Anglican Church of Our Saviour
Florence, South Carolina
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Services conform to the 1928 Book of Common Prayer

ADMISSION OF LAY MINISTERS
AND OFFICERS
(Those to be admitted to an office will gather at the altar rail)
† Opening Prayers †
Priest: Dearly beloved, who are about to be formally admitted to an office in this Church, are you convinced that the work of this ministry is so important that, while you are appointed thereto, you should be diligent in performing the same?

Those to be admitted: I am so convinced.

Priest: Will you try faithfully and reverently to execute the duties of your Office to the best of your ability, as unto the Lord and not unto men?

Those to be admitted: I will try to do so, the Lord being my helper.

Priest: May God guide and bless you in the doing of this work. Praise the Lord, ye servants;

Everyone: O praise the Name of the Lord.
The Lesson: Romans xii.6

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.

† Layreaders †

Priest: (To Layreaders) I admit you, having been duly licensed, to the Office of Reader in this Church; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

When all Israel is to come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose;

Everyone: thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.

Priest: Thy word is a lantern unto my feet;

Everyone: and a light unto my paths.

Priest: O almighty God, whose blessed Son didst read the holy Scriptures in the synagogue: Look graciously upon the Readers of thy Church, and so enlighten them with wisdom and understanding that they may read thy holy Word to the edification of thy people, and the glory of thy holy Name; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

† Wardens and Vestry †

Priest: (To the Wardens) I admit you to the Office of Senior/Junior Warden in this Church; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Priest: (To the Vestry Members) I admit you to the Office of Vestrymen in this Church; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Without counsel purposes are disappointed:

Everyone: But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Priest: I am thy servant, O grant me understanding:

Everyone: That I may know thy testimonies.

Priest: O eternal God, the fountain of all wisdom; Enlighten with thy grace the Vestrymen of thy Church, and so rule their minds, and guide their counsels, that in all things they may seek thy glory and the welfare of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

† Acolytes †

Priest: (To Acolytes) I admit you to the Office of Acolyte in this Church: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

My sons, be not now negligent; for the Lord hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him;

Everyone: and that ye should minister unto him.

Priest: I will go unto the altar of God;

Everyone: Even unto the God of my joy and gladness.

Priest: O glorious King, before whose heavenly throne the angels stand to do thy will: Bless, we beseech thee, the Acolytes of thy Church, that ministering before thine earthly throne they may serve thee with reverence and true holiness, to the honor and glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

† Altar Guild †

Priest: (To Altar Guild Members) I admit you to the Office of Altar Guild Member in this Church; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Ye shall keep charge of the sanctuary,

Everyone: And charge of the altar.

Priest: In his temple doth everything speak of his honor;

Everyone: Holiness becometh thine house for ever.

Priest: O God, who of old didst give the Levites the charge of the instruments of thy holy temple: Give thy grace, we beseech thee, to the Altar Guild Members of thy Church, that devoutly caring for the vessels and vestments of thy worship, and adorning the place of thy sanctuary, they may make the place of thy presence glorious; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

† Ushers †

Priest: (To Ushers) I admit you to the Office of Usher in this Church; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord,

Everyone: and my servant whom I have chosen.

Priest: I will think also of all thy works;

Everyone: and my talking shall be of thy doings.

Priest: O Lord, without whom our labor is but lost: We humbly beseech thee to prosper all works in thy Church undertaken according to thy holy will; and grant to thy laborers a pure intention, patient faith, sufficient success on earth, and the blessedness of serving thee in heaven: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

† Closing Prayers †

Priest: Teach me thy way, O Lord, and I will walk in thy truth:

Everyone: O knit my heart unto thee, that I may fear thy Name.

Priest: So will I always sing praise unto thy Name;

Everyone: That I may daily perform my vows.

Priest: The Lord be with you;

Everyone: And with thy spirit.

Priest: Regard, we beseech thee, O Lord, our supplications, and confirm with thy heavenly benediction thy servants whom we have admitted to the lay ministry of thy Church, that with sincere devotion of mind and body they may offer a service acceptable to thy divine Majesty; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

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Transcribed and uploaded 9 February 2004 by Joe Sallenger,
Gofer-In-Chief for Church of Our Saviour Anglican Catholic Church in Florence, South Carolina.