Then shall the Bishop say: Answer. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. O Almighty Lord God, who although the heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee, yet dost vouchsafe to dwell with Thy Church here on earth; Visit, we beseech Thee, with Thy loving kindness, this place whereon we lay the foundations of a house to the praise and honor of Thy Holy Name. Let it not be profaned by impiety or put to common use, and as Thou didst fulfil the devotion of Thy servant David through the labors of his son, so likewise grant that our desire may be accomplished, that Thy servants may see Thy work, and their children Thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. Then the Bishop, laying his hand upon the Stone, shall say: O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who art the brightness of the Father's Glory, and the express image of His Person, the one Foundation, and the chief Cornerstone; Bless what we do now in laying this Stone in Thy name, and be Thou, we beseech Thee, the beginning, the increase, and the consummation of this our work, which is undertaken to the glory of Thy Name, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen. Then, all things being made ready, he shall lay the stone, striking it three times, with these words: In the faith of Jesus Christ we place this Foundation Stone, in the Name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then shall the Bishop say: Here let the true faith and fear of God, with brotherly love, ever abide; and may this place now set apart with prayer, and with the invocation and praise of the Most Holy Name, be evermore the Temple of the Most High God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen. Then shall be said: : Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen. Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified; Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before Thee for all estates of men in Thy Holy Church, especially for those who have given of their substance to this good work; that every member of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may truly and godly serve Thee; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. O God, who art the shield and defense of Thy people, be ever at hand, we beseech Thee, to protect and succor the builders of this house; keep them in their labor from all sin and profaneness, and shelter them from all accident and peril, that the work which, through Thy mercy, hath now been begun, may by their labor be brought to a happy end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall the Bishop speak to the people after which a Hymn may be sung and the offerings of the people be collected. The Bishop shall then say the following prayers: Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings, with Thy most gracious favor, 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 Almighty God, who hast built Thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the head cornerstone; Grant, us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made an holy temple acceptable unto Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace, now and for evermore. Amen. III. THE ORDER FOR THE BENEDICTION OF A CHURCH OR CHAPEL To be used by the Bishop, or a Priest appointed by him, when for any good cause the Church cannot be consecrated. A Church thus blessed must however be duly consecrated when this shall become possible. At the appointed time the Bishop with attendant Clergy standing before the Altar shall say: PSALM 122. Lætatus sum. I was glad when they said unto me: We will go into the house of the Lord. 2 Our feet shall stand in thy gates: O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is built as a city that is at unity in itself. 4 For thither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord to testify unto Israel, to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord. : 5 For there is the seat of judgment: even the seat of the house of David. 6 O pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. : 7 Peace be within thy walls and plenteousness within thy palaces. 8 For my brethren and companions' sakes: I will wish thee prosperity. 9 Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God: I will seek to do thee good. Glory be. The Bishop then, turning towards the congregation, shall say: Good people, we have met together at this time to bless this Church [Chapel or Building] for the service of Almighty God, and the use of His Church. It has pleased God to teach us in His Holy Word that such dedications are acceptable to Him; we have therefore good hope that this our work will be pleasing in His sight. Let us therefore lift up our prayers to Him, asking that His Blessing may rest upon this place, that His Spirit may guide those who shall herein minister in His Name, and that those who worship here may draw near to Him at all times with reverence and godly fear. Let us pray. The Bishop, followed by the Clergy, Churchwardens or others, may then pass around the church saying or singing The Litany. If the size or arrangement of the building will not permit of passing around within, the Bishop shall kneel at the Chancel steps attended by two Priests. The Litany being said as far as the end of the Lord's Prayer, the Bishop standing at the Chancel steps shall say the Prayers following: Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who hast appointed divers services and ministrations to be performed in Thy Church; May Thy Holy Spirit guide and direct those who minister in this place, and fill the hearts of Thy people that they may rightly take their part in and profit by the same. |