Preface of the Lord's Day
To be used on Sundays as appointed, but not on the succeeding weekdays
1. Of God the Father
Creator of the light and source of life, who hast made us in
thine image, and called us to new life in Jesus Christ our
Lord.
or the following
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2. Of God the Son
Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who on the first day of the
week overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious
resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.
or this
3. Of God the Holy Spirit
Who by water and the Holy Spirit hast made us a new people
in Jesus Christ our Lord, to show forth thy glory in all the
world.
Prefaces for Seasons
To be used on Sundays and weekdays alike, except as otherwise
appointed for Holy Days and Various Occasions
Advent
Because thou didst send thy beloved Son to redeem us from
sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life;
that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to
judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to
behold his appearing.
Incarnation
Because thou didst give Jesus Christ, thine only Son, to be
born for us; who, by the mighty power of the Holy Ghost,
was made very Man of the substance of the Virgin Mary his
mother; that we might be delivered from the bondage of sin,
and receive power to become thy children.
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Epiphany
Because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, thou hast
caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge
of thy glory in the face of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lent
Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who was in every way
tempted as we are, yet did not sin; by whose grace we are
able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer unto
ourselves, but unto him who died for us and rose again.
or this
Who dost bid thy faithful people cleanse their hearts, and
prepare with joy for the Paschal feast; that, fervent in prayer
and in works of mercy, and renewed by thy Word and
Sacraments, they may come to the fullness of grace which
thou hast prepared for those who love thee.
Holy Week
Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who for our sins was lifted
high upon the cross, that he might draw the whole world to
himself; who by his suffering and death became the author of
eternal salvation for all who put their trust in him.
Easter
But chiefly are we bound to praise thee for the glorious
resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the
very Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and hath
taken away the sin of the world; who by his death hath
destroyed death, and by his rising to life again hath won for
us everlasting life.
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Ascension
Through thy dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who
after his glorious resurrection manifestly appeared to his
disciples; and in their sight ascended into heaven, to prepare
a place for us; that where he is, there we might also be, and
reign with him in glory.
Pentecost
Through Jesus Christ our Lord; according to whose true
promise the Holy Ghost came down [on this day] from
heaven, lighting upon the disciples, to teach them and to lead
them into all truth; uniting peoples of many tongues in the
confession of one faith, and giving to thy Church the power
to serve thee as a royal priesthood, and to preach the
Gospel to all nations.
Prefaces for Other Occasions
Trinity Sunday
For with thy co-eternal Son and Holy Spirit, thou art one God,
one Lord, in Trinity of Persons and in Unity of Substance;
and we celebrate the one and equal glory of thee, O Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All Saints
Who, in the multitude of thy saints, hast compassed us about
with so great a cloud of witnesses, that we, rejoicing in their
fellowship, may run with patience the race that is set before
us; and, together with them, may receive the crown of glory
that fadeth not away.
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A Saint
For the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all thy saints,
who have been chosen vessels of thy grace, and the lights
of the world in their generations.
or this
Who in the obedience of thy saints hast given us an example
of righteousness, and in their eternal joy a glorious pledge of
the hope of our calling.
or this
Because thou are greatly glorified in the assembly of thy saints.
All thy creatures praise thee, and thy faithful servants bless
thee, confessing before the rulers of this world the great Name
of thine only Son.
Apostles and Ordinations
Through the great shepherd of thy flock, Jesus Christ our
Lord; who after his resurrection sent forth his apostles to
preach the Gospel and to teach all nations; and promised to
be with them always, even unto the end of the ages.
Dedication of a Church
Through Jesus Christ our great High Priest; in whom we are
built up as living stones of a holy temple, that we might offer
before thee a sacrifice of praise and prayer which is holy and
pleasing in thy sight.
Baptism
Because in Jesus Christ our Lord thou hast received us as thy
sons and daughters, made us citizens of thy kingdom, and
given us the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.
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Marriage
Because in the love of wife and husband, thou hast given us
an image of the heavenly Jerusalem, adorned as a bride for
her bridegroom, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who loveth
her and gave himself for her, that he might make the whole
creation new.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who rose victorious from the
dead, and doth comfort us with the blessed hope of
everlasting life; for to thy faithful people, O Lord, life is
changed, not ended; and when our mortal body doth lie in
death, there is prepared for us a dwelling place eternal in the
heavens.
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