SUMMARY

1. Readings before the Gospel: there are one or two readings.  The first reading is usually from the Old Testament.  The second is from the New Testament and is usually taken from one of the Epistles or letters which were written by St Paul or one of the other Apostles. 

2. The Gradual: this corresponds to the psalm sung in the synagogue in Our Lord’s day.  Today, in many churches a Gradual hymn is sung.

3. The Gospel: this is part of one of the four Gospels and tells us about what Jesus did and said.  We stand up in his honour.

4. The Nicene Creed: this sums up the teaching of the Church’s Year in an act of faith and praise.  We say it standing to show we are ready to stand up for our Christian Faith.  We bow in reverence at the words that tell how God became a Human Being.

5. The Prayers of Intercesssion: we pray for the Church, the world, our country and our local community.

References

1. Dix, G. (1945) The shape of the liturgy, Westminster: Dacre Press.

2. Church of England (not dated) Gospel acclamations for Ordinary Time.  Available from:
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/commonworship/texts/hc/gospelordtime.html  (Accessed 12 July 2010) (Internet).