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St. Margaret's Episcopal Church - A Center of Grace
Service Information
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1. Song: Prelude and/or Introit
Please remain seated. The Prelude or Introit is performed by the choir and/or organist.
Our worship is about re-connecting with the presence of God in Jesus Christ. In worship we amplify this presence through prayer, singing, reading, silence, art, fellowship, alms-giving, Scripture, Bread and Wine.
2. Song: Entrance Hymn
Please stand and join us in the singing of the Entrance Hymn.
3. Prayer: Opening Sentence
Please remain standing. The Opening Sentence is said responsively between the priest and the people.
4. Prayer: Collect for Purity
Please remain standing and join us in saying the Collect for Purity.
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts; by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
5. Prayer: Collect of the Day
Please remain standing. The Collect of the Day is said by priest with a short response by the people at the beginning.
The Collect of the Day summarizes the theme for today, and “collects” our individual thoughts into unified prayer that we might respond to the lessons we are about to hear.
6. Reading: Old Testament
Please be seated for the readings. The lesson is read by reader with a short response by the people at the end.
7. Reading: Psalm
Please remain seated. The Reader and the People read the Psalm responsively.
8. Reading: New Testament
Please remain seated. The lesson is read by reader with a short response by the people at the end.
9. Song: Gradual Hymn
Please stand and join us in singing of the Gradual Hymn.
The Gospel procession into the congregation reminds us that Jesus came among us. All face the reader.
10. Reading: Gospel
Please remain standing. The Gospel is read by a clergy person with short responses by the people at the beginning and end.
The presence of Christ among us is acknowledged in the Introduction and response to the reading.
Those who wish to do so make a sign of the cross with the right thumb on the forehead, lips, and heart when the gospel is announced, praying silently, "God be on my head. God be on my lips. God be on my heart."
11. Song: Gradual Hymn
Please remain standing and join us in singing of the Gradual Hymn.
12. Sermon by the Priest
Please be seated when indicated by the preacher.
Sermons are to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. They are based on the Bible and centered on grace. We want people to get better spiritually.
13. Reading: Nicene Creed
Please stand and join us in the recitation of the Nicene Creed.
The Nicene Creed is the most ancient and important corporate confession of our faith. We are joining ourselves to the great heritage of the holy (of God) catholic (universal) and apostolic (witnessing to the resurrection) church down through the centuries. This heritage is vaster, richer, and more mysterious than any one individual can understand, but we, as the community of the members of the Body of Christ, share and commit ourselves to it.
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: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from 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. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He 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.
14. Prayer: Prayers of the People
Please remain standing. The Leader and People pray responsively.
Prayer is offered for the Universal Church, the Nation and all in authority, the welfare of the world, concerns of the local community, for those who suffer or in any trouble, and for the departed. We are reminded in worship that we are connected to a larger fellowship—the Church—the Body of Christ, on whose heart lies the cares and concerns of the world.
15. Prayer: Confession of Sin
Please kneel and join us in the Confession of Sin.
Having heard the word of God and having prayed for others we are lead to amendment of life.(1 Corinthians 11:27-29,Matthew 18:15-17, James 5:16, John 20:22-23)
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
16. Prayer: Absolution
Please remain kneeling.
The celebrant concludes the confession with an assurance of God’s forgiveness
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
17. Peace
Please stand for the Peace. The invitation to the Peace is said responsively by the Priest and People. The Peace is an extension of Christian greeting and teaching. It symbolizes our intent to forgive as we are forgiven, to live in peace – shalom, harmony – with all person, and it is a sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence I the church. You are invited to greet and introduce yourself to your neighbor.
Priest: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
18. Welcome and Announcements.
Please be seated for the Welcome and Announcements by the Priest.
19. Prayer: Offertory Sentence
Please remain seated for the Offertory Sentence said by the Priest.
The offertory sentence reminds us that our offerings are our response to God’s care and nurture. Our offertory is an action and a lifestyle of giving thanks. It is based on the belief that we give out of blessing, not from duty or obligation.
20. Song: Offertory Anthem
Please remain seated for the Offertory Anthem sung by the choir.
21. Song: Doxology
Please stand and join us in the singing of the Doxology. The doxology reminds us that all we have is God’s.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
22. Prayer: The Great Thanksgiving
Please remain standing for the Great Thanksgiving. This prayer gets its name from the opening sentence “to give thanks” or eucharistia, and continues with the thanksgivings for the acts of God in the world and our lives.
23. Prayer: Lift up your Hearts
Please remain standing for the “Lift up your hearts” which is said responsively. This is a form of introduction to prayer handed down over the Centuries. This dialogue is the invitation to the people to join in the Eucharistic offering, to raise hearts and minds to “things that are above, where Christ is.”
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Priest: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
24. Song: Sanctus
Please remain standing and join us the singing of the Sanctus.
The Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) exemplifies that the Eucharist is the action of the whole Church, even of the whole creation, by sharing the song of the angels and the company of heaven (Isaiah 6:1-3, Psalm 118:25-26, Revelation 4:8).
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.
Following the Sanctus, for the rest of the Great Thanksgiving, the people may stand or kneel. Those who stand do so in recognition of having been made worthy to stand before God through confession, absolution, and the sacrifice of Jesus. (Mark 11:25)
Those who kneel do so in the presence of God, whose work of salvation is summarized in the Eucharistic prayer.
The Institution Narrative recalls the particular mighty act that is the focus of the service: the gift of Christ’s body and blood to be our spiritual food and drink (1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20). We ask that the Holy Spirit sanctify (bless or make holy) the bread and wine and also us who are to receive the sacrament of Christ’s body and blood.
Because it gives our assent (“So be it”) to all the Eucharistic Prayer, the people’s response is called the Great Amen.
25. Prayer: The Lord’s Prayer
Please join in saying The Lord’s Prayer.
26. Prayer: The Breaking of Bread
The Breaking of the Bread is said responsively between the Priest and people.
Priest: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
27. Distribution of the Bread and Wine
Please come forward to the Altar rail to receive the Bread and Wine. Otherwise, please be seated.
The bread and wine are the most powerful signs the church has to express the presence of God in the world and our lives. A special meal between friends, an everyday activity, food prepared with crushing and fermenting, Body and Blood – all add to our understanding of God’s presence. Please know that all are welcome to receive communion.
If you wish to receive the body of Christ please come to the Altar rail and hold out your hand to take the wafer of bread. You may eat the bread immediately, or you may wait and receive it with the wine. If you wish to receive the blood of Christ from the chalice please assist the chalice to your lips for a sip of wine, or you may leave the wafer in your hand and the Eucharistic Minister will dip it in the wine for you. You may also dip the wafer yourself. If you wish to receive the bread only, please know it is the historic position of the Church that receiving one of the elements is sufficient to complete communion. If you do not wish to take the bread and wine, you are invited to come to the Altar rail and receive a blessing. Indicate this by folding your arms over your chest and placing your hands near your shoulders.
When returning to your seat, it is the custom of some to say a brief prayer after receiving communion.
28. Song: Communion hymn
Please remain seated and join us in the singing of the Communion hymn.
29. Song: Post-communion hymn
Please remain seated and join us in the singing of the Post-communion hymn.
30. Prayer: Post-communion prayer
Please kneel and join us in the Post-communion prayer.
31. Prayer: Blessing
Please remain kneeling and receive a corporate blessing by the priest.
The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be with you, your family, and loved ones, now and forever. Amen.
32. Song: Recessional hymn
Please stand and join us in the singing of the Recessional hymn.
33. Prayer: Dismissal
Please remain standing. The Dismissal is said responsively between the clergy and people.
The dismissal asserts the relationship between worship and living. It is a call to mission, a call to live the baptismal and Eucharistic life in the world.
When you exit, you may join the line of people who are greeted by the clergy at the double doors.
Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
People: Thanks be to God.
34. Song: Postlude
At this time you may sit and listen to the postlude or exit to our “Coffee Hour.”
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