St. Matthew chapter 5

And Jesus seeing the multitudes, went up into the mountain: and when He was ready, His disciples came unto Him: And Jesus taught them saying,

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are you when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake.

Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Dear friends always remember in your heart the way Jesus and his disciples were treated. They were lied about called all kinds of names, but with the strength of the Holy, spirit held fast in their faith even unto their deaths.

PROCESSION

The Procession of the clergy and altar boys ends at the Communion Rail.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord  come before His presence with singing

During this portion of the service, members are encouraged to praise. And give their own personal testimony by way of song, or in their own words.

Giving Thanks unto the Lord:

The deacon or deaconess is usually in charge of this portion of the service with the choir director or his assistant.

The congregation is asked to sing and rejoice, after the song and testimony part of the service.

In the Name of the Father + and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit + Amen.

Celebrant:  Give us strength to serve You O Lord.

Congregation:  And Your People shall rejoice in You.

Celebrant:  Lord be merciful with us Your children.

Congregation:  And grant us Your salvation.

Celebrant:  Lord Jesus please hear our prayers.

Congregation:  And forgive us our sins. Amen.

The reading of the Psalm of David by the celebrant, deacon or one appointed for the occasion.

(The Introit or the opening prayer.)

Celebrant or Deacon: The Lord be with you.

People: And Father with you.

In Masses of the dead and during Passion Tide Gloria in Excellus is not said.

The congregation will stand for the Gloria in Excellus.

Priest or Deacon: Glory be to God on High.

People:  And on earth peace towards men of good will. We praise You,. We bless You,. We worship You, We give You thanks for Your great glory. O Lord our 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 on us. You who take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. You O Lord that sits at the right hand of the Father, have mercy upon us.

Jesus, only You are Holy, only You are the Lord. Only You with the Holy Spirit, are Most High + in the glory of God our Heavenly Father. Amen.

Confession:

To prepare ourselves for our personal communion with the Lord Jesus let us confess our sins against God and our Neighbors, with heads bowed.

I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary the Virgin Mother of Jesus, to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and to All Saints and you my brothers and sisters that I have sinned exceedingly in thought word and deed thru my own fault (striking) your breast each time after the word Fault. Thru my own fault, Thru my most grievous fault.

With a Penitent heart:

O God I ask for the forgiveness of my sins in the name of Your wonderful Son our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Absolution

Priest: May Almighty God has mercy on you and forgives you your sins through our Lord Jesus the Risen Christ, strengthen you in His goodness and by the power of the Holy Spirit   (The Celebrant now blesses the congregation with the sign of the cross + bring you to everlasting life. Amen.

The Kyrie we beg God for mercy.

Kyrie  could be sung)

Priest:  Lord have mercy, (People will repeat)

Priest:  Christ have mercy, (People will repeat)

Priest:  Lord have mercy. (People will repeat)

The collect of the day

 Priest or Deacon:  The Lord be with you.

People:   And with you also Father.

After the collect  prayer the people respond: Amen.

The Epistle

The Congregation will sit for the reading of the epistle, which shall be read by our appointed by the person for the occasion.

Reader:  The 1^st lesson from *******

Reader: So ends the Lesson.

People: Thanks be to God our Father.

Reader: The second Lesson from *******

Reader: So ends the lesson.

People: Thanks be to God our Father.

The Gradual and Alleluia

The Celebrant or Deacon or Deaconess now reads the gradual for the day.

The Gospel

Celebrant: Deacon or Deaconess:

Reader:  Cleanse my heart and my lips, almighty God who did cleanse the lips of Your prophet Isaiah with a live coal: so of Your gracious mercy Lord cleanse me, that I may proclaim your Holy Gospel. Thru Christ our Lord, Amen.

  Reader Kneels  and asked a blessing from the celebrant: Please Father your blessing that the Lord will be in my heart and upon my lips: that I may worthily and fitly proclaim his Holy Gospel.

Celebrant:  May the Lord our God smile upon you +, bless you and fill you with His love, as you read from the Book of Life.

People:  Amen.

Reader:  facing the people: The Lord be with you.

People:  And also with you.

The congregation will stand for the Gospel reading.

Reader:  The continuation of the Holy Gospel accord-to

People:  Glory be to You O Lord Jesus Christ.

At the end of the Gospel reading the people say: Praise be to You, O Christ.

Reader:  Through the words of the Holy Gospel may our sins be blotted out.

The congregation will sit as the reader delivers his or her sermon.

Sermon

At the conclusion of the homily:

Nicene Creed

The congregation will stand:

The celebrant and assistants with arms extended say:

 I believe in one God.

The congregation joins in: 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 His Father before all worlds. God of God, the light of light, very God of very God. Begotten not made, being of one substance with the Father: by whom all things were made man. Who for us men and our salvation came down from Heaven,  (Here genuflect) And was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary: And was made Man. (Arise) And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate He suffered and was buried.  And ascended into Heaven: and sits on the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead: the Whose Kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life: Who proceeded from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified: who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in 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.

The celebrant and assistants:  approach the Altar, bowing in front say: Take away from us O Lord our sins that we may be worthy to enter into the Holy of Hollies through Christ our Lord we ask. Amen.

Behind the altar:

Offertory Prayer:

Celebrant:  The Lord Jesus be with you.

congregation:  And with you Father.

Celebrant:  Let us pray.

The celebrant now reads the Offertory Verse.

the congregation will be seated.

The celebrant offers bread saving:

Receive, Holy Father, almighty ever-living God, this spotless host, which I Your unworthy servant, offer to You, my living and true God, for all my sins, offenses and negligence’s, against You and my neighbors, and for all Your children here present at this service of worship, as well as for all faithful Christians both living and departed: that for me and for them this humble offering may avail for life eternal.

Congregation:  Amen.

Celebrant now prays over the water and wine which has been presented to him by the server.

Celebrant:  Dear Father + (blessing of the water and wine) who did create and yet more wonderfully renew the dignity of human nature: grant us, that we may share with our brother Jesus, Your Son, eternal life.

Jesus who lives and reigns with You, in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God world without end.

Congregation:  Amen

The Celebrant now offers the chalice, saying…

(Our prayer for the world)

We offer unto You, O Lord the cup of salvation, humbly asking your mercy: that in Your sight my God it may ascend as a sweet-smelling savor for our salvation, and for that of the whole world: Amen.

We ask God to accept our self-offering.

Celebrant: In a humble spirit, and with a contrite heart, may we be accepted by You, O Lord: and so let our sacrifice be offered in Your sight this day, that it may be pleasing unto You, our Lord and our God.

Come, O Fount of Holiness, almighty, eternal God: and bless + this sacrifice, make ready for Your Holy Name.

Congregation:  Amen.

When the altar and congregation are to be incensed

The celebrant now blesses the incense and census the Oblation

Through the intercession of blessed Michael the Archangel standing at the right hand of the altar of incense, and of all His elect, may the Lord vouchsafe to bless this incense + and to receive it for a sweet-smelling savour. Through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Congregation:  Amen.

Celebrant:  May this incense, which You have blessed, ascend unto You, O Lord: and may Your mercy descend upon us.

Ps 141. 1-3

Celebrant:  Let my prayer, be set forth in Your sight as the incense: and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. Set watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips: O let not mine heart be inclined to any evil thing, let me not be occupied in ungodly works, the Lord kindle in us the fire of His love, and the flame of eternal charity.

Congregation:  Amen.

Celebrant:  census the assistants, and other clergies around the altar.

The assistant taking the censor now census the celebrant.

The congregation will stand, the congregation are now censed, except for Masses for the dead.

After being censed please sit.

The Lavabo

The Celebrant and all who will assist at Holy communion will wash their hands, saying (We pray for purity of heart and mind)

I will wash my hands in innocence, O Lord: and so will I go to your altar: That I may show the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all your wonderful works. Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house and the place Your Honor dwells. O shut not my soul with sinners, nor my life with the blood-thirsty: In whose hands is wickedness: and their right hand is full of gifts. But as for me, I will walk innocently: O deliver me, and be merciful unto me. My foot stands right: I will praise the Lord in the congregation.

The Glory be:  is not said: In masses of the dead. And during Passion-tide

Celebrant:  Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Congregation: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: a world without end. Amen.

Celebrant: with hands extended towards the oblation says:

(Our offering to the Blessed Trinity)

Receive, O Holy Trinity, this oblation which we offer unto you in memory of the passion, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord

Jesus Christ: and to the honour of blessed Mary ever virgin, of blessed John the Baptist, of the holy apostles Peter, Paul and Jude, of these and of all Your Saints: that it may avail for their honor, and for our salvation:

Congregation: Amen.

The Orate Fratres

Celebrant: Pray with me dear friends: that my sacrifice and yours will be acceptable to God our Father Almighty.

Congregation: May the Lord receive this sacrifice from my hands for my benefit and all His Holy Church.

Celebrant: Amen.

The Secret Prayer

The celebrant says the Secret prayer for the day.

At the end of the Secret prayer, the celebrant says

Celebrant: Ages upon Ages.

Congregation: Amen

 The Preface

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

The congregation will stand: And also with you Father.

Celebrant: raising his hands as he says:

Lift up your hearts.

Congregation: We lift them up unto the Lord.

Celebrant: Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.

Everyone: Thank you, Jesus, Thank you, Jesus.

The celebrant now reads the  Preface

The Sanctus

Kneel  congregation

 The bell rings each time the word Holy is said:

Holy, Holy, Holy,                                                         Lord God of Hosts, heaven, and earth are filled with Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna is the highest.

The Canon of the  Mass

Celebrant: Most merciful Father, we humbly pray through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord, and we ask that You would accept and bless these + gifts, these + presents, these + holy and unspoiled sacrifices. We offer them unto You first, for Your Holy Orthodox Catholic Apostolic Church: that You would keep it in peace, to guard, unite, and govern it throughout the whole world: together with Your servant Christopher our Patriarch and Primate, and Archbishop Ross Lloyd, Bishop Oscar Tadle Our Bishops, and all the faithful guardians of the Catholic and Apostolic Faith.

 Commemoration for the living

Celebrant: Remember O Lord Your servants and handmaids

(The celebrant prays for a while for those he attends to pray for personally.)

And for all who are with us today in the house of the Lord, I offer together with their praise to Your Holy Name. We ask sweet Jesus that you protect and guide us, making us stronger in our faith and service to You, our Lord, the eternal God the living and true.

Celebrant: United in one faith, we venerate the memory, first, of the glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of our Lord Jesus the Son of the living God, and also of His Apostles and Martyrs, Peter, Paul, and Jude and of all His saints: grant by their prayers and with Your protection, we will be defended against all evils.

We ask You Father in Jesus’ precious name.

Congregation: Amen.

Invocation of the Holy Spirit.

Bell rings steadily throughout this small prayer

Celebrant: Heavenly Father God creator of all that is, we your children ask, that you to send the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Blessed Trinity, to bless + this water, + wine and + bread that it may become for us, the Bo+dy and Blo+od of Your Son our Lord Jesus.

 Communion service

Celebrant: Who, the day before He suffered, took bread into His holy hands, and lifting His eyes to heaven to You almighty Father, giving You thanks, He bles+sed, broke and gave it to His disciples saying Take, and eat for this is my body.

 The Celebrant with the bread raised up for all to see,

the bell rings once.

The celebrant places the host on the paten and genuflects the bell rings once.                                            

The celebrant returns the Host to the paten, removes the cover from the Chalice, and genuflects,

 The bell rings once.                                                                                              

When supper had ended, Jesus taking the chalice, gave thanks to You our almighty Father and bles+sed it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: Take and drink from this cup, for this is the chalice of my blood, of the new and eternal testament: the Mystery of Faith: Which shall be shed for you and many for the forgiveness of their sins. As often as you shall do these things, you shall do them in remembrance of me.

The celebrant places the chalice on the corporal and genuflects.

The bell rings once    

The celebrant raises the chalice for all the congregation to adore.

The bell rings once.     

The celebrant returns the chalice to the Altar and genuflects

The bell rings once.     

Celebrant with hands over the oblations says:

Almighty Father we humbly ask. You to command these offerings to be brought by the hands of Your holy Angel to Your Altar on high, in the sight of Your divine majesty: that all we who partake of the Altar shall receive the most sacred Body and Blood of your Son and be fulfilled with all heavenly benediction and grace through the same Christ our Lord.

Congregation: Amen.

Commemoration for the departed

Celebrant: Remember Father your servants N. & N. who have gone before us sealed with the seal of faith and who sleep the sleep of peace.

(the celebrant prays for a while for those who are departed)

Congregation: Amen.

Celebrant: To us sinners, Lord Your servants, who live in the multitude of Your mercies, grant some part and fellowship with Your Holy Apostles and Martyrs: with John, Stephen, Jude and with all your Saints, admit us, Lord, not weighing our merit, but granting us forgiveness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Through whom, O Lord, You have created all good things,

(the celebrant with hands extended over the oblations says,)

You have sancti+fied, streng+thened, bles+sed, and gave them to us.

Celebrant genuflects rises and takes the body of Christ in his left hand, and the chalice in his right hand making the sign of the cross over the chalice.

Through + Him, and with + Him, and in + Him.

The bell rings once

The celebrant elevating the chalice now signs himself with the body of Christ

O God the Father + Almighty in the unity of the Holy + Spirit, all honor and glory are Yours.

Celebrant: Ages upon ages. Congregation: Amen.

Jesus teaches us how to pray

All will stand, please. Celebrant and congregation:

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. Amen.

The congregation will kneel, the celebrant holding the paten on its side says as the bell rings once: Deliver us Lord God we beg of You from all evils, past, present, and to come, and by the intercession of the blessed and glorious Virgin Mary, Your blessed Apostles Peter, Paul, and Jude, and with all Your Saints, favorably grant us peace in our days: that with the help of Your availing mercy, we will be free from sin and safe from all distress.

Ages upon Ages. Amen.

The celebrant makes the sign of the cross with the host over the chalice saying:

The peace + of the Lord be + always with + you.

Congregation: And with You Father.

The celebrant breaks the bread and drops a piece in the challis saying: May this mingling and hallowing of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ avail us who receive it unto everlasting life.

Congregation: Amen.

 The Agnus Dei

Celebrant: O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world:

Congregation: Have mercy upon us.

Celebrant: Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world::

Congregation: Have mercy upon us.

Celebrant: Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

 The Kiss of Peace

Celebrant: O Lord Jesus Christ, who said to His Apostles, Peace I leave with you, The Peace I give unto you: Father, regard not our sins, but the faith of Your Church: and please grant her peace and unity according to Your will: Who lives and reigns God, ages upon ages, world without end. Congregation: Amen.

The celebrant asks the congregation to extend peace to their brothers and sisters in the congregation.

Celebrant: Peace be with you.

Congregation: And with you Father.

In masses of the dead the kiss of peace is not given, nor is the following prayer.

Celebrant: O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who by the will of the Father, and the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, have through Your death given life unto the world: deliver us by this Your most sacred Body and Blood from all our iniquities, and from every evil: And make us ever to cleave to Your commandments, and suffer us never to be separated from You:

Congregation: Amen.

Celebrant: Let the partaking of Your Body, O Lord Jesus Christ, which us sinners, receive in faith, turn not to our judgment and condemnation: but in Your goodness, let it strengthen spiritually our soul and body, that we will receive Your healing, Jesus, who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit ages upon ages, world without end.

Together: Amen.

The Celebrants Communion

Celebrant: I will receive the bread of heaven and call upon the name of the Lord,

The Celebrant repeats the following prayer three times. The bell is rung each time the word, Lord is said.   

Lord, I am not worthy, that you would come into my home: but say the word only and my soul shall be healed.

The celebrant genuflects removes the Body of Christ from the paten, signs himself with it + and says:

The Body of the Lord Jesus Christ preserves my soul to everlasting life.

After consuming the Bread of Life, the celebrant genuflects; rising takes the chalice into his hands and says:

What reward shall I give unto the Lord for all the good He has done for me? I will receive His cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. I will call upon my God which is worthy of all praise, and I will be safe from all my enemies.

The celebrant making the sign of the + cross with the chalice says: The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserves my soul unto everlasting life.

The Communion of the faithful

The celebrant genuflects and upon rising holds the Chalice and the Body of Christ over it for the congregation to adore.

Celebrant: Behold the Lamb of God, behold He who takes away the sins of the world, behold Love: The congregation repeats the following prayer three times. Lord, I am not worthy, that You would come into my home: but say the word only and my soul shall be healed.

Celebrant: Come unto me all who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest:

The celebrant serves communion to the other clergy and altar assistants first, then to the congregation. As the celebrant communicates the faithful, he says + May the Body and the Blood of our Lord the risen Christ preserve your soul unto life everlasting.

The celebrant and assistants who participated in the distribution of Holy Communion now wash their hands and clean the chalice and paten, Celebrant then continues with the Mass.

The Ablutions

Prayer for Holiness

While the server pours a little wine into the chalice.

Celebrant: Grant, O Lord, that what we have taken with our mouths, we may receive in the purity of heart: and let this gift avail for our healing. Amen.

Celebrant: Lord Jesus let Your Body which I have taken and Your Blood which I have drunk, cleave to my members: and grant, that no stain of sin will remain in me, for You have refreshed me Lord Jesus with this Holy Sacrament. Amen.

The celebrant now reads the communion and post-communion verse for the day.

The Communion verse

The Post Communion Prayer for the Day

Celebrant: The Lord Jesus abide with you this beautiful day.

Congregation: And Father with you.

Celebrant: Let us pray.

After the Postcommunion prayer, the people answer. Amen.

The Dismissal

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

Congregation: And also with you Father.

Celebrant: Go in peace the Mass is ended.

People: Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ.

In Masses for the dead, (Priest says) May they rest in peace.

Congregation: Amen.

In Masses with no Gloria, (Priest says) bless the Lord

Congregation: Thanks be to God.

 Kneel:

Celebrant: Let this my service be pleasing to You, Holy Trinity; and grant; that the sacrifice, which I have offered before You, may be accepted, and may through Your mercy obtain favour for me and for all who have shared in this communion service.

Congregation: Amen.

The Final Blessing, stand

Celebrant: May Almighty God Bless You, in the Name of the Father, + the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Congregation: Amen.

Prefaces

Sundays in Ordinary Time

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.

All things are done of your making, all times and seasons obey your laws, but you chose to create man in your own image, setting him over the whole world in all its wonder.

You made man the steward of creation, to praise you day by day for the marvels of your wisdom and power, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We praise you, Lord, with all the angels in their song and joy:

                                                  Holy Eucharist

The sacrifice and Sacrament of Christ

Father all-powerful and living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.

He is the true and eternal Priest who established this unending sacrifice, he offered himself as a victim for our deliverance and taught us to make this offering in his memory.

As we eat his body which he gave for us, we grow in strength.

As we drink his blood which he poured out for us, we are washed clean

Now with angels and archangels, and the whole company of heaven, we sing this unending hymn of your praise:

 Christian Death

Christ’s death our life

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.

He chose to die that we might be free from dying.

He gave his life that we will live with you forever.

In our joy, we sing to your glory with all the choirs of Angels we laud and magnify your Holy name singing Holy Holy Holy

 Advent

The two comings of Christ

(From the first Sunday in Advent to December 16)

father all-powerful and ever-living god we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When he humbled himself to come among us as a man, he fulfilled the plan you formed long ago and opened for us the way to salvation.

Now we watch for the day, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours when Christ our Lord will come again in his glory.

And so with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise:

 Advent 11

Waiting for the Two Comings of Christ

(From December 17 to December 24)

 Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.

His future coming was proclaimed by all the prophets.

The virgin mother bore him in her womb with love beyond all telling. John the Baptist was his herald and made him known when at last he came. In his love, Christ-filled us with joy as we prepare to celebrate his birth, so that when he comes he may find us watching in prayer, our hearts filled with wonder and praise.

And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven, we proclaim your glory and join in their unending him of praise

 Christmas

Christ the light

( From Christmas to Saturday before the Epiphany}

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In the wonder of the incarnation your eternal Word has brought to the eyes of faith a new and radiant vision of your glory, In him, we see our God made visibly and so are caught up in love of the God we cannot see.

And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending him of praise:

  Lent

The spirit of penance

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.

This great season of grace is your gift to your family to renew us in your spirit.

You give us the strength to purify our hearts, to control our desires, and so to serve you in freedom,

You teach us how to live in this passing world with our heart set on the world that will never end.

Now, with all the saints and angels, we praise you forever:

 The Paschal Mystery

(Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday and during the octave and season)

  Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. We praise you with greater joy than ever on this Easter day when Christ became our paschal sacrifice.

He is the true Lamb who took away the sins of the world. By dying he destroyed our death; by rising he restored our life.

And so with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise:

 Ascension

The Mystery of the Ascension

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In his risen body he plainly showed himself to his disciples and was taken up to heaven in their sight to claim for us a share in his divine life.

And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise: