INTRODUCTION

    The Church in New Zealand inherited from the Mother Church in England the priceless possession of the Book of Common Prayer of 1662.
    Article 34 of the Articles of Religion says “Every particular or national Church hath authority to ordain, change and abolish ceremonies or rites of the Church ordained only by man’s authority, so that all things be done to edifying.”
    In 1958 the General Synod authorised certain alternative and additional forms of worship from the Proposed Prayer Book of 1928. Apart from that our forms of service are almost entirely as they were three centuries ago.
    The General Synod of 1964 passed a motion requesting the Archbishop to appoint a Commission as representative as possible of the whole Province,

April, 1966

GENERAL DIRECTIONS

Those who come to receive Holy Communion should prepare themselves in penitence and forgiveness.

The ancient discipline of fasting is a preparation for Holy Communion which may, or may not, be used according to each man’s custom and conscience.

There shall be no celebration of the Holy Communion unless there is at least one person present to communicate with the Priest.

The service following shall be said throughout in a clear and audible voice.

The Order here provided is for the use of the People led by the Priest. Private and individual devotions must not interfere with its course.

The Priest at the Holy Communion shall wear a cassock and surplice with scarf or stole, or an alb with the customary vestments.

The holy table at the Communion-time shall be covered with a clean white cloth.

The bread for the Communion shall be the best and purest wheat bread, whether loaf or wafer, that may be conveniently obtained.

Persons not in Holy Orders may be appointed to read the Old Testament Lesson, the Epistle and. the Gospel, and to lead the Intercessions.

In announcing the lessons the reader shall follow this form: The Book of Ezekiel, Chapter 34, Verse 11; The Epistle to the Hebrews, Chapter 4, Verse 14; The Holy Gospel according to St. John, Chapter 20, Verse 1.

THE LITURGY
or EUCHARIST
OF THE CHURCH OF THE PROVINCE
OF NEW ZEALAND

THE PREPARATION

The People shall stand and the Sentence appointed for the day shall be read, or else this Sentence:

This is the day which the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Then the Minister shall greet the People, saying:

The Lord be with you.
And with you also.

This prayer shall then be said by the Minister, or by the Minister and People together:

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse our thoughts by your Holy Spirit, so that we may truly love you and worthily praise your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall follow:

Glory to God on high, and on earth peace to men of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, we thank you for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesus Christ; Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, taking away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lord, taking away the sin of the world, receive our prayer. Lord, sitting at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy on us.
You only are the holy one, you alone are Lord, you alone, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, are most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Here the People shall kneel.

The hymn above may be omitted on any day not being a Sunday or holy-day, except from Easter Day to Trinity Sunday: on days when it is omitted the following may be used, repeating each three times if desired:

Lord, have mercy.                   Kyrie, eleison.
Christ, have mercy.   or     Christe, eleison,
Lord, have mercy.                   Kyrie, eleison.

The Minister may say:

Hear the word of God to all who truly turn to him through Jesus Christ:
    Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
    God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
    The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
    If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The Minister shall continue:

Let us then draw near with true penitence in full assurance of faith, and make our confession to our heavenly Father.

The Minister and People shall say:

Almighty Father, Judge of all men, we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with all our heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. Forgive us for your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s sake, and help us to serve you in newness of life, to the glory of your name. Amen.

The Priest standing shall say:

Almighty God, our merciful Father, who has promised forgiveness of sins to all who truly repent, turn to him in faith, and are themselves forgiving; have mercy on you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

If a Priest is not present the following prayer may be said:

Almighty God, have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins and deliver us from all evil, strengthen us in all goodness, and keep us in life eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

The Minister shall say:

The Lord be with you.
And with you also.

The Sentence of the day may be said here, after which the Minister shall say:

Let us pray.

Then shall follow the Collect or Collects appointed, the People answering Amen.

The People sit while the OLD TESTAMENT LESSON is read.

A psalm, canticle or hymn may follow.

The EPISTLE is read, the People being seated.

After the Epistle, a psalm, canticle or hymn may follow. The Old Testament Lesson or the Epistle may be omitted. When the GOSPEL is announced, the People standing shall answer:

Glory to you, Lord God.

After the Gospel, they shall answer:

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

On Sundays here shall follow the Sermon.

After the Sermon the People stand, and there shall follow, at least on Sundays and holy days,

THE NICENE CREED

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God; begotten from the Father before all worlds; Cod from God; Light from Light; true God from true God; begotten, not made; being of one substance with the Father; through whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man: and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried: and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures: and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father: and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son: who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the Prophets. And I believe One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church: I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins: and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Notices concerning the life and worship of the Church may be given here.
 

THE INTERCESSION

The Intercession may be led by a layman. The Minister may use any or all of the following petitions, provided that on Sundays at least one from each section is used. The petitions may be combined as necessary and others added as required.

The Minister says:

Let us pray for the whole Church of Christ and for all men according to their needs.

The People kneel, and after each petition or group of petitions answer:

Lord, hear our prayer.

For the union of all Christians in one holy Church, we pray to you;
For all Bishops, Priests and Deacons, and other Ministers, and especially . . . . we pray to you;
For all other servants of the Church (especially . . . .), we pray to you;
For this parish, especially we pray to you;
For all men that they may hear and receive your Word, we pray to you.

For the peace of the whole world, we pray to you;
For the rulers of all nations and for just government in accordance with your holy will, we pray to you;
For our own country, and for Elizabeth our Queen, we pray to you;
For those who exercise authority among us (especially. . . . . ), we pray to you;

For all men and women in their daily life and work (especially . . . . ), we pray to you;
For our homes and for parents and children everywhere, we pray to you;
For places of teaching, study or research (especially . . . . .), we pray to you;
For travellers (especially . . . . . ), we pray to you.

For the poor and hungry, the homeless and unemployed, we pray to you;
For the lonely and sorrowful, we pray to you;
For the oppressed and those who suffer persecution, we pray to you;
For the sick and suffering in mind and body (especially . . . . . ), we pray to you;
For the dying, we pray to you;
For those who have departed this life (especially . . . . ), we pray to you;

Let us pray in silence, each for our own needs:

Lord, hear our prayer.
And let our cry come to you.

Almighty God, who knows our needs before we ask, help us to ask only what accords with your will; and those good things we dare not, or in our blindness cannot ask, grant us in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

When the service ends with the Intercession, the Lord’s Prayer may be said with the Grace or a blessing.

Or this prayer, which may be said by the Minister alone, or by the Minister and People together.

Almighty God, as we have been taught by your holy Word to pray for all men, so now we ask you to receive our prayers for the Universal Church, that it may be filled with the spirit of truth, unity and concord, and that all who confess your holy Name may agree in the truth of your holy Word, and live in unity and love.
    We pray for the rulers of the nations, and especially for your servant Elizabeth, our Queen, and all who have authority and responsibility in the state, that they may wisely and justly govern, and promote peace and welfare among all peoples.
    Replenish the grace given to all ministers of your Word and Sacraments, especially to your servant . . . . our Bishop, that both by their life and teaching they may show forth your glory and draw all men to you.
    Guide and prosper, we pray, those who are labouring for the spread of your gospel among the nations, and enlighten with your Spirit all places of work, learning and healing.
    To all your people in their many callings give your heavenly grace, and especially to this congregation here present, that they may hear your holy Word with reverent and obedient hearts, and serve you truly all the days of their life.
    We ask you, Father, that your love and compassion may strengthen and uphold, comfort and help all who are in trouble, sorrow, need or sickness.
    And we remember before you all your servants departed this life in your faith and fear; for whose virtues we give you thanks and whose good examples we pray that we may follow, and enter with them into the fulness of your unending joy.
    Grant this, holy Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

Or this form may be used.

Father, you have taught us in Holy Scripture to pray for all men. Hear us when we pray for your holy Catholic Church.
That we may all be one, so that the world may believe.
Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
That your name may be glorified by all people.
We pray for all Bishops, Priests and Deacons (and especially . . . . . ); That they may be faithful stewards of your holy mysteries.
For all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
That there may be peace and justice in our days.
May we seek to do your will in all that we undertake;
That we may be blessed in all our works.
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
That they may be delivered from their distress.
[Grant rest eternal to the departed;
That light perpetual may shine upon them.]
We praise you for all your saints who have entered into joy;
That we also may come to share your heavenly kingdom.
Lord hear our prayer;
And let our cry come to you.
 

THE OFFERTORY

All standing, the Priest facing the People, shall say:

Brethren, we are the Body of Christ.
By one Spirit we were baptised into one Body.

Endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
And with you also.

Then shall bread and wine be placed in order upon the holy table or altar, and the gifts of the People may be presented at the same time.
Then may the Priest say:

To you, Lord, belongs the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory and the majesty.

And the People still standing answer:

All that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours, and of your own we give you.

And the Priest may say:

Come, Holy Spirit, Sanctifier, everliving God, and bless us and these gifts prepared for your use.
 

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

The Priest shall say:

The Lord be with you.
And with you also.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
It is right indeed that we should do so.

It is most right and proper, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks to you through Jesus Christ, your only Son, our Lord; through whom you have created all things from the beginning and made man in your own image; through whom in the fullness of time you redeemed us, when we had fallen into sin, giving him to be born as man; to die on the Cross and to rise again for us; setting him in glory at your right hand; through whom you have made us a holy people by sending forth your holy and lifegiving Spirit; through him therefore with the faithful who rest in him and all the glorious company of heaven, joyfully we praise you and say:

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Glory to you, Lord most high.

Here may follow:

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

The People shall kneel:

All glory to you, heavenly Father, who in your tender mercy gave your only Son Jesus Christ that all who believe in him might have eternal life. Hear us, merciful Father, and grant that receiving this bread and this wine in remembrance of the death and passion of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, we may be partakers of his most blessed body and blood; who, the night before he gave himself to death, * took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to his disciples, and said, Take, eat, † this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way after supper he ‡ took the cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and said, Drink this, all of you, for § this is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
 

His death, Father, we show forth, his resurrection we proclaim, his coming we await. Glory to you, Lord most high.

Therefore, Father, we do this as your Son commanded, offering to you our praise and thanksgiving for his one perfect sacrifice made on the cross for the sin of the world, for his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, which we recall before you in this sacrament of the bread of life and the cup of salvation. Accept us, in him, we gray, with this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, and grant that all we who are partakers of this holy communion may be filled with the Holy Spirit and made one in your holy Church, the body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be to you, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer may be said here or after the Communion, the Priest first saying:

As our Lord has taught us, we say:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us the wrong we have done, as we forgive those who have wronged us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

Then shall the Priest break the bread, saying:

The bread which we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?
Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

Here, or during the Communion, may be said or sung:

Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us your peace.
 

THE COMMUNION

This prayer may follow, said by the Priest alone or by the Priest and People together:

We do not presume to come to your holy table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your great mercy. We are not worthy even to gather the crumbs from under your table. But you are the same Lord, whose nature is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the body of your clear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us. Amen.

The Priest shall receive the Holy Communion himself and shall then say to all the other communicants:

Draw near and receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

Then shall the Sacrament next be administered to the Ministers who assist the Priest and then to the rest of the People. He who delivers the consecrated bread and wine shall say to each one who receives:

The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for you.

And:

The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which was shed for you.

The Priest and any other of the communicants he may ask shall, here or at the Dismissal, reverently eat and drink whatever remains of the consecrated bread and wine, except such as may be required for the communion of the sick.

THANKSGIVING AND DISMISSAL

Then shall the Priest say:

Almighty and everliving God, we thank you with all our hearts for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious body and blood of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. We acknowledge your love and care for us in making us members of his mystical body, the blessed company of all faithful people, and heirs of eternal life.

Here shall the People join the Priest in saying:

Therefore, heavenly Father, keep us with your grace in that holy fellowship, so that we may do the good works that you expect of us. And here we offer and present ourselves, soul and body, to be a holy and living sacrifice, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

Then shall the Priest dismiss the People, saying:

Go forth into the world in peace.
In the name of God. Amen.

If insufficient bread and wine has been consecrated for the Communion, the Priest shall proceed in the following manner:

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTARY CONSECRATION

The Priest shall take as much bread or wine as is needed and say:

We take this bread* and declare it also † consecrated for this holy use that it may be to us the Body ‡ of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

SAMPLE PAGE OF THE PROPERS

SEVENTH AFTER TRINITY
The Church, the Body of Christ

Sentence of the Day: 1 Cor. 12, 13
By one spirit were we all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one spirit.

Almighty Father, let your continual pity cleanse and defend your Church, and because you have made us by Baptism the Body of your dear Son, grant that we may show forth his goodness to the praise of your holy name, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lesson: Exodus 19, 1-6 A Kingdom of Priests
Epistle: Romans 12, 1-5 One Body in Christ
Gospel: John 15, 1-8 The Vine and the Branches

EIGHTH AFTER TRINITY
The Holy Bible

Sentence of the Day: 2 Peter 1, 21
No prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but man moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Almighty God, inspiring the Scriptures written for our instruction; make us so to hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them, that strengthened by your holy Word, we may embrace the hope of everlasting life you have given us in our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Lesson: Joshua 1, 7-9 Heeding the Book
Epistle: Romans 15, 1-6 Hope from the Scriptures
Gospel: Mark 12, 18-27 Jesus’ use of the Scriptures

NINTH AFTER TRINITY
Holy Baptism

Sentence of the Day: John 3, 5
Jesus said, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’