The Prayers of the People

Reception of New Members into the Fellowship of Saint John

Presider We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1

John 1:1-3, NRSV

)

Presenter I present to you N.N. to be received as members of the Fellowship of Saint John.

Presider Members of the Fellowship look to the Society of Saint John the Evangelist for encouragement and inspiration in the following of our Lord Jesus Christ, and seek to abide in him by living an ordered life of prayer and service in fellowship with us.

Do you desire to be received as a member of the Fellowship of Saint John?

Candidates I do.

Presider We promise to uphold you by our prayers and friendship. Will you pray for us and continually seek God’s grace to be faithful in keeping your rule of life?

Candidates I will.

Presider We receive you, N., as a member of the Fellowship of Saint John.

All Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Presider Let us pray.

O God, the giver of all good gifts, we ask you to bless these crosses which your servants will wear as tokens of fellowship with the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

People Amen.

Presider N., take this cross and wear it as a sign of the purity of heart with which you seek to abide in Christ as he abides in us.

Presider Let us pray.

Almighty God, you give grace to the Church, the Body of Christ, to upbuild itself in love through the mutual service of those who have faith in him: Give the fullness of your blessing to the members of the Fellowship of Saint John, and enable us, by means of our fellowship with one another, to grow in freedom from the world of sin and to be more faithfully united to you in that holy love to which you call us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

People Amen.

Presider The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you now and for ever.

People Amen.

The Exchange of Peace

The Holy Communion

The Collection of Gifts and Offerings

Your financial gifts support the Brothers’ life and our ministry to many, here at our Monastery in Cambridge and at our rural Monastery, Emery House, in West Newbury, and others whom we reach electronically and in our travels on mission.

Offertory Hymn Sing of John, beloved disciple

Invitation to Communion

Presider Behold what you are.

People May we become what we receive.

A Note about Holy Communion

Following Diocesan guidelines, please refrain from intinction (dipping the Bread into the Chalice). If you wish to abstain from receiving from the Chalice, remember that the Church catholic has always taught that the fullness of the Sacrament is received even when only one form is received.

If you require a Gluten-Free host, please indicate to the Brother administering Bread at Holy Communion if that is your preference.