The Lord’s Supper, or Holy Communion
The Order of the Administration of the Lord’s Supper, or Holy Communion
¶ The celebration may be preceded by the reading of the Ten Commandments; or, especially on Sundays after Easter, the Beatitudes and the Creed. Then may follow the Offertory and Sermon. After which, the Minister, standing at the Altar, shall say one or more of the following sentences:
Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. St. Matt. v. 6.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said, My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. St. John vi. 32, 33, 35.
And the Spirit and the Church say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Rev. xxii. 17.
By one Spirit are we baptized into one body, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Being many we are one, being partakers of one bread. 1 Cor. xii. 13; x. 17.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me. Rev. iii. 20.
Christ, our passover, is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor. v. 7, 8.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said, Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. St. John xv. 4, 5.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you. St. John xv. 13-15.
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. St. Matt. xi. 28.
God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. St. John iii. 16.
¶ Then the Minister shall say:
Dearly beloved brethren, we come to this table to testify, not that we are righteous, but that we sincerely love the Lord Jesus Christ, and wish to become his true disciples. Ye, therefore, who do truly and earnestly desire to learn of the Saviour, and to co-operate in the study and practice of his religion; who would live in love and charity with your neighbors, and would grow in the Christian Life, draw near with faith, and take this holy ordinance to your comfort, and make your humble confession to Almighty God.
¶ Then shall this general Confession be made by Minister and People; all humbly bowing down or devoutly kneeling.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father; We humbly acknowledge our weakness, and the sins which we from time to time have most grievously committed, by thought, word, and deed, against thy great goodness, against our Master, Jesus Christ, against our own souls, and against our brethren. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father. Comfort and help us. Raise our hearts up to thee in heaven, and suffer us no more to wander upon earth. In the name of thy beloved Son, we beseech thee to forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee, in newness of life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ Then shall the Minister say this Prayer:
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy great mercy hast promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto thee, have mercy upon us; pardon and deliver us from all our sins; confirm and strengthen us in all goodness; and bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ Then shall the Minister say:
Hear what words of comfort our Savior saith unto all who desire his help.
Come unto me, all ye who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
So God loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all who believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Hear, also, what St. Paul saith.
This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Hear, also, what St. John saith.
If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our sins.
Lift up your hearts.
Answer. We lift them up unto the Lord.
Minister. Let us give thanks unto our God.
Answer. It is meet and right so to do.
Minister. It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God.
¶ Here may follow the proper Preface, if there be any specially appointed; or else immediately may follow (Minister and People together):
Therefore with angels, and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name; evermore praising thee, and saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord, most high.
Proper Prefaces.
Upon Christmas Day.
Because thou didst send thy Son into the world, that the world through him might be saved. Therefore with angels, etc.
Upon Easter Day.
But chiefly are we bound to praise thee for the glorious resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he was offered for us, and is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world; who by his death hath destroyed death, and by his rising to life again hath restored to us everlasting life. Therefore with angels, etc.
Upon Ascension Day.
Through thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who, after his most glorious resurrection, manifestly appeared to all his apostles, and in their sight ascended up into heaven to prepare a place for us; that where he is, thither we might also ascend, and reign with him in glory. Therefore with angels, etc.
Upon Whit-Sunday.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord; according to whose most true promise, thy Holy Spirit was poured forth upon the apostles, to teach them, and to lead them to all truth; giving them both the gift of divers languages, and also boldness, with fervent zeal, constantly to preach the gospel unto all nations, whereby we have been brought out of darkness and error into the clear light and true knowledge of thee, and of thy Son Jesus Christ. Therefore with angels, etc.
¶ Then shall the Minister read the following words:
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come. 1 Cor. xi. 23-26.
Minister. The Lord be with you.
People. And with thy spirit.
Minister. Let us pray.
¶ The Minister may then offer prayer in his own words, or say the Prayers following; all humbly bowing down or devoutly kneeling.
Father of our spirits, mindful of Christ’s life and teachings, his death upon the cross, his resurrection and ascension, and his seat at thy right hand, we come to partake of this thy bread and this wine in remembrance of him. We beseech thee to sanctify them and us: and may we who thus eat of one bread and drink of one cup be made one with each other in the fellowship of the same Holy Spirit, and one with thee and thy dear Son.
And in this our communion we desire to remember, and beseech thee to remember and bless, the multitudes of every name who are joined with us in one household of faith, our brethren and sisters in Christ throughout the world.
We remember those who have fallen asleep in Christ, and in the joyful hope of resurrection unto eternal life.
We remember the fathers from the beginning of the world; the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, and all who have wrought righteousness.
We remember all such as journey; all who are in sickness or distress; and we would forgive our enemies, if there be any who have wished or done us ill.
We remember the whole family of man; beseeching thee that the spirits of all flesh may taste thy grace, and that the ends of the earth may see the salvation of God.
And unto us, O Lord God, vouchsafe such guidance, that as Christians and blameless we may spend the remainders of our lives.
Accept, O holy and ever-blessed Father, these our supplications. May our offerings find favor in thy sight, and be as an odor of spiritual incense. Amen.
¶ Here shall be sung a Communion Hymn, or a Hymn appointed for Vespers, unannounced.
¶ Then shall the Minister, having first received the Communion in both kinds himself, proceed to deliver the same to the People. And when he delivereth the bread, he shall say:
Take and eat this in remembrance of Jesus Christ: and feed on him in thy heart by faith, with thanksgiving.
¶ And the Minister who delivereth the Cup, shall say:
Drink this in remembrance of Jesus Christ, and be thankful.
¶ When all have received the Communion, the Lord’s Prayer shall be said by Minister and People; all humbly bowing down or reverently kneeling.
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.
¶ Then the Minister shall say this Prayer:
Almighty and ever-living God, we most heartily thank thee, for that thou dost vouchsafe to feed us with spiritual food; and dost assure us thereby of thy favor and goodness towards us; and that we are heirs, through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom. And we most humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom to thee be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
¶ Then may be said or sang, all standing, some proper Hymn.
¶ Then the Minister shall let the People depart with this Blessing:
The peace of God, which passeth 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 be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.