Liturgical celebration led by non-ordained members

Where divine services can only take place sporadically or when, for a longer period of time, no priestly minister is available to conduct divine services, this can be compensated by word services conducted by Deacons in consultation with the apostolate (see “Word service”, chapter ).

However, if there are no ministers available at all, non­ordained members may conduct prayer services that follow a fixed liturgical form. These prayer services are intended to ensure that members of a congregation do not suffer through the absence of spiritual care and fellowship. For this reason, prayer services should preferably take place in the location where divine services are usually conducted.

A prayer service differs from other devotionals which are conducted by ministers or laypersons on special occasions and have no fixed form (see “Devotionals”, chapter ).

If it is necessary to conduct prayer services, the Apostle or a minister designated by him or her for this purpose can authorise a member of the congregation to perform this task. This can be done, for example, in a divine service, by phone, or by letter.

Just like a divine service, a prayer service is open to all.

Form of a prayer service

If an altar is present in the place of worship, it should be prepared as for a word service, that is, without communion chalices.

The person conducting the prayer service stands or sits in front of the altar (if present) throughout the entire prayer service. If only a few people are present, chairs can be arranged in a circle for the prayer service. All participants stand for prayers and hymns.

Beginning of a prayer service

If possible, the group should sing a hymn together. The prayer service does not start with the Trinitarian formula, because this is not a divine service. The prayer service begins with a prayer.

This can include:

• praise and glorification of God
• thanks for the protection, help, and grace He has bestowed
• the plea for divine peace
• the plea for the strengthening of fellowship
• the plea for connection to the Apostle ministry
• intercession for brothers and sisters who cannot be present

A further musical contribution can then follow. This is followed by the reading of a Bible text in accordance with specifications.

This is then followed by the reading of a text which the Apostle has provided. The reading of this text does not conclude with “Amen”. If references to biblical texts are included, these can also be read aloud from Holy Scripture.

Musical contributions can enrich the prayer service.

As part of the prayer service, participants can be given the opportunity to ex­press their feelings and thoughts in response to the text that was read.

Conclusion of a prayer service

The Lord’s Prayer is spoken collectively at the end of the prayer service.

The prayer service is concluded with a freely spoken prayer.

This prayer can have the following content:

• thanks for God’s word and fellowship
• intercession for congregational members, for the needy, the sick, the oppressed, and persecuted
• the plea for blessing upon the offerings that have been brought
• the plea for God’s blessing, protection, and peace, for His help and accompanying presence
• the plea for the imminent return of Christ
• the plea to be accepted upon Christ’s return

Prayer service in which Holy Communion can be taken

If it can be expected that divine services will not take place over a longer period, and that only word services or prayer services can be held, the Apostle can rule that the participants at word or prayer services can take Holy Communion at appropriate intervals. This applies if there are no other possibilities for the celebration of New Apostolic Holy Communion.

Such prayer services in which Holy Communion can be taken are conducted based on the practice of pastoral care letters containing consecrated wafers, which are sent out to members by the District Apostle in defined individual cases.

The congregation gathered for the prayer service receives a pastoral care letter with consecrated wafers. The wafers from the pastoral care letter are poured into a suitable vessel or communion chalice, which is placed on the altar or a table for this purpose.

Procedure for taking Holy Communion in the prayer service:

• After the congregation has prayed the Lord’s Prayer together, the person conducting the prayer service reads the absolution from the pastoral care letter.
• The person conducting the prayer service opens the communion chalice containing the consecrated wafers from the pastoral care letter.
• Then he or she reads out the words in the pastoral care letter for taking the wafers: “The body and blood of Jesus given for you!”
• Following this, each of the participants in the prayer service takes a wafer.

When Holy Communion is taken in a word service (chapter 2.1.2), the sequence is the same.