Service of Word and Sacrament ----- This service, approved by the Synod of 1981, contains portions of a synodically approved Lord's Supper form. These components, which should be read in their entirety and not changed in any way, are the following: the introduction spoken by the minister ("Brothers and sisters in Christ . . ."); the first part of the thanksgiving (through "Christ our Lord"); the institution; the memorial; the preparation of the elements; and the communion. ----- *The Opening Minister: In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. People: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Minister: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. People: Amen. Minister: [optional] And now as our Lord gives to us his peace, so let us pass the peace to each other, saying, "The peace of the Lord be with you." [Here the people express their unity by greeting each other with these or similar words.] All: [Hymn] Confession and Assurance The Call to Confession Minister: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:5b-8) The Confession All: Most holy and merciful Father, We confess to you and to one another, that we have sinned against you by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not fully loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not always had in us the mind of Christ. You alone know how often we have grieved you by wasting your gifts, by wandering from your ways, by forgetting your love. Forgive us, we pray you, most merciful Father, and free us from our sin. Renew in us the grace and strength of your Holy Spirit, for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son, our Savior. Amen. The Declaration of Pardon Minister: To all who confess themselves to be sinners, humbling themselves before God and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation, I declare this sure promise: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). The Response All Sing: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. The Dedication Minister: Let us, God's forgiven people, now listen to his law for our lives. [Here the minister proclaims God's covenant law as a guide for our lives, as it is found in the Decalogue or some other scriptural passage.] *All: Hymn Proclamation of the Word Minister: Let us pray: Almighty God, grant us your Spirit, that we may rightly understand and truly obey your Word of truth. Open our hearts that we may love what you command and desire what you promise. Set us free from private distractions that we may hear and from selfish pride that we may receive the promise of your grace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Minister or other member: [Scripture readings] Minister: [Sermon] Minister or other member: [Prayer for blessing on the Word] The Response *All: [Hymn] *The Creed Minister: Let us together confess the faith of the church at all times and in all places: All: [Say or sing the Apostles' Creed or the Nicene Creed.] The Intercessory Prayer [Prayers led by the minister or by some other member.] The Offertory Minister: Let us present our gifts to God. [Here the offerings are received. At the conclusion the people sing.] *All sing: Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below. Praise him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. The Lord's Supper Minister: Brothers and sisters in Christ, the gospels tell us that on the first day of the week, the day on which our Lord rose from the dead, he appeared to some of his disciples and was made known to them in the breaking of bread. Come, then, to the joyful feast of our Lord. [If the communion elements are not already on the table, they may be brought forward at this point.] The Thanksgiving Minister: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them up to the Lord. Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right for us to give thanks. It is our joy and our peace, at all times and in all places to give thanks to you, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, through Christ our Lord. Minister: We bless you for your continual love and care for every creature. We praise you for forming us in your image and calling us to be your people. We thank you that you did not abandon us in our rebellion against your love, but sent prophets and teachers to lead us into the way of salvation. Above all we thank you for sending Jesus, your Son, to deliver us from the way of sin and death by the obedience of his life, by his suffering upon the cross, and by his resurrection from the dead. We praise you that he now reigns with you in glory and ever lives to pray for us. We thank you for the Holy Spirit, who leads us into truth, defends us in adversity, and out of every people unites us into one holy church. Therefore with the whole company of saints in heaven and on earth we worship and glorify you, God most holy, and we sing with joy. All sing: Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity! The Institution Minister: We give thanks to God the Father that our Savior, Jesus Christ, before he suffered, gave us this memorial of this sacrifice, until he comes again. "The Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Cor. 11:23\-26) The Memorial All: We shall do as our Lord commands. We proclaim that our Lord Jesus was sent by the Father into the world, that he took upon himself our flesh and blood, and bore the wrath of God against our sin. We confess that he was condemned to die that we might be pardoned, and suffered death that we might live. We proclaim that he is risen to make us right with God, and that he shall come again in the glory of his new creation. This we do now, and until he comes again. Prayer of Consecration Minister: Heavenly Father, show forth among us the presence of your life-giving Word and Holy Spirit, to sanctify us and your whole church through this sacrament. Grant that all who share the body and blood of our Savior Jesus Christ may be one in him and may remain faithful in love and hope. And as this grain has been gathered from many fields into one loaf and these grapes from many hills into one cup, grant, O Lord, that your whole church may soon be gathered from the ends of the earth into your kingdom. Now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we pray: All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be . . . Preparation of the Elements [as the minister breaks the bread and pours the cup] Minister: The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ. People: We who are many are one body, for we all share the same loaf. Minister: The cup for which we give thanks is a sharing in the blood of Christ. People: The cup which we drink is our participation in the blood of Christ. The Invitation Minister: Congregation in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord has prepared his table for all who love him and trust in him alone for their salvation. All who are truly sorry for their sins, who sincerely believe in the Lord Jesus as their Savior, and who desire to live in obedience to him, are now invited to come with gladness to the table of the Lord. The Dedication All: Holy Father, in thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, in the joy of his resurrection, in the hope of his coming again, we present ourselves a living sacrifice and come to the table of our Lord. [as the minister indicates the elements] Minister: The gifts of God for the people of God. The Communion [when the people are ready to eat the bread] Minister: Take, eat, remember and believe that the body of our Lord Jesus Christ was given for the complete forgiveness of all our sins. [when the people are ready to drink the cup] Minister: Take, drink, remember and believe that the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ was shed for the complete forgiveness of all our sins. The Thanksgiving Minister: Congregation in Christ, since the Lord has fed us at his table, let us praise his holy name with thanksgiving. [Sing together Psalm 103 or say in unison]: All: Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases; he redeems my life from the pit and crowns me with love and compassion. He satisfies my desires with good things, so that my youth is renewed like the eagle's (Ps. 103:1\-5). *All: [Hymn--optional] *The Dismissal Minister: The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord; and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. People: Amen. Minister: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. All: [Hymn--optional] *indicates congregation stands