Prelude

Ascription of Praise (from Psalm 113, 92)

Leader: Blessed be the name of God from this time on and forevermore.
People: From the rising of the run to its setting the name of God is to be praised.
Leader: It is good to give thanks to God, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
People: To declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.

Hymn of Praise “God of the Ages”

(Tune: Morning Has Broken from Hymnal of Worship and Celebration)

God of the ages, History's Maker, Planning our pathway, Holding us fast,
Shaping in mercy All that concerns us:
Maker, we praise You, Lord of the past.

God of this morning, Gladly Your children Worship before you, Trustingly bow:
Teach us to know You Always among us,
Quietly sov'reign-Lord of our now.

God of tomorrow, Strong Overcomer, Princes of darkness Own Your command: What then can harm us? We are
Your people,
Now and forever Kept by Your hand.

Lord of past ages, Lord of this morning, Lord of the future, Help us, we pray:
Teach us to trust You, Love and obey You,
Crown You each moment lord of today.

Prayer of Celebration

Gracious God, be present among us in our gathering today for you are the same, yesterday, today and
tomorrow. As we celebrate our past and rejoice in our present, we also look forward with eager eyes
to the future. We pray that you would continue to make your love known among us. Give us a zeal for
mission. Help us to encourage each other to look beyond the walls of uncertainties. Make Tayasan
Institute of the IFI a blessing to those we work with, and embolden us to move forward with strength
toward what lies ahead. Amen.

Reading of the Holy Gospel – Matthew 16: 15-19

15“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and
blood, but by My Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build
My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the
kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on
earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Short Reflection

Song of Remembrance “Still” Reuben Morgan

Hide me now under Your wings

Cover me within Your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar

I will soar with You above the storm
Father you are King over the flood
I will be still, know You are God

Find rest my soul in Christ alone

Know His power in quietness and trust

(At this point the celebrant approaches the stones gathered at the remembrance altar and place a hand on the
stones that symbolize the founders, benefactors, etc.)
Leader: O God, from living and chosen stones you prepare an everlasting dwelling place for your
majesty. Grant that in the power of the Holy Spirit those who serve you here may always be kept
within your presence. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen.

Memorial Ritual (At this point names of the deceased founders, benefactors, stakeholders, alumni and others
are read, while the bell is rang for each name.)

Prayer of Remembrance

Lord God, creator of all, you have made us creatures of this earth, but have also promised us a share
in life eternal. According to your promises, may all who have died in the peace of Christ come with
your saints to the joys of your kingdom, where there will be neither sorrow nor pain, but life
everlasting. Amen.

Affirmation of Faith (Alternative)

You, O God, are supreme and holy.

You create our world and give us life.
Your purpose overarches everything we do.
You have always been with us.
You are God.
You, O God, are infinitely generous,
good beyond all measure.
You came to us before we came to you.
You have revealed and proved
your love for us in Jesus Christ,
who lived and died and rose again.
You are with us now.
You are God.
You, O God, are Holy Spirit.
You empower us to be your gospel in the world.
You reconcile and heal; you overcome death.
You are our God. We worship you.

Litany of Thanksgiving

For the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, of which Tayasan Institute is a part,

We thank you, Lord.
For your presence whenever two or three have gathered in your name,
We thank you, Lord.
For this time of worship where we may be still and know that you are God,
We thank you, Lord.
For the fulfilling of our desires and petitions as you see best for us,
We thank you, Lord.
For our past and a vision of the future that lies ahead,
We thank you, Lord.
For the gift of the Holy Spirit and new life in baptism,
We thank you, Lord.
For the pardon of our sins when we have fallen short of your glory,
We thank you, Lord.
For the holy Eucharist in which we are united to our partners and we have a foretaste of your
eternal kingdom,
We thank you, Lord.
For the faith of those who have gone before us and for our encouragement by their
perseverance,
We thank you, Lord.
For all the founders, supporters, faculty and staff alumni and benefactors of Tayasan Institute
who have died in the peace of Christ and are at rest
We thank you, Lord.
For the fellowship of all your saints in light
We thank you, Lord.

Celebrant: As we conclude our prayers, let us now call on God who is our Ever-Nurturing Parent.

The Lord’s Prayer (to be sung)

Sharing of God’s Peace

Celebrant: Brothers and sisters, we are the Body of Christ,

by one Spirit, we are all baptized into one body.
People: Let us keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.

Closing Hymn “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” (Sebastian Temple)

Make me a channel of your peace,

Where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord
and where there's doubt, true faith in you

Make me a channel of your peace,

Where there's despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there's sadness ever joy
Oh, master grant that I may never seek,
so much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul

Make me a channel of your peace

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men what we receive
And in dying that we're born to eternal (Chorus)
Benediction

Celebrant: Now bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing.
Go forth from this place with renewed inspiration to do the work of God.
Seek good, not evil, love goodness, and establish justice.
This the greatest offering we can make; letting justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever flowing stream. Go in peace, with love for our neighbors.
People: Thanks be to God.

Postlude
Resources:

https://abmission.org/pages/prayers-for-the-165th-anniversary-of-abms-foundation.html
Benediction ~ written by Phyllis Tenney, a former BVS volunteer. Posted on the Church of the
Brethren website. http://www.brethren.org/resources/