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ear toward us, whilst we shall be engaged in singing Thy most worthy praise and in meditating upon Thy most holy word. Jesus Christ, Thou Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, Thou merciful high priest that sittest at the right hand of the Father, make intercession in our behalf and fulfil Thy promise unto us, Thy servants: Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them, and: Behold I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. And Thou, O Holy Ghost, the Comforter, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, give us mouth and wisdom, that our prayers and praises may be acceptable before Thee, and that as we worship here in Thy courts below, we may worship at last with the Church triumphant in heaven forever and ever. Amen.

2. CONFESSION OF SIN AND PROFESSION OF FAITH.

[Minister.]

Dearly beloved in Christ!

Let us humble ourselves before the throne of Almighty God our heavenly Father, and confess our manifold sins and transgressions with lowly and contrite hearts, that we may obtain forgiveness of the same for the sake of Christ's merits, remembering the words of His holy Apostle: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us; but if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." John 1: 8, 9.)

[Minister and people kneeling.]

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Almighty God, our Creator and most bountiful Benefactor, who art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, we appear in Thy holy presence with a deep sense of our depravity and guilt, and acknowledge ourselves to be utterly unworthy of Thy favor. Created in Thine image and surrounded by Thy mercies, we have all wickedly departed from Thy glory, rebelled against Thy righteous authority and transgressed Thy holy laws. Instead of loving Thee, the giver of every good and perfect gift,

with all our hearts, and serving Thee in righteousness and holiness all our days, we have ungratefully abused Thine infinite goodness and long suffering kindness, and often and greatly offended Thee not only by sinful words and deeds, but also by evil thoughts and selfish desires; and if Thou shouldst enter into judgment with us we could not stand for a single moment. But, O God, we sincerely repent of our sins and approach Thy throne of mercy with broken and contrite hearts, in the blessed and ever acceptable name of Jesus Christ our Saviour, whom Thou hast sent into this world, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Have mercy, therefore, according to Thy promises, and grant us the remission of all our known and unknown sins, for the sake of the abundant merits of Thy dear Son, our Lord! O Thou Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us and grant us Thy peace! Sprinkle our hearts with the blood of atonement, and make us to know the blessedness of the man, whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is covered. Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Cast us not away from Thy presence and take not Thy Holy Spirit from us! Restore unto us the joy of Thy salvatlon and uphold us with Thy free Spirit! Grant us power to believe in the great mystery of godliness, as revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord, that we may profess with sincere hearts our holy catholic faith and ever live according to this profession to the glory of Thy great name and to the salvation of our souls!

[The minister and congregation rising.]

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell: The third day he rose from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead: I believe in the

Holy Ghost: I believe in the Holy Catholic Church: the communion of saints: The forgiveness of sins: The resurrection of the body: And the life everlasting. Amen.

3. THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE.

Min. The Lord be with you!

Congreg. And with thy spirit!
Min. Lift up your hearts!

Congreg. We have lifted them up to the Lord!

Min. Let us give thanks unto the Lord!

Congreg. It is meet and right to do so.

[Then the whole congregation and the choir shall sing or chant the Te Deum or the Gloria in excelsis, or any thanksgiving psalm of the hymn book.]

4. READING OF THE GOSPEL AND THE EPISTLE IN CONNECTION WITH THE COLLECT FOR THE DAY, ACCORDING TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR.

Let us pray.

5. GENERAL PETITION.

Almighty and eternal God, we adore Thee as the only true. God and Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as our Creator, Preserver and most bountiful Benefactor, and would unite with angels and archangels around Thy throne, with the glorious company of the prophets, apostles, martyrs and saints in heaven, as well as with Thy militant Church upon earth, in ascribing unto Thee honor and glory and blessing, and crying aloud: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of Thy glory! We bless Thee for the innumerable gifts of nature and for the richer gifts of Thy grace with which we are continually surrounded. Thou hast created us in Thine own image for Thy glory and communion; Thou hast redeemed us with the precious blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ from ruin and destruction; Thou hast sanctified us by Thy Spirit and called us out of darkness into Thy marvellous light. Grant, we entreat Thee, that we may at all times be duly sensible of these unspeakable mercies, which we enjoy without any merit of our own, and that we may manifest our gratitude not only with our lips, but also with our lives, by surrendering

ourselves to Thy service, and walking before Thee in righteousness and holiness all our days. Deliver us more and more from the bondage of sin and error, from the power of the flesh, the corruption of the world, and the temptation of the devil. Give unto us a faith that shall always be zealous in good works, a hope that shall never make us ashamed, a charity that shall never cease, a confidence in Thee that shall never be shaken, a patience that shall never faint, a noble Christian courage that shall always be ready, in the face of opposition and persecution, to confess Christ and to fight under His banner against the powers of darkness; so that in all the changes and revolutions of time we may live in Thy fear and love, die in Thy grace, rest in hope and attain at last with those who through faith and patience have inherited the promises, to the resurrection of the just, through the infinite merits of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Congregation. Amen.

O Lord our God, who from the beginning to the end of the world dost call, defend and preserve unto Thyself in the midst of a fallen race, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, look down, we beseech Thee, with Thy special favor and benediction upon Thy holy catholic Church in all lands, the work of Thy hand and the sheep of Thy pasture. Pour out Thy Spirit upon Thy ministering servants, the dispensers and stewards of the mysteries of God, that they may truly be the salt of the earth, the light of the world and proclaim with fiery tongues the wonderful works of the Lord. Heal the divisions and distractions which now mar the beauty of Zion and the communion of Saints; unite Thy children everywhere more and more in truth and in love, that they may be made perfect in one, and be one spirit, one heart and one body under Christ the one head and chief Shepherd of souls. Build up the broken down walls of Jerusalem, cause her to arise and shine, her light being come and the glory of the Lord having risen upon her. Extend her borders, and bless to this end all home and foreign missionary efforts, until the heathen shall be given to Thy Son for His inheritance and

the uttermost parts of the earth for His possession. Hasten the good time, when at the blessed name of Jesus every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Remember also in mercy that branch of Thy kingdom with which it is our privilege to be more especially connected. Forgive our sins and short-comings; revive thy work in our midst; fill us as a people with sound faith, fervent love, self-denying charity and untiring zeal for the glory of Christ and the salvation of the world. Bless our institutions of learning, guard them against error and sin, and make them fountains from which shall continually go forth pure streams to make glad the city of God. Give a double portion of Thy Spirit to our pastors, elders and deacons, and grant that in word and deed they may be true followers of Jesus, the great Lover of souls, and, after a plentiful conversion of sinners from the error of their ways, shine like stars in glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, the Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, the King of kings and Lord of lords, look down in mercy, we beseech Thee, from the throne of Thy majesty upon all nations, especially upon that to which we belong. Bless Thy servant, the President of the United States, the Governor of this Commonwealth, our public councils and all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Inspire our rulers with Thy fear, give them health and strength, wisdom and prudence, and so direct and control their endeavors that they may promote the true welfare of the people committed to their charge and inherit at last the reward of faithful stewards on the great judgment day. Be pleased to continue the rich favors which Thou, notwithstanding our unworthiness, hast bestowed upon this nation to this time, and make us duly grateful for them. Prosper the fruit of the earth, the labor of the husbandman, the merchant and mechanic and every other useful and honest occupation. Shed down the heathful influences of Thy Spirit upon our schools, colleges and seminaries and upon those who are entrusted with their care, that our youth may grow up in virtue and piety as well

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