THE ACCLAMATION
A processional hymn or psalm may be sung or played. Then say, “Blessed be…” Or, in Easter, “Alleluia!” Or, in Lent, “Bless the Lord…”
Blessed be God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins;
His mercy endures forever.
CALL TO WORSHIP
The Minister may then greet the people and issue a call to worship. A selection from the Venite (Psalm 95) or Jubilate (Psalm 100) is commonly used.
OPENING PRAYER
A prayer such as the Collect for Purity (below) may be offered.
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. 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.
THE SUMMARY OF THE LAW
The summary of the law below or the Ten Commandments may be said.
Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ says:
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 22:37–40
THE KYRIE AND/OR TRISAGION
One or both may be said.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Holy God, holy and mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
THE GLORIA PATRI
The Gloria Patri is 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 OF PRAISE
The Gloria in Excelsis (below) or another hymn of praise may be sung or said. This may be omitted in penitential times.
Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, we give thanks to you for your great glory, O Lord God, heavenly king, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. You that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. You that takes away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. You that sits at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For you alone are holy, you alone are the Lord, you alone, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit, are most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
PRAYER BEFORE THE LESSONS
Another short prayer, such as the Collect of the Day or a Prayer for Illumination, may be said before the Scripture lessons.
THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS
See the Revised Common Lectionary. Or, several portions of Scripture may be selected (e.g., from the Old Testament, Psalms, Epistles, and Gospels). The Psalm is read or sung without introduction and concludes with the Gloria Patri. Before each lesson, the Reader says,
A reading from ___________.
After each lesson, the Reader says,
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Before the Gospel reading, 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.
THE SERMON
The Minister expounds one or more of the Scripture lessons. One or more catechism questions may be said before or after the sermon.
THE CREED
The Nicene Creed (below) or the Apostles’ Creed is said. On major holy days, the Athanasian Creed may be said.
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
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.
THE LORD’S SUPPER
Then follows the Service of the Lord’s Supper.