blessed are the people that have the Lord for their God. Amen. V. The Lord be with you. Let us pray. Our Father. O God, who hast prepared for those who love Thee such good things as pass man's understanding; Pour into our hearts such love toward Thee, that we, loving Thee above all things, may obtain Thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, who hast made all those that are born again in Christ to be a royal and priestly race; Grant us both the will and the power to do what Thou commandest; that all Thy people may have the same faith in their hearts, and the same piety in their actions; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty and everlasting God, the Comfort of the sad, the Strength of sufferers, let the prayers of those that cry out of any tribulation come unto Thee; that all may rejoice to find that Thy mercy is present with them in their afflictions; through Christ our Lord. Amen. The Lord bless us, and keep us. The Lord make His face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up His countenance upon us, and give us peace, both now and evermore. Amen. Here may be sung a Hymn, followed by an Address or Meditation. A meeting of a Guild or Society might follow. XXII. AN OFFICE FOR GENERAL USE AT PAROCHIAL OR SOCIETY MEETINGS The meeting being called to order the Rector or In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. The Lord be with you. Let us pray. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Our Father. O God, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of Thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. Lord, we beseech thee to keep Thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through Thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and de voutly given to serve Thee in good works, to the glory of Thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall be said one or more Psalms, 1, 15, 67. A Lesson of Holy Scripture shall be read. The Gospel for the week. Or one of the following, chosen according to the occasion: Exod. xxxv. 21-30. Neh. iv. 15-22. Isa. vi. 1-9; xi. 1-11; xxxii. 1-9; lxii. 1-10. Zech. viii. 1-9. St. Matt. xxv. 34-41. St. Mark xiv. 3-10. Acts iv. 22-31; vi. 1-8; xviii. 24 to the end. St. James i. 17-27. Rev. iii. 7-13. Hymn. Address. Hymn. Other Prayers (page 154). The Prayer of any Guild or Society. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen. If desired, the Admission of Members to any Society may take place after the Address. The Litany of General Intercession (page 146) may be used instead of the prayers after the address. AN ALTERNATIVE OFFICE. The Litany of General Intercession (page 146). Prayers and Benediction. XXIII. OFFICE FOR A MISSIONARY MEETING All being assembled the Minister shall say: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Let us pray. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Our Father. Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favour, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, who hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the whole earth, and didst send Thy blessed Son to preach peace to them that are far off and to them that are nigh; Grant that all men everywhere may seek after Thee and find Thee. Bring the nations into Thy fold, and add the heathen to Thine inheritance. And we pray Thee shortly to accomplish the number of Thine elect, and to hasten Thy kingdom; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then all standing shall be read one or more of the following Psalms: Psalms 2, 19, 47, 67. The Benedictus. Then shall follow a short Scripture Reading. One of the following may be chosen: Isa. xlix. 5-13; lii. 7 to the end. Zech. ix. 9 to the end. St. Mark xvi. 14-20. St. John xii. 20-33. Acts x. 34 to the end. Rom. x. 14-19. A Missionary Hymn. Address by the Minister or Chairman. One or more Addresses. A Hymn, during which the offering shall be taken. Prayers. (See pages 159-166.) Benediction. A SECOND OFFICE. If the meeting is to be of a devotional or intercessory character, there will be only one address based on some portion of Holy Scripture. Then shall follow a Hymn, after which shall be said the Litany for the Church and its Extension. Page 140. |