PRAYERS OF PREPARATION

Almighty God,

grant we beseech Thee,

that we may handle Holy things with reverence,

and perform our work with such

faithfulness and devotion

that it may rise with acceptance

before Thee and obtain Thy blessing;

thru Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst accept the ministry of the faithful women during thy earthly life: We pray thee to accept and bless the work which this Altar Guild undertakes in the care of thy Sanctuary; Grant us a spirit of reverence for thy House and Worship, thy Word and Sacraments, and preserve in purity and holiness our own souls and bodies as living temples of thy presence, to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost we give praise and honour, now and forever. Amen.

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord God, whose Son by His self-giving sanctified all servant-hood, teach us in His Name to be servants of Thy Altar both in Thy sanctuary and in Thy world. Help us to hold Thee in our hearts in all that we do, that our work may reflect the beauty and order of Thy ways and praise Thy glorious Name. Amen.

O God, who hast taught us the beauty of order in Thy universe, give us a constant sense of that perfection, and a reminder that work is prayer if done for Thee; that we may approach Thy Altars with humility and with a deep sense of our high calling in Thy service. For Thy sake we ask it. Amen.

Almighty, All-Gracious God, help us to be aware of the penetrating Grace of Thy Presence here with us this day. Freshen our dedication to ever more worshipful ways of living with Thee. Be to our souls a constant light when we serve both in Thy sanctuary and in Thy world. Amen.

GENERAL PRAYERS

Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, Father of our Savior Jesus Christ: whose name is great, whose nature is blissful, whose goodness inexplicable: God and Ruler of all things: who art blessed forever: before whom stand ten thousand times ten thousand, and hosts of Angels and Archangels: Sanctify, O Lord, our souls and bodies and spirits and cast out of us all that is contrary to thy holy will, and grant us, O Lord, with a pure and contrite soul to call upon thee, our God and Father who art in heaven. Amen.

(Liturgy of St. James, 2nd Century)

DEATH OF AN ALTAR GUILD MEMBER

O God, our heavenly Father, who showest mercy to them that love thee, grant to the soul of this thy servant pardon and peace; we pray thee that as she ministered in thine earthly temple, so may she be numbered among those who forever serve before thy throne on high, where thine angels eternally worship thee who art, with the Son and Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

O God, who hast prepared for those who love thee such good things as pass man's understanding; Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRIVATE PRAYERS AT THE ALTAR RAIL

O Eternal God, grant me the light of the Holy Spirit, that I may know what Thou wouldst have me to do; I offer myself entirely to thee, do with me what seemest good in thy sight: Remove all hindrances to the fulfillment of thy will, and give me grace so to follow the leadings of thy Spirit that my life may be spent to thy honour and glory in whatsoever way it pleases thee. Amen.

(Treasury of Devotion)

O Almighty God, give to thy servant a meek and gentle spirit, that I may be slow to anger and easy to mercy and forgiveness. Give me a wise and constant heart, that I may never be moved to an intemperate anger for any injury that is done or offered. Lord, let me ever be courteous and easy to be entreated: let me never to fall into a peevish or contentious spirit, but follow peace with all men, offering forgiveness and courtesies, ready to confess my own errors, apt to make amends, and desirous to be reconciled. Let no employment or weariness, no sickness nor cross accident, make me angry or ungentle, or discontented, or unthankful, or uneasy to them that minister with me, but in all things make me like unto the Holy Jesus. Amen.

(Jeremy Taylor)

Grant me, I beseech thee, almighty and most merciful God, fervently to desire all things that are pleasing to thee: and of all that thou requirest me to do, grant me the

knowledge, the desire, and the ability that I may so fulfill it as I ought, and my path to thee be straightforward to the end. Bestow upon me, O Lord my God, understanding to know thee, diligence to seek thee, wisdom to find thee, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace thee. Amen.

(St. Thomas Aquinas, A.D. 1230)

CLOSING PRAYERS

God of glory, accept our small work, forgive our imperfections, enfold with Thy Beauty this waiting Altar. Amen.

O God, help us who are custodians of the Altar also to be custodians of the spiritual Mansion of Faith. Amen.

O God, as we leave Thy Cross over the Altar, let us see They Cross over the street - beckoning us to walk with courage Love's commandments. Amen.

Dear Heavenly Father,

we beseech Thee to understand

and forgive our frailties.

While we are unworthy to be called Your children,

we strive for Your acceptance and perfection

by acknowledging Your Only Son

as the one true light and way.

When we fall, You raise us up.

When we cry in pain or sorrow, You comfort us.

When we are happy, the heavens sing out the glory of Your joy.

We submit our faults and failures

for Your forgiveness and healing

and our triumphs to the glory of Your Name.

In all things, may we have the strength

of conviction to accept

that while You may not give us what we want,

You will always supply what we need.

For all that has gone before and is to come,

we give thanks and praise Your Holy Name. Amen.

(Grenouille Enterprises, Ltd.)

ALTAR GUILD COMMANDMENTS

I. Thou shalt have no boss but the Vicar (Rector).

II. Thou shalt respect the sanctuary as the Holy of Holies, and do thy work with quiet motions, a quiet mind, and a quiet mouth.

III. Thou shalt be a devout communicant.

IV. Remember thy days, and let nothing keep thee from performing thy duty.

V. Honour the traditions and memorials of thy church.

VI. Thou shalt be in love and charity with thy fellow workers.

VII. Thou shalt keep the linen spotless, the fabrics clean and pressed, and the silver and brass shining and bright.

VIII. Thou shalt take care of the sanctuary, and leave the raising of money to the vestry and other bodies.

IX. Thou shalt be tolerant and understanding of thy neighbor's traditions and customs.

X. Thou shalt not be satisfied with second best for God's throne.

From the Edmonton Churchman

"Seek the Praise of GOD and Not of Men"

"Master, where shall I work today?"

and my love flowed warm and free;

and He pointed out a tiny place,

and said, "Tend that for Me."

But I answered quickly, "O No, not there,

For no one would ever see -

No matter how well my task was done -

Not that little place for me."

"Disciple, search that heart of thine,

Are you working for them or for Me?

Nazareth was just a little place,

And so was Galilee."

GOD'S HOUSEKEEPERS

There are a faithful few who work unseen

and unobtrusively give of their best;

Who spend their lives perfecting little things

which often pass unnoticed by the rest.

Theirs are the hands that dust the altar rails

and change the flowers and keep the linen fair.

They sweep the aisle with cheerful reverence

and polish silver with a murmured prayer.

They are the quiet ones who freely give their time

and thought and love with glad accord;

Who softly tread the byways of resolve,

and share the peace of God for their reward.

Author Unknown.