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Although the Nigerian Anglican Church no longer uses the following rite -- having imported the Berakoth from the Roman Catholic Novus Ordo Missae into their recent Prayer Book, it remains one of the most beautiful of the forms to be found in the Anglican Patrimony drawing together artistic innovation and ancient source material. [The use of the collect 'Be present, be present' before Sursum Corda is a feature borrowed from the Church of South India's original Eucharistic order.]
The Nigerian United Liturgy of 1965
All stand, and the offertory sentences are said.
Minister
Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is, brethren,
to dwell together in unity.
We who are many are one bread, one body,
for we all partake of the one bread.
People
I will offer in His dwelling
an oblation with great gladness,
I will sing and speak praises unto the Lord.
A hymn is now sung, and the bread and wine for the Communion, together with the alms of the people, are brought forward and placed on the Table.
While all remain standing, the minister says
Holy Father, who through the blood of Thy dear Son hast consecrated for us a new and living way to Thy throne of grace, we come to Thee through Him, unworthy as we are, and we humbly beseech Thee to accept and use us and these our gifts for Thy glory. All that is in heaven and earth is Thine, and of Thine own do we give to Thee.
People Amen.
All kneel and say together
Be present, be present, O Jesus, Thou good High Priest, as Thou wast in the midst of Thy disciples, and make Thyself known to us in the breaking of the bread, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
The minister stands and continues with the Sursum Corda saying, The Lord be with you.
The Anglican Church in Nigeria
Church of the Province of West Africa
