The General Prayer. Almighty and most Merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: We give Thee thanks for all Thy goodness and tender mercies, especially for the gift of Thy dear Son, and for the revelation of Thy will and grace; and we beseech Thee so to implant Thy Word in us, that, in good and honest hearts, we may keep it, and bring forth fruit by patient continuance in well doing. Most heartily we beseech Thee so to rule and govern Thy Church universal, that it may be preserved in the pure doctrine of Thy saving Word, whereby faith toward Thee may be strengthened, and charity increased in us toward all mankind. Send forth Thy light and Thy truth unto the uttermost parts of the earth. Raise up faithful pastors and missionaries to preach the Gospel in our own land, and to all nations; and guide, protect and prosper them in all their labors. Bless, we pray Thee, the institutions of the Church; its colleges, its seminaries, and all its schools; that they may send forth men and women to serve Thee, in the Ministry of the Word, the Ministry of Mercy, and all the walks of life. Let the light of Thy Word ever shine within our homes. Keep the children of the Church in the covenant which Thou hast made with them in Holy Baptism; and grant all parents grace to bring them up in faith toward Thee and in obedience to Thy will. Grant also health and prosperity to all that are in authority, especially to the President (and Congress) of the United States, the Governor (and Legislature) of this Commonwealth, and to all our Judges and Magistrates; and endue them with grace to rule after Thy good pleasure, to the maintenance of righteousness, and to the hinderance and punishment of wickedness, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty. All who are in trouble, want, sickness, anguish of labor, peril of death, or any other adversity, especially those who are in suffering for Thy Name and for Thy truth's sake, comfort, O God, with Thy Holy Spirit, that they may receive and acknowledge their afflictions as the manifestation of Thy fatherly will. And although we have deserved Thy righteous wrath and manifold punishments, yet, we entreat Thee, O most Merciful Father, remember not the sins of our youth, nor our many transgressions; but out of Thine unspeakable goodness, grace and mercy, defend us from all harm and danger of body and soul. Preserve us from false and pernicious doctrine, from war and bloodshed, from plague and pestilence, from all calamity by fire and water, from hail and tempest, from failure of harvest and from famine, from anguish of heart and despair of Thy mercy, and from an evil death. And in every time of trouble, show Thyself a very present Help, the Savior of all men, and especially of them that believe. Cause also the needful fruits of the earth to prosper, that we may enjoy them in due season. Give success to all lawful occupations on land and sea; to all pure arts and useful knowledge; and crown them with Thy blessing. Here special Supplications, Intercessions, and Prayers may be made. These, and whatsoever other things Thou wouldest have us ask of Thee, O God, vouchsafe unto us, for the sake of the bitter sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, Thine only Son, our Lord and Savior, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Then shall the Minister, and the Congregation say The Lord's Prayer. 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 Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Then shall be sung a Hymn. If there be no Communion, the Minister, standing at the Altar, shall say the Benediction. The Benediction. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and. give thee peace. God. The Congregation shall sing or say: Amen. The Communion The Preface. Minister. The Lord be with you. Congregation. And with thy spirit. Minister. Lift up your hearts. Congregation. We lift them up unto the Lord. Congregation. It is meet and right so to do. Minister. It is truly meet, right, and salutary, that we should at all times and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty Everlasting God. Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify Thy glorious Name; evermore praising Thee, and saying Then shall be said or sung the Sanctus. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory; Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Then shall the Minister say: 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 Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. The Congregation shall sing or say: Amen. (a) Here he shall take the Paten with the Bread in his hand. Then shall the Minister say: Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night in which He was betrayed, took bread; (a) and when He had given thanks, He brake it and gave it to His disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is My Body, you; this do in remembrance of Me. which is given for (b) Here he shall take the Cup in his hand. After the same manner, also, He took the cup, (b) when He had supped, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: Drink ye all of it; this cup is the New Testament in My Blood, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins; this do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. Then shall the Minister say: The peace of God be with you alway. Then shall be sung or said the O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us! O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us! O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, grant us Thy peace. Amen. The Administration of the Holy Sacrament. Take and eat, this is the Body of Christ, given for thee. Take and drink, this is the Blood of the New Testament, shed for thy sins. The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ and His precious Blood strengthen aud preserve you in true faith unto everlasting life. Nunc Dimittis. Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace: according to Thy Word; For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation: which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles: and the glory of Thy people Israel. 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. good. The Thanksgiving. Minister. O give thanks unto the Lord for He is Congregation. And His mercy endureth forever. We give thanks to Thee, Almighty God, that Thou hast refreshed us with Thy salutary gift; and we beseech Thee, of Thy mercy, to strengthen us through the same in faith toward Thee, and in ferven. love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. Benedicamus. Minister. The Lord be with you. |