This order was prepared by the Rev Donald Glenny for some New Zealand elders leading communion.
A Service of Holy Communion:
A welcome is given.
The Greeting:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
The Lord bless you.
The hymn of praise.
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, so that we may truly love you and worthily praise your holy name: Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
A prayer of humble confession
Then these words may be used:
Hear the word of God to all.
His love is shown for us
in that while we were yet sinners
Christ died for us.
This prayer might be offered here:
Prepare our hearts and minds, Lord,
to accept your word.
Silence in us any voice but your own,
that hearing,
we may also obey your will
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Ministry of the Word:
A reading from the Old Testament
A psalm (this can be read, recited together, or sung from the hymn book).
A reading from an epistle
A reading from the gospel
The sermon
The affirmation of faith:
We shall affirm our faith in God's love for the world and its people:
God so loved the world
that he gave his only son,
that whosoever believes in him
should not perish
but have eternal life.
God sent his son into the world
not to condemn the world,
but that the world through him
might be saved.
This is our faith.
Lord, help our faith to grow.
Prayers of intercession
The offering and dedication
The Communion:
The words of invitation:
This is the Lord's Table. Our Saviour invites those who trust him to share the feast he has prepared.
The communion hymn is sung
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
It is our delight, God of the universe, to give you thanks through Jesus Christ.
You said, 'Let there be light', and the light came, to shine on in our darkness. For you the earth has brought forth life in all its forms. You have created us to hear your word, to do your will, and to be filled in your love.
It is right to thank you.
You sent your son to be for us
the way we need to follow
and the truth we need to know.
Your Son came to give us life
and to set us free from sin.
His cross takes our guilt away.
You send your Holy Spirit
to strengthen and to guide,
to warn and to revive your Church.
Therefore, with all who love you, who surround us on every side, countless as heaven's stars, we praise you for our creation and our calling, with loving and joyful hearts.
Holy God, holy and merciful, holy and just,
glory and goodness come from you.
Glory to you, most high and gracious God.
We remember Jesus who took bread in his hands, broke it, gave it to his friends, and said, 'Take, eat, this is my body which is for you. Do this to remember me.'
We remember Jesus who took the wine cup in his hands and gave thanks for it. He gave it to them and said, 'This is the new covenant sealed by my blood. When you drink from it, do this in memory of me'.
God of the past and the present,
with this bread and wine
we remember your son.
We thank you for his life,
his death and resurrection.
We look for his coming in glory
and in him we give ourselves to you.
God of love, send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts, that as we receive this bread and wine we shall by faith receive the body and blood of Christ.
Called to follow him
help us to reconcile and unite.
Called to serve
give us hope in our calling.
The Lord's prayer
The bread is broken and the wine is offered.
They are distributed to all the people.
After communion, this prayer might be said:
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you with all our heart for your mercy and grace. Give us now and in the days to come a living hope in you; and as we serve you in the world, help us look and work for that day when at your name every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess you Lord to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
A hymn is sung
The prayer of blessing.