ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXV, Issue 11784, 22 September 1913, Page 6

ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.

CONSECRATION SERVICE

The consecration of tho now St. Lfat* thew's church in Church-street took place yesterday. The weather was beautiful, and the church was packed to the doors.

Form of Consecration. The ceremony of consecration commenced at 10.30 o'clock, and was most impressive. His Lordship Bishop Sprott of Wellington, conducted the service. The Bishop, attended by his chaplain (Rev. B. D. Ashcroft) was recoivod at tho outside of the west door by the Minister and clergy in their surpheos, the churchwardens and members of the Vestry. Here a petition praying that ho would consecrato tho Church was read aud the key delivered to tho Bish--01 After the saying of the Lord's Prayer, the Bishop entered the church followed by the procession. Peace be to This House. Standing near the west end of tho church the Bishop said, Peace be to this House from God our Heavenly Father. Peace be to this House from las Son who is our Poace. Peace be to this Houso from tho Holy Ghost tho Comforter. The the Bishop said this antiphon: Lift up your heads, 0 yo gates, and ! be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall como in. The procession, which was headed by the Bishop's chaplain, tho Bishop himself, "Yen. Archdeacon Fancourt, of Wellington, and tho Rev. H. Watson, walked through the church from west to cast singing Psalm 24. (Domini oat Terra). The Bishop then laid the keys on the tablo before which ho said: O Lord Jesu Christ, who art the boginning and the ending of all things, the first, and tho last, who hast tho key of the house of David, who oponest and no man shutteth, who shuttest and no man openeth, give thy power, we pray thee, to us thy servants, and grant that this house, now opened for thy service, may over bo filled with thy presence and remain a refuge for thy faithful childion, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest one God world without end. .Amen. The first part of the Litany was then 1 said by the Rev. H. Watson. After the suffrage for the holy church universal the Bishop stretched forth his hands and said: "That it may please Thee to hallow this church to be consecrated to thine honour iv the name of St. Matthew's." The bishop then knelt down and the Litany proceeded to the Lord's Prayer, which was said by the Bishop. A prayer and hymn followed. The bishop, with his chaplain and tho Rev. Watson, proceeded to the font, where a prayer was said, the congregation standing. Then followed prayers at the chancel steps, lectern, pulpit, stalls of the clergy, choir seats and ' holy table.

The holy vessels and linen wore then presented to the Bishop by Rev. Watson, and were placed upon the table, the Bishop saying as he received them: "Be ye clean ye that bear the vessels of the Lord," the minister replying, "I wilt wash mine hand in innocency, 0 Lord, and so I will go to thine altar." The sentence of consecration was thon read to the Bishop by the Archdeacon ■. The Bishop signed the document, and then declared the church to be consecrated.

Then the hymn "Te Deum Lauda mus" was sung, and then the follow ing prayers were said:

0 most glorious Lord God, we acknowledge that wo are not worthy to offer unto Thee anything which belongeth to us; yet we beseech Thee of Thy goodness graciously to accept the dedication of this place to Thy service, and to continue Thy fa-A-our and benediction to this our undertaking. Receive the prayers and intercessions of us, and all others Thy servants, who either now or hereafter shall call upon Thee in this Thy sanctuary; and prepare our hearts and theirs by Thy grace and Holy Spirit to serve Thee with reverence and godly fear. Affect us with a deep sense of Thy Divine Majesty, and of our own unworthiness; that so approaching Thee in this Thy dwelling with lowliness, reverence, and devotion, with purity and sincerity of heart, with bodies undefiled and minds sanctified, we may bo acceptable in Thy sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessed be Thy Name, 0 Lord, that it hath pleased Thee to put into the hearts of Thy servants to erect this house to Thy honour and worship. Bless, 0 Lord, them, their families, and substance, and accept the works of their hands; remember them concerning this; wipe out not this kindness that they have shewed for the house of their God, and grant that all who shall hereafter enjoy the benefits of this pious work, may shew forth their thankfulness by making a devout and reverent use thereof, to the glory of Thy blessed Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. — Amen. Collects, the reading of the epistle (1 St. Peter, 2-1), and the gospel (St. Matthew, 21-12) followed. The taking np of the offertory (which is to be devoted to the building fund), and the singing of a hymn brought to a conclusion a very beautiful service. In the afternoon a children's service was held. Evensong. At Evensong, the church was again filled. In the course of the service the anthem, "Lift up Your Heads" (Messiah) was sung by the choir. The

preacher was the Bishop of Wellington,' who took his subject from Genesis, dealing with Jacob's dream. In the courso of his remarks tho bishop congratulated tho clergy and parishioners oh tho erection of the now church—tho fulfilment of the heart's desire of many. He hoped the church which had that day been consocratod would continue to grow. Tho fino now building which had been erected was a credit to the parish—it was an effort that tho parishioners and all concornod could congratulate thorasolvos upon. Tho offertories takon up wore again in aid of tho Church building. LIST OF SERVICES. The following sorviccs are to bo conducted at St. Matthew's Church during i tho currout week: — 'Monday: 7.30 a.m., H.C.j 9 a.m., Mattins; 5.30, Evensong; 7.30 p.m., Confirmation Sorvice, Hymns 349, 157, 271, 540. Tuesday: 9 a.m., Mattins; 10.30 a.m., H.C.; 7.30 p.m., Evensong. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis. Belcher in F. Anthem, "I Will Sing of Thy Power" (Sullivan). Hymns 378, 242, 431. Preacher —tho Yon. Thomas Fancourt, Archdeacon of Wellington. Wcdnosday: 7.30 a.m., H.C.; 9 a.m., Mattins; 7.30 p.m., Evensong (Choir Festival). Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis. Bunnott in F. Anthem, "What Are These?" (Stainor). Hymns 391, 438, 365, 604. Preacher, the Rev. A. H. Colville, Vicar of New Plymouth . Thursday: 9 a.m., Mattins; 10.30 a.m., H.C; 7.30 p.m., Evensong; Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis. Winchester iv B Flat. Hymns 240, 215, 167, 439. Proachor, tho Roy. C. F. Askew, Vicar , of St. Mark's, Wellington. Friday: 7.30 a.m., H.C; 9 a.m., Mattins; 4 p.m., Children's Service. Preacher, the Roy. H. G. Rosher. Gifts of clothing and toys for All Saints' Children's Home; 7.30 p.m., Evensong. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis.- Tours 'in F. Anthem, "Send out Thy Light" (Gounod). Hymns, 512, 298, 259. Preacher, tho Rev. 11. G. Roshor, Vicar of Palmerston North. Saturday: 9 a.m., Mattins; 10.30 ' a.m., Holy Communion; 5.30 p.m.,

Evensong and Parish Litany. Sunday (Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity, St. Matthew _): 8 a.m., H. 0:; 11 a.m., Mattins; Hymns 166, 546, 550. Preacher —the xiev. A. M. Johnson. 2.30 p.m., Children's Service; 7 p.m., Evensong. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis. Barnby in C unison. Anthom, "And tho Glory" (Mossiah). Hymns 390, 617, 305, 224. Proachor, tho Rev. A. M. Johnson, Vicar of St. Paul's, Wellington.