Holy Cross Anglican Church Hackett

A liturgy adapted from the New Zealand Prayer Book (1989) for use over the internet during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PREFACE

During the COVID-19 pandemic, at a time when many of us will be spending an unaccustomed amount of time at home and are unable to gather for public worship, it is important for Christians to remind ourselves that our homes are sacred places, consecrated to God, where the life of the Church continues as young and old pray, worship, study, and share fellowship together.

It is timely to remember that for the first few centuries of the Church’s existence, local Christian communities (including all those communities to whom the New Testament epistles written by Paul, Peter and John are addressed) gathered almost exclusively in homes. Jesus himself grew up at the heart of a human home and family, sanctifying it by his presence, and the Gospels tell us that Jesus’s public ministry also took place in many different homes. 

To bless the home, and formally dedicate it as an environment for Christian life, is a deeply felt need by many Christian households. Home blessings are especially appropriate at times of crisis and renewal: they give us the opportunity to dedicate (or re-dedicate) our homes to God, and ask for God’s special protection on our households and families.

Since the minister cannot be physically present during this blessing liturgy, the use of water by the householders as part of the service is especially helpful as an effective and tangible sign of the work of the Holy Spirit and the presence of Christ at the heart of their home.

BLESSING OF THE WATER

The family or householder(s) gather outside the front door. The minister is present on a mobile device carried by a householder.

A member of the household holds up a bowl of water.

The minister says
Praise God who made heaven and earth
Whose promise endures for ever.

We thank you God for your love in all creation,
especially for your gift of water
to sustain, refresh and cleanse all life.

We thank you that through the waters of baptism
you cleanse us,
renew us by your Spirit
and raise us to new life.

+ Through your Holy Spirit,
fulfil once more your promises
and may this water,
set apart in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
be to us an effective sign of your blessing and protection
for this home and all who dwell here.
Amen.

At each subsequent stage of the liturgy, a member of the household sprinkles water around the home, while making the sign of the Cross.

OUTSIDE THE DOOR

The minister says
Dear friends in Christ
we enter this home in the name of God,
+ Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Lord is here.
God’s Spirit is with us.

Except the Lord build the house,
their labour is but lost that build it.

Encircle this dwelling place with your protection, O God;
may your holy angels encompass these walls,
and peace be within them.

ENTRY

The minister says
In the name of God,
peace to this home.
God make it a haven for all who live here.

The youngest person present knocks at the door.

A householder reads the following

‘Behold I stand at the door and knock,’ says the Lord. ‘If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you and you with me.’

Revelation 3:20

The householder(s) then say
Welcome to this home.
Blessed be God who dwells in love.
Blessed be God who gives peace and shelter.
Amen.

God of hearth and home, maker of love and laughter,
make this a place for reflection and restoration,
rest and renewal,
a place where the life of N (and N) may find its strength.

The Lord watch over your going out and your coming in
from this time forward for evermore.

AT THE LIVING ROOM

The minister says
Indwelling God, you are ever welcome in this house.
May we hear and share your Word.

A householder reads the following

Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge and you will not be judged yourselves: do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap, because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.

Luke 6:36-38

The minister says
O how good and pleasant it is, when God’s people live together in unity.

Above everything, love one another fervently,
for love covers many sins.

God in Trinity,
you have made us to need each other
and to grow best with companions;
bless those who shall sit or talk or work together here.
May they share your care and understanding.

If there are dependants, the minister may speak to the parent(s) or carer(s)
N (and N), will you be true to this family?
Will you support and care for each other
so that together you may care
for those whom God has given you?
The parent(s) or carer(s) respond
Yes, we will.
May God give us joy in what we do
and patience when our work seems hard.

The minister may then address the dependent(s)
N (and N), will you, their children / family / friends,
give them your support?
The dependents respond
Yes we will. May God be with you.

The minister then says to all
May you grow on and grow old in the love of God.
May this place be for you a place where
relationships mature,
quarrels are made up,
failures forgiven and strength renewed.
Blessed be Christ the prince of peace
who breaks down the walls that divide.

The peace of God be always with you.
Praise to Christ who unites us in peace.

All greet each other and share a sign of peace.

FOR A PRAYER CORNER

The minister says
Whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door
and pray to your Father who is in secret;
And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

O God, you love to hear the prayers of your children.
Bless this prayer corner;
may it may be a place of refreshment, quiet, and consolation
for all who spend time here daily with you.
May we treasure the living presence of Jesus
at the heart of our home and our lives.

FOR A DEVICE THAT CONNECTS TO THE INTERNET

The minister says
Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Put out into the deep water,
and let down your nets for a catch.’

O God, you made us in your image and likeness,
and you desire us to seek after all that is good, true and beautiful.
Bless this device / these devices,
and grant that during our time connected to the internet,
we will direct our hands and eyes only to that which is pleasing to You.
May we treat with charity and patience
all those whom we encounter there
and may we always be a blessing to each other.

AT A BEDROOM

The group moves to each bedroom in turn.

The minister says
Guide us waking, O God,
and guard us sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep we may rest in your peace.

I lie down in peace and take my rest
for it is in God alone that I dwell unafraid.

God of the night,
may this be a holy and blessèd place
for N (and N) and all who may sleep here.
Here may they know your loving presence,
find rest for their fatigue,
and peace for their anxiety.
May your holy angels guard them,
and your continual blessing strengthen them.

AT THE BATHROOM

The minister says
‘I will sprinkle you with clean water, and you will be cleansed.’

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,
having our bodies washed with pure water.

Blessed are you, our Saviour Jesus Christ,
fountain of living water springing up to eternal life;
in you is our baptism, in you is our faith.

Blessed are you God of the rain, the rivers, and the lakes,
you give water for life and health
to refresh and cleanse all creatures.

FOR A STUDY OR HOMESCHOOLING SPACE

The minister says
Teach us, O God, where wisdom is to be found, and
show us the place of understanding.

Seek your God and you will be found.
Search for God with all your heart
and with all your mind.

O God, the source of all wisdom,
may this be a place of reflection and awareness,
of knowledge and understanding.
Show yourself for us,
lest we go about in ignorance;
reveal yourself to us,
for in you we know the incarnate word.

FOR A WORKSHOP OR SHED

The minister says
Many there are who rely upon their hands
and are skilful in their own creativity and work.

Prosper, O God, the work of our hands.
Prosper our handiwork.

O God,
your blessed son worked with his hands
in the carpenter’s shop at Nazareth:
be present we pray with those who work in this place.
Give them work till their life ends,
and life till their work is done,
that labouring together with you
they may share the joy of your creation.

FOR A TERRACE OR GARDEN

The minister says
As the earth brings forth its blossom,
or bushes in a garden burst into flower,
so shall the Lord God make righteousness and praise
blossom before all the people.

The earth brought forth vegetation,
plants yielding seed,
and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed,
each according to its kind.
And God saw that it was good.

Jesus, our good companion,
often you withdrew with your friends
for quiet and refreshment;
be present with your servants in this place.
Make it a place of serenity and peace.

AT THE KITCHEN

The minister says
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
and praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has dealt so wondrously with you.

The eyes of all wait upon you O God
and you give them their food in due season.

God of garden, farm and factory
may what is prepared here bring strength and health.
Bless the hands that work in this place,
nourish us with all goodness
and give us grateful hearts for daily bread.
May Christ our constant guest
make our humblest meal a welcome offering.

AT THE DINING AREA

The minister says
The living God gave you from heaven
rain and fruitful seasons
satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.
God brings forth food from the earth
and wine to gladden the heart.

Blessed are you, Sovereign of the universe,
for gifts from your bounty which we receive.
May our hearts be thankful;
may we always have room for a guest.
Make us grateful for all your mercies,,
and mindful of the needs of others.

A BLESSING OF PEACE

The minister blesses each member of the household, inviting all to lay hands on each in turn, and saying
N, God bless you and keep you secure in this place.
May your family/companion(s) find
in you Christ’s love and understanding.

The minister says to all present
Hear God’s word of benediction:
the fruit of righteousness will be peace
and the result of righteousness,
tranquillity and trust for ever,
my people will abide
in secure dwellings
and in quiet resting places.

And now may the eternal Spirit
enfold this home with love,
indwell this home with joy,
build this home in peace,
and the blessing of God Almighty
+ Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be upon you and all those whom you love
now and for ever.
Amen.