As I Walked Out One Evening

As I walked out one evening,
Walking down Bristol Street,
The crowds upon the pavement
Were fields of harvest wheat.

And down by the brimming river
I heard a lover sing
Under an arch of the railway:
‘Love has no ending.

‘I’ll love you, dear, I’ll love you
Till China and Africa meet,
And the river jumps over the mountain
And the salmon sing in the street,

‘I’ll love you till the ocean
Is folded and hung up to dry
And the seven stars go squawking
Like geese about the sky.

‘The years shall run like rabbits,
For in my arms I hold
The Flower of the Ages,
And the first love of the world.’

But all the clocks in the city
Began to whirr and chime:
‘O let not Time deceive you,
You cannot conquer Time.

‘In the burrows of the Nightmare
Where Justice naked is,
Time watches from the shadow
And coughs when you would kiss.

‘In headaches and in worry
Vaguely life leaks away,
And Time will have his fancy
To-morrow or to-day.

‘Into many a green valley
Drifts the appalling snow;
Time breaks the threaded dances
And the diver’s brilliant bow.

‘O plunge your hands in water,
Plunge them in up to the wrist;
Stare, stare in the basin
And wonder what you’ve missed.

‘The glacier knocks in the cupboard,
The desert sighs in the bed,
And the crack in the tea-cup opens
A lane to the land of the dead.

‘Where the beggars raffle the banknotes
And the Giant is enchanting to Jack,
And the Lily-white Boy is a Roarer,
And Jill goes down on her back.

‘O look, look in the mirror,
O look in your distress:
Life remains a blessing
Although you cannot bless.

‘O stand, stand at the window
As the tears scald and start;
You shall love your crooked neighbour
With your crooked heart.’

It was late, late in the evening,
The lovers they were gone;
The clocks had ceased their chiming,
And the deep river ran on.


—W. H. Auden (1903-1973), British-American poet, critic, teacher, professor, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, and devout Episcopalian.

Canticle of the North Shore

O give thanks to our creator who is good*
     whose love endures forever.
You son, moon, stars, & the northern lights*
     give to our Creator thanks & praise.
Sunrise & sunset, night & day*
     give to our Creator thanks & praise.
Hills, valleys, wetlands & lakes, fog, rain, mist & snow*
     give to our Creator thanks & praise.
Birch, pine, spruce & maple, moss & ferns*
     give to our Creator thanks & praise.
Lake trout & walleye, bass & northern, loons & herons, ducks & geese*
     give to our Creator thanks & praise.
Deer, moose, cats and dogs, eagles & sparrow, grouse & hawk*
     give to our Creator thanks & praise.
Young & old, women & men, saints & faithful of the Great North Woods*
     give to our Creator thanks & praise.

-- The Rev. Howard Anderson, from the Rev. Debbie Royals, ed.  A Sampler: Native American/Alaska Native and Native Hawai’ian Liturgies, Prepared for the 76^th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, July 2009, Anaheim, CA

Image: The North Shore of Lake Superior in Michigan, photo from the Nature Conservancy

Nez Perce Lord's Prayer

 The Lord’s Prayer ^{(Standing, in unison)}                                         Nez Perce

O Great Spirit,

YOU are our Shepherd Chief in the most high place

whose home is everywhere, even beyond the stars and moon.

Whatever YOU want done, let it be done also everywhere.

Give us your gift of bread day by day.

Forgive our wrongs as we forgive those who wrong us.

Take us away from wrongdoings

free us from all evil for everything belongs to you. 

Let your power and glory shine forever. Amen.

-- New Perce version of Lord's Prayer, found in A Sampler: Native American Alaska Native and Native Hawai'ian Liturgies, Prepared for the 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, July 2009, Anaheim, CA

Ellam Yua Worship Service (Alaska)

 ELLAM YUA WORSHIP SERVICE

Prepared by the Rev. David Blanchette

Episcopal Diocese of Alaska

 

Call to Worship

         Words of Assurance and Promises of Pardon

 

Hear what comfortable words our Savior Christ saith unto all that truly turn to Him: Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 

Hear also the words from St. John's Gospel: God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

Hear also these words of Scripture:

 

The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion;

Slow to anger, and of great mercy.

 

The Sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

 

If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

As the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.

 

Like as a father pitied his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

 

Jesus said: Be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven.

 

A Call to Holy Silence

 

The Lord is in His holy temple:

Let all the earth keep silence before Him.

 

Calls to Worship and Praise

 

O come, let us sing to the Lord:

let us make a joyful noise and to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before His presence with Thanksgiving,

And make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.

 

O praise the Lord, all ye nations:

Praise Him, all ye people.

For His merciful kindness is great towards us:

And the truth of the Lord endureth forever.

Praise ye the Lord.

 

O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands:

Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.

Know ye that the Lord, He is God;

It is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people,

And the sheep of His pasture.

 

The Lord is good:    His mercy endureth forever;

And His truth endureth to all generations.

This is the day which the Lord hath made,

We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together,

For with Him is the fountain of life, and in Him shall we see light.

-- from the Rev. Debbie Royals, ed.  A Sampler: Native American/Alaska Native and Native Hawai’ian Liturgies, Prepared for the 76^th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, July 2009, Anaheim, CA

Indigenous First Fire Ceremony (Easter Vigil)

First Fire Ceremony

A service for Easter Vigil

 

The people gather around a fire pit in the circle outside the church. In preparation for the ceremony prayers have been written on pieces of paper.

 

Introduction by Elder:

Sisters and brothers, we gather on this night to mark the end of a journey and the invitation to into a new creation. We celebrate the tradition of our ancestors with the lighting of a fire, this fire. We invite God our Creator into our presence with the following prayer:

 

(The fire is lit. First tobacco and then sweet grass is placed on the fire. The sacred fire is within your own heart, the sacred place of the most high-- only you can go there.)

 

The Sacred Fire Prayer

We circle around the fire 
We feel the spirits near
We know their loving presence 
As we offer them our prayers

See the gentle smoke rising
From the earth to the sky
Sharing each prayer we offer
With the ancient ones on high

Every thought, every hope
Every joy, every dream
Sent upon the sacred smoke
To the ancient ones unseen

Hear the voice calling you
In your heart you know it's true
Feel the love abound
Of the ancient ones around you

Elder continues and people respond:
O Great Spirit of the East,
radiance of the rising sun,
Spirit of new beginnings,
O Grandfather fire,
Great nuclear fire-- of the Sun,
Power of life-energy, vital spark, power to see far,
and to Imagine with boldness.
Power to purify our senses,
our hearts and our minds,
we pray that we may be aligned with you,
so that your powers may flow through us,
And be expressed by us, for the good of this our Mother Earth
and all that you have created on it.

Elder concludes:
Ancient one, eternally young, giver of life and source of energy, with fire you kindle the heavens to shine. In us the spiritual light of your embrace lights our hearts afire so that we might be your light in the world. We give thanks for:

At this time we will ask for prayers to be shared out loud or in silence. As each person prays they are asked to come forward placing those things that we leave behind into the fire acknowledging that they have been answered.

Once these things have burned to smoke and ash, we will continue with the lighting of the Pascal candle. Sweet grass is added to the fire.

Presider continues:
On this most holy night, in which our Lord Jesus passed over from death to life, we celebrate his victory over death and pray:

Creator God, through your Son you have bestowed upon your people the brightness of your light: sanctify this new fire, and grant that in this paschal feast we may so burn with heavenly desires, that with pure minds we may attain to the festival of everlasting light; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Paschal Candle is lit from the newly kindled fire. The candle of each person is lit from the Paschal Candle. The people process into the church and the Paschal Candle is brought to the altar. Each person is invited to follow this symbolic fire.

The cantor sings the Exsultet as we process. When we reach the altar the congregation forms a circle around the altar.

 

Cantor:     The light of Christ.
People:     Thanks be to God. 
Repeated three times

 

EXSULTET

COLLECT

The congregation processes to the baptismal font (a song may be sung here, preferably led by a drum)

BLESSING OVER WATER
Presider continues
We thank you, O Divine Creator, for the gift of water. Over it your Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Over at your Spirit moves and the circle of life continues, flowing through the wombs of the earth.

People, facing East
Creator, we remember that from the East each new day is born and the spiritual gifts of wisdom and prophecy are nourished by the waters of the Atlantic and beyond.

Water from the East is poured into the font
Presider
Creator of all, thank you for each new beginning. Bless this flowing water from the East and the new life it represents.

People, facing South
Creator, we remember ourselves as relatives of the people and waters of the South who bring us the spiritual gifts of faith and knowledge and the warmth of your creation.

Water from the South is poured into the font
Presider
Creator of all, thank you for the warmth. Bless this flowing water from the south and the new life it brings forth.


People, facing West
Creator, you gave us the spiritual gifts of love and understanding. The waters of the Pacific and beyond see the last light of day and bring in the night.

Water from the West is poured into the font
Presider
Creator of all, thank you for the night. Bless this flowing water from the West and the new life it brings forth.

People, facing North
Creator, we thank you for the coolness of the north, the season for sleep and rest and for the snow as it prepares to be transformed into new water and new life.

Water from the North is poured into the font
Presider

Creator of all, thank you for coolness and rest period bless this flowing water and the new life it brings forth.

Creator, this water has come from different directions, the East, South, West, and North. It represents the fruits of the Spirit and your creation. We have put ourselves into one font and ask you to sanctify this water and use it as a symbol of our commitment to be one faithful community joining together in the risen life of Jesus Christ your Son. Amen.

Each person is invited to take water from this sacred water. In it we are one period in it we are reminded of the blessings that it brings forth. Once water has been poured together it cannot be separated.

 

 

--The Rev. Debbie Royals,  from the Rev. Debbie Royals, ed.  A Sampler: Native American/Alaska Native and Native Hawai’ian Liturgies, Prepared for the 76^th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, July 2009, Anaheim, CA.

At Thomas Merton's Grave

We can never be with loss too long.

Behind the warped door that sticks,
the wood thrush calls to the monks,
pausing upon the stone crucifix,
singing: “I am marvelous alone!”
Thrash, thrash goes the hayfield:
rows of marrow and bone undone.
The horizon’s flashing fastens tight,
sealing the blue hills with vermilion.
Moss dyes a squirrel’s skull green.
The cemetery expands its borders—
little milky crosses grow like teeth.
How kind time is, altering space
so nothing stays wrong; and light,
more new light, always arrives.

-- Spencer Reece (1963- ), Episcopal priest and poet

Image: The Dalai Lama at Merton's grave, 1997

Temptations

Creature comforts
And why not?
All you have to do is
Give up a few rocks
These sun-baked stones
That burn your hands and cut your feet
Could soon become a desert treat!
Stop being so hard on yourself!

Fame
All yours for the taking
All you have to do is
Leave this lonely wilderness
Head right to the center of the noisy crowd
Drop in your branding clear and loud
Start showing what you've got!

Power
Not as easy, but well within your reach
All you have to do is
Want it more than anything
Make it your top priority
Your one and only deity
Instead of your strange, silly God
Of Suffering
Solitude
And Silence

-- Brother Eckhart (Chip Camden), OSB and member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Palo Alto

Prayers for First Responders

Divine Physician, hear our prayers for those in emergency medicine. By your healing power, grant them quick minds and skillful hands. Strengthen them in times of trauma. In quiet times, give them rest and assurance of the value of their work. Keep them ever prepared for the work you have called them to do, for your mercy’ sake. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

God our strong deliverer: when those charged with the urgent mediation of your healing power feel overwhelmed by the numbers of the suffering, uphold them in their fatigue and banish their despair. Let them see with your eyes, so they may know all their patients as precious. Give comfort, and renew their energy and compassion, for the sake of Jesus in whom is our life and our hope. Amen.

--From the Episcopal Church

Prayer for Health Care Providers

Give your blessing, gracious God, to those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and the prevention of disease and pain. Give them the wisdom of your Holy Spirit, that through their work the health of our community may be advanced and your creation glorified; through your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer for Those Who Minister to the Sick

Gracious God, source of life and health: Jesus came to our disordered world to make your people whole. Send your Spirit on those who are sick and all who minister to them; that when the sick enter your peace, they may offer thanks to your Great Name; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

- Episcopal Prayer

Prayer for Those Who Care for the Sick

Lord Who Inhabits Eternity, we intercede for the sick, asking that You give Your healing power to those who are ministering to their needs. Guide their hands and use them as Your instruments of peace. Give the caregivers wisdom and compassion from You as they tend to the ill. From You only can we expect relief; all blessings we enjoy come from You. We pray in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

- Episcopal Church prayer

Prayer for a Child Who is Ill

O Heavenly Father in whom we live and move and have our being, reach out in Your loving compassion and touch this child. 

Bless her and heal her so that she may grow and develop normally. 

Comfort her in her pain. 

Shine the light of Your face upon her and give her the peace that passes understanding. 

May she abide in Your love and care all her days. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.




found here: https://connectusfund.org/16-good-episcopal-prayers-for-the-sick 

Prayer Before Surgery

 O God the Comfort of Sufferers, we ask that You bless Your servant with peace and calm as s/he is going through this operation. Give the surgeon and the surgical staff skill and wisdom. May the procedure successfully treat the problem, and may You bless Your servant with swift recovery and full healing. Great are You in might and power! Through Him, who is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

found here: https://connectusfund.org/16-good-episcopal-prayers-for-the-sick 

Prayer service at the Close of Polls, Nov. 3, 2020

 

Prayer Service at the Close of the Polls

November 3, 2020

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Ellisville, MO

 

Opening Words

Celebrant:     Stay with us, Christ, for it is evening.

People:         Make your Church bright with your radiance.

Celebrant:     Let us pray.

 

Collect for an Election    (Read in unison)       BCP, p. 822

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States and of this community in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

The Readings

 

A Reading from the Book of Isaiah.                                  Isaiah 58:6-12

 

Is not this the fast that I choose:
   to loose the bonds of injustice,
   to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
   and to break every yoke? 
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
   and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
   and not to hide yourself from your own kin? 
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
   and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
   the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard. 
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
   you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. 

If you remove the yoke from among you,
   the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, 
if you offer your food to the hungry
   and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness
   and your gloom be like the noonday. 
The Lord will guide you continually,
   and satisfy your needs in parched places,
   and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
   like a spring of water,
   whose waters never fail. 
Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
   you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
   the restorer of streets to live in. 

 

Reader:             The Word of the Lord.

People:             Thanks be to God.

 

 

Canticle N   (In Unison)                                              1 John 4:7-11

A Song of God’s Love

 

Beloved, let us love one another, 

for love is of God. 

Whoever does not love does not know God, 

for God is Love. 

In this the love of God was revealed among us, 

that God sent God’s only Son into the world, 

so that we might live through Jesus Christ. 

In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us 

and sent God’s son that sins might be forgiven. 

Beloved, since God loved us so much, 

we are also to love one another. 

For if we love one another, God abides in us, 

and God's love will be perfected in us. 

 

A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew.                             Matthew 20:25-28

 

But Jesus called them over and said, “You know that those who rule the Gentiles show off their authority over them and their high-ranking officials order them around.  But that’s not the way it will be with you. Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant. Whoever wants to be first among you will be your slave— just as the Human One didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people.”

 

Reader:        The Word of the Lord.

People:        Thanks be to God.

 

Prayers for an Election

Written by The Rev. Shannon Kelly, Director Department of Faith Formation, The Episcopal Church

 

Celebrant:

Loving God, creator of this world who is our source of our wisdom and understanding, watch over this nation during this time of election. Help us to see how our faith informs our principles and actions.

 

Intercessor:    God, our creator,
People:         Guide us in truth and love.

 

We give thanks for the right to vote. Help us to hold this privilege and responsibility with the care and awareness it merits, realizing that our vote matters and that it is an act of faith.

 

Intercessor:    God, our creator,
People:         Guide us in truth and love.

 

Guide us through this election as a nation, state, and community as we vote for people to do work on our behalf and on the behalf of our communities. Help us to vote for people and ballot initiatives that will better our community and our world so it may reflect the values Christ taught us.

 

Intercessor:    God, our creator,
People:         Guide us in truth and love.

 

Help us create communities that will build your kingdom here on earth – communities that will protect the poor, stand up for the vulnerable, advocate for those who are not seen and heard, and listen to everyone’s voice.

 

Intercessor:    God, our creator,
People:         Guide us in truth and love.

 

We pray for this nation that is deeply divided. May we come together for the common good and do as you have called us to do – to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you through creation.

 

Intercessor:    God, our creator,
People:         Guide us in truth and love.

 

Help us act out of love, mercy and justice rather than out of arrogance or fear.

 

Intercessor:    God, our creator,
People:         Guide us in truth and love.

 

Lord, continue to guide us as we work for the welfare of this world. We pray for places that are torn by violence, that they may know peace.

 

Intercessor:    God, our creator,
People:         Guide us in truth and love.

 

We pray for communities who are struggling with inequality, unrest, and fear. May we all work toward reconciliation with one another and with God.

 

Intercessor:    God, our creator,
People:         Guide us in truth and love.

 

Help us to listen in love, work together in peace, and collaborate with one another as we seek the betterment of our community and world. 

 

Intercessor:    God, our creator,
People:         Guide us in truth and love.

 

 

Collect for Social Justice                                    BCP p. 823

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Collect for Our Country                                    BCP p. 820

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 favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, 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.

 

 

The Blessing                                                      from Saint Clare

Live without fear: 

your creator has made you holy,

has always protected you,

and loves you as a mother.

Go in peace to follow the good road,

and may God's blessing be with you always.

Amen.

 

Dismissal

Celebrant:        Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord.

People:             Thanks be to God.

Blessing for a Child

May God protect you from every danger that you face.
May God give you the strength and courage to take failure, not as a measure of your worth, but as a chance for a new start.
May you care for the body that God has given you and thus be filled with health and wholeness.
May prosperity come your way, so that you are free from worry about food and drink, about home and shelter, but
may you never be so caught up in material things that you forget that the essence of life lies not in possessions or money but in love, and in God.
May you find the joy that is ever present in God's creation.
May you find fulfillment in whatever you choose to do.
May you use your talents to serve in the way that God intends you to, helping your fellow humans and walking in the light of God.
May you fully love and may you be fully loved.
May your happiness be unmarred by evil, spite, or maliciousness, either your own or someone else’s.
May your path be one of goodness -- leading to changes for the better in the lives of others.
May you be a source of light and inspiration to your family and friends, and maybe the same to you.
May God fill you with wisdom and grace, with virtue and knowledge, with patience and action, and with understanding and love.
May you be forever comforted by a strong and enduring faith in God, who created you and who sustains your life.


--Ms Elizabeth K. Camp, in Elizabeth Rankin Geitz, et al, eds, Women's Uncommon Prayers: Our Lives Revealed, Nurtured, Celebrated (Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse Publishing), 2000

For Caregivers and Others in Support of the Sick

Compassionate God,

support and strengthen all those

who reach out in love, concern, and prayer 

for the sick and distressed. 

In their acts of compassion, 

may they know that they are your instruments. 

In their concerns and fears 

may they know your peace. 

In their prayer 

may they know your steadfast love. 

May they not grow weary or faint-hearted, 

for your mercy’s sake. Amen.

-- From "Ministry to the Sick," from Church Publishing

Pastoral

The little sparrows
hop ingenuously
about the pavement
quarreling
with sharp voices
over those things
that interest them.
But we who are wiser
shut ourselves in
on either hand
and no one knows
whether we think good
or evil.
        Meanwhile,
the old man who goes about
gathering dog-lime
walks in the gutter
without looking up
and his tread
is more majestic than
that of the Episcopal minister
approaching the pulpit
of a Sunday.
        These things
astonish me beyond words.

--William Carlos Williams (1883-1963), from Poems of Gratitude (Everyman's Library Pocket Poets series), 2017

Prayers of the People Based on Psalm 51:10 (Pr. 19 C)

Celebrant:
Let us implore the Lord our God praying,
“Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.”

Leader:
We pray for leaders of the Church.
May they serve as examples
to those who would come to believe in Christ for eternal life.
May the Church place its hope in you, O God,
and not in human wisdom.

Silence 

People:
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me. 

Leader:
We pray for the leaders of the nations.
May they show mercy and advocate for the rights of the people.
May they, like Moses, seek the greater good rather than their own interests.

Silence

People:
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.


Leader:
We thank you for all you created.
We thank you that your Son Jesus Christ rejoiced in your creation—
telling stories about sheep, praying in the wilderness and walking on the sea.
May we also appreciate the works of your hands.

Silence

People:
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.


Leader:
We pray for the people in our lives.
May we learn to love the stiff-necked, the sinners
and all those in great need of your mercy.
Make us instruments of your peace.

(Allow the congregation to add their petitions and thanksgivings,
followed by Silence.)

People:
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.


Leader:
We pray for the sick, the anxious and the sorrowful.
Make them hear of joy and gladness,
that broken bodies and broken spirits may rejoice.

Silence

People:
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.


Leader:
We trust to your mercy, O God, all who have died.
May they rest eternally in your peace.
To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, our God,
be honor and glory forever and ever.

Silence

People:
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.

--Fr. Jeremiah Williamson, Episcopal priest, and posted on Praying the Scriptures. http://jeremiahwilliamson.blogspot.ca/