Holy Communion: A bedside rite

From time to time, in my ministry to hospice patients, I am asked to administer the sacrament of Holy Communion. While both the 1928 and 1979 editions of The Book of Common Prayer provide resources for "Communion of the Sick," the prayers for physical healing are often inappropriate as hospice patients are looking not so much for deliverance from their ailments, but for comfort and peace as they prepare to pass from this life to the next. While the 1928 Prayer Book has an easily accessible rite, complete with collects and Scriptures, its archaic verbiage can be a hindrance to effective ministry even to older patients who may be familiar with such forms. Yet, the simpler rite in the 1979 Prayer Book comes at the expense of sound theology. All these considerations may make the issue more complicated than it should be, but I have had in mind for some time to pool the various resources at my disposal into an appropriate and accessible bedside rite which will fit, front and back, on a half sheet of paper and, thus, can easily be inserted into a standard-sized Bible. Here is the form I have developed at this point. Your comments and critiques are welcome.

The Collect 

O Lord, holy Father, by whose loving-kindness our souls and bodies are renewed, mercifully look on this your servant, lying in great weakness, and comfort him with the promise of life everlasting, given in the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle (1 John 5.13-15)

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

The Gospel (John 6.47-51)

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Prayer of Confession

Almighty Father, Lord of heaven and earth, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. Out of your great goodness, O God, have mercy upon us; according to the multitude of your mercies, do away with our offenses and cleanse us from our sins; for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

Absolution

The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving

Lift up your hearts and give thanks to the Lord our God; for it is meet and right so to do.

All glory to you, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of your tender mercy, gave your only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption; who made there (by his one oblation of himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again: For on the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat. This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Likewise, after supper, he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you. This is my blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Therefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of your dearly beloved Son our Savior Jesus Christ, we now celebrate this memorial of our redemption. Recalling Christ’s death and his descent among the dead, proclaiming his resurrection and ascension to your right hand, awaiting his coming in glory; and offering to you, from the gifts you have given us, this bread and this cup, we praise you and we bless you.

And we most humbly beseech you, O merciful Father, to hear us; and in your goodness and mercy, send your Holy Spirit to bless and sanctify these gifts and creatures of bread and wine; that we, receiving them according to your Son our Savior Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed body and blood. 

Grant that all who share this bread and this cup may become one body and one spirit, a living sacrifice in Christ, to the praise of your Name.

Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty Father, forever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer


The Communion

The body of Christ, the bread of heaven.
The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.

The Blessing

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. Amen.