Appendix C
Note from this site: everything from this point to the start of the two "examples" was the document circulated the two years prior to General Synod 2002 for comment.
A Template for Anglican Worship
The template directs us to three sections into which we assemble elements of our worship. Each of these sections
gathering to name and establish,
story to form and nurture,
going out to launch and empower,
is the integral to the structure of the new community expressing itself in worship.
Gathering
- we establish the community of faith
In this section we acknowledge who and where we are. This involves recognising and welcoming those present, the new faces and the familiar, and paying our respects to the place where we meet and those who have gone before us. We might need to name and any newsworthy events that press in on us, locally or more widely, whether celebrations or crises. Those who are to lead worship and what sort of worship is to follow may need to be introduced.
Liturgical components of this section, in no special order, could include:
mihimihi
special attention to children
the exchange of the peace of Christ
opening songs and other musical offerings
opening or bidding prayers
confession and absolution
announcement of themes, sentences for the day, opening responses, seasonal material
Story
- a new community is formed and nurtured
In this section we find the source of our life and purpose for which we gather as a community of faith. It is the story of the God we meet in Jesus Christ that makes this community new and renewing. The section is built around the hearing and interpreting of Scripture, sacramental and symbolic actions in eucharist, and a whole variety of rituals of healing, blessing, offering, intercessing etc.
Liturgical components, in no special order, could include:
Scripture read or enacted
responses through sermon, meditation, prayer
praise and thanksgiving
prayers of the people
credal and other affirmations of faith
silence
non verbal, symbolic actions involving candles, images, greenery, water etc
sacramental actions such as a blessing and breaking bread, anointing, blessing of places, baptizing, making and renewing of vows, hura kohatu, tuku and last rites
offering of gifts
sharing of bread and wine
musical responses and offerings
Going out
- a new community is launched
The section is the least developed of the three, often treated briefly, even abruptly in the liturgy but continued in fact through the after service function. The three Tikanga commission’s plea is that we revalue this section and give it more prominence. For it is here that the expectancy and the mandate for being God’s people at work in the world is created, the mission is named and the energy released by story and sacrament is focussed and directed. In addition, a sense of closure is sought, not to close us down but rather to open us up to the real work of ministry that awaits us outside the gathered community.
Liturgical components in this section, in no special order, could include:
prayers after communion
blessing and dismissal
musical components
feedback from children
prayers with special intention
recalling and summarising of mandate
procession
final notices
after service function
poroporoaki
Note from this site: here endeth the document circulated the two years prior to General Synod 2002 for comment. The material that follows was added, presented to and passed at General Synod 2002.
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Example of An Order for a Eucharist
GATHER
The Gathering of God’s People
Greet
* Penitential Rite
Song / Act of Praise
Opening Prayer (Collect)
STORY
Proclaiming & Receiving the Word
First Reading
Psalm
Second Reading
Gospel
Sermon
Creed
* Silence, songs & other responses
Prayers of the People
Prayer
* Lord’s Prayer
* Penitential Rite
Peace
Celebrating at the Lord’s Table
Preparing the Table
Prayer over the gifts
Eucharistic Prayer (any authorised Great Thanksgiving/Eucharistic Prayer may be used)
* Lord’s Prayer
Silence
Breaking of the Bread
Invitation
Communion
GO
Going out as God’s People
Silence
Hymns
Prayer after Communion
Blessing
Dismissal
* indicates elements of the liturgy which may appear at one point or another in the rite.
cf pp32-2 The Dublin Report in Being Anglican in the Third Millennium, ACCX
Example of A Service of the Word
GATHER
The Preparation
includes
Liturgical greeting
Prayers of Penitence (here or in The Prayers)
Hymn, Song of Praise, or a set of responses
Opening Prayer (Collect) (here or in The Prayers)
STORY
The Ministry of the Word
includes
Reading(s) from Holy Scripture
Psalm(s), Scriptural Song(s)
Sermon
Creed or Affirmation of Faith
The Prayers
includes
Intercessions and thanksgivings
The Lord’s Prayer
GO
The Conclusion
includes
Liturgical ending
Some Notes Relating Particularly to
A Service of the Word
INTRODUCTORY NOTES
Prayer of Penitence
Sections from Liturgies of the Word or from Liturgies of the Eucharist in ANZPB-HKMOA are useful resources. The minister may introduce the confession with suitable words.
Hymns, Canticles, Acclamations, Songs of Praise and The Peace
Possible points are indicated for some of these, but they may occur elsewhere as occasion requires.
Silence
Periods of silence may be kept at different points of the service. It may be particularly appropriate in the Liturgical Greeting, Prayer of Penitence, Reading(s) from Holy Scripture, and Intercessions and Thanksgivings.
GATHER
Liturgical Greeting
It is important for each service to have a clear beginning. It may be appropriate to have some introductory singing, or a hymn, or a sentence of scripture before the Liturgical Greeting that might be followed by a brief introduction or an opening prayer.
STORY
Readings
There may be readings from Holy Scripture and other Christian devotional material. Normally there would be at least one scriptural reading. These might be dramatized, sung or read responsively. The Lectionary published each year provides an ordered cycle of readings. This would be especially useful in the Christmas and Easter seasons, and when the service is combined with a Eucharist. Various other art forms might be considered such as liturgical dance.
Psalms
A service might include a Psalm or Psalms using either the ANZPB-HKMOA or a metrical, responsive version, or perhaps a paraphrase.
Sermon
The term sermon may include less formal exposition, the use of drama, interviews, discussions, and audio-visuals. Hymns or other sections of the service may be inserted between parts of the sermon. The sermon may come after the readings, or before or after the prayers.
Sermon & Creed
These might be omitted on a weekday but included on a Sunday or Holy Day.
GO
Conclusion
It is helpful to have a clear ending. This might include one or more of the following forms: The Peace, the Grace, or a suitable ascription or blessing. A responsive conclusion might complete this section.
GENERAL NOTES
Authorised
Means approved by General Synod / te Hïnota Whänui, or equivalent, of any member Church of the Anglican Communion.
Suitable
Means a form used at the discretion of the minister conducting the service on any occasion but such that the material so used shall be neither contrary to, nor indicative of any departure from the doctrine and authority of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia in any essential matter.