THE SACRAMENT

OF

THE LORD'S SUPPER.

Upon the day appointed, the Holy Table being covered with a fair linen Cloth and the Bread and Wine being placed thereon, the Minister shall begin the Service by reverently reciting these sentences.

I will wash mine hands in innocency and so will I go to Thine Altar.

Send out Thy light and Thy truth that they may lead me, and that I may go unto the altar of God, even the God of my joy and gladness and upon the harp will I give thanks unto Thee, O Lord my God!

Turning to the Communicants:

Come unto Him, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him; for He is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Minister.

Almighty and All Loving God, unto Whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from Whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts

of our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee, and worthily magnify Thy holy Name, both now and for evermore. Amen.

Then shall the Minister say:

Brethren, listen to the comfortable words of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.

Then shall the People say or sing:

Kyrie Eleison.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and write all these Thy laws in our hearts, we beseech Thee.

After which, the people now being seated, the Minister shall pronounce this Meditation.

Behold! How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation. He shall feed His flock like a Shepherd. For, even so has God ordained, that the Saviour should reach and bless the multitudes of mankind, and that one generation should declare His truth unto another, and so promote the welfare, and enlarge the happiness of our race.

Therefore, are we bidden to this solemn commemoration of those great deeds and events which, though enacted so many years ago, still live and influence us, and will continue to bless our race for evermore. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. And he who dies for Truth, dies, not only for himself, but for his country, and for all mankind. And thus, also, did our beloved Lord and Saviour die for us. Wherefore, God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a Name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth and things under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Then shall be said or sung

Sursum Corda.

Minister.

Lift up your hearts.

People.

We lift them up unto the Lord.

Minister.

Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.

People.

It is meet and right so to do.

Minister.

It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty Everlasting God, because Thou didst give Jesus Christ to save us from our weakness and imperfection, to lift us out of our errors and our sins, to bring light to those who sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Minister and People.

Therefore, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of Heaven, we laud and magnify Thy glorious Name, evermore praising Thee and saying:

Trisagion.

Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and Earth are full of Thy glory. Glory be to Thee, O Lord, Most High! Amen. Amen.