30 April 2026

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according to the Book of Occasional Services (2018, pp. 156ff.)

A shorter form is at the bottom of this page.

The Presider, members of the household, and friends assemble in the living room of the home (in which a table has been prepared for the Holy Communion).

The Presider greets the people.

The service may begin with the following or some other appropriate Collect, the Presider first saying

Presider:

The Lord be with you.

People:

And also with you.

Presider:

Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, grant to this home the grace of your presence, that you may be known to be the inhabitant of this dwelling, and the defender of this household; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.

People:

Amen.

One or both of the following Lessons, or other appropriate Readings, may follow

The First Lesson: Genesis 18:1-8

Lector:

A reading from the book of Genesis.

The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, ‘My lord, if I find favour with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.’ So they said, ‘Do as you have said.’ And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, ‘Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.’ Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

Lector:

The word of the Lord.

People:

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 112:1-7

Beatus vir

1 Hallelujah!
Happy are they who fear the LORD *
and have great delight in his commandments!
2 Their descendants will be mighty in the land; *
the generation of the upright will be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches will be in their house, *
and their righteousness will last for ever.
4 Light shines in the darkness for the upright; *
the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.

5 It is good for them to be generous in lending *
and to manage their affairs with justice.
6 For they will never be shaken; *
the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance.

7 They will not be afraid of any evil rumors; *
their heart is right;
they put their trust in the LORD.

The Second Lesson: 3 John 1-6a,11,13-15

Lector:

A reading from the third epistle of John.

The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. I was overjoyed when some of the friends arrived and testified to your faithfulness to the truth, namely, how you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the friends, even though they are strangers to you; they have testified to your love before the church.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but imitate what is good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

I have much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink; instead I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face.

Peace to you. The friends send you their greetings. Greet the friends there, each by name.

Lector:

The word of the Lord.

People:

Thanks be to God.

If there is to be a Communion, a passage from the Gospel is always included.

The people stand as able.

The Holy Gospel: Matthew 6:25-33

Deacon:

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

People:

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Deacon:

Jesus said, “I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you– you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Deacon:

The Gospel of the Lord.

People:

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The people are seated.

A brief homily, spiritual conversation, or moment of silence may be placed here.

Silence follows the homily.

When appropriate, the Presider then says the following invocation

Let the mighty power of the Holy God be present in this place to banish from it every unclean spirit, to cleanse it from every residue of evil, and to make it a secure habitation for those who dwell in it; in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

If convenient, prayers for the several rooms of the house are offered at this time. The Presider, with members of the household (one of them carrying a lighted candle if desired), and others as convenient, move from room to room, concluding the procession in the living room.

Meanwhile, those not participating in the procession remain in the living room, praying silently or singing hymns or other suitable songs.

If the procession does not take place here, the service continues with the Blessing of the Home. The prayers in the separate rooms may be used before or after the service.

The prayers in the rooms may be used in any convenient sequence. The appointed antiphons may be read or sung by all, or by the Presider, or by some other person.

At the Entrance

Antiphon
Behold, I stand at the door and knock, says the Lord. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come into the house, and eat with you, and you with me.

V. The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in:

R. From this time forth for evermore.

Let us pray.

(Silence)

Sovereign Lord, you are Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end: Send your servants out from this place on many errands, be their constant companion in the way, and welcome them upon their return, so that coming and going they may be sustained by your presence, O Christ our Lord. Amen.

In an Oratory or Chapel, or at a Shrine

Antiphon
Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.

V. Lift up your hands in the holy place:
R. And bless the Lord.

Let us pray.

(Silence)

Almighty God, from you comes every good prayer, and you pour out on those who desire it the spirit of grace and supplication: Deliver your servants when they draw near to you in this place from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections they may worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In a Study or Library

Antiphon
Teach us, O Lord, where wisdom is to be found, and show us the place of understanding.

V. Seek the Lord your God, and you will find him:
R. Search for him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Let us pray.

(Silence)

O God of truth, eternal ground of all that is, beyond space and time yet within them, transcending all things yet pervading them: Show yourself to us, for we go about in ignorance; reveal yourself to us, for it is you that we seek, O Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

In a Bedroom

Antiphon
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.

V. I lie down and go to sleep:
R. I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.

Let us pray.

(Silence)

O God of life and love, the true rest of your people: Sanctify to your servants their hours of rest and refreshment, their sleeping and their waking; and grant that, strengthened by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, they may rise to serve you all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In a Child’s Room

Antiphon
Jesus said, Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to those like them belongs the kingdom of heaven.

V. Praise the Lord, you children of the Lord:
R. Praise the Name of the Lord.

Let us pray.

(Silence)

Heavenly Father, your Son our Savior took young children into his arms and blessed them: Embrace the child whose room this is with your unfailing love, protect him from all danger, and bring him in safety to each new day, until he greets with joy the great day of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In a Guest Room

Antiphon
Do not neglect to show hospitality, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

V. Open your homes to each other without complaining:
R. Use the gifts you have received from God for the good of others.

Let us pray.

(Silence)

Loving God, you have taught us to welcome one another as Christ welcomed us: Bless those who from time to time share the hospitality of this home. May your fatherly care shield them, the love of your dear Son preserve them from all evil, and the guidance of your Holy Spirit keep them in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In a Bathroom

Antiphon
I will sprinkle you with clean water, and you will be cleansed.

V. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering: R.

Having our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us pray.

(Silence)

O holy God, in the incarnation of your Son our Lord you made our flesh the instrument of your self-revelation: Give us a proper respect and reverence for our mortal bodies, keeping them clean and fair, whole and sound; that, glorifying you in them, we may confidently await our being clothed upon with spiritual bodies, when that which is mortal is transformed by life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In a Workroom or Workshop

Antiphon
Many there are who rely upon their hands and are skillful in their own work.

V. Prosper, O Lord, the work of our hands:
R. Prosper our handiwork.

Let us pray.

(Silence)

O God, your blessed Son worked with his hands in the carpenter shop in Nazareth: Be present, we pray, with those who work in this place, that, laboring as workers together with you, they may share the joy of your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In the Kitchen

Antiphon
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the Name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you.

V. The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord:
R. And you give them their food in due season.

Let us pray.

(Silence)

O Lord our God, you supply every need of ours according to your great riches: Bless the hands that work in this place, and give us grateful hearts for daily bread; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In a Dining Room or Area

Antiphon
The living God gave you from heaven rain and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.

V. He brings forth food from the earth,
and wine to gladden our hearts:

R. Oil to make a cheerful countenance,
and bread to strengthen the heart.
Let us pray.

(Silence)

Blessed are you, O Lord, King of the universe, for you give us food and drink to sustain our lives: Make us grateful for all your mercies, and mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In a Terrace or Garden

Antiphon
As the earth puts forth its blossom, or bushes in a garden burst into flower, so shall the Lord God make righteousness and praise blossom before all the nations.

V. My boundaries enclose a pleasant land:
R. Indeed, I have a goodly heritage.

Let us pray.

(Silence)

Jesus, our good Companion, on many occasions you withdrew with your friends for quiet and refreshment: Be present with your servants in this place, to which they come for fellowship and recreation; and make of it, we pray, a place of serenity and peace; in your Name we ask it. Amen.

Or, one of the following prayers may be used:

Holy One, bless and protect this garden and all who keep it. Strengthen and uphold them in their labor, that these plants may bear good fruit and our care for the earth may witness to your love and justice, in the name of the Holy and Undivided Trinity. Amen.

Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth: We humbly pray that your gracious providence may give and preserve to our use the harvests of the land and of the seas, and may prosper all who labor to gather them, that we, who are constantly receiving good things from your hand, may always give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

In the Living Room or Family Room

Antiphon
Oh, how good and pleasant it is, when God’s people live together in unity!

V. Above everything, love one another earnestly:
R. For love covers many sins.

Let us pray.

(Silence)

Give your blessing, Lord, to all who share this room, that they may be knit together in fellowship here on earth, and joined with the communion of your saints in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In those rooms and other places for which no provision has been made in this service, any suitable antiphon, versicle, and prayer may be used.

The Blessing of the Home

When the procession has returned to the living room, or immediately after the homily (and invocation), the Presider completes the blessing of the home as follows:

Antiphon
The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness tranquility and trust for ever. My people will abide in secure dwellings and in quiet resting places.

V. Unless the Lord builds the house:
R. Their labor is in vain who build it.

Let us pray.

(Silence)

Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live here with the gift of your love; and grant that they may manifest your love [to each other and] to all whose lives they touch. May they grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen them; and preserve them in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and for ever. Amen.

The Presider then says to the people

Presider:

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People:

And also with you.

The People greet one another in the name of the Lord.

If there is not to be a Communion, the service concludes with the Lord’s Prayer and a blessing.

If there is to be a Communion, the Liturgy continues with the Offertory.

Members of the household present the offerings of bread and wine.

BCP 367

The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer B

Celebrant:

The Lord be with you.

People:

And also with you.

Celebrant:

Lift up your hearts.

People:

We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant:

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People:

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

The Celebrant continues:

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who grew to perfect manhood in his parents’ home at Nazareth, and in the home of friends in Bethany revealed himself as Life and Resurrection.

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

Sanctus

Celebrant and People:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

The Celebrant continues:

We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.

On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “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. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Therefore, according to his command, O Father,

Celebrant and People

We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory;

The Celebrant continues:

And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.

We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with blessed Luke, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.

Celebrant:

By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.

People:

AMEN.

BCP 364

The Lord’s Prayer

Presider:

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

Officiant and People:

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

Presider:

Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People:

Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!

Presider:

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

We Receive the Gift of God

Presider:

Let us pray.

People:

How wonderful you are, O gracious God, in all your dealings with your people! We praise you now, and give you thanks, because in the blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ you have visited this house and hallowed it by your presence. Stay among us, we pray, to bind us together in your love and peace. May we serve you, and others in your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BCP 366

The Dismissal

Deacon:

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

People:

Thanks be to God.

If there has not been a Communion as part of the service, it is desirable that there be a celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the home at the earliest convenient time.

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Scriptures from New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, Copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

A Shorter Blessing of a Home

If it is desired to perform a short blessing of a home, the following form may be used.

Blessing of a Home

V. God shall watch over your going out and your coming in.
R. From this time forth for ever more.

Let us pray.

Bless and sanctify with your peace, O God, this home and those who live in it, that within these walls they may know the blessings of this life and to know the promise of the life to come in that heavenly home where with saints and angels you live and reign, one God forever and ever. Amen.