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Worship Service of The Prayer Foundation ™ Knights of Prayer Monks ™: The Liturgy of Monk Preston "In ainm an Athar, agus a Mhic, agus an Spioraid Naomh." ("In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." -in Gaelic). |
Interdenominational, Evangelical Historical, Liturgical |
About this Service:
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"The perfect church service would be one we were almost unaware of; our attention would have been on God." -C. S. Lewis, "Letters to Malcolm" Worship is about God, not us. In the freedom that we have in Christ, Christians worship in many different ways. In worship, God is the audience, not the congregation. Whatever outward form of worship we observe, what is truly important is rather what God sees, our heart attitude in our worship of God. "God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." -John 4:24 "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." -I Samuel 16:7
"If you memorize and observe this Worship Service, or indeed, any Worship Service, after a while, it will flow without your having to even think about what comes next. It has become just one long prayer. As C. S. Lewis points out in the quote at the top of this page, you no longer are concerned about the outward form of the Service itself, but just your worship of and adoration of God." -Monk Preston Usages included are so ancient, and observed so widely, both historically and currently, that much of this Service will be familiar to Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Anglicans/Episcopalians, Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholics, and those of many other Communions. Most would also be familiar to ancient Celtic Monastic worshippers. Since posting this Worship Service, several of our Lay Monks have told us they now use it as a part of their personal prayer and worship. Our intention was simply to share more of our daily lives with those who have expressed interest in this. We do not require its use for anyone. It is certainly suitable for personal worship or as a daily or weekly Family Chapel service for those desiring to use it so, and may be easily modified by personal additions or deletions. "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." -Acts 2:42 Key:
Any Christian can be designated to Officiate as Worship Leader ("priesthood of all believers"). Worship Service should be memorized and prayed. Service can be shortened or lengthened as needed. The Psalms and Scripture Readings for a given day or specifically for the particular Hour of Prayer (Evening, Morning, or Noon) when the Service is being held can be found at: Daily Prayer: Praying the Hours. Preparation for Worship Service In Our Monastery Chapel, candles and incense are lit in preparation for the Worship Service. As in historic Monastic practice, a Bell is rung three times to call the Monks to prayer---to announce the beginning of the Service. Following the ringing of the bell, everyone and everything is censed at the commencement of the Worship Service, to illustrate that everything and everyone is sanctified (set aside for God) as an offering to God for His service. Historically, in the Church, the use of incense has been understood as symbolizing both the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit, and the prayers of the saints (Christian believers) rising before the throne of God. ----------------------- Introductory Rite ----------------------- Call to Worship
Gloria Patri (Eastern Version) (Sung or said:) The Lord's Prayer (Kneel or remain standing. Sung or said:) 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. For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. (Congregation may be seated.) ----------------- The Liturgy of the Word ----------------- Salvation Verses For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God: that ye may know that ye have eternal life. Reading from the Psalms (If there is a reading from the Book of Psalms, it is read at this time (the Psalm may also be read in alternating verses by Officiant with responses by the Congregation, or in alternating verses between men and women): Reading from The Book of Psalms, Psalm... (Reading) The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs (Three Psalms, Hymns, and/or Spiritual Songs are sung. Number may be added to or diminished on particular days. Or memorized Psalms can be recited or chanted. We generally sing them all together, but they also may be sung separately at various times throughout the Liturgy, as is the custom in many congregations. A Celtic Prayer or Hymn may be said from memory, or sung, or read; such as St. Patrick's Breastplate Prayer (Lorica), Aidan's Prayer, Manchan's Poem, Columcille's Poem, Columcille's Boat Song; or a Franciscan Prayer or Song, such as Lord Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace or The Canticle of Brother Sun.) Reading from the Old Testament (If there is a reading from the Old Testament, it is read at this time: Reading from The Book of..., (Reading) The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. The Summary of the Law And Jesus answered, "The first of all the commandments is... "The Lord our God is one Lord. And Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." Unity of the Spirit So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. The Profession of Faith (If there is to be no Communion, The Nicene Creed may be omitted, if it has been recited in an earlier Service that same day, or The Apostles' Creed may be recited in its place.) I believe in one God, 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 the Father before all ages; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made. Who, for us all for our salvation, came down from Heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into Heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy universal 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 Gloria (The Greater Doxology) (All sing, to the music of
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel":)
Glory be to our God in the
highest;
and on the earth, peace and good will toward
all.
We bless you, worship you and adore
you,
we give thanks, we praise you for your glory:
Lord God, our King, the Father Almighty;
Lord Christ, only Son of God the
Father.
Lord God, the Lamb of God, who takes
away
the sin of the world, have mercy on
us.
You sit at the right hand of the Father;
receive our prayer, for You alone are
Lord.
O Light of Light, You alone are Most
High,
You alone are the Holy One of
God,
Prayer of the Faithful (Kneel or remain standing:) Let us pray: For all people; for rulers, and all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. O Lord of the harvest, send forth laborers into Thy harvest. Let us now offer our individual prayers to God: (Larger groups may pray in individual silent prayer, smaller groups may choose to individually pray aloud, one at a time.) The 23rd Psalm The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen. Psalm 117 (All stand who are able:) O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For His merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 134 (All sing:) Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, which by night, stand in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. The Lord that made heaven and earth, bless thee out of Zion. Behold, bless ye the Lord. (The Congregation may be seated.) Reading from The Acts, or The Epistles (If there is a reading from The Acts, or The Epistles, it is read at this time: Reading from The Acts of..., or The Epistle of..., Chapter... (Reading) The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Verbum
Tuum Veritas
Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me, Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth. The entrance of Thy words give light. Thou will light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. Reading from the Gospel (If there is a reading from the Gospels it is read at this time. There is always a Gospel reading on The Lord's Day. If none is specified for a particular Sunday in Daily Prayer: Praying the Hours, any Chapter or portion of the Gospels may be selected to be read.) (All stand who are able:) The Lord be with you. And also with you. Reading from The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to.... Glory to Thee, Lord. (Reading) The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to Thee, Lord Jesus Christ. (The Congregation may be seated.) Christian Teaching (If there is to be Christian teaching, it takes place at this point in the Service. There is always Christian teaching on The Lord's Day.) All Glory to God. Thanks be to God. Opportunity to Receive Christ (If any who are not Christians are present, an opportunity for them to receive Christ as their personal Lord and Savior is made at this point in the Service.) (If Communion is not to be observed, the Service continues with the Concluding Rite.) ------------- The Liturgy of the Eucharist ------------- Presentation of the Gifts Trisagion (All
stand who are able. All sing:)
(The Communion elements are brought and placed upon the Altar/Communion Table while the Trisagion Hymn is being sung. We do this as a processional, which is optional.) Prayer Over the Gifts Blessed art Thou, O Lord, our God. Through Thy goodness we have this bread, and this fruit of the vine to offer; which Earth has given and human hands have made. Blessed be God forever. The Call to Holiness I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed, by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. General Confession Kyrie Eleison (Kneel or remain standing:)
Agnus Dei Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world; have mercy upon us, receive our prayer, grant us peace. The Confession Almighty Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, we confess that we have sinned against Thee in thought, word, and deed. By what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved Thee with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbor as our self. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. For Thou, O Christ, were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Thy Blood, out of every kindred, and language, and people, and nation; and have made us unto our God a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, Your own special people. That we may show forth the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Who once were not a people, but are now the people of God; who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. The Peace (All stand who are able.) As we have been forgiven, let us now forgive all others, granting The Peace with the priestly blessing: The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Eucharistic Prayer Sursum Corda The Lord be with you.
And also with you. Let
us give thanks unto our Lord God.
Benedictus Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of Heaven, we laud and magnify Thy glorious Name, evermore praising Thee, and saying; Sanctus
Mysterium Fidei Let us proclaim the mystery of our faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Holy Communion Communion Song (The Congregation may be seated. All sing:) Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah. (As much of the entire song may be sung, or another added, as is needed to complete distribution of the Communion elements.) We practice Open Communion. Individual wafers, and individual cups are at this point in the Service offered to any Christian present who desires to partake of Holy Communion. Distribution of the elements may be made by the Officiant, or Officiant and another or others together; or solely by another or others designated to do so. Individual cups containing grape juice are in the center rings of the serving tray, and those containing wine are offered in the outer rings. As the applicable Words of Institution from Scripture are spoken, Officiant and Congregants break and eat, and drink; all together partaking of the Communion elements at the same time, illustrating "the priesthood of all believers". We observe daily Chapel Services and, at differing times, either daily or weekly Communion in our Monastery. We use the flat, round, unleavened Communion wafers historically used in the Western Church by both Protestants and Roman Catholics. Our Communion wafers are made from whole wheat flour. Note: Some Protestants around 1970 began using unleavened Passover Matzo. Eastern Orthodox, and many Protestants since around 1970, use standard, leavened bread. The bread used by Christ at The Last Supper, which was a Passover Seder, was therefore unleavened. The pre-Nicene Church did use leavened bread, apparently in total unconcern that this could even be an issue. Upon receiving the Communion elements, the Congregation, in preparation for the partaking of the Communion elements and the following time of silence, may individually choose either to kneel or to remain seated. Where kneeling is an option, we ourselves will kneel, but we respect and allow for the differing practices of various Christian groups during these points of prayer and praise in the Service, and so do not require unanimity of observance. Some may instead prefer the practice of having the congregation go forward to receive the Communion elements after the the Words of Institution are spoken. Epiclesis (All sing:)
Words of Institution The Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, "Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me." And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink you all from it; for this is my blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show the Lord's death 'till He returns. ----------------------- Concluding Rite ------------------------- Time of Silence The LORD is in His holy temple: let all the Earth keep silence before Him. Be still and know that He is God...He will be exalted in the Earth.
Gloria Patri (Western Version) (All stand who are able. 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.
The Great Commission Go into all the world and tell the Good News to everyone. Dismissal Blessing
The Doxology (The Common Doxology) (All
sing:) Praise
God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here
below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host.
Dismissal
Related Pages:
____________________________________________________________ (Except KJV Scripture Texts and Historic Prayers, which are in the Public Domain) Copyright © 2007, 2010 S.G.P. All rights reserved.
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This Worship Service (Liturgy) was compiled in 2007 by S. G. Preston (Monk Preston, Co-Founder and President of The Prayer Foundation™). It was revised by him in 2010 after extensive study of "The Shape of the Liturgy" by Dom Gregory Dix, the definitive exposition of the earliest extant Liturgies used. This Liturgy contains elements of usage that are held in common in some of the very oldest extant worship Services, which in turn were based on even older, earlier ancient Christian Worship Services. These include: The Liturgy of St. James, The Divine Liturgy of John Chrysostom, used by Eastern Orthodox Christians since the 7th century); the Lorrha (Stowe) Missal (ca. 600 A.D., used by many ancient Celtic Christians), and the 1662 Book of Common Prayer Service. The Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Rite liturgy was used in Britain until 1078 A.D., when it was replaced by the Sarum Rite liturgy; later simplified and reformed by Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer in the Anglican 1662 Book of Common Prayer Service. "Liturgy" literally means "the work of the people" and today refers to the prescribed order of a religious Service. Why "compile" a Service at all? Why not simply use the earliest extant Service that we have? The earliest known Liturgy would seem to be The Liturgy of St. James (the oldest manuscript of it is tenth century, however). The Amtiochene Liturgy in The Apostolic Constitutions is the oldest known liturgical manuscript (fourth century). It has been noted that it contains no mention of saints (including Mary). As certain of the doctrines of the church were added to or changed over time, the Liturgies were brought into conformity with them. There remain no original, unrevised forms of the earliest Liturgies. By comparing these Liturgies to the unchanged Holy Scriptures, we seek to arrive as close to the earliest Liturgies as possible. _____________ Shoes or slippers (not stockings) are removed before entering Chapel. All may each light a candle; symbol of Christ, the Light of the World.
(Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4)
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(John 3:16-17)
(John 14:6) (Ephesians 2:8-9)
(I John 5:13) (Other Scripture Verses may be substituted for these Verses on Services held on days other than Sunday, or they may be simply omitted on those days: see Alternate Verses)
(Colossians 3:16)
(Mark 12:29-31)
(Romans 12:5) (Ephesians 4:3-6)
(The Nicene Creed is always included in traditional liturgical worship whenever there is Communion. The Apostle's Creed may be added elsewhere in the Service. Or it may be used in place of the Nicene Creed, if there is no Communion. See also: Nicene Creed: Scripture Basis.)
(Luke 2:14)
(I Timothy 2:1-6)
(Matthew 9:38)
(Psalm 40:7-8)
(John 17:17) (Psalm 119:130) (Psalm 18:28)
(John 1:12-13)
----------------------- ("Eucharist" means "Thanksgiving".)
(Isaiah 6:33; Rev. 4:8)
(Ecclesiastes 3:13, Psalm 104:15, Genesis 14:18)
(Romans 12:1-2)
(The Three petitions acknowledge the Trinity. Psalm 51:3-4)
(John 1:29)
(I John 1:8-9)
(Revelation 5:9) (I Peter 2:9-11)
(The Peace is given by The Priestly Blessing: The Lord Bless Thee and Keep Thee - Numbers 6:24-26) (Philippians 4:7)
(Sanctus: Isaiah 6:3; Luke 13:35.) (Bell Rubrics as in the Celtic Lorrha Missal.)
(Revelation 19:1-6)
(I Corinthians 11:24, Matthew 26:27-28, I Corinthians 11:25-26)
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(Habakkuk 2:20) (Psalm 46:10)
(Gloria Patri: Western Version. Note: "world without end" is a Medieval English phrase meaning "forever and ever" or "unto the ages of ages".) (Mark 16:15)
(II Corinthians 13:14)
The Doxology may be the world's most sung music. Words: Thomas Ken, 1674. Music: attributed to Louis Bourgeois, 1551 ("Old Hundredth" Hymn, Geneva Psalter).
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A
bell
is rung once, each time this symbol appears. A single large bell is
rung, except during the Sanctus ("Holy Holy, Holy"), when a set of
three connected smaller bells is rung three times.
