of unity.
3. So, Lord, at length when sacraments shall cease,
may we be one with all thy Church above,
one with thy saints in one unbroken peace,
one with thy saints in one unbounded love;
more blessed still, in peace and love to be
one with the Trinity in Unity.
Holy Communion Prayer A
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. You bid your faithful people cleanse their hearts, and prepare with joy for the Paschal feast; that, fervent in prayer and in works of mercy, and renewed by your Word and Sacraments, they may come to the fullness of grace which you have prepared for those who love you. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Sanctus #S-130
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full, full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world. On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me." After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, 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. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me." Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom. All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray:
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,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
Agnus Dei #S-164 Fraction Anthem
Jesus, Lamb of God: have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins: have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer, redeemer of the world:
give us your peace, give us your peace.
The Gifts of God for the People of God.
Prayer of Spiritual Reception:
In union, O Lord, with the faithful at every altar of Thy Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, we desire to offer you praise and thanksgiving. We present to you our soul and body with the earnest wish that we may always be united to you. And since we cannot now receive you sacramentally, we beseech you to come spiritually into our heart. We unite ourselves to you, and embrace you with all the affections of our soul. Let nothing ever separate you from us. May we live and die in your love. Amen. (Adapted from The Armed Forces Prayer Book 1951)
Communion Hymn LEVAS#152 Let Us Break Bread Together
1 Let us break bread together on our knees (on our knees);
Let us break bread together on our knees (on our knees).
Refrain:
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun, Oh Lord, have mercy on me (on me).
2 Let us drink wine together on our knees (on our knees);
Let us drink wine together on our knees (on our knees). [Refrain]
3 Let us praise God together on our knees (yes, on our knees);
Let us praise God together on our knees (yes,on our knees). [Refrain]
Prayer after Communion – BCP pg. 366
Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Stripping & Washing of Altar
Hymn #826 from Wonder, Love & Praise
Stay with me, remain here with me; watch and pray, watch and pray.
(repeat as necessary while altar is stripped)
Blessing
May the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you today and always. Amen.
Dismissal
Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Thanks be to God.
Leave in Silence
~ All are encouraged to share a special, simple meal with loved ones as you are able this evening. Before the meal, take your bowl of water and your hand sanitizer, cleaners, wipes or soap and pray a prayer of gratitude for it and a prayer of concern for those who have none or who are exposed to the virus as they are doing their essential jobs. Wash hands or feet together or on your own, wash down your counters, doorknobs, handles, mobile devices, etc. and pray for ourselves, each other and for the world. If you have a sacred space, you could now simplify it or strip it or cover it with a cloth until the fire of the Easter Vigil is kindled on Saturday night. ~
