Front Cover

Holy Communion

Easter 4

Welcome to St Edmundsbury Cathedral

for this celebration of Holy Communion

The Great Fifty Days of Eastertide form a single festival period in which

the tone of joy created at the Easter Vigil is sustained through the

following seven weeks, and the Church celebrates the gloriously risen

Christ. Early Christians gave the name Pentecost to this whole fifty-day

span of rejoicing, which Tertullian calls ‘this most joyful period’. It is

sometimes also called ‘Great Sunday’. In those places where the custom

of lighting the Easter Candle at the beginning of Easter is followed, the lit

Candle stands prominently in church for all the Eastertide services. On

the fortieth day there has from the late fourth century been a particular

celebration of Christ’s ascension. He commissions his disciples to

continue his work, he promises the gift of the Holy Spirit, and then he is

no longer among them in the flesh. The ascension is therefore closely

connected with the theme of mission. The arrival of the promised gift of

the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost completes and crowns the Easter

Festival.

The service has four main sections:

The Gathering, when we come together in worship. This concludes

with the Collect which ‘collects’ or gathers together the prayers of the

congregation.

The Liturgy of the Word, when we listen to readings from the Bible

and hear the sermon, say together the Nicene Creed, and offer our

prayers of intercession.

The Liturgy of the Sacrament, when we follow the example and

command of Jesus at the Last Supper. The President (a priest or bishop)

takes the bread and the wine to be consecrated, offers thanks in the

words of the Eucharistic (thanksgiving) Prayer, breaks the bread to be

shared, and then distributes these gifts to the congregation.

The Dismissal, in which the President blesses the congregation and we

are sent out to love and serve the Lord.

The Order of Service begins here

The Gathering

In the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

The Opening Hymn

The King of love my shepherd is,

whose goodness faileth never;

I nothing lack if I am his

and he is mine for ever.

Where streams of living water flow

my ransomed soul he leadeth,

and where the verdant pastures grow

with food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,

but yet in love he sought me.

and on his shoulder gently laid,

and home rejoicing brought me.

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill

with thee, dear Lord, beside me;

thy rod and staff my comfort still,

thy cross before to guide me.

Thou spread's a table in my sight;

thy unction grace bestoweth;

and O what transport of delight

from thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days

thy goodness faileth never:

good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise

within thy house for ever.

Words: Henry William Baker, 1821-1877, based on Psalm 23

Music: Dominus Regit Me, John Bacchus Dykes, 1823-1876

The Greeting

President Grace, mercy and peace

from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ

be with you.

All And also with you.

The Prayer of Preparation

All Almighty God,

to whom all hearts are open,

all desires known,

and from whom no secrets are hidden:

cleanse the thoughts of our hearts

by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,

that we may perfectly love you,

and worthily magnify your holy name;

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Prayers of Penitence

President Christ, the light of the world,

has come to dispel the darkness of our hearts.

In his Resurrection light let us examine our lives

and confess our sins

Silence is kept.

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Like Mary at the empty tomb,

we sometimes fail to grasp the wonder

of your life-giving presence.

Lord, have mercy.

All Lord, have mercy.

Like the disciples behind locked doors,

we are at times afraid to be seen as your followers.

Christ, have mercy.

All Christ, have mercy.

Like Thomas in the upper room,

we can be slow to believe in your love for us.

Lord, have mercy.

All Lord, have mercy.

President May the God of love and power

forgive you and free you from your sins,

heal and strengthen you by his Spirit,

and raise you to new life

in Christ our Lord.

All Amen.

The Gloria in Excelsis

All Glory to God in the highest,

and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,

almighty God and Father,

we worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world:

have mercy on us;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father:

receive our prayer.

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For you alone are the Holy One,

you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

The Collect

Risen Christ,

faithful shepherd of your Father’s sheep:

teach us to hear your voice

and to follow your command,

that all your people may be gathered into one flock,

to the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

¶ The Liturgy of the Word

Tim Allen reads

The First Reading

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Many were baptized and were added to the community. They devoted

themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of

bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders

and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were

together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions

and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by

day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at

home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and

having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to

their number those who were being saved.

Acts 2.42-47

For the word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

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Claire Allen reads

The Second Reading

A reading from the first letter of Peter.

Brothers and sisters: It is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you

endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten

for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right

and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been

called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so

that you should follow in his steps. ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit

was found in his mouth.’ When he was abused, he did not return abuse;

when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the

one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,

so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds

you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you

have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

1 Peter 2.19-25

For the word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

The Gospel Acclamations

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

All Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

I am the first and the last, says the Lord, and the living one;

I was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore. cf Revelation 1.17,18

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

All Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

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The Rev’d Canon Matthew Vernon reads

The Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

according to John.

All Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus said to the Pharisees: ‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not

enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and

a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He

calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought

out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because

they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run

from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’

Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand

what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell

you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and

bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever

enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may

have life, and have it abundantly.’

John 10.1-10

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All Praise to you, O Christ.

The Sermon

The Rev’d Sarah Geileskey

Cathedral Curate

The sermon is followed by a brief silence for reflection.

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The Creed

Let us declare our faith in the resurrection

of our Lord Jesus Christ.

All Christ died for our sins

in accordance with the Scriptures;

he was buried;

he was raised to life on the third day

in accordance with the Scriptures;

afterwards he appeared to his followers,

and to all the apostles:

this we have received

and this we believe.

Amen. (after 1 Corinthians 15. 3-7)

Caitlin Brinkley leads

The Prayers of Intercession

Let us pray for the Church and for the world

and let us thank God for his goodness.

The prayers conclude with:

Merciful Father,

All accept these prayers

for the sake of your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

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¶ The Liturgy of the Sacrament

The Peace

The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples

and said, ‘Peace be with you.’

Then were they glad when they saw the Lord. Alleluia.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

All And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

If you have other members of your household with you, you may wish to share

the peace with them now. If are alone, know Christ’s Peace to be with you now.

The Preparation of the Table

The Taking of the Bread and Wine

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation.

In your loving care you spread before us the table of life

and give us the cup of salvation to drink.

Keep us always in the fold

of our Saviour and our Shepherd,

your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

All Blessed be God for ever.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord be with you

All and also with you

Lift up your hearts.

All We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All It is right to give thanks and praise.

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It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,

always and everywhere to give you thanks,

almighty and eternal Father,

and in these days of Easter

to celebrate with joyful hearts

the memory of your wonderful works.

For by the mystery of his passion

Jesus Christ, your risen Son,

has conquered the powers of death and hell

and restored in men and women the image of your glory.

He has placed them once more in paradise

and opened to them the gate of life eternal.

And so, in the joy of this Passover,

earth and heaven resound with gladness,

while angels and archangels and the powers of all creation

sing for ever the hymn of your glory.

All Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

We praise and bless you, loving Father,

through Jesus Christ, our Lord;

and as we obey his command,

send your Holy Spirit,

that broken bread and wine outpoured

may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.

On the night before he died he had supper with his friends

and, taking bread, he praised you.

He broke the bread, gave it to them and said:

Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;

do this in remembrance of me.

When supper was ended he took the cup of wine.

Again he praised you, gave it to them and said:

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Drink this, all of you;

this is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for you and for many

for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did,

in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice

made once for all upon the cross.

Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation,

we proclaim his death and resurrection

until he comes in glory.

Jesus Christ is Lord.

All Lord, by your cross and resurrection

you have set us free.

You are the Saviour of the world.

Lord of all life,

help us to work together for that day

when your kingdom comes

and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.

Look with favour on your people,

gather us in your loving arms

and bring us with [N and] all the saints

to feast at your table in heaven.

Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father,

for ever and ever.

All Amen.

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The Lord’s Prayer

President Rejoicing in God’s new creation,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us.

All 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,

the power and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

President Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life.

Whoever comes to me will never be hungry,

and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’

Agnus Dei

All Jesus, Lamb of God,

have mercy on us.

Jesus, bearer of our sins,

have mercy on us.

Jesus, redeemer of the world,

grant us peace.

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Spiritual Communion

President Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

All Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

‘Spiritual Communion’ is a historic practice in the church for anyone who cannot

receive the bread and wine physically. It is possible because Communion is

always a spiritual practice and not simply physical. Through God’s grace, whilst

we cannot receive the bread and wine, we can still receive the sacrament in our

hearts, and share in communion with Jesus. In making our communion

spiritually, we are joining with Christians everywhere who cannot receive the

bread and wine at this time. The following prayer is one form of words to use

for Spiritual Communion.

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ,

for all the benefits you have given me,

for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.

Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,

I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.

O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,

may I know you more clearly,

love you more dearly,

and follow you more nearly,

day by day. Amen.

after the Prayer of St Richard of Chichester

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During communion the following is sung

Easter

Rise heart; thy Lord is risen.

Sing his praise without delays,

who takes thee by the hand,

that thou likewise with him may rise:

that, as his death calcined thee to dust,

his life may make thee gold, and much more, just.

Rise, heart; thy Lord is risen.

Awake, my lute, and struggle for thy part with all thy art.

The cross taught all wood

to resound his name, who bore the same.

His stretched sinews taught all strings,

what key is best to celebrate this most high day.

Consort both heart and lute,

and twist a song pleasant and long:

or since all music is but three parts vied,

and multiplied;

O let thy blessed spirit bear a part,

and make up our defects with his sweet art.

Words: George Herbert, 1593-1633

Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958

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Prayer after Communion

President Let us pray.

Silence is kept

Merciful Father,

you gave your Son Jesus Christ to be the good shepherd,

and in his love for us to lay down his life and rise again:

keep us always under his protection,

and give us grace to follow in his steps;

through Jesus Christ our Lord .

God of life,

who for our redemption

gave your only-begotten Son

to the death of the cross,

and by his glorious resurrection

have delivered us from the power of our enemy:

grant us so to die daily to sin,

that we may evermore live with him

in the joy of his risen life;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ The Dismissal

The Blessing

The God of peace,

who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,

that great shepherd of the sheep,

make you perfect in every good work to do his will;

and the blessing of God almighty,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

be upon you and remain with you always.

Amen.

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Final Hymn

Jesus lives! thy terrors now

can, O death, no more appal us;

Jesus lives! by this we know

thou, O grave, canst not enthral us.

Alleluia.

Jesus lives! Henceforth is death

but the gate of life immortal

this shall calm our trembling breath,

when we pass its gloomy portal.

Alleluia.

Jesus lives! to him the throne

over all the world is given:

may we go where he is gone,

rest and reign with him in heaven.

Alleluia.

Words: Jesus levt! mit ihm auch ich, Christian Gellert, 1715-1769

trans. Frances Elizabeth Cox, 1812-1897

Music: St Albinus, Henry John Gauntlett, 1805-1876

The Dismissal

With the risen life of Christ within you,

be in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.

All Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Organ Voluntary

Adagio from Smphony No.3

Louis Vierne, 1870-1937

Service order extracts from Common Worship Services, © The Central Board of Finance of The Church of England.

Music reproduced with permission - CCL Licence No 317297