Source: https://www.anglican.ca/faith/eir/full-communion-partnership/common-worship/
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Guidelines for Common Worship for Lutherans and Anglicans in Canada - The Anglican Church of Canada
Home > Faith, Worship, and Ministry > Ecumenical relationships > Full communion partnership > Guidelines for Common Worship for Lutherans and Anglicans in Canada
According to the definition of full communion “communicant members of each church [are] able freely to communicate at the altar of the other, and there [is] freedom of ordained ministers to officiate sacramentally in either church.” [1]There is also “freedom to use each other’s liturgies [2]”, subject to normal approval processes in each church. Thus, from now on, there is general approval of both churches for the standard worship books of each to be used in the other (Book of Common Prayer, Book of Alternative Services and Supplementary Eucharistic Prayers; Lutheran Book of Worship and With One Voice. Each church will consult with the other before authorizing future standard liturgical texts.
There will be several different contexts for this joint worship. There will be local, regional, or national services which are held in common. There will be special occasions when one congregation hosts another, and there will be some congregations in which Lutherans and Anglicans worship together all the time (‘shared ministries’). Each of these situations raises particular questions for worship planners. Suggestions for these contexts, and for particular kinds of rites (services of word and prayer, Eucharist, Baptism, and the renewal of baptismal vows) are given below.
There are many occasions in the year when common worship in a parish setting may be appropriate. At the parish level, one congregation may invite another to join them for worship at any time. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has already become a traditional opportunity, but there are many others. Congregations may celebrate some of the Holy Week liturgies together. They may share in Advent or Lent mid-week services and in Advent or Christmas carol services. They may jointly celebrate All Saints’ Day, with its emphasis on one communion and fellowship in the Body of Christ. In some places they share all or part of the Easter Vigil, the ancient Easter Eve liturgy of light, word, baptism, and eucharist. Some congregations may worship together when one of them is without its usual leadership, for instance during the summer or holiday season. Sometimes the opportunity is suggested by the visit of a delegation from another church or country. Worship together may also take place in situations of pastoral care, when members of the two churches are to be married, or at the funeral of a member of one congregation whose spouse belongs to another. Sometimes, in isolated areas, the ordained leader of one church may provide such ministry for members of the other.
At regional worship events or special joint worship services, planners shall take great care to adapt existing liturgies in a way that reflects the common structure of the eucharist and also respects the integrity and sensibilities of each tradition. The service used in Waterloo on July 2001, “A Celebration of Full Communion for Anglicans and Lutherans”, is commended as a model for such a joint service.
In most cases it is appropriate to use the liturgy of one or other of the churches involved in the celebration of the eucharist. In a few cases it may be better to develop a rite based on existing liturgical forms, reflecting the traditional structure of the eucharist. [3]
The Word of God [4]
(Old Testament Reading)
(Apostles’ or Nicene Creed)
Intercessions, Thanksgiving, Petitions
The Holy Communion (Meal)
Commissioning (Sending)
Thanksgiving for Communion and Prayer for Mission
The two churches have different traditions on confession and absolution. A penitential rite may precede the service or may precede the exchange of the peace. Alternatively, confession and prayer for forgiveness may be included in the intercessions. [5]
Local worship planners should determine the recipient of the offering, giving particular consideration to shared mission possibilities. The offering may include money and other gifts such as food for a local pantry or blankets for a shelter. [6]
Regarding the elements themselves, “Lutherans traditionally use bread and wine in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. In certain circumstances grape juice is used.” [7]It is not, however, the practice of the Anglican Church to use grape juice as an alternative to wine in the eucharistic celebration: “The Bread shall be the best and purest wheat bread, whether leavened or unleavened, and the Wine pure grape wine, wherewith a little water may be mingled.” [8]While communicants in both churches normally receive from the loaf and the cup, both traditions affirm that under certain circumstances “the reception of only one element is acceptable.” [9]
While practices vary in our churches, “a loaf of bread and the common cup are rich biblical symbols of the unity of the church.” [10]
When the eucharist is celebrated together, the sacrament is offered to all the baptized present. All those welcome at the table in their own churches should be welcomed in a shared service, subject to the eucharistic practices of the churches from which visitors may come. [11]
“The elements are offered for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper have been set aside for a special purpose. Leftover elements are consumed by those present, or disposed of in an appropriate manner.” [12]”Any remaining consecrated bread and wine, (unless reserved for communing of persons not present) is consumed at the end of the distribution. This is appropriately done at the credence table or in the sacristy.” [13]
b) Celebrations of the Word and Prayer [14]
Canticle or Hymn of Praise
The Word of God [15]
(Hymn, Canticle, or Anthem)
Gospel Canticle or Hymn [16]
Intercessions, Thanksgivings, and Petitions
The service books of both traditions contain material which may be used within this structure. Hymns should be drawn from the traditions of both churches. Liturgical material should be chosen which is suitable for the time of day and the season of the church’s year. The prayers should reflect concern for the cultures and contexts of the participants, for their local communities and concerns, but also for the world context and for global issues of justice and peace.
Resources commonly used
Book of Common Praise 1938 Lutheran Book of Worship
LBW Minister’s Desk Edition
These guidelines have been approved by the ELCIC National Church Council and the ACC Council of the General Synod.
[1]Waterloo Declaration Preface para. 7
[3] The structure in this section is based on The Anglican-Lutheran International Commission, Guidelines for Anglican-Lutheran Worship (London, UK: The Anglican Communion Office of Communication, 1993), §6.2.
[4] Readings may be taken from the lectionaries of the two churches or chosen for the occasion. While both traditions expect at least a reading from the gospels to accompany the celebration of the eucharist, it is appropriate to precede the reading of the gospel by another reading.
[5] The Anglican-Lutheran International Commission, Guidelines for Anglican-Lutheran Worship (London, UK: The Anglican Communion Office of Communication, 1993), §6.2.
[6]www.elca.org/ea/Relationships/episcopalian/guidelines.html (accessed 4 February 2002).
[7]Statement on Sacramental Practices (Winnipeg, MB: Division for Parish Life of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, 1991), §6.15.
[8]Book of Common Prayer , Anglican Church of Canada (Toronto, The Anglican Book Centre, 1959).
[9]Statement on Sacramental Practices (Winnipeg, MB: Division for Parish Life of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, 1991), §6.16.
[10]Statement on Sacramental Practices (Winnipeg, MB: Division for Parish Life of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, 1991), §6.17.
[11]www.elca.org/ea/Relationships/episcopalian/guidelines.html (accessed 4 February 2002).
[12]Statement on Sacramental Practices (Winnipeg, MB: Division for Parish Life of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, 1991), §6.22.
[13]Book of Alternative Services , Anglican Church of Canada. Toronto: Anglican Book Centre, 1985, p. 184.
[14] The guidelines in this section are based on The Anglican-Lutheran International Commission, Guidelines for Anglican-Lutheran Worship (London, UK: The Anglican Communion Office of Communication, 1993), §6.1.
[15] The readings may be chosen from the lectionaries of one of the churches or chosen for their appropriateness to the occasion.
[16] The Gospel canticles are the Song of Zechariah (Benedictus), the Song of Mary ( Magnificat), and the Song of Simeon (Nunc dimittis).