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The Service For Corpus Christi
June 16, 2001
[The “+” indicates that the Moderator and the Congregation are to cross themselves, if they should so choose.]
[The men, upon entering, must remove all their clothes and when they have found a proper place to sit, out of respect for the sanctuary of our Lord, must kneel before entering the pew. It is expected that they will furnish and use their own serviettes.]
[The Choir is to sing the antiphon. If there is no Choir the Congregation is to recite it.]
Choir (or Congregation): “The Lord fed His people with the finest wheat and honey; their hunger was satisfied.”
[The Altar man, holding the censer, and the Moderator, in that order, line up for the procession. The rest of the Congregation line up behind them, row by row, and proceed to walk around the church in the procession.]
Choir (or Congregation): “The Lord fed His people with the finest wheat and honey; their hunger was satisfied.”
[After the procession is over, the Congregation takes their seats and the regular service begins.]
Moderator: + “In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, Most Holy and Eternal Trinity.”
Moderator: “Let us all join in a statement of our faith:”
Congregation and Moderator: “We believe that God, through His Holy Word, has made it more than evident as to how He wishes to be worshipped. Man, as represented by Adam, was created by God in His image. This creation was meant to be in harmony with Nature and the Natural Laws. To this end men were created to be naked and to worship God in that, their natural state. It is only by the shame of having sinned that Adam felt that he had to hide himself behind clothes. We believe that by encasing ourselves in clothes that we are only mimicking Adam in his sin and rebellion against the First Cause. God, in His Holy Wisdom, had given Adam the option of eternal life in his nakedness. But he, in his ignorance, cast away the blessing of nudity that God so fervently wanted him to have. We believe that we, of the Apertarian Church, must return to the First Cause, in the way He has called us to worship Him. We offer an open door to any Gay male that would worship with us in the joys and blessings of his God-given nudity. For those who wish not to join us we offer prayers that God will also bless them. When His time is right He will open their eyes that they might see what has been so abundantly revealed to us.”
Moderator: “Amen.”
Old Testament Lesson
Moderator: “The Old Testament lesson for Corpus Christi is found in:
Deuteronomy 8: 2 & 3:
2. And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, [and] to prove thee, to know what [was] in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
3. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every [word] that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
Moderator: “This is the word of the Lord.”
Congregation: “Thanks be to God.”
Responsorial Psalm
Response: “Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem.”
Moderator: Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. For He has strengthened the bars of your gates.”
Congregation: “Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem.”
Moderator: “He has granted peace in your borders; with the best of wheat He fills you. He sends forth His command to the earth; swiftly runs His word!”
Congregation: “Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem.”
Moderator: “He has proclaimed His word to Jacob, His statutes and His ordinances to Israel. He has not done thus for any other nation; His ordinances He has not made known to them. Alleluia.”
Congregation: “Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem.”
The New Testament Lesson
Moderator: “The New Testament lesson for Corpus Christi is found in:
1 Corinthians 10: 16 & 17
16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17. For we [being] many are one bread, [and] one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
Thus endeth the New Testament lesson for today.”
[The Moderator then raises the Bible.]
Moderator: “This is the word of the Lord.”
Congregation: “Thanks be to God.”
The Gospel Lesson
Moderator: “The Gospel lesson for Corpus Christi is found in:
John 6: 51-58:
51. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
52. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us [his] flesh to eat?
53. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
54. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
55. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
57. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
58. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
[The Congregation rises as the altar man rings the bells.]
Congregation: + “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Most Holy and Eternal Trinity.”
Moderator: Thus endeth the Gospel for today.”
[The Moderator holds up the Bible]
Moderator: “This is the Word of the Lord.”
Congregation: “Thanks be to God!”
A hymn is sung at this point.
[The Congregation then sits down as the altar man rings the bells.]
The Homily
“The Body of Christ.”
Moderator: “Listening to the Scripture verses for today I’m sure to an outsider it would seem as if Jesus was actually preaching cannibalism, talking of eating His flesh and drinking His blood. And Jesus repeated it over and over. What could it mean? Was the Man actually offering Himself up as a meal? Well, as we have seen, there apparently were men who thought that very thing. They were taking our Savior literally. As the Bible verse said: they were arguing amongst themselves as to how this man, Jesus, could let anyone actually devour Him. Cannibalism was forbidden. And who in His right mind would even consider such a thing? Unfortunately all they could think on was the physical plane. They had no idea that Jesus might actually be talking metaphorically. And unfortunately He did not explain until the last supper. Even then, though, I don’t think the disciples actually understood what He was talking about. So the Jews argued amongst themselves in the synagogue at Capernaum that Sabbath morning.
It was only at the Last Supper that Jesus began to explain about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. This is where He instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion. We recite St. Paul’s’ description of it every Sunday in our communion service. Jesus said that the bread was His body, which was broken for sinners and He urged the disciples to take it and eat it. He then took the wine and said that it was His blood, which was shed for many and He urged them to drink it. He then made a telling remark. He said that “this cup is the new covenant “ in His blood”
But He made it very clear that the bread and wine were only symbols of His body and blood. He also made clear His body and blood were also symbols of the perfect Sacrifice that He would be called on to make. He didn’t say that the bread and wine were His actual, literal, body and blood.
Some believe that they literally are the body and blood of Christ. We do not, although we respect other’s beliefs. We believe that the Communion instituted by Jesus was given to us a reminder. Jesus had come to fulfill our covenant with God. Jesus refers to Himself as the “New Covenant”, thereby fulfilling the last requirement of our three conditions in the Great Gay Commission.
However, just because Jesus came to fulfill the covenant does not mean that He did away with it. Quite to the contrary. Listen to His words in:
Matthew 5: 17:
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill”
Our Great Gay Commission is just as good today as the day when Isaiah first penned those words some 2,500 years ago. In fact, our covenant is even better today because Jesus came to confirm it. And He gave us His Communion as a reminder to that effect.
It is a reminder of our Great Gay Commission because it fulfills the last of our three requirements.
The first: Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy. Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Holy Communion during the Passover, the highest holiest part of the whole year.
The second: to choose the things that please God. God referred to Jesus as His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased. By choosing Jesus as our Savior we are choosing the things that please God.
And third:” we must take hold of His covenant”. By celebrating communion we are taking hold of the “new covenant”.
Just as a Communion is a reminder of our Great Gay Commission and through that of our Gayness, it should also be a reminder of our Apertarianism. Our nakedness is mimicked all throughout the sacrament of Holy Communion. How can mere bread and wine remind us of our God-given gift of nakedness? Let us consider the basic elements of the service itself, and then consider the spiritual meanings.
What does it take for Communion? Simple bread and wine (grape juice). The bread should be stripped of all but its most basic elements. That means no leavening, no flavorings, and no frostings... It must be completely naked. And the wine? Only the most elemental must be used. It mustn’t in any way be flavored or mixed with other elements. And then look how the bread and wine reflect how Christ would be killed. He would be crucified nakedly with just the barest elements present. No luxuries to comfort Him in His death throes. He hung on the cross nakedly in a naked place: Golgotha.
Let us learn from our Savior and not attempt to “clothe” our Communion with things that Jesus didn’t want there. And just what might these “clothes” be? First, let’s not make the bread something it’s not. It is unleavened and unsalted bread! It is simple wine or grape juice. And in the end the Communion is only a reminder. A reminder of our covenant as Gay people with God.
And so what is the conclusion of all of this? Jesus said: :”For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death until He come.”
We should celebrate Communion. The Lord commands it! And by so doing we must continue to celebrate our Great Gay Commission and the fact that we, as Gay people, have a place in God’s heart.
We should celebrate Communion. The Lord commands it. And by so doing we should celebrate our nakedness. Jesus was crucified nakedly. And our Communion was instituted by Him to celebrate.
Should we wear clothes in open rebellion to our Savior’s example? Didn’t Adam and Eve rebel that way. Then we must not rebel. God created us to be naked forever.
That is why we must always celebrate Communion. Our Savior commands it. Because it is so naked it reminds us of our Apertarianism. Because it was instituted by Jesus it reminds us of our Gayness and the Great Gay Commission. Therefore we will celebrate it every Sabbath. To do anything less would displease the Lord.
Thus endeth the homily for today.”
Moderator: + “In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Most Holy and Eternal Trinity.”
The Offering
Moderator: “Jesus has said that the Lord loves a cheerful giver. We pray that you will open up your heart and give so that we may continue to carry God’s message of nakedness, healing and salvation to all those Gay male Nudists who still are suffering needless pain and rejection.”
[The collection plate is then passed around while a hymn is sung. When the collection is completed the collection plate(s) are brought forward and laid on the altar. The Moderator then prays over the gifts.]
Moderator: “Dear heavenly Father, we know we can do nothing to merit Your eternal love. Yet You did love us before the foundation of the world. Accept our humble gifts for your service and bless the givers also. We pray in Your Son’s name and for Your eternal glory. Amen.”
[The Moderator moves back to the pulpit.]
The Communal Prayer
Moderator: “The Lord be with you.”
Congregation: “And also with you.”
Moderator: + “Let us pray..Oh Lord, we bring before You all of the problems of the day (here list petitions for local problems). Help us to put in proper perspective the trials that You send our way. We ask that You will look down on our efforts and help us to help the Gay male Nudist who still suffers. We ask Your help in particular for N_____ and N_____. We also pray for our leaders who You have put into power. Give them the wisdom to make decisions that reflect Your will. But we always and ever give You thanks and pray that You will work Your will so that one day all men may walk free in their nakedness the way You have created us to be. Let Your Holy Spirit guide us as we pray the way Your Son taught us saying...”
Congregation and Moderator: “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 Thou art the Kingdom and the Glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Moderator: “Amen.”
The Communion Service
[The Moderator moves behind the altar and faces the people.]
Moderator: “Brothers, we are gathered here today to commemorate the sacrifice of our most Holy Lord Jesus Christ who, by His willful offering of His perfect self upon the cross, secured for us the promise of heaven in the next life and the blessings of nakedness in this life. Let us each examine our consciences and prepare ourselves for the communion service.”
[Here is observed a moment of silence while the men examine their consciences and silently ask for forgiveness.]
Moderator: “The Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread...”
[At this point the Moderator elevates the bread and displays it to all sides of the Congregation while the bells are rung. The priest then genuflects.]
Moderator: “And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you. This do in remembrance of me.”
[The Moderator then breaks the wafer into three pieces and places it in the chalice of grape juice.]
Congregation: “This, Lord, we will remember, to keep it holy.”
Moderator: “After the same manner also He took the cup, and when He had supped said, “This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”
[The Moderator then elevates the chalice filled with grape juice and displays it to all sides of the Congregation while the altar man rings the bells. The priest genuflects.]
Congregation: “This, Lord, we will remember, to keep it holy.”
Moderator: “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come.”
[The Congregation then lines up to receive Communion. The Moderator dips a wafer in the grape juice and offers it to each communicant. Each may take Communion the way he feels is right, i.e., standing or kneeling, in his hand or in his mouth, etc. When all have received Communion the Moderator then offers Communion to the altar man, if there is one. He then takes Communion himself, and drinks ALL OF THE GRAPE JUICE IN THE CHALICE. He carefully washes the chalice and covers it with an altar cloth. He then returns to the pulpit.]
[A hymn is sung.]
Moderator: “Please stand for the final benediction.’
[The Congregation stands.]
Moderator: + “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Go thy way and be at peace in thy nakedness. The service is ended. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, most Holy and Eternal Trinity.”
[At this point a closing hymn may be sung.]
[The Congregation then observes a moment of silence while the Moderator goes to the front door to welcome the men as they exit. When the altar man rings the bells the men are then free to dress and leave the service.]