Service of Blessing for the Launching of the Maggie B — Lunenburg Harbour, NS

Prayer led Fr. Michael Mitchell

Heavenly Father, we rejoice that we can gather today to pray your blessing upon this schooner, the Maggie B. Help us, by our presence today, to rejoice in the skill and craftsmanship of all those who gave her life. Make us mindful of your unfailing care and protection. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Psalm 107: 1, 23 - 32 - read by Frank Blair

1: O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 21: Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 22: And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. 23: They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; 24: These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. 25: For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 26: They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 27: They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. 28: Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 29: He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 30: Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. 31: Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 32: Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Word of Scripture - Mark 4:35-41

35: And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36: 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. 37: And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38: 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? 39: 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. 40: And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41: And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Prayer of Blessing - Fr. Michael Mitchell

Litany

For the safety of all those who go down to the sea for pleasure or for work, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For clean and abundant waters, and for ourselves as stewards of the seas, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.

Blessed are you, O God, whose Spirit hovered over the deep and filled it with beauty and all manner of living things. May the sea continue to teem with abundant life and pleasures. We pray your protection upon this schooner, crafted with great care and skill. Guide and protect it wherever it may sail. Bless all those who will sail within her, that they may know the joy of your saving hand and experience your power to calm all things.

Bless now this schooner, the Maggie B, that she may sail in safety and bring us all to the harbour of light and peace. We ask this blessing in the name of God the Father + the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Hymn: Eternal Father Strong to Save by William Whiting with music by John Bacchus Dykes | [listen]

Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm hath bound the restless wave, who bidd€™st the mighty ocean deep its own appointed limits to keep: O hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea.

O Christ, whose voice the waters heard, and hushed their raging at the word, who walkest on the foaming deep, and calm amid the storm didst sleep: O hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea.

O Holy Spirit, who didst brood upon the chaos dark and rude, and bid the angry tumult cease, and give for wild confusion peace: O hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and power, our brethren shield in danger€™s hour. From rock and tempest, fire and foe, protect them wheresoe€™er they go: thus evermore shall rise to thee glad hymns of praise from land and sea.