At this stage, we are ready to start being drawn into the Great Praise which is Always Already Happening around the Throne of the Lamb. We start by beseeching the Lord to remember the gut-wrenched equal-heartedness he showed with us when he lived on earth; and we ask him to continue to stretch out just that equal-heartedness towards us now, so as to catch us up with him into the praise and joy of heaven.
INVITATION
Before listening to the word
and celebrating the eucharist,
let us praise the Lord Jesus Christ:
At this stage, feel free to remember some of the things that Jesus did during his ministry that seem important to you now, and after each one, which you can say out loud, say
Lord have mercy
Alternating with
Christ have mercy
Continue until you feel ready to be gathered into the sharing in the heavenly worship which will begin when you start to pray or sing the “Gloria”.
Or: you may prefer to listen to a musical version of the “Kyrie eleison” as it is called (from the Greek for “Lord have mercy”):
Kyrie Eleison
Christe Eleison
Kyrie Eleison
Or: you may prefer a prepared English language version of the above, such as:
Lord Jesus, you healed the sick:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you forgave sinners:
Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you gave your life for us all:
Lord, have mercy.
[The Gloria is suppressed until Maundy Thursday]
Let me be caught up in the praises of the Lord,
the God who made us,
whose glory is from age to age.
If you are two or more then say:
Let us sing the praises of the Lord,
the God who made us,
whose glory is from age to age.
Then, whether by yourself or in company, unless you have opted to listen to a musical version of the Gloria, say or sing:
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father,
Amen.