The Reconciliation

Eucharist

based on
Common Worship Order One
Services and Prayers for the Church of England

Please do not take this booklet away with you

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 Welcome to Coventry Cathedral
Each Friday at 12 noon, the Litany of Reconciliation is said in the
Cathedral Ruins to remember Christ’s death on the Cross. His prayer,
“Father forgive,” becomes our prayer for forgiveness, not only for our
sins but for the sins of the world. Members of the Community of the
Cross of Nails throughout the world pray this Litany on Fridays in
solidarity with us.

The Communion that follows celebrates the love of God who, in

Christ, is reconciling the world to himself. He gives us today his gift of
reconciliation and the ministry of passing it on to others.

Our custom on Fridays is to keep Reconciliation as an intention, even

when it is a Saint’s Day. However, there is room (e.g. in the prayers and
at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer) to celebrate saints by name.

Christians of all traditions are warmly invited to receive the bread and
wine as a sign of our reconciliation in Christ. Those for whom English
is not the first language are invited to say the Lord’s Prayer and make
other responses in their own tongue.

If you are interested in any aspect of what Christians believe, what we

do at Coventry Cathedral, or think we might be able to help you in any
way, please ask a minister, or get in touch with us on 024 7652 1200 or
via www.coventrycathedral.org.uk

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England,

material from which is included in this service booklet,
is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England 2000-2006.

Photographs in this booklet are © Tim Eccleston

Please do not take photographs in the Cathedral during services

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 The Litany of Reconciliation
The Litany of Reconciliation is normally introduced by the president in the
Ruins at 12 noon

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

The hatred which divides nation from nation,

race from race, class from class,
All Father, forgive.

The covetous desires of people and nations

to possess what is not their own,
All Father, forgive.

The greed which exploits the work of human hands

and lays waste the earth,
All Father, forgive.

Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others,

All Father, forgive.

Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned,

the homeless, the refugee,
All Father, forgive.

The lust which dishonours the bodies of men, women and

children,
All Father, forgive.

The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God,

All Father, forgive.

All Be kind to one another, tenderhearted,

forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

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 The Gathering
The congregation remains SEATED. The president may say

In the name of the Father,

and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
All Amen.

The Greeting
The president greets the people and leads the Dialogue of Reconciliation

The Lord be with you

All and also with you.

God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself:

All he has entrusted us with the message of reconciliation.

When anyone is united to Christ, there is a new world:

All the old order has gone; a new order has already begun.

He has entrusted us with the message of reconciliation:

All in Christ’s name, be reconciled to God.

Prayers of Penitence
The president says

The grace of God has dawned upon the world

with healing for all through Christ our Saviour.
Let us come to him, in sorrow for our sins,
seeking healing and salvation.

Silence is kept

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 Lord Jesus, you came to reconcile us
to one another and to the Father.
Lord have mercy.
All Lord have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you heal the wounds of sin and division.

Christ have mercy.
All Christ have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you intercede for us with the Father.

Lord have mercy.
All Lord have mercy.

The president gives the absolution

May Almighty God have mercy on you,

forgive you your sins,
and bring you to everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
The Collect

Let us pray for the reconciling love and power of God.

Silence is kept before the president says one of these two collects

Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed;
kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all the true love of peace,
and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom
those who take counsel for the nations of the earth;
that your kingdom may go forward in justice and peace,
till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

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 (or)

Father, whose will is to restore all things

in your beloved Son, the king of all;
govern the hearts and minds of those in authority,
and bring the nations,
divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin,
to be subject to his just and gentle rule;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

The Liturgy of the Word

Readings may be chosen from those appointed for the day or from this list

First Readings
Isaiah 11.1-9 Jeremiah 31.31-34 Micah 4.1-5
Romans 12.9-21 2 Corinthians 5.14-21 Ephesians 2.13-18
Revelation 21.1-7
Gospel Readings
Matthew 5.1-12 Matthew 5.43-end Luke 10.25
Luke 23.32-47 John 10.7-16 John 11.47-53
John 15.9-17
First Reading
At the end the reader says

This is the word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading
Everyone STANDS. When the Gospel is announced the reader says

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.

All Glory to you, O Lord.

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 At the end

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All Praise to you, O Christ.

Prayers of Intercession
The congregation SITS or KNEELS

(Either)

The president leads prayers of intercession using these responses

Lord, in your mercy

All hear our prayer.

And at the end

Merciful Father,
All accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
(or)

The president says

We pray for the coming of God’s kingdom, saying

Father, by your Spirit:
All bring in your kingdom.

You came in Jesus to bring good news to the poor,

sight to the blind, freedom to the captives,
and salvation to your people.
Anoint us with your Spirit,
and arouse us to work in your name.
Father, by your Spirit:
All bring in your kingdom.

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 Send us to bring help to the poor
and freedom to the oppressed.
Father, by your Spirit:
All bring in your kingdom.

Send us to tell the world

the good news of your healing love.
Father, by your Spirit:
All bring in your kingdom.

Send us to those who mourn,

to bring joy and gladness instead of grief.
Father, by your Spirit:
All bring in your kingdom.

Send us to proclaim that the time is here

for you to save your people.
Father, by your Spirit:
All bring in your kingdom.

Prayers for particular people and topics may be said, including prayer for
the reconciliation ministry of the Cathedral and other members of the
Community of the Cross of Nails

Silence may be kept

The prayers may conclude with

Lord of the Church,

All hear our prayer,
and make us one in heart and mind
to serve you in Christ our Lord. Amen.

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 The Liturgy of the Sacrament
The Peace
Everyone STANDS and the president introduces the Peace

Blessed be Christ, the Prince of Peace.

All He breaks down the walls that divide us:
praise to Christ who is our peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you

All and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

All exchange a sign of peace and then remain STANDING

Preparation of the Table

Taking of the Bread and Wine

The table is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it

The president takes the bread and wine

(Either) Eucharistic Prayer E

The Lord be with you (or) The Lord is here.

All and also with you. His Spirit is with us.

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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 Living God, Father of light,
hope of nations, friend of sinners,
your love is made visible in Jesus Christ.
You bring home the lost, restore the sinner
and give dignity to the despised.
In the face of Jesus Christ your light shines out,
flooding lives with goodness and truth,
gathering into one a divided and broken humanity.
With people from every race and nation,
with the Church of all the ages,
with apostles, evangelists and martyrs
we join the angels of heaven in their unending song:

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:
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.

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 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.

One of these four acclamations may be used

Great is the mystery of faith: Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All Christ has died: Dying you destroyed our death,
Christ is risen: rising you restored our life:
Christ will come again. Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Christ is the bread of life: Jesus Christ is Lord:

All When we eat this bread
and drink this cup,
we proclaim your death,
Lord Jesus,
until you come in glory.
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 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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 (or) Eucharistic Prayer F

The Lord be with you (or) The Lord is here.

All and also with you. His Spirit is with us.

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.

You are worthy of our thanks and praise,

Lord God of truth,
for by the breath of your mouth
you have spoken your word,
and all things have come into being.

You fashioned us in your image

and placed us in the garden of your delight.
Though we chose the path of rebellion
you would not abandon your own.

Again and again you drew us into your covenant of grace.

You gave your people the law and taught us by your prophets
to look for your reign of justice, mercy and peace.

As we watch for the signs of your kingdom on earth,

we echo the song of the angels in heaven,
evermore praising you and saying:

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.

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 Lord God, you are the most holy one,
enthroned in splendour and light,
yet in the coming of your Son Jesus Christ
you reveal the power of your love
made perfect in our human weakness.

All Amen. Lord, we believe.

Embracing our humanity,

Jesus showed us the way of salvation;
loving us to the end,
he gave himself to death for us;
dying for his own,
he set us free from the bonds of sin,
that we might rise and reign with him in glory.

All Amen. Lord, we believe.

On the night he gave up himself for us all

he 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.

All Amen. Lord, we believe.

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.

All Amen. Lord, we believe.

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 Therefore we proclaim the death that he suffered on the cross,
we celebrate his resurrection, his bursting from the tomb,
we rejoice that he reigns at your right hand on high
and we long for his coming in glory.

All Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

As we recall the one, perfect sacrifice of our redemption,

Father, by your Holy Spirit let these gifts of your creation
be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ;
form us into the likeness of Christ
and make us a perfect offering in your sight.

All Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.

Look with favour on your people

and in your mercy hear the cry of our hearts.
Bless the earth,
heal the sick,
let the oppressed go free
and fill your Church with power from on high.

All Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.

Gather your people from the ends of the earth

to feast with all your saints
at the table in your kingdom,
where the new creation is brought to perfection
in Jesus Christ our Lord;

by whom, and with whom, and in whom,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever.
All Amen.

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 The Lord’s Prayer
The congregation SITS or KNEELS

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.

(or)

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.
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 Breaking of the Bread
The president breaks the consecrated bread

We break this bread

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

The Agnus Dei may be said as the bread is broken

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.

Invitation to Communion
The president says

Jesus is the Lamb of God

who takes away the sin of the world.
Blessed are those who are called to his supper.
All Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word, and I shall be healed.

Giving of Communion
The president and people receive communion. Communicant members of all
churches are invited to receive Communion if they wish to do so. Those who
do not intend to receive Communion but wish to receive a blessing are asked
to carry this booklet as an indication to the ministers

The body of Christ, broken for you.

The blood of Christ, shed for you.

Each communicant replies

Amen.

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 Prayer after Communion
The congregation SITS or KNEELS. Silence is kept and then the
president says one of these collects

Almighty God, who called your Church to witness

that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself;
help us so to proclaim the good news of your love,
that all who hear it may be reconciled to you;
through him who died for us and rose again,
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
All Amen.

(or)

Almighty God, Father of us all,

you call us to make peace
and to love and serve our neighbour.
May our Cathedral, ruined and rebuilt,
be a sign to all peoples of the healing of old wounds.
Help us to build a kinder, more just world
where those of many races may live together in peace,
and all the human family be one;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.

Then everyone says

All 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.

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The Dismissal
The Blessing
The president may use this or another suitable blessing

The peace of God,

which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds
in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
All Amen.

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

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 Prayer of St Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Prayer for the Community of the Cross of Nails

Almighty God, you have committed to us the ministry of reconciliation
of your Son, Jesus Christ; give us the confidence in your power to
forgive, as your Son forgave us from the Cross. Enable us to be
witnesses of your forgiveness at work and where we live. Unite us
in a sacred fellowship to heal the hostilities we see, and give us the
grace to love one another, rejoicing in this life together. Amen.

For the Human Family

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through
Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family;
take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break
down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work
through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on
earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may
serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Peace
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the
sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of
love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be
gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one
Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

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