PRELUDE

The service may begin with a Chorale, an Introit, a Processional Hymn,or opening Sentences.

Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and ye shall find: knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth: and he that seeketh findeth: and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew VII: 7-8.

Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John VIII: 32.

Happy is he whom truth by itself doth teach. If the truth shall have made you free, thou shalt not care for the vain words of men. Thomas à Kempis.

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians IV: 8.

It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after one’s own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude. R. W. Emerson.

Why dost thou wonder, O man, at the height of the stars or the depth of the sea? Enter into thine own soul, and wonder there. Francis Quarles.

PRAYER OF ASPIRATION, by the Minister

Man is a pioneer, forever going forth in search of a better country. Age after age he has pushed forward into a promised land, while before him in the sunset has glowed the hope of a better day. All his heritage has been won by daring adventure into the unknown, by a deep conviction of the value of things unseen. To gain truth and freedom he has endured all things, to establish justice and righteousness he has bravely died. And still before us is the promise of a happier world where equity shall be the fruit of brotherhood and good will shall be the law of nations. Let us embrace with eager hearts the privilege of life dedicated to the building of that nobler home for humanity on earth. Amen.

or:
We rejoice in the gifts of nature and the blessings of society, in the quest of truth and battles for the right. We are mindful of a cloud of witnesses who urge us onward to new reaches of the spirit and new patterns of excellence. We would commit ourselves now as always to the service of great causes, and the meeting of urgent human needs. We would resolve the divisive interests of races and nations. We would ever labor for an ordered law throughout the earth whereby all kindreds and peoples may dwell together in peace and share together both the obligations and the fruits of a common life. Amen.

Peace be with you.
And with all mankind.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up in joy and praise.

HYMN, or the following Song of Exaltation.

From all that dwell below the skies
Let faith and hope with love arise;
Let beauty, truth and good be sung
Through every land, by every tongue.

RESPONSIVE READING

ORGAN RESPONSE

FIRST LESSON

CHANT, if desired.

SECOND LESSON, if desired.

The minister may then say:
Here endeth the reading of the lesson.
Here may follow a period of silent meditation, after which the Minister may read the Litany, the people responding.

LITANY

Let us join in grateful praise for the goods of life that are ours.
With the voices and hearts of all the children of men, with saints and seers and prophets, with those whose craftsmanship is their song, with all who find in human service their joy made full;
We lift up our hearts in gratitude and praise:
In life; its adventures, risks and prizes; in the strength of the soul that overcomes all dangers;
We rejoice with thanksgiving:
In tasks that are hard; in work well done; in the skill of our hands; in experience, judgment, decision;
We rejoice with thanksgiving:
In knowledge; in joining fact to fact; in seeing truth in its beauty;
We rejoice with thanksgiving:
In health; in sickness that has passed away; in sorrows that have not visited us; in temptation that did not tarry at our door; in fears that turned to triumph;
We rejoice with thanksgiving:
In the faces of those we love; in eyes that look kindly upon us even when we fail; in those with whom we are at rest;
We rejoice with thanksgiving:
In those who, though dead, yet speak, the known and the unknown, the great and the lowly, by whose lives we are enabled to live;
We rejoice, and will rejoice forevermore. Let the work of our hands declare the gladness of our hearts, and kindly deeds speak forth the gratitude within.

OFFERTORY, during which an anthem may be sung.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HYMN

SERMON

HYMN

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE