New Patterns for Worship (paperback) (Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England)

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Responses which are suitable for saying or singing together, rather than in responsive form, are marked with an asterisk*. Today at St Ann’s the whole service has been centred around the theme of God’s love. After the distribution of Communion, there is silent prayer, and then the whole congregation joins together in the Post Communion prayer: A theme may determine the pattern of the worship. The traditional Morning and Evening Prayer pattern allows the word and praise to throw light on each other. A thematic approach very often means that the worship leader decides the way the word is to be heard, and the response that needs to be made. Care must be taken to make sure that the whole service does not become a sermon. This tends to happen when explanations and exhortations introduce every item. Some examples of a thematic approach

time to share with others something for prayer (so you may need to ask one of the leaders for the laying on of hands for healing, or some other individual ministry, later in the service); Customs vary on the solemnity with which this is done. In some places, variable prayers may be used. These should be preparatory, as the title for this part implies, and not dramatically overshadow the Eucharistic Prayer. The Eucharistic Prayer We light this candle to remind us that when God the Father raised Jesus from the dead he defeated the power of death, and his light shines in the midst of the darkness of this world. These may be used at any suitable point in A Service of the Word, but they are particularly appropriate for use as the climax to the service or part of the response to the Liturgy of the Word.

E Creeds and authorized affirmations of faith

Those who will be ministering to individuals should be offered appropriate help in preparing for this. Before the service it is normally appropriate for them to pray together for grace and discernment.

The Trinitarian or Eastern structure followed in Prayers F and G places the Sanctus within the thanksgiving, where it marks the change of focus from Father to Son. In this pattern the narrative of institution marks the shift from praise to petition and the focus on the Holy Spirit comes after it. This Trinitarian pattern is slightly less clear in Prayer D. Prayer H is also Trinitarian in pattern, but the initial thanksgiving is concluded with the narrative of institution and the Sanctus is the final climax of praise at the end of the prayer.G 35 Christ became obedient unto death … Intercessions The Lord’s Prayer Going out Affirmation of Faith Blessing and Dismissal The Benedictus qui venit (‘Blessed is he who comes …’) may be added to the Sanctus in any of these thanksgivings where it is not printed. A dismissal, ending or blessing should be the last item in any service, and should not normally be followed by a hymn or more prayers. Notes to the resources