Low Mass for Wednesday of Holy Week

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The Gathering

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Greeting The Lord be with you and also with you.

The president introduces the service.

Prayers of Penitence The president says this invitation to confession

Christ himself carried up our sins in his body to the tree, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds we have been healed. Let us confess our sins.

Silence is kept

Lord Jesus Christ, we confess we have failed you as did your first disciples. We ask for your mercy and your help.

When we take our ease rather than watch with you: Lord, forgive us. Christ have mercy.

When we bestow a kiss of peace yet nurse enmity in our hearts: Lord, forgive us. Christ have mercy.

When we strike at those who hurt us rather than stretch out our hands to bless: Lord, forgive us. Christ have mercy.

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When we deny that we know you for fear of the world and its scorn: Lord, forgive us. Christ have mercy.

The president says the absolution

May the Father of all mercies cleanse us from our sins, and restore us in his image to the praise and glory of his name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Collect The president introduces a period of silent prayer, and then says

Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race

sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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The Liturgy of the Word Readings

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The LORD God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backwards. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.

The LORD God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the LORD God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?

Isaiah 50.4–9a This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

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Please join in the response to the psalm

Come to me quickly, O God.

O God, make speed to save me; O Lord, make haste to help me. Let those who seek my life be put to shame and confusion; let them be turned back and disgraced who wish me evil.

Come to me quickly, O God.

Let those who mock and deride me turn back because of their shame. But let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; let those who love your salvation say always, ‘Great is the Lord!’

Come to me quickly, O God.

As for me, I am poor and needy; come to me quickly, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay.

Come to me quickly, O God. Psalm 70

A reading from the letter to the Hebrews.

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.

Hebrews 12.1–3

This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

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Gospel Reading Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory. Christ humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and given him the name that is above every name. Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

The Lord be with you and also with you.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’ So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘Do quickly what you are going to do.’ Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the festival’; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.

John 13.21–32 This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

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Sermon The sermon may be followed by a short period of silence.

Prayers of Intercession

The president introduces the prayers

With faith and love and in union with Christ, let us offer our prayer before the throne of grace.

This response is used

Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

At the end

Merciful Father, 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

Once we were far off, but now in union with Christ Jesus we have been brought near by the shedding of Christ’s blood, for he is our peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you and also with you.

Preparation of the Table

Taking of the Bread and Wine

The altar is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it. The president takes the bread and the wine, saying

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation: through your goodness we have this bread to set before you, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life. Blessed be God for ever.

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation: through your goodness we have this wine to set before you, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become for us the cup of salvation. Blessed be God for ever.

These prayers follow

Pray, my brothers and sisters, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father. May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of his name, for our good, and the good of all his Church.

Jesus, true vine and bread of life, ever giving yourself that the world might live, let us share your death and passion: make us perfect in your love. Amen.

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The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord be with you and also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give thanks and praise.

It is indeed right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. For as the time of his passion and resurrection draws near the whole world is called to acknowledge his hidden majesty. The power of the life-giving cross reveals the judgement that has come upon the world and the triumph of Christ crucified. He is the victim who dies no more, the Lamb once slain, who lives for ever, our advocate in heaven to plead our cause, exalting us there to join with angels and archangels, for ever praising you and saying:

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.

Accept our praises, heavenly Father, through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, and as we follow his example and obey his command, grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit these gifts of bread and wine may be to us his body and his blood;

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who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: 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.

Therefore, heavenly Father, we remember his offering of himself made once for all upon the cross; we proclaim his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; we look for the coming of your kingdom, and with this bread and this cup we make the memorial of Christ your Son our Lord.

Christ is the bread of life: When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.

Accept through him, our great high priest, this our sacrifice of thanks and praise, and as we eat and drink these holy gifts in the presence of your divine majesty, renew us by your Spirit, inspire us with your love and unite us in the body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Through him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, with all who stand before you in earth and heaven, we worship you, Father almighty, in songs of everlasting praise: Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Standing at the foot of the cross, let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

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.

Breaking of the Bread The president breaks the consecrated bread

Every time we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

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Giving of Communion The president says this invitation to communion

Draw near with faith. Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ which he gave for you, and his blood which he shed for you. Eat and drink in remembrance that he died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

While the president receives communion, you may wish to use this prayer

Soul of Christ, sanctify me, body of Christ, save me, blood of Christ, inebriate me, water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me: hide me within your wounds and never let me be separated from you. From the wicked enemy defend me, in the hour of my death, call me and bid me come to you, so that with your saints I may praise you for ever and ever. Amen. Anima Christi (14th century)

Prayer after Communion

The president invites us to pray and then says

Lord Jesus Christ, you humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant, and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation: give us the mind to follow you and to proclaim you as Lord and King, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

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We pray together

Faithful God, may we who share this banquet glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, our salvation, life and hope, who reigns as Lord now and for ever. Amen.

The Dismissal

The Lord be with you and also with you.

Christ crucified draw you to himself, to find in him a sure ground for faith, a firm support for hope, and the assurance of sins forgiven; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen.

Copyright Acknowledgements Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is

included in this service, is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000. Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is included in this service, is

copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2006.