The Church Porch: A Service Book and Hymnal for Sunday Schools

SEVENTH SERVICE.

FOR CHRISTMASTIDE.

The Sentences.
[All standing.]

Versicle. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel.
Response. For he hath visited and redeemed his people.
. As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets.
Ry. Which have been since the world began.

V. For unto you is born this day in the city of David.
R. A Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Hosanna to the Son of David.

R. Hosanna in the highest.

¶ Then shall be sung

The Anthem.

Y soul doth magni- | fy the | Lord,

And my spirit hath re- | joiced in | God my Saviour. For he hath re- | garded

The lowliness of his hand- | maiden;

For behold, from hence- forth,

For he that is mighty hath magnified me, and holy | is his |

name,

And his mercy is on them that fear him through- | out all | generations.

He hath showed strength | with his | arm ;

He hath scattered the proud in the imagi- | nation | of their | hearts.

He hath put down the mighty | from their | seats,

He remembering his mercy hath holpen his | servant Israel,

As he promised to our forefathers, Abraham | and his | seed 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 | ev-er | shall be || world with- out end. | A-- | men.

Then shall be read responsively from

The Psalter.

PSALM LXXXIX.

Y song shall be alway of the loving-kindness of the Lord; with my mouth will I ever be showing thy truth from o generation to another.

one

2. For I have said, Mercy shall be set up for ever; thy truth shalt thou stablish in the heavens.

3. I have made a covenant with my chosen: I have sworn unto David, my servant ;

4. Thy seed will I stablish for ever, and set up thy throne from one generation to another.

5. My hand shall hold him fast, and my arm shall strengthen him.

6. The enemy shall not be able to do him violence; the son of wickedness shall not hurt him.

7. I will smite down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.

8. My truth also and my mercy shall be with him; and in my name shall his horn be exalted.

9. I will set his dominion also in the sea, and his right hand in the floods.

10. He shall call me, Thou art my Father, my God, and my strong salvation.

11. And I will make him my first-born, higher than the kings of the earth.

12. My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.

13. His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.

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. A-- | men.

Then shall be read

The Lesson.

Which may be the Gospel or Epistle for the day, or any brief passage of Holy Scripture, at the Reader's discretion.]

. Let us pray.

Then shall the Reader say, all kneeling:

The Prayer.

BLESSED Son of God, who once wast throned in a human

mother's arms, mercifully grant that we, who praise thee now for the glad tidings of thy peace, may become at last partakers of thy heavenly treasure. Thou didst make the sacred night of thy nativity to shine with the brightness of the true light. Shine now inwardly in our hearts, we pray, and shed abroad in them the sunshine of thy love. Thou didst condescend to be born into this world a little child that thou mightest become the children's Saviour. Bless with thy guardian love, watch over with thy tenderest care these children now gathered in thy presence and kneeling at thy feet. They have been signed with thy cross, they are pledged to thy service. Befriend thou them, O gracious Bishop and Shepherd of their souls, through all the unknown future of their lives. Be with them in times of weakness when their strength of spirit or of body fails. Shield thou them alike from the Tempter's open assaults and from his secret wiles. Refresh them when they droop beneath the burden and heat of the day. Deal gently with them when they stumble, and lift them when they fall. And in the day when thou dost throw wide the gates of the Eternal City to those who shall go out thence no more for ever, may these thy children all be taught of thee, and great may be their peace. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Reader add

The Blessing.

EIGHTH SERVICE.

FOR THE EPIPHANY AND SUNDAYS FOLLOWING.

The Sentences.
[All standing.]

Versicle. Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion.
Response. Put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem.

. Break forth into joy, sing together ye waste places of Jerusalem.

R. For the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.

. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations.

R. And all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

¶ Then shall be sung

The Anthem.