XIV. A FORM FOR THE DEDICATION OR BENEDICTION OF VARIOUS GIFTS AND MEMORIALS This Office may be used by itself, or in connection with the Holy Communion or Morning or Evening Prayer. The Gifts or Memorials, if they are such as can be conveniently handled, shall be placed upon the Holy Table or on some suitable table in or near the Sanctuary, that the Priest may conveniently lay his hand upon them. If the thing to be blessed is permanently fixed, as a Font or Window, the Priest shall go to the place and say the appointed prayer. At the appointed time, all things being placed in order, the Minister standing before the Altar shall say: PSALM 132. Memento Domine. Lord, remember David and all his trouble : 2 How he sware unto the Lord and vowed a vow unto the Almighty God of Jacob : 3 I will not come within the tabernacle of mine house nor climb up into my bed; 4 I will not suffer mine eyes to sleep, nor mine eyelids to slumber : neither the temples of my head to take any rest; 5 Until I find out a place for the temple of the Lord an habitation for the Mighty God of Jacob. 6 Lo, we heard of the same at Ephrata: and found it in the wood. 7 We will go into his tabernacle and fall low on our knees before his footstool. 8 Arise, O Lord, into thy resting-place: thou, and the ark of thy strength. 9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness : and let thy saints sing with joyfulness. 10 For thy servant David's sake turn not away the presence of thine anointed. 11 The Lord hath made a faithful oath unto David: and he shall not shrink from it: 12 Of the fruit of thy body shall I set upon thy seat. 13 If thy children will keep my covenant, and my testimonies that I shall learn them: their children also shall sit upon thy seat for evermore. 14 For the Lord hath chosen Sion to be an habitation for himself: he hath longed for her. 15 This shall be my rest for ever: here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein. 16 I will bless her victuals with increase and will satisfy her poor with bread. 17 I will deck her priests with health and her saints shall rejoice and sing. 18 There shall I make the horn of David to flourish I have ordained a lantern for mine anointed. 19 As for his enemies, I shall clothe them with shame but upon himself shall his crown flourish. Glory be. : Then shall he read the Lesson. Exodus xxxv. 21-30. The Lesson ended the Minister shall say: V. Our help is in the Name of the Lord: R. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. Almighty God, who from ancient times hast put it into the hearts of Thy people to make offerings for Thy Service and the use of Thy Sanctuary and who hast been pleased at all times to accept gifts at their hands; We pray Thee to accept this gift [memorial] which we now set apart in Thy Name. May Thy blessing rest on this gift [and the giver of it] that Thy Church may be benefited, Thy worship made more worthy, and Thy Name may be exalted and glorified continually; we ask this in the name and for the merits of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then drawing near and laying his hand upon the gift or memorial he shall say: this In the faith of Jesus Christ our Lord we dedicate to the glory of God [and in memory of His servant -], in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then shall follow the proper Prayer. OF A FONT. V. Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean : R. Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. V. O God, make clean our hearts within us : Let us pray. Almighty God, hallow by Thy heavenly visitation, and the radiancy of Thy Holy Spirit, this Font, which we dedicate unto Thee, that whosoever shall be baptized therein, being cleansed by the threefold washing, may of Thy bounty obtain the pardon of all their sins; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty and everlasting God, bring us to the fellowship of heavenly joy; that Thou mayest vouchsafe an entrance into Thy kingdom to those that are born again of the Holy Ghost, and that the flock may reach that place whither the Shepherd hath gone before; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. OF A PULPIT OR LECTERN V. When Thy Word goeth forth: R. It giveth light and understanding unto the simple. V. Open Thou mine eyes: R. That I may see the wondrous things of Thy law. Let us pray. [If it be a pulpit] O Almighty God, who dost enlighten the minds of Thy servants with the knowledge of Thy truth; Give, we beseech Thee, to those who shall preach in this Pulpit the spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel and might, that they may speak those things which belong unto eternal life: and grant that Thy people, taught in Thy ways, may so take heed what they hear, as to fulfil all the wholesome precepts delivered to them; so that by the Word of Truth they may at length attain unto Him who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [If it be a lectern] Grant, O Lord, that all who in this place shall read the Scriptures which Thou hast given us may be filled with the faith of the Gospel, and with thankfulness to Thee who dost reveal Thyself to men by the Word of Life. And grant that all who hear may receive that word into honest and good hearts, and may bring forth fruit with patience; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. OF AN ORGAN. V. O God, my heart is ready, my heart is ready : R. I will sing and give praise with the best member that I have. V. Awake, thou lute and harp : R. I myself will awake right early. V. Upon the harp will I give thanks unto Thee : O God, my God. R. I will sing and give praise with the best member that I have. Let us pray. O God, who by Thy servant David didst appoint for the Levites instruments of music, to praise Thee; Graciously vouchsafe to receive at our hands this Organ, which we dedicate unto Thy service, that we may sing our songs thereto all the days of our life in the House of the Lord; and grant us so to do with the spirit and with the understanding also, that we may be numbered among them who shall sing the new song before Thy throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. We praise Thee, Lord, for Thy blessings upon us, and for all Thy servants into whose hearts Thou hast put it to dedicate this Organ unto Thy Name. Bless them with the riches of Thy goodness, and grant that by the reverent and holy use of this instrument Thy praise may now and ever be set forth in Thy Church, and Thy service day by day be done in the beauty of holiness for Thy honor and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |