Agnus - A Lenten Service

The following service, titled Agnus, is suitable for an evening during Lent. It explores the theme of "lamb" in scripture and was originally used as a Lutheran/Catholic ecumenical service in March 1991.

Agnus

Organ Prelude:

Three settings of the "Agnus Dei":

1. Italian- "Agnus Dei" from Missa dominicalis (G. Cavazzoni)
2. German- "O Lamm Gottes unshuldig" (J.S. Bach)
3. French- "Agnus Dei" from Messe pour les paroisses (F. Couperin)

Processional: "Agnus Dei" from Chant Mass XVIII with invocations from the Litany of the Holy Name [Stand]

Cantor- Jesus, Son of the living God - Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi...
People- Miserere nobis.
Cantor- Jesus, Splendor of the Father - Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi...
People- Miserere nobis.
Cantor- Jesus, Brightness of eternal life - Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi...
People- Miserere nobis.
Cantor- Jesus, King of glory - Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi...
People- Miserere nobis.
Cantor- Jesus, Sun of justice - Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi...
People- Miserere nobis.
Cantor- Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary - Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi...
People- Miserere nobis.
Cantor- Jesus, Author of life - Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi...
People- Miserere nobis.
Cantor- Jesus, Father of the poor - Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi...
People- Miserere nobis.
Cantor- Jesus, Good Shepherd - Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi...
People- Miserere nobis.
Cantor- Jesus, Our Way and Our Life - Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi...
People- Miserere nobis.

Sing as many of the above invocations as necessary for the procession. Always end with:

Cantor- Jesus, Prince of peace - Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi...
People- Dona nobis pacem.

Opening Sentence:

Leader- Hail to our king, obedient to the Father.
People- He went to his crucifixion like a gentle lamb.
All- Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Hymn:

"What Wondrous Love Is This" [tune- Wondrous Love]
especially these verses:

1. "What wondrous love is this..."
2. "To God and to the Lamb..."
3. "And when from death I'm free..."

I. The Lamb of Passover

Scripture: Exodus 12: 1-3, 5-8, 11-14 [Sit]

At the conclusion of the reading:
Reader- The Word of the Lord.
People- Thanks be to God.

Response: Organ Chorale "Christ, du Lamm Gottes" (J.S. Bach)

Prayer: [Stand]
Leader-

Let us pray. Father, we recall the passover of the Lord Jesus from death to life. As we honor the memory of his death and resurrection by hearing his word, make us confident that we shall share his victory over death and live with him for ever in God. We ask this through the same Christ our Lord.