How We Worship at Emmanuel
Holy Communion
- We receive Holy Communion every Sunday. The service of Communion has two Main parts - proclaiming the Word of God, and sharing of the Lord's Supper.
Gathering - We usually begin with the confession of sins and forgiveness. Here, the forgiveness God first gave us in our Baptism is announced again to us. From time to time other dialogues are inserted into the worship.
Gathering Song - This Hymn sounds the keynote for worship and gathers the worshippers for the start of the service.
Greeting - The liturgy continues with the Greeting where the pastor blesses the congregation and the congregation wishes the same blessing to the pastor.
Kyrie Eleison - These Greek words means "Lord, have mercy". When used, the Kyrie is asking God to have mercy on the world, the church and us.
Hymn of Praise
- We thank God in song for the gifts the church has been given through Jesus.
"Glory to God" is the song of the angels and is sung in the Christmas and Epiphany seasons. "This is the Feast" is
from The Book of Revelation and is sung during the weeks of Easter, on Christ The King Day and
All Saints Day. During Advent and Lent, the hymn of praise is not sung.
Contemporary Worship begins with a dialog and response that is especially arranged by the pastor to fit the theme of the day.
FIRST LESSON
- Taken from the Hebrew Scriptures Sermon - The sermon, or message for the day, interprets the meaning of God's
Word for our lives today.
Hymn of the Day - This hymn of response to the Word of God usually relates
closely to the reading and the message of the pastor.
PSALM - Usually sung in chant form
SECOND LESSON - Usually from the letters of the New Testament
HOLY GOSPEL provides the center of the reading of the Word of God.
We respond to the reading by saying or singing "Praise to you O Christ"
The Nicene Creed, which was written about AD325 is used on festival days.
It is a corporate "we believe" statement.
The Apostle's Creed, took its present
form about AD 750 is a more personal "I Believe" statement and is used all other Sundays.
Intercessory Prayers - These responsive prayers express the concern of our congregation for the whole Church,the nations of the world, all people in their various needs and for the mission and ministry of Emmanuel Church.
The Greeting of Peace - We greet each other in the unity and mutual forgiveness which come from Christ whose Word we have just heard and whose supper we are about to receive.
Gathering of Gifts - In gratitude for all God's gifts to us, we present our offerings in support of God's work in this church and the world. Music, either sung or played, is a part of this offering. .
Great Thanksgiving - With words of praise, we recall the mighty acts of God that have called us out of darkness into the marvelous light of Jesus.
Prayer of Thanksgiving - These are specific words chosen to remind us of God's history of salvation of the people. These are central words to the Holy Communion and include the words Jesus spoke in the upper room on the night he was betrayed.
Distribution the Meal - We invite all who believe that Jesus is present in the giving and receiving of the meal to the Lord's Table at Emmanuel Church. Those who wish not to receive may come forward for a blessing.
Prayer after the Meal - We ask God to unite us and strengthen us through the gift of Holy Communion we have received. Then the pastor adds a final blessing making the sign of the cross as a reminder that it is in Jesus Christ + that we have been baptised and forgiven.
Prayer after the Meal - Although not a formal part of worship, announcements for the good of the congregation are a necessary part of our gathering.
Sending Hymn - A final Hymn is sung as worship comes to a close with the praise of God on our lips.
Sending - With all completed, the assisting minister
- a lay member of the congregation - sends us out from worship with the words, "Go
in peace. Serve the Lord".
