NOTES ON CHILDREN AT THE HOLY EUCHARIST

I. As has been stated in the Introduction, this book is dealing only with the requirements of children over eight years of age.

2. It is desirable that any celebration of Holy Communion which children attend should be one at which there are communicants. The purpose of the training should be to familiarize children with the fullness of the service and to lead them to associate every Sunday with attendance at a communicating service. The service that is contemplated is one in which the Kyries, Creed, Sanctus and Gloria are sung to a very simple setting (which will not be varied) with four or five hymns. If this order be followed and a homily of not more than five minutes be given after the Creed, the service, with fifty communicants, will not take more than 50 to 55 minutes.

3. THE CHILDREN. The children assemble freely. As each enters the church he is given service book, prayer Book, hymn book and (if used) the Gospel stamp. The children are given the front seats in the centre of the church where they can see the altar plainly. No choir is necessary or desirable; the congregation will easily sustain the service if an invariable setting is used and the hymns are learned in Sunday School. The children are taught to sit for the Epistle and to stand for the hymn during the Communion of the people. If this is done, and if the celebrant proceeds straight ahead with the service, the children can kneel in all the other customary places without discomfort, although it is possible for them to stand for the Sursum Corda to the end of the Sanctus. It is essential that each child should have a service book containing only the service as it will be used, with very few private devotions suggested for use before and after the service and after the Consecration.

4. THE CONDUCTOR. There should be a conductor of the service whose place during the service will be standing or kneeling in the passage between the children in the seats on either side. His position will be level with the back rows of the children’s seats. If a second priest (or a deacon) is not available besides the celebrant, this conductor may of course be a lay person.
    The conductor will be in church before the first child arrives and will stand at the chancel steps facing west. From time to time as the children are assembling he will direct them to find and mark the place of the Collect, the Epistle, and Gospel for the day, and to have their prayer books in readiness. Hymn places may also be found. Just before the service begins he will take his place in the passage facing east and, calling on the children to kneel, will say with them their prayer of preparation. During the service he will from time to time give plain instructions in a distinct and audible, but not loud, voice. The following will be all the directions that will be required—the page references referring to the children’s service book:

(1) At the entry of the celebrant: “Stand; hymn .”

(2) At the end of the hymn: “Kneel; page .”

(3) Before the Collect: “The Collect for the Sunday .”

(4) “Sit for the Epistle.”

(5) “Stand for the Gospel.”

(6) “Creed, page .”

(7) “This is the Offertory. While the priest puts the bread and wine on the altar and presents our gifts we sing hymn .”

(8) “The Prayer for the Church, page .”

(9) “The Confession, page .”

(10) [“Stand.”] “Page .”

(11) “This is the Prayer of Consecration, page .” We keep very still and say Amen together at the end.”

(12) “You will now like to say the prayers on page .” [The playing of the first line of the Communion hymn comes to be the accepted sign to the children to stand and the communicants to go to the altar.] “Hymn .”

(13) “Lord’s Prayer, page .”

(14) “Stand for Gloria, page .”

(15) “Kneel for the Blessing.”

(16) “Stand; hymn .”

(17) “Before we leave the church let us thank God for letting us be here, page .”

(18) Before the children leave the church the conductor will direct them to tidy their places: to leave the church quietly and to give in their books at the door.
    It will be found that these directions given quietly will not disturb the adult congregation, who often find it helpful to be using the same book as the children. The directions, though not always necessary, serve as a recall to any whose attention has been wandering and should not be omitted. The function of the conductor is to lead the devotions and not to act as a warder: this point must be quite understood by the conductor.

5. THE CELEBRANT. It is essential that the celebrant should know exactly when the conductor is going to speak and allow time for the children to change position and find places, e.g. he will give time for the Collect to be found. It is most desirable that he should have before him on the altar a copy of the children’s book and introduce no prayers that are not in it, and follow its order exactly. The homily will usually be given by the celebrant from the chancel steps or from the pulpit: it will never exceed five minutes. The homily will often deal with special points in the service connecting them with the Gospel, and whenever possible making use of the stamps which (if they are used) the children will have in their hands.
    At the Communion of the people he will be as expeditious as is consistent with reverence.

6. On festivals, if there is a procession, all the children, or a section of them, may join in it.
 

A FORM OF SERVICE FOR GENERAL USE

NOTES

1. It is suggested that children should be taught to sing such Responses as are ordinarily sung in church services, but not the Responses to the Prayers.

2. The Address or Instruction is put early in the service in order that a special note governing the whole service may be struck near the outset: especially will the lesson and psalms, canticle or hymn which immediately follow the instruction be chosen to carry on the line of thought therein suggested.

3. It is intended that this service should always provide for a training in some particular part of prayer. The Bidding is intended to be an invitation to the praying part of the service: it will consist of some words of invitation to join in a particular kind of praying, with explanation and instruction. Often the children will supply suggestions which may be incorporated; especially will they be reminded of the opportunity of thinking of their own special desires and needs where slight pauses will be made. A, B, C, and D are intended to be alternatives, and the choice of prayers at the end of the service will supply what is needed to complete the prayer part of the service.

FIRST FORM OF SERVICE

Section I. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

All kneel.

(Leader and children together.) O God our Father, we have come to thy house to sing, to thee, to pray to thee, to hear thee speaking to us. Help us to remember thy presence with us and to worship thee for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

V. O Lord, open thou our lips,
R. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.

All stand.

GLORIA (sung to a chant or said as V. and R.).

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

V. Praise ye the Lord.
R. The Lord’s name be praised.

HYMN

All sit.

Section 2. The Address or Instruction.

The Lesson

ALL STAND.

Psalm, Canticle or Hymn

ALL SIT.

Section 3. The Bidding.

All kneel.

Let us pray.
 

A

PRAISE

Let us praise God for making the world, for the beauty of earth, and sea, and sky.
    We praise thee, O God.

Let us praise him for giving to us and to all his creatures life and health.
    We praise thee, O God.

Let us praise him for all the beautiful and useful flings that grow in woods, and fields, and gardens.
    We praise thee, O God.

Let us praise our Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God most High.
    We praise thee, O God.

Let us praise him for his life of love, for his precious Death and Burial, and for his glorious Resurrection and Ascension.
    We praise thee, O God.

Let us praise him for his presence with us at all times and in every place.
    We praise thee, O God.

Let us praise him for sending the Holy Ghost to teach us and to make us strong in spirit, mind, and body.
    We praise thee, O God.

Let us praise him for his Holy Church throughout the world, and for making us members of it.
    We praise thee, O God.

Let us praise him for all his faithful soldiers and servants who have been strengthened by his might and have served him well.
    We praise thee, O God.

Let us praise him for giving skill and understanding to all who have ministered and taught and healed in His name.
    We praise thee, O God.

Let us praise him for those who have gone into all lands to preach the Gospel according to his word.
    We praise thee, O God.

Let us praise him for all his faithful servants who have departed from this world, praying that they may rest in peace and grow in blessedness.
    We praise thee, O God.

Let us praise Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with all the company of the Church.

All stand.

The TE DEUM to “Also the Holy Ghost: the Comforter,” or a section of the BENEDICITE.

Or some other Hymn of praise.

B

INTERCESSION

Let us pray for all in any kind of trouble.

Heavenly Father, hear our prayers for all who especially need thy care and help:

For all who are tempted to do wrong.
    Father, help them.

For all who are ill or in pain—especially . . .
    Father, help them.

For all who are sad or lonely—especially . . .
    Father, help them.

For all who are far away from us—especially . . .
    Father, help them.

For all whose work is difficult or dangerous—especially . . .
    Father, help them.

For all who are without work or homes or food—especially ...
    Father, help them.

Let us pray for all who serve God in their work.

Lord Jesus, we pray thee to bless:

Our King and all who rule in our land and town (village).
    Lord Jesus, bless and keep them.

Those who serve thee as bishops, priests or deacons in thy Church.
    Lord Jesus, bless and keep them.

Those who teach in thy name in schools.
    Lord Jesus, bless and keep them.

Those who as doctors and nurses tend the sick.
    Lord Jesus, bless and keep them.

All who work in factories, workshops, and mines, and those who labor on the land.
    Lord Jesus, bless and keep them.

All who go down to the sea in ships, and those who fly.
    Lord Jesus, bless and keep them.

Let us say our Lord’s Prayer for all those for whom we have been praying.

Our Father . . .

C

REPENTANCE

Let us ask God to forgive us for the times when we have not pleased him.

(Pause)

    Together. Heavenly Father, we have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things that we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. We are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive us all that is past, and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    Leader. May our Heavenly Father who has promised forgiveness of sins to all who are truly sorry, forgive us our sins, and strengthen us to do what is right, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

    Together (said or sung). O Blessed Lord Jesus, Redeemer, Friend and Brother, may we:

See thee more clearly.
Love thee more dearly.
Follow thee more nearly,
Day by day.

D

MISSIONARY

Let us praise God for all his servants who have carried the word of the Gospel throughout the world.
    We praise thee, O God.

Let us praise him for St. Augustine, for St. Paulinus, for St. Aidan, for St. Chad, and for St. Cuthbert, and for all others who were the chosen missionaries of this our own land.
    We praise thee, O God.

Let us praise him for all the holy men and women who have taught our nation the way of God in past ages.
    We praise thee, O God.

Let us praise him for all his faithful servants who have gone forth from our land to bear the good news of Christ.
    We praise thee, O God.

Let us praise him for calling us too to join in the great work of spreading his Kingdom.
    We praise thee, O God.

Let us praise him for the bishops, priests, and deacons; for the evangelists, both men and women; for the teachers, doctors, nurses of our Church who serve him to-day in other lands.
    We praise thee, O God.

Let us pray our Lord Jesus Christ:

That he will make his Church a glorious Church, faithful in its witness to him among all the nations of the earth.
    Thy Kingdom come.

That he will make his Church to be generous in gifts of prayer and money that his work may increase more and more.
    Thy Kingdom come.

That he will bless all missionaries (especially . . . who have gone from this parish), giving them strength for their souls and for their bodies that they may be able to do his will.
    Thy Kingdom come.

That the people who do not know him may come to have him for their Lord and Saviour.
    Thy Kingdom come.

That he will bless all mission schools, and grant that those who learn in them may grow up to love him with all their might.
    Thy Kingdom come.

That he will heal all who are in missionary hospitals and grant that they may see his face.
    Thy Kingdom come.

All sit.

Here follow the notices whilst all listen attentively and during the next hymn the collection is made.

HYMN

Prayer when the alms are offered at the altar.

ACCEPT, O Lord, these gifts which we have brought to thee, and grant that they may be used to carry out thy will, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

All kneel.

Let us ask God to bless our homes.

O LORD Jesus Christ, who didst live in an earthly home at Nazareth, bless our homes and all who live in them. . . . Help us so to live together now in love and care for each other, that we may be near thee now and for ever. Amen.

Let us ask God to bless our school.

HOLY Spirit, who dost dwell in all thy people, may thy presence in our school this week make all that we do to be holy and full of light. Help us with our work and gladden our play. Give thy blessing also to all who teach us, that both they and we may learn whatever thou wiliest us to know, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

After any other prayer that is added all may sing:

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me. (C. & S. H. 171)

The Blessing

or

    The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christy and the Love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.

[Before leaving Church say privately:

Holy Spirit, go with us in our hearts wherever we go, and let us everywhere please our Heavenly Father, for Jesus’ sake.] (This should be taught in Sunday School. Occasionally, however, the Leader may like to remind the children of it.)
 

FORM OF SERVICE WHICH
MAY BE USED WHEN A
BAPTISM IS TO FOLLOW

    Priest. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
    Together. O God our Father, we have come to thy house to sing to thee, to pray to thee, to hear thee speaking to us. Help us to remember thy presence with us and to worship thee, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

A Hymn

All kneel.

The priest will then bid the children pray with him, saying after each petition: Lord, hear our prayer.

For our King and all his councillors.
    Lord, hear our prayer.

For the Bishop and all the Clergy, especially the priest/clergy of this parish.
    Lord, hear our prayer.

For all who live in this place.
    Lord, hear our prayer.

For our homes, for our parents, our relations and friends.
    Lord, hear our prayer.

For all who worship in this Church.
    Lord, hear our prayer.

For all who are sick ... for all who are in sorrow, and for all who are in need.
    Lord, hear our prayer.

For all who have gone out in thy Name to other lands to preach the Gospel.
    Lord, hear our prayer.

For all who teach in our schools, especially in this parish.
    Lord, hear our prayer.

That all people may be brought to know and love and serve thee.
    Lord, hear our prayer.

That all nations may live at peace with one another.
    Lord, hear our prayer.

That the work of all who labour honestly and well may be blessed.
    Lord, hear our prayer.

That we may please thee this and every day.
    Lord, hear our prayer.

That we may all come to the place in Heaven that thou hast prepared for us.
    Lord, hear our prayer.

Priest. Let us thank God for all his goodness to us.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies, we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us, and to all men; We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we shew forth thy praise not only with our lips, but in our lives; by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

HYMN

All sit.

Then will follow an instruction on some part of the Baptism Service leading to the following:

All kneel.

Priest. What did your Godfathers and Godmothers first promise for you?
    Answer. My Godfathers and Godmothers promised that I should renouncer the devil and all his works, the pomps and vanity of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh.
    Priest. Because we have promised to renounce the devil and all his works, let us ask God to forgive us for the times when we have done wrong (a slight pause . . .).
    Together. Heavenly Father, we have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things that we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done. We are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may hereafter serve and please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
    Priest. Let us ask God to make us strong to fight against all evil.
    O merciful, God, grant that all evil desires may die in us, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in us.
    Together. Amen.
    Priest. Grant that we may have power and strength to have victory, and to triumph, against the devil, the world, and the flesh.
    Together. Amen.
    Priest. Grant that we who have been signed with the sign of the Cross may manfully fight under Christ’s banner, and continue Christ’s faithful soldiers and servants unto our life’s end.
    Together. Amen.

All stand.

    Priest. What was the second promise that your Godfathers and Godmothers made for you?
    Answer. My Godfathers and Godmothers promised that I should believe all the articles of the Christian faith.
    Priest. Let us therefore say the Creed together:
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
    And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven. And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholick Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.

    Priest. What do we chiefly learn in this Creed?
    Answer. First, I learn to believe in God the Father, who hath made me, and all the world.
    Secondly, in God the Son, who hath redeemed me, and all mankind.
    Thirdly, in God the Holy Ghost, who sanctifieth me, and all the elect people of God.
    Priest. What was the third promise that your Godfathers and Godmothers made for you?
    Answer. My Godfathers and Godmothers promised that I should keep God’s holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of my life.
    Priest. Because this promise was made by us let us hear what God commands us to do, and pray him to help us to obey.

God tells us:

To love him with all our heart, with all our mind, with all our soul, and with all our strength.

(Said or sung) Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

To worship him, to give him thinks, to call upon him and to put our whole trust in him.
    Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

To honour his holy name and his word.
    Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

To serve him truly all the days of my life.
    Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

To love, honour, and succour our fathers and mothers; to honour and obey the King, and all that are put in authority under him.
    Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

To love our neighbours as ourselves, and to do to all men as we would they should do unto us; to hurt nobody by word or deed.
    Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

To keep our minds and bodies clean and pure.
    Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

To be true and just in all our dealing, and to keep our hands from picking and stealing.
    Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

To keep our tongues from evil-speaking, lying and tale-bearing.
    Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

To learn and labour truly to get our own living, and to do our duty wherever it pleases God to put us.
    Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

All kneel.

    Priest. When these promises had been made we were baptised with water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and made members of Christ’s Church.
    Together. We were signed with the sign of the Cross in token that we were Christ’s soldiers and servants.
    Priest. Let us thank God for our baptism.
    Together. I heartily thank our heavenly Father, that he has called me to be member of Christ, the child of God, and an inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven. And I pray unto God to give me his grace, that I may continue to be the same unto my life’s end. Amen.

All stand.

Hymn

Here shall follow the Baptism.