And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him, to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret. And saw two ships standing by the lake, but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes, and their net brake. Page Sixty-one And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and they filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? III. SELECTION BY CHOIR OR CHORUS. TUNE: MASTER, THE TEMPEST IS RAGING. No. 89. (If service is given near a body of water have a quartette sing this selection from a boat, moved not too far away from the shore.) O God, thou who art the ruler of wind and wave: when the tempest of sin rages in our hearts, manifest thyself to us, calm the passion within us, and give us that peace which the world cannot give. Help us, O Lord, to live the life of helpfulness toward others. We would learn from the great sea and the mighty waters that reserve of unfathPage Sixty-two omed depths, that power of the overcoming tide, and that balanced life which has its eternal anchorage in thee. Amen. V. Sing softly while seated with heads bowed. TUNE: MARTYN. No. 69. Jesus, Lover of my soul, Let me to thy bosom fly, While the tempest still is high! VI. HYMN (all standing). TUNE: PILOT. No. 80. Jesus, Saviour, pilot me Over life's wild, restless sea; As a mother stills her child, When at last I near the shore, Then, while leaning on thy breast, "Fear not, I will pilot thee!" VII. OFFERING (give offering to some Seaman's Bethel or for work among sailors). Have a good violinist play "Rock of Ages" with intelligent interpretation. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen. Page Sixty-three THE CHRISTIAN RACE I. OPENING SENTENCES (all standing). Leader: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. All: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II. HYMN (all standing). TUNE: CHRISTMAS. Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve, A heavenly race demands thy zeal, A cloud of witnesses around || And onward urge thy way.Il III. SCRIPTURE READING (all seated). No. 51. 'Tis God's all animating voice, Blest Saviour, introduced by thee, And, crowned with victory, at thy feet Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. V. PRAYER (all seated with heads bowed). O Jesus, Thou great Master-Runner! Grant unto us patience and self-control. Help us to keep our bodies under, and to resist the evil which doth so easily beset us. Give us, we pray thee, that fixedness of purpose to keep our eyes steadily toward the goal. Prevent us from doing the underhand thing. Help us to endure to the end of our race, and receive that crown of life which thou hast promised. This in thy name we ask. Amen. VIII. ADDRESS: "THE RACE OF LIFE" OR "THE GREATEST RACE IN THE WORLD." IX. HYMN. TUNE: ST. ALBAN. No. 5. Brightly gleams our banner, REFRAIN: Brightly gleams our banner, Jesus, Lord and Master, All our days direct us, Bid thine angels shield us Page Sixty-five |