A Contemporary Mass
Order of Service for Holy Eucharist
KEY: P= Priest C= Congregation D=Deacon A=All
The Liturgy of the Word
Opening Prayer (Stand)
P: O Heavenly Queen, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth,
Treasury of Blessings and Bestower of Life;
Who is everywhere and fills all things;
Come and abide with us and guide us with Your Holy Light.
A: Amen.
Trisagion Prayer (Three times)
D: O Holy + God
A: O Holy Mighty One
O Holy Immortal One
Have mercy on us.
Prelude and Lighting of Altar Candles (Sit)
Deacon Lights the Yellow candle saying: In the name of Light arising, do we summon Raphael, the Healer, guardian of Air and Wind and Tempest, to guard this Chamber and witness the acts here taken. Come mighty Raphael, and grace us with thy presence.
The Deacon then in turn follows the same with the remaining three candles ,:
Red:In the name of Light increasing, we summon Michael, the Defender, Lord of Fire and
Prince of the Legions of Heaven. May he guard this Chamber and give due witness to the acts
here taken. Come, mighty Michael, and grace us with thy presence.
Blue: In the name of Light descending, we likewise summon Gabriel, Lord of Water, Heavenly Herald, who didst bring glad tidings to Our Blessed Lady. May this Chamber be guarded and our acts here witnessed. Come mighty Gabriel, and grace us with thy presence.
Green: In the name of Light returning, we also summon Uriel, Dark Lord of Earth, who brings all at last unto the Nether Shore, Companion of all who offer up their lives in the defense of others, guard this Chamber and witness the acts here taken. Come, mighty Uriel, and grace us with thy presence.
P: Master and Lord our God, You have established in heaven the orders and hosts of angels
and archangels to minister to Your glory. Grant that the holy angels may enter with us, that
together we may serve and glorify Your goodness. For to You belongs all glory, honor, and
worship, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
All: We gather together outside time, in a place not of earth. As our ancestors before us bade, we join together and are One of purpose. By Thy Blessed Apostles, by all Thy Holy Angels; by all Powers of Light and Shadow, we call Thee to guard and defend us from all perils, O Most High.
The Deacon enkindles the central pillar candle representing the Sacred Flame.
All: From the Portal of Earth, To the Portal of Fire, From the Portal of Air, To the Portal of Water, From the Center of Power, to the encompassing Adamant, Let this Sanctuary be established within this Sacred Flame.
Processional Hymn (Stand)
Greeting (Sit)
P: The grace of God most high, be upon you.
C: The grace of the Logos of God be upon you.
Announcements (Sit)
Invocation (Sit or Kneel)
P: God beyond the universe, listen to our prayers. Bend your ear to us. Let our supplications and prayers ascend to you. In the name of the one eternal God; Father, Son (+), and Holy Sophia.
C: Amen.
D/C: Eternal and potent Protector, hail: we adore thee and thee we invoke.
Glorious God of the Equal Armed Cross, hail: we adore thee and thee we invoke.
Abundant goodness bestowing, hail: we adore thee and thee we invoke.
Terrible Invincible God, hail: we adore thee and thee we invoke.
Holy Shepherd of thy people, hail: we adore thee and thee we invoke.
O Thou Splendor of Sapphire and gold, hail: we adore thee and thee we invoke.
Divine Priest of the Sun, thou white and scintillant, hail: we adore thee and thee we invoke.
Aid of the Seeker for Truth, hail: we adore thee and thee we invoke.
Immortal Guide of the Wise, hail: we adore thee and thee we invoke.
Mighty Champion of the Way, hail: we adore thee and thee we invoke.
Now and ever blessed, crowned with the Crown of Twelve Rays, hail: We exalt thee!
P: The Grace and Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ + and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Sophia be with you.
A: + And also with you!
P: Make us all worthy, O our Master, to partake, of your holiness unto the purification of our souls, our bodies and our spirits. That we may attain to the Holy Wisdom, and may have a share and an inheritance with all the saints and prophets who have pleased you since the beginning. Remember, O Lord, the peace of your one, only, holy, catholic and apostolic church. Allow us to share in the Love, Glory, and Holy Wisdom of all the Saints with whom you have graced your Church.
The Asperges (Sit or Kneel)
Receiving the aspergill, the Priest makes the sign of the Cross over himself with it, saying:
P: May the Lord purify me that I may worthily perform His service.
Sprinkling the altar in the middle, then the chancel to his left and to his right, he continues:
P: In the strength of the Lord do I repel all evil from this His holy altar and sanctuary,
Turning to the people and sprinkling them with the same motion:
P: And from this house wherein we worship him;
Turning back to the altar and resigning the aspergill:
P: And I pray our heavenly Father that He will send His holy angel to build for us a spiritual temple through which His strength and blessing may be poured forth upon His people; through Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
Collect of Purity (Sit or Kneel)
P: Enkindle, we beseech You, O Lord, the Gnosis of our understanding, and pour love into our hearts, that we may be able to worthily love and worship You.
C: Amen.
Kyrie (Sit or Kneel)
C: Kyrie Eleison
Kyrie Eleison
Christos Eleison
Kyrie Eleison
Amen.
General Healing of theSpirit (Sit or Kneel)
P: Heavenly Father; we are the race that helped make the cross on which Your Son was crucified. We are the race that helped make the nails which pierced His body. We are the race that continues to betray Him. Lord, have mercy and hear us when we pray.
A: I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own most grievous ignorance, in my thought, word and deeds, by what I have done and by what I have left undone. I have not loved God with all my heart and I have not loved my neighbor as myself. In that I have broken one of the least of the Commandments I have broken the entire Law. For all my sins I am truly sorry and I humbly repent. Lord, have mercy on me and forgive me my ignorance for the sake of Your beloved Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
P: As a called and ordained minister of Christ's Church and on His authority I declare unto you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, through His atoning death and glorious resurrection; in the Name of the Father, and of the Son (+), and of the Holy Sophia.
A: Amen.
Collect of the Day (Sit or Kneel)
Prophetic Lesson (Sit)
(The appointed Old Testament Lesson is read.)
L: A reading from the Book... : [The text is read.] The Word of the Prophets.
C: Thanks be to the Lord of the Elements, God of all nations.
The Psalm (Stand)
(The appointed Psalm is said or sung responsively.)
Apostolic Lesson (Sit)
(The appointed New Testament Lesson is read.)
L: A reading from... : [The text is read.] The Word of the Apostles.
C: Thanks be to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Gradual (Stand)
P: He that loves wisdom, loves life.
C: And they that seek Her early shall be filled with joy.
P: Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.
C: And I shall keep it unto the end.
Munda Cor Meum (Stand)
The Priest stands before the altar and says:
P: I weave a silence into my mind. I weave a silence onto my lips. I weave a silence within my heart. I close my ears to confusion. I close my eyes to enticements. I close my heart to temptations. Calm me, my Savior, as you stilled the storm. Comfort me, my Redeemer, keep me from destruction. Let all turmoil within me cease. Enfold me, Lord Christ, with your peace.
The Priest then kneels before the altar and says the following prayer:
P: Cleanse my heart and my lips, O God, who by the hand of your angel cleansed the lips of the prophet Isaiah with a burning coal from your altar and in your lovingkindness so purify me that I may worthily proclaim your Holy Gospel; through Christ our Lord.
A: Amen.
P: May the Lord be in my heart (+) and on my lips (+), that through my heart the love of God may shine forth and through my lips His power be made manifest.
A: Amen.
The Holy Gospel (Stand)
The Holy Gospel verses appointed for the day are read from the pulpit or in the midst of the congregation.
P: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to...
A: Glory be to You, O Lord.
P: [The text is read.] The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A: Praise be to You, O Christ.
Sermon (Sit)
The Prayers of the People (Sit)
D: Let us pray for the Church and for the world. Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world. Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
D: Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good. Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
D: Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory. Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
D: Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours (especially, ...) and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as He loved us. Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
D: Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit (especially, ...); give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
D: We commend to your mercy all who have died (especially, ...), that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all the saints in your eternal kingdom. Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
D: We pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for the peace of the United States of America; that our divisions may cease, that we may be delivered from hardness of heart, and that all may be one through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
Hymn (Stand)
Gloria Patri (Stand)
P: Glory be to the Father, and to the Logos (+), and to the Holy Sophia.
C: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Litany of Mercy (Stand)
P: Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father of Lights, the Holy Logos, and the Holy Sophia; now and ever and forever!
A: Amen!
D: In Peace let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord have mercy.
D: Let us pray with our whole hearts, let us pray,
C: Lord have mercy.
D: Let us pray for our honorable God loving Heirophant, (P/M, name), our worthy Bishop (n.), all Bishops, Presbyters, deacons, monastics, and all the clergy, let us pray,
C: Lord have mercy.
D: Let us pray for church, it's founders, it's benefactors, and all churches of Jesus Christ, let us pray,
C: Lord have mercy.
D: Let us pray for our nation and every nation, for our president, congress, judges, our city and every city, for all of our civil authorities, civil servants, and our armed forces, let us pray,
C: Lord have mercy.
The Peace (Stand)
P: Jesus Christ, the King of Tenderness, binds us with a bond of love that cannot be broken. My brothers and sisters, the peace of Christ be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us share that same peace with one another.
The Holy Eucharist
The Offertorium (Sit)
A hymn is sung while the offertory alms are collected. The alms and the Eucharistic elements are brought to the altar. At the end of the hymn the Priest says the following:
P: From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same the Lord's name shall be magnified; and in every place incense shall be offered unto His name and a pure offering. There shall be heard in this place the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving into the house of the Lord.
The Doxology (Stand)
A: Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The offertory alms are removed from the altar. The people are seated. The Priest offers the host saying:
P: We adore thee, O God, who are the source of all life and goodness and with true and thankful hearts we offer unto you this sign of your own life-giving gifts bestowed upon us, you who are the giver of all.
He pours wine and a little water into the chalice saying:
P: According to immemorial custom, we now mix water with this wine, praying, O Lord, that we may evermore abide in Christ and He in us.
He offers the chalice saying:
P: We offer unto you, O Lord, this chalice with joy and gladness; may the worship we offer ascend before your divine majesty as a sacrifice, pure and acceptable in your sight; through Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
The Censing of the Altar (Sit)
A priest censes the altar, saying:
P: As this incense rises before you, O Lord, so let our prayer be set forth in your sight. Let your holy angels encompass your people and breathe forth upon them the spirit of your blessing.
He then censes the assisting ministers and the people, saying:
P: May the Lord enkindle within us the fire of His love and the flame of everlasting charity.
C: Amen.
Lavabo (Sit)
P: I will wash my hands in innocency, O Lord: and so will I go to your altar. That I may show the voice of thanksgiving; and tell of all your wondrous works. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son (+), and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and forever shall be; world without end.
C: Amen.
P: Lord, be with me in the breaking of the bread and in the offering of wine. Bless my body and soul for they are yours.
C: Amen.
Orate Fratres (Sit)
P: Brethren, pray that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty.
C: May the Lord receive the sacrifice at your hands and sanctify our lives in His service.
P: We lay before you, O Lord, these your creatures of bread and wine, in token of our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; for here we offer and present unto you ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a holy and continual sacrifice unto you, that we, who are very members incorporate in the mystical body of your Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people, may hear his most joyful voice: "Come unto me, O you that are blessed of my Father and possess the kingdom which is prepared for you from the beginning of the world," through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity ofthe Holy Spirit, ever one God throughout all ages of ages.
C: Amen.
Sursum Corda and Sanctus (Stand)
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And with your spirit.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them up unto the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks unto the Lord our God.
C: It is proper and right so to do.
P: It is very proper, right, and our bounden duty that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto you, O Lord, Holy Father, almighty, everlasting God; through Jesus Christ our Lord;
(The Proper Preface is said.)
D: Therefore, with angels and archangels, with the Holy Apostles, the Blessed Saints, and all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you and saying,
A: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts; heaven and earth are full of your glory. Glory be to you, O Lord most high. Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!
Prayer of Consecration (Sit or Kneel)
(Based on Celtic folk-prayers.)
P: High King of the universe, who sustains the worlds, who brought forth the earth; You breathe wisdom into all your creatures, until we reflect Your love. In our pain and sorrow we cry to Your tender Lamb, slain before the foundation of the world, perfect sacrifice for our sins. Who in the night in which he was betrayed took bread into His holy and venerable hands. And after He had given thanks, He blessed it and broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take and eat of this all of you, for this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In like manner he took the cup. And after He had given thanks, He blessed it and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take and drink of this all of you, for this is my blood, the blood of the new covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins. As often as you do this, do it in remembrance of me." For as often as we eat of this bread and drink of this cup we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
A: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
P: Therefore, Heavenly Father, with this bread and wine we remember the life our Lord offered for us. And we pray that you will send your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of our Lord and of His resurrection, that these elements may become for us the Body (+) and Blood (+) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the name of the Father, and of the Son (+), and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
The Lord's Prayer (Sit or Kneel)
P: And now we pray as our Savior taught us.
The Priest elevates the host.
A: 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. 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.
Fracture and Agnus Dei (Sit or Kneel)
The Priest breaks the host while it is elevated.
P: O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world;
A: Have mercy on us.
P: You that take away the sins of the world;
A: Receive our prayer.
P: You that sit on the right hand of God the Father;
A: Grant us your peace. For you only are holy; you only are the Lord. You only, O Christ, with the Holy Sophia, are most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Communion Prayer (Sit or Kneel)
A: Lord grant me, I pray you in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, my God, through the receiving of this Blessed Sacrament, that love which knows no fall, so that my lamp may feel His kindling touch and know no quenching, may burn for me, and may give light for others. O Lord Christ, who is present in the bread and wine, bless the path on which we tread and guide us in the way to your Kingdom. Amen.
P: Lord Christ, our Savior most sweet, deign to kindle our lamps through communion with you, that they may shine continually in your temple, and receive perpetual light from you, the eternal Light, so that our darkness may be driven from us. May we become broken bread and poured out wine, abiding in you and you in us.
A: Amen.
Holy Communion (Sit or Kneel)
P: Risen Christ, we welcome you. You are the flowering bough of creation; from you cascades music like a million stars, truth to cleanse a myriad of souls. From you flee demons, omens and all ill will. Around you rejoice the angels of light. Father, send us the tender Spirit of the Lamb; feed us with the Bread of Heaven; refresh us with the Cup of Salvation. (The celebrant communes.) Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.
A: Therefore, let us keep the feast.
The Invitation (Sit or Kneel)
P: All you who are baptized and who truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, 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 receive this Blessed Sacrament for your spiritual health and comfort.
A: Amen.
Communicants come to the altar in an orderly fashion, receiving the Bread in their hands with palms upright. Communicants may receive from the Chalice or by Intinction. If by Intinction, when the Chalice Bearer passes with the Cup, he will dip the Bread into the Wine and place the Bread on the communicant's tongue. After receiving Holy Communion please remain at the altar rail to receive a Priestly blessing before returning to your seat.
Post-Communion (Sit or Kneel)
P: Heaven is intertwined with earth.
A: We have taken the divine life into ourselves.
P: And so each may say,
A: I rise up clothed in the strength of Christ. I am no longer imprisoned by sin. I shall not be harmed by evil. I go clothed in Christ's pure garments.
P: By the task that we have done we bind our souls to you;
A: Father, Son (+), and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Benediction (Sit or Kneel)
P: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May he lift up his countenance on you and give you peace. In the name of the Father, and of the Son (+), and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
Recessional Hymn (Stand)
Extinguishing of Candles & Postlude (Sit)
Dismissal (Sit)
D: Go in peace and in the strength of Christ. The Mass is ended.
C: Thanks be to God. Amen.