THE CARIBBEAN APOSTOLIC FEAST OF PALM SUNDAY
The Order Of Service
(*Where indicated, Please Stand)
Consecratory Prayer (before official Service)
+THE HIERACHAL PROCESSION
The Holy Bible Flanked by Incense
The Ecumenical Guest Clergy (Deacons, Presbyters, Bishops/Apostles)
The Diocese Deacons, Presbyters
The Church Clergy
The Bishop (if present) with The Pastor of The Congregation Chief Celebrant
The Greeting
*THE INVOCATION *
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To begin the Divine Liturgy the priest lifts the Holy Gospel book and makes the sign of the cross over the Altar saying,
Presbyter: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who reigns! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is He who was, and is, and is to come! Blessed is the kingdom of the Father, Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Let us pray.”
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The Presbyter then leads all in prayer.
*PRAISE & WORHIP*
(the leading of the people in song and praise by the designated Presbyter/Deacon/worship leader)
*The Old Testament Reading*
(the Reading of the Scriptures by the designated Presbyter/Deacon/Reader)
Reader: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Reader: The reading of the Book of Psalm 92
(After announcing the Book of the Scriptures, the Herald {designated Reader/Deacon/Presbyter} will Incent the Scriptures three times and then proclaim the word of the Lord)
(After the reading) Reader: The Word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
*The Reading of the Gospel*
Reader: The reading of the holy gospel according to Saint John 12:12-23
All: Glory to you oh Christ
(After the reading) Reader: The Gospel of the Lord
All: Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ.
*The Reading of the Gospel*
Reader: A reading from the holy gospel according to Saint Mark chapter 11.
(After the reading) Reader: The Word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
Singing of Hymns/Psalms
(the leading of the people in song and praise by the designated Presbyter/Deacon/worship leader)
*Time of Pastoral Prayer*
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The Deacon will Incent the Church, beginning with the Bishops, then the Presbyters and Deacons, then the Congregants.
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The Deacon then leads the people in prayer.
Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace of God and the salvation of our souls, we pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace of the Kingdom of God, the stability of the Holy Churches of God, and the unity of all the saints, we pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, we pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For our Apostle/Bishop the Godly and Most Reverend Lord (name), for our Archbishop the Godly and Most Reverend Lord (Name), and for our Patriarch, the Godly and Most Reverend Lord Trevor ‘Elihu’ Greene, Patriarch of the Caribbean West Indies, our God-blessed Apostles and Bishops of Trinidad and Tobago, of the Bahamas, of Haiti, of the United States of America, and of all the regions of the Caribbean Apostolic Church in the service of Christ, for their Priesthoods, for help, preservation, peace, health and salvation, and for the work of their hands, let us pray to the Lord
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For all the Godly and Most Reverend Bishops, Presbyters, and all the Clergy to serve many years, we pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this country, for the Prime Minister of (Name of Country), for our President, and our Opposition Leader for Parliament, for the Supreme Court and all courts, for all civil authorities, and for our Armed Forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this parish and city, for our Governor, for our Mayor, and for all local authorities, for our Police Department, Fire Department, and Healthcare workers, for every city and country, and for the faithful who live in them, we pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For favorable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, we pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For all those in need of help and assistance from God, for travelers by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives, and for their salvation, we pray to the Lord.
Deacon: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, we pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady Mary, the Mother of Christ our God, with all the Apostles and saints, we commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to You, oh Jesus Christ our God.
People: To You, O Lord.
Deacon: Lord, our God, whose power is beyond compare, and glory is beyond understanding; whose mercy is boundless, and love for us is ineffable; look upon us and upon this holy house in Your compassion. Grant to us and to those who pray with us Your abundant mercy.
Deacon: For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship to the Father (+) and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: 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. Amen.
THE NICENE CREED
We BELIEVE in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God; begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God; Light of Light; Very God of Very God; begotten, not made; being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. And we believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father; who, with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spake by the Prophets; And we believe One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the Resurrection of the dead, (+) and the Life of the world to come. Amen.
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The Pastor, then stands before the Congregants.
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The Pastor then leads the people in prayer.
Pastor: Again, let us pray to the Lord.
ALMIGHTY God and everlasting Father, we thank You for this is the day that You have made, and we shall rejoice and be glad in it. We enter into your gates with Thanksgiving, and enter your courts with praise, coming for your holy throne seeking your face. bless us now oh Lord, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, with the blessing of Your love and truth. We are your servants, ye, Your sons and daughters by faith. Bless us, give us the lips of singing, and a song of praise. As we enter into Your holy gates, we enter into Your divine love. May Your Church prosper and reign through the same Christ our Lord.
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The Pastor then stands before the Congregants. All have their palms raised in celebratory fashion.
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The Pastor waves his palms shouting, the people wave their palms responding
Pastor: Oh give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Pastor: Oh give thanks unto YHWH the Father, the God of gods; for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Pastor: Oh give thanks to Christ Jesus the Lord of lords; for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Pastor: To Him who alone doeth great wonders; for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Pastor: To Him that by wisdom made the heavens; for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Pastor: To Him that stretched out the earth above the waters; for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Pastor: To Him that is God from God, Light from Lights; for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever:
Pastor: To Him that is Very God from Very God; for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever:
Pastor: To Him that is the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life; for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Pastor: To Him that brought ought the Israelites from sin into His Church; for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever:
Pastor: And brought out the Romans from sin into His Church; for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever:
Pastor: And brought out the Spaniards from sin into His Church; for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Pastor: And brought out the British from sin and into His Church; for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever:
Pastor: And made the Gospel of Christ to cross the seas; for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Pastor: To Him which led His people through the wilderness; for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Pastor: To Him which brought the Truth of Christ to the West and blessings to the West Indians; for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever:
Pastor: And brought salvation to (Name of Country); for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever:
Pastor: And gave their land for an heritage; for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever:
Pastor: Even an heritage unto (Name of Country) His servant; for He is good
People: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Pastor: Who remembered us in our low estate; for He is good
People: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Pastor: And united us as one Church; for He is good
People: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Pastor: Oh give thanks unto the God of heaven and earth; for He is good
People: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Welcome of Visitors/Greeting of the Brethren
(the leading of the people by the Presbyter)
Introduction of the Homilist
Singing of Hymn/Psalmist
(the leading of the people in song and praise by the designated Deacon)
The Homily
Altar Call
(the leading of the Altar Call to salvation by the Presbyter)
THE EUCHARIST
(the most senior Clergy present leads the people)
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The Celebration of Holy Eucharist will now begin. All Clergy fully vested in their respective places. The Eucharist will be served at the hands of the Clergy, blessed by the Chief Celebrating Presbyter.
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The Deacon then, with a soft voice, leads the congregation in Eucharistic hymm “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power”
Reader:
A reading from the 1st Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians 11:17-34
“Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.”
First, the broken Bread:
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The Chief Celebrant, with the Bread lifted, in a loud voice shall pray:
“We thank You, our Father, for the life and the knowledge that You made known to us through Your Son Jesus (+), whose Body this bread now is. Glory be to You for the age. Just as this broken bread was scattered on top of the hills and as it was gathered together and became one, in the same way let your assembly be gathered together from the remotest parts of the land into your kingdom. For Yours is the glory and the power through Christ Jesus for the age.”
Now, the cup:
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The Chief Celebrant, with the Chalice lifted, in a loud voice shall pray:
“We thank You, our Father, for the holy vine of Your Son David which You made known to us through Your Son Jesus (+), whose Blood this wine mixed with water now is. Glory be to You for the age.
(the serving of the Eucharist)
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The Chief Celebrant shall then say:
“We thank You, holy Father, for Your holy name JEHOVAH, which You made to live in our hearts, and for the knowledge and trust and immortality which You made known to us through Jesus Your Son. Glory be to You for the age. Almighty Master, it was You who created all for the sake of Your name. You gave both food and drink to people for enjoyment, so that they might give thanks to you. But to us You have freely given spiritual food and drink and eternal life through Your Son. Before all things, we are thankful to you that you are powerful. Glory be to You for the age. O Lord, remember your assembly, remember to rescue it from every evil and to make it complete in your love, and to gather it from the four winds into Your kingdom which you prepared for it, which has been made holy. For yours is the power and the glory for the age. Let generosity come, and let this universe pass away. Hosanna to David's Son! If someone is holy, let him come. If someone is not, he should change his mind. Amen."
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The Celebrant, holding the Holy Communion high above his head says:
Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.
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With the Celebrant, the people respond:
Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof, but speak the word only and my soul shall be healed.
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The Celebrant administers Holy Communion, saying:
The Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given and shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Amen.
After serving the Holy Communion to the people, the Reading of the prayer by the Celebrant:
Pour forth on us, Oh Lord, the spirit of Thy love; that those whom Thou hast filled with the Passover Sacrament, may, by Thy goodness, live in perfect concord. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the selfsame Holy Spirit, God, to ages of ages. Amen.
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Allowance for Prophetic Utterances and the Blessing of the Tithes
BENDICTION
(Name of Church), go in peace, and the Lord be with thee. Amen.
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Making the sign of the Cross over the people, he says:
May the Lord bless (+) you and keep you, may the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto; may the Lord lift up His countenance upon you an give you peace. Amen.