The Liturgy of the Sacrament The Peace Here we show our intention to accept and welcome each other as followers of Christ. In many churches, the words of the peace are accompanied by a hand clasp as we stretch out our hands to receive another person into the community of peace. Preparation of the gifts Two kinds of gifts are involved here, different in their meaning and significance. First the people present the bread and the wine of the Eucharist, and secondly offer their money as a symbol of their commitment to the needs of the church and of the world. King David, who wrote many of the Psalms, also composed this great hymn of praise:   Blessed are you, Lord God of Israel. Yours Lord is the greatness, The power, the glory, the splendour and the majesty; For everything in heaven and on earth is yours. We remember King David's words when we bring our gifts of bread and wine to the altar. The Eucharistic Prayer As we’ve already discovered Eucharist means giving thanks'. At the beginning of this special prayer the leader invites the people to ‘give thanks to the Lord our God’. It continues with proclamations of praise to remind us of the greatness and majesty of God. At the centre of the Eucharistic prayer is the account of Jesus' last supper with his disciples. During that meal Jesus left instructions for his followers to ‘do this in remembrance of me’. Every time the Eucharist is celebrated we share with Jesus in that great meal. We proclaim that belief later in the prayer when we say Christ has died Christ has risen Christ will come again. We acknowledge that Jesus is present with us through the bread and wine of the Eucharist. The Eucharistic prayer ends on a high note. Just as the people cheered with excitement when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday we, too, can raise a shout of praise when we meet with Christ in the Eucharist. The Lord’s Prayer This is the family prayer of the church which unites Christians throughout earth and heaven. We pray this prayer together as a family, just before we share in the family meal of the Eucharist. Breaking of the Bread This reminds us how Jesus shared food with the five thousand. We too need to share our resources with all God’s people throughout his world. In the Eucharist we are sharing bread and fellowship with Jesus and all his disciples throughout the ages. Prayer of Humble Access This prayer was composed by Thomas Cranmer for the 1548 Order of Communion. It was written to remind us that we come to God’s table, not because we’re worthy to do so, but because God himself invites us. Invitation and Administration We are invited to draw near with faith and to receive the sacrament (the bread and wine). We respond by making a pilgrimage to the altar. There we meet with Christ in a very special way. The Post Communion Prayer After communion this short prayer sums up our gratitude to God. We thank God for feeding us in the Eucharist, and then ask to be sent out in the power of the Holy Spirit to live and work to God’s praise and glory. We offer God our souls and our bodies. The Gathering       Liturgy of the Word       The Dismissal

The Gathering Liturgy of the Word The Dismissal

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