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Olde
Tyme Communion Service at Markethill
On Good
Friday, the members of First and Second Markethill met and as has
been the
tradition observed the Lord’s Supper. However, this year it
was different; as part of their year “Celebrating 400 Years of
Witness with Thanksgiving”, they observed the Lord’s Supper as
it would have been in the 17th Century.
The
service was held in the Small Memorial to facilitate having the
Tables in the aisle; also, the Order of Service was conducted
according to the Liturgy of John Knox, received by the Church of
Scotland in 1564. Scripture readings were taken from the Geneva
Bible and Scottish Metrical Psalms as authorized by the Church of
Scotland in 1650, mostly unaccompanied were sung.
The
opening part of the service was conducted according to Knox’s
Liturgy of the Word. The Rev David Irvine (Minister) welcomed
everyone and led the service. After Prayer, the Rev Cyril Scott
(Minister Emeritus of Cremore and Tyrone’s Ditches) read the
Scripture from Psalm 51 (Geneva Bible) after which the congregation
sang Psalm 122 – I joy’d when to the house of God. The Rev
David Irvine read the Scripture from John 19 (Geneva Bible) and led
in the Prayer for Confession of sins, and petitions. This was
followed with the singing of Psalm 63 – Lord, thee my God, I’ll
early seek. The preaching of the Word (Sermon) was given by the
Rev D. Irvine, followed by Prayer of Thanksgiving for the Word, the
Lord’s Prayer, followed by the Confession of Faith (Apostles
Creed).
The order
of service was now conducted according to Knox’s Liturgy of the
Upper Room. During the singing of Psalm 130 – Lord, from the
depths to thee I cry’d” was the Collection of Alms
(Offering). The Words of Institution
were given by the Rev C. Scott and Knox’s Exhortation was read by
Rev D. Irvine. During the singing of Psalm 116 – I’ll of
salvation take the cup, the tokens were received. (The Tokens
were a card replica of the congregations Lead Tokens used during the
period 1819 – 1882). After the Consecration Prayer, the Elders lead
those present to and from the Table. The congregation sang Psalm 72
– His name for ever shall endure, and the Rev D. Irvine
pronounced the Benediction.
John
Knox’s Liturgy, but more officially termed the Book of Order,
printed in part before 1564, and formally adopted by the Assembly of
the Church of Scotland in that year. It was in more or less general
use down to the time of the Solemn League and Covenant, when they
were superseded by the Confession, Catechism and directions,
prepared by the Westminster Assembly in 1642. Numerous editions of
Knox’s liturgy continued to be printed, chiefly at Edinburgh and
Aberdeen, until 1643.
L to R; Edwin McWilliams (Clerk of Session),
Jackie Hamilton (Elder) and Philip Johnston (Elder)
Elders L to R; Ken Toal, Robert Donaghy, Dr Pamela
Marshall and Walter Scott.
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