Our usual Sunday service of Eucharist is below.
Click here to see this Sunday’s service, HYMNS AND BIBLE READINGS for today
Church of the Holy Ghost:
Sunday Eucharist 2024
The Liturgy of the Word
The opening hymn is sung as the ministers enter. The people stand.
The Priest says:
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
People and also with you.
The Priest says:
Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith.
The Priest introduces the confession.
All say: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned against you and against our neighbour in thought and word and deed, through negligence, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault. We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us, forgive us all that is past and grant that we may serve you in newness of life to the glory of your name.
Amen
The Priest says
Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All stand and sing:one of the following versions of Gloria in excelsis Deo (not during Advent or Lent)
Said
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Or sung
Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo! (Sung twice)
Lord God, heavenly King, peace you bring to us,
we worship you, we give you thanks, we sing our song of praise. (Refrain)
Jesus Saviour of all, Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away our sin, O Lord: have mercy on us all. (Refrain)
At the Father’s right hand, Lord, receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One and you alone are Lord. (Refrain).
Glory, Father and Son, glory, Holy Spirit.
To you we lift our hands up high; we glorify your name. (Refrain).
In Advent and Lent instead of the Gloria, we say or sing:
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
The Collect
The Priest says to the people
Let us pray
The Priest says the Collect. At the end all say: Amen.
The Readings
The people sit.
The reader announces: A reading from the book of …
After the reading the reader says: This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
There may be a time of silence after the reading.
All stand to sing: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
A minister reads the Gospel beginning with these words:
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to …
All Glory to you, O Lord.
At the end of the reading the minister says: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
The Sermon
After this all stand and say The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God, begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We 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 is worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
The prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
¶ The Church of Christ
¶ Creation, human society, those in authority
¶ The local community
¶ Those who suffer
¶ The communion of saints
These responses may be used
Lord, in your mercy
All : hear our prayer.
And at the end
Merciful Father,
All accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
The Peace
All stand: The Priest introduces the Peace and says
The peace of the Lord be always with you
People and also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
All may exchange a sign of peace.
Preparation of the Table
Taking of the Bread and Wine
A hymn is sung.
The gifts of the people are gathered and presented.
The table is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it. A prayer may be said.
The Priest takes the bread and wine, saying these words.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation:
through your goodness we have this bread to set before you,
which earth has given and human hands have made.
It will become for us the bread of life.
All Blessed be God for ever.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation:
through your goodness we have this wine to set before you,
fruit of the vine and work of human hands.
It will become for us the cup of salvation.
All Blessed be God for ever.
The Prayer of Thanksgiving
(If a long Preface is used, it replaces all words between the opening dialogue and the Sanctus.)
Priest: The Lord is here.
All: His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give thanks and praise.
Father, we give you thanks and praise through your beloved Son Jesus Christ, your living Word, through whom you have created all things; who was sent by you in your great goodness to be our Saviour. By the power of the Holy Spirit he took flesh; as your Son, born of the blessed Virgin, he lived on earth and went about among us; he opened wide his arms for us on the cross; he put an end to death by dying for us; and revealed the resurrection by rising to new life; so he fulfilled your will and won for you a holy people.
(A short Preface may be inserted here)
Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and saying:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit, and according to your holy will, these gifts of bread and wine may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you 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. In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you; 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.
Great is the mystery of faith:
All Christ has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.
And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world; rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we celebrate this memorial of our redemption. As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, we bring before you this bread and this cup and we thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you. Send the Holy Spirit on your people and gather into one in your kingdom all who share this one bread and one cup, so that we, in the company of (St N. and) all the saints, may praise and glorify you for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever.
All Amen.
Breaking bread and sharing in Communion
The Priest says
Let us pray as our Saviour has taught us.
All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
The Priest breaks the consecrated bread, saying:
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ
All: Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.
All: Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, mercy on us. (said twice)
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace.
Priest: Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Blessed are those who are called to his supper.
All Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word, and I shall be healed.
Or from Easter to Pentecost
Alleluia! Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us,
All: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
Or during Christmastide and on other special occasions
God’s holy gifts for God’s holy people.
All Jesus Christ is holy,
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The ministers receive the Sacrament in both kinds, then distribute it to the people.
All who have been confirmed in the Church of England, or who belong to other Christian traditions and are used to receiving communion in their own church, are welcome to share in the bread and wine. Those who wish to receive a blessing are asked to come forward carrying their order of service, so that the ministers can recognise them.
The bread and cup are offered to the communicants with these words:
The Body (Blood) of Christ. [Amen.]
During the distribution of Communion hymns and Psalms may be sung.
After the Communion the Priest says: Let us pray and may say a prayer.
All may say:
Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice.
Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.
A hymn is sung.
The Priest blesses the people in these or other suitable words,
The peace of God, which passes 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 Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
A minister says
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All In the name of Christ. Amen.
Or in Eastertide
Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia!
All Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!
Common Worship, material from which is included in this service, is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000-2006.
You may use this QR code to download the service.
Common Worship, material from which is included in this service, is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000-2006.
Sunday’s Hymns and Readings
Church of the Holy Ghost – Eucharist for the Fourth Sunday of Easter
The Entrance Hymn
1 Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone,
chosen of the Lord, and precious,
binding all the church in one;
holy Zion’s help for ever,
and her confidence alone.
2 All that dedicated city,
dearly loved of God on high,
in exultant jubilation
pours perpetual melody;
God the One-in-Three adoring
in glad hymns eternally.
3 To this temple, where we call thee,
come, O Lord of hosts, today;
with thy wonted loving-kindness
hear thy servants as they pray,
and thy fullest benediction
shed within its walls alway.
4 Here vouchsafe to all thy servants
what they ask of thee to gain,
what they gain from thee forever
with the blessed to retain,
and hereafter in thy glory
evermore with thee to reign.
5 Laud and honour to the Father,
laud and honour to the Son,
laud and honour to the Spirit,
ever three, and ever one,
one in might and one in glory,
while unending ages run.
The Collect
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life: raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness, that we may seek those things which are above, where he reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
All Amen.
New Testament reading (Acts 4.4-12)
The next day the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, ‘By what power or by what name did you do this?’ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is “the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.” There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.’
Psalm 23
Refrain: I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; ♦ therefore can I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures ♦ and leads me beside still waters.
I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
3 He shall refresh my soul ♦ and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; ♦
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; ♦
you have anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full.
6 Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, ♦
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever..
I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Gospel Reading (John 10.11-18)
Jesus said to them, ‘‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.’
The Offertory Hymn
1 The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want
He makes me lie in pastures green
He leads me by the still, still waters
His goodness restores my soul
Refrain And I will trust in You alone
And I will trust in You alone
For Your endless mercy follows me
Your goodness will lead me home
2 He guides my ways in righteousness
And He anoints my head with oil
And my cup, it overflows with joy
I feast on His pure delights [Refrain]
3 And though I walk the darkest path
I will not fear the evil one
For You are with me, and Your rod and staff
Are the comfort I need to know [Refrain]
Post Communion Prayer
Merciful Father, you gave your Son Jesus Christ to be the good shepherd, and in his love for us to lay down his life and rise again: keep us always under his protection, and give us grace to follow in his steps; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
The Sending Hymn
1 Guide me, O thou great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
hold me with thy powerful hand:
Bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore.
2 Open now the crystal fountain
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fiery cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through:
strong deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield.
3 When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death, and hell’s destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side:
songs and praises
I will ever give to thee.
Notices:
- The Confirmation Group meets, as usual, after the Eucharist today. Please keep those who are preparing for baptism and confirmation in your prayers as 5th May draws closer. And please remember Mylène, who should have been among those baptised and confirmed in two weeks’ time, but whose work has taken her away from Genova until the middle of next month.
- On Tuesday, we remember St George, patron of England as well as one of the patrons of this city. There will be a Eucharist at 12:30.
- The regular midweek Eucharist will be celebrated at 12:30 on Wednesday. At that service we shall remember Mellitus, one of the earliest bishops of London, who died fourteen centuries ago, and alongside him we shall remember the seven members of the Melanesian Brotherhood who were martyred in the Solomon Islands twenty-one years ago.
- On Thursday, we remember St Mark the Evangelist, whose Gospel has been our guide on Sundays since the beginning of Advent last year. There will be a Eucharist at 12:30.
- Next Sunday the Annual Church Meeting takes place immediately after the Eucharist. That is also Fr Tony’s last official Sunday as chaplain here. The meeting will be followed by a bring-and-share lunch. The papers for the meeting are available for those who are on the Electoral Roll but for whom we do not have an email address. If you are on the roll but have not received your papers by email you should find a set addressed to you on the table. Please make sure you take it away with you today!
- We have received nomination papers for two Churchwardens, but none have been received for the three vacancies on the Church Council. There are two vacancies for members to serve for three years and one vacancy for someone to serve one year. This is an important year, because the Wardens and Church Council members are the people who will be responsible for guiding the church through the vacancy. There are nomination forms both for Churchwardens and for Council members on the table. These should be completed and returned to Fr Tony before next Sunday.
This service includes material from Common Worship: Services and Prayers and from Common Worship: Times and Seasons, which are copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000, 2006.
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