The Holy Communion Without the Full Service The Service shall begin with an appropriate Hymn. During the singing the Minister shall proceed to the Altar and kneel in prayer. After the singing he shall rise, turn to the Congregation, and say: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The Communion Sermon Here shall follow a brief Communion Sermon, after which the Minister shall turn to the Altar, kneel, and with the Congregation unite in the following Confession of Sins: The Confession of Sins Holy and righteous God, merciful Father, we confess unto Thee that we are by nature sinful and unclean, and that we have sinned against Thee by thought, word, and deed. We have not loved Thee above all things, nor our neighbor as ourselves, and are worthy, therefore, to be cast away from Thy presence, if Thou shouldst judge us according to our sins. But Thou hast promised, O heavenly Father, to receive with tender mercy all penitent sinners who turn unto Thee and with a living faith seek refuge in Thy fatherly compassion and in the merits of the Saviour, Jesus Christ. Their transgressions Thou wilt not regard, nor impute unto them their sins. Relying upon Thy promise, we confidently beseech Thee to be merciful and gracious unto us and to forgive us all our sins, to the praise and glory of Thy Holy Name. The Absolution The Minister shall turn to the Congregation and pronounce the Absolution: If this be your sincere confession, and if with penitent hearts you earnestly desire the forgiveness of your sins for the sake of Jesus Christ, God, according to His promise, forgiveth you all your sins; and by the authority of God's Word and by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, I declare unto you that God, through His grace, hath forgiven all your sins; in the Name of God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Then the Minister shall say: Let us give thanks and pray. Turning to the Altar he shall pray: Almighty, heavenly Father, we render unto Thee heartfelt thanks for this comforting absolution wherein Thou hast declared unto us forgiveness of our sins. We pray Thee so to prepare us through Thy Holy Spirit that we, in true penitence and faith, may receive the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ, and thereby be strengthened in Christian patience and in the hope of everlasting life, till Thou at last grant us a blessed departure; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen. Here a suitable Hymn shall be sung, following which the Announcements shall be made from the pulpit. Then shall an Offertory be played, or an Anthem sung, during which the Offering shall be received. The Minister, having received the offering, shall place it upon the Altar and pray as follows: O God, Thou Giver of all good gifts, graciously receive and bless this offering, which we Thy people place upon Thine Altar, for Jesus' sake. Amen. Lamb of God, Most Holy The Congregation shall rise and sing, "O Lamb of God, Most Holy," while the Minister makes ready the elements of the Sacrament on the Altar. NIKOLAUS DECIUS, 1539. O Lamb of God, most ho Our sins didst bear, our anguish; The might of death didst van- quish; Give us Thy peace, O Je-sus! I. Modulation to Eb. II. Modulation to G minor. * A short offertory sentence may then be sung by the Choir. (See pp. 554, 555.) It is truly meet, right, and salutary, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. He is our Paschal Lamb, offered for us, the innocent Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. As He hath conquered death, is risen again, and liveth for evermore, even so all they who put their trust in Him shall through Him be victorious over sin and death, and inherit eternal life. And in order that we may keep in remembrance His unspeakable mercy, He hath instituted His Holy Supper. *The setting chosen shall be followed throughout the service. The Words of Institution Then shall the Minister say: Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He brake it and gave it to His disciples, saying, Take, eat; this is My Body, which is given for you; this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner, also, when He had supped, He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; this Cup is the New Testament in My Blood, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins; this do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. The Lord's Prayer The Minister, together with the Congregation, shall say: 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, forever. Sanctus Then shall the Minister and the Congregation together sing: Amen. |