A Liturgy for Independence Day

A Liturgy for Independence Day

The liturgy begins with the Choir and Ministers entering in procession while the Te Deum is sung

Te Deum Laudamus

WE praise thee, O God: we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
    All the earth doth worship thee : the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud : the heavens and an the powers therein.
    To thee Cherubin and Seraphim : continually do cry,
    Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty: of thy glory.
    The glorious company of the Apostles : praise thee.
    The goodly fellowship of the Prophets : praise thee.
    The noble army of Martyrs : praise thee.
    The holy Church throughout all the world: doth acknowledge thee;
    The Father: of an infinite Majesty;
    Thine honourable, true: and only Son;
    Also the Holy Ghost: the Comforter.

THOU art the King of glory: 0 Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son : of the Father.
    When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man: thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
    When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death : thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
    Thou sittest at the right hand of God : in the glory of the Father.
    We believe that thou shalt come : to be our Judge.
    We therefore pray thee, help thy servants: whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
    Make them to be numbered with thy Saints: in glory everlasting.

O LORD, save thy people: and bless thine heritage.
    Govern them : and lift them up for ever.
    Day by day : we magnify thee;
    And we worship thy Name : ever world without end.
    Vouchsafe, O Lord : to keep us this day without sin.
    O Lord, have mercy upon us : have mercy upon us.
    O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us : as our trust is in thee.
    O Lord, in thee have I trusted : let me never be confounded.

V:       Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

R:       And Blessed be his Kingdom now and forever, Amen.

Then shall be sung or said

Psalm 146. Lauda, anima mea.

Antiphon: O put not your trust in princes, * nor in any child of man.

PRAISE the LORD, O my soul: while I live, will I praise the LORD; * yea, as long as I have any being, I will sing praises unto my God.

2 O put not your trust in princes, nor in any child of man; * for there is no help in them.

3 For when the breath of man goeth forth, he shall turn again to his earth, * and then all his thoughts perish.

4 Blessed is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, * and whose hope is in the LORD his God:

5 Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein is; * who keepeth his promise for ever;

6 Who helpeth them to right that suffer wrong; * who feedeth the hungry.

7 The LORD looseth men out of prison; * the LORD giveth sight to the blind.

8 The LORD helpeth them that are fallen; * the LORD careth for the righteous.

9 The LORD careth for the strangers; he defendeth the fatherless and widow: * as for the way of the ungodly, he turneth it upside down.

10 The LORD thy God, O Sion, shall be King for evermore, * and throughout all generations.

Then shall be read

The Reading 1 Samuel 8:1-18

And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba. And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord. And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. And Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto the people that asked of him a king. And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the Lord will not hear you in that day.

V:       The Word of the Lord

R:       Thanks be to God

The Canticle   Dignus es    Revelation 4:11; 5:9 10, 13

Antiphon: Splendor and honor and kingly power * are yours by right, O Lord our God,

Splendor and honor and kingly power * are yours by right, O Lord our God,

For you created everything that is, * and by your will they were created and have their being;

And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, * for with your blood you have redeemed for God,

From every family, language, people, and nation, * a kingdom of priests to serve our God.

And so, to him who sits upon the throne, * and to Christ the Lamb,

Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor, * for ever and for evermore.

Glory 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 Priest shall say,

              The Lord be with you.
Answer. And with thy spirit.

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

OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in 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.

Minister       O Lord, save the State

Answer         And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.

Minister       Endue thy ministers with righteousness;

Answer         And make thy chosen people joyful.

Minister       O Lord, save thy people.

Answer         And bless thine inheritance.

Minister       Give peace in our time, O Lord.

Answer         For it is thou, Lord, only, that makest us dwell in safety.

For Our Country.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favour and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honourable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogancy, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer for The President of the United States, and all in Civil Authority.

ALMIGHTY God, whose kingdom is everlasting and power infinite; Have mercy upon this whole land; and so rule the hearts of thy servants THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, The Governor of this State, and all others in authority, that they, knowing whose ministers they are, may above all things seek thy honour and glory; and that we and all the People, duly considering whose authority they bear, may faithfully and obediently honour them, according to thy blessed Word and ordinance; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

A Prayer for Congress.

MOST gracious God, we humbly beseech thee, as for the people of these United States in general, so especially for their Senate and Representatives in Congress assembled; that thou wouldest be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations, to the advancement of thy glory, the good of thy Church, the safety, honour, and welfare of thy people; that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be establish among us for all generations. These and all other necessaries, for them, for us, and thy whole Church, we humbly beg in the Name and mediation of Jesus Christ, our most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.

For the Courts of Justice.

ALMIGHTY God, who sittest in the throne judging right; We humbly beseech thee to bless the courts of justice and the magistrates in all this land; and give unto them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, that they. may discern the truth and impartially administer the law in the fear of thee alone; through him who shall come to be our judge, thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Prayer for the Clergy and People.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift; Send down upon our Bishops, and other Clergy, and upon the Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate arid Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.

For the Army.

O LORD God of Hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the soldiers of our country; Support them in the day of battle, and in the time of peace keep them safe from all evil; endue them with courage and loyalty; and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Navy.

O ETERNAL Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea; Vouchsafe to take into thy almighty and most gracious protection our country’s Navy, and all who serve therein. Preserve them from the dangers of the sea, and from the violence of the enemy; that they may be a safeguard unto the United States of America, and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our land may in peace and quietness serve thee our God, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In Time of War and Tumults.

ALMIGHTY God, the supreme Governor of all things, whose power no creature is able to resist, to whom it belongeth justly to punish sinners, and to be merciful to those who truly repent; Save and deliver us, we humbly beseech thee, from the hands of our enemies; that we, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore from all perils, to glorify thee, who art the only giver of all victory; through the merits of thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer for all Conditions of Men.

O GOD, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are any ways afflicted, or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them, according to. their several necessities; giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

For the Unity of God’s People.

O GOD, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, the Prince of Peace; Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly, union and concord: that as there is but one Body and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; 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.

A Litany of Thanksgiving for Independence Day

O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth,

Lord we praise thee.

O God the Son, Redeemer of the world,

Lord we praise thee.

O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful,

Lord we praise thee.

O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God,

Lord we praise thee.

For your manifold and great mercies given unto our fore fathers and mothers in their struggle for freedom,

Lord we praise thee.

For your strengthening the arm of those who opposed the tyrant John, wresting from him the Great Charter of our Liberties,

Lord we praise thee.

For thy servants William and Mary of glorious memory who over threw the tyrant James and issued the English Bill of Rights,

Lord we praise thee.

For Our forefathers and mothers who came to this wilderness to build a city on a hill to be a light unto the nations,

Lord we praise thee.

For strengthening the arm of those who rose to defend our people’s rights as Englishman and in consequence won our independence,

Lord we praise thee.

For thy Servant George who receiving the supreme authority from the people’s representatives returned it to them when the war was over,

Lord we praise thee.

For thy servant Abraham who having led our nation through four terrible years of civil war, was struck down in his moment of triumph,

Lord we praise thee.

For all those who through our nation’s history have won broader application of the principals upon which our nation was founded,

Lord we praise thee.

For your aid to those who from generation to generation struggled to preserve those liberties from ambitious Kings and unthinking legislatures,

Lord we praise thee.

For the president of the United States and all in executive authority, that they may they always govern in accordance with the law,

Lord we praise thee.

For the Congress of the United States and all our legislators, that they may always legislate in accordance with the Constitution,

Lord we praise thee.

For the Supreme Court of the United States and all in judicial authority, may their judgments always rest on the principals of law and equity,

Lord we praise thee.

For the Citizens of the United States that guided by virtue we may always use the power of the ballot to promote the general welfare saving to every man his rights.

Lord we praise thee.

For this land who’s natural beauty reflects the radiance of your glory

Lord we praise thee.

For the rich soil and fair climate which with our toil and your blessing brings forth the great bounty which we enjoy

Lord we praise thee.

For the lakes, rivers, and streams which carry our commerce and mirror the beauty of the heavens, 

Lord we praise thee.

For the minerals that you have provided which with our toil and your blessing brings forth the wealth we enjoy,

Lord we praise thee.

For the great Oceans that provide a means of transport for our commerce, a defense against enemies, and with toil a harvest of fish,

Lord we praise thee.

For the capital: material, intellectual, and spiritual which the hands of our fathers and mothers and you blessing hath wrought,

Lord we praise thee.

For the courage of the men and women of our armed forces, may they always find their orders and the cause of justice one,

Lord we praise thee.

For the wisdom to use these gift justly To the Honor and Glory of Thy Holy Name

 Lord we ask thee.

That the spirit of unity and concord, always pervade the hearts of men that in peace and quietness we may praise thee our God,

Lord we ask thee.

That in this world we be given knowledge of thy truth and in the world to come life ever lasting,

Lord we ask thee.

 

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests; Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.

2 Cor. xiii. 14.

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.