Jesus our table guest: an order of family prayer

Preface

The "Order of Family Prayer," published a few years ago by the author, being out of print, the question of printing a new edition came up for consideration. On reflection, it was deemed best not to retain the order there recommended, but to present an entirely new Order of Service.

The family, being assembled in any convenient room of the dwelling, each member having a copy of this Order in hand, the service may be fully carried out as herein laid down, for the several seasons of the Church year. The form is fully printed, without abbreviation, in the first service for the first week in Advent.

The observation and experience of the author have brought him to the conviction that, if ever family prayer is to be generally practiced in our families both in town and country, it must be offered whilst the members of the family, old and young, are sitting around the table at the morning or evening meal. Then they are necessarily together, but it is difficult to get them regularly together at any other time. The interruptions are so frequent when the time of family prayer is fixed at an hour either before or after the menl, and in another room of the dwelling, that the service, after having been for a short time irregularly held and often interfered with, is soon abandoned altogether. But when all are sitting at the table, and without changing the posture, it is not difficult to have family prayer. This little manual is specially prepared for use in this way. Let a copy be placed beside each plate and before each guest, and, opening at the regular week of the Church year, let the form here laid down be gone through with by all joining in the parts assigned them. The parts for the father, or whoever leads in his stead, and the parts for the family in the Kyrie, the Gloria, etc., are printed in full in the first service in the book, as a specimen of the way in which they are to be said throughout the book. The Bible Lesson can be read by the head of the family, or by one of the children ; or the father can say one verse, and all the others say the next in unison, and so on until the whole is read. The whole will

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iv ■ PREFACE.

take up only a few minutes of time, and no secular duty need interfere with its regular daily observance. If there is, however, on any day not time for the whole service, some part can be omitted, and the other parts may be used. It is very desirable that "the voice of rejoicing and salvation" should be heard in all "the tabernacles of the righteous."

In order to keep the book small in size and cheap in price, only three forms are given for each week, except in a few instances, where others are added. On the other days of the week, they may either be repeated, or one or more of the prayers may be used that are found at the end of the book, and that have been transferred to it from the author's "Order of Family Prayer."

The Hymns are taken from the Church Book, and the numbers as there given are retained.

The prayers in the latter part of the volume are mainly translated from Diffenbaugh's Haus Agende.

The use of such a manual as this in our families will familiarize them with liturgical forms and a responsive service, and there will be little difficulty in using the Church Book at public worship, where this Order of Family Prayer is daily used at home.

May Jesus be the Table Guest in every house ! With fervent prayers for the

divine blessing upon this humble attempt to glorify His dear name, this little

volume is sent forth into our families.

E. G.

Lancaster, Pa., yanuary /j, 1883.

JESUS OUR TABLE GUEST.

FIRST WEEK IN ADVENT.

First Service.

The Introit.

Father. — Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors;

Family. — And the King of glory shall come in.

Fath. — Who is this King of glory ?

Fam. — The Lord of hosts ; he is the King of glory.

Fath. — Hosanna to the Son of David : Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord !

Fam. — Hosanna in the highest.

Fath. — We give Thee thanks, O Lord, that out of Thy great mercy, Thou didst come to this our fallen world to seek and save that which was lost. We humbly confess our sins unto Thee, for we are not worthy of the least of all the mercy and of all the truth which Thou hast showed unto Thy servants.

Fam. — Amen.

The Kyrie.

Father. — Lord,

Family. — Have mercy upon us.

Fath. — Christ, Fam. — Have mercy upon us.

Fath. — Lord, Fam. — Have mercy upon us, and grant us Thy peace.

The Gloria.

Father. — Glory be to the Father, and td the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. Family. — As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.

OUR TABLE GUEST.

The Hymn — No. 114. 1. — O, how shall I receive thee,

How greet thee, Lord, aright?

All nations long to see thee,

My hope, my heart's delight.

O kindle, Lord, most holy.

Thy lamp within my breast.

To do in spirit lowly,

All that may please Thee best.

1. And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the Mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

2. Saying unto them. Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her ; loose them, and bring them unto me.

7,6. 2. — Thy Zion palms is strewing,

And branches fresh and fair; My heart, its powers renewing.

An anthem shall prepare.

My soul puts off her sadness,

Thy gloiies to proclaim ; With all her strength and gladness, She fain would serve Thy name.

Matt. xxi. i-o.

6. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,

7. And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

8. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down

3. And if any man say aught unto you, ye branches from the trees, and strawed them in shall say. The Lord hath need of them ; and the way.

9. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David : Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord ; Hosanna in the hiehest.

straightway he will send them; .

4. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5. Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

The Creed.

Father and Family. — I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only 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 again from the dead ; He ascended into heaven. And sitteth on 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 ; The holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of Sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the Life everlasting. Amen.

The Prayer.

Father. — O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of man, who didst in the fulness of time come into the world to be a Prince and Saviour, we pray Thee, come daily to our hearts and homes with Thy grace and blessing j come with Thy mercy and forgiveness, with Thy help and comfort, and reign in us and rule over us, so that, having Thy protection and peace, we may remain the faithful subjects of Thy kingdom of grace until Thou shalt receive us to Thy kingdom of glory, through Thee, who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, one God forever and ever.

Family. — Amen.

The Lord' s Prayer.

Father. — 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 ; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.

Family. — Amen.

The Benediction.

Father. — The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.

Father and Fa7nily. — Amen .

FIRST WEEK IN ADVENT.

Second Service.

The Introit.

Father. — Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

Family. — For He hath visited and redeemed His people,

Fath. — And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us,

Fam. — In the house of His servant David,

Fath. — As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets,

Fam. — Which have been since the world began,

Fath. — That we should be saved from our enemies,

Fam. — And from the hand of all that hate us,

Fath. — To perform the mercy promised to our fathers,

Fa7n. — And to remember His holy covenant.

Fath. — O God, with whom is mercy and forgiveness of sins, and who hast sent Thy only Son to redeem us from everlasting death, and hast long borne with our unbelief and impenitence of heart, be gracious unto us, and hear our humble supplications when we cry unto Thee.

Fain. — Amen.

The Kyrie—'' 'Lord;' Qtc.

The Gloria~"0\oxy be to the Father," etc.

4. — Welcome, O my Saviour, now ! 5. — And when Thou dost come again, Hail ! my Portion, Lord, art Thou I As a glorious King to reign,

Here, too, in my heart I pray, I with joy may see Thy face,

O prepare Thyself a way. Freely ransomed by Thy grace.

The Bible Lesson. Isaiah xii. i'-6.

1. And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, 4. And in that day shall ye say. Praise the I will praise thee : though thou wast angry Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings with me, thine anger is turned away, and among the people, make mention that his thou comfortedst me. name is exalted,

2. Behold, God is my salvation; I will 5. Sing unto the Lord, for he hath done trust, and not be afraid ; for the Lord Jehovah excellent things: this is known in all the is my strength, and my song ; he also is become earth.

my salvation, 6. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of

3. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water Zion ; for great is the holy One of Israel in out of the wells of salvation, the midst of thee.

The Creed — "I believe," etc.

The Prayer^ Father. — O God, who didst so love the world as to give Thy only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life ; grant us grace that we may truly believe in Him, and with humble penitence and hearty trust, accept the salvation which He has procured for us, and through Him be saved from perishing, and inherit everlasting joy and felicity in heaven, to the glory of Thy wonderful love and mercy in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Family. — Amen.

The Lord' s Prayer — "Our Father," etc.

The Benediction — " The grace," etc.

FIRST WEEK IN ADVENT.

Third Service.

The Tntroit.

Father. — My soul doth magnify the Lord,

Fatnily. — And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Path. — For He that is mighty hath done to me great things;

Fam. — And holy is His name.

Fath. — And His mercy is on them that fear Him,

Fam. — From generation to generation.

Fath. — He hath showed strength with His arm ;

Fam. — He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,

Fath. — He hath holpen His servant Israel,

Fain. — In remembrance of His mercy ;

Fath. — As He spake to our fathers,

Fam. — To Abraham and to His seed forever.

Fath. — O God, lead us by Thy grace, to confess our sins with humble penitence,

unto Thee, and wilt Thou have mercy upon us.

Fam. — Amen.

The Kyrie — ' ' Lord/ 'etc.

The Gloria — "Glory be," etc.- The Hymn — No. 115. G. M. 3. — Look up, ye drooping hearts, to-day! 6. — O rich the gifts Thou bringest us,

The King is very near: Thyself made poor and weak;

O cast your griefs and fears away, O love beyond compare, that thus

For lo, your Help is here ! Can foes and sinners seek.

5. — Now fear and wrath to joy give place, 7. — For this we raise a gladsome voice

Now are our sorrows o'er, On high to Thee alone,

Since God hath made us in His grace And evermore with thanks rejoice

His children evermore. Before Thy glorious throne.

The Bible Lesson. Rom. xiii. 11-14.

11. And that knowing the time, that now 13. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; it is high time to awake out of sleep, for now not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chamis our salvation nearer than when we be- bering and wantonness, not in strife and enlieved. vying:

12. The night is far spent, the day is at 14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, hand; let us therefore cast off the works of and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil darkness, and let us put on the armor of light, the lusts thereof.

The Creed — ''I believe," etc.

The Prayer.

Father. — O God, who knowest how prone we are to sleep as did the disciples in the garden, when Thou commandest us to watch, grant us Thy grace, that we may awake out of the sleep of sin and ungodliness, and, girding ourselves with the armor of light, we may walk as it becometh the children of the day, in faith and prayer, in piety of heart and pureness lo , OUR TABLE GUEST.

of living, that so, awaiting with a sure and joyful hope, the Advent of Thy Son, our Lord, we may be found unto praise, and honor, and glory at His appearing, to whom with Thee, and the Holy Ghost be everlasting praises. Family. — Amen.

The Lord's Prayer — " Our Father," etc.

The Benediction — " The grace," etc.

FIRST WEEK IN ADVENT.

Fourth Service.

The Introit.

Father. — That He would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve Him without fear.

Family. — In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life,

Fath. — To give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins,

Fam. — Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the Day-spring from on high hath visited us,

Fath. — To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death,

Fai7t. — To guide our feet into the way of peace.

Fath. — O God, we have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, and we have done wickedly, bu Thou hast been merciful to our unrighteousness, and our sins and iniquities Thou wilt remember no more.

Fam. — Amen.

The Kyrie — "Lord," etc.

The Gloria— '' Gloiy be," etc.

The Hymn — No. io8. 8, 7.

I. — Lord, with glowing heart I'd praise Thee 3. — Lord, this bosom's ardent feeling

For the bliss Thy love bestows, Vainly would my lips express :

For the pardoning grace that saves me, Low before Thy footstool kneeling,

And the peace that from it flows. Deign Thy suppUant's prayer to bless.

Help, O God, my weak endeavor, Let Thy grace, my soul's chief treasure,

This dull soul to rapture raise : Love's pure flame within me raise :

Thou must light the flame, or never And since words can never measure.

Can my love be warmed to praise. Let my life shew forth Thy praise.

The Bible Lesson. Isaiah xi. 1-9.

1. And there shall come forth a rod out of of his loins, and faithfulness the girdl^ of his the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow reins,

out of his roots ; 6. The wolf also shall dwell with the

2. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the upon him, the spirit of wisdom and under- kid ; and the calf and the young lion and the standing, the spirit of counsel and might, the fathng together; and a little child shall lead spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the them.

Lord; T- And the cow and the bear shall feed;

3. And shall make him of quick under- their young ones shall lie down together; and standing in the fear of the Lord ; and he the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, 8. And the sucking child shall play on the neither reprove after the hearing of his ears : hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall

4. But with righteousness shall he judge put his hand on the cockatrice's den.

the poor, and reprove with equity for the 9. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all

meek of the earth: and he shall smite the my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full

earth with the rod of his mouth, and with of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters

the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked, cover the sea.

5. And righteousness shall be the girdle

The Creed — "I believe," etc.

The Prayer.

Father. — O God, who hast set up Thy kingdom of truth and grace in the world, and dost rule Thy people with righteousness and peace, grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that Thy kingdom may be within us, and Thy gracious presence may ever be with us, so that, the evil of our carnal nature being subdued, we may serve Thee in righteousness and true holiness all the days of our life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Family. — Amen.

llie Lord's Prayer — "Our Father," etc.

The Benediction — '' The grace," etc.

SECOND WEEK IN ADVENT.

First Service.

The Introit.

Father. — Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications : in Thy faithfulness answer me, and in Thy righteousness.

Family. — And enter not into judgment with Thy servant: for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified.

OUR TABLE GUEST.

Fath. — For the enemy has persecuted my soul ; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.

Fain. — Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me ; my heart within me is

desolate.

Fath. — Hear me speedily, O Lord, my spirit faileth ; hide not Thy face from me,

lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Farn. — Cause me to hear Thy loving kindness in the morning ; for in Thee do I trust; cause me to know the way wherein I should walk;- for I lift up my soul unto Thee.

Fath. — O God, we have sinned and have done wickedly, and deserve Thy sore displeasure, and have great cause to be afraid of Thy judgments, but our hope is in Thy mercy.

The Kyrie—''\.o\d.,'' etc.

The Gloria — -'Glory be," etc.

The Hymn — No. 566. L. M.

When louder yet, and yet more dread,

I. — That day of wrath, that dreadful day, When heaven and earth shall pass away, What power shall be the sinner's stay ?

How shall he meet that dreadful day?

2. — When, shrivelling like a parched scroll, The flaming heavens together roll;

The Bible Lesson.

25. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring ;

26. Men's hearts faihng them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth ; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

27. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28. And when these things begin to come' to pass, then look up, and Uft up your heads ; for your redemption draweth nigh.

29. And he spake to them a parable ; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

Swells the high trump that wakes the dead:

3. — Lord! on that day, that wrathful day, When man to judgment wakes from clay, Be Thou the trembling sinner's stay.

Though heaven and earth shall pass avi'ay.

LuKExxi. 25-36.

31. So likewise ye, when ye see those things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

32. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away till all be fulfilled.

33. Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away.

34. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36. Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape

30. When they now shoot forth, ye see and all these things that shall come to pass, and know of your own selves, that summer is now to stand before the Son of man. nigh at hand.

The Creed — "I believe," etc.

The Prayer.

Father. — O Thou who art Lord of the whole earth, and who wilt come in awful majesty, to judge the quick and the dead, grant us grace, that, by true faith in Thee, we may be clothed in Thy righteousness, and have the forgiveness of all our sins, so that, having Thee as our Saviour, we may joyfully welcome Thee as our Judge, and be received to the glories of Thy everlasting Kingdom, through Thee, who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, forever.

Family. — Amen.

The Lord' s Prayer — ''Our Father," etc.

The Benediction — *'The grace," etc.

SECOND AVEEK IN ADVENT.

Second Service.

The Lntroit.

Father. — Lord, hear my voice; let Thine ears be attentive to my supplications. Family. — If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? Fath. — But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared. Fa7n. — I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope. Fath. — Let Israel hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with

Him is plenteous redemption.

Fam. — And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquides.

Fath. — O Lord God, who hatest iniquity, transgression, and sin, but who desirest not the death of the wicked, and hast given Thy Son to suffer and die to redeem us poor miserable sinners, have mercy upon us, and for His sake, grant us remission of all our sins.

Fam. — Amen.

The Kyrie — ''Lord," etc.

The Gloria — "Glory be," etc.

The Hymn — No. 103. C. M.

I. — O that I had an angel's tongue, 3. — O sing aloud in boundless grace,

That I might loudly smg Which thus hath set thee free;

The wonders of redeeming love, Extol with songs my saved soul,

To Thee, my God and King! Thy Saviour's love to thee.

2. —Let the redeemed of the Lord 4. — Give endless thanks to God and say, Their thankful voices raise : What love was this in Thee,

Can we be dumb whilst angels sing That Thou hast not withheld Thy Son,

Our great Redeemer's praise ? Thine only Son, from me !

The Bible Lesson. Ps. xcvi.

1. O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing that it shall not be moved; he shall, judge unto*the Lord, all the earth. the people righteously.

2. Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; ii. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the show forth his salvation from day to day. earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the ful-

6. Honor and majesty are before him : ness thereof.

strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. I2. Let the field be joyful, and all that is

7. Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of therein : then shall all the trees of the wood the people, give unto the Lord glory and rejoice ,

strength. 13. Before the Lord: for he cometh, for

9. O worship the Lord in the beauty of he cometh to judge the earth : he shall judge holiness; fear before him, all the earth. the world with righteousness, and the people

10. Say among the heathen that the Lord M'ith his truth, reigneth; the world also shall be established

The Creed — ''I believe, etc."

The Prayer.

Father. — O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast all power given to Thee in heaven and on earth, and who wilt come in glorious majesty, and Thy holy angels with Thee, at the last day, to judge the world, grant us grace, that we may, by true repentance and humble faith, receive Thee as our Redeemer and Lord, and by watchfulness and prayer always may have our loins girt about, and our lamps burning, so that, we may, with joy, and not with grief, stand before Thee as our Judge, through Thee, who with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, one God, forever and ever.

Family . — Amen .

The Lord's Frayer— ''Our Father," etc.

The Benediction — '*The grace," etc.

SECOND WEEK IN ADVENT.

Third Service.

The Introit.

Father. — O sing unto the Lord a new song; for He hath done marvellous things : His right hand and His holy arm hath gotten Him the victory.

Family. — The Lord hath made known His salvation : His righteousness hath He openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.

Fath. — He hath remembered His mercy and His truth toward the house of Israel ; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

FAMIL Y PR A YER.

Fam. — Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all the earth ; make a loud noise, and

rejoice and sing praise.

Fath. — Let the floods clap their hands ; let the hills be joyful together, Fam. — Before the Lord ; for He cometh to judge the earth : with righteousness

shall He judge the world, and the people with equity. Fath. — O, Thou great Judge of men, before whom we are vile, and in whose

sight the heavens are unclean, have mercy upon us when with contrite hearts

we confess our sins to Thee.

Fam. — Amen.

The Kyrie — '' Lord," etc.

The Gloria — ''Glory be," etc.

The Hymn — No. 570. C. P.

M.

I. — When Thou my righteous Judge shalt come To call Thy ransomed people home,

Shall I among them stand ?

Shall such a worthless worm as I So sinful and unfit to die

Be found at Thy right hand ?

The Bible Lesson.

42. Watch, therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

43. But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

44. Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.

45. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season.

46. Blessed is that sei-vant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doini^.

2. — Blest Saviour grant it by Thy grace; Be Thou my soul's sure hiding-place.

In this my gracious day : Thy pardoning voice O let me hear, To still my unbelieving fear.

Nor let me fall away.

Matt. xxiv. 42-51.

47. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

48. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart. My lord delayeth his coming ;

49. And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken ;

50. The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour, that he is not aware of,

51. And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.