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Reception into the Communion of the Church of England at the Order for Celebration of Holy Communion
including Provision in the Absence of the Bishop

Reception into the Communion of the Church of England is governed by Canon B 28; except where the person concerned is a priest, the service may be presided over by the parish priest.

Preparation

At the entry of the ministers, a hymn may be sung.

THE GREETING

The president greets the people, using these or other suitable words

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever.  Amen.


or from Easter Day to Pentecost

Alleluia Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.


There is one body and one spirit.
There is one hope to which we were called;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all.


The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Gloria in excelsis may be used.

The Presentation of the Candidates may take place here or after the Sermon.

THE COLLECT

The president introduces a period of silent prayer with the words Let us pray or a more specific bidding.

The Collect of the Day is normally used on Sundays and on Principal Festivals. On other occasions a seasonal Collect from the service for Holy Baptism or this prayer is used

Heavenly Father,
by the power of your Holy Spirit
you give your faithful people new life in the water of baptism.
Guide and strengthen us by the same Spirit,
that we who are born again may serve you in faith and love,
and grow into the full stature of your Son, Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit
now and for ever.  Amen.

The Liturgy of the Word

The readings of the day are normally used on Sundays and Principal Festivals. For other occasions a Table of Readings is provided.

Either one or two readings from Scripture may precede the Gospel reading.

At the end of each the reader may say

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The psalm or canticle follows the first reading; other hymns and songs may be used between the readings.

GOSPEL READING

An acclamation may herald the Gospel reading.

When the Gospel is announced the reader says

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.
Glory to you, O Lord.

At the end

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

Reception into the Communion of the Church of England

PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES

The candidates may be presented to the congregation.

The president asks the candidates

Have you been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit?
I have.


Are you ready with your own mouth and from your own heart to affirm your faith in Jesus Christ?
I am.

THE DECISION *

* If pastorally appropriate

A large candle may be lit. The president addresses all the candidates

In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light.
To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him.
Therefore I ask:


Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?
I reject them.
Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
I renounce them.
Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
I repent of them.

Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
I turn to Christ.
Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
I submit to Christ.
Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?
I come to Christ.


The president may say

May God who has given you the desire to follow Christ give you strength to continue in the Way.  Amen.

The ministers and candidates for reception into the communion of the Church of England gather at the baptismal font. A canticle, psalm, hymn or a litany may be used.

PROFESSION OF FAITH

The president addresses the congregation

Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess
together with these candidates
the faith of the Church.

Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.


Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.


Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.  Amen.

DECLARATION

Those who are to be received into the communion of the Church of England stand before the president to make this declaration.

The president says

You are here to be received into the communion of the Church of England.


Do you acknowledge the Church of England as part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church?
I do.


Do you accept the teaching, discipline and authority of the Church of England?
I do.


Will you take part with us in worship and mission?
I will.

The candidates seeking reception may come forward to the font and sign themselves with water, or the president may sprinkle them.

Then the president says

Almighty God,
we thank you for our fellowship in the household of faith
with all who have been baptized into your name.
Keep us faithful to our baptism,
and so make us ready for that day
when the whole creation shall be made perfect in your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen.


The president and the candidates gather before the congregation. A hymn, chant or litany may be used.

RECEPTION INTO THE COMMUNION OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND

The president extends his/her hands towards those who are to be received and says

God of mercy and love,
by one Spirit we have all been baptized into one body
and made to drink of the one Spirit;
we thank you for the gifts you have given to these your servants
for the building up of the body of Christ.
Grant that they may continue in the life of the Spirit
and walk with us in the light and obedience of Christ.
By the same Spirit, fill the whole Church
with your overflowing love;
give us knowledge and discernment of your will,
and steadfastness in your service,
until we all come to the unity of the faith,
to the measure of the full stature of Christ,
through whom we make our prayer.  Amen.


The president takes the hand of each person to be received, saying

N, we recognize you as a member of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church;
and we receive you into the communion of the Church of England
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.


The president invites the congregation to pray for those received into the communion of the Church of England

Defend, O Lord, these your servants with your heavenly grace,
that they may continue yours for ever,
and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more
until they come to your everlasting kingdom.  Amen.

COMMISSION

The president may use this Commission

Those who are baptized are called to worship and serve God.


Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship,
in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
With the help of God, I will.


Will you persevere in resisting evil,
and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
With the help of God, I will.


Will you proclaim by word and example
the good news of God in Christ?
With the help of God, I will.


Will you seek and serve Christ in all people,
loving your neighbour as yourself?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you acknowledge Christ's authority over human society,
by prayer for the world and its leaders,
by defending the weak, and by seeking peace and justice?
With the help of God, I will.


May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith,
that you may be rooted and grounded in love
and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit.  Amen.


The Prayers of Intercession may follow. The prayers provided in Holy Baptism may be used.

PEACE

The president introduces the Peace in these or other suitable words (seasonal forms are provided in the service for Holy Baptism)

God has made us one in Christ.
He has set his seal upon us
and, as a pledge of what is to come,
has given the Spirit to dwell in our hearts.


The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.


A minister may say

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.


All may exchange a sign of peace.

If the Liturgy of the Sacrament does not follow immediately, the service continues with suitable prayers, ending with the Lord's Prayer and the Sending Out. One or more of these prayers may be used.

The Liturgy of the Sacrament

The Order for Celebration of Holy Communion continues with

PREPARATION OF THE TABLE

TAKING OF THE BREAD AND WINE

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

This Short Proper Preface may be used

And now we give you thanks,
because by water and the Holy Spirit
you have made us a holy people in Jesus Christ our Lord;
you raise us to new life in him
and renew in us the image of your glory.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

BREAKING OF THE BREAD

GIVING OF COMMUNION

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

The authorized Post Communion for the Day is normally used on Sundays and on Principal Festivals. On other occasions a seasonal prayer from the service for Holy Baptism or this prayer is used

God of mercy,
by whose grace alone we are accepted
and equipped for your service:
stir up in us the gifts of your Holy Spirit
and make us worthy of our calling;
that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit
in love and joy and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The Sending Out

THE BLESSING

The president may use a seasonal blessing (from the service for Holy Baptism), or another suitable blessing, or

The God of all grace,
who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus,
establish, strengthen and settle you in the faith;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you always.  Amen.

THE DISMISSAL

Go in the light and peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.


From Easter to Pentecost
Alleluia Alleluia may be added after both the versicle and response.

© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
All of the official Common Worship publications are being published by Church House Publishing.