Page:Book of common prayer (TEC, 1979).pdf/374

 Father, you loved the world so much that in the fullness of time you sent your only Son to be our Savior. Incarnate by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, he lived as one of  us, yet without sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation; to prisoners, freedom; to the sorrowful, joy. To fulfill your purpose he gave himself up to death; and, rising  from the grave, destroyed death, and made the whole  creation new.

And, that we might live no longer for ourselves, but for him who died and rose for us, he sent the Holy Spirit, his own  first gift for those who believe, to complete his work in  the world, and to bring to fulfillment the sanctification of all.

When the hour had come for him to be glorified by you, his heavenly Father, having loved his own who were in the  world, he loved them to the end; at supper with them he took  bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and  gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body,  which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “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.”

Father, we now celebrate this memorial of our redemption. Recalling Christ’s death and his descent among the dead, proclaiming his resurrection and ascension to your right  hand, awaiting his coming in glory; and offering to you, from  the gifts you have given us, this bread and this cup, we praise  you and we bless you.