A Form of Preparation

This form may be used in any of three ways.

It may be used by individuals as part of their preparation for Holy Communion.

It may be used corporately on suitable occasions within Holy Communion where it replaces the sections entitled ‘Prayer of Preparation’ and ‘Prayers of Penitence’.

It may be used as a separate service of preparation. When used in this way, there should be added at the beginning a greeting and at the end the Peace and the Lord’s Prayer. Hymns, psalms and other suitable liturgical material may also be included.

Come, Holy Ghost (Veni creator Spiritus)

All   Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,

And lighten with celestial fire;

Thou the anointing Spirit art,

Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.

Thy blessed unction from above

Is comfort, life and fire of love;

Enable with perpetual light

The dullness of our blinded sight.

Anoint and cheer our soiled face

With the abundance of thy grace;

Keep far our foes, give peace at home;

Where thou art guide no ill can come.

Teach us to know the Father, Son,

And thee, of Both, to be but One;

That through the ages all along

This may be our endless song:

Praise to thy eternal merit,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Exhortation

As we gather at the Lord’s table we must recall the promises and warnings given to us in the Scriptures and so examine ourselves and repent of our sins. We should give thanks to God for his redemption of the world through his Son Jesus Christ and, as we remember Christ’s death for us and receive the pledge of his love, resolve to serve him in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life.

The Commandments

Hear the commandments which God has given to his people, and examine your hearts.

I am the Lord your God: you shall have no other gods but me.

All   Amen. Lord, have mercy.

You shall not make for yourself any idol.

All   Amen. Lord, have mercy.

You shall not dishonour the name of the Lord your God.

All   Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.

All   Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Honour your father and your mother.

All   Amen. Lord, have mercy.

You shall not commit murder.

All   Amen. Lord, have mercy.

You shall not commit adultery.

All   Amen. Lord, have mercy.

You shall not steal.

All   Amen. Lord, have mercy.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.

All   Amen. Lord, have mercy.

You shall not covet anything which belongs to your neighbour.

All   Amen. Lord, have mercy upon us

and write all these your laws in our hearts.

Or one of the forms of the Commandments in the Supplementary Texts (here) may be used.

Or, in place of the Commandments, one of these texts may be used.

Summary of the Law

Our Lord Jesus Christ said:

The first commandment is this:

‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord.

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

with all your soul, with all your mind,

and with all your strength.’

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

There is no other commandment greater than these.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

All   Amen. Lord, have mercy.

(or)

The Comfortable Words

Hear the words of comfort our Saviour Christ says

to all who truly turn to him:

Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11.28

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,

that whoever believes in him should not perish

but have eternal life.

John 3.16

Hear what Saint Paul says:

This saying is true, and worthy of full acceptance,

that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

1 Timothy 1.15

Hear what Saint John says:

If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father,

Jesus Christ the righteous;

and he is the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 2.1, 2

(or)

The Beatitudes

Let us hear our Lord’s blessing on those who follow him.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,

for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,

for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness’ sake,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Silence for Reflection

Confession

All   Father eternal, giver of light and grace,

we have sinned against you and against our neighbour,

in what we have thought,

in what we have said and done,

through ignorance, through weakness,

through our own deliberate fault.

We have wounded your love

and marred your image in us.

We are sorry and ashamed

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 lead us out from darkness

to walk as children of light.

Amen.

Or another authorized confession may be used.

Absolution

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,

who in his great mercy

has promised forgiveness of sins

to all those who with heartfelt repentance and true faith turn to him:

have mercy on 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.

All   Amen.