Holy Eucharist, Rite II (The Sunday of the Passion- Palm Sunday)
The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
28 March 2021
according to the Book of Common Prayer (p. 270ff.)
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Preparing for the Liturgy
During this season of coronavirus infections, please demonstrate your love for your friends and neighbors by wearing a mask (covering both mouth and nose) and maintaining six feet of social distancing from those not living in your house. If you have been fully vaccinated then masks are optional outdoors , at 15’ of distance, while leading liturgy (e.g., while serving as a lector).
If you are feeling ill or think you may have been exposed to someone ill within the last two weeks, please stay home and participate with us online instead of in person.
Palms or other greens may be gathered to carry in procession.
The Liturgy of the Palms
In the absence of a bishop or priest, this service may be led by a deacon or lay reader.
The People stand.
Celebrant:
Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.
People:
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.
Celebrant:
Let us pray.
Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A deacon or other person appointed reads the following
Deacon:
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
People:
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
or Reader:
A Reading from Mark’s Gospel.
When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” just say this, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.” ’ They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, ‘What are you doing, untying the colt?’ They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
‘Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!’
Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
(Mark 11.1-11a NRSV)
Deacon:
The Gospel of the Lord.
People:
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
or Reader:
The Word of the Lord.
People:
Thanks be to God.
The Blessing of the Palms
Celebrant:
The Lord be with you.
People:
And also with you.
Celebrant:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People:
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Celebrant:
It is right to praise you, Almighty God, for the acts of love by which you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, and was proclaimed as King of kings by those who spread their garments and branches of palm along his way. Let these branches be for us signs of his victory, and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives and reigns in glory with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
Celebrant:
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
People:
Hosanna in the highest.
A hymn may be sung at outdoor celebrations or at home:
All glory, laud, and honor (Hymnal 154)
Hear this hymn played
Refrain:
All glory, laud, and honor
to thee, Redeemer, King!
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
1
Thou art the King of Israel,
thou David’s royal Son,
who in the Lord’s Name comest,
the King and Blessed One. (Refrain)
2
The company of angels
are praising thee on high;
and we with all creation
in chorus make reply. (Refrain)
3
The people of the Hebrews
with palms before thee went;
our praise and prayer and anthems
before thee we present. (Refrain)
4
To thee before thy passion
they sang their hymns of praise;
to thee, now high exalted,
our melody we raise. (Refrain)
5
Thou didst accept their praises;
accept the prayers we bring,
who in all good delightest,
thou good and gracious King. (Refrain)
We Gather in God’s Name
The Collect of the Day
Officiant:
The Lord be with you.
People:
And also with you.
Officiant:
Let us pray.
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
People:
Amen.
The people are seated.
We Hear God’s Word
The First Lesson: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Lector:
A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
The Lord God has given me
the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens—
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backwards.
I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.
The Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?
Let them confront me.
It is the Lord God who helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
All of them will wear out like a garment;
the moth will eat them up.
Lector:
The word of the Lord.
People:
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 31:9-16
In te, Domine, speravi
9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; *
my eye is consumed with sorrow,
and also my throat and my belly.
10 For my life is wasted with grief, and my years with sighing; *
my strength fails me because of affliction,
and my bones are consumed.
11 I have become a reproach to all my enemies
and even to my neighbors,
a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
when they see me in the street they avoid me.
12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; *
I am as useless as a broken pot.
13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is all around; *
they put their heads together against me;
they plot to take my life.
14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. *
I have said, “You are my God.
15 My times are in your hand; *
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your loving-kindness save me.”
The Second Lesson: Philippians 2:5-11
Lector:
A reading from Paul’s epistle to the church in Phillipi.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Lector:
The word of the Lord.
People:
Thanks be to God.
The Passion Gospel
Mark 14:1-15:47 (RCL Year B) (pdf)
The congregation may be seated for the first part of the Passion. At the verse which mentions the arrival at Golgotha all stand.
Dramatis personæ: People, Narrator, Jesus, Peter, High Priest, Judas, Servant, Pilate
Narrator: The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
Narrator: It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him; for they said,
People: Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.
Narrator: While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to one another in anger,
People: Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.
Narrator: And they scolded her. But Jesus said,
Jesus: Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.
Narrator: Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him,
People: Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?
Narrator: So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them,
Jesus: Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, “The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.
Narrator: So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.
When it was evening, he came with the twelve. And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said,
Jesus: Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.
Narrator: They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another,
People: Surely, not I?
Jesus: It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.
Narrator: While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said,
Jesus: Take; this is my body.
Narrator: Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them,
Jesus: This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
Narrator: When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them,
Jesus: You will all become deserters; for it is written,
“I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.”
But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.
Narrator: Peter said to him,
Peter: Even though all become deserters, I will not.
Jesus: Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.
Peter: Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.
Narrator: And all of them said the same.
They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples,
Jesus: Sit here while I pray.
Narrator: He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them,
Jesus: I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.
Narrator: And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
Jesus: Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.
Narrator: He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter,
Jesus: Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Narrator: And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them,
Jesus: Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.
Narrator: Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign.
Judas: The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.
Narrator: So when he came, he went up to him at once and said,
Judas: Rabbi!
Narrator: Judas kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to them,
Jesus: Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.
Narrator: All of them deserted him and fled.
A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.
They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying,
People: We heard him say, “I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.”
Narrator: But even on this point their testimony did not agree. Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus,
H Priest: Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?
Narrator: But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him,
H Priest: Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?
Jesus: I am; and “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power”, and “coming with the clouds of heaven.”
Narrator: Then the high priest tore his clothes and said,
H Priest: Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?
Narrator: All of them condemned him as deserving death. Some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him,
People: Prophesy!
Narrator: The guards also took him over and beat him.
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said,
Servant: You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.
Narrator: But he denied it.
Peter: I do not know or understand what you are talking about.
Narrator: And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders,
Servant: This man is one of them.
Narrator: But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter,
People: Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.
Narrator: But he began to curse, and he swore an oath,
Peter: I do not know this man you are talking about.
Narrator: At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him,
Jesus: Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.
Narrator: And Peter broke down and wept.
As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him,
Pilate: Are you the King of the Jews?
Jesus: You say so.
Narrator: Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again,
Pilate: Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.
Narrator: But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.
Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. Then he answered them,
Pilate: Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?
Narrator: For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate spoke to them again,
Pilate: Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?
Narrator: They shouted back,
People: Crucify him!
Pilate: Why, what evil has he done?
People: Crucify him!
Narrator: So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him,
People: Hail, King of the Jews!
Narrator: They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
Narrator: They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull).
The Congregation stands at this time.
Narrator: And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.
It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, ‘The King of the Jews.’ And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying,
People: Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!
Narrator: In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying,
People: He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.
Narrator: Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.
When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice,
Jesus: Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?
Narrator: This means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ When some of the bystanders heard it, they said,
People: Listen, he is calling for Elijah.
Narrator: And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying,
People: Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.
Narrator: Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
SILENCE
Narrator: Then the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said,
People: Truly this man was God’s Son!
Narrator: There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.
When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.
There follows a great silence. You may be seated for silent reflection.
We Respond in Faith
The Prayers of the People
Deacon:
As we journey this week with Christ and celebrate the paschal mystery of his death and resurrection, let us earnestly pray to God for those following the way of the cross and for all peoples everywhere, saying: Lord have mercy.
Reader:
For the holy catholic church throughout the world, sharing the death and resurrection of Christ, let us pray.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Reader:
For Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, for Michael, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, for William our bishop, for all bishops, presbyters and deacons and all who minister in Christ, and for all the holy people of God, let us pray.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Reader:
For all catechumens and their sponsors, for all seeking baptism, confirmation, or reaffirmation, let us pray.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Reader:
For all nations, peoples, tribes, clans, and families, let us pray.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Reader:
For all nations and their leaders, including Joseph, our President; members of the U.S. Congress, Phillip, our Governor, and John, our Mayor; for justice, mercy, and peace in all the world, let us pray.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Reader:
For all who are tempted, oppressed, afflicted, or in need, especially… let us pray.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Reader:
For the dying and the dead, remembering… and for those who mourn, let us pray.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Reader:
For our families, friends, and companions, and for all those we love, let us pray.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Reader:
Remembering the blessed Virgin Mary, blessed Thomas, and all the saints, let us offer ourselves and one another to the living God through Christ.
People:
To you, O Lord.
Presider:
Blessed are you, Lord our God, who sent your Son among us to bear the pain and grief of humankind. Receive the prayers we offer this day for all those in need in every place and as we near the holy mountain grant us strength on our journey; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
People:
Amen.
Passing the Peace is primarily a liturgical practice, not a social one. While the threat of Covid-19 is prominent, the peace will be brief. Please do not move around or make contact (shaking hands, hugs) with others. Instead you are invited to look to the person on either side of you and wish them peace with a bow or a wave.
The Peace
Presider:
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People:
And also with you.
We greet one another in the name of the Lord.
The people are seated.
The Announcements
We Offer Ourselves To God
The altar is prepared
At outdoor liturgies, an offertory may be sung:
Offertory Hymn
Were You There? (LEVAS 37)
1
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
2
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
3
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
4
Were you there when He rose up from the grave?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when He rose up from the grave?
BCP 361
The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer A
Presider:
The Lord be with you.
People:
And also with you.
Presider:
Lift up your hearts.
People:
We lift them to the Lord.
Presider:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People:
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
The Presider continues:
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
A Proper Preface may be used here.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Sanctus
Presider and People:
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.
The Presider continues:
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “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. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Presider:
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
People:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Presider continues:
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
Presider:
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.
People:
AMEN.
BCP 364
The Lord’s Prayer
Presider:
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Officiant and People:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
Presider:
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People:
Therefore let us keep the feast.
Presider:
The Gifts of God for the People of God.
We Receive the Gift of God
Receiving Communion during Covid:
Please remain where you are, standing or seated in prayer. After the presider has received the Sacrament in both kinds, donned a mask, and carefully sanitized hands, the presider will bring the sacrament to each person in turn.
If you wish to receive communion physically:
- Hold out your cupped hands to receive the bread. The presider will drop the host into your hands without making contact. (If you prefer to receive gluten-free bread, please tell the presider so.)
- Wait until the presider has moved away to remove your mask, consume the host, and replace you mask.
- Communion will be offered in one kind only (just the bread). This is still full communion.
If a person desires to receive the Sacrament, but, by reason of extreme sickness or physical disability, is unable to eat and drink the Bread and Wine, the Celebrant is to assure that person that all the benefits of Communion are received, even though the Sacrament is not received with the mouth. (BCP, 457)
If you do not wish to receive communion physically:
- Cross your arms over your chest. The presider will offer you a blessing instead, again without touching.
- You are invited to utter the Prayer for Spiritual Communion while communion is being distributed.
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.
(from The Prayer Book for the Armed Services)
BCP 365
The Post-communion Prayer
Presider:
Let us pray.
People:
Eternal God, heavenly Father,
you have graciously accepted us as living members
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ,
and you have fed us with spiritual food
in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.
Send us now into the world in peace,
and grant us strength and courage
to love and serve you
with gladness and singleness of heart;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Prayer over the People
Presider:
Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Processional
Lead Me to Calvary (LEVAS 31)
1
King of my life I crown thee now,
Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget thy thorn-crowned brow,
Lead me to Calvary.
Refrain:
Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget thine agony,
Lest I forget thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.
2
Show me the tomb where thou wast laid,
Tenderly mourned and wept;
Angels in robes of light arrayed
Guarded thee whilst Thou slept. [Refrain]
3
Let me, like Mary, through the gloom,
Come with a gift to thee;
Show to me now the empty tomb,
Lead me to Calvary. [Refrain]
4
May I be willing, Lord, to bear
Daily my cross for thee;
Even thy cup of grief to share
Thou hast borne all for me. [Refrain]
BCP 366
The Dismissal
Deacon:
Let us bless the Lord.
People:
Thanks be to God.
In order to minimize the possibility of infecting others,
please exit the campus immediately.