Copy and paste into worship material, perhaps using a word or text processor - either complete services or parts. Use of bold for congregational vocal participation is suggestive only and usually follows on from the original.
| FIRST SERVICE |
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The Service may begin by reading one or more of these Sentences, or with a Hymn. WE will offer unto the Most High thanksgiving, and pay our vows unto him. Hear our prayer, O God; give ear to the words of our mouths. We will lift up our eyes unto the hills, whence cometh our help. Our help cometh from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Behold, he that keepeth us neither slumbers nor sleeps. He will preserve our going out and our coming in from this time forth, even for evermore. God is love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. |
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Then shall the Minister say:
On this day of rest it is good for us to spend some part of our leisure in spiritual communion, and meditation on things unseen. Let us dedicate this quiet hour to sacred thoughts, to hallowed memories, and to uplifting hopes and aspirations. And if we may gain here any true peace of mind, comfort, and strength of heart, let us bless God for it, and go back to our work and our daily interests and cares, prepared to bear more patiently any cross that he may lay upon us, and to serve him with more fidelity and gladness in the way which he has appointed. |
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Prayer by the Minister.
O GOD, the Father of our spirits, thou sustaining Power, and watchful Providence, and fostering Love: we come to thee as thy children, to hear what thou wilt speak to our souls, and to feel thy hand laid upon us in blessing. We would give thee, Lord, our hearts. We wait for thee as they that watch for the morning. Breathe into our life thy spirit of holiness and love and peace. Awaken in us the high desire and devout affection that will bring us into thy nearer presence. Raise us above the selfish cares of life. Lift us up above the doubts and fears of our unfaithful hearts. Lift us up above the mists and clouds of earth, that we may behold the pure brightness of thine unchanging truth and love; that we may see clearly the way wherein our feet should go, and that, being brought back from our wanderings, we may walk with thee in peace and joy. Amen. |
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The Lord's Prayer to be said by Minister, and People.
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 them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. |
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Minister. O Lord, open thou our lips.
People. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. |
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CHANT
FIRST LESSON CHANT SECOND LESSON ANTHEM OR HYMN |
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Then may follow the Beatitudes: the People responding.
BLESSED are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Write these words in our hearts, O Lord, we beseech thee. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted. Write these words in our hearts, O Lord, we beseech thee. Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth. Write these words in our hearts, O Lord, we beseech thee. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled. Write these words in our hearts, O Lord, we beseech thee. Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy. Write these words in our hearts, O Lord, we beseech thee. Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God. Write these words in our hearts, O Lord, we beseech thee. Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God. Write these words in our hearts, O Lord, we beseech thee. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Write these words us our hearts, O Lord, we beseech thee. |
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Prayers by the Minister.
O LORD most holy, most merciful: our hope is in thee, for thy compassion faileth not. Thou art patient and long-suffering towards thy weak and erring children, and thou wilt never reject the suppliant who cries to thee for help. Thou only knowest whether we are indeed lifting up our hearts, and longing for communion with thee. Thou knowest whether, in our prayers for thy pardon and blessing, we are moved by a heart-felt repentance, and an earnest desire and resolve to turn away from evil, and patiently to endure thy holy and righteous discipline; that we may be redeemed from our sin, and restored to the peace and happiness of the true life with thee. O Father, forgive, we beseech thee, the imperfections of our best offering. Kindle our sacrifice by the heavenly fire of thine own love and goodness; and may we so truly find thee here in our prayer, that we may never lose thee. Amen. WE thank thee, O God of righteousness and truth, for all thy faithful servants who have lived on earth as doers of thy will, as teachers of thy truth, as messengers of thy loving-kindness. We thank thee for the martyr's courage and constancy, for the pro-phet's word of fire, for the noble virtues of thy heroes and saints, and for all the gifts of inspiration and wisdom, skill and power which have been bestowed on chosen ministers of thine, to enrich and bless the world. And we thank thee for every good life which shows us how, even in lowly work or patient waiting, we may find a way of serving thee, and may enter into thy king-dom. Amen. O GOD Most High, the Light of the mind that seeks thee, the Life of the spirit that loves thee, the Strength of the heart that rests in thee; we would ask thee to give us a place, however humble, among those who devote themselves to thy holy service. Help us as thou alone canst; pour thy love into our hearts, that we may be drawn closely together, and become mutual helpers one of another; and, in seeking thy kingdom of truth and righteousness, may we never be without the teachableness of a childlike trust, or the understanding which comes from a pure and faithful life. Amen. WE thank thee, Lord, with humble and grateful hearts, for every moment of religious peace, when we feel that thou art with us, and our doubts and fears are laid to rest. We bless thee for every devout feeling, for every heavenward aspiration, which lifts our spirits to thee, and gives to longing souls a foretaste of the joy of the nearer communion and purer service of the heavenly life. Grant us, O God, even now, to know this joy; and whether thou leadest us in green pastures and beside the still waters, or through the valley of the shadow of death we will fear no evil; our hearts shall rest in thee, and nothing shall separate us from thy love. Amen. [The Minister may here infroduce a Prayer of his own.] 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 the light of his countenance upon us, and give us peace. Amen. |
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The Service may then proceed in the following Order.
HYMN SERMON ORGAN VOLUNTARY HYMN BENEDICTION |
| SECOND SERVICE |
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The Service may begin by reading one or more of these Sentences, or with a Hymn. LET us lift up our hearts with our voices unto God in the heavens. Let us set the Lord always before us. When he is at our right hand we shall not be moved. Justice and judgment are the habitation of his throne; mercy and truth shall go before his face. Blessed be thou, O Lord God, who turnest not away our prayers, nor thy mercy from us. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him; and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart. |
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Then shall the Minister say:
IN the midst of our daily toil we pause for a moment that we may strive to set our life beneath the sight of God, and receive from him wisdom to understand its errors, and strength to meet ifs sorrows or to rise above its cares. We come not to ask him to make our way easy for us, but rather that he would teach us to endure hardness. We would know more and more certainly what duty demands of us, and would gain steadfastness to fulfil it. Amid the changing shadows of opinion, we have beheld, as afar off, the glory of his unfading light; and we would learn, by the communion of his saints, how he is ever working with all who search for truth and labour for righteousness. Let us seek, then, the guid-ance of his Spirit, that we may learn to walk more faithfully in the way of Christ. |
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Prayer by the Minister.
O LORD God Most High, of whose goodness it is that we have our being, who suppliest our daily wants, and who, to all thy other gifts, hast added that of thy Spirit, whereby we are enabled to seek thee and to worship thee; why have we so often forgotten thee, who never forgettest us ? Here, in the quiet rest of this day, in our house of prayer, we would lift up our hearts together in thy name. We would bring our united tribute of gratitude to thee, the Lord of heaven and earth, the Sustainer of our lives. We would bow down in adora-tion before thee, the All-holy, the All-good, who inhabitest eternity. O may we leave behind us all lower thoughts arid cares, and rise into thy nearer presence. Open to us the fountains of thy love and righteousness, that we may drink of their living waters, and return to our daily duties with hearts refreshed, and with strength renewed and increased, so that we may grow into the consciousness and character of thy true children, till our whole lives shall be to thee a thanksgiving arid a prayer, and the spirit of Christ shall be our spirit. Amen. |
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The Lord's Prayer to be said by Minister and People.
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 them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. |
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Minister. O Lord, open thou our lips.
People. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. |
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CHANT
FIRST LESSON CHANT SECOND LESSON ANTHEM OR HYMN |
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Then may follow this Prayer, with Responses.
Minister. Almighty God, our heavenly Father, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift, we call to remembrance thy loving-kindness and tender mercies which have been ever of old, and with grateful hearts we would lift up to thee the voice of our thanksgiving. For the order and constancy of nature; for the beauty and bounty of the world; for day and night, summer and winter, seed-time and harvest; for the varied gifts of loveliness and use which every season brings. People. We praise thee, O God. Minister. For all true knowledge of thee and the world in which we live; for the life of truth and righteousness to which thou hast called us; for prophets and apostles, and all earnest seekers after truth; for all lovers and helpers of mankind, and all godly and gifted men and women: People. We praise thee, O God. Minister. For all the comforts and gladness of life for our homes and all our home-blessings; for our friends and all the pure pleasures of social intercourse; for the love, sympathy, and goodwill of men [people]: People. We praise thee, O God. Minister. For the work we are enabled to do, and the truth we are permitted to learn; for whatever of good there has been in our past lives, and for all the hopes and aspirations which lead us on toward better things: People. We praise thee, O God. Minister. For communion with thee, the Father of our spirits; for the light and peace that are gained through trust and obedience; for the faith which dispels the shadows of earth, and brightens the parting hour with the light of an immortal hope People. We praise thee, O God. Amen. |
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Prayers by the Minister.
O THOU, unseen, yet ever near our souls: renew we ask, with common needs and mutual sympathies, thy help and blessing in our lives. Be with us now, as we remember before thee our struggles and our failures, or thank thee that even on a hidden way thou hast disclosed some light from thee. Day after day we are upheld by thy love; in the midst of our waywardness, or indolence, thou dost still shed on us the sunshine and the rain; still with thy constancy dost thou remind us of our unfaithfulness, and summon us to more earnest work. Lord, we would confess our unworthiness, and ask of thee greater strength and a deeper faith. Let us not shrink from the high tasks to which thou callest us; or tremble at the burden or the mystery of sorrows or temptations we had not foreseen. Take us into the fellowship of all pure hearts that cry to thee; teach us our kin with all who have conquered in difficulty, and loved even through their pain; and so make our worship fruitful in toil and trust. Amen. O THOU, who hast compassed all the pathway of our lives: we thank thee that thy providence abides through every change. Thou dost cheer even the loneliest lot with the comfort of thy presence; and we can only bless thee for thy unfailing care. Into thine own eternity thou hast called us, and set us in the midst of purposes we cannot measure; but we would thank thee for the good we know, and pray that thou wilt teach us patience till thou send more light. Waken our hearts to gratitude, O Lord, for mercies which have flowed upon us, day by day, in health and sickness, in labour and repose, in knowledge and affection, in the ever renewed beauty of earth and sky, in thoughts of truth .and justice, to stir us from our ease and quicken our endeavour; and so train our spirits more and more into accord with thy pure will. Amen. O GOD, our help and strength speak to each one of us the word which thou knowest we need: wherein we are weak, strengthen us; wherein we are false, rebuke us with thy truth; wherein, with our poor strivings, we are making a slow and toilsome way towards thee, let thy grace rest upon us, that we may feel the joy and inspiration of thy boundless love. Amen. O THOU who knowest what all time shall bring forth, though every day is hidden to us in darkness, we pray thee that there may be such light within our hearts, that we may be enabled to walk according to thy holy will; and in the strength which thou givest us may do the appointed duty of each day, and reverently bear its cross, and so fill up all our time with thy service; and when thou hast finished thy work with us on earth, may we lift up our eyes towards thee with gladness and great joy, and go home to that world where we shall enter into larger life, and closer communion with thee, the Father of our spirits. Amen. O GOD from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed, give unto thy ser-vants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and that by thee we, being defended in every hour of danger, may pass our time in rest and quietness. Amen. [The Minister may here introduce a prayer of his own.] NOW may the peace of God rule in our hearts, and the word of Christ dwell in us richly, in all wisdom. Amen. |
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The Service may then proceed in the following order.
HYMN SERMON ORGAN VOLUNTARY HYMN BENEDICTION |
| THIRD SERVICE |
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The Service may begin by reading one or more of these Sentences, or with a Hymn. ALL the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord, and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before him. The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works. Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks; for that thou art near, thy wondrous works declare. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. They that put their trust in the Lord shall under-stand the truth; and such as be faithful in love shall abide in him. |
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Then shall the Minister say:
THE infinite Spirit who fills all worlds with his presence, and in whom we live and move and have our being, has need of no words for man to hold converse with him, for he knows our thoughts and every secret of our hearts. But we live in his world, we taste his bounty, we breathe his air; and his power sustains us, his justice guides, his goodness protects, and his love blesses us for ever. Though we cannot praise him as we would, let us bow down before him, with humble and adoring hearts, and, in his presence, seek to have our souls renewed and strengthened, that we may be better prepared for the duties of life - to endure its trials, to bear its crosses, and to triumph in its lasting joys. |
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Prayer by the Minister.
O THOU, who art present everywhere: we know that we need not ask thee to remember us, for thou hast us in thy care and holy keeping, in the dark-ness and in the day. Thou art the presence at our fireside and about our path, watching over our rising tip and our lying down, and acquainted with all our ways. We flee unto thee, seeking to draw near to thee in spirit, and to worship thee with what is highest and best in our souls. Conscious of thy presence about us and within, and mindful of thine eye which seeth every secret of our lives, we would remember before thee the things which make us glad, or fill us with sadness; we would meditate on thy great goodness, on the gifts thou hast bestowed upon us, the joys in which we delight, the work thou hast enabled us to do, and the trials which thou hast appointed for us; and we would recall, in sorrow and penitence, the things in which we have been unfaithful and have sinned against thee, and of which we are ashamed in thy sight. While thus we muse, may the fire of devotion so burn in our hearts that, from the momentary worship of our prayer, we may learn to serve thee better through all our years, and be brought ever nearer to thee. Amen. |
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The Lord's Prayer to be said by Minister and People.
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 them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. |
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Minister. O Lord, open thou our lips.
People. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. |
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CHANT
FIRST LESSON CHANT SECOND LESSON ANTHEM OR HYMN |
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Then may follow this Prayer, with Responses.
Minister. Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who lovest all and forgettest none: we bring to thee our supplications for all thy children. For all whom we love and for whom we watch and care; for all who have blessed us with kindness, led us with patience, restored us with their sympathy and help, and whose charity has covered a multitude of our sins People. We beseech thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For all who have wished or done us ill, that thou wouldst turn their hearts to penitence and ours to pity and blessing. People. We beseech thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For all on whom thou hast laid the cross of suffering, the sick in body and the feebk in mind; for all who have been bereaved of relatives and friends, or are troubled by the suffering or sin of those they love: People. We beseech thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For all perplexed by the mysteries of life, or overshadowed with doubt; for all forgotten by us, but dear to thee; for the whole family in heaven and on earth: People. We beseech thee to hear us, O God. Amen. |
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Prayers by the Minister.
ALMIGHTY God, the Father of the spirits of all flesh we come to thee for help in the struggle of life wherein we so often faint. Thou knowest all our sin, and all our weakness and coldness of heart. We would not, if we could, hide anything from thee, but would lay bare our inmost soul before thee. O Father, though it is against thee that we have sinned so grievously and so often, yet thou alone art our hope to save us from ourselves, and to lift us up out of the mi~ of our earthly passions into thy heaven of purity. We believe that thou desirest our deliverance, and that it is thy will that we should grow pure and up-right, and altogether perfect. Thy power is sufficient even to turn our weakness into strength, our sinfulness into holiness. Take us under thy care and heal us. We give ourselves to thee. We would reserve nothing from thee -no sin of our souls, no desire of our hearts from thy chastening hand. Take from us any joy; give us any suffering; only lead us to thyself, though it be through fire. Make us thine in love and faith, in obedience and submission; thine in our mortal life, and thine in the life that endureth for ever. Amen. O LORD, our God, eternal, unsearchable: we reverence thine infinite power, we adore thine uxibounded wisdom, we trust thy perfect justice, we rejoice and are glad in thine unfailing love. We bless thee, Lord, for thy loving-kindness and tender mercies. Thou art our Father, and we are the children of thy care. Inspire our hearts with a true filial affection, that shall ever become more pure and strong, and shall lead to a clear and steadfast faith. May our souls lx enriched with the gifts of the Spirit; and, receiving much, may we consecrate all to thee. By our labour and our patience, our joy and our hope, our prayers and our tears, change thou us into the glorious image of thyself, that we may become wholly thine. Amen. O THOU, who art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, but despisest not the sighing of a con-trite heart, nor the tears of such as truly repent, look upon us in pity, and revive our souls, lest we fall beneath the burden of our guilt - of time misspent, of idle and bitter words, of unforgiving temper and hardness of heart; of self-love and slumber of the soul, in a world where poverty and ignorance, cruelty and oppression, sickness, loneliness and sorrow are around us, and where there is so much work to do for thee. Turn unto us in mercy, we beseech thee, that we may hear thy fatherly voice of forgiveness and comfort, and feel around us thine everlasting arms, and rest under the shadow of thy boundless love. Amen. FATHER of mercies, the only rest of weary souls, the only joy of sorrowful hearts; pity the helpless; be a friend to the widow and the orphan; succour the poor and the oppressed; deliver the tempted; sustain the sick, and receive in mercy the spirits of the dying. O God, in thy fatherly tenderness send relief of consolation to all the afflicted, through the angel of mercy that strengthened thy Son to drink the bitter cup. Amen. [The Minister may here introduce a Prayer of his own.] NOW may the blessing of God be upon us. May his truth direct us, and his love sustain us; and may he preserve our going out and our coming in, from this time forth, even for evermore. Amen. |
| The Service may then proceed in the usual Order. |
| FOURTH SERVICE |
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The Service may begin by reading one or more of these Sentences, or with a Hymn. COME, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker. Who shall ascend unto the hill of the Lord, or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Thus saith the high and lofty one, who inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place; with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Give unto the Lord glory and strength; give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. |
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Then shall the Minister say:
WITH a lowly and contrite spirit let us draw nigh to God. Let us worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. In the spirit of Jesus, and of those who have lived and worked as children of the Most High, let us dedicate ourselves anew to the religious life - whether to do or to suffer the will of God. |
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Prayer by the Minister.
O LORD, we know not what we should pray for as we ought: therefore let thy Spirit enlighten us and direct us when we pray; and may our hearts rise to thee in true and acceptable worship. Almighty God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; grant unto thy people that they may love the thing which thou commandest and desire that which thou dost promise; so that among the manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely be fixed where true joys are to be found. Grant us, O Lord, to pass this day in gladness and peace, without stumbling and without stain; that reaching the eventide victorious over all temptation, we may praise thee, the Eternal God who art blessed for evermore. Amen. |
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The Lord's Prayer to be said by Minister and People.
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 them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. |
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Minister. O Lord, open thou our lips.
People. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. |
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CHANT
FIRST LESSON CHANT SECOND LESSON ANTHEM OR HYMN |
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Prayer with Responses.
Minister. Almighty God, before whom all hearts are open, we would confess our many sins and shortcomings. For the unthankful spirit in which we have received thy gifts; for our lack of appreciation of the beauty of the world and the love of human hearts: People. Have mercy upon us, O God. Minister. For our forgotten vows for the better purposes which we have suffered to grow weak, and the good resolutions we have not kept; for the excuses we have made to hide from ourselves our unfaithfulness: People. Have mercy upon us, O God. Minister. For the words of unrighteous anger and bitterness which have escaped our lips for the strifc and ill will which we have inflamed and aided; and for our sinful neglect to promote peace and goodwill among men [people]: People. Have mecy upon us, O God. Minister. For our selfish ease and comfort amid the wrongs and oppressions that abound; for our undue regard to our own interests; for our heedlessness of the service of humanity: People. Have mercy upon us, O God. Minister. For the sorrows that have brought nc repentance; and the experiences of life which have failed to turn us toward true and right ways: People. Have mercy upon us, O God. Amen. |
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Prayers by the Minister.
CHASTEN our souls, O Lord, when we try to approach thee. Purify our hearts, that we may discern thy presence. O Holiest of the Holy, Best of the Good, enlighten us to think of thee more truly, and thereby to cherish a growing love of thee. Unseen but ever present Father, guard us from all inward evil; strengthen us to shun thie wrong and pursue the right. Assist us, O Lord, to sacrifice self-desire at the shrine of duty and love. In all the multi-tude of our wants and cares and the thoughts that trouble us, we would feel thee near to sustain and comfort us. Amen. DAY by day thy good gifts are renewed to us, O Father of mercies. For the light of heaven, for health and strength, we humbly thank thee. For hearts to love, for minds to understand, for the means of instruction, for the sympathy of our fellows, for the fellowship of saints, we thank thee. On thee we rest! What thou ordainest, eye hath not seen nor ear heard, nor can the heart of man conceive: but whatever it be, it will be right and best, for us and for all: for thou, O Lord, art wise and good; thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, now and ever. Amen. [The Minister may here introduce a Prayer of his own.] O LORD most high, may our souls ever glow with thankfulness to thee, our gracious and merciful Father, the all-holy and eternal; and may we love thee -above all and all mankind in thee. Consecrate and accept, we beseech thee, these our offerings of gratitude and adoration which we would bring to thee in the faith and spirit of thy Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. The Service may then proceed in the usual Order. |
| FIFTH SERVICE |
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The Service may begin by reading one or more of these Sentences, or with a Hymn. IT is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, to show forth his loving-kindness in the morning, and his faithfulness every night. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart God will not despise. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain thee. |
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Then may follow this Prayer with Responses.
Minister. O Lord, open thou our lips. People. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. Minister. O God, make clean our hearts within us. People. And take not thy holy Spirit from us. Minister. Praise ye the Lord. People. The Lord's name be praised. Minister. The Lord be with you. People. And with thy spirit. |
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Prayer by the Minister.
O GOD, our heavenly Father, though we often forget thee, thou dost never forget us. Pardon our forgetfulness, and help us now with quiet minds and grateful hearts to remember thee. Hear our prayers, and accept our hymns of praise. May we be made wiser and better by the words to which we shall listen. May we be encouraged and strengthened by our worship to strive to bring nearer thy kingdom of purity and truth and love. Amen. |
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The Lord's Prayer to be said by Minister and People.
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 them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. |
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CHANT
FIRST LESSON CHANT SECOND LESSON ANTHEM OR HYMN |
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Then may follow these Sentences, the People responding.
Minister. Jesus said: The first of all the commandments is, 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is One Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.' This is the first and great commandment. People. Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Minister. And the second is like, namely this, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.' People. Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Minister. What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? People. Write these words in our hearts, O God, we beseech thee. Minister. Let brotherly love continue; as we have opportunity let us do good unto all; and let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. People. Write these words in our hearts, O God, we beseech thee. Minister. Jesus said: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me. People. Lord have mercy upon us, and fill our hearts with the grace of Christ. Amen. |
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Prayers by the Minister.
WE pray, O God, for all sorts and conditions of For the rulers and legislators of our land, that they may be just, ruling as in thy sight: For judges and magistrates, that they may execute justice and maintain right: For ministers and teachers, that they may set forth thy truth and promote the good of For thinkers and artists, who enrich the world with words and works of truth and beauty: For speakers and writers, who mould the opinions of For students of nature, who seek and find out the uses and wonders of thy works, and make their discoveries blessings to the world: For parents, that they may have wisdom and grace to train up their children in right ways: For children, that in them may be sown the seeds of purity and goodness: For For For For For the For the And upon all thy O LORD, who hast taught us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth, send thy holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee. Amen. LORD of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things; graft in our hearts the love of thy name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same. Amen. O GOD, invisible, eternal, source and author of our being, thine we are by nature and necessity. By thee and for thee we were made; but not the less for one another. Let the benevolence which is in thy heart rule in our hearts. Let us be ashamed of every impulse which we know to be unlovely or unholy. Show us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation; and let thy Spirit be our daily guide. Amen. [The Minister may here introduce a Prayer of his own.] NOW, O Father, may thy gracious blessing be wil us all; may thy truth direct our minds, thy love possess our hearts, and thy peace rest on our spirit. Amen. |
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The Service may then proceed in the following Order.
HYMN SERMON ORGAN VOLUNTARY HYMN BENEDICTION |
| SIXTH SERVICE |
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The Service may begin by reading one or more of these Sentences, or with a Hymn. THE hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men; and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his people; and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. The Lord is good to them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. |
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Prayers by the Minister.
ALMIGHTY God, who hast bidden us seek that we may find, and who pourest out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and supplication, deliver us, when we draw nigh to thee, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that, with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections, we may worship thee in spirit and in truth. Amen. MOST merciful Father, unto whom all hearts are open, and from whom no secrets are hid: we confess with sorrow the many sins which we have com-mitted in thought or affection, in word or deed. We pray thee to look graciously upon us, and forgive us. Help us to lay aside every weight, and the sins which so easily beset us, and to subdue our thoughts and desires in obedience to thy perfect law. Amen. ALMIGHTY God, the Father of mercies, we beseech thee to grant us true repentance, and thy holy Spirit, that those things may please thee which we do at this present, and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy so that at the last we may come to thine eternal joy. Amen. |
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The Lord's Prayer to be said by Minister and People.
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 them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. |
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Minister. O Lord, open thou our lips.
People. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. Minister. Glory be to God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. People. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Minister. Praise ye the Lord. People. The Lord's name be praised. |
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CHANT
FIRST LESSON CHANT SECOND LESSON ANTHEM OR HYMN |
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Then shall follow these Responses.
Minister. The Lord be with you. People. And with thy spirit. Minister. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us. People. And grant us thy salvation. Minister. O God, make clean our hearts within us. People. And take not thy Holy Spirit from us. |
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Then these Prayers, the People responding.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, in communion with thy saints in all ages, with prophets arid apostles, heroes and martyrs, with our beloved dead who have fallen asleep in thy peace: we, who are still striving to do and bear thy blessed will on earth, adore thee, and offer thee our praises and supplications. We adore thee, O Lord. Make us of quick and tender conscience, that we may follow every suggestion of thine indwelling spirit. Reveal to us the beauty of thy will, the gladness of thy service, the power of thy presence in our hearts. Grant us this prayer, O Lord. May no perplexity create in us an impatient spirit, no temptation lead us into sin, no sorrow hide thy loving will from us. Teach us to feel the need of thy grace, and to seek it; to know thy will, and to do it; and to abide in peace in our appointed lot. Grant us this prayer, O Lord. Calm the turbulence of our passions; quiet the throbbings of our hopes and fears; repress the waywardness of our wills; and direct the motions of our affections. Strengthen us to bear our trials patiently, and to glorify thee in our daily life. Grant us this prayer, O Lord. Help us to forgive as we would be forgiven; dwelling neither in speech nor thought upon offences committed against us, but loving our brother freely as thou lovest us. Grant thy help, that we may carefully watch over our tempers; remove whatever in us may be a stumbling-block in another's way, that we may conform to thy will in things both small and great. Grant us this prayer, O Lord. We beseech thee to bless and comfort the old, to give strength unto such as are bearing the burden and heat of the day, and to lead all children in the right way; preserve all whom we love from the dangers of this present life, and prepare them for life eternal. Bless all thy servants, O Lord. Have compassion on all those who are in trouble, sorrow, need, or any other adversity, and on those who are worn with excessive toil; give them patience, faith in thy goodness, and conformity to thy will. Help all thy servants, O Lord. O thou who art the Strength of all souls, guide us through the darkness of this world, guard us from its perils, hold us up and strengthen us when we grow weary in our mortal way; and lead us by thy chosen paths, through life and death, to our eternal home in thy heavenly kingdom. Be thou our guide and strength for evermore. Amen. |
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Prayers by the Minister.
O THOU, who art the Providence of the world, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift: we give thee most hearty thanks for all thy blessings of nature and of grace; for the power of loving; for everything, whether joy or sorrow, whereby thou hast drawn us nearer to thyself; and for all that thou hast in keeping for them that love thee. Henceforth, we would trust thee with our present and our future, our hopes and our fears, for ourselves and for all whom thou hast given us to love; and as thou dost continually pour out thy gifts upon us, so may we abound in thankfulness and in all good works. Amen. O GOD, the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal. Amen. [The Minister may here introduce a Prayer of his own.] ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be most expedient for them, granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen. |
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The Service may then proceed in the following Order.
HYMN SERMON ORGAN VOLUNTARY HYMN BENEDICTION |
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SEVENTH SERVICE
The Service may begin by reading one or more of these Sentences, or with a Hymn. WHEN the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. The hour cometh, and now is, when the true wor-shippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honourable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think of these things. |
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Then shall the Minister say:
DEARLY beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness: and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father, but confess them with a lowly, penitent, and obedient heart, to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same by his infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge our sins before God, yet ought we most chiefly so to do when we assemble and meet together to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to learn his most holy will, and to seek those things which are needful for life and godliness. Wherefore I pray and beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart and humble voice unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying with me: General Confession to be said by Minister and Congregation. ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done: and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. But thou, O Lord, havc mercy upon us. Spare thou them, O God, who confess their faults. Restore thou them that arc penitent. And grant, O most merciful Father, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, as ever in thy holy sight. Amen. |
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The Lord's Prayer to be said by Minister and People.
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 them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. |
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Minister. O Lord, open thou our lips.
People. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. Minister. O God, make speed to save us. People. O Lord, make haste to help us. Minister. Glory be to God on high, the Father ever-lasting. People. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. Minister. Praise ye the Lord. People. The Lord's name be praised. |
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CHANT
FIRST LESSON CHANT SECOND LESSON ANTHEM OR HYMN |
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Then these Prayers following.
Minister. The Lord be with you. People. And with thy spirit. Minister. Lord have mercy upon us. People. O Lord, hear our prayer, and let our cry come unto thee. |
| O GOD, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom; grant us, thy servants, we humbly beseech thee, that peace which the world can neither give nor take away, that we who in all our dangers rely on thy goodness, may under thy fatherly protection be defended against all adversities, and know that nothing can befall us but by thy blessed will. Amen. |
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[Either] Collect for Morning.
O LORD, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day; guide us through the same by thy holy presence; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any rash temptation but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance, to do always that which is righteous in thy sight, and true to the spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen. |
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[Or] Collect for Evening.
O GOD, the strength of all them that trust in thee, we beseech thee to continue thy gracious protection to us this night, and as the day declineth, so make us mindful of the time when life also shall decline; and grant us always to live that we may never be afraid to die. Amen. |
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Prayer for the O LORD, our heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth; most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our Sovereign King, the Queen, and all the Royal Family: endue them with thy holy Spirit: enrich them with thy heavenly grace; prosper them with all happiness; and bring them to thine everlasting kingdom. Amen. Prayer for Ministers and People. ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift; send down upon all Ministers of thy truth, and all Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful spirit of thy grace. Pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing that they may be true messengers of thy great love revealed in Jesus Christ. Amen. Prayer for the High Court of Parliament when in Session. MOST gracious God, we humbly beseech thee, as for this Kingdom in general, so especially for the High Court of Parliament, at this time assembled; that thou wouldst be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations; that all things being so ordered and settled by their endeavours upon the best and surest foundations, peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations. And as within our borders, so over all the earth, let thy Kingdom of righteousness come and thy will be done. Amen. Prayer for all conditions of O GOD, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and con-ditions of men; that thou wouldst be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for the good estate of the Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness ol life. FinaUy~ we commend to thy fatherly goodness afl those who are any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg from thy compassion shown in the tender mercies of Jesus Christ. Amen. |
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General Thanksgiving.
ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies, we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us, and to all men. We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for thine inestimable love revealed to us by Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of heaven. And, we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives; by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days. Amen. |
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The Faithful Departed.
ETERNAL God, in whom the spirits of the just do rest in peace from their labours; we thank thee for all those who have departed this life in thy fear and love, and whose works do follow them beyond the grave. Blessed be thy mercy and eternal goodness, O God; and blessed be the memory of all thy saints in our hearts. Teach us who now dwell upon earth to practise their doctrine, to imitate their lives, and to follow their example, as they have followed Christ and become one with thee. Amen. |
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ALMIGHTY God, who liast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
The Service may then proceed in the usual Order. |
From (and with a minimum of editing, sometimes crossing out but keeping the original): Essex Hall, London, preface by Bowie, W. C. (1917, first edition 1900), Seven Services for Public Worship: With Special Prayers and Thanksgivings, London: The Lindsey Press, 7-42.
Some background sources of the above work: Rev. R Crompton Jones, Book of Prayer in Thirty Orders of Worship; American Unitarian Association, Book of Five Services for Public Worship; Rev. Dr John Hunter, Devotional Services; and prayers by Francis William Newman, Theodore Parker and Thomas Sadler.
Adrian Worsfold
Pluralist - Liberal and Thoughtful