In Most Places, Most of the Time: 493 words.

Suppose you went to the Eucharist every Sunday. Here are the words you would hear or say consistently throughout the year. (The only exception is I give one version of the Lord’s Prayer.) My guess is that in most Episcopal Churches you would hear these words most of the time.

The only constants are: salutations, amens, glories, and four larger texts– the Nicene Creed, The Sanctus, the Words of Institution, and the Lord’s Prayer, three directly from scripture. There are variants in the forms of salutations, the Prayers of the People, the Eucharistic Prayers and the Post Communion Prayers. The confession and absolution are on occasion omitted. Only these words remain.

In all there are 493 words we consistently hear each Sunday in most places at most times.

Not the sermon, not the scripture or psalms, not the hymns, not prayers of praise, but these few words.

This is what Episcopalians say every Sunday. We say these words again and again. They become part of us.

We are formed by practice. What we say again and again becomes part of us, and while we are able to constantly interpret the words, they have power of their own to make meanings that those who went before and those who come after would also find in those words.

So, explain to me again just why Episcopalians who say these words over and over again are somehow un-Anglican or un-Christian?

And, one might notice, not a single word of exclusion is to be found in these words.



The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Amen.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to__________________.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only 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:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from 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.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He 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.


The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.

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 him thanks and 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.

“Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
“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. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

AMEN.

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.

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

Let us pray.
Thanks be to God.