A Thanksgiving for Christ’s Work
in His Church in the Community
A Suggested Eucharist — Monmouth Diocesan Council for Church and Society
This order of service provides a full Eucharist for parishes to use as a means of offering thanks for the work they are doing amongst the larger community—for celebrating the signs of the Spirit’s blessings on efforts both large and small—and to pray for the Spirit’s continuing guidance, inspiration, and presence in their work.
The overall framework and theme is our expectation of Christ’s Coming Kingdom—the Second Advent—when the whole earth shall be renewed under the Lord who is to come in glory. Consequently, the most distinctive part of the service, the Intercessions, aims to use a standard Advent wreath / stand in a new way and an unexpected time of year.
The liturgy follows closely the 2004 ‘Red Book’ Order, and the Bishop has authorised the Council for Church and Society to promote it. Churches may feel free to adapt the order as appropriate for their congregations, or to lift elements for use in non-Eucharistic settings—although, as the meaning is conveyed most clearly in the Intercessions, we do recommend keeping those largely intact.
You are warmly encouraged to provide space, as befits your own particular parish, for celebratory words, prayers of thanksgiving, and prayers for God’s blessing upon particular, named works that your people may have undertaken. One such space is provided in the first bidding of the Intercessions—but you may find other points equally appropriate.
We hope this service will be of value to you, and that your congregations will welcome the chance to celebrate the works going on amongst them now, whilst still looking forward to new things.
We welcome feedback and suggestions. Contact