Session 1 Lenten “Instructed Eucharist” 2024
Introduction: About the Eucharist
Use of Book of Common Prayer and the Bible
BCP came out of the English Reformation 1549, some of it based on Roman missal
Does not replace the Bible, but supplements it with a way for people to pray together,
celebrate the sacraments, much of what is in the BCP comes from the Bible
Standardized prayer for use across the realm, the English speaking world, now used by Anglicans in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury all over the world, in different languages
If you are a member of the Anglican communion, wherever you are in the world you can understand what is happening in an Anglican service
Holy Communion
Jesus’s instruction at the Last Supper
2 dominical sacraments, baptism (Mt. 28:19) and holy communion (Mark, Luke, John)
Practice of the early Christian community during persecution
Sabbath, first day of the week, day of the resurrection
Principal service in Episcopal Church on Sundays
1979 BCP was a return to the practice of the early church of the 1st 4 centuries
“ad fontes” a return to primary sources
Structured Liturgy
Our prayers have their roots from almost 2,000 years ago,
and some of them from Judaism—order of worship, prayers, use of scripture, psalms, sermons, offerings, blessings
This liturgy has been used since the days of the early church,
comes to us through our Catholic heritage, similar to Eastern Orthodox liturgies
What has been most helpful in all this time has been retained
Liturgy as the ‘work of the people’
All congregants fully participate, have a role in the service
Baptized are invited to receive communion if they have received instruction in its meaning
Role of priest/bishop—blessings, absolution, dominical
sacraments—baptism and holy eucharist
Role of deacon—assist in setting the altar, read the Gospel, dismissal
Two parts of the service
Word of God, Holy Eucharist
First part prepares us to participate in the second part
Protestant emphasis on Word, Catholic emphasis on Sacrament
Anglicans—keep a balance
“without the proclamation of the Word participation in Sacrament cannot be fully appreciated, without receiving the Sacrament the Word is left unfulfilled”
Preparation in the early church for baptism, unbaptized received instruction after the first part of the service while the baptized received communion
Questions?
If you are new to the use of liturgy, what is most strange for you? What is comfortable?
All 7 kinds of prayer are available
Praise (Gloria, Sanctus)
Intercession (prayers for others, prayer of the people)
Petition (prayers for self)
Confession (confessing one’s sins)
Self-oblation (offering self to God in the eucharistic prayers)
Adoration (prayers around the reception of communion)
Thanksgiving (post-communion prayer)
Use of Music
Has always been important in worship for the people of God
Described in the Old Testament, used by Israelites, timbrel, harp, tambourines, singing
Different types—hymns, anthems, chanting parts of the service, instrumental music
Traditional catholic church music, mass settings (ordinary vs. proper)
Gloria/Kyrie, creed, sanctus, fraction anthem, Agnus Dei or Lamb of God
Choral amens
Whole body of sacred music of the church that developed during the Renaissance
Other kinds of music Passions, Oratorios—like Handel’s Messiah, Gloria by Vivaldi
Anglican music—best known for our choral tradition, but also Anglican chant
English hymns very popular and beautiful, Christmas carols
Music is so intertwined with our liturgy that we would feel impoverished without it
Use of Prelude and Postlude music