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
We break this bread
to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.

Giving of 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.

The president and people receive the Holy Communion
Baptized persons who are communicant members of other Churches which subscribe to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, and are in good standing in their own Church may receive Communion. 
Any person may come to the altar for a blessing. 
Holding a book is a useful signal to the ministers
Carols may be sung during the distribution.

Prayer after Communion
The presidents says
Heavenly Father, who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of the promised saviour: fill us your servants with your grace, that in all things we may embrace your holy will and with her rejoice in your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
All may say this prayer
Almighty God,
we thank you for feeding us
with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Through him we offer you our souls and bodies
to be a living sacrifice.
Send us out
in the power of your Spirit
to live and work
to your praise and glory. Amen.

	The Dismissal
A hymn or carol may be sung here, or after the dismissal
The president may use the seasonal blessing,
May God the Father,
who loved the world so much that he sent his only Son,
give you grace to prepare for life eternal. 
Amen.
May God the Son,
who comes to us as redeemer and judge,
reveal to you the path from darkness to light.  
Amen.
May God the Holy Spirit,
by whose working the Virgin Mary conceived the Christ,
help you bear the fruits of holiness.  
Amen.
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.

Common Worship © Archbishops’ Council.

The Royal Army Chaplains Department
Advent 4 Communion
For an informal morning service.        Common Worship

Words in bold type are said by all.
Words in normal type are said by a minister.
Words in italics are instructions called rubrics.

The Gathering
A Hymn or carol may be sung as the ministers enter.
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father 
and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you
and also with you.

The Prayers of Penitence 
When the Lord comes, 
he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness,
and will disclose the purposes of the heart.
Therefore in the light of Christ let us confess our sins.
May your loving mercy come to me, O Lord, 
and your salvation according to your word:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Your word is a lantern to my feet 
and a light to my path:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

O let your mercy come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
 
The President says this absolution
May almighty God, who sent his Son into the world 
to save sinners, bring you his pardon and peace, 
now and for ever. Amen.

Hymns, Carols or Songs of praise may be sung.

The president says The Collect,
God our Redeemer, 
you prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary, 
who looked for his coming as Saviour, 
to be the Mother of your Son. 
May we be ready also to greet him
when he comes again as our judge, 
who is alive and reigns with you  
and the Holy Spirit, 
one God now and for ever.  
Amen.

	The Liturgy of the Word
One or two readings follow.
After each reading these words may be used.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
A hymn or carol may be sung.

All remain standing.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 
according to N.
Glory to you, O Lord.
At the end
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
A hymn or carol may be sung.
Sermon or Children’s Address
A hymn or carol may be sung.

Prayers of Intercession
These words may be used
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
The intercessions may end
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
	
The Liturgy of the Sacrament
The Peace is introduced using these words:
In the tender mercy of our God,
the dayspring from on high shall break upon us,
to give light to those who dwell in darkness 
and in the shadow of death
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
A hymn or carol may be sung as the gifts are presented.

Eucharistic Prayer E with seasonal preface.
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 good to give you thanks and praise,
almighty God and everlasting Father,
through Jesus Christ your Son.
He is the one foretold by all the prophets,
whom the Virgin Mother bore with love beyond all telling.
John the Baptist was his herald
and made him known when at last he came.
In his love Christ fills us with joy
as we prepare to celebrate his birth,
so that when he comes again 
he may find us watching in prayer,
our hearts filled with wonder and praise.
And so, with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we proclaim your glory,
and join in their unending hymn of praise:
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:
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.
Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.
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 Mary 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.
Amen.