Month: August 2019

Prayer for the Queen Mary 2, Westbound Transatlantic Crossing, 25 August – 1 September 2019

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O GOD our heavenly Father, who art present in thy power in every place: Preserve, we beseech thee, all who travel by land, water, or air; surround them with thy loving care; protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PSALM 107. 23-31.

     THEY that go down to the sea in ships, / and occupy their business on the great waters;
     These men see the works of the LORD, / and his wonders in the deep.
     For at his word the stormy wind ariseth, / which lifteth up the waves thereof.
     They are carried up to the heaven, and down again to the deep: / their soul melteth away because of the trouble.
     They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, / and are at their wits’ end.
     So they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, / and he delivereth them from their distress.
     For he maketh the storm to cease, / so that the waves thereof are still.
     Then are they glad, because they are at rest; / and so he bringeth them unto the haven where they would be.
     O that men would therefore praise the LORD for his goodness, / and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!

GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, / and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, / world without end. Amen.

O Lord, grant favourable and seasonable weather to those who sail the oceans that the winds may be tempered and the seas calm to ensure a safe and comfortable passage for those at sea. May the crew navigate with confidence until journey’s end and that they maintain a respect for the sea and all your creations. Amen.

O GOD of the spirits of all flesh, we praise and magnify thy holy Name for all thy servants who have finished their course in thy faith, especially thy servant St Brendan the Navigator; and he provide us wisdom and protection as we transit the Atlantic. We also beseech thee that encouraged by his example and strengthened by his guidance, we also may be protected from the hazards and dangers of the sea; through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O ETERNAL Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea; who hast compassed the waters with bounds until day and night come to an end: Be pleased to receive into thy Almighty and most gracious protection the persons of us thy servants, and the Fleet in which we serve. Preserve us from the dangers of the sea, and from the violence of the enemy; that we may be a safeguard unto our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen ELIZABETH, and her Dominions, and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our Commonwealth and Empire may in peace and quietness serve thee our God; and that we may return in safety to enjoy the blessings of the land, with the fruits of our labours; and with a thankful remembrance of thy mercies to praise and glorify thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for my impending journey and voyage across the Atlantic

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Almighty God, we pray this evening for the journey we are about to embark soon.

We pray that we may be able to be with God in a more holy way, in England, at the heart of your Anglican Church. We pray that his pilgrimage to churches in London and Oxford will let him discover more of the mysteries of God and strengthen his faith.

We pray that the journey across the Atlantic will be guided and protected by thy servant, Saint Brendan, the Navigator, that our journey be fair and the seas favourable. We pray to Saint Brendan, that his example and faith in God, be passed onto those who sail the oceans, unafraid of the unknown and challenges that God may reveal to us. We also pray for fellowship and friendship for all those who sail on board Queen Mary 2, that we may better know God by better knowing each other.

We pray that we can forget our mortal fears and anxieties, to trust in the Lord and his protection, that we need not fear in our hour of need.

We pray for all those that love us, our friends and family, and also for those that hate us. We pray for all those who have asked us to pray for them, and those whom we have have forgotten.

That through meek heart and humbleness, you answer our prayers and listen to our deepest troubles, thoughts, and sorrows. Take away our sin and our pain, and fill us with the Holy Ghost, leaving us with nothing but love and peace.

We pray tonight, the traditional prayer of the Navy, said by many before us, and by me during my darkest hours:

O Eternal Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea; who hast compassed the waters with bounds until day and night come to an end: Be pleased to receive into thy Almighty and most gracious protection the persons of us thy servants, and the Fleet in which we serve. Preserve us from the dangers of the sea, and from the violence of the enemy; that we may be a safeguard unto our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen ELIZABETH, and her Dominions, and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our Commonwealth and Empire may in peace and quietness serve thee our God; and that we may return in safety to enjoy the blessings of the land, with the fruits of our labours; and with a thankful remembrance of thy mercies to praise and glorify thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Second Anglican (Church of England) Pilgrimage

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I will be in London and Oxford, United Kingdom from 22 to 25 August 2019. I plan on visiting several Church of England churches while I am there.

During the last pilgrimage, I experienced Westminster Abbey (Choral Evensong, Morning Prayer, and Said Communion) and St Paul’s Cathedral (visit only).

I wanted to experience Anglicanism of Cranmer, but the Church of England has changed significantly since 1662 and most churches uses the Book of Common Worship rather than the Book of Common Prayer. I was actually disappointed in Westminster Abbey since their use of contemporary liturgy seemed to conflict with the ancient Gothic church. However, because of the association of Royalty, Westminster Abbey has a special place in my heart.

For this pilgrimage, my plan is to add a few more churches. These are the churches to which I plan to go, but it does not include any other churches of opportunity that I may encounter during my time in London/Oxford.

Westminster Abbey, London: Choral Evensong and Sunday Said (BCP) Communion. The ancient gothic royal peculiar church associated with major royal events such as coronations and weddings.

St Paul’s Cathedral, London: Choral Evensong and Noon Communion. The high baroque cathedral of the Diocese of London.

St Martin-in-the-Fields, London: Visit only, maybe Morning Prayer. Famous church located at Trafalgar Square.

All Saints, Margaret Street, London: Morning Prayer, or Evening Prayer/Evening Mass. An Anglo-Catholic church with beautiful and ornate architecture.

Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford: Choral Evensong. The cathedral of Oxford and the chapel of Oxford University.

University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford: Noon Communion. The birthplace of the Oxford Movement, where John Henry Newman was vicar when he did most of his writings. I read the church is now Liberal-Catholic, which matches my churchmanship.

Prayer for the Feast of Falling Asleep of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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The Anglican Church of Canada recognizes 15 August as the Feast of the Falling Asleep of the Blessed Virgin Mary (known in the Orthodox tradition as the Dormition of the Mother of God (Theotokos)). In the Roman Catholic tradition, this day is known as the Assumption of Mary (into Heaven). There are some slight theological and dogmatic differences between Eastern and Western church, but both agree that the feast of 15 August commemorates the end of the earthly life of Mary Theotokos.

Almighty God, maker of all things, judge of all men, we pray today at the Feast of the Falling Asleep of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Theotokos, that through your grace and the Holy Ghost, you chose Mary to be the mother of your only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Who through his sacrifice, we have become redeemed of our sins and my live forgiven in a life eternal. Amen.

O GOD Most High, who didst endue with wonderful virtue and grace the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Lord: Grant that we, who now call her blessed, may be made very members of the heavenly family of him who was pleased to be called the first-born among many brethren; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

MY soul doth magnify the Lord, / and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded / the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from henceforth / all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me; / and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him / throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm; / he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, / and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; / and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy / hath holpen his servant Israel;
As he promised to our forefathers, / Abraham and his seed for ever.

GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, / and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, / world without end. Amen.

My Favourite Hymns

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This is just a list of some (not all) of my favourite hymns. Remember, as a High Anglican, the use of church music is an important component of worship.

-Eternal Father, strong to save (aka the Naval Hymn)
-Guide me, O thou great Jehovah
-Holy, holy, holy! Lord, God Almighty!
-I vow to thee, my country
-Joyful, joyful, we adore thee
-Nearer, my God, to thee
-O God, our help in ages past (very often played at Remembrance Day in Canada)
-O valiant hearts (also often played at Remembrance Day in Canada)
-On Jordan’s Bank, the Baptist’s Cry
-Onward, Christian soldiers
-Praise my soul, the King of heaven
-Ye holy angels bright

Advent and Christmas
-Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
-Lo! He comes with clouds descending
-O Come, All ye Faithful
-O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
-Silent Night, Holy Night

Easter
-All creatures of our God and King (aka the Mr. Bean hymn)
-Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
-Thine be the glory

All Saints’ Day
-For All the Saints

Prayer for the evening of 11 August 2019

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Almighty God, most merciful father, we pray this evening for the completion of our day and the work we have achieved. We thank you for the strength that you have given us to accomplish our tasks and challenges that we were given today.

We pray that in this very divided world, there can be an end to conflict, strife, and violence in the world, that we may overcome greed, lust, jealousy, and other vices, that we as a society can focus on the betterment of humanity and our world.

We pray that we can be humble and appreciate the blessings of our lives, for we sometimes can’t see the forest for the trees. May you strengthen our faith in all things and in all men.

We pray for all those that love us, our friends and family, and also for those that hate us. May we find reconciliation with our enemies, those that hate us, and within ourselves. Forgive our sins as we try to forgive the wrongs of others, while we pray, but not demanding or expecting, for others to forgive us.

May you give strength and guidance to all disciples of Christ, so they may continue their journey with you and commitment to doing good.

We remember tonight the Right Reverend Charles Inglis, first Anglican Bishop of Nova Scotia and Canada, that we may be encouraged by his example to serve the Church and fellow man, and to spread the word of Jesus Christ to the world.

We pray for all those who pray tonight, and all those who cannot pray tonight. That through meek heart and humbleness, you answer our prayers and listen to our deepest troubles, thoughts, and sorrows. Take away our sin and our pain, and fill us with the Holy Ghost, leaving us with nothing but love and peace.

At the going down of the sun and into this night, protect us from our fears and our dreads. Watch us and protect us, O Christ, that we may sleep in peace and free from the worries and anxieties of this fast paced world. We pray humbly to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three persons, one God, protector and saviour of all. Amen.

Anglican Churches I’ve Visited

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This will only cover Anglican churches I have attended/visited.

Each church blurb will be laid out in the same way: Name of church, Service I attended, Churchmanship (if known), Year of visit, website, and any comments.

I will add/amend the posts as I visit more churches.

Last updated: 28 February 2022 (I reorganized the post so that each national church has its own post (for ease of searching and organizing).

Acronyms used:

BCP: Book of Common Prayer (Canada 1962, unless otherwise stated)

BCP(US): Book of Common Prayer (1979) (Episcopal Church)

BCP (1662): 1662 Book of Common Prayer

BAS: Book of Alternative Services (ACC)

BCW: Book of Common Worship (CoE)

RCL: Revised Common Lectionary

Church of St. John the Evangelist, Montréal, Québec, Canada (Anglican Church of Canada)