XXIV.

A SHORT SERVICE OF
COMFORT AND HOPE FOR
SICK COMMUNICANTS

The Minister coming in shall say:

Peace be to this house.

After brief words of kindly greeting let him say:

Brother, let me read you some words of comfort from the mind of God.

Then he shall read one or more of the following:

2 Kings iv. 18-38 (for a child). 2 Kings v. 1-4, 9-15. Isa. xxxv. Isa. liv. 7-15. Isa. lxi. 11-18. St Matt. vi. 25 to the end. St. Luke v. 18-33. St. Luke xiii. 11-18. St. James i. 12-22; v. 7-12.
    Before an operation, Ecclus. xxxviii. 1-14.
    Thanksgiving, 1 Sam. ii. 1-11; Isa. xxxviii. 9-21. Hosea xiv.

Here may follow a meditation on the portion read.
Then the Minister shall say:

Let us praise God in the words of a Psalm.

Then shall be read by the Minister alone, or alternately with others if they so desire, one or more of the following:

    Psalms 3, 11, 20, 23, 42, 91, 121, 126, 138, 146.
    Thanksgiving, Psalm 103.

Then, kneeling down he shall say:

    O Lord, save Thy servant;
    Answer. Who putteth his trust in Thee.
    Send him help from Thy holy place.
    Answer. And evermore defend him.
    Be unto him, O Lord, a strong tower,
    Answer. From the face of his enemy.
    O Lord, hear our prayer.
    Answer. And let our cry come unto Thee.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
   Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father.

Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love.

I believe in Thee, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, my Creator, and my Redeemer, and my Sanctifier; I believe that Thou art All-Holy, Just and Merciful. I believe that Thou art willing to pardon and to save me, if I repent and forsake my sins.
    O my God, strengthen and increase my faith, and grant me the grace of a true repentance, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

I hope in Thee, O my God, because Thou art Almighty, Faithful, and Long-suffering. I humbly trust that Thou wilt pardon my sins for the sake of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for me upon the Cross; and that Thou wilt cleanse my sinful soul in His Precious Blood, and make me holy, and bring me safe to everlasting life.
    O Lord, in Thee have I trusted, let me never be confounded. Amen.

I love Thee, O my God, above all things, because Thou hast been so good, so patient, so loving to me, notwithstanding all the sins by which I have so grievously offended Thee. I love Thee, O Blessed Jesus, my Saviour, because Thou didst suffer so much for love of me, an ungrateful sinner, and didst die on the Cross for my salvation.
    O make me love Thee more and more, and show my love to Thee by faithfully keeping Thy Commandments all the days of my life. Amen.

Let us pray.

O God of heavenly powers, who by the might of Thy command drivest away from men’s bodies all sickness and all infirmity; Be present in Thy goodness to this Thy servant, that his weakness may be banished and his strength recalled, and his health being thereupon restored, he may bless Thy holy Name, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

O God, by whose command the moments of our life run their course; Receive our prayers for this Thy servant, on whose behalf we implore Thy mercy; that our fears on account of his danger may be turned into joy at his recovery; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, who succorest those that labor under perils and afflictions; We humbly beseech Thy Majesty, that it may please Thee to send Thy holy Angel to uphold with Thy comfort Thy servant N., who in this house is suffering distress and affliction; that he may both receive Thy present aid, and attain eternal healing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Sovereign Lord, our God, Almighty, we beseech Thee to save us all, Thou only Physician of souls and bodies. Sanctify us all, Thou that healest every disease; and heal also this Thy servant. Raise him up from the bed of pain by Thy tender, loving kindness; visit him in mercy and compassion; drive away from him all sickness and infirmity; that being raised up by Thy mighty band, he may serve Thee with all thankfulness; and that we, being made partakers of Thine unspeakable goodness, may praise and glorify Thee, who doest works great and wonderful, and worthy to be praised. It is Thine to pity and to save; and to Thee would we ascribe glory, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, now and for ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Unto God’s gracious mercy and protection we commit thee. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace, both now and evermore. Amen.
 

Other prayers will be found on page 173 of this book.
See also the Litany of the Sick, page 148.

For a Dying Communicant.

    Rev. xix. 1, 4-10. St. Luke xxiii. 38.44.
    Psalm 4, 23, 43, 121.

O Sovereign Lord, our God, Almighty, who wiliest that all men should be saved, and come to a knowledge of the truth; who desirest not the death of the sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live; We pray and beseech Thee, loose the soul of this Thy servant from every bond, and free it from every curse. For Thou art He that loosest the fettered; and raisest up the crushed, O Thou Hope of the hopeless! Command, therefore, O Lord, that the soul of Thy servant be released in peace, and go to rest in Thine eternal tabernacles with all Thy Saints, through Thine Only Begotten Son: with whom, and with Thy Holy and life-giving Spirit, Thou art blessed now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast been pleased to breathe into man a soul according to Thy likeness; Do Thou, while at Thy bidding dust returns to dust, command Thine image to be associated with Thy Saints and elect in an everlasting home; and gently and tenderly receive it as it returns unto Thee, and send Thy holy Angels to meet it, and show it the way of righteousness, and open the gates of Thy glory. Amen.

A Short Litany for the Dying.

    O God, the Father of Heaven; have mercy upon the soul of Thy servant.
    O God, the Son, Redeemer of the world; have mercy upon the soul of Thy servant.
    O God, the Holy Ghost; have mercy upon the soul of Thy servant.
    O Holy Trinity, One God; have mercy upon the soul of Thy servant.
    Thou who are Three and One; have mercy upon the soul of Thy servant.
    O God, the Holy of Holies; have mercy upon him.
    By Thy holy Incarnation;
    By Thy holy Nativity;
    By Thy holy Circumcision;
    By Thy holy Epiphany;
    By Thy holy Baptism;
    By Thy holy Passion;
    By Thy holy and most loving Death;
    By Thy holy Descent into hell;
    By Thy glorious Resurrection;
    By Thy wonderful Ascension;
    By the Coming of the Holy Ghost the Comforter;
    By the majesty of Thy Coming;
    We sinners do beseech Thee to hear us:
    That it may please Thee to deliver the soul of Thy servant from the prince of darkness, and the place of punishment;—We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord.
    That it may please Thee to put all his sins out of remembrance for ever;
    That it may please Thee mercifully to pardon whatever guilt he hath contracted by the fraud of the devil, or by his own sinfulness and weakness;
    That he may be enabled by Thy bounty to receive that remission of his sins which he hath ever longed for;
    That it may please Thee to give to this our brother a place of refreshment, and light, and everlasting blessedness;
    That it may please Thee to give him joy and gladness in Thy kingdom, with Thy Saints and elect;
    That he may with confidence wait for the Day of Judgment;
    That it may please Thee to show him that sight so full of loveliness, Thy holy and glorious Face looking on him in love;
    O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world; have mercy upon him.
    O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world; have mercy upon him.
    O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world; grant him Thy Peace.

The Commendatory Prayer from the Prayer Book may follow if the end seems near.

The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant; Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Rev. xiv. 1-6.
Hear also what the wise man saith:
Wisdom iii. 1-7.
Hear also what our Lord Jesus Christ saith:
St. John xiv. 1-7.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
    Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

XXVI

ORDER FOR
THE BURIAL OF A CHILD

The Minister shall say or sing:

    I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
    Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
    Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the Kingdom of God.
    He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.
    The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord.

After they are come into the Church shall be said these Psalms following:

PSALM 23. Dominus regit me.

    The Lord is my shepherd : therefore can I lack nothing.
    2 He shall feed me in a green pasture: and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
    3 He shall convert my soul: and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness for his Name’s sake.
    4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
    5 Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me : thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
    6 But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life : and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
    Glory be.

PSALM 113. Laudate, pueri.

    Praise the Lord, ye servants : O praise the Name of the Lord.
    2 Blessed be the Name of the Lord : from this time forth for evermore.
    3 The Lord’s Name is praised : from the rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same.
    4 The Lord is high above all heathen : and his glory above the heavens.
    5 Who is like unto the Lord our God, that hath his dwelling so high: and yet humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and earth!
    6 He taketh up the simple out of the dust : and lifteth the poor out of the mire;
    7 That he may set him with the princes : even with the princes of his people.
    8 He maketh the barren woman to keep house : and to be a joyful mother of children.
    Glory be.

Then shall follow the Lesson.

St. Matthew xviii. 1-6, 10-15.
Or, Rev. xiv. 1-6.

When they come to the Grave, while the Body is made ready to be laid into the earth, the Minister shall say:

Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up, and is cut down, like a flower; he fleeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay.
    While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
    A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. Thus saith the Lord, Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears; fOr thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border.
 

Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of His great mercy to take unto Himself the soul of this dear child here departed, we therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change the body of our humiliation, that it may be like unto His glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby He is able to subdue all things to Himself.

Then shall be said or sung:

    Therefore are they before the throne of God, and. serve Him day and night in His temple : and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
    They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
    For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Then the Minister shall say:

Lord, have mercy upon us.
   Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father.

Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord, and with whom the souls of the faithful, after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity; We give Thee hearty thanks, for that it hath pleased Thee to deliver this child from the dangers and temptations of this sinful world; beseeching Thee, that it may please Thee, of Thy gracious goodness, shortly to accomplish the number of Thine elect, and to hasten Thy Kingdom; that we, with all those that are departed in the true faith of Thy holy Name, may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in Thy eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst take little children into Thine arms, and bless them; Open Thou our eyes, we beseech Thee, that we may perceive that Thou, in very goodness, hast taken this little child into the everlasting arms of Thine infinite love, and hast brought him to Thy Presence in Paradise; who livest and reignest with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, ever One God, world without end. Amen.

O Almighty God, who out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast ordained strength, and madest infants to glorify Thee by their deaths; Mortify and kill all vices in us, and so strengthen us by Thy grace, that by the innocency of our lives, and constancy of our faith even unto death, we may glorify Thy Holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Hymns may be sung after the Lesson and before the concluding Grace.

If there is a celebration of the Holy Communion, the Lesson shall be omitted and shall become the Gospel.

Collect.

Grant, O Lord, that as we are baptized into the death of Thy blessed Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, so by continual mortifying our corrupt affections we may be buried with Him; and that through the grave, and gate of death, we may pass to our joyful resurrection; for His merits, who died, and was buried, and rose again for us, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epistle. Titus iii. 4-8.
Gospel. St. Matt. xviii. 1-6, 10-15.

XXVII.

AN ORDER FOR
THE BURIAL OF THOSE FOR WHOM THE PRAYER BOOK OFFICE MAY NOT BE USED

To be used at the grave at the request of Christian relatives of the Departed.

The Minister, standing by the grave, shall say:

PSALM 80. Qui regis Israel.

    Hear, O thou Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep : show thyself also, thou that sittest upon the Cherubim.
    2 Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasses : stir up thy strength, and come and help us.
    3 Turn us again, O God : show the light of thy countenance, and we shall be whole.
    4 O Lord God of hosts : how long wilt thou be angry with thy people that prayeth?
    5 Thou feedest them with the bread of tears : and givest them plenteousness of tears to drink.
    6 Thou hast made us a very strife unto our neighbors : and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
    7 Turn us again, thou God of hosts : show the light of thy countenance, and we shall be whole.
    8 Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt : thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.
    9 Thou madest room for it : and when it had taken root, it filled the land.
    10 The hills were covered with the shadow of it : and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedartrees.
    11 She stretched out her branches unto the sea : and her boughs unto the river.
    12 Why hast thou then broken down her hedge : that all they that go by pluck off her grapes?
    13 The wild boar out of the wood doth root it up : and the wild beasts of the field devour it.
    14 Turn thee again, thou God of hosts, look down from heaven : behold, and visit this vine;
    15 And the place of the vineyard that thy right hand bath planted : and the branch that thou madest so strong for thyself.
    16 It is burnt with fire, and cut down : and they shall perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
    17 Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand : and upon the son of man, whom thou madest so strong for thine own self.
    18 And so will not we go back from thee : O let us live, and we shall call upon thy Name.
    19 Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts : show the light of thy countenance, and we shall be whole.
    Glory be.

PSALM 6. Domine, ne in furore.

    O Lord, rebuke me not in thine indignation: neither chasten me in thy displeasure.
    2 Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak : O Lord, heal me, for my bones are vexed.
    3 My soul also is sore troubled : but, Lord, how long wilt thou punish me?
    4 Turn thee, O Lord, and deliver my soul :O save me, for thy mercy’s sake.
    5 For in death no man remembereth thee : and who will give thee thanks in the pit?
    6 I am weary of my groaning, every night wash I my bed : and water my couch with my tears.
    7 My beauty is gone for very trouble : and worn away because of all mine enemies.
    8 Away from me, all ye that work vanity : for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.
    9 The Lord bath heard my petition : the Lord will receive my prayer.
    10 All mine enemies shall be confounded, and sore vexed : they shall be turned back, and put to shame suddenly.
    Glory be.
 

2 St. Peter iii. 8-14; or 1 St. John v. 10-21.

While the corpse is being laid into the earth shall be said:

    In the midst of life we are in death: of whom may we seek for succor, but of Thee, O Lord, who for our sins are justly displeased?
    Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, o holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death.
    Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut not Thy merciful ears to our prayer; but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, Thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us, not, at our last hour, for any pains of death, to fall from Thee.

Then shall follow:

    Have mercy upon me, O God, after Thy great goodness : according to the multitude of Thy mercies do away mine offences.
    Wash me throughly from my wickedness: and cleanse me from my sin.
    For I acknowledge my faults: and my sin is ever before me.
    Against Thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight: that Thou mightest be justified in Thy saying, and clear when Thou art judged.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
   Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father.

O Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of just men made perfect, after they are delivered from their earthly prisons; We humbly commend the soul of this Thy servant, our dear brother, into Thy hands, as into the hands of a faithful Creator, and most merciful Saviour; most humbly beseeching Thee, that it may be precious in Thy sight. Wash it, we pray Thee, in the blood of that immaculate Lamb, that was slain to take away the sins of the world; that whatsoever defilements it may have contracted in the midst of this miserable and evil world, through the lusts of the flesh, or the wiles of Satan, being purged and done away, it may be presented pure and without spot before Thee; through the merits of Jesus Christ Thine only Son our Lord. Amen.

We humbly beseech Thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities; and, for the glory of Thy Name, turn from us all those evils that we most justly have deserved; and grant, that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in Thy mercy, and evermore serve Thee in holiness and pureness of living, to Thy honor and glory; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Merciful God, and heavenly Father, who hast taught us in Thy holy Word that Thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men; Look with pity, we beseech Thee, upon the sorrows of Thy servants, for whom our prayers are desired. In Thy wisdom Thou hast seen fit to visit them with trouble, and to bring distress upon them. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy; sanctify Thy fatherly correction to them; endue their souls with patience under their affliction, and with resignation to Thy blessed will; comfort them with a sense of Thy goodness; lift up Thy countenance upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, who knowest our necessities before we ask, and our ignorance in asking; We beseech Thee to have compassion upon our infirmities; and those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask, vouchsafe to give us, for the worthiness of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.

MEMORIAL SERVICES

To be used On the anniversary of a death, or on a specially appointed occasion.

A.

    “The Order for the Burial of the Dead” may be used, providing in place of the words of committal a short time of silence for prayer and thanksgiving, followed by a Hymn or Anthem.
    A Hymn or Anthem may also suitably follow “The Grace,” and the Service conclude with the Benediction.

B.

Special Service.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Remember not, Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers; neither take Thou vengeance of our sins: spare us, good Lord, spare Thy people whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever.

Spare us, good Lord.

    V. Turn Thee, O Lord, and deliver my soul.
    R. O save me for Thy mercy’s sake.
    V. Enter not into judgment with Thy servants.
    R. For in Thy sight shall no man living be justified.
    V. O Lord, hear our prayer.
    R. And let our cry come unto Thee.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
   Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father.

Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of those who depart hence in the Lord, and with whom the souls of the faithful, after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity; We give Thee hearty thanks for the good examples of all those Thy servants, who, having finished their course in faith, do now rest from their labors. And we beseech Thee, that we, with all those who are departed in the true faith of Thy holy Name, may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in Thy eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    Antiphon. I heard a voice from heaven, saying, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.

    Or: If Thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide it?

Psalms (one or more).

PSALM 84. Quam dilecta!

    O how amiable are thy dwellings : thou Lord of hosts!
    2 My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord : my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
    3 Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house, and the swallow a nest, where she may lay her young : even thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
    4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house : they will be alway praising thee.
    5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee : in whose heart are thy ways.
    6 Who going through the vale of misery use it for a well : and the pools are filled with water.
    7 They will go from strength to strength : and unto the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Sion.
    8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer : hearken, O God of Jacob.
    9 Behold, O God our defender : and look upon the face of thine anointed.
    10 For one day in thy courts : is better than a thousand.
    11 I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God : than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness.
    12 For the Lord God is a light and defence : the Lord will give grace and worship, and no good thing shall he withhold from them that live a godly life.
    13 O Lord God of hosts : blessed is the man that putteth his trust in thee.
    Glory be.

PSALM 130. De profundis.

    Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord : Lord, hear my voice.
    2 O let thine ears consider well : the voice of my complaint.
    3 If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss : O Lord, who may abide it?
    4 For there is mercy with thee : therefore shalt thou be feared.
    5 I look for the Lord; my soul doth wait for him : in his word is my trust.
    6 My soul fleeth unto the Lord : before the morning watch, I say, before the morning watch.
    7 O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy : and with him is plenteous redemption.
    8 And he shall redeem Israel : from all his sins.
    Glory be.
 

PSALM 121. Levavi oculos.

    I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills : from whence cometh my help.
    2 My help cometh even from the Lord : who hath made heaven and earth.
    3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved : and he that keepeth thee will not sleep.
    4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel : shall neither slumber nor sleep.
    5 The Lord himself is thy keeper : the Lord is thy defence upon thy right hand;
    6 So that the sun shall not burn thee by day : neither the moon by night.
    7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil : yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul.
    8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in : from this time forth for evermore.
    Glory be.

PSALM 23. Dominus regit me.

    The Lord is my shepherd : therefore can I lack nothing.
    2 He shall feed me in a green pasture: and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
    3 He shall convert my soul: and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness for his Name’s sake.
    4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
    5 Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me : thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
    6 But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life : and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
    Glory be.

PSALM 51. Miserere mei, Deus.

    Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness : according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences.
    2 Wash me throughly from my wickedness : and cleanse me from my sin.
    3 For I acknowledge my faults : and my sin is ever before me.
    4 Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight : that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged.
    5 Behold, I was shapen in wickedness : and in sin hath my mother conceived me.
    6 But lo, thou requirest truth in the inward parts : and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly.
    7 Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean : thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
    8 Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness : that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
    9 Turn thy face from my sins : and put out all my misdeeds.
    10 Make me a clean heart, O God : and renew a right spirit within me.
    11 Cast me not away from thy presence : and take not thy holy Spirit from me.
    12 O give me the comfort of thy help again : and stablish me with thy free Spirit.
    13 Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked : and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
    14 Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health : and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness.
    15 Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord : and my mouth shall show thy praise.
    16 For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it thee : but thou delightest not in burnt-offerings.
    17 The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit : a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise.
    18 O be favorable and gracious unto Sion : build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
    19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt-offerings and oblations : then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.
    Glory be.

    Antiphon. I heard a voice from heaven, saying, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.
    Or: If Thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide it?

Then. shall be read St. John v. 24-31.
 

The Service may conclude with a Hymn., and the following Prayers:

O eternal and everlasting God, the Life and the Resurrection of all that believe in Thee, trust Thee, and serve Thee; that art always to be praised as well for the departed as for such as be still living upon the earth; We give Thee most hearty thanks for Thy servant who has (or, who as on this day) entered into rest; beseeching Thee to show forth upon Thy whole Church, in Paradise and on earth, the bright beams of Thy light and heavenly comfort, and to grant that we who are alive this day may follow the steps of all those who have served and loved Thee here, and have gone before us, in the confession of Thy holy Name, that with them we may at length enter into Thine unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who by Thy death didst take away the sting of death; Grant unto us Thy servants so to follow in faith where Thou hast led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in Thee, and awake up after Thy likeness; through Thy mercy, who livest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

On a Public Occasion.

Almighty and everliving God, we yield unto Thee most high praise and hearty thanks, for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in Thy saints, the fathers, doctors, confessors and martyrs of Thy Church in America and throughout the world, who have given unto us Thy holy Word in a language understanded of the People, together with a rich heritage of civil and religious freedom, and the blessings of Apostolic faith, order, fellowship and worship. And we pray that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give us grace so to follow the example of their steadfastness in Thy faith, even unto death, and of their obedience to Thy holy commandments, that at the day of the general Resurrection, we, together with them, may obtain a good report through faith, receive Thy heavenly promises, and enter upon our perfect consummation and bliss in Thy kingdom, eternal in the heavens. Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

O Almighty God, who hast knit together Thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of Thy Son Christ our Lord; Grant us grace so to follow Thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys which Thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Almighty and Merciful Lord grant us, with all the faithful, light, peace and life everlasting. Amen.

Or,

Unto God’s gracious mercy and protection we commit thee. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace, both now and evermore. Amen.

If there be a Celebration of the Holy Communion.

Collect.

O Merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life; in whom whosoever believeth, shall live, though he die; and whosoever liveth, and believeth in Him, shall not die eternally; who also hath taught us, by His holy Apostle Saint Paul, not to be sorry, as men without hope, for those who sleep in Him; We humbly beseech Thee, O Father, to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness; that, when we shall depart this life, we may rest in Him; and that, at the general Resurrection in the last day, we may be found acceptable in Thy sight; and receive that blessing, which Thy well-beloved Son shall then pronounce to all who love and fear Thee, saying, Come, ye blessed children of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. Grant this, we beseech Thee, O Merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.

The Epistle. 1 Thess. iv. 13 to the end.
The Gospel. St. John vi. 37-41.

Or

The Epistle. 1 Cor. xv. 20-29.
The Gospel. St. John xi. 21-28.