Spiritual Communion
God is greater than our limitations. He is able to meet us in extraordinary times in extraordinary ways. The Church has always recognized this. Those separated from the Church because of imprisonment could partake of "spiritual communion." Likewise, martyrs who died before their baptism in water were considered baptized by their faithfulness. You may want to do this in the context of a meal, as was the custom in the early church.[1]
If you or your family would like to participate in "spiritual communion," you may follow this format:
Say,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Read the Collect, the Epistle, and the Gospel of the Day.
Recite the Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, visible and invisible.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven:
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.)
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Pray for your needs and the needs of others:
Let us pray for the Church and for the world, saying, “hear our prayer.”
For the peace of the whole world, and for the well-being and unity of the people of God.
Reader: Lord, in your mercy:
People: Hear our prayer.
For Foley Beach our Archbishop, Bishop LeMarquand our temporary Bishop and for all the clergy and people of our Diocese and Congregation.
Reader: Lord, in your mercy:
People: Hear our prayer.
For all those who proclaim the Gospel at home and abroad; for all who teach and disciple others; and for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted for their faith.
Reader: Lord, in your mercy:
People: Hear our prayer.
For our nation, for those in authority, and for all in public service especially, our Congress, Supreme Court and our President, Donald Trump.
Reader: Lord, in your mercy:
People: Hear our prayer.
For all those who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity especially…
Reader: Lord, in your mercy:
People: Hear our prayer.
For all those who have departed this life in the certain hope of the resurrection, especially...
Reader: Lord, in your mercy:
People: Hear our prayer.
Additional petitions may be added. Thanksgivings may also be invited.
The Celebrant concludes with this or some other appropriate Collect.
Heavenly Father, grant these our prayers for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Confess your sins, read the Comfortable Words and exchange the Peace.
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
Hear the Word of God to all who truly turn to him:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15
If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Pray the Collect for Spiritual Communion
Dear Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to possess you within my soul. And since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself to you, together with all your faithful people [gathered around every altar of your Church], and I embrace you with all the affections of my soul. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
Recite the Lord's Prayer
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, and the power,
and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Recite the Grace
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
2 Corinthians 13:14.
[1] Introduction and the outline adapted from “Bishop Hobby Issues Suspension of Services”, +Jim Hobby, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh, March 16, 2020.
Spiritual Communion
God is greater than our limitations. He is able to meet us in extraordinary times in extraordinary ways. The Church has always recognized this. Those separated from the Church because of imprisonment could partake of "spiritual communion." Likewise, martyrs who died before their baptism in water were considered baptized by their faithfulness. You may want to do this in the context of a meal, as was the custom in the early church.[1]
If you or your family would like to participate in "spiritual communion," you may follow this format:
Say,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Read the Collect, the Epistle, and the Gospel of the Day.
Recite the Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, visible and invisible.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven:
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.)
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Pray for your needs and the needs of others:
Let us pray for the Church and for the world, saying, “hear our prayer.”
For the peace of the whole world, and for the well-being and unity of the people of God.
Reader: Lord, in your mercy:
People: Hear our prayer.
For Foley Beach our Archbishop, Bishop LeMarquand our temporary Bishop and for all the clergy and people of our Diocese and Congregation.
Reader: Lord, in your mercy:
People: Hear our prayer.
For all those who proclaim the Gospel at home and abroad; for all who teach and disciple others; and for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted for their faith.
Reader: Lord, in your mercy:
People: Hear our prayer.
For our nation, for those in authority, and for all in public service especially, our Congress, Supreme Court and our President, Donald Trump.
Reader: Lord, in your mercy:
People: Hear our prayer.
For all those who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity especially…
Reader: Lord, in your mercy:
People: Hear our prayer.
For all those who have departed this life in the certain hope of the resurrection, especially...
Reader: Lord, in your mercy:
People: Hear our prayer.
Additional petitions may be added. Thanksgivings may also be invited.
The Celebrant concludes with this or some other appropriate Collect.
Heavenly Father, grant these our prayers for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Confess your sins, read the Comfortable Words and exchange the Peace.
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
Hear the Word of God to all who truly turn to him:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15
If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Pray the Collect for Spiritual Communion
Dear Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to possess you within my soul. And since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself to you, together with all your faithful people [gathered around every altar of your Church], and I embrace you with all the affections of my soul. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
Recite the Lord's Prayer
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, and the power,
and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Recite the Grace
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
2 Corinthians 13:14.
[1] Introduction and the outline adapted from “Bishop Hobby Issues Suspension of Services”, +Jim Hobby, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh, March 16, 2020.