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Extended Communion The Church of England Diocese in Europe LITURGICAL CELEBRATION with Holy Communion by Extension Authorized by the Diocesan Bishop for use in the Diocese in Europe About this service This form of service provides for worshippers who are gathered for a liturgical celebration in the absence of a priest to receive Holy Communion from a eucharistic celebration, normally elsewhere within the Chaplaincy. It is a pastoral provision in the absence of a priest duly authorized by the Diocesan Bishop, and may not be regarded in any sense as the normative eucharistic act of worship of a particular Chaplaincy or Congregation. This form of service is authorized for use in the Church of England, subject to the decision of each Diocesan Bishop who may issue further general guidelines for his own Diocese. The full provision for use in the Diocese in Europe can be found on www.europe.anglican.org. This form of service may not be used — (a) in the Diocese in Europe in any form other than that given here (b) during a Vacancy in the pastoral charge of a chaplaincy or congregation (c) without the local Archdeacon’s explicit permission following joint application by the Chaplain / Priest-in-charge and the Churchwardens. Such permission is given on behalf of the Diocesan Bishop, who may have set out particular conditions for its use. Only a minister holding the Bishop in Europe’s Licence (or a current Permission to Officiate) may preach a sermon at this service. From Public Worship with Communion by Extension (London, 2002) ¶ Introductory notes 1 Explicit permission must be obtained from the bishop for the use of this rite. This permission should relate to specific pastoral circumstances, thus emphasizing the exceptional nature of this ministry. 2 In parishes or cures in which Public Worship with Communion by Extension has been authorized, care should be taken to ensure that a Sunday celebration of Holy Communion continues to take place regularly in each church. Public Worship with Communion by Extension will normally take place on Sundays and Principal Holy Days. Exceptionally, the rite may be appropriate on other occasions. 3 This service is led only by a person specifically authorized by the bishop; this may be a deacon, Reader or other lay person who has received appropriate training. Those who have permission under Canon B 12 may share in the giving of communion. 4 If the minister is a deacon, Reader or lay worker authorized under Canon E7, the appropriate vesture is worn. 5 Care should be taken to ensure that those who play any part in the administration of Communion by Extension treat the elements in a seemly and dignified manner and observe the rubrics in the rite provided. 6 Proper provision must be made for the consecrated bread and wine to be brought to the church from the celebration of Holy Communion in a seemly and dignified manner. They should be placed upon the Holy Table and covered with a clean white cloth. 7 Proper care should be taken to ensure as far as possible that the consecrated elements are adequate to meet the needs of the congregation. If the bread and wine prove insufficient for the number of communicants, there can be no supplementary consecration in the course of this service. 2 Order of Service This form of service is authorized by the Bishop of the Diocese in Europe and may not be amended in any way. The presiding minister, other minister(s) and congregation should reverently observe the presence of the Sacrament for so long as it remains on the altar prior to its distribution to those who wish to receive Holy Communion. GATHERING Before the liturgy the altar is prepared as for a eucharistic celebration. The Sacrament -- the consecrated bread and wine -- that has been transported from a eucharistic celebration in another congregation of the chaplaincy, or another nearby congregation of the Diocese, is placed on a linen corporal on the altar and veiled with a white linen cloth (or white veil); altar candles are lit. At the entry of the presiding minister (and other ministers) a hymn may be sung. The presiding minister may say: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Greeting The presiding minister welcomes the people using these or other appropriate words: The Lord be with you. And also with you. or ——: Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you. or, from Easter Day to Pentecost ——: Alleluia. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia. The presiding minister says: Brothers and sisters, in the Gospel of Saint Luke we read: “At supper with his disciples on the night he was betrayed Jesus took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’” We have come together in our Father’s presence to offer him praise and thanksgiving, to hear and receive his holy Word, to bring before him the needs of the world and to ask his forgiveness of our sins. In union with those who have celebrated the Eucharist at N… this day, we seek God’s grace in Holy Communion. For as often as we eat this bread and drink the cup in obedience to his command, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 3 Prayer of Preparation This prayer may be said: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom 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. Prayers of Penitence The Summary of the Law, the Commandments, the Beatitudes or the Comfortable Words may be used. A minister uses a seasonal invitation to confession or these or other suitable words: God so loved the world that he gave his only Son Jesus Christ to save us from our sins, to be our advocate in heaven, and to bring us to eternal life. Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith, firmly resolved to keep God’s commandments and to live in love and peace with all. Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned against you and against our neighbour in thought and word and deed, through negligence, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault. We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us, forgive us all that is past and grant that we may serve you in newness of life to the glory of your name. Amen. or ——: Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen. or, with suitable penitential sentences, the Kyrie eleison may be used ——: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. If another confession has already been used, the Kyrie eleison may be used without interpolation here or after the prayer for absolution. The presiding minister says: May almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and keep us in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 4 On Sundays, Principal Holy Days and Festivals, Gloria in excelsis may be used: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. Collect The presiding minister introduces a period of silent prayer with the words ‘Let us pray’ or a more specific bidding. The Collect is said, and all respond, Amen. LITURGY OF THE WORD Readings The readings are governed by the authorized lectionary provision. Either one or two readings from Scripture precede the Gospel reading. At the end of each the reader may say: This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. The psalm or canticle follows the first reading; other hymns and songs may be used between the readings. Gospel Reading An acclamation may herald the Gospel reading. When the Gospel is announced the reader says: Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N. Glory to you, O Lord. At the end: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
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