Dedication of a Flag or Standard

	The Gathering
	A Hymn may be sung as the ministers enter.
	The presiding minister may say
	In the name of the Father, 
	and of the Son,
	and of the Holy Spirit. 
All	Amen.

	Grace, mercy and peace 
	from God our Father 
	and the Lord Jesus Christ 
	be with you
All	and also with you.

	This is the day that the Lord has made.
All	Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

	Words of welcome and introduction may be said.

	A minister may say

	We have come together in the name of Christ
	to dedicate our Standard,
	and to pray for God’s blessing on our Association.
	On this, the Lord’s Day, we gather first 
	to offer our praise and thanksgiving,
	to hear and receive God’s holy word,
	to pray for the needs of the world,
	and to seek the forgiveness of our sins,
	that by the power of the Holy Spirit
	we may give ourselves to the service of God.

	Prayers of Penitence

	A minister says this  invitation to confession
	Gathered together as God’s family,
	let us ask forgiveness from our heavenly Father,
	for he is full of gentleness and compassion.

All	Lord God,
	we have sinned against you;
	we have done evil in your sight.
	We are sorry and repent.
	Have mercy on us according to your love.
	Wash away our wrongdoing 
	and cleanse us from our sin.
	Renew a right spirit within us
	and restore us to the joy of your salvation;
	through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

	The presiding minister says the absolution
	May the Father of all mercies
	cleanse you from your sins,
	and restore you in his image
	to the praise and glory of his name,
	through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All	Amen.

	A Hymn or Scriptural Song may be sung.

	The presiding minister says the Collect for the Day,
	or this or some other Opening Prayer. 

	God our creator and redeemer,
	give us grateful hearts and willing hands,
	that we may worthily praise your name,
	and build your Kingdom of peace, justice and love
	among all peoples,
	to the glory of your Son,
	Jesus Christ our Lord
All	Amen.
	
	The Liturgy of the Word
	Bible readings follow.

	After each reading these words may be used.

	This is the word of the Lord.
All	Thanks be to God.

	A Psalm, Canticle or Hymn may be sung.

	If the Gospel is formally read, 
	all remain standing as these words are used:
	Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 
	according to N.
All	Glory to you, O Lord.
	At the end
	This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All	Praise to you, O Christ.

	The Sermon
	A Hymn or Gospel Canticle may be sung

	The Apostles' Creed

All	I believe in God, the Father almighty,
	creator of heaven and earth.
	I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
	who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
	born of the Virgin Mary,
	suffered under Pontius Pilate,
	was crucified, died, and was buried;
	he descended to the dead.
	On the third day he rose again;
	he ascended into heaven,
	he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
	and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
	I believe in the Holy Spirit,
	the holy catholic Church,
	the communion of saints,
	the forgiveness of sins,
	the resurrection of the body,
	and the life everlasting.
	Amen.

	Prayers of Intercession

	The intercession may begin
	In the power of the Spirit, 
	and in union with Christ
	let us pray to the Father.

	These words may be used

	Lord, in your mercy
All	hear our prayer.
	(or)

	Lord, hear us.
All	Lord, graciously hear us. 

	(or)

	Let us pray to the Lord.
All	Lord have mercy.

	The Lord’s Prayer is introduced to conclude the intercession:

		Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
	let us pray with confidence 
	as our Saviour has taught us

All	Our Father, who art in heaven, 
	hallowed be thy name; 
	thy kingdom come; 
	thy will be done; 
	on earth as it is in heaven. 
	Give us this day our daily bread. 
	And forgive us our trespasses, 
	as we forgive those who trespass against 
	And lead us not into temptation; 
	but deliver us from evil. 
	For thine is the kingdom, 
	the power, and the glory 
	for ever and ever. 
	Amen. 
	
	A hymn may be sung.
	A collection may be taken

	Dedication of Standard

	The Standard Bearers approach the chancel step,
	or some other suitable place,
	and stand before the chaplain.

	A senior association member says to the chaplain:

 	Reverend Sir, on behalf of 
 	(Name of Association or Organisation) 
 	I ask you to bless us,
 	and dedicate this new Standard.

 	The chaplain says:

 	Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
	for you call men and women*
	to live together in community;
	and to form associations 
	for the sake of comradeship;
	by your blessing may this Standard 
	be a symbol of unity and friendship
	to those who assemble in the name it bears:
	may they live in peace and harmony,
	may they walk in truth and justice,
	may they know your love in their hearts,
	and finally come to the fullness of eternal life,
	through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All	Amen 

	A Corps or Regimental Collect may be said by all,
		or else some other formal prayer of the organisation.

		* for Cadets and Youth Organisations
		   for you call boys and girls (or young men and women) 
		   to live and learn together, and to form associations . . . 

	Act Of Commitment 

	A minister, or some other person appointed, says 

	Let us pledge ourselves anew 
	to the service of God
	and our fellow men and women:
	that we may help, encourage, 
	and comfort others,
	and support those working 
	for the relief of the needy
	and for the peace and welfare of the nations. 

	

	

	

	

	National Anthem 

	

	

	

	
	Blessing 

	The presiding minister says this or some other blessing.

	God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest; 
	to the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth, 
	and all mankind, peace and concord; 
	and to us and all his servants, life everlasting; 
	and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 
	come down upon you and remain with you always. 
All