O merciful Father, for Thy dear Son's sake, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Here follows the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, taken from the Book of Common Prayer. Say the Collect silently with the Priest. When the Epistle is given out, rise from your knees, and remain in a sitting posture whilst it is read. Immediately the Gospel is announced, all stand up and sing or say,

Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

And as soon as it is finished,

Thanks be to Thee, O Lord.

Then follows the Nicene Creed, which you should repeat aloud with the Priest.

At High Service this Creed is sung. if you can. If you cannot sing it yourself as the choir goes on.

Join the choir in singing it aloud with them, repeat it to

When the words, And was made man, are said in the Creed, it is customary to bow the head, in honour of the Incarnation of God.

I

BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible:

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, Begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God, Begotten, not made, Being of one substance with the Father; By whom all things were made, Who for us men, and for our salvation came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man, And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures, And ascended into heaven, And sitteth

D

on the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead: Whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one Catholick and Apostolick Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, And I look for the Resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come. Amen.

At High Service on Sundays, the Priest here gives out the Festivals and Fasts for the week (if there be any), together with any other necessary notices. Then follows the sermon, if one is appointed.

SECOND DIVISION

OF

THE COMMUNION OFFICE.

The Oblation.

The Priest now goes to the Altar and reads one or more sentences from Holy Scripture, called the Offertory sentences, because, whilst they are being read, the people are invited to offer alms to God for charitable and pious uses. You should always offer something to God at this time, to shew your thankfulness and gratitude to God for sending His Only Son into the world, to die upon the Cross as a Sacrifice for you. At High Service, one sentence only is usually read by the Priest, and then sung by the choir. The Priest then humbly presents the alms of the people to God, and places them on the Altar.

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THE OFFERTORY SENTENCES.

ET your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. St. Matth. v.

Lay not up for yourselves treasure upon the earth;

Whilst the alms are being collected and offered, you will probably have time to use this prayer.

LORD God Almighty, tains. It is of Thy mercy the whole world is alone that we have anyThine, and all that it con- thing to offer Thee: yet

where the rust and moth doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven; where neither rust nor moth doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal. St. Matth. vi.

Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do unto them; for this is the Law and the Prophets. St. Matth. vii.

Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. St. Matth. vii.

Zaccheus stood forth, and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have done any wrong to any man, I restore fourfold. St. Luke xix.

Who goeth a warfare at any time of his own cost? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? I Cor. ix.

If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your worldly things? I Cor. ix.

Thou permittest us to shew either in this Parish, or in love and gratitude by giv- any portion of Thy Church, ing to Thee of Thine own. for the spiritual good of Graciously accept, then, O souls, or for the relief of merciful One, the alms the bodily necessities of now offered Thee, and Thy people, we humbly prosper every work of pray Thee, O Lord, for mercy which is set on foot Jesu's sake. Amen.

Do ye not know, that they who minister about holy things live of the sacrifice; and they who wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord also ordained, that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. I Cor. ix.

He that soweth little shall reap little; and he that soweth plenteously shall reap plenteously. Let every man do according as he is disposed in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. ix.

Let him that is taught in the Word minister unto him that teacheth, in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he reap. Gal. vi.

While we have time, let us do good unto all men; and especially unto them that are of the household of faith. Gal. vi.

Godliness is great riches, if a man be content with that he hath: for we brought nothing into the world, neither may we carry any thing out. I Tim. vi.

Charge them who are rich in this world, that they be ready to give, and glad to distribute; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time

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When you give your alms say,

LESSED Lord, Who that I may always have to hast given me all that give to him that needeth. I possess, graciously ac- May our prayers and our cept this poor offering from alms go up before Thee, O Thine unworthy servant. God, and graciously accept Keep me, O God, from them for Jesus Christ's all idle and vain expenses, sake.

Amen.