• For Evening Prayer proper (not Evensong), the procession is conducted in silence. The verger or crucifer lead the procession from foyer into the nave in the following order:

• For Evening Prayer proper, the choir is not a part of the service. Choir members may be seated without vestments in the chancel, as the Rector may direct. When the choir is officially a part of the service, it is commonly known as Evensong (q.v.).
• Usually, the service of Evening Prayer is more subdued than the Holy Eucharist, and there is no server, unless the Holy Eucharist is to be incorporated into Evening Prayer.

• Seating is as at the Holy Eucharist (see above).
• The order of service is outlined on the following leaflet insert.

Evensong consists of Daily Evening Prayer or of An Order of Worship for the Evening or of the Order of Worship for the Evening followed by Daily Evening Prayer beginning at the Psalm. Any service may be followed by Holy Eucharist at the point specified by the Book of Common Prayer.

Evensong is the common and traditional term (not in the current Book of Common Prayer). The service is distinguished from the Evening Prayer services in that the choir is present as a choir and all parts that can be sung are sung. The customary for Evening Prayer should be consulted wherever questions arise in this service.

Lighting

• The nave lights are on low. At the opening phrase of the Phos hilaron, a beadle turns the nave lights on high from near the library.

• The procession can be either high or low, depending upon the degree of celebration (and upon whether the Holy Eucharist is to be incorporated or not) and the preference of the celebrant (usually the Rector).

• The high procession is the same as the Solemn Process for a Holy Eucharist on the Lord's Day. If there is to be no Holy Eucharist, the server need not be present. The procession is as follows:

Low Procession

• The low procession is rare for Evensong and more appropriate to Evening Prayer (q.v.). The procession is conducted in silence. The verger or crucifer lead the procession into the nave from the foyer in the following order:

• The Altar party will sit as at the Holy Eucharist (see above).
• The order of service is outlined on the following leaflet insert (link below).

Sometimes at Evensong, the Feast of Light is also celebrated. This ceremony consists of lighting candles and reciting the Psalm by candlelight.

Special Articles

• The ushers will provide the congregation with small candles as they enter the church.

• At the beginning of the Phos hilaron, the torchbearers will proceed first to the Choir, lighting the candles closest to the nave, and then to the congregation, lighting the candles closest to the aisles. The members of the Choir and congregation will pass the light on down the pew. When the torchbearers are at about the third row of the congregation, the verger will turn off the nave lights.

• At the end of the Psalm, the verger will turn the nave lights back on and then turn the sanctuary light back on.

Baptism and Confirmation (or Reception) are both incorporated into the Holy Eucharist, as indicated in the accompanying order of service. Baptism

Participants

Participants include the priest, the verger, the candidates for Baptism including parents and Godparents as appropriate, and the entire congregation of worshipers. If present, the bishop presides in place of the priest.

Seating

The candidates for Baptism, members of their family, and Godparents sit in section of seats nearest the baptismal font. If the bishop is present, the seating is as for Confirmation (below).

Setting

Before the service, the instruments of Baptism are placed on the rim of the font.

Baptismal Procession

For the procession, the organist plays a special hymn. When the music begins or the congregation starts singing (depending upon the length of the hymn, the size of the party, etc..), the verger or crucifer leads the priest from the Altar area to the font. During the Easter Season, the verger removes the Pascal Candle and holds it throughout the ceremony, replacing it upon his return to the chancel. At other times, the verger holds the virge.

Examination of the Candidate(s)

For the examination of the candidate(s), the baptismal party proceeds to the front of the chancel and stands in front of the step. The priest approaches them and conducts the examination. The verger or other lay minister appointed leads the Prayers for the Candidates from his or her station or from the pulpit, at the priest's discretion.

Gathering at the Font

At the font, the verger steps to the right behind the font and stands facing the font. The priest stands between him and the font, and the crucifer steps to the left behind the font and stands facing the font. The baptismal party gathers around the font with their backs to the chancel.

Procession from the Font

After the Baptism and the introduction of the newly baptized to the congregation, the verger leads the procession back to the chancel, followed by the priest (and other lay ministers) and then by the rest of the party.

SERVICE LEAFLET Confirmation

Confirmation is usually held during a Bishop's Visitation (q.v.) and is incorporated into the Holy Eucharist following Baptism or the sermon (if there is no Baptism).

Participants

• Participants include the candidates for Confirmation or Reception, the bishop, the priest and other clergy, the bishop's chaplain, the verger, and all worshipers present.

• The bishop sits in the bishop's chair (usually used by the rector) with the rector sitting in the associate's chair. The Associate sits ___ and the bishop's chaplain sits _____. The candidates for Confirmation and Reception sit in the first few rows to the bishop's right, which are reserved for them.

• The bishop performs the confirmations and receptions from his/her chair.

• The confirmands (wearing name tags that indicate "Confirmation" or "Reception") approach the bishop's chair. Each confirmand at the appropriate time kneels in front of the bishop for Confirmation or Reception.
• When they stand, they may return to their seats.

• When the bishop rises at the end of the Confirmations, the service proceeds as usual

A marriage ceremony (or wedding) between members of the church is usually accompanied by a celebration of the Holy Eucharist, known as a Nuptial Eucharist. The marriage ceremony itself is found in the Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 424, with instruction on page 423.

Special Items

• The couple being married might consider renting special wedding kneelers.

• The procession may follow one of several customs agreed upon by the couple and the Rector. In all, the verger leads the procession, followed by the crucifer and (optionally) other acolytes.
• Perhaps the most modern procession (recognizing the equality of the man and woman) has the attendants following the crucifer (or acolytes) with the bride's attendants (ending with the maid of honor) in the left column and the groom's attendants (ending with the best man) in the right column. As the procession approaches the chancel, the verger proceeds to the far left (depending upon the number of attendants) and then enters. The attendants proceed to the edge of the chancel and turn to the outside, so that they are lined up in front of the chancel with the maid of honor and the best man in the middle, leaving room for the bride and groom. The priest follows the attendants and proceeds into the chancel, turning to face the congregation. After the priest is through the narthex door, the ushers or altar guild members close the door. When the first processional music ends, the doors are opened, and the bride and groom enter to the second processional music, go up to the chancel, and stand before the priest.
• In a more traditional procession (especially when the bride is given away), the groom's attendants followed by the groom process directly behind the verger and crucifer (and acolytes), turning as above at the edge of the chancel. The priest processes behind the groom, enters the chancel, and stands facing the congregation. The bride's maids then process in the order above, perhaps to different processional music. When the maid of honor leaves the narthex, the doors are closed. When that processional music ends, the doors are opened, and the bride processes to the second or third processional music.
• There can be many more variations, including processions from the vestry. The precise type of procession must be determined by the time of the rehearsal, and the verger should find out immediately what to expect.

Seating

• Traditionally, the family and friends of the bride enter the narthex door and sit to their left (Gospel side), and the family and friends of the groom enter and sit to their right (epistle side). Accordingly, the verger should rope off the first pews on the Gospel side for the family of the bride and on the epistle side for the family of the groom.
• The chancel pews on the Gospel side are intended for the bride's attendants during the Ministry of the Word, and the chancel pews on the epistle side for the groom's attendants. If there are few attendants, the family may sit in the chancel pews.
• The bride and groom should sit in the chancel pews on the epistle side, as these offer more space and face the pulpit.

• For the initial part of the ceremony through the Declaration of Consent, the bride and groom stand in front of the priest, with their attendants arrayed as above.

• For the readings, the bride, groom, and their attendants remain standing as above. For the homily, they sit in the designated choir pews. The organist should supply some music before the homily to allow time for everyone to take their places.

• After the celebrant returns to the sanctuary after the homily, the verger places the kneelers in front of the gate and proceeds into the sanctuary to assist if necessary (especially to hold the Prayer Book); and the bride, groom, and attendants return to the rail as before. The bride and groom approach the gate and stand before the kneelers, with the maid of honor and the best man on either side.

• The Nuptial Eucharist is celebrated basically in the same way as any Holy Eucharist. At the Peace, the couple and attendants greet their families, and the verger removes the kneelers. After the Peace, the party is seated in the chancel pews. After taking Communion, the party returns to the chancel pews, and the congregation receives the Communion. As the priest finishes clearing the Altar, the verger (or acolyte) will open the gate -- this is the signal for the party once more to approach the rail in preparation for the procession out of the church.

• The bride and groom lead the procession out of the church, followed at a distance by the best man and maid of honor, followed in turn at extended intervals by the attendants. The chancel party does not take part in this procession, but retires to the vestry individually.

The burial of the Dead may follow either rite I (beginning on page 469 of the Book of Common Prayer) or rite II (beginning on page 491). The choice of rites is generally left up to the family and/or the last wishes of the deceased. Special care must be given to provide the family with as much latitude as the Canons may allow with regard to the participants and the particulars of the arrangements.

Time and Location

• Baptized Christians are properly buried from the church at a time that members of the congregation can be present.

• The coffin is closed and draped throughout the ceremony. If a military burial is planned, the flag will be replaced by a pall as the coffin is brought into the church; the flag will be replaced as the coffin is taken out. It is carried by pall bearers chosen by the family. If the family has not chosen a sufficient number of pall bearers, the Rector or the verger (with the approval of the family) will ask members of the congregation as far in advance as possible to serve. The coffin is carried in procession from the Foster Foyer up the courtyard aisle across the A St. aisle and down the central aisle from the font to be placed just in front of the altar platform.

• The funeral procession is led from the Foster Foyer into the church by the crucifer, followed by other lay ministers, the priest, and the coffin. If the family requests incense, the thurifer precedes the crucifer.
• At the end of the service, the procession out of the church is in the same order, going out the courtyard door and to �ØéfB.�RÂÙÚ{ùòåì....�J¿±ò_.ª�ÑÆL6 ¦ÚÒ´S�«\÷Ô�3J@.�Ã}..�]vÏÂ� .Qò.�YzBÖ. ä��);hÐN4:ä.m�Îð>|ø𫯾ºsçÎþ*ö�e]¿°�A.ñ&ÑQ�þ'²�.X;-+ÊñTãl¨ûÙÎ.%îÁ.Ý­~ûí·à.1»!ÝÙ�ðCg.&£üJP.ú3È¢àÓm.Ø��EXUåÖkp�¡.´©YÀî J�Ô*d°�Éa1�¦ÞRôÈ)q±EéooZMPÖ»--F.a..¶¤�.²V._�·úF)ú.tó i±ê~Î2äöì>ç.ÌOØ:§Ï�r)Ke..]÷�}|N¯Â´.gµi.° V׿.ö.kÒï�µáI.@¤#eË�Ä*.�.µk9£c.urõ.4ø�xÄ=�º.�g�Ø°�Ô/+.ë.D.Õ®ZáVµå.tS¢9ü�ã!�¬ºÍvàÿdxù�Ü.«.h ­íÌ�g�Ü.§ÝÖÓO�jÇn�wÇÌB¶��Ø.�$.¨ë�@²��­�:µíâ8®)~ .ÕÄ$½Ð}.Ð#�£.­J�S�ÂvK�´�&¿O�_.y}f«û.º9Ûj»�ð*±#q.�ó«W¯ªCa{Ï.Mfÿ $Óz­yP×.Ø�ã³ÙO©Õ â�Ø �$�«ÜL+¯²Ê.a6. w�õt--.Í Ë.% °�³d¬H�¡~µÀ�BòEÔqq&]ÊFHH�R�ßDÜÚ/÷Y�ÌãÇ�Í.�.@ÙV,è£�¨èɾs��Éä®ìÍ�.Ò#J$.�.ë� .Cæ.�åT0çÈ.ü=p�¹K)«.ܪÎá¥åG.Gy� x��¶.F�îá@!Ë/¡­úp¥âî`­c]BL.`\/0.�ôì~.�²ÚÅé.rë-Z�íÃ}�.�w;�å´�ÕÅ[þ«½¯ª�Z».Ûð�.t�þß�^À^'¯¤vá�.&áeÀ.�Â�b^*��ñbo.Ö |ê ÄìÀöå\dÏ�ÛżH�µ\¯.O©äJï-.'cÝUDanì.,..bQîçú�Z~v.è g÷ø�ó��º�âñ4I N.^>s*� .�..PèlT�^JÐ\èD-�*�BÔa.�U¤.½Yq.8ðV�È·.=<§Ín².éÚ�e..¶Ös ×\Ê¢âç×H]Ì <Ù�¸.?*E.®{Øc�2(+��Är9»¼a.!ïqÔó��¤­�Âm�W\,j�h. .�e�u�.°.6¤õcÕí²��ʵäÝ0+Ü�Ï üó.�t5Ë--ª£çÌdaoVë.³=%.�©¦)Ñ.9£Öd*1bC7#�µìÏf7�eÃR©�.1Ñ?{j.>÷~ç.-�Â�èmî<$.øÉ$.+�E�1Bl=dá]R�2éü=._.O%ºQ�1¸.)poðoy#Njö�eã ØÎî3$M2e·*�pÄË�ÄÆ·éöWí2�kq³ .%..¹»=­.�.±(��¨I·�.�YK4� ¬ k.Þ¸�[7°»gx©­±õlS0P�Kî.@Ù.�è.{OhÏîY|=��� =. E½ãÌÇ(ão§©²{Öó�$d/!múEù�Ü�È
• If there is to be a formal procession at the grave site, it is in the same order.

• Prior to the service, the verger will reserve enough seats in the A St. sections of the nave to accommodate the family. As the family may request, seats may also be reserved for certain friends.

• Normally, the Rector, the Associate Rector, or another priest will preside at a funeral. Under extenuating and very rare circumstances and with the notification of the Diocese, a licensed lay reader may preside. If the Bishop is present, s/he may celebrate the Eucharist.
• In addition, the verger and a crucifer at least should be present, if possible. The lessons should be read by lay people.

• The funeral pall is provided by the church. All other items are obtained from the funeral home and cemetery.

• At the discretion of the priest (in consultation with the family) all or part of the service of Committal may be said in the church, prior to the service, or before cremation.

• As always, the wishes of the family and the last wishes of the deceased should be followed as closely as liturgically possible. At points indicated in the Book of Common Prayer, there may be music, sung anthems, and hymns.

When the bishop visits the parish, s/he usually follows the customary of St. Mark's Church. The verger should consult with the Rector and the Bishop before the service to determine if any special provision is to be made.

The Procession

• The procession is the same as that for the Holy Eucharist (q.v.), except that the Bishop will follow the priests.

• The Bishop will sit in the Bishop's chair (where the Rector usually sits). The Rector will sit in the Associate Rector's Chair. The Associate Rector will sit in the seat next to her/his usual chair.

• The Bishop delivers the sermon.

The service of Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols) has not traditionally been celebrated at St. Mark's. It could be celebrated as the Liturgy of the Word on the Second or Third Sunday of Advent, followed by the Holy Eucharist.

Bidding Prayer

• After the procession into the church, the Rector pronounces the Bidding Prayer from the Book of Occasional Services (pp. 31-33), which is reproduced in the leaflet.

• Several weeks before the service, the LIONs planning the service appoint members of the congregation to read the lessons the Task Force has chosen from the list in the Book of Occasional Services (pp. 34). The readers should be trained in reading these lessons, with emphasis on slow, loud, and clear enunciation. Also prior to the service, the LIONs should make two copies of each lesson -- one for the reader to practice, and one for the service.
• The lessons are read in place of the usual Word of God. Before each lesson, a carol is sung by the congregation and/or the choir, culminating in the Sequence Hymn and the Holy Gospel, read by the priest or deacon. At the end of the lessons and carols, the Rector gives a brief sermon, followed by the Peace.

• At this point, the service continues with the Holy Communion and concludes as the customary Holy Eucharist on the Lord's Day (q.v.).

There are usually two Christmas services, one at 8:00 pm and one at 10:30 pm on Christmas Eve. Bulletins containing the spoken parts of the service will be prepared by the Parish staff.

Procession into the Church

• The procession at either service may either be the usual procession from the sacristy to the altar, or a solemn procession. The solemn procession is described in the customary for Holy Eucharist on the Lord's Day.

• At the discretion of the Rector, the Station at a Christmas Creche (Book of Occasional Services, pp. 36-37) may be added before the procession or during it, if the priest chooses to have a solemn procession. If it is conducted during the solemn procession, as the procession is passing by the creche, the thurifer and crucifer step out of the way of the procession as it continues, and wait. When the Rector is even with the Creche, the procession stops at the direction of the verger. The service is conducted, the thurifer and crucifer return to their processional positions, and the procession continues.
• If the station was conducted in full at the early service, a simpler station may be conducted at the later service. An example of this variant is found in the late service leaflet included.

The early service is conducted as usual for the Holy Eucharist (q.v).
The Festival Eucharist of the Nativity of Our Lord

This is perhaps the largest service of the year, and the bulletin is most important for it.

Thurifer

• The Festival Eucharist is considered a high holy day, and a thurifer is always used (see the Thurifer's Manual).
• Otherwise, the service is conducted as usual for the Holy Eucharist with the exceptions that more hymns (carols) are generally included and that the service incorporates more candlelight.

• At the beginning of the service, the church is lighted as dimly as safely possible.
• Each member of the congregation (with attention to age) is given a small candle upon entering the nave.
• Each member of the procession also carries a candle.
• The service proceeds by candle-light until _____. At this time, the verger (or designate) turns on the lights in the sanctuary, chancel, and nave. At this point, the congregation may extinguish their candles.

LATE SERVICE LEAFLET

The service of Lessons and Carols has traditionally been celebrated on the First Sunday after Christmas Day. It is conducted as the Liturgy of the Word, followed by the Holy Eucharist.

Bidding Prayer

• After the procession into the church, the Rector pronounces the Bidding Prayer from the Book of Occasional Services (pp. 38-40), which is reproduced in the leaflet.

• Several weeks before the service, the LIONs appoint members of the congregation to read the lessons chosen by the Task Force from the list in the Book of Occasional Services (pp. 40-41). The readers should be trained in reading these lessons, with emphasis on slow, loud, and clear enunciation. Also prior to the service, the LIONs should make two copies of each lesson -- one for the reader to practice, and one for the service.
• The lessons are read in place of the usual Liturgy of the Word. Before each lesson, a carol is sung by the congregation and/or the choir, culminating in the Sequence Hymn and the Holy Gospel, read by the priest or deacon. At the end of the lessons and carols, the Rector gives a brief sermon, followed by the Peace.

• At this point, the service continues with the Holy Communion and concludes as the customary Holy Eucharist on the Lord's Day (q.v.).

The Ash Wednesday service is a Holy Eucharist with several differences as noted on the sample order of service..

Procession

• There is no procession: the Celebrant enters from and returns to the Sacristy in silence. The other participants (lay servers, readers, etc.) are seated with the congregation.

• The minimum number of participants is the priest and at least one reader/lay server. If a deacon is present, the deacon takes the role of the verger for the imposition of ashes. It is important to have the verger, acolyte, or other lay minister available to fetch extra purificators, water, etc.

• The ash in its appropriate receptacle is placed on the Altar, outside the pall. A lavabo bowl with water and lemon and an extra purificator are placed on the credence table.

• After the sermon, the priest will announce the imposition of ashes, and will invite the congregation to come forward two-by-two.

Customarily, the Great Litany is celebrated on the First Sunday in Lent. The order of service follows that for the Penitential Order of the Holy Eucharist on the Lord's Day (q.v.), as shown on the accompanying leaflet insert.

The Silent Procession

• The procession (except for the choir and the Celebrant) starts in the sacristy as in the usual Holy Eucharist on the Lord's Day. The procession is lead by the crucifer, then the torchbearers, then the lay servers, then the choir (which joins the procession from the Foster Foyer), then the clergy, including the Celebrant.

• The Celebrant begins chanting the Great Litany (S67) as the procession begins. Other cantors will participate and are located around the nave. From the foyer door, the procession circles the nave two-and-one-half times counter-clockwise. Following the last half-circling, the crucifer leads the procession down the central aisle as at the usual Sunday E�*X�¯+n.­�As.¥^qÆRybî�ÉxF�ßî.Æ�ô7�ËCÙ8¼�M--¼g]�;úKF$ó^µu­s�Øà �eë:¬ �....ðq5Å�|..A¶[-·�\�.r4Hõ� Í�ô�Ö�Þµö.���]òóÁA�NYÅÒÙÉ%ÉÄE¿gi.[c�RYñfÁé>.Û.7.mÆAÃ�)Øwo¾ .U%©Gæ�XÕ)Cúý>Ò�E(â�Î)O�·ÃA�o#·(XÓDF�ç"MupçÑ. �ýÁd«Í�ú>`..@uÉvñ×_½7�"Á¹v.¼..Â$b¶ÔoWÒm?«.Ú..@á稵ôK¾�û,��÷H.ÃÞ.ç�UÇ�Ù.~õÕW38{j8.¬�µÔç�.à.k÷CEÖ @¿Ï*°� Á�L��ô�j.'.�ÁÚï>­.<.�� ÔPЫIrYMÓÓ§O55��íYö_Oá1õéE;�Ág1@Í»Â.a&wÿnÊþæoþæîÝ»Àgô..5Ø ��-.` ¦:&é � tÃ--�$BË1�à�ÝÕ® 3.�¸í.«Õ<.®�3.�.�Q§Â]ÊÃ��³�Q.mû(�,.E�Er.�Ñ.�Í +ÔÁ�¾.ð Jyy¹¡Ó)LüeÉå.�î�.n..[©,Úûi­¤ �HT�2µ%µËjWa�r�³�©��ÒÀ8�#%&À7+B.Xñÿ.)~�0¿7[.þMÂ�â .. Á5�êÈ$*+ã¾��|ÜZå=&iÈÛß÷.
• Due to the nature of the Great Litany, the Confession and Absolution, and the Prayers of the People may be omitted, at the Rector's direction..

• With the Great Litany, the Celebrant may read an Exhortation for Lent (BCP, p. 316) in place of the usual Prayer of the People and the Confession of Sin and Absolution (which are included in the Great Litany itself).

The Sunday of the Passion (usually referred to as Palm Sunday) differs from the usual Holy Eucharist on the Lord's Day in three significant ways: the Liturgy of the Palms, the reading of the Passion, and the use of the High Altar (also used on All Saints' Day). The Liturgy of the Palms

The Liturgy of the Palms precedes the Holy Eucharist. The congregation, the ministers, and the choir gather in the Courtyard. Here the Rector celebrates the Liturgy (BCP, pp. 270-272), the congregation and others using the bulletins prepared for the day.

Rector

• The Rector bids the congregation to prayer. After the lesson, the Rector leads the people in the blessing and distribution of the palms and the prayer of blessing. The Rector, crucifer, other ministers, and the choir then take their places for the procession. As the procession moves down the nave toward the High Altar, those in the nave strew palms in their path.

• The lesson for the appropriate year is read by a deacon if present, or another reader.

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ is read at an appropriate place in the service, with parts having been assigned by the Task Force to members of the congregation well in advance.

The Reading

• The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ is read by the appointed members of the congregation from wherever they happen to be seated. The congregation as a whole reads the part of the crowd. The bulletin provides instructions for the congregation.

The Way (or Stations) of the Cross is appropriate especially for Fridays during Lent. It should not be used in place of a proper Good Friday Liturgy, however. It follows the service in the Book of Occasional Services, pp. 57-73. If a large number of people are expected (and especially if it is conducted as a joint service), parish staff may prepare a special booklet, such as the one following.

Participants

• There may be two or three ministers in the procession: The officiant may be either clerical or lay and reads the prayers and versicles. The crucifer carries the cross shrouded in a black cloth. The reader reads the initial selections for each station. If there is no reader, various members of the congregation can be assigned readings, which they read from their positions in the pews.

• The ministers all wear black cassocks without surplices and without adornment.

• The ministers enter in silence from the Foster Foyer, with the crucifer in front and the officiant in the rear.

• The crucifer proceeds to the south side of the altar platform, turns, and faces the altar. The Opening Devotions are delivered in front of the Altar.

• The crucifer passes around the altar platform and proceeds to the first station, stopping slightly beyond the station and turning to face the officiant. This procedure is repeated for each station. Between stations, the officiant leads the congregation in chanting the Trisagion.

• After the last station, the crucifer proceeds to the initial position on the chancel side of the altar, facing the altar, and the officiant and reader proceed to the A St. side of the altar.
• At the conclusion of the prayers, the crucifer turns, and leads the procession in silence out the chancel aisle and into the sacristy.

Participants

Procession

Seating

Setting

Vestments

Music

Rector

Lectors

• .

Verger

• .

The accompanying booklet will be used by the chancel party and the congregation.

SERVICE LEAFLET

The service of Maundy Thursday is basically the Holy Eucharist as on the Lord's Day (q.v.), with differences as noted on the accompanying order of service and outlined below.

The Altar of Repose

Before the service, the Altar of Repose is prepared in the vestry. A table is made ready to receive the sacraments, and several chairs are arranged in front of the Altar of Repose for watchers who will remain (possibly in shifts) until midnight. The Altar faces the door, from liturgical east.

The service proceeds as usual through the administration of the Holy Communion and the Blessing.

The Service of Darkness and Stripping of the Altar

The Service of Darkness and Stripping of the Altar is conducted as on the accompanying order of service. At the end, the Altar Cross is veiled in black and the sacraments and vessels are removed to the Altar of Repose.

Not only are the sacraments and vessels removed to the vestry, but all of the articles associated with the Holy Communion, including flowers and palms. At the end, the Altar is completely stripped, and the tabernacle is left empty and open.

Special Preparations

The priest and verger should set up the area of the Altar of Repose before the service, to include all the items except those brought in after the Stripping of the Altar. Also, a black cloth and means of placing it over the Altar Cross must also be prepared, so that this part of the ceremony does not hinder or delay the rest of it.

SERVICE LEAFLET

The Liturgy of Good Friday resembles Morning Prayer with a very subdued Holy Communion, as outlined in the sample order of service.

Procession

• The procession into the church is conducted in silence from the Foster Foyer, and the procession out of the church is also done in silence through the same door, in the order as for a procession in Holy Eucharist (q.v.). Rather than departing in procession, the ministers may at the discretion of the priest remain in silent prayer and leave in silence individually.

• The celebrant kneels in front of the Altar, optionally with the verger and lay servers kneeling on either side. This arrangement is repeated at the Veneration of the Cross and Anthems.

• At the beginning of the service, the Altar is bare. After the solemn collects, the acolytes bring in two candles and a crucifix. The crucifix is placed in the center of the Altar, with the candles on either side near the edge of the Altar.

• The Holy Communion is served from the elements consecrated on Maundy Thursday. The elements are brought out from the Altar of Repose in the sacristy by the verger or other lay minister. The minister should bring them through the passage into the Chancel, then down the steps from the High Altar.

The Great Vigil of Easter is the principal Easter service and begins at 8:00 pm on Easter Eve.

Setting

• The church is as dark as safely possible. Before the baptismal font, there is a stand with a pot and a single fire-starter. The people are seated and holding unlit candles that have been distributed to them by the ushers.

• After the bidding prayer, the celebrant lights the fire in the pot and blesses it.

• While inscribing a cross, alpha, and omega on the Paschal Candle, the celebrant blesses the candle. The verger hands the celebrant a small candle, and the celebrant lights the candle with a blessing.

• The deacon (or celebrant) leads the verger and lectors in the procession around the nave, pausing three times to proclaim the Light of Christ (as in the bulletin). As the celebrant proceeds down the central aisle from the font, the person closest to the aisle lights his or her candle from candles carried by the ministers, and the flame is passed down the row, from candle to candle. The thurifer, crucifer, torchbearers (without torches -- these are placed unlighted in their holders behind the pulpit), and server remain behind the font, with the Choir standing behind, along the wall.

• The deacon (or other person appointed) sings or says the Exsultet. At the end of the Exsultet, the congregation extinguishes their candles, the lights are turned on dimly, and the service continues with the Liturgy of the Word.

• Usually, there is a service of Baptism during the Great Vigil. This comes after the final collect in the Liturgy of the Word and in accordance with the customary on Baptism and/or Confirmation (q.v.).

• The service of Holy Eucharist follows the Liturgy of the Word and begins with the salutation. Two acolytes light the Altar candles and the torches behind the pulpit. The rest of the service is as usual but without the Confession of Sin and Absolution.

SERVICE LEAFLET FOR EASTER DAY

The blessing of the animals takes place on the appointed day in early fall. Parishioners are invited to bring their animals, appropriately held or restrained.

Setting

• The ceremony takes place either in the courtyard or in the nave.

• If the service takes place in the courtyard, the priest stands facing A St., as this gives late-comers an opportunity to join the celebration without disruption. If in the nave, seating is as usual.

• Stands near the priest to hold the Prayer Book and/or food for the animals.

• The ceremony proceeds as in the accompanying leaflet. After each animal is blessed, it is given an item of food.

Basically, the service of All Hallow's Eve follows the order for Evening Prayer, although hymns are sung and the choir may participate as a choir. It is primarily designed for the children. Details of the service along with optional readings are found in the Book of Occasional Prayer, pp. 108-110. After the service, there may be a party in the Parish Hall.

Special Items

• In the chancel on either side of the sanctuary, two tall torches are placed with pumpkins on top of them. The pumpkins have a Cross cut out from each, and they are lighted internally with candles.

• During the Prayer for Light, an acolyte lights the candles at the Altar, and other candles and lamps as may be convenient.

• The nave lights are on low. At the opening phrase of the Phos hilaron, the nave lights are turned on high.

• The procession is conducted in silence and follows the format for Evening Prayer.

• The officiant, sits in the rector's chair.
• The order of service is outlined on the following leaflet.