DiocesanSchool Commissioning Service for Student Worship Leaders in

Diocesan/School Commissioning Service for Student Worship Leaders in the context of the Eucharist

The Greeting Bishop: Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. All: And also with you.

Prayer of Preparation All: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of Confession Bishop: Jesus says, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. ’ So let us turn away from our sin and turn to Christ, confessing our sins in penitence and faith. All: Lord God, we have sinned against you; we have done evil in your sight. We are sorry and repent. Have mercy on us according to your love. Wash away our wrongdoing and cleanse us from our sin. Renew a right spirit within us and restore to us the joy of your salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God’s Forgiveness is declared Bishop: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who in his great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with heartfelt repentance and true faith turn to him: have mercy on you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. All: Amen

The Collect Bishop: Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, ignite in us your holy fire; strengthen your children with the gift of faith, revive your Church with the breath of love, and renew the face of the earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. All: Amen

The Liturgy of the Word Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12. 3 b-13 Read by a student A variety of gifts from the same Spirit

Gospel Reading: John 7. 37 -39 Read by the Headteacher Jesus talks about the Spirit

The Address The Right Reverend ……………(insert the bishop’s name here)……Bishop of ………. .

We confess our Faith Bishop: All: Let us declare our faith in God. We believe in God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love. We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with power from on high. We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Hymn: (insert here)

Commissioning of Form Tutor Worship Representatives

Bishop: (Insert name of school/academy here) Student Worship Representatives, God has given you the grace to say ‘yes’ to the invitation to serve your tutorial groups and your school as members of the school’s team of Student Worship Representatives. You now have the opportunity, to serve God and your school in this special way. Do you accept the service with which you have been entrusted?

Worship Representatives: Yes, with the help of God, we do.

Bishop: Worship Leaders, we do not ask you to take up your role in isolation within the school. I now ask (insert the titles of those who are part of the Chaplaincy Team at the school/academy e. g. the Chaplain, Youth. Worker, ) and Governors, Senior Leadership Team and all staff to join the Worship Leaders in standing up.

Bishop: (See note above…. Chaplain, ) Governors, School Senior Leadership Team, Heads of Houses/Year, Form Tutors and all teachers of this church school, do you accept the responsibility of supporting and encouraging your school’s Worship Representatives, and all the young people in your care, to foster Gospel values and to share Christ’s hope within the community of (insert the name of the school/academy), promoting the dignity of the human person, the importance of friendship and family, and the common good of all, so that this school may continue to be transformed by the saving power of Jesus Christ?

All staff and students standing: Yes, with the help of God, we do.

Bishop: Do not neglect the gift that is in you. Present yourselves to God as approved workers, ever faithful to the Spirit of God. Remember always that Jesus calls his followers friends as well as servants. Attend to prayer, for without God you can do nothing. The Student Worship Leaders to remain standing, everyone else is a

The Student Worship Leaders Commissioning Prayer Bishop: Gracious God, you sent Jesus to establish your kingdom and invite all people to experience the fullness of your life. Send your Holy Spirit to be with us now as we commission the Student Worship Leaders of (insert name of the school/academy).

Spirit of the living God, in every age you have appointed people to tell of your power, justice, and love. We thank you for (insert name of school/academy) Student Worship Leaders, who are offering of themselves to share Bible teachings of your ways and your words. We give thanks for the evidence of your Holy Spirit that we experience in our community of worship, learning and service at (insert name of the school/academy here) and we commend these young people to your constant love and guidance.

As I commission them, in the name of Jesus Christ, to fulfil the duties of Student Worship Leaders, we join together here in praying that you fill them with your grace and love. We also ask that you equip all staff to encourage and support them, through prayer and action, and that you grant them, each day, the strength and peace of your Spirit. In the name of Christ, our Master, Servant, and Friend. All: Amen.

The school (insert appropriate representative of the Chaplaincy team here: Chaplain/Youth Worker/Worship Co -ordinators) calls each Student Worship Leader to come forward, for their badge to be presented to them by the Bishop. Once the whole group have received their badge and presentation-

Bishop: May these badges remind each one of you that, as you serve on this team of worship representatives, the greatest gift you can ever give to God is the gift of yourself. Be the light that God has created you to be so that others will be touched by the flame of his love and will, in turn, go out and share it with others. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. All: Amen. The congregation to applaud recipients and then Student Worship Leaders ret

Prayers of Intercession Led by members of the Student Worship Leaders and Chaplaincy team.

The Liturgy of the Sacrament The Peace Bishop: We are the body of Christ. In the one Spirit we were all baptised into one body. Let us then pursue all that makes for peace and builds up our common life. The peace of the Lord be always with you. All: And also with you.

Bishop: Let us offer one another a sign of peace. All: Peace be with you. The peace is exchanged with the persons next to you

A hymn is sung while the altar is prepared (insert details here)

The Eucharistic Prayer Bishop: The Lord be with you All: And also with you Bishop: Lift up your hearts All: We lift them to the Lord. Bishop: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is right to give thanks and praise.

Bishop: It is always right, wherever we are, to give you thanks and praise, God our Father, holy and strong, king for ever. Through your Son, you made us and the whole universe.

Your Holy Spirit came to Mary, and Jesus was born as one of us. When his time had come, he suffered and died on the cross, to save us from our sins. He broke the chains of death, and returned to you in glory.

You send your Spirit to bring new life to the world, and fill us with power from on high. And so we join on earth with saints and angels in heaven to praise your name and sing:

All: Holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Bishop: Father, on the night before he died, Jesus had a meal with his friends. He took bread and thanked you. He broke it, gave it to them, and said: Take this and eat it; this is my body, given for you.

After the meal, Jesus took the cup of wine. He thanked you, gave it to them and said: Drink this, all of you. This is my blood, the new covenant of God’s Love. Do this to remember me.

Bishop: Jesus Christ has died. All: Jesus Christ has died. Bishop: Jesus Christ is risen. All: Jesus Christ is risen. Bishop: Jesus Christ will come again. All: Jesus Christ will come again.

Bishop: Father, as we remember his death and resurrection, send your Holy Spirit, that the bread and wine we bring before you may be for us Christ’s body and his blood.

Pour your Spirit on us that we may live as children of your heavenly kingdom. Help us to love one another, as we work for the peace of the earth, and wait for Jesus to come in glory. For all honour and glory belong to you, Father, through Jesus Christ your Son, with the Holy Spirit: one God, for ever and ever. All: Amen.

Bishop: As our Saviour has taught us, so we pray: All : Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; The Lord’s Prayer 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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Breaking of the Bread Bishop: We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. All: Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread. The president and people receive communion. Authorised words of distribution are used and the communicant replies: Amen.

Prior to the service the staff and students need to be clearly instructed that they have three options: If they receive Holy Communion in their own churches, they may also receive Holy Communion during this service. Otherwise: They are encouraged to come up for a blessing. They may wish to remain sitting in their place – quietly reflecting or praying. (Communion Stations will need to be clearly identified and those authorised to administer Holy Communion briefed. Form Tutors instruct on where to direct students for communion or a blessing. )

Prayer after Communion • Silence is kept. • The post Communion prayer or another suitable prayer is said.

All: Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.

The Dismissal Bishop: The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.

Bishop: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. All: In the name of Christ. Amen.

Hymn is sung or music is played as the procession forms with the Student Worship Leaders instructed to follow the Bishop and clergy out. Student Worship Leaders will then go with the Bishop and clergy and school leaders for refreshments.

Acknowledgments: Board of Education, Blackburn Diocese, revised 2020, based on a document compiled by National Society. Extra material is taken from Common Worship. Copyright for these services belongs to the Archbishop’s Council, 2000, 2012.