Prayer
Bless the Lord, whose name is to be praised,
Our Father who art in heaven,
who has given us his laws,
to show us the error of our ways,
Blessed is his son, Christ the Messiah,
who redeemed us from having broken them.
Blessed are you, O Holy Spirit,
who assists us in sinning no more,
and sustains us in the way of the Lord,
grant us wisdom and understanding this day.
Amen.
Old Testament Reading - HYMN IN HONOUR OF OUR ANCESTORSa
1Let us now sing the praises of famous men,
our ancestors in their generations.
2The Lord apportioned to themb great glory,
his majesty from the beginning.
3There were those who ruled in their kingdoms,
and made a name for themselves by their valour;
those who gave counsel because they were intelligent;
those who spoke in prophetic oracles;
4those who led the people by their counsels
and by their knowledge of the people’s lore;
they were wise in their words of instruction;
5those who composed musical tunes,
or put verses in writing;
6rich men endowed with resources,
living peacefully in their homes—
7all these were honoured in their generations,
and were the pride of their times.
8Some of them have left behind a name,
so that others declare their praise.
9But of others there is no memory;
they have perished as though they had never existed;
they have become as though they had never been born,
they and their children after them.
10But these also were godly men,
whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten;
11their wealth will remain with their descendants,
and their inheritance with their children’s children.c
12Their descendants stand by the covenants;
their children also, for their sake.
13Their offspring will continue for ever,
and their glory will never be blotted out.
14Their bodies are buried in peace,
but their name lives on generation after generation.
15The assembly declaresd their wisdom,
and the congregation proclaims their praise.
- This title is included in the Gk text.
- Heb: Gk created
- Heb Compare Lat Syr: Meaning of Gk uncertain
- Heb: Gk Peoples declare
Special Prayer
God of the southern sea
and of these islands,
of Māori, Pākehā
and of all who dwell in our land;
we give you thanks and praise for our country,
and for what we have achieved together.
Increase our trust in one another;
strengthen our quest for justice,
and bring us to unity and a common purpose.
You have made us of one blood;
make us also of one mind.
Amen.