¶ To be used before the Liturgy, or after the Collects of the Daily Offices, or separately.

¶ The Priest shall appoint a Sponsor who shall instruct and examine the Candidates in the duties of their Office, and present them for Admission.

¶ Candidates for different Ministries may be presented and examined together, but shall be admitted separately with the Proper pertaining to their Office.

THE PRESENTATION

¶ The Congregation being seated, the Priest shall stand at the Chancel Gate, facing the People, the Sponsor and the Candidates, clad in the proper vesture of their Office, standing before him. The Sponsor shall say,

REVEREND Sir, I present unto you these persons, to be admitted to the Office of Reader (or Acolyte etc.) in this Parish.
    Priest. Are the persons whom you present duly prepared by purity of life, regular attendance at Church, and knowledge of their duties, to exercise their ministry to the honour of God and the edifying of the Church?
    Sponsor. I have instructed and examined them, and believe them so to be.

THE EXAMINATION

¶ The Priest, addressing the Candidates, shall say,

DEARLY beloved, who desire to be admitted to the Office of Reader (or Acolyte etc.) in this Church, are you convinced that the work of this ministry is so important that, while you are appointed thereto, you should be diligent in performing the same?
    Answer. I am so convinced.
    Priest. Will you try faithfully and reverently to execute the duties of your Office to the best of your ability, as unto the Lord and not unto men?
    Answer. I will try to do so.
    Priest. Will you strive to live in accordance with the sacredness of this Office?
    Answer. I will so strive, the Lord being my helper.
    Priest. May God guide and bless you in the doing of this work.

¶ Then, all standing, the following Antiphon and Psalm shall be sung or said.

    Antiphon. Praise the Lord, ye servants; * O praise the Name of the Lord.

Psalm 100. Jubilate Deo.

O BE joyful in the Lord, all ye lands; * serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song.
    Be ye sure that the Lord he is God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; * we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
    O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; * be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.
    For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting; * and his truth endureth from generation to generation.
    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.

THE ADMISSION

¶ Then, the People being seated, the Candidates, standing, shall be admitted as follows. First the Lesson proper to the Office shall be read. Then the Priest shall take each Candidate by the right hand, saying the words of Admission, “I admit thee etc.”. Then he shall give the Candidate the Token of the Office, saying, “And I give thee etc.”. Then he shall bless the Candidate saying, “In the Name etc.”. Then, the Candidates kneeling, all others standing, the Priest shall say over them the Antiphon, Versicle, and Collect.

1. OF READERS

The Lesson. Nehemiah 8:1.

ALL the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people: (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: and Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

The Admission

I ADMIT you, having been duly licensed, to the Office of Reader in this Church; and I give you this Bible as a Token of your Ministry; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
    Antiphon. When all Israel is to come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; * thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
    Thy word is a lantern unto my feet;
    And a light unto my paths.

Let us pray.

O ALMIGHTY God, whose blessed Son didst read the holy Scriptures in the synagogue; Look graciously upon the Readers of thy Church, and so enlighten them with wisdom and understanding that they may read thy holy Word to the edification of thy people, and the glory of thy holy Name; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

2. OF ACOLYTES

The Lesson. St. Luke 12:35.

LET your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching. Verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

The Admission

I ADMIT you to the Office of Acolyte in this Church; and I give you this Candle as a Token of your Ministry; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
    Antiphon. My sons, be not now negligent; for the Lord hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him; * and that ye should minister unto him.
    I will go unto the altar of God;
    Even unto the God of my joy and gladness.

Let us pray.

O GLORIOUS King, before whose heavenly throne the angels stand to do thy will; Bless, we beseech thee, the Acolytes of thy Church, that ministering before thine earthly throne they may serve thee with reverence and true holiness, to the honour and glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

3. OF CHORISTERS

The Lesson. Colossians 3:16.

LET the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

The Admission

I ADMIT you to the Office of Chorister in this Church; and I give you this Hymnal as a Token of your Ministry; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
    Antiphon. These are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the Lord; * and they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing.
    O come, let us sing unto the Lord;
    Let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who didst inspire thy servant David both to write songs, and to appoint singers for thy worship; Give thy grace to the Choristers of thy Church, that speaking together in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, they may sing and make melody in their hearts to thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

4. OF SACRISTANS OR ALTAR GUILD MEMBERS

The Lesson. I Chronicles 9:26.

THESE Levites were in an office of trust, and were over the store-rooms and treasuries of the house of God. And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them. And certain of them had charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out. Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary.

The Admission

I ADMIT you to the Office of Sacristan in this Church; I and I give you this Purificator as a Token of your Ministry; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
    Antiphon. Ye shall keep charge of the sanctuary, * and charge of the altar.
    In his temple doth everything speak of his honour;
    Holiness becometh thine house for ever.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who of old didst give the Levites the charge of the instruments of thy holy temple; Give thy grace, we beseech thee, to the Sacristans of thy Church, that devoutly caring for the vessels and vestments of thy worship, and adorning the place of thy sanctuary, they may make the place of thy presence glorious; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

5. OF CATECHISTS OR TEACHERS

The Lesson. Deuteronomy 4:1.

NOW therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons.

The Admission

I ADMIT you to the Office of Catechist in this Church; and I give you this Prayer Book as a Token of your Ministry; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
    Antiphon. These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; * and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children.
    O teach me true understanding and knowledge;
    For I have believed thy commandments.

Let us pray.

O GOD, whose blessed Son taught in the temple; Give thy blessing and the guidance of thy Holy Spirit to the Catechists of thy Church, that teaching thy children both by word and good example, they may lead them to the knowledge and love of thee and of thy holy Church; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

6. OF WARDENS AND VESTRYMEN

The Lesson. Numbers 11:16.

THE Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.

The Admission

I ADMIT you to the Office of Warden (or Vestryman) in this Church; and I give you this Book of Canons as a Token of your Ministry; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
    Antiphon. Without counsel purposes are disappointed: * but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
    I am thy servant, O grant me understanding;
    That I may know thy testimonies.

Let us pray.

O ETERNAL God, the fountain of all wisdom; Enlighten with thy grace the Wardens and Vestrymen of thy Church, and so rule their minds, and guide their counsels, that in all things they may seek thy glory and the welfare of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE CONCLUSION

¶ Here may follow an Instruction or Sermon.

¶ When used at another service the Kyries and Lord’s Prayer shall be omitted.

¶ Minister and People

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

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. Amen.

    Teach me thy way, O Lord, and I will walk in thy truth;
    O knit my heart unto thee, that I may fear thy Name.
    So will I always sing praise unto thy Name;
    That I may daily perform my vows.
    The Lord be with you;
    And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

REGARD, we beseech thee, O Lord, our supplications, and confirm with thy heavenly benediction thy servants whom we have admitted to the lay ministry of thy Church, that with sincere devotion of mind and body they may offer a service acceptable to thy divine Majesty; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
 

¶ For use at the Founding and Opening of a Church, and at other times.

O GOD the Father, Creator of heaven and earth;
  Have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world;
    Have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful;
    Have mercy upon us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, One God;
    Have mercy upon us.

O CHRIST, the Rock upon which thy Church is built, whereon thy People, as living stones fitly framed together, grow into a spiritual house;
    Defend thy Church, O Lord.
    O Christ, the Vine of which thy People are the branches, that they may bring forth fruit an hundredfold;
    Defend thy Church, O Lord.
    O Christ, the Head of thy Body, the Church, whereof all thy People are the members;
    Defend thy Church, O Lord.
    O Christ, our Prophet, who teachest the way of God in truth;
    Defend thy Church, O Lord.
    O Christ, our Priest, who didst offer up thyself upon the Cross, and ever livest to make intercession for us with the Father;
    Defend thy Church, O Lord.
    O Christ, our King, who reignest over all the earth, and makest us the citizens of thy heavenly Kingdom;
    Defend thy Church, O Lord.
    O Christ, who didst send the Holy Ghost upon the Church at Pentecost, enduing it with power from on high;
    Defend thy Church, O Lord.

WE do beseech thee to hear us, O Lord God; and that we may continue steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers;
    We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
    That we may make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost;
    We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
    That thou wilt fulfil thy promise to be with us always, even unto the end of the world;
    We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
    That thou wilt bless the Clergy of thy Church, that they may diligently preach the Gospel, and faithfully administer the holy Sacraments;
    We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
    That thou wilt heal the divisions in thy Church, that we all may be one, even as thou art one with the Father;
    We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
    That every member of the Church in his vocation and ministry may truly and godly serve thee;
    We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

¶ When this Litany is used separately the Kyries and Lord’s Prayer shall follow here.

Arise, O God, maintain thine own cause;
And forget not the congregation of the poor for ever.
Look down from heaven, behold, and visit this vine;
And the branch that thou madest so strong for thyself.
Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness;
And let thy saints sing with joyfulness.
The Lord be with you;
And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

O LORD, we beseech thee, let thy continual pity cleanse and defend thy Church; and because it cannot continue in safety without thy succour, preserve it evermore by thy help and goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

NOW unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
 

I. BREAKING GROUND

¶ Before the service four stakes may be set in the ground at the four corners of the proposed building. And three cords may be prepared, two to extend diagonally from corner to corner, a third to enclose the space. A spade shall be placed at the site of the Altar.

¶ The Bishop, or a Priest appointed by him, shall officiate. Having vested near by, the Ministers shall go in procession, with the People, to the site of the new Church, singing or saying the Prayer Book Litany or the Litany for the Church. Then an appointed Minister shall read the Lesson, as follows.

Hear the words of the First Book of Chronicles.

The Lesson. I Chronicles 21:18.

THE angel of the Lord commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the Lord in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spake in the Name of the Lord. Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshing floor, that I may build an altar therein unto the Lord. And Ornan said to David, Take it to thee, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes: lo, I give it all. And king David said to Ornan, Nay, but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings without cost. So David gave Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight. Then David said, The house that is to be builded for the Lord must be exceeding magnifical; I will therefore now make preparation for it. Then he called Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the Lord God of Israel.

¶ Here may follow a Hymn, and an Instruction or Sermon. Then, while the following Antiphon and Psalm are being sung or said, appointed Laymen may stretch the two cords diagonally, from the northeast to the southwest, and from the southeast to the northwest, securing them to the stakes, thus forming the Greek letter X, the symbol both of the Cross and of the Name of Christ, across the space.

    Antiphon. Thou son of man, show the house to the house of Israel, * and let them measure the pattern.

From Psalm 132. Memento, Domine.

LORD, remember David,
  And all his trouble.
    How he sware unto the Lord,
    And vowed a vow unto the Almighty God of Jacob.
    I will not come within the tabernacle of mine house,
    Nor climb up into my bed;
    I will not suffer mine eyes to sleep, nor mine eyelids to slumber;
    Neither the temples of my head to take any rest;
    Until I find out a place for the temple of the Lord;
    An habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
    Arise, O Lord, into thy resting-place;
    Thou, and the ark of thy strength.
    Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness;
    And let thy saints sing with joyfulness.
    For thy servant David’s sake,
    Turn not away the face of thine anointed.
    For the Lord hath chosen Sion to be an habitation for himself;
    He hath longed for her.
    This shall be my rest for ever;
    Here will I dwell for I have a delight therein.
    I will deck her priests with health,
    And her saints shall rejoice and sing.
    There shall I make the horn of David to flourish:
    I have ordained a lantern for mine anointed.
    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.

¶ During the following Antiphon and Psalm the Laymen may stretch the third cord completely around the four stakes, enclosing the area, moving clockwise, beginning and ending at the southeast. If convenient, the Ministers and People may follow in procession.

    Antiphon. We have a strong city; * salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.

From Psalm 48. Magnus Dominus.

GREAT is the Lord, and highly to be praised,
  In the city of our God, even upon his holy hill.
    The hill of Sion is a fair place, and the joy of the whole earth;
    Upon the north side lieth the city of the great king: God is well known in her palaces as a sure refuge.
    Like as we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God,
    God upholdeth the same for ever.
    We wait for thy loving-kindness, O God,
    In the midst of thy temple.
    O God, according to thy Name, so is thy praise unto the world’s end;
    Thy right hand is full of righteousness.
    Let the mount Sion rejoice, and the daughter of Judah be glad,
    Because of thy judgments.
    Walk about Sion, and go round about her;
    And tell the towers thereof.
    Mark well her bulwarks, consider her palaces,
    That ye may tell them that come after.
    For this God is our God for ever and ever:
    He shall be our guide unto death.
    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.

¶ Here a Hymn may be sung. Then the Officiant, standing at the site of the Altar, shall say,

FORASMUCH as devout and faithful people have taken in hand to build on this ground, now marked with the symbol of Christ, a House to be dedicated to the glory of God, (and in honour of ——,) to be known as (Title), wherein the Gospel shall be truly preached, the Sacraments duly administered, and the service of Prayer and Praise offered in this and coming generations;

¶ Then, taking the spade, and removing the first shovelful of earth, he shall continue,

THEREFORE I break ground for this Church; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

¶ Minister and People

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

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. Amen.

O God, wonderful art thou in thy holy places;
Stablish the thing that thou hast wrought in us.
O be favourable and gracious unto Sion;
Build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
The Lord be with you;
And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

O LORD God of Israel, who didst move thy servant David to find out a place for thy temple, and dost have thy habitation among the sons of men; Vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to hallow this ground, upon which we propose to build a Church and to set up an Altar therein, that the work now begun may be brought to completion, to the honour and glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Here shall follow the Collect of the Name of the Church. Then the Officiant shall say,

NOW set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the Name of the Lord; and may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.
 

II. THE LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE

¶ Before the service, the Foundation Symbols, namely, the Cross, the Holy Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, the Record of Founders, and any other articles to be deposited in the Corner Stone, shall be ready at the place of vesting.

¶ The Record of Founders, copies of which shall be filed with the Bishop and with the Clerk of the Congregation, shall contain the names of the Bishop, the Clergy and Lay Officials of the Congregation, and the Contributors to the building.

¶ The Bishop, or a Priest appointed by him, shall officiate. Having vested near by, the Ministers shall go in procession, with the People, to the site of the new Church, singing or saying the Prayer Book Litany or the Litany for the Church. Appointed Laymen shall bear the Foundation Symbols. An appointed Minister shall read the Lesson, as follows.

Hear the words of the First Epistle General of Saint Peter.

The Lesson. I St. Peter 2:1.

WHEREFORE laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be that ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore it is contained in the scriptures, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious : but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

¶ Here may follow a Hymn and an Instruction or Sermon. Then the persons appointed shall deposit the Foundation Symbols in the Corner Stone, as follows.

1. The Cross

    Layman. I place the Cross of Christ in this foundation; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
    Officiant. God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross;
    People. For other foundation can no man lay than is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

2. The Holy Bible

    Layman. I place the Holy Bible in this foundation; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
    Officiant. Seek ye out the Book of the Lord and read;
    People. For we are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner Stone.

3. The Book of Common Prayer

    Layman. I place the Book of Common Prayer in this foundation; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
    Officiant. Prayer shall be made ever unto him, and daily shall he be praised;
    People. That we may continue steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.

4. The Record of Founders

    Layman. I place the Record of Founders in this foundation; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
    Officiant. A book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his Name;
    People. This shall be written for those who come after, and the people which shall be born shall praise the Lord.

¶ Then mention shall be made of any other articles to be deposited, and they shall be placed in the stone. After which, while the following Antiphon and Psalm are being sung or said, the receptacle shall be sealed and the Corner Stone made ready for laying.

    Antiphon. Behold, I lay in Sion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: * judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet.

From Psalm 118. Confitemini Domino.

O GIVE thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious;
  Because his mercy endureth for ever.
    Let Israel now confess that he is gracious;
    And that his mercy endureth for ever.
    Let the house of Aaron now confess;
    That his mercy endureth for ever.
    Yea, let them now that fear the Lord confess;
    That his mercy endureth for ever.
    The Lord is my strength and my song,
    And is become my salvation.
    The voice of joy and health is in the dwellings of the righteous;
    The right hand of the Lord bringeth mighty things to pass.
    The right hand of the Lord hath the pre-eminence;
    The right hand of the Lord bringeth mighty things to pass.
    Open me the gates of righteousness;
    That I may go into them, and give thanks unto the Lord.
    This is the gate of the Lord;
    The righteous shall enter into it.
    I will thank thee for thou hast heard me;
    And art become my salvation.
    The same stone which the builders refused,
    Is become the head stone in the corner.
    This is the Lord’s doing,
    And it is marvellous in our eyes.
    This is the day which the Lord hath made;
    We will rejoice and be glad in it.
    Help me now, O Lord;
    O Lord send us now prosperity.
    O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious;
    And his mercy endureth for ever.
    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.

¶ Then the Officiant 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 corner stone; 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 work, which is undertaken to the glory of thy Name; who with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen.

¶ Then, assisted by the builders, the Officiant shall lay the stone, and striking it three times with a trowel, shall say,

I LAY this Corner Stone: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

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, to whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

¶ Here trumpets may be sounded, and the Officiant shall say,

PRAISE ye the Lord, because the foundation of the House of the Lord is laid!

¶ And the People shall reply with a loud voice,

ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!

¶ Here a Hymn may be sung. Then the Officiant shall conclude with the following.

    Anthem. Except the Lord build the house; their labour is but lost that build it; * the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his.

¶ Minister and People

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

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. Amen.

Prosper thou the work of our hands upon us;
O prosper thou our handy-work.
Let thy merciful kindness, O Lord, be upon us;
Like as we do put our trust in thee.
The Lord be with you;
And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast built thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the head corner stone; 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 the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Here shall follow the Collect of the Name of the Church. Then the Officiant shall say,

O GOD, who laid the foundations of the earth; Make sure this corner stone and the foundation of the Church now begun. in thy Name, and bless all who take part in this holy undertaking; remember for good those who give alms; guide those who plan and direct the work; give skill to the workmen and protect them from harm; that the building of thy temple may be completed, to the glory of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

BE strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee: he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord; And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be with you, and remain with you always. Amen.
 

¶ For use before the Consecration.

¶ The Bishop, or a Priest appointed by him, shall officiate. But if the Opening and Consecration take place at the same time, the Bishop shall officiate.

¶ Bells and organ shall remain silent, and no lights shall be lighted, until the time appointed. The Altar shall be bare, its vestments and ornaments being placed near by.
 

THE OPENING OF THE DOOR

¶ The People having assembled in the Church shall stand facing the Door. The Senior Warden, or some other appointed Layman, shall close the Door, and wait inside to open it. The Officiant and other Ministers, having vested, shall go outside to the Church Door, where the Officiant, with the foot of the Pastoral Staff or of the Processional Cross, shall knock three times, saying,

OPEN me the gates of righteousness, that I may go into them, and give thanks unto the Lord.

¶ The Warden shall open the door, and say,

This is the gate of the Lord, the righteous shall enter into it.

¶ Then the Officiant, with the foot of the Pastoral Staff or of the Processional Cross, may mark the threshold with the sign of the cross, and shall say,

PEACE be to this House, and to all who enter here; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

¶ Then the Procession shall enter the Church, stopping inside the Door. Meanwhile an appointed Minister shall say responsively with the People the following Antiphon and-Psalm.

    Antiphon. This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

Psalm 122. Laetatus sum.

I WAS glad when they said unto me,
  We will go into the house of the Lord.
    Our feet shall stand in thy gates,
    O Jerusalem.
    Jerusalem is built as a city,
    That is at unity in itself.
    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.
    For there is the seat of judgment;
    Even the seat of the house of David.
    O pray for the peace of Jerusalem;
    They shall prosper that love thee.
    Peace be within thy walls;
    And plenteousness within thy palaces.
    For my brethren and companions’ sake,
    I will wish thee prosperity.
    Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God,
    I will seek to do thee good.
    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.

¶ The People kneeling, the Officiant and other Ministers shall proceed up the centre aisle to the Chancel Gate, saying or singing, the Prayer Book Litany or the Litany for the Church.
 

BENEDICTION OF THE ORNAMENTS

¶ Then, the People standing, the Officiant may go with the other Ministers to bless the various Ornaments, Vessels, and Vestments of the Church, beginning with the Font, and ending with the Altar, using the forms provided under Benedictions. A Hymn may be sung while the Ministers move to the various stations.
 

THE DEDICATION

¶ After blessing the Altar, the Officiant shall turn to the people, and say,

The Lord be with you;
And with thy spirit.
Lift up your hearts;
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto our Lord God;
It is meet and right so to do.

¶ Then turning back to the Altar, he shall continue,

IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, who dwellest in the heavens, yet hast thy habitation among the sons of men; who by thy blessed Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, didst cleanse the temple, that it might be a house of prayer for all people; Regard, we beseech thee, the supplications of thy people; cleanse and sanctify this house, which we desire to dedicate unto thee, that being devoted henceforth to the proclamation of thy glorious Gospel, the ministration of thy holy Sacraments, and the offering of prayer and praise, it may be filled with the glory of thine abiding presence, and may be an holy temple acceptable unto thee; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.

¶ Then the Officiant may pour water on the midst of the Altar in the form of a cross, and shall say,

I DEDICATE this Altar, and this Temple, together with all the Vessels and Vestments thereof, to the glory of God, and in honour of ——: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

¶ Here bells may be rung, and the organ shall sound for the first time. The Officiant shall dry the Altar with a towel, and then go to his seat.
 

THE VESTING OF THE ALTAR

¶ While the following Antiphon and Canticle are being sung, appointed Ministers shall vest the Altar, place the Ornaments, and (unless the Consecration is to follow) light the lights.

    Antiphon. Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Sion: * put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city.

Canticle. Benedictus es, Domine.

BLESSED art thou, O Lord God of our Fathers: * praised and exalted above all for ever.
    Blessed art thou for the Name of thy Majesty: * praised and exalted above all for ever.
    Blessed art thou in the temple of thy holiness : * praised and exalted above all for ever.
    Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths, and dwellest between the Cherubim: * praised and exalted above all for ever.
    Blessed art thou on the glorious throne of thy kingdom: * praised and exalted above all for ever.
    Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven: * praised and exalted above all for ever.
    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.

¶ If the Consecration is to follow, the Bishop shall proceed to that service immediately. Otherwise the Officiant shall begin the Holy Communion, at which the following shall be the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel.
 

THE HOLY COMMUNION

The Collect

O ALMIGHTY God, who in every place art present, and yet dost hallow the places set apart to thy Name; Pour forth thy blessing upon this House of Prayer;.. and grant that all who shall seek thee here, may ever find the light of thy countenance, and the joy of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then shall be said the Collect of the Name of the Church.

The Epistle. Revelation 4.

AFTER this I looked, and behold a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightenings, and thunderings, and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind. And the first was like a lion, and the second like a calf, and the third had a face as a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures had each of them six wings about him: and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those living creatures give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, the four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

The Gospel. St. Mark 14:12.

AND the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he will show you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.