From the Vicar...

A word about our Eucharistic Prayers

Recently, someone asked me about the different Eucharistic Prayers that we use during the Sunday services, where they originated, and why at least some of them seem to rarely find their way into our Sunday celebrations.

Since a common liturgy (worship) rather than common doctrine (belief) unites us as Anglicans/Episcopalians, liturgy can be a sensitive topic. One can be forgiven for thinking that the Eucharistic Prayers we use on Sunday were written in 1979, when our Book of Common Prayer was last revised. Furthermore, one might also assume, erroneously, that the forms in Rite One represent older, more traditional forms of worship than their Rite Two counterparts. After all, Eucharistic Prayers I & II, from Rite One, do trace their origins, through the 1928 BCP and its predecessors, all the way back to the 9th Century text known as the Gregorian Sacramentary.

However, the assumption that Rite Two prayers (A, B, C, and D; as well as Enriching Our Worship prayers 1, 2, & 3) do not have as long an historic pedigree is incorrect. Eucharistic Prayers A and B, for instance, trace their beginnings all the way back to two 4th Century texts: the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and the Prayer of St. James of Jerusalem. Eucharistic Prayer D, the most full-bodied of them all, comes to us as a very close translation of a 4th Century Coptic prayer known as the Anaphora of St. Basil.

The one we don't use all that much is Eucharistic Prayer C. With its cosmic language about creation, it sounds like it was written by a 20th Century sci-fi author (indeed, some ridicule it as the "Star Trek" prayer). But it actually, at least in overall outline, originates from another 4th Century Coptic text called the Euchologium of Serapion. Granted, the language about "this fragile Earth, our island home" is modern, but the general sentiment about God's glorious creation finds its roots in that ancient text.

I delve into all this because, beginning Sept. 14, we will be using Prayer C through the end of October. When we use Prayer C you will notice that the structure is somewhat different from the Eucharistic Prayers we more commonly use. In Prayer C, the priest asks the Holy Spirit's presence at the Altar before repeating Jesus' words of institution ("This is my body...this is my blood"). While Eucharistic Prayer C sounds particularly modern when we hear it in contemporary English, it is remarkably true to the Eucharistic Prayers that the earliest Christians used in their liturgies.

By the way, I do make one modification from what is printed in the Prayer Book when I use Prayer C (p. 369): I now include our female forebears along with their male counterparts, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, when that part of our ancient history is retold. Listen carefully as we pray it over the coming weeks. It is a remarkably full expression of the most often repeated theme in the Bible - the theme of Creation>Sin>Repentance>Restoration, and reminds me of how this theme is played out in each of our individual lives, multiple times.

Finally, a word about one last aspect of its structure: it has several responses from the pews instead of being a "monologue" of the priest speaking on behalf of the gathered faithful. This is significant because in it, the people become a bigger physical part of the Eucharistic process itself, a reminder that the mysteries of the Eucharist happen because of all of the gathered participants are present, not just because the priest does "special magic stuff."

So, to my recent questioner, thanks for a great question - and for "nudging" me to offer Prayer C, which we haven't prayed in a long time.

Each year on Sept. 5, churches throughout Portsmouth ring their bells for three minutes at 3:47 p.m. to mark the anniversary of the signing of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty, which was ratified on that date in 1905 at Christ Church (the original building on Monroe St.). Christ Church has faithfully participated over the years - and this year will be no exception. If you happen to be at Christ Church or in the vicinity that day, listen for the tolling of the bell at 3:47. Christ Church will also be represented at the Governor's Proclamation and reception at Strawbery Banke later that day.

Becoming a part of a church community means more than belonging to a particular set of persons meeting in a particular building on Sunday. Long-time members and newcomers alike are invited to join our Inquirers' Class, which will help participants become more aware of our place as Episcopalians in the broader church, learning about our distinctive practices and history and exploring the Book of Common Prayer.

Inquirers' classes are designed to include both direct instruction and open conversation, led by Fr. Chip. Discussion will be guided to cover a variety of aspects of the church and participants will have ample opportunity to ask questions. The nine-week series begins Thursday evening, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. and continues through early Nov. Hour-long classes will be held in Christ Church's education room.

Upcoming dates

Our Directory is in the last stages of completion. We have so many new parishioners who need to be included, we've decided to have one more picture day at each church.

Anyone who has not had their picture taken may do so.  Even if you are not having your picture taken for the Directory, we still need you to fill a form out, as it covers permission for publishing your photo in the Newsletter, Web Pages and other media.

Each week, in both of our churches, we pray for one ministry we share and one or two households in each church. About once every six weeks, we will instead using the Shared Ministry Collect we prayed throughout the opening months of our Shared Ministry.

Christ Church to be added to prayer chain

For several years, Trinity Church has had a "prayer chain" ministry in which people can request the prayers of congregation members and friends. This ministry has also been a means for sharing with the congregation important news updates.

At the August Bishop's Committee meeting, Christ Church's committee voted to join the chain, making it a "Shared Ministry" effort. Those desiring the prayers of members of both churches (say, at a time of hospitalization, a death in the family, or any other pastoral need) can access the chain by emailing trinityhamptonnews13@gmail.com. State what you wish the prayers of the community for and news of your prayer request will be shared by email with the mailing lists of our two congregations.

Initially, our full Christ Church email list will be added to the chain's mailing list - but there is always a notation at the bottom of each prayer chain email to opt out of future notifications. You will always remain in control of whether or not to share a concern with the congregations - as a matter of privacy, only direct requests are accepted.

EfM - Education for Ministry 

Are you interested in joining EfM at some point in the future? Maybe you have heard about the program in the past and are curious as to what it actually is all about.

If so, you are invited to join us for our inaugural meeting for the next EFM academic year.

When: Monday, Sept 8th, 6:30 PM

Where: St. John's Episcopal Church, Philbrick Room (in the lower level of parish hall)

Please RSVP with Kathi so we can get a head-count  Call 207-439-7097 or send an e-mail to SeacoastEfm@hotmail.com

Just a reminder from Susan Sinnott