A PARISH COMMUNION
BOOK

COMPILED BY THE REV.
FATHER RICHARD ROSEVEARE
Of the Society of the Sacred Mission
Vicar of Parson Cross, Sheffield

[AS USED AT PARSON CROSS WITH THE
SANCTION OF THE BISHOP OF SHEFFIELD]

A.R. MOWBRAY & CO., LIMITED
28 Margaret Street, Oxford Circus, London, W.I
9 High Street, Oxford
 

PREFATORY NOTE

THIS little book is intended for congregational use in church, and is in no sense a private devotional manual. Its purpose is to enable the people to follow every word of the service. Some of the rubrics indicate what is taking place at the altar in order that the congregation may more fully share in the Eucharist of the whole Church.
    In publishing the book the compiler has no intention of encouraging the use of unsanctioned liturgies. It is fully recognized that such deviations from the 1662 rite as will be found in it may not rightly be used without the permission of the Ordinary.
    The compiler is indebted to Mr. Peter Medd for the illustrations.
 

We meet here as members of Christ’s Church
    of God’s universal family
        to confess our common faith
        to bring to God the offering of our common worship
        to bring to him each his own particular
              joys and sorrows
              successes and failures
              and all our needs

Uniting them with those of his whole family here present
    with the whole Church throughout the world
    with the faithful departed
    with the saints and the holy angels
To bring them to God our Father through Jesus Christ our Lord, in the power of the Holy Spirit

To hear God’s Word
    to receive God’s
        gift of salvation
        life and peace

Let all mortal flesh keep silence
    And stand with fear and trembling
And lift itself above all earthly thought
    For the King of kings
    and Lord of lords
    Christ our God
Cometh forth to be our oblation
    And to be given for food to the faithful.

We wait for thy loving-kindness
O God, in the midst of thy temple

As the Priest and servers approach the altar
THE INTROIT
hymn or psalm will be sing, the people standing.

TAKE away from us all our iniquities, we beseech thee, O Lord; that we may enter with pure minds into the holy of holies; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The people kneeling, the Priest will say the
OUR FATHER and the
COLLECT FOR PURITY

ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts be 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.

A petition for God’s mercy upon us and the whole Church, sung by all.

TO GOD THE FATHER

Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy

TO GOD THE SON

Christ, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Christ, have mercy

TO GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy

(Or the Ten Commandments.)

The Priest salutes the people bidding them join with him in praying the Collect which the Church gives us for use on this day, saying:

The Lord be with you;
Answer: And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

THE COLLECT

The people associate themselves with the prayer by joining in the Amen.

Then the people sit to hear

THE EPISTLE or LESSON

They stand for

THE GRADUAL

a hymn sung as preparation is made for the singing of

THE HOLY GOSPEL

After the Announcement of the Holy Gospel the people sing

Glory be to thee, O Lord.

After the Holy Gospel:

Praise be to thee, O Christ.

The Priest having returned to the centre of the altar there will be sung by all

THE 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 of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God, Begotten, not made, Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made: Who for us men, and for our salvation came down from heaven:

AND I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord, The giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets.

AND I believe one 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.

Then may follow a sermon or instruction, notices, etc.

THE OFFERTORY

Priest: The Lord be with you;
Answer: And with thy spirit.

An Offertory Sentence.

Bread and wine are now brought to the Priest at the altar, to be offered in the name of all; for the offering of these things is a symbol of the offering up of our very selves, our souls and bodies, our public and our private lives, our hours of labour and of recreation, church life, family life, social life, business life: to be gathered up into the One Bread of Christ’s Sacrament, that having been given to God they may be given back to us in the Communion, no longer ours but his.

In the spirit of humility and with contrite hearts may we be accepted of thee, O Lord; and may our offering be so made in thy sight to-day that it may be pleasing unto thee, O Lord our God.

A hymn will be sung here.

THE INTERCESSION

Because the offering is made by all and on behalf of all, the Priest says, before he begins the prayer that follows,

Let us pray for the whole state of Christ’s Church

mentioning first some particular subjects for prayer and thanksgiving, to be included in the universal prayer.

The he proceeds, the people kneeling.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who by thy holy apostle hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks, for all men: we humbly beseech thee most mercifully to accept our alms and oblations, and to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: and grant, that all they that do confess thy holy name may agree in the truth of thy Holy Word, and live in unity, and godly love.

    We beseech thee also to save and defend all Christian Kings, Princes, and Governors, and specially thy servant GEORGE our King; that under him we may be godly and quietly governed: and grant unto his whole Council, and to all that are put in authority under him, that they may truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion, and virtue.
    Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops and Curates, that they may both by their life and doctrine set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments:
    And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace; and specially to this congregation here present; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear, and receive thy Holy Word; truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.
    And we most humbly beseech thee of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all them, who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.
    And we also bless thy holy name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom;
    Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

This intercession being made, the Priest turns to the people and says:

YE that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways; draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon your knees.

And the people say together

THE GENERAL CONFESSION

ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men: we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed, against thy Divine Majesty, provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us; the burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; 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 in newness of life, to the honour and glory of thy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Turning to the people, the priest gives

THE ABSOLUTION

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him: have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE COMFORTABLE WORDS

Let us pray.

Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all that truly turn to him:

Come unto me all that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.
    So God loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Hear also what Saint Paul saith.
    This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Hear also what Saint John saith.
    If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins.

Kneeling, he says

THE PRAYER OF HUMBLE ACCESS

WE do not presume to come to this thy table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy; grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
 

Now the central action of the service begins, and the Priest invites them to unite with him in making the great act of adoration of God, and of eucharist (thanksgiving), for our redemption through the precious death of Christ.

(He adds the preface proper to the day, if any.)

    Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name; evermore praising thee, and saying,

The people join with him.

    Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most High.
    Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: hosanna in the highest.

Then all the people reverently kneel for

THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption; who made there (by his one oblation of himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole word; and did institute, and in his holy gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death, until his coming again;
    Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee; and grant that we receiving these thy creatures of bread and wine, according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood:
    Who, in the same night that 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: 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 YE ALL OF THIS; FOR THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, WHICH IS SHED FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS: DO THIS, AS OFT AS YE SHALL DRINK IT, IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

Here may be said privately, if it is not said aloud,

    Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, we thy humble servants entirely desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and all thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion.
    And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee, that all we, who are partakers of this Holy Communion, may be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction.
    And although we be unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences.
    Through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.

As our Saviour Christ hath commanded and taught us, we are bold to say

OUR Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Priest:              The peace of the Lord be alway with you;
Answer:           And with thy spirit.

Then the people sing the

AGNUS DEI

O LAMB of God, that takest away the sins of the world; have mercy upon us.
    O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world; have mercy upon us.
    O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world; grant us thy peace.

A hymn may also be sung here.

THE COMMUNION OF THE PRIEST AND PEOPLE

Then the Priest first receives the Communion in both kinds himself, and after that he communicates such as are minded to receive the Communion, saying, as he delivers the Bread to each one:

The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life.

And as he delivers the Chalice:

The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life.

A few suggested devotions:

I am the good shepherd, alleluya:
And know my sheep, and am known of mine, alleluya, alleluya.

He was known of them in the breaking of bread.

I will sing of the Lord, because he hath dealt so lovingly with me: yea, I will praise the name of the Lord Most Highest.

The Lord is my strong rock, and my defence: my Saviour, my God, and my might.

O taste and see how gracious the Lord is: blessed is he that putteth his trust in him.

The Bread that I will give is my Flesh: which I will give for the life of the world.

Behold, it is I myself.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you yet again, alleluya: and your heart shall be joyful, alleluya, alleluia.

THE THANKSGIVING

Priest: The Lord be with you;
Answer: And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee, for that thou dost vouchsafe to feed us, who have duly received these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ;

and dost assure us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us;

and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people;

and are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom, by the merits of the most precious death and passion of thy dear Son.

And we most humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace,

that we may continue in that holy fellowship,

and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in;

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

The people stand to sing the

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS

GLORY be to God on high, and in earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
    O Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Fat her, have mercy upon us.
    For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

The people kneel to receive

THE BLESSING

THE peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord:
    And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen.

It remains for us to thank him, not only with our lips, but in our lives, for what we have received; to rejoice in him; to treasure his gift. Be not in haste to leave God’s house till you have told him all that is in your heart.

Devotions which may be used before or after the final hymn:

    We have waited, O God, for thy loving-kindness in the midst of thy temple; according to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the world’s end; thy right hand is full of righteousness.
    He gave them bread from heaven, alleluia; containing in itself all sweetness, alleluia.
    Blessed be the Holy Trinity, and the undivided Unity: we will praise and magnify him, because he hath showed his mercy upon us.
    I am risen, and am still with thee, alleluia: thou hast laid thine hand upon me, alleluia: such knowledge is too wonderful and excellent for me, alleluia, alleluia.
    The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom then shall I fear?
    I will alway give thanks unto the Lord: his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
    I will go forth in the strength of the Lord God: and will make mention of thy righteousness only.
    O the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! For of him, and through him, and to him are all things.
    In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
    I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.
    I live; yet no longer I, but Christ liveth in me.