Grace Memorial Customary Spring 2020 · The Deacon proclaims the Gospel, bids the confession, and dismisses the people. The Preacher gives the sermon. They may also hold another role

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GraceMemorialCustomary

Spring2020

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AboutthisDocument

Thisdocumentisasnapshotofwhatourparish’sliturgieslooklikerightnow.Ourliturgiesare–andwillalwaysbe–livingandchangingrites.WhenTheEpiscopalChurchintroducesanewPrayerBook,forinstance,ourliturgieschange.Similarly,whentheneedsoftheGracecommunityevolve,ourliturgiesshiftinresponse.

ThelivingnatureofliturgyisacorevaluewithintheAnglicantradition.BeginningwithThomasCranmer,thearchitectofthefirst-everBookofCommonPrayer,Anglicanshaveheldthatworshipbelongsinthelanguageofthepeople.Atitsmostbasiclevel,thatmeansthatweworshipinthetonguethatwespeakinourday-to-daylives.Anditalsomeansthatthesymbolsandritualactionsthatweemployareinculturated(i.e.,theirmeaningis,oroughttobe,readilyapparentandtheyculturallyappropriatetoourcommunity).

LiturgyisawayofnamingJesus’presenceinourmidst,ofseekinghealing,belonging,andmeaning,ofsayingyestotheactionintowhichJesuscallsus.Thisdocumentisarecordofourbesteffortstomeetthesegoals.

AboutServingasaLiturgicalLeader

Oneofourprimaryresponsibilitiesasliturgicalleaders(i.e.,aspreachers,intercessors,chalicebearers,acolytes,altarguildmembers,ushers,choirmembers,andsoon)istomodelaprayerfulresponsetoGodforthegatheredBodyofChrist.Thatdoesn’tmeanthatwemustn’tenjoyourselvesormustn’tlaugh–there’snothingwrongwith“church”and“fun”hangingoutinthesamesentence.Itdoesmeanthateverythingwedobefore,during,andaftertheserviceisanactofworshipwhichdeservesourreverentattention.

Thisisparticularlyimportanttorememberduringthosepartsoftheservicewhenyouarewaitingwhilesomeoneelsespeaksorsingsorleadsprayer.Inthesemoments,thecongregationcanstillseeandhearyou!Andso,ifyouarecheckingyourphoneorchattingwithafriendorwhatever,thatisasignaltothewidercongregationthatwhatishappeningisunimportant.Pleasehonoroursharedworkbybeingprayerfullyattentivethroughouttheservice.

AboutUnderstandingtheSymbolsandActionsThatWeEmploy

Liturgyworksbestwhenalloftheliturgicalleadersunderstandthesymbolsandritualactionsthattheyareemploying.Thereissomethingdisconcertingandevenalienatingwhenyouvisitachurchandyourcomeawaywiththeimpressionthatthefolksinthealtarpartyareunsurewhytheygenuflectingatagivenmomentorwhytheyareringingabellatanother.Ifyouareacrucifer,explorewhatitmeanstocarrythesymbolthatisthecrossintothemidstofourcongregation.IfyouarebowingtowardsthealtarortowardstheGospelBookortowardsanotherperson,

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considerwhatthisactofreverencemeans.IfyouareelevatingachaliceattheconclusionoftheEucharisticPrayer,thinkaboutwhatisimplicitinthisaction.Itmattersthatyouunderstandwhyyouaredoingwhatyouaredoing.Therestofthealtarpartyisheretohelpyouifyouareunsure.

AboutPersonalPiety

AtGraceMemorial,thereisroomforbroadexpressionsofpiety.DuringthePrayersofthePeopleforinstance,somepeoplestand,somekneel,andotherssit.Similarly,somefolksmakethesignofthecrossonthemselvesatassortedtimesduringtheservice(mostcommonlyattheopeningacclamation,beforethesermon,attheconclusionoftheCreed,duringtheSanctus,priortoreceivingcommunion,andduringtheclosingblessing).

Generallyspeaking,thereisnoneedtoalteryourpersonalpracticewhileserving.IfyouarepartoftheAltarParty,thenpleasestandwhenthePresiderstandsandsitwhentheysit.Butbeyondthat,youarewelcometomaintainyourpersonalpiety:ifyougenerallykneelduringthePrayersofthePeople,pleasecontinuetodoso;ifyoudonotcrossyourselfduringtheSanctus,youneednotbegin.Whilethereisanappealingsymmetryineveryonedoingthesameritualactions,thereisalsovalueinthepartymodelingareasonablerangeofresponsestotheliturgy.

SundayMorningRoles

ThePresideristheleaderoftheservice.Theysaytheopeningcollect,pronounceGod’sabsolutionaftertheconfession,saytheEucharisticprayeronbehalfofthecongregation,andsoon.Intheabsenceofadeaconoranordainedpreacher,theyproclaimtheGospel.

TheDeaconproclaimstheGospel,bidstheconfession,anddismissesthepeople.

ThePreachergivesthesermon.Theymayalsoholdanotherroleintheservice.Itiscommon,forinstance,forsomeonetobothpreachandpreside.

TheThuriferispresentonthoseserviceswhenweuseincenseinathurible.Theyleadtheprocession,censethecongregation,andallowthepresidertocensethealtar.

TheCrucifer/AltarAcolytecarriesthecross.Absentathurifer,theyleadtheprocessionandrecession.Theylightthecandlesbeforetheserviceandextinguishthemaftertheclosingblessing.

TheTorchbearerscarrythecandlesintheprocession,recession,andGospelprocession.Theyalsocollectthegiftsfromtheushersandotherwisefacilitatetheservice.TorchbearerIstandsstageleft(i.e.,whenyouarestandingatthealtarand

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facingtheNave,yourleft;sometimesknownastheepistleside),TorchbearerIIstandsstageright(sometimesknownasthegospelside).

TheChaliceBearersadministerthewineandgracejuicetocommunicants.ChaliceBearerIleadsthecongregationintheCreed.ChaliceBearerIIcommunicatestheAltarPartyafterthewidercongregationhasreceivedcommunion.

TheIntercessorleadstheprayersofthepeople.

TheLectorsreadthefirsttwolessonsand,absentthechoir,leadthepsalm.

TheUshersgreetmembersandguests,distributeprograms,directfolkstocommunion,invitegueststocoffeehour,andencouragegueststofilloutanewcomerform.

TheAltarGuildhastheministryofpreparingtheworshipspacefortheserviceandrestoringeverythingtoitsneutralstatethereafter.

TheAcolytesorServersarenamesforthecollectivegroupofthurifer,crucifer,torchbearer,andchalicebearer.

TheAltarPartyisanameforthecollectivegroupoftheacolytes/serversplusthepresider,deacon,andpreacher.

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The(Typical)ShapeoftheSundayMorningLiturgy

GatheringoftheCommunity8amAnnouncementsOpeningProcessionGreeting(“Blessedbetheone…”orother)CollectforPurityGloria(orotherhymnofpraise)CollectoftheDay

TheLiturgyoftheWordFirstReadingPsalmSecondReadingGospelAcclamation(AlleluiaorHymn)GospelSermonCreedPrayersofthePeopleConfessionandAbsolution(Occasionallyanannouncementorspecialliturgy)ThePeace

CelebrationoftheEucharistOffertoryGreatThanksgivingBreakingoftheBread(Fraction)InvitationtoCommunionCommunionPost-communionprayer

SendingOutoftheDisciples10amAnnouncementsandThanksgivingsBlessingRecessionDismissal

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Sunday,8am

The8amliturgyfollowsRiteIintheBookofCommonPrayer.WiththeexceptionofMajorFeasts(mostnotably,Easter)andotherspecialoccasions,thereisnomusic.

Preset

Thegiftsofbreadandwinebegintheserviceonthecredencetablebehindthealtar.Thegiftsconsistofacruetofwineandaciboriumofwafersand,onaseparatesmallplate,2gluten-freewafers.Indeferencetoourceliacandgluten-freemembers,itisimperativethattherebenocross-contaminationbetweenthewafers:thewafersmustnottouchoneanother;anyonehandlingtheconventionalwafersmustwashtheirhandsbeforetouchingthegluten-freewafers;theEucharisticministersmustnottouchthegluten-freewaferswhenofferingthemtocommunicants.

Thealtar,chairs,andotherliturgicalfurniturearepositionedinaccordancewiththespikemarks(i.e.,thetape)onthefloor.Thealtarandpulpitareadornedwiththecolorsoftheseasonortheday.Thetopofthealtarispresetwithanemptychalice,apatenwiththehostinit,allbeneathaburseandveil.

Ifthereisnotyetwaterinthefont,thepresiderfillsthefontandblessesthewatertherein.

Thecandlesarepresetattheambo,onthealtar,besidethealtar,andonthehighaltar.Thesacristanlightsthematabout7.45am.Itisnotnecessaryforthesacristantovestinordertodoso.

Thereisaplatepresetonawoodenplinthatthecrossingjustnorthwestofthecenteraisleinordertoreceivefinancialgifts.Theplatedoesnotleavethislocationduringtheservice.

Thelightsilluminatingthenaveandaltarareturnedon.Thequireremainsdark.Aclip-on“littlelite”isinstalledattheamboandturnedon.Ifrequired,asecondsuchlightisinstalledatthepulpit.

ThePresideroranAltarGuildmemberpreparesthePAsysteminaccordancewiththefollowingguide:

1. PriortoturningonthePA,pullandinstallthemicsfromthesacristy:(a) 1cordedmicforthelectern;(b) Ifrequired,acordedmicforpulpit(ifthepreacheriswearinga

headsetmic,thenacordedmicisunnecessary);(c) Thewirelesshandheld(usedforthanksgivingsandbyCorbetto

preach);(d) Awirelessheadsetmicforthepresider–usemiclabelled1or2;

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(e) Awirelessheadsetmicforthepreacher–usemiclabelled1or2;(f) Ifabsolutelynecessary,athirdheadsetmic–theonelabelled3.

Proceedwithcaution!Thisisonthesamechannelasthehandheldmicandthereforeisvulnerableto“crosstalk.”Thehandheldmustbeturnedoffwhenthethirdheadsetmicisuseandviceversa.

2. TurnonthePAusingthebigol’toggleswitchintheupperright-handcornerofthecabinet.

3. Testeverything.Allthemicsshouldmakenoisewhenyoutalkintothemandbesimilarinvolume.Ifnot,adjusttheirrespectivechannelsusingthelabelledknobswithinthesoundlockbox.Ifthemichasotherproblems,suchascuttinginandout,pleasetakeitoutofserviceandbringittoMartin’sattention.

4. Checkthebatterylevelonallofthecordlessitems.Thereshouldbeatleastthree“bars”ofpower.Ifnot,swapoutthebatteries.

5. Gettherecorderstarted.

6. Betweenservices,stoptherecorderandthemimmediatelyrestartit.Thisturnstherecordingintotwofileswhichishandylater.

7. Attheconclusionoftheservice,stoptherecorderpriortoturningoffthePA.Therecorderneedsto“finalize”beforepoweringdownortherecordingwillbelost.

8. Duringtheservice,youmayneedtosneakbacktothesacristytotweakvolume,especiallyifthepreacherismuchlouderorquieterthanIexpected.

Otherstuff:

9. Corbetdoesnotliketheheadsetmics.Sopleaseswapinalavalier(i.e.,aclipon)micforhim.Becauseitisfurtherfromthesoundsource(i.e.,hismouth),youwillneedtoturnitupasloudasyoucanwithoutitfeedingback.

Thealtarpartyvestinalbsand,asappropriate,stoles.Thepresidermaywearachasubleor,attheirdiscretion,presetitonthealtarrail.Intheheatofsummer,foregoingthechasubleisacceptable.

Announcements

Ifthereareannouncements,thepresidermakesthemjustbeforethebeginningoftheservice.Itisbestnottovestwhenmakingtheseannouncementssoastoavoidinadvertentlysignalingtothecongregationthattheserviceisbeginning.

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OpeningProcession

ThealtarpartyentertheNave“theshortway”(i.e.,directlyfromthesacristy).Theyreverencethealtarfromthecrossingandthenmaketheirwaytotheareabeforetheirseats,remainingstanding.Thepartytypicallyconsistsjustofthepresiderand,ifthepresiderisnotpreaching,thepreacher.Therearenoacolytesorservers.

Readings

Thelectorssitinthepewswiththeremainderofthecongregation,makingtheirwaydiscretelyandpromptlytotheambowhenthetimeforthereadingscome.Pleasetakecaretoavoidascenarioinwhichwalkingtotheambotakesasubstantialamountoftimeorotherwisereadsasaprocession.

ThefirstlectorleadsthecongregationinprayingthePsalm.

Gospel

Thepresideror,iftheyareordained,thepreacherreadtheGospel,carryingtheGospelbookaboutathirdofthewaydownthecenteraisleandreadingitamongthepeople.

Sermon

Attheconclusionofthesermon,afterthepreacherreturnstotheirseat,thereisagenerousperiodofstillnessandsilence.

Creed

Thepresider(oradeacon,ifthereisonepresent)bidstheCreed.

PrayersofthePeople

Theprayersareledbyanintercessorattheambo.TheintercessormakestheirwaydiscretelyandpromptlytotheamboduringtheCreed.Aswiththereadings,pleasetakecaretoavoidascenarioinwhichwalkingtotheambotakesasubstantialamountoftimeorotherwisereadsasaprocession.

Confession

Thepresider(oradeacon,ifthereisonepresent)bidstheconfession.ExceptinEaster,theconfessionisnottypicallyomitted.

Attheirdiscretion,thepresidermayrecitesomeorallofthecomfortablewordsaftertheabsolution.

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Peace

Thepresiderbidsthepeacefromthecrossing.Theysharetheoffertorysentencefromthesamelocation.

Offertory

IfthePresiderhasnotbeingwearingachasublefortheWordportionoftheservice,theyputitonnow.Eucharisticministersreturntothesacristyandwashtheirhands.Thepresider(oradeacon,ifthereisonepresent)setsthetable.Thepreachermayassistasappropriateanduseful.Thesettableconsistsofapatenwithahostandtheadditionalwafersonit,achalicefilledwithwine,acruetofwine,acruetofgrapejuice,andthesmallplateofgluten-freewafers.

EucharisticPrayer

Typically,weprayEucharisticPrayer1.ItisthecustomofthecommunityforthePresideralonetosaythefirstlineofthesecondparagraphoftheSanctus(i.e.,“BlessedishewhocomesintheLord”).Thiscustomissurprisingifyounotexpectingit,sobeprepared!

WesaytheAgnusDeiaftertheFraction.

AtthePresider’sdiscretion,wemaysaythePrayerofHumbleAccess.

Communion

Ifthereisonlyoneordainedpersonpresent,aEucharisticMinistercomesforwardtoadministerthechalice.ThePresidercommunicatesthemselvesandthentheEucharisticMinisterandanyoneelseintheAltarParty.Thetwoshallcommunicateparishionersonbothsidesofthealtarrail.

Asmuchaspossible,pleaseprotectthesewncrossonthepurificatorfromgettingwineonit–itisdifficulttoclean.

Ifacommunicantwishestointinct(i.e.,dippingthewaferintothewine),theEucharisticMinistershalldothisontheirbehalf.Pleasedonotallowparishionerstoreachintothechalice.

Aftercommunion,thepresiderreturnstheelements,vessels,andlinenstothecredencetable.Pleaseminimizehowmuchwinegetsontothepurificator–inparticular,pleasedonotuseittowipedowntheinteriorofthechalice.

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BlessingandRecessional

Thepresiderblessesthecongregation.Thepresider(oradeacon,ifoneispresent)dismissesthecongregation.Thealtarpartyexits“thelongway”(i.e.,downtheaisle)inordertogreetparishionersatthedoorstothenarthex.

Cleanup

Thealtarpartyextinguishthecandles.Incooperationwiththealtarguild,theymovetheelements,vessels,andlinestothesacristyandreverentlydisposeofanyconsecratedelements(exceptthoseelementswhicharetobereservedforpastoralvisits).ReverentdisposalcouldlooklikesolemnlyconsumingtheelementsorreturningthemtotheearthinGrace’sgarden.

InaccordancewithGrace’scashhandlingpolicy,twopeopleplacethecontentsoftheplateintothedropboxintheinnersacristy.

Therecorderisstoppedandthenrestarted(thismakes8amand10amintotwoseparatefileswhichisusefulwhenitcomestoeditingthem).

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Sunday,10am

The10amliturgyfollowsRiteIIintheBookofCommonPrayerandEnrichingOurWorship.ItoccasionallydrawsfromtheBookofOccasionalServices,theCanadianBookofAlternativeServices,andotherresources.Duringthe“programyear”(i.e.,themonthsexcludingthesummertime)thechoirsings.Throughouttheyear,thereismusic.

Preset

ThegiftsofbreadandwinebegintheserviceontheoblationtablebehindjustinsidetheNavefromtheNarthex.Thegiftsconsistofacruetofwineandalargepatenwithaloafofgluten-free,veganbreadonit.Thereisalsoacruetofgrapejuice;forconvenience(andbecausetheusherwhowillbringthegiftsforwardonlyhastwohands)thejuicemaybepresetonthecredencetable.

Thealtar,chairs,andotherliturgicalfurnitureshouldbeinplacefromthe8am.Thequirelightsareturnedon.ThePAshouldbeonandtherecorderrunningfromthe8amcleanupperiod.

Thecandlesarepresetonthealtar,besidethealtar,andonthehighaltar.TheCrucifer/AltarAcolytelightsthematabout9.45amusingthelucifer.Thetorchbearerstakethetwocandlesfrombesidetheambo.

Thealtarpartyvestinalbsand,asappropriate,stoles.Acolytesmaywearalbsorcassocksandsurplices(acolytesshouldbedressedconsistentlywitheachother,sothattheteamiseitherallinalbsorallincassocksandsurplices).Thepresidermaywearachasubleor,attheirdiscretion,presetitonthealtarrail.Intheheatofsummer,foregoingthechasubleisacceptable.

ThetwoTorchbearerscheckinwitheachothertomakesurethattheywillbecarryingtheirtorchesatanevenheight.Ifonetorchbeareristallerthantheother,theshorterpersonwillneedtocarrythetorchalittlebithigherwhilethetallerpersonwillneedtocarrythetorchalittlebitlowerinordertomatchheights.

Thechalicebearers,presider,andanyassistingclergycheckinwitheachothertomakesurethateveryoneisonthesamepageastowhowillbedistributingwhichelementsduringcommunion.

Thealtarparty,acolytes,choir,andreadersgatheroutsideofthechurchofficeforaprayeratabout9.55am.

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Entrance

Thealtarparty,choir,andlectorsproceedtothenarthexandtheeasternpartoftheNave.Thepresiderwavestothemusicdirectortoindicatethattheservicemaybegin.Astheopeninghymnbegins,theaforementionedpeopleprocessdowntheaisle.

TheCrucifer/AltarAcolyte(CAA)leadsthechoir,lectors,andaltarpartyintheprocessiontothealtar.Theybeginwalkingjustasparishionersbegintosingthefirstlineoftheopeninghymn.Thecruciferholdsthecrosshighwithsolemnity,marchingslowlyinadignifiedmannertoallowparishionerstoreverencethecrossasitpassesby.Thetorchbearersmarchinsyncwiththecrucifer,standingslightlybehindthecrossandformingatriangle.TorchbearerIstandsStageRight,TorchbearerIIStageLeft–theseshallremaintheirpositionsthroughouttheservice.

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Thecrossandtorchbearersstopandformalinebeforethealtarwhilethechoirandreadersandchoirmaketheirwaytotheirseats.TheCAAthenstepsback,allowingtheTorchbearerstoplacetheirtorchesintheirbasesoneithersideoftheambo.TheyCAAplacesthecrossontherackbehindthepulpit.Allthreeserversthenmaketheirwaytotheirseats,usuallyinthefrontpew.Thealtarpartyreverencesthealtarfromthecrossingandthenmaketheirwaytotheareabeforetheirseats,remainingstanding.Thisisusuallybestaccomplishediftheclergytakeastepback,allowingtheChaliceBearerstowalkunimpededupstage.

Afterthehymn,thePresidersaystheopeningacclamation.ItisthecustomofthecommunitytosaytheCollectforPuritytogether.AftertheCollectoftheDay,thepresiderinvitesthecommunitytosit.

Readings

Thelectorssitintwochairsbehindtheorganconsole.Ifthelectorischorister,theymayremainwiththechoir.Ifthelectorhaslimitedmobility,theymayremainapew.Thelectormakestheirwaydiscretelyandpromptlytotheambowhenthetimeforthereadingscomes.Pleasetakecaretoavoidascenarioinwhichwalkingtotheambotakesasubstantialamountoftimeorotherwisereadsasaprocession.

Duringthe“programyear,”thePsalmissung.Duringthesummertime,thefirstlectorleadsthecongregationinprayingthePsalm.AtthebeginningoftheSequenceHymn(i.e.,thehymnpriortothereadingoftheGospel)thetwolectorstogetherreturntotheirseatsinthecongregation.Theymayreverencethealtaronthewaytotheirseatsiftheywish.

GospelAcclamationandProclamationoftheGospel

Atthebeginningofthehymnoralleluia,everyonestands.Thecrucifer/altaracolyte(CAA)estimateshowmuchmusictherewillbepriortothereadingoftheGospel.ThegoalisfortheGospelprocessiontoarriveattheplacewheretheGospelwillbeproclaimedshortlybeforethemusicconcludes.Thus,ifthehymnisshort,theCAAacolyteretrievesGospelfromthealtarmidwaythroughthefirstverse.Ifthehymnislonger,theCAAacolytemaysingoneormoreversesbeforebeginningtomove.

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ThetorchbearerstaketheircuefromtheCAA:ontheCAA’ssignalthetorchbearersretrievetheirtorchesandstandtotherightandleftoftheCAAfacingthealtarjustoffthealtarplatform.TheCAAacolytethenstepsupontothealtarplatform,reverencesthealtar,retrievesthegospelbook,andraisesithigh.Theyreturntotheirplacebetweenthetorchbearers.

AtthesignaloftheGospeller(i.e.,thepresider,deacon,orordainedpreacher)theCAAandtorchbearersturnaround,andmarchintotheNave,theCAAleadingtheway.(Ifweareusingincense,thethuriferleadstheprocession.)Theprocessionstopswherethehalf-lengthpewsarelocated.DonotstartmarchingbeforetheGospellersignalsyou–itisawkwardiftheGospellergetsstrandedwithoutyou!

Onceeveryonearrivesatthehalf-lengthpews,theCAAturnsaroundandlowersthegospelbook,proppingitstopagainsttheiruppersternumorcollarbone.Thetorchbearersturninwardandfaceoneanother,theCAA,gospelbook,andGospellerbetweenthem.Ifweareusingincense,theGospellertakesthethuriblefromthethurifer,censestheGospelbook,andthenhandsitback.

AftertheGospellersays,“TheGospeloftheLord,”theGospellerwillsteptothesideandallowthewholeprocessiontoreverse,theCAA(orthethurifer)againleadingtheway.TheCAAreplacesthegospelbookonthealtarwithitsspinefacingthecongregation.Theythenreverencethealtarandreturntotheirseat.Thetorchbearersreturnthetorchestotheirstandsandreturntotheirseats.

Sermon

EveryonesitswheninvitedtodosobythePreacher.ThesermonisaboutfifteenminuteslongandaboutGod.

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Creed

Thereisasubstantialmomentofsilenceandstillnessafterthesermon.ThePresiderwillsignalwhenthesilencehasconcluded.

ItisGrace’spracticeforcreedtobebiddenbyalayperson.Intheliturgy,thistaskfallstoChaliceBearerI.ChaliceBearerIwaitsforthesignalfromthePresider.Whentheyreceivethissignal,theywillmovedownstageinfrontofthealtarbutstillonthealtarplatformandbidthecreed.ChaliceBearerImaysimplybeginsayingthecreed(i.e.,theymaysay,“WebelieveinoneGod…”)andthecongregationwilljoinin.Alternatively,theymayprefacethecreedbysaying,“LetusaffirmourfaithwiththewordsoftheNiceneCreed.”BecauseChaliceBearerIdoesnothaveamic,itisimportantforthemtoprojectloudlyandclearly.

PrayersofthePeople

Theprayersareledbyanintercessorattheambo.TheintercessormakestheirwaydiscretelyandpromptlytotheamboduringtheCreed.Aswiththereadings,pleasetakecaretoavoidascenarioinwhichwalkingtotheambotakesasubstantialamountoftimeorotherwisereadsasaprocession.

Itistheintercessor’stasktocraftprayersandtothentoleadthecommunityinpublicprayer.Inleadingthisministry,theintercessorwillbehelpedby:

1. ReviewingtherubricsandthesampleprayersprintedintheBCP(pages383-393)

2. Makingsurethattheprayerscoverthe“sixtopics”:• TheUniversalChurch,itsmembers,anditsmission• TheNationandallinauthority• Thewelfareoftheworld• Theconcernsofthelocalcommunity• Thosewhosufferandthoseinanytrouble• Thedeparted(withcommemorationofasaintwhenappropriate)

3. Minimizingtheuseoflists.Inotherparishes,forexample,folks

sometimesreadthenamesofeverycountrytheycanthinkofinwhichthereisconflict.Theresulttendstoclutteredorclumsy.It’sokaytooccasionallysay,“Weremembertheconflictin[country].”It’stypicallystronger,however,tosaysomethinglike,“Werememberallthoseplacesinwhichthereisinjusticeandviolence.”AtGrace,mostintercessorsreadthelistofnamesinthebulletin.Itisokaytoreadfirstnamesonly.

4. Makingsuretoleavesubstantialsilenceafterinvitingustoprayforsomething/someone,especiallysickpeople.Silencetendstoseemlonger

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whenyouareleadingthanwhenyouareinthepews,soyoucancheatbycountinginyourheadto30.

5. Itoftenhelpsthecongregationiftheintercessorverbally“underlines”thebiddingandresponsebypracticingitwithusrightaway.ForinstanceifthebiddingisGodofloveandtheresponseisGiveusyourlight,theintercessormightbegintheprayersbysaying,“Pleaserespondtothebidding,‘Godoflove,’withthewords,‘Giveusyourlight.’Godoflove…”

6. Leaningtowardsqualityoverquantity.Between6and8“stanzas”ofprayeristypicallyplenty.

7. Givingsomethoughttowhat“genre”ofprayertheyareemploying.Biddingsareaddressedtothepeople,askingthemtoprayforagiventopic.FormIIintheBCPisanexampleofabiddingprayer.PetitionsareaddressedtoGod,andarewrittenin“we”and“our”language.FormsI,IV,andVarepetitions.Litaniesarepetitionsthataresplitresponsivelybetweenintercessorandcongregation.FormsIIIandVIarelitanies.

8. Readingtheappointedscripturefortheday.Thelessonsmaybefoundatlectionarypage.net(whenthereisachoicebetween“Tracks,”wewillfollowTrack2).Itisofteneffectivetointegratethereadingsintotheprayers.Forinstance,iftheGospelreadingwasMatthew15:21-28,theintercessormightpray,“Helpus,OLord,asyouhelpedtheCanaaniteWoman,towalkwithyouinfaith,companionship,andlove.”

9. Integratingspecialoccasionsintotheprayers.Forinstance,theintercessionsattheblessingoftheanimalsmightprayforpetsand,morebroadly,forcreationcare.

10. Askingthepreacherwhatthemestheywillbevisitingintheirsermonandseeifthereisawayoftyingthesethemesintotheprayers.

11. (Points8–10inconcerttellusthatoneofourgoalsisfortheSundayliturgyisfortheassortedelementstopointinacommondirection.Itisgoodwhenthereadingsconnecttothesermonwhichconnectstotheprayerswhichconnecttothemusic,andsoon.)

12. Beingfamiliarwiththe“voice”ofliturgicalprayerintheAnglicantradition.TheBCPisourfriend.Wehavelotsofotherresourcesintheoffice.

13. Prayingsomethingtowhichwemayallsay“amen.”Thatdoesn’tmeanthattheintercessionsneedtobeinnocuous.ButitdoesmeanthatthePrayersofthePeoplearen’tasecondsermoninwhichtheintercessor

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advocatesforacause.Ifsomethingispolitically“loaded”or“hot,”lessmaybemore.Thus,“Weprayforthosewhoserveinthearmedforces”istypicallystrongerthanaprayerwhichcelebratesorcondemnsspecificmilitaryactions.

14. Employingcreativity.Iftheintercessorhasanideaaboutintegratingmusic,forinstance,intothePrayers,theyshouldcontactSue,Martin,and/orJeannesothattheymayfacilitatethat.

15. MakingtheirwaytothelecternduringtheCreed.Itisgoodtominimize“deadair”here,sothatwhentheCreedendstheprayerscanbeginpromptly.

16. Makingsurethatwritingtheprayersis,itself,aprayerfulexercise!TheintercessorsshouldgivethemselvesabundanttimeandquietwithinwhichtowriteandaskGodtoguidetheirwork.

Confession

Thepresider(oradeacon,ifthereisonepresent)bidstheconfession.ThereisnoconfessioninEaster.

Peace

Thepresiderbidsthepeacefromthecrossing.

Offertory

Thepresidersharestheoffertorysentencefromthecrossing.Iftheyarenotalreadywearingachasuble,theyputoneonnow.

TheentireAltarPartywashestheirhandsinthesacristy.

TheusherscollectthebreadandwinebringfromthetablejustinsidethechurchfromtheNarthexandbringthemforwardthetothecrossing.TheretheygivethegiftstoCrucifer/AltarAcolyteandremaininplace,waitingtoreceivethecollectionplates.Stillstandingdownstageofthealtar,theCAAturnstofacethealtarandelevatesthegifts.IfthetableisbeingsetbyaPriest,theymakethesignofthecrossbeforethegifts,takethemfromtheCAAandthenelevatethemagain,showingthemtothecongregation.IfthetableisbeingsetbyaDeacon,theysimplyelevatethegifts.

TheCAAmayeitherhandthegiftstoDeacon/Priestsettingtablebypassingthemacrossthealtarorbygoingclockwisearoundthealtar(i.e.,bywalkingStageRightofthealtar).IftheCAAisdoingthelatterandtheonesettingthetableisaPriest,

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theyshouldallowthePriesttomakethesignofthecrossoverthegiftsbeforebeginningtomove.

AftertheCAAgivethegiftstothePresider,TorchbearerIproceedstothecrossingwheretheushersremain.Torchbearer1givesaplatetoeachusherandthenreturnstotheirseat.

TheDeacon/Priest,withtheassistanceoftheChaliceBearers,setsthetablewithacorporal,achaliceofwine,acruetofwine,asmallchaliceofgrapejuice,andalargepatenwithbreadonit.

Afterthetableisset,theCAAretrievesthewater,towel,andlavabofromthecredencetableandpoursasmallamountofwateroverthePresider’shands.AfterthePresiderhasdriedtheirhands,thePresiderandChaliceBearerbowtooneanother.

DuringtheDoxologyorPresentationhymn,theushersbringthefinancialgiftsofthecongregationforward.TorchbearerIreturnstothecrossing,receivesthegiftsfromtheUsherandpresentsthemtothePresider.Themethodofdeliveringthesegiftsshouldbeidenticaltodeliveringthegiftsofbreadandwineearlier.Afterelevatingthesegifts,theDeacon/Priestplacesthemonthealtarwheretheyremainuntiltheconclusionofcommunion.

Ifweareusingincense,thethuriferbringsthethuribletothePresider,whocensesthealtarandthegifts,thenreturningthethuribletothethurifer.Thethuriferthencensesthechoir,servers,andthecongregation.

AstheOffertoryconcludes,theChaliceBearersmovetotherightandleftofthePresideratthealtar.IfthePresidersowishes,oneoftheChaliceBearersmayturnthepagesofthealtarbookand“point”forthem(i.e.,followtheprayerwiththeirfingersoastohelpthePresidermaintaintheirplace).

EucharisticPrayer

ThePresiderleadsthecongregationintheEucharisticPrayer,theirarmsintheoransposition,loweringthempriortotheSanctus.ThosewhowishtocrossthemselvesduringtheSanctusmaydoso.ThePresiderreturnstotheoranspositionuntiltheGreatAmen,whentheyelevatethegiftsofbreadandwine.Thegiftsremainelevateduntilthecongregationalresponseiscomplete.

DuringtheFraction,thePresiderelevatesthebreadandholdsasubstantialmomentofsilencebeforebreakingit.ThePresiderkeepsthebrokenbreadelevateduntilthecongregationalresponseiscomplete.

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Together,thePresiderandChaliceBearerselevatethegiftsafinaltimeasthePresidersays,“ThegiftsofGodforthePeopleofGod.”

Communion

TheAltarPartyreceivescommunionlast.Oncetheelevationiscompleteandthegiftsreturnedtothecorporal(pleasekeepthemonthere–itisfareasiertocleanthatthealtarcloth)theAltarPartycooperatestobringasecondsilverchalice,theceramicchaliceforgrapejuice,andtwosmallpatenstothealtar.ThePresidertransferstheconsecratedwinefromthecruetintothesecondchalice,theconsecratedgrapejuicefromglasscruetintotheceramicchalice,andamanageableportionofthebreadontoeachsmallportion.

Itisourgoalforcommunicantstoreceivebreadandwine/juicebyname(i.e.,“Tom,theBodyofChrist…”or“Jennifer,theBloodofChrist…”).Ifthisisunrealisticforwhateverreason(e.g.,therearelotsofguestsinthecongregationorthepersondistributingtheelementsstruggleswithnames),pleasedon’tworryaboutit.

TheEucharisticMinisterbearingthechaliceplacesthebreadintheopenpalmofthecongregantor,astheoccasionalcongregant’spietydemandsit,directlyinthecongregant’smouth.TheChaliceBearerworkswiththecongreganttoguidethechalicetotheirmouth,sometimeshandingittothem,sometimeshelpingthemtipthewine/juiceintotheirmouths,sometimesdoingalmostalltheworkwhenthecongregant’shandsremainclearofthechalice.Ifthecongregantwishestointinct(i.e.,dipbreadintothewine)theChaliceBearershalldothisontheirbehalfratherthanhavingmultiplehandsdipintothechalice.

Inbetweeneachcongregant,theChaliceBearershallwipethechalicewithapurificatorandgivethechaliceandeighthorquarterturn,sothatthesubsequentcongregantisnotdrinkingfromthesamepartofthechaliceastheirneighbor.TheChaliceBearerfoldsandturnsthepurificatorsoastouseanunsulliedpartoftheclothtowipethechalice.Ifnecessary,theChaliceBearerretrievesanewpurificatorpartwaythroughcommunion.

Ifacongregantisunabletocomeforwardtothealtar,aministercarryingapatenalongwithaministercarryingachaliceshalltakecommuniontothem.

Afterallofthecongregationhasreceivedcommunion,theAltarPartyshallgatherinasemi-circleupstageofthealtar.TherethePresiderandChaliceBearerIIshallcommunicatethem.ThePresideandChaliceBearershallthencommunicateoneanotherjustupstageofthealtar.

Together,theAltarPartyshallthenclearthetable,movingallelements,includingthemoney,tothecredencetable.

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PostCommunion

Afterthepost-communionPrayer,theRector(or,intheirabsence,thePresider)leadstheannouncementsfollowedbythesharingofThanksgivingsandotherprayers.AstheThanksgivingsbegin,TorchbearerIIbringstheLittleChurchouttotheareajustStageLeftofthecrossing.AttheconclusionoftheThanksgivings,TorchbearerIIreturnstheLittleChurchtothesacristy.

TheRecessional

Astherecessionalhymnbegins,theCAAsignalstheTorchbearersandallthreeretrievetheirsymbols(i.e.,thecrossandthetwotorches).

AftertheService

Inadignifiedandunhurriedmanner,theAltarPartynowreturnsthetorchesandthecrosstotheirrespectiveplaces.Pleasedonotleanontorchesorblowthemout.

Therecordershouldbestoppedand,onceithasfinished“finalizing”therecording,thePAsystempowereddownandthecabinetlocked.Micsshouldbeputawayinthesacristy.