Above:  Earthrise, Apollo 8, December 24, 1968

Image Source = NASA

Litany Source = A Book of Worship for Free Churches (1948), the General Council of the Congregational Christian Churches in the United States

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O Lord our Lord,

How excellent is thy Name in all the earth!

Thou hast made us to have dominion over the works of thy hands;

Thou hast put all things under our feet.

On all rulers and legislators, on councillors and ministers of state, on judges and magistrates,

We pray for thy blessing, O Lord.

On those who study the laws of the land that they may give wise and just counsel to men in their dealings with one another,

We pray for thy blessing, O Lord.

On all who defend us from lawlessness by land or by sea or in the air, and maintain peace and order,

We pray for thy blessing, O Lord.

On those who humbly search out thy works, and mark the wisdom in which thou hast made them all,

We pray for thy blessing, O Lord.

On all students and learners, on all teachers and instructors, on our schools and universities,

We pray for thy blessing, O Lord.

On physicians and nurses and all who practice the arts of healing; on those by whose skill thou takest away pain and givest sleep, restoring the sick to health and the weak to strength,

We pray for thy blessing, O Lord.

On those who adorn thy world with works of beauty; on those who build glorious houses for thy worship; and on those who make sweet music to thine honor,

We pray for thy blessing, O Lord.

On all that guides aright the course of mankind; on all that makes us know thy divine order and the beauty of thy works; on all that opens our eyes to see thy glory, and uplifts our souls in praise,

We pray for thy blessing, O Lord.

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee;

In whose heart are thy ways.

Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom;

And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

–Pages 315-317

The Chapel, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

Image Source = Library of Congress

Litany Source = A Book of Worship for Free Churches (1948), the General Council of the Congregational Christian Churches in the United States

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Eternal God, who hast promised us the liberty which follows after truth; grant that, keeping the commandments of Christ, we may have the mind of Christ and be free, as he was free.

For all who guard the truths which were known of old, that, as good stewards of that knowledge, they may confirm us in simple and righteous living;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

For those who seek the new truth, that, believing more light is yet to break, they may be sustained in their searching by the faith that thou art, and that thou art the rewarder of them that diligently seek thee;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

For all scientists, looking upon the face of nature, that they may see order in its variety and law in its constancy, and may teach men to live upon earth in confidence and without fear;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

For all historians, that, telling again the story of the past with sincerity and sympathy, they may bind the generations together in one communion to thy real sons;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

For all builders, poets, painters, and makers of music, that they may open our blind eyes and unstop our deaf ears to the beauty of thy world;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

For all who would lead man’s long thoughts beyond the things that are known into the world which is the unknown, that their faith may prepare for us a place in the infinite mystery;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

For all who unselfishly bring their knowledge to the service of the world, that they may prove their learning by their works; and give that vision without which the people parish;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

For ourselves in this society of the truth, that accepting with gladness the high offices of thought, that seeing clearly, and feeling deeply we may go forth to be in the world as those who serve, and may this know the mind of Christ which we would make the manner of our thinking; and all these things we ask in his Name, even Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

–Pages 314-315

Above:  Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, 1914

J195906 U.S. Copyright Office

Image Source = Library of Congress

Prayer Source = The United Methodist Book of Worship (1992)

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At the beginning of a new school year, O God of wisdom,

we offer thanks and praise for the gift of new beginnings

and for the opportunity to learn and to wonder.

We pray for teachers, students, and staff

that this year might be rewarding for all.

Be with us as we face the challenge of new tasks,

the fear of failure, the expectations of parents, friends, and self.

In our learning and our teaching,

may we grow in service to others and in love for your world,

through Jesus Christ our Savior.  Amen.

Above:  Fourteenth International Sunday School Convention, Chicago, Illinois, 1914

Copyright Claimant = Kaufmann, Weimer & Fabry Co.

J193838–U.S. Copyright Office

Image Source = Library of Congress

Prayer Source = Lutheran Book of Worship (1978)

Philip H. Pfatteicher, Commentary on the Lutheran Book of Worship:  Lutheran Liturgy in Its Ecumenical Context (1990) informs me that someone wrote this prayer for the Lutheran Book of Worship.

I think about this prayer now, as I prepare to become a Sunday School teacher again.

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O God of wisdom, in your goodness you provide faithful teachers for your Church.

By your Holy Spirit give all teachers insight into your Word,

holy lives as examples to us all,

and the courage to know and do the truth;

through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Above:  The Hymn Tune

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

Hymn Source = The Church Hymnary (1927), Presbyterian

Words by Henry James Buckoll (1803-1871)

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A hymn for the end of a school term

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1.  Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing,

Thanks for mercies past receive;

Pardon all, their faults confessiong;

Time that’s lost may all retrieve;

May Thy children

Ne’er again Thy Spirit grieve.

2.  Bless Thou all our days of leisure;

Help us selfish lures to flee;

Sanctify our every pleasure;

Pure and blameless may it be;

May our gladness

Draw us evermore to Thee.

3.  By Thy kindly influence cherish

All the good we have here gained;

May all taint of evil perish,

By Thy mightier power restrained;

Seek we ever

Knowledge pure and love unfeigned.

4.  Let Thy Father-hand be shielding

All who here shall meet no more;

May their seed-time past be yielding

Year by year a richer store;

Those returning

Make more faithful than before.

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Another Hymn With the Same Name:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/lord-dismiss-us-with-thy-blessing/

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Above:  The Hymn Tune

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

Hymn Source = The Church Hymnary (1927), Presbyterian

Words by Henry James Buckoll (1803-1871)

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A hymn for the beginning of a school term

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1.  Lord, behold us with Thy blessing,

Once again assembled here;

Onward be our footsteps pressing,

In Thy love, and faith, and fear;

Still protect us

By Thy presence ever near.

2.  For Thy mercy we adore Thee,

For this rest upon our way;

Lord, again we bow before Thee,

Speed our labours day by day;

Mind and spirit

With Thy choicest gifts array.

3.  Keep the spell of home affection

Still alive in every heart;

May its power, with mild direction,

Draw our love from self apart,

Till Thy children

Feel that Thou their Father art.

4.  Break temptation’s fatal power,

Shielding all with guardian care,

Safe in every careless hour,

Safe from sloth and sensual snare;

Thou, our Saviour,

Still our failing strength repair.

Above:  A Portion of My Library, October 1, 2013

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Beloved God, who created us in your image

and bestowed upon us intellect and artistry,

thank you for the insatiable desire to read and learn.

May none of us, due to culture, insecurity, or any other cause,

belittle or scorn this wonderful desire,

mocking others as eggheads or using any derogatory term.

Rather, may we thank you by pursuing and encouraging such helpful appetites

as those which train one’s mind properly and build up the community.

In the name of Christ.  Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

OCTOBER 1, 2013 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF ANTHONY ASHLEY COOPER, LORD SHAFTESBURY, BRITISH HUMANITARIAN AND SOCIAL REFORMER

THE FEAST OF SAINT REMIGIUS, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF RHEIMS

THE FEAST OF SAINT ROMANUS THE MELODIST, PRIEST AND HYMN WRITER

THE FEAST OF SAINT THERESA OF LISIEUX, ROMAN CATHOLIC NUN

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/10/01/a-prayer-of-thanksgiving-for-the-desire-to-read-and-learn/

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Above:  Scholar and His Books, by Gerbrand van den Eeckhout

O God, you have endowed us with memory, reason, and skill.

We thank you for the faithful legacy of [N. and all others]

who have dedicated their lives to you and to the intellectual pursuits.

May we, like them, respect your gift of intelligence fully and to your glory.

In the Name of God:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Psalm 103

Philippians 4:8-9

Mark 12:28-34

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

MARCH 6, 2013 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINT CHRODEGANG OF METZ, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP

THE FEAST OF EDMUND KING, ANGLICAN BISHOP OF LINCOLN

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/06/17/proper-for-scholars/

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Above:  The Empire State Building at Night, Circa 1937

Image Source = Library of Congress

(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2003677456/)

Hymn Source = The Hymn Book of the Anglican Church of Canada and the United Church of Canada (1971)

Words by the Reverend Richard G. Jones (born 1926), British Methodist

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Last night, at the Episcopal Center at The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, we who gathered celebrated a Holy Eucharist in honor the creation of the College of Engineering.  I found this hymn, which we sang to Dix, the tune of “For the Beauty of the Earth.”

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1.  God of concrete, God of steel,

God of piston, and of wheel,

God of pylon, God of steam,

God of girder and of beam,

God of atom, God of mine,

All the world of power is thine!

2.  Lord of cable, Lord of rail,

Lord of motorway and mail,

Lord of rocket, Lord of flight,

Lord of soaring satellite,

Lord of lightning’s livid line,

All the world of speed is thine!

3.  Lord of science, Lord of art,

God of map and graph and chart,

Lord of physics and research,

Word of Bible, Faith of Church,

Lord of sequence and design,

All the world of truth is thine!

4.  God whose glory fills the earth,

Gave the universe its birth,

Loosed the Christ with Easter’s might,

Saves the world from evil’s blight,

Claims mankind by grace divine,

All the world of love is thine!

Christ Episcopal Church, Macon, Georgia, April 3, 2011:  The Right Reverend Keith Whitmore, Assistant Bishop of Georgia, Giving the Benediction

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Hymn Source #1 = The Parish School Hymnal (1926), of the United Lutheran Church in America

Hymn Source #2 = The Hymnal (1941), of the Evangelical and Reformed Church

This hymn goes by different titles in various hymnals.  An alternative title is “O Thou Who Makest Souls to Shine.”  The number of stanzas, as well as the first stanza, vary according to hymnal, also.

Words by John Armstrong (1813-1856), poet, priest, and Anglican Bishop of Grahamstown, South Africa (1853-1856)

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O Thou who makest souls to shine

With light from brighter worlds above,

Now send Thy glistening dew divine

On all who seek a Saviour’s love.

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O Lord, thy benediction give

On all who teach, on all who learn,

That so Thy Church may holier live,

And ev’ry lamp more brightly burn.

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Give those that teach pure hearts and wise,

Faith, hope, and love, all warmed by prayer:

Themselves first training for the skies,

They best will raise their people there.

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Give those that learn the willing ear,

The spirit meek, the guileless mind;

Such gifts will make the lowliest here

Far better than a kingdom find.

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O bless the shepherd, bless the sheep,

That guide and guided both be one,

One in the faithful watch they keep,

One in the joy of work well done.