On the Liturgy
- Before using this liturgy, please read the information and instructions throughout “The Service of the Word and Lord’s Supper.”
- It is strongly encouraged that churches follow a lectionary from Advent to Pentecost and on major feasts such as Trinity Sunday and All Saints’ Day. During Ordinary Time (After Pentecost), however, it is common for churches to preach through a book of the Bible (lectio continua). Since most lectionaries prescribe four passages (OT, Psalm, Epistles, Gospel), lectionary preaching tends to be around 20–25 minutes (shorter to compensate for the length of the readings themselves). This liturgy is significantly simplified and only prescribes two readings (the primary sermon text and a companion text earlier in the service), allowing for a 30–35 minute sermon.
- The Book of Psalms is a crucial part of Christian worship, and so it is strongly recommended that when using this liturgy, at least one psalm is intentionally incorporated into some part of the service (e.g., Psalm 95 or 100 in the call to worship, Psalm 51 at confession, Psalm 23 for before communion, or a fitting psalm sung in metrical form as a hymn).
The Liturgy
THE ACCLAMATION
Blessed be God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!
And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever! Amen!
CALL TO WORSHIP
The Minister may then greet the people and issue a call to worship (see especially the “Psalms” section). From time to time, incorporate the Summary of the Law, Ten Commandments, Kyrie (“Lord have mercy”), and/or Trisagion in the Call to Worship or after the Opening Prayer.
OPENING PRAYER
From time to time, incorporate the Collect for Purity or one of the Collects for Ordinary Time.
THE GLORIA PATRI (SAID OR SUNG)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
HYMN OR CHORUSES OF PRAISE
A song of praise (e.g., “Here I Am to Worship”) or several gospel choruses (e.g., “I Will Enter His Gates” and “Thy Word”) may be sung. From time to time, consider saying the Gloria in Excelsis.
SCRIPTURE READING: COMPANION TEXT
A portion of Scripture is read that relates to the primary sermon text. If the primary sermon text is from the New Testament, consider an Old Testament background text (or vice versa). If a Psalm is used, it is read or sung without introduction and concludes with the Gloria Patri. If a passage is read from anywhere other than the Psalms or Gospels, the Reader says,
A reading from ___________.
After the lesson, the Reader says,
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
If a passage is read from the Gospels, the Minister says,
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to ___________.
After the Gospel, the Minister says,
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
HYMNS
Several hymns may be sung as a response to God’s Word and in preparation for the primary sermon text.
SCRIPTURE READING: PRIMARY SERMON TEXT
A prayer for illumination may be said before the reading of the primary sermon text or before the sermon itself.
THE SERMON
The Minister expounds the primary sermon text, drawing from the companion text and other relevant passages of Scripture. If fitting, one or more catechism questions may be said before or after the sermon.
THE CREED
The Apostles’ Creed (below). Alternatively, the Nicene Creed may be said. For meaningful ways to introduce the Creed, see “Prefaces to the Creed.”
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died, and was buried: He descended to the dead: On the third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father: From there he will come to judge the living and the dead: I believe in the Holy Spirit: the holy catholic church: the communion of saints: The forgiveness of sins: The resurrection of the body: And the life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Prayer is offered for the local and universal Church, the nations of the world, their rulers, Christian ministers, the spread of the gospel, the work of the great commission, and all who are in trouble, sorrow, need, or sickness. For sample prayer liturgies, see “The Prayers of the People (Congregational Prayer).”
PREFACE AND INVITATION TO THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Minister may transition to the Lord’s Supper and offer some prepared remarks on its meaning and significance as a memorial, means of grace, and pledge of eternal life. The Minister extends Christ’s invitation to the Table, emphasizing that it is a holy meal for the people of God and encouraging people to examine themselves and confess their sins. See “Invitations and Prefaces to the Lord’s Supper.”
THE CONFESSION
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; we acknowledge and lament our many sins, which we have, from time to time, most grievously committed, by thought, word, and deed, against your divine majesty. We earnestly repent, and are sincerely sorry for our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous to us. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father. For the sake of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE COMFORTING WORDS AND THE PEACE
Words of assurance and forgiveness are shared (e.g., Matthew 11:28; John 3:16; 1 Timothy 1:15; 2 John 2:1–2). Then say,
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
THE OFFERTORY
THE SURSUM CORDA AND THE SANCTUS
The people are encouraged to praise God and give him thanks, shifting the tone from solemnity and self-examination to joy and thanksgiving. From time to time, incorporate the Sursum Corda (“Life up your hearts”) and/or the Sanctus (“Holy, Holy, Holy”).
THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
Almighty God, our heavenly Father; of your tender mercy, you gave your only Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption. By once offering himself there, he made a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, offering, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world.
So now, most merciful Father, we humbly ask you to bless and sanctify, with your Word and Spirit, these gifts of bread and wine; and grant that we may receive them according to the holy institution of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, in remembrance of his death and passion, and be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.
In the same night that he was betrayed, he took* bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake* it; and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this* is my Body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise after Supper he took* the Cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink you all of this; for this* is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins: Do this as often as you shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died;
Christ is risen;
Christ will come again.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Let us pray.
Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your 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 yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE MINISTRATION
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
The Ministers receive the Bread and Cup, and then invite the people to come forward to partake. When delivering the bread to each person, say, “The body of Christ.” When delivering the cup, say, “The blood of Christ.” Other words may be added (e.g., “The body of Christ, the bread of heaven”). See “The Service of the Word and Lord’s Supper.”
THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER
A brief prayer may be offered that thanks God for the gifts that have been received (“we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of Christ’s body and blood”) and transitions to the sending (“now, send us out to do the work that you’ve called us to do”). For more prayers, see “Prayers for After Communion.” Other words of praise and thanksgiving (e.g., personal testimonies) may also be shared.
THE DOXOLOGY
“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” may be sung.
THE BLESSING AND SENDING
Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.