Come and see! (John 1:39) This is the abiding invitation of the Church in her liturgical services. Come with faith and you will be numbered with those to whom "it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 13:11). You will be found with those to whom insight has been granted into "the mystery of Christ" which is "the mystery hidden for ages in God, Who created all things," which is now made manifest "through the Church" even to the angels (Ephesians 3:4, 9-10).
from Fr Thomas Hopko, The Winter Pascha, pp. 29-30.
COPY THE REST OF pp. 30-31
from Fr Thomas Hopko, The Winter Pascha, pp. 29-30.
COPY THE REST OF pp. 30-31
Scripture in the Divine Liturgy
Ever wondered what the Liturgy is made up of? Glad you asked. Here is what Fr John Matusiak compiled a few decades ago. It turns out the Liturgy is completely based on the Bible. Who would have thought it?
What is biblical about our worship? Well, everything!
This list is not exhaustive, of course, but illustrates very well how our worship is not made up out the “thin air,” but is actually based on something specific.
Opening Doxology – Blessed in the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Mark 11:10 – “Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming! Hosanna in the highest!”
Luke 22:29-30 – “I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Revelation 7:12 – “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.”
The Great Litany – In peace, let us pray to the Lord!
Philippians 4:6-7 – “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 51:1 – “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.”
Luke 18:13 – “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’”
John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2 – “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.”
Hebrews 13:7 – “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith.”
Psalm 109:26 – “Help me, O Lord my God! Save me according to Your steadfast love.”
Luke 1:42 – “and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!’”
The First Antiphon – “Bless the Lord, O my soul”
Selected verses from Psalm 103.
The Second Antiphon – “Praise the Lord, O my soul”
Psalm 146.
The Hymn to Christ Incarnate – “Only-begotten Son…”
John 1:1, 3:16, 17:5, 19:18 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life… and now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made… There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.”
Luke 1:35 – “And the angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.’”
Hebrews 2:14 – “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil.”
Matthew 8:25 – “And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Save, Lord; we are perishing.’”
The Third Antiphon – The Beatitudes
Matthew 5:3-12 - Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The Little Entrance – “Come let us worship…”
Psalm 95:1-6 - O come, let us sing to the Lord, let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving, let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, the heights of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for He made it, for His hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
Revelation 7:11-12 - And all the angels stood round the throne and round the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.
The Trisagion – “Holy God, Holy Mighty…”
Isaiah 6:1-5 - In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim, each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips, for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
Prokeimenon
Selected verses from different Psalms.
The Epistle
Readings change daily, taken from the Epistles and Acts of the Apostles.
The Alleluia
Selected verses from different Psalms.
Revelation 19:1-6 - After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” Once more they cried, “Alleluia! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who is seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Alleluia!” And from the throne came a voice crying, “Praise our God, all you His servants, you who fear Him, small and great.” Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunderings, crying, “Alleluia! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.”
The Gospel
Readings change daily.
The Sermon
1 Timothy 4:13 - Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching.
The Cherubic Hymn – “Let us, who mystically represent the cherubim…”
Colossians 3:12 - Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience.
Psalm 24.
Revelations 19:1-6 – (see above)
The Great Entrance
Psalm 43:4 - Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise You with the lyre, O God, my God.
Matthew 5:23-24 - So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Hebrews 5:1 - For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
The Peace – “Peace be unto all”
John 20:21, 26 - Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”…Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.”
1 Peter 5:14 - Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you that are in Christ.
The Kiss of Peace – “Christ is in our midst”
Luke 7:45 - You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.
1 Corinthians 16:20 - All the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
1 John 4:7 - Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God.
1 Peter 3:8 - Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind.
Philippians 2:2 - Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
The Eucharistic Canon – “Let us stand aright…”
Leviticus 3:1 - If a man’s offering is a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offers an animal from the herd, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord.
Hosea 6:6 - For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings.
Hebrews 13:14-15 - For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come. Through Christ then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His Name.
Matthew 9:13 - Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
2 Corinthians 13:14 - The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Timothy 4:22 - The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
Lamentations 3:41 - Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven.
The Eucharistic Prayer – “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord of Sabaoth...” through the Consecration
Isaiah 6:3 - And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Matthew 21:9 - And the crowds that went before Him and that followed Him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
1 Corinthians 11:23-24 - For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is My body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”
Matthew 26:26-28 - Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat. This is My body.” And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
John 6:51 – “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever, and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
Hymn to the Theotokos – “It is truly meet…”
Luke 1:28, 42, 48 - And he came to her and said, “Rejoice, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”… And she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb”… For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
The Concluding Eucharistic Prayers
2 Maccabees 12:44-45 - For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 - First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.
2 Timothy 2:15 - Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Romans 15:6 - That together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelations 22:21 - The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.
The Litany before the Lord’s Prayer
Ephesians 5:2 - And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
1 Peter 3:15 - But in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence.
2 Corinthians 5:10 - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body.
Ephesians 4:13 - Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Philippians 2:1-2 - So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew 6:9-13 - Pray then like this: 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 debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
2 Corinthians 2:9-11 - For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. Any one whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, to keep Satan from gaining the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
The Elevation of the Holy Gifts – “The Holy Gifts are for the Holy”
Leviticus 11:44 - For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.
Philippians 2:10-11 - At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The Communion Hymn – “Praise the Lord...”
Psalm 34:8 - O taste and see that the Lord is good! Happy is the man who takes refuge in him!
The Eucharist
1 Corinthians 11:27-29 - Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the Body and Blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.
1 Timothy 1:15 - The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners.
Luke 23:42-43 - And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Isaiah 6:7 - And he touched my mouth, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips. Your guilt is taken away, and your sin forgiven.”
James 4:8 - Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you men of double mind.
John 6:32-35, 48-58 - Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven. My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world.” They said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”… I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever, and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. He who eats my flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died. He who eats this bread will live forever.”
Psalm 116:13 - I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
Hymns after Holy Communion – “We have received the true Light…”
John 1:9 - The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world.
Psalm 71:8 - My mouth is filled with Your praise, and with Your glory all the day.
Thanksgiving Litany after Communion
Judges 18:6 - And the priest said to them, “Go in peace. The journey on which you go is under the eye of the Lord.”
Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Prayer behind the Ambo – “O Lord, You bless those who…”
Genesis 12:3 - I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse; and by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.
Psalm 26:8 - O Lord, I love the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 - I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.
James 1:17 - Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
“Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and for evermore!”
Psalm 113:2 - Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore!
“The blessing of the Lord be upon you…”
Psalm 129:8 - The blessing of the Lord be upon you! We bless you in the name of the Lord!”
2 Corinthians 13:14 - The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
The Dismissal
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 - Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
What is biblical about our worship? Well, everything!
This list is not exhaustive, of course, but illustrates very well how our worship is not made up out the “thin air,” but is actually based on something specific.
Opening Doxology – Blessed in the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Mark 11:10 – “Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming! Hosanna in the highest!”
Luke 22:29-30 – “I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Revelation 7:12 – “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.”
The Great Litany – In peace, let us pray to the Lord!
Philippians 4:6-7 – “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 51:1 – “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.”
Luke 18:13 – “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’”
John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2 – “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.”
Hebrews 13:7 – “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith.”
Psalm 109:26 – “Help me, O Lord my God! Save me according to Your steadfast love.”
Luke 1:42 – “and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!’”
The First Antiphon – “Bless the Lord, O my soul”
Selected verses from Psalm 103.
The Second Antiphon – “Praise the Lord, O my soul”
Psalm 146.
The Hymn to Christ Incarnate – “Only-begotten Son…”
John 1:1, 3:16, 17:5, 19:18 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life… and now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made… There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.”
Luke 1:35 – “And the angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.’”
Hebrews 2:14 – “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil.”
Matthew 8:25 – “And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Save, Lord; we are perishing.’”
The Third Antiphon – The Beatitudes
Matthew 5:3-12 - Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The Little Entrance – “Come let us worship…”
Psalm 95:1-6 - O come, let us sing to the Lord, let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving, let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, the heights of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for He made it, for His hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
Revelation 7:11-12 - And all the angels stood round the throne and round the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.
The Trisagion – “Holy God, Holy Mighty…”
Isaiah 6:1-5 - In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim, each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips, for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
Prokeimenon
Selected verses from different Psalms.
The Epistle
Readings change daily, taken from the Epistles and Acts of the Apostles.
The Alleluia
Selected verses from different Psalms.
Revelation 19:1-6 - After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” Once more they cried, “Alleluia! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who is seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Alleluia!” And from the throne came a voice crying, “Praise our God, all you His servants, you who fear Him, small and great.” Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunderings, crying, “Alleluia! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.”
The Gospel
Readings change daily.
The Sermon
1 Timothy 4:13 - Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching.
The Cherubic Hymn – “Let us, who mystically represent the cherubim…”
Colossians 3:12 - Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience.
Psalm 24.
Revelations 19:1-6 – (see above)
The Great Entrance
Psalm 43:4 - Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise You with the lyre, O God, my God.
Matthew 5:23-24 - So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Hebrews 5:1 - For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
The Peace – “Peace be unto all”
John 20:21, 26 - Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”…Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.”
1 Peter 5:14 - Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you that are in Christ.
The Kiss of Peace – “Christ is in our midst”
Luke 7:45 - You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.
1 Corinthians 16:20 - All the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
1 John 4:7 - Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God.
1 Peter 3:8 - Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind.
Philippians 2:2 - Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
The Eucharistic Canon – “Let us stand aright…”
Leviticus 3:1 - If a man’s offering is a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offers an animal from the herd, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord.
Hosea 6:6 - For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings.
Hebrews 13:14-15 - For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come. Through Christ then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His Name.
Matthew 9:13 - Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
2 Corinthians 13:14 - The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Timothy 4:22 - The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
Lamentations 3:41 - Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven.
The Eucharistic Prayer – “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord of Sabaoth...” through the Consecration
Isaiah 6:3 - And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Matthew 21:9 - And the crowds that went before Him and that followed Him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
1 Corinthians 11:23-24 - For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is My body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”
Matthew 26:26-28 - Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat. This is My body.” And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
John 6:51 – “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever, and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
Hymn to the Theotokos – “It is truly meet…”
Luke 1:28, 42, 48 - And he came to her and said, “Rejoice, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”… And she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb”… For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
The Concluding Eucharistic Prayers
2 Maccabees 12:44-45 - For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 - First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.
2 Timothy 2:15 - Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Romans 15:6 - That together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelations 22:21 - The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.
The Litany before the Lord’s Prayer
Ephesians 5:2 - And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
1 Peter 3:15 - But in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence.
2 Corinthians 5:10 - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body.
Ephesians 4:13 - Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Philippians 2:1-2 - So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew 6:9-13 - Pray then like this: 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 debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
2 Corinthians 2:9-11 - For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. Any one whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, to keep Satan from gaining the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
The Elevation of the Holy Gifts – “The Holy Gifts are for the Holy”
Leviticus 11:44 - For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.
Philippians 2:10-11 - At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The Communion Hymn – “Praise the Lord...”
Psalm 34:8 - O taste and see that the Lord is good! Happy is the man who takes refuge in him!
The Eucharist
1 Corinthians 11:27-29 - Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the Body and Blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.
1 Timothy 1:15 - The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners.
Luke 23:42-43 - And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Isaiah 6:7 - And he touched my mouth, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips. Your guilt is taken away, and your sin forgiven.”
James 4:8 - Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you men of double mind.
John 6:32-35, 48-58 - Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven. My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world.” They said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”… I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever, and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. He who eats my flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died. He who eats this bread will live forever.”
Psalm 116:13 - I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
Hymns after Holy Communion – “We have received the true Light…”
John 1:9 - The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world.
Psalm 71:8 - My mouth is filled with Your praise, and with Your glory all the day.
Thanksgiving Litany after Communion
Judges 18:6 - And the priest said to them, “Go in peace. The journey on which you go is under the eye of the Lord.”
Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Prayer behind the Ambo – “O Lord, You bless those who…”
Genesis 12:3 - I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse; and by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.
Psalm 26:8 - O Lord, I love the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 - I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.
James 1:17 - Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
“Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and for evermore!”
Psalm 113:2 - Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore!
“The blessing of the Lord be upon you…”
Psalm 129:8 - The blessing of the Lord be upon you! We bless you in the name of the Lord!”
2 Corinthians 13:14 - The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
The Dismissal
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 - Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
