ON THE OCCASION OF THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMISSIONING OF HMNZS OTAGO

ORDER OF SERVICE
The Chaplain shall address the Ship's Company in these words:

Brothers, seeing that in the course of our duty we are set in the midst of many great dangers and that we cannot be faithful to the high trust placed in us without the help of Almighty God, let us unite our prayers in seeking his blessing upon this ship and all who serve in her, that she may sail under God's good providence and protection, and that there may never be lacking men well qualified to offer in her their work and skill for his greater glory, and for the protection of our realm and empire,

Then shall be sung
God of Nations at thy feet
In the bonds of Love we meet;
Hear our voices we entreat,
God defend our Free Land.
Guard pacific’s triple star
From the shafts of Strife and War,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand

The Captain will then read PSALM 107 verses 23 - 31 and 43

They that go down to the sea in ships and occupy their business in great waters
These men see the works of the Lord: and his wonders in the deep.
For at his word the stormy wind ariseth: which lifteth up the waves thereof.
They are carried up to the heaven, and down again to the deep: their soul melteth away because of the trouble.
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man : and are at their wits' end.
So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble: he delivereth them out of their distress
For he maketh the storm to cease: so that the waves thereof are still
Then are they glad, because they are at rest: and so lie bringeth them into the haven where they would be.
0 that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness : and declare the wonders that he doeth for tlhe children of men!
Whoso is wise will ponder these things: and they shall understand tlhe loving-kindness of the Lord.

Then shall the lesson be read:

ST. MATTHEW, Chapter 8, verses 23-27

And when Jesus was entered into a boat, his disciples followed him.

And behold there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
And they came to him, and awoke him, saying,
Save, Lord; we perish.
And he saith unto them,
Wliy are yea fearful, 0 ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
And the men marvelled saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him

Tiie Captain will then call on the Ship’s Company to ask for God’s Blessing on the ship using this ancient call;

THE GAELIC BLESSING, 1589

The Captain: I call on you to pray for God's blessing on this ship. Bless our ship
The Ship's Company: May God the Father bless her
The Captain: Bless our ship.
The Ship's Company: May Jesus Christ bless her.
The Captain: Bless our ship.
The Ship's Company: May the Holy Spirit bless her.
The Captain: What do ye fear, seeing that God the Father is with you
The Ship's Company: We fear nothing,
The Captain: Whom do ye fear, seeing that God the Son is with you
The Ship's Company: We fear nothing
The Captain: What do ye fear, see that God the Holy Spirit is with you
The Ship's Company: We fear nothing

The Chaplain
O Thou that sittest above the water floods and stillest the raging of the sea, accept, we beseech Thee, the supplications of thous servants for all who in this ship, now or here after, shall commit their lives to the perils of the deep. In all their ways enable them trly and godly to serve Thee, and by their Christian lives to set forth. Thy glory throughout the earth.
Watch over them in their going forth and in their coming in. that no evil befall them, nor mischief come nigh to hurt theri souls.
And so through the waves of this troublesome world, and through all the changes and chances of this mortal life, bring them of they mercy to the sure haven of thine everlasting Kingdom; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Almighty god, for the sake of His son, through the comfort of the Holy Ghost, save and sactify you, and carry you on with favouring winds and comfort over the sea and into harbour, according to His own good will: which thing we desire from Him saying;
Our father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be they Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, in earth asit is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses. as we forgive them that trespass against us. 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

The Chaplain;
O Lord God Almighty, who blesseth those who put their trust in Thee, let Thy blessing be upon this ship, and upon all those who serve and sail in her. May good success and Thy protection and the guardianship of Thy Holy Angels be with them always. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen

Then shall give thanks to God singing heartily together:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, Ye Heavenly Host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen

THE PRAYERS

Then The Chaplain will say a Prayer for the Navy, followed by one for craftsmen:

0 Eternal Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea who hast compassed the waters with bounds until day and night come to an end: Be pleased to receive into thy Almighty and most gracious protection the persons of us thy servants, and the Fleet in which we serve. Preserve us from the dangers of the sea, and from the violence of the enemy; that we may be a safeguard unto our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth and her Dominions: and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the peoples of our Commonwealth and Empire may in peace and quietness serve thee our God; and that we may return in safety to enjoy the blessings of the land, with the fruits of our labours, and with a thankful remembrance of thy mercies to praise and glorify thy holy name; througlh Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, the creator and upholder of men, who hast in every age inspired thy servants with courage and skill, we give thee hearty thanks for the example of those who have gone before us and into whose heritage we have entered; for the seamen of our race, for all who in great or small ships have braved the perils of the deep; for all wbo have given their lives for their country. More especially at this time we thank tlhee for those whose skill is displayed in this ship; for the designers and craftsmen and all who have laboured in her. And we pray that we may be worthy of the trust committed to our charge, that we may be a terror to all that is evil and bitter, and that by watchfiilness and vigilaince we may bear ourselves as those who serve thee wbo art unseen; through thine only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

The shall be sung the Hymn:

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm doth bind the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep:
0 bear us when we cry to thee
For these in peril on the sea.

0 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 :
0 hear us when we cry to thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

The Clhaplain will then pronounce the blessing as follows:
Go forth into the world in peace: be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render no man evil for evil; strenghten the fainthearted; support the week; help the afflicted; honour all men; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing the power of the Holy Spirit.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you, and remain wiih you forever. Amen.

Then shall all joins.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN

COMMISSIONING DAY WEDNESDAY 22ND JUNE 1960