Rules and Prayers for the Choir. RULES. I All members of the Choir having arrived at a sufficient age, shall be communicants of the Church of England. 2 All members shall attend one practice in the week, and morning and evening services on Sunday, unless hindered by sickness or absence from home. N. B.-Whenever it is practicable, they are requested to attend other services during the week. 3 Any member of the Choir unable to attend a practice, or the services on Sunday, shall, if possible, give verbal or written intimation of the same to the Organist during the week before. 4 Reverence shall be strictly observed at the practices, as well as during the services. N.B.--The following suggestions should be attended to, in order to secure reverence in the Worship of God: I Kneel upright. 2 Find all places, as much as possible, at the commencement of service. 3 Follow the service in the Prayer-book, and the lessons in the Bible. 4 Never speak, unless it be absolutely necessary. 5 If anything ludicrous happens, do not look at another Choir-member to see if he is laughing. 6 Keep the eyes from wandering. Remember, Jesus says, "Where two or three are gathered in My Name, THERE AM I." Notes. I. AS TO SELECTION OF THE CHOIR. Junior Members will be chosen by the Organist, subject to the consent of the Vicar of the Parish. Senior Members will be appointed by the Vicar. Notice of any proposed appointment will be placed in the Vestry a week before admission, during which time any objections to the nomination will be received by the Vicar privately. N.B.-Admission into the Choir shall take place with a suitable service at a general practice, or at any other time appointed by the Vicar. II. AS TO PRACTICES. For Junior Members alone, shall be held according to appointment. For the full Choir, in the Church, when all the members will wear their cassocks, and a prayer shall be said before beginning the practice. III. AS TO CONDUCT IN VESTRY. All members to be present in the Vestry five minutes before the time for service. Cassocks to be put on at once. Surplices to be put on two minutes before the time for entering the church. After the surplices are put on, all talking should cease, and every one take his place. After service there should be no talking till every one has taken off his surplice. N. B. It is desirable that there should be as little talking as possible in the vestry, and in the church none at all. Two boys shall be appointed by the Organist, who shall be responsible for the books being properly put out before, and put away after, service. PRAYERS BEFORE SERVICE. O Lord, open Thou our lips, R And our mouth shall show forth Thy praise. HEAVENLY Father, open Thou our lips to bless Thy Holy Name. Cleanse our hearts from all vain, foolish, and wandering thoughts. Grant that worthily, reverently, and devoutly we may offer unto Thee this our sacrifice of praise and supplication, and be accounted worthy to be heard in Thy Divine Presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen. PRAYERS AFTER SERVICE. HEAVENLY Father, forgive all faults and failings in our act of worship, and give us grace to show forth Thy praise, not only with our lips but in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Lord be with you, R And with thy spirit. Amen. Amen. Special Prayers before Service. ON CHRISTMAS DAY. To you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, Ry Which is Christ the Lord. Glory to God in the highest, Ry And on earth peace, goodwill towards men. Ry The Lord's name be praised. "The Lord be with you, R And with thy spirit. Amen. ON EASTER DAY. The Lord is risen, Ry He is risen indeed. O Lord, open Thou our lips, R And our mouth shall show forth Thy praise. Ry The Lord's name be praised. The Lord be with you, R And with thy spirit. Amen. ON WHIT-SUNDAY. The Spirit of the Lord filleth the whole earth. R Alleluia. O Lord, open Thou our lips, R And our mouth shall show forth Thy praise. y Praise ye the Lord, Ry The Lord's name be praised. The fellowship of the Holy Ghost, Ry Be with us all evermore. Amen. ON TRINITY SUNDAY. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; O Lord, open Thou our lips, R And our mouth shall show forth Thy praise. Let us bless the Name of the Father, and the Son, with the Holy Ghost. Ry And magnify the Name of our God, for ever and ever. Amen. PRAYER BEFORE PRACTICE. Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. R We will praise the Name of the Lord. ALMIGHTY and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that Thy faithful people do unto Thee true and laudable service, send down Thy Holy Spirit upon us; bless our endeavours to render glorious Thy worship on earth, that we may take part in the eternal choirs of heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |