On the left, we see the provisional "Mercersburg" liturgy of 1859. On the right, the "Western" liturgy of 1869 for the regular Lord's Day service.. liturgies Both were permitted, but neither was the official liturgy of the church. Read more.
This comparison illustrates the differences in approach between the two sides of the liturgical controversy. It also demonstrates the level of precision given to the issues, considering that both sides agreed on the basic shape of the service.
Whenever the liturgies give the minister a choice of what to say, I have simply included the first option for the sake of space.
Any of the following forms may be used in the Morning Service of the Lord's Day, except on Festival and Communion days, for which special forms are provided. For the other services of Sunday, and those held during the week, free prayers may be used, as the Minister may deem proper.
After the singing of a short Anthem by the Choir, the Minister shall commence the services before the altar with an Invocation, as follows:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Let us pray.
O Lord, our God, we lift up our eyes unto the hills from whence cometh our help. Thou only art the fountain of life and peace, and in Thy presence is fulness ofjoy. Father in heaven, from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift, grant us Thy blessing, and incline Thine ear unto us, as we come before Thee in the solemn service of Thy house. Merciful Saviour, who sittest at the right hand of the Father, and makest intercession for us, fulfil now Thy promise: Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them. Holy Ghost, the Comforter, help our infirmities, and enable us to worship in the beauty of holiness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
At the appointed hour the minister shall arise and pronounce one of the following Invocations or Salutations.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Amen. Ps. cxxiv. 8.
O Lord God Almighty, whom the heaven of heavens can not contain, and much less the temples which our hands have builded, but who art ever nigh unto the humble and contrite: shed down thy Holy Spirit, we beseech thee, on all that are here assembled; that being cleansed and illumined by his grace, we may worthily show forth thy praise, meekly learn thy Word, render due thanks for thy mercies, and obtain a gracious answer to our prayers, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Dearly beloved in the Lord : Let us humble ourselves before the throne of Almighty God, our heavenly Father, and confess our manifold sins and transgressions with lowly and contrite hearts, that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, remembering the words of His holy Apostle: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us ; but if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Then the Minister and Congregation shall kneel down, and repeat the following Confession.
Almighty and most merciful God, our heavenly Father, we humble ourselves in Thy holy presence under a deep sense of our unworthiness. We have sinned against heaven and in Thy sight. We have come short of Thy glory. We have broken Thy laws. We have greatly offended against Thee, not only by evil words and deeds, but also by sinful thoughts and desires. We have failed in our solemn vows, and there is no health nor soundness in us.
But, Lord, we heartily repent of our sins ; we condemn ourselves, and flee to the Cross of Thy dear Son. Father in heaven, for His sake, have mercy upon us. Deliver us from the guilt and power of sin. Create in us a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within us, that we may present ourselves a living sacrifice unto Thee, and serve Thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Resp. Amen.
Then shall the Minister rise, and pronounce to the Congregation, still kneeling, the following declaration of the remission of sins for Christ's sake.
Hearken now unto the comforting assurance of the grace of God, promised in the Gospel to all that repent and believe.
Thus saith the Lord : As I live, I have no pleasure in the death of the sinner, but that he may turn from his way and live. God so loved the world, that lie gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Unto as many of you, therefore, beloved brethren, as truly repent of your sins, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and are resolved to walk in newness of life, I announce and declare, by the authority and in the name of Christ, as His minister, that your sins are forgiven in heaven, according to His promise in the Gospel, through the perfect merit of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Resp. Amen.
Here the Congregation shall rise, and follow the Minister in repeating the Apostles' Creed.
We believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary ; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried ; He descended into hell ; the third day He rose from the dead ; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty ; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. We believe in the Holy Ghost ; the holy Catholic Church ; the communion of saints ; the remission of sins ; the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
M. Lord, we believe.
R. Help Thou Lord, our unbelief!
M. Praise ye the Lord.
R. The Lord's name be praised!
Then shall the whole Congregation and Choir sing or chant a Psalm, the Te Deum (p. 23), or the Gloria in Excelsis (p. 22).
Then shall be sung a suitable Psalm or Hymn; after which the minister shall read the Scripture Lessons; these may be the Gospel and Epistle for the day, or some other suitable passage of God's Word.
Then shall the Minister read the Gospel and Epistle of the day, from Part II., commencing thus: The Gospel (The Epistle) for the day (here name the Sunday), is recorded in (here name the place). After the reading, he shall offer the corresponding Collect, and then repeat the Minor Doxology, the Choir or Congregation responding, as follows:
M. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
M. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
M. Let us pray.
Almighty and eternal God, we adore Thee as the God and Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and unite with angels and archangels around Thy throne, with the glorious company of the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs and saints in heaven, as well as with Thy militant Church upon earth, in ascribing unto Thee honor and blessing, thanksgiving and praise. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of Hosts : heaven and earth are full of the majesty of Thy glory. Thou hast created us in Thine own image; Thou hast redeemed us with the precious blood of Thy Son ; Thou hast sanctified us by Thy Spirit, and called us out of darkness into Thy marvellous light. Grant, we beseech Thee, that at all times we may be duly sensible of these unspeakable mercies, and manifest our gratitude not only with our lips, but also in our lives, by surrendering ourselves to Thy service, and walking before Thee in righteousness and holiness all our days. Deliver us more and more from the bondage of sin and error, from the power of the flesh, the corruption of the world, and the temptation of the devil. Give unto us the faith which worketh by love ; the hope that maketh not ashamed ; the charity that never faileth ; confidence in Thee that shall never be shaken ; patience that shall never faint ; courage that shall always be ready to confess Christ, and to fight under His banner against the powers of darkness ; so that we may live in Thy fear, die in Thy peace, rest in hope, and attain to the resurrection of the saints, through the infinite merits of Jesus Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
O Lord God Almighty, King of saints, who hast chosen Zion for Thy habitation and Thy rest for ever ; regard, we beseech Thee, with Thy special favor and benediction, Thy holy Church in all lands and nations. Pour out Thy Spirit upon Thy ministering servants, that they may truly be the salt of the earth, and the light of the world ; and after having turned many to righteousness, may shine as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars for ever. Bless Thy people with all spiritual blessings, and grant that they may daily grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Heal all divisions and distractions among believers ; and so unite them in truth and love, that they may be of one heart and of one soul, keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Extend the borders of Thy kingdom, and give to Thy Son the heathen for His inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for His possession. Hasten the time, when at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
R. Amen.
Almighty God, the supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who dost from the throne of Thy majesty behold the nations of the earth, look down in mercy, we beseech Thee, upon the land in which we dwell. Bless thy servants, the President of the United States, and the Governor of this Commonwealth, our public councils and all that are in authority ; that they may rule in Thy fear, and that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Be pleased to continue the rich favors which Thou hast bestowed upon this nation, and make us duly grateful for them. Increase and preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth. Prosper every useful and honest occupation. Shed down the healthful influences of Thy Spirit upon all schools and seminaries of learning. Preserve us from pestilence and famine, from war and rebellion, from distraction and dissension, and from every national sin and calamity. Make us an example of righteousness in the world, and an instrument in Thy hand to spread the Gospel among the nations of the earth, until all kingdoms and dominions shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
R. Amen.
Most merciful Father, Thou fountain of all blessings and giver of every good and perfect gift, we commend to Thy care and benediction all classes and conditions of men. Remember them according to their several wants and necessities, and grant unto them the knowledge of Thy saving truth as it is in Jesus. Especially do we beseech Thee to look down in compassion upon all widows and orphans, all prisoners and captives, all sick and dying persons, and upon all those that are in any way afflicted and distressed, or persecuted for righteousness' sake ; grant unto them repentance and faith, the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, patience and resignation to Thy good and holy will, the rich comfort of Thy grace in this life, and an eternal weight of glory in the great day of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
R. Amen.
Our Father, &c.
R. Amen.
Then shall follow the General Prayer before the Sermon.
Almighty and everlasting God, our heavenly Father: we acknowledge and confess before thy divine majesty that we are sinners, conceived and born in sin, prone to do evil, and unable of ourselves to do any good; and that by frequent transgressions of thy holy commandments, we have incurred thy righteous sentence of condemnation and death. But, O Lord, we do most heartily repent of all our sins. We condemn ourselves and our iniquities, and beseech thee, by thy grace, to help our infirmities. Have mercy upon us, O God, and for the sake of thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, pardon all our offenses and shortcomings; and vouchsafe unto us the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that we may die more and more unto sin, and bring forth the fruits of righteousness and holiness to the praise of thy great name.
Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth: we give thee most hearty thanks for our creation, preservation, and especially for our redemption, through the bitter passion and death of thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. We bless thee for all the help and succor thou hast given us in our necessities; for thy fatherly comfort in our tribulations; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And we beseech thee ever to preserve in our hearts such gratitude for thy manifold mercies, that we may continually show forth thy praise. Renew us also more and more by thy Word and Spirit in the image of thy Son, that we may honor and glorify thee, both in life and in death, until we come at last through all the trials of this present life, into the glory of thy heavenly kingdom.
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named: grant, we beseech thee, thy blessing upon the Church which he has redeemed with his most precious blood. Extend her borders, and preserve her from all the assaults of her enemies. Send down thy heavenly grace upon all her pastors and congregations, and unite all thy people in the bonds of truth, of righteousness, and of peace. Increase the number of faithful ministers of the Word, so that the waste places of thy Zion may be speedily supplied. Send out thy light and thy truth throughout the whole world, and hasten the day when all thy foes shall be put to shame, and thou shalt bring in the full victory of thine everlasting kingdom.
Almighty God, King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone hast all power in heaven and in earth: regard with special favor, we beseech thee, our land and nation. Bless thy servant the President of the United States, the Governor of this State, our legislators, and all that are in authority over us. Endow them with such gifts as may be needful to the faithful discharge of their duties, and establish our land in righteousness and peace. Preserve us from all public calamities, from famine and pestilence, from war and bloodshed, but especially from all national sins; and grant that peace and prosperity, truth and justice, virtue and religion, may be preserved amongst us, throughout all generations.
O God, the merciful preserver of all thy creatures: hear our prayers and supplications, we humbly entreat thee, in behalf of all ranks and conditions of men. Comfort and sustain the poor and needy, the sick and the afflicted, the widow and the fatherless, the oppressed and the persecuted, and all such as are in any distress, whether of body, mind, or estate. Reveal thyself unto them as the God of all grace and consolation, and grant them strength to endure their trials with patience and resignation to thy holy will, and at last give them a happy deliverance out of all their troubles, and an entrance into thy eternal rest in heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and praise, world without end. Amen.
Then the Minister shall give out a Hymn, in the usual manner, and ascend the pulpit.
Then shall be sung another Psalm or Hymn.
The Minister shall now proceed to preach the Sermon, which on ordinary occasions should not exceed forty minutes. The text may be taken from the Gospel or the Epistle for the day, or may be selected from any portion of the canonical Scriptures. It is advisable, however, also in the latter case, to follow the order either of the Christian year, or of the Bible, or of the Catechism.
Then shall follow the Sermon, which on ordinary occasions should not exceed forty minutes. The text may be taken from the Gospel or Epistle for the day, or some other suitable passage of Scripture.
After the sermon, the Minister may offer a free prayer, with special reference to the subject of his discourse and the wants of the congregation ; or, if he prefer, he may use the following or a similar form.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we render Thee hearty thanks that Thou hast permitted us once more to enter the courts of Thy sanctuary, to hear Thy word, to sing Thy praise, to enjoy the communion of saints, and to he built up in our most holy faith on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Accompany, we beseech Thee, with Thy heavenly benediction the truth which has been preached unto us this day, that as good seed in good ground, it may take root, grow up and bring forth fruit in due season to the honor of Thy great name. Continue to us the use of the precious means of grace, and grant that we all who are now assembled in Thy sanctuary on earth may be numbered with the saints in glory everlasting, and render hallelujah and praise unto Thee, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, blessed for evermore.
R. Amen.
Then the minister may offer a Free Prayer, having special reference to the subject of his discourse, and the wants of the congregation; followed by the Lord's Prayer, in which all the people may join aloud. Or the Lord's Prayer alone may be used. Or one of the prayers following this order may be used. After which all such announcements as are proper to be made shall be published.
Then shall the collection be taken up, and after the singing of the concluding hymn, the Minister shall dismiss the Congregation with the Mosaic or Apostolic Benediction.
Then shall be sung a suitable Hymn, ending with the Gloria Patri, or an appropriate Doxology. During the singing of the latter the congregation shall stand.
The Alms of the people shall be collected by the Deacons, either before or during the singing of the Hymn.
Then shall the minister pronounce one of these Benedictions.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Cor. xiii. 14.