Several people asked me for a copy of the service I used at District Conference for Communion. This is a copy of the service as I did it at Gastonia First. I made a few modifications for District Conference and Bob Black added some additional comments to the "Narrator" sections he read.
SERVICE OF THE WORD AND COMMUNION
Narrator: Have you ever wondered what it was like to worship with first Century Christians? From all accounts, their worship was much simpler than ours and centered around two things: the Word and Communion. This morning, we are going to follow an ancient pattern of worship. From time to time, I’m going to interrupt with an explanation for why we do what we do. There will be songs and responsive readings, so watch the two screens for prompts. My prayer is that from this experience we will learn and that we will be made more like Jesus.
Greeting
To you, O
Lord, I call;
my Rock, be not deaf to me,
lest, if You are silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
Hear the voice of my supplication,
as I cry to You for help,
as I lift up my hands
toward Your most holy sanctuary.
From Psalm 28: 1-2
Narrator: We call this an “Opening Prayer” rather than an “Invocation” because we believe Christ has already promised to meet with us when we gather in His Name and thus we do not need to “invite Him” to join us. In fact, it is He who invites us!
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Narrator: The following Scriptures from the Old Testament, Psalms, Epistles and Gospels have a common theme. See if the theme is apparent to you. We will stand for the reading of the Gospel because we want to honor Christ.
Old Testament Reading
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before
all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So
there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he
wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about
it.
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But
his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his
presence.
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done
so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do
not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here,
because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now
there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be
plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant
on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to
Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. Now hurry back to
my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me
lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. You shall live in the region of
Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and
herds, and all you have. I will provide for you there, because five years of
famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to
you will become destitute.’
“You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is
really I who am speaking to you. Tell my father about all the honor accorded me
in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here
quickly.”
Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin
embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them.
Afterward his brothers talked with him.
—Genesis 45:1-15, NIV
Psalm
How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down upon the collar of his robes.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
—Psalm 133, NIV
Epistle Reading
I
ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a
descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his
people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what the Scripture says in the passage
about Elijah? For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. Just as you who were
at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their
disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may
now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. For God has bound all men
over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
—Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, NIV
Hymn
Gospel Reading
Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen
and understand. What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but
what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’”
Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees
were offended when they heard this?”
He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be
pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads
a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”
“Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. “Don’t you see that whatever
enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things
that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality,
theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating
with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’”
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A
Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David,
have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”
Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him,
“Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to
their dogs.”
“Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from
their masters’ table.”
Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is
granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
—Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28, NIV
Narrator: The Apostle’s Creed is a statement of faith derived from all we know of the Bible. It was placed here in the service to summarize the Scripture reading and repeated each week as a way of helping people memorize the basics of their faith. Sometimes people question the phrase, “the holy catholic church.” Notice the word “catholic” is NOT capitalized. In this case, the word “catholic” means “worldwide” not “Roman Catholic.”
Creed
I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived
of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into
heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall 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 life everlasting.
Amen.
Narrator: Strictly speaking, the “Offering” is when lay people bring the elements of Communion to the Minister. Remember that Jesus had the Disciples prepare for the Passover meal. The “Collection” is when donations are received. Today, we will receive a collection of praise to God. At your place is a card. Take a moment to write a praise to God. The ushers will collect them and then return with the elements of Communion. As they do so, we will sing the Doxology.
The word “doxology” means “praise.” The Church has three Doxologies.
Collection
Offertory
Doxology
Narrator: The Peace comes between the Service of the Word and the Service of Communion. To an outsider, it looks like a sort of intermission, with people greeting each other with the words “Peace be with you.”
The Peace is really a last-minute opportunity to reconcile yourself with others in preparation for the Service of Communion. The early Church took seriously the idea of not receiving Communion “unworthily.” To make sure that our relations with others were as they should be, this time of conversation was made available. So if you “have ought against your brother,” this would be a good time to go and ask forgiveness. If you can’t think of any offense, this would be a good time to tell someone you love them or to express your appreciation to someone. Let’s take a moment to allow the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts and see if there is anyone with whom we need to be reconciled.
Now would you move about to greet one another in peace. When the hymn begins, please return to your seat.
The Peace
Hymn
Narrator: The Bible says, Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5:16) We don’t practice confession to a priest (unless we call it “counseling”) but we do believe the Bible and this is the part of the service, just before we take Communion when we all confess and we all receive the forgiveness promised in God’s word.
Confession and Absolution
When I say... "I am a Christian!"; I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin."
I'm whispering "I was lost," Now I'm found and forgiven.
When I say..."I am a Christian!"; I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need CHRIST to be my guide.
When I say... "I am a Christian!"; I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need HIS strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian!"; I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... "I am a Christian!"; I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian!"; I still feel the sting of pain,
I have my share of heartaches So I call upon His name.
When I say... "I am a Christian!"; I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow. Amen.
By Maya Angelou
Narrator: This Latin phrase literally means “Hearts Up!” The celebrant alerts the congregation to the sursum corda by using the Christian call to prayer. The congregational response is in italics. Incidentally, The purpose of having responses is to get the congregation to do worship rather than just watch it.
Sursum Corda
The Lord be with you!
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God!
It is right to give Him our thanks and praise.
Narrator: The word “tersanctus” is Latin for “three times holy.” This
prayer-hymn historically begins every Christian Service of Communion. The first
half derives from a synagogue prayer that is based on
Tersanctus
Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy”
Narrator: Anamnesis is the Greek word for “remembrance” or “reenactment.” This is the part that reenacts the Last Supper. Most of what is said in the Service of the Word and the Service of Communion is either a quotation or an allusion to Scripture.
Anamnesis
1 Cor. 11:23-30 . . .The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.
Narrator: It goes without saying that “mysterion” is Greek for “mystery”. So if it “goes without saying,” why did I say it, right? This consists of the congregation proclaiming the mystery of our faith. It may not seem like a mystery to you—that’s because you are saved. To the pagan world, the idea of getting something for nothing is rare but the idea of getting something really valuable for nothing is, well, a mystery:
Mysterion
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in Glory. When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in Glory. Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. You are the Savior of the world.
Narrator: “Epiclesis” is Greek for “calling down”—think of the Scriptures in which the Holy Spirit descends as a dove. The celebrant prays to the Holy Spirit to consecrate the bread and juice.
Epiclesis
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of your tender mercy gave Your only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption; who made there by the offering of himself, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world; and commanded us to continue, an ongoing reminder of his precious death until he comes again; Hear us, Our merciful Father, we pray; and grant that we receiving this bread and juice may be partakers of his body and blood; who, on the night that he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise after supper he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them saying, Drink you all of this; for this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many for remission of sins: do this, as often as you shall drink it in remembrance of me.
Narrator: The Lord’s Prayer is appropriate at this point, because it asks for forgiveness and our daily bread, which is Jesus, the bread of life. We will use “trespasses” rather than “debts.” Do you ever wonder why? The King James Bible was written by scholars of the Church of England. They chose “trespasses” because they believed sin was a “willful act.” “Debts” was used by the Puritains in the Geneva Bible. They believed we were born in sin had to live with that sinful nature all our lives.
Lord’s Prayer
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.
Narrator: The fraction is when the celebrant breaks the bread to remind us that Christ’s body was broken for us.
Fraction
1 Cor. 5:6-8 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? 7Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.
Narrator: The ancient practice is for the congregation to come forward, using a common cup and a common loaf of bread. We don’t like the idea of everyone in the congregation drinking from the same cup very much. So some take Communion by intinction—that means they still use a common cup, but instead of drinking from it, each person dips their piece of bread in it. That, too, has some sanitary concerns.
During the Reformation, they started serving people in the pews. The idea was to emphasize the priesthood of all believers, where each person serves the next. We will serve you today by asking you to come forward. If you are unable to come forward, send word by someone near you and we will serve you in your seat.
Distribution
Narrator: Communion concludes with a prayer of thanks, not just for Communion, but for the hope of the Resurrection in Jesus Christ. It also asks God to empower the congregation to live as Christians beyond the service.
Prayer
I thank You, O Lord my God, that You have not rejected me a sinner, but that you have condescended to make me a recipient of your grace. I am unworthy, apart from your grace, to receive these elements which remind us of the Body and Blood of Christ. But because of Your great love, You sent Jesus to die and rise again for the salvation and sanctification of both our bodies and our souls. Grant that these elements may become for me healing of soul and body, power to overcome Satan, light in which to walk, peace that passes all understanding, faith that is not ashamed, love that is constant and intimate, wisdom to obey Your commands, grace to live in victory until I come into Your kingdom and holiness that I may see Your face. Help me not to live for myself, but for You and others. And when I come to the end of my life, may I have the same hope of heaven I have today and the same determination to enter in to the everlasting rest you provide. In the meantime, may my praise be unending until I join with those who even now behold Your face and say, “Holy, Holy, Holy!” For You are my heart’s desire and the source of my joy. Lord, I love you. Amen.
Narrator: The benediction is a blessing taken from Numbers 6. Receive it and go in the strength you have received from God today.
Benediction
May the LORD bless you, and keep you: May the LORD make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the LORD turn His face toward you, and give you peace.
(Num. 6:24-26)