Daily
Evening Prayer
Opening Sentence
Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
JOHN 8:12
Confession of Sin
The Officiant says to the People
Let us humbly confess our sins to Almighty God.
Dearly beloved, the Scriptures teach us to acknowledge our many sins and offenses, not concealing them from our heavenly Father, but confessing them with humble and obedient hearts that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness and mercy. We ought at all times humbly to acknowledge our sins before Almighty God, but especially when we come together in his presence to give thanks for the great benefits we have received at his hands, to declare his most worthy praise, to hear his holy Word, and to ask, for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things which are necessary for our life and our salvation. Therefore, draw near with me to the throne of heavenly grace.
Let us humbly confess our sins to Almighty God.
Silence is kept. All kneeling, the Officiant and People say
Almighty and most merciful Father,
we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much the devices and desires
of our own hearts.
We have offended against your holy laws.
We have left undone those things which we ought to have done,
and we have done those things which we ought not
to have done;
and apart from your grace, there is no health in us.
O Lord, have mercy upon us.
Spare all those who confess their faults.
Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises
declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.
A Deacon or layperson remains kneeling and prays
Grant to your faithful people, merciful Lord, pardon and peace; that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Priest alone stands and says
The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit.Amen.
Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, desires not the death of sinners, but that they may turn from their wickedness and live. He has empowered and commanded his ministers to pronounce to his people, being penitent, the absolution and remission of their sins. He pardons and absolves all who truly repent and genuinely believe his holy Gospel. For this reason, we beseech him to grant us true repentance and his Holy Spirit, that our present deeds may please him, the rest of our lives may be pure and holy, and that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit. Amen.
THE INVITATORY
All stand.
| Officiant | O Lord, open our lips; |
| People | And our mouth shall proclaim your praise. |
| Officiant | O God, make speed to save us; |
| People | O Lord, make haste to help us |
| Officiant | Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; |
| People | As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
| Officiant | Praise the Lord. |
| People | The Lord’s Name be praised. |
PHOS HILARON
O Gladsome Light
O gladsome light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,*
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,*
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,*
O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds. 1 Hold not your tongue, O God of my praise,* for the mouth of the ungodly, the mouth of the deceitful is opened upon me. 2 They have spoken against me with false tongues;* they encompassed me with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause. 3 In return for the love that I had for them, they have become my adversaries;* but I give myself to prayer. 4 Thus have they rewarded me evil for good,* and hatred for my love. 5 Set an ungodly man to be ruler over him,* and let an accuser stand at his right hand. 6 When judgment is given, let him be condemned,* and let sentence be passed on him for guilt. 7 Let his days be few,* and let another take his office. 8 Let his children be fatherless* and his wife a widow. 9 Let his children be vagabonds and beg their bread;* let them be driven out, even from desolate places. 10 Let the creditor consume all that he has,* and let strangers take his labor for spoil. 11 Let there be no one to pity him,* nor to have compassion upon his fatherless children. 12 Let his posterity be destroyed,* and in the next generation let his name be blotted out. 13 Let the wickedness of his fathers be held in remembrance in the sight of the Lord,* and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out. 14 Let them be always before the Lord,* that he may root out the memorial of them from the earth, 15 Because he was not minded to do good,* but persecuted to death the poor and needy, and those who were brokenhearted. 16 His delight was in cursing; let curses come upon him;* he loved not blessing; therefore let it be far from him. 17 He clothed himself with cursing as with a garment,* so let it soak into his body like water, and like oil into his bones. 18 Let it be to him as the cloak that he has on* and as the belt that he always wears. 19 Let this be the recompense from the Lord to my enemies,* and to those who speak evil against my soul. 20 But deal with me, O Lord God, according to your Name;* for sweet is your mercy. 21 O deliver me, for I am helpless and poor,* and my heart is wounded within me. 22 I disappear like the shadow that lengthens,* and am shaken off like a grasshopper. 23 My knees are weak through fasting;* my flesh is grown lean for want of nourishment. 24 I have become a reproach to them;* when they look on me, they shake their heads. 25 Help me, O Lord my God;* save me according to your mercy; 26 And they shall know that this is your hand,* and that you, O Lord, have done it. 27 Though they curse, yet you bless;* let them be confounded who rise up against me, but let your servant rejoice. 28 Let my adversaries be clothed with shame,* and let them cover themselves with their own disgrace as with a cloak. 29 As for me, I will give great thanks unto the Lord with my mouth,* and praise him among the multitude, 30 For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor,* to save their souls from the unrighteous judges. 1 Truly, God is loving to Israel,* even to those who have a clean heart. 2 Nevertheless, my feet had almost stumbled;* my steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the proud* when I saw the ungodly in such prosperity. 4 For they are in no fear of death,* but their bodies are healthy and strong. 5 They come to no misfortune like other folk,* neither are they afflicted like others. 6 Therefore they wear pride as a necklace,* and they wrap themselves with violence as with a garment. 7 Their eyes swell with greed,* and their hearts overflow with wicked thoughts. 8 Their talk is malice and mockery;* they have proud looks, and tyrannous words are on their lips. 9 For they set their mouth against the heavens,* and their evil speech spreads through the world. 10 Therefore the people turn to them,* and find no fault in them. 11 They say, "How should God perceive it?* Is there knowledge in the Most High?" 12 Behold, these are the ungodly;* they prosper in their ways, and they have riches in possession. 13 I said, "Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart* and washed my hands in innocence." 14 All the day long have I been afflicted,* and chastened every morning. 15 Indeed, had I spoken as they do,* then would I have betrayed the generation of your children. 16 When I sought to understand this,* it was too hard for me, 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;* then I understood their end. 18 Surely, you set them in slippery places,* and cast them down, and destroy them. 19 Oh, how suddenly are they consumed;* they perish and come to a fearful end. 20 Indeed, like a dream when one awakens,* so shall you make their image vanish out of the city. 21 Thus my heart was grieved,* and I was wounded within; 22 So foolish was I, and ignorant,* as if I were a beast before you. 23 Nevertheless, I am always with you,* for you hold me by my right hand. 24 You shall guide me with your counsel,* and after that receive me with glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you?* And there is no one on earth whom I desire in comparison with you. 26 Though my flesh and my heart fail me,* God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27 For behold, those who forsake you shall perish;* you destroy all those who are unfaithful to you. 28 But it is good for me to hold fast to God, to put my trust in the Lord God,* and to speak of all your works in the gates of the city of Zion. 1 O God, why have you utterly cast us off?* Why is your wrath so hot against the sheep of your pasture? 2 O think upon your congregation* whom you have purchased and redeemed of old. 3 Think upon the tribe of your inheritance,* and Mount Zion, where you have dwelt. 4 Draw near and behold how all is made desolate* and how the enemy has destroyed all that is in your sanctuary. 5 Your adversaries roar in the midst of your holy place* and set up their banners as tokens of victory. 6 Like hewers of timber in a thicket of trees,* so have they broken down all the carved work with axes and hammers. 7 They have set fire to your holy place* and have defiled the dwelling place of your Name, even to the ground. 8 They said in their hearts, "Let us make havoc of them altogether."* Thus have they burnt up all the houses of God in the land. 9 We do not see any signs; there is not one prophet anymore;* there is no one who knows how long these things shall continue. 10 O God, how long shall the adversary do this dishonor?* How long shall the enemy blaspheme your Name, for ever? 11 Why do you withdraw your hand?* Why do you not take your right hand out of your bosom to consume the enemy? 12 For God is my King of old;* he is the one bringing help upon the earth. 13 You divided the sea through your power;* you broke the heads of the dragons in the waters. 14 You smote the heads of Leviathan in pieces* and gave him to be food for the people in the wilderness. 15 You brought fountains and waters out of the hard rocks,* and you dried up mighty waters. 16 The day is yours, and the night is yours;* you have prepared the light and the sun. 17 You have set all the borders of the earth;* you have made summer and winter. 18 Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy scoffed,* and how the foolish people have blasphemed your Name. 19 Deliver not the soul of your turtledove to the wild beasts,* and forget not for ever the lives of your poor. 20 Look upon your covenant,* for the dark places of the earth are full of violence. 21 Let not the oppressed go away ashamed,* but let the poor and needy give praise to your Name. 22 Arise, O God, maintain your own cause;* remember how the foolish one blasphemes you daily. 23 Forget not the voice of your enemies,* nor the tumult of those who hate you, which increases ever more and more. 1 The Lord is my shepherd;* therefore I can lack nothing. 2 He shall feed me in green pastures* and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort. 3 He shall refresh my soul* and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness for his Name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,* for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me. 5 You shall prepare a table before me, in the presence of those who trouble me;* you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full. 6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,* and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; * as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. The lesson is read, the people sitting Now Maccabe′us and his followers, the Lord leading them on, recovered the temple and the city; 2 and they tore down the altars which had been built in the public square by the foreigners, and also destroyed the sacred precincts. 3 They purified the sanctuary, and made another altar of sacrifice; then, striking fire out of flint, they offered sacrifices, after a lapse of two years, and they burned incense and lighted lamps and set out the bread of the Presence. 4 And when they had done this, they fell prostrate and besought the Lord that they might never again fall into such misfortunes, but that, if they should ever sin, they might be disciplined by him with forbearance and not be handed over to blasphemous and barbarous nations. 5 It happened that on the same day on which the sanctuary had been profaned by the foreigners, the purification of the sanctuary took place, that is, on the twenty-fifth day of the same month, which was Chislev. 6 And they celebrated it for eight days with rejoicing, in the manner of the feast of booths, remembering how not long before, during the feast of booths, they had been wandering in the mountains and caves like wild animals. 7 Therefore bearing ivy-wreathed wands and beautiful branches and also fronds of palm, they offered hymns of thanksgiving to him who had given success to the purifying of his own holy place. 8 They decreed by public ordinance and vote that the whole nation of the Jews should observe these days every year. 9 Such then was the end of Anti′ochus, who was called Epiph′anes. 10 Now we will tell what took place under Anti′ochus Eu′pator, who was the son of that ungodly man, and will give a brief summary of the principal calamities of the wars. 11 This man, when he succeeded to the kingdom, appointed one Lys′ias to have charge of the government and to be chief governor of Coelesyria and Phoenic′ia. 12 Ptol′emy, who was called Macron, took the lead in showing justice to the Jews because of the wrong that had been done to them, and attempted to maintain peaceful relations with them. 13 As a result he was accused before Eu′pator by the king’s friends. He heard himself called a traitor at every turn, because he had abandoned Cyprus, which Philome′tor had entrusted to him, and had gone over to Anti′ochus Epiph′anes. Unable to command the respect due his office, he took poison and ended his life. 14 When Gor′gias became governor of the region, he maintained a force of mercenaries, and at every turn kept on warring against the Jews. 15 Besides this, the Idume′ans, who had control of important strongholds, were harassing the Jews; they received those who were banished from Jerusalem, and endeavored to keep up the war. 16 But Maccabe′us and his men, after making solemn supplication and beseeching God to fight on their side, rushed to the strongholds of the Idume′ans. 17 Attacking them vigorously, they gained possession of the places, and beat off all who fought upon the wall, and slew those whom they encountered, killing no fewer than twenty thousand. 18 When no less than nine thousand took refuge in two very strong towers well equipped to withstand a siege, 19 Maccabe′us left Simon and Joseph, and also Zacchae′us and his men, a force sufficient to besiege them; and he himself set off for places where he was more urgently needed. 20 But the men with Simon, who were money-hungry, were bribed by some of those who were in the towers, and on receiving seventy thousand drachmas let some of them slip away. 21 When word of what had happened came to Maccabe′us, he gathered the leaders of the people, and accused these men of having sold their brethren for money by setting their enemies free to fight against them. 22 Then he slew these men who had turned traitor, and immediately captured the two towers. 23 Having success at arms in everything he undertook, he destroyed more than twenty thousand in the two strongholds. 24 Now Timothy, who had been defeated by the Jews before, gathered a tremendous force of mercenaries and collected the cavalry from Asia in no small number. He came on, intending to take Judea by storm. 25 As he drew near, Maccabe′us and his men sprinkled dust upon their heads and girded their loins with sackcloth, in supplication to God. 26 Falling upon the steps before the altar, they besought him to be gracious to them and to be an enemy to their enemies and an adversary to their adversaries, as the law declares. 27 And rising from their prayer they took up their arms and advanced a considerable distance from the city; and when they came near to the enemy they halted. 28 Just as dawn was breaking, the two armies joined battle, the one having as pledge of success and victory not only their valor but their reliance upon the Lord, while the other made rage their leader in the fight. 29 When the battle became fierce, there appeared to the enemy from heaven five resplendent men on horses with golden bridles, and they were leading the Jews. 30 Surrounding Maccabe′us and protecting him with their own armor and weapons, they kept him from being wounded. And they showered arrows and thunderbolts upon the enemy, so that, confused and blinded, they were thrown into disorder and cut to pieces. 31 Twenty thousand five hundred were slaughtered, besides six hundred horsemen. 32 Timothy himself fled to a stronghold called Gazar′a, especially well garrisoned, where Chae′reas was commander. 33 Then Maccabe′us and his men were glad, and they besieged the fort for four days. 34 The men within, relying on the strength of the place, blasphemed terribly and hurled out wicked words. 35 But at dawn of the fifth day, twenty young men in the army of Maccabe′us, fired with anger because of the blasphemies, bravely stormed the wall and with savage fury cut down every one they met. 36 Others who came up in the same way wheeled around against the defenders and set fire to the towers; they kindled fires and burned the blasphemers alive. Others broke open the gates and let in the rest of the force, and they occupied the city. 37 They killed Timothy, who was hidden in a cistern, and his brother Chae′reas, and Apolloph′anes. 38 When they had accomplished these things, with hymns and thanksgivings they blessed the Lord who shows great kindness to Israel and gives them the victory. The lesson is read, the people sitting Now Maccabe′us and his followers, the Lord leading them on, recovered the temple and the city; 2 and they tore down the altars which had been built in the public square by the foreigners, and also destroyed the sacred precincts. 3 They purified the sanctuary, and made another altar of sacrifice; then, striking fire out of flint, they offered sacrifices, after a lapse of two years, and they burned incense and lighted lamps and set out the bread of the Presence. 4 And when they had done this, they fell prostrate and besought the Lord that they might never again fall into such misfortunes, but that, if they should ever sin, they might be disciplined by him with forbearance and not be handed over to blasphemous and barbarous nations. 5 It happened that on the same day on which the sanctuary had been profaned by the foreigners, the purification of the sanctuary took place, that is, on the twenty-fifth day of the same month, which was Chislev. 6 And they celebrated it for eight days with rejoicing, in the manner of the feast of booths, remembering how not long before, during the feast of booths, they had been wandering in the mountains and caves like wild animals. 7 Therefore bearing ivy-wreathed wands and beautiful branches and also fronds of palm, they offered hymns of thanksgiving to him who had given success to the purifying of his own holy place. 8 They decreed by public ordinance and vote that the whole nation of the Jews should observe these days every year. 24 Now Timothy, who had been defeated by the Jews before, gathered a tremendous force of mercenaries and collected the cavalry from Asia in no small number. He came on, intending to take Judea by storm. 25 As he drew near, Maccabe′us and his men sprinkled dust upon their heads and girded their loins with sackcloth, in supplication to God. 26 Falling upon the steps before the altar, they besought him to be gracious to them and to be an enemy to their enemies and an adversary to their adversaries, as the law declares. 27 And rising from their prayer they took up their arms and advanced a considerable distance from the city; and when they came near to the enemy they halted. 28 Just as dawn was breaking, the two armies joined battle, the one having as pledge of success and victory not only their valor but their reliance upon the Lord, while the other made rage their leader in the fight. 29 When the battle became fierce, there appeared to the enemy from heaven five resplendent men on horses with golden bridles, and they were leading the Jews. 30 Surrounding Maccabe′us and protecting him with their own armor and weapons, they kept him from being wounded. And they showered arrows and thunderbolts upon the enemy, so that, confused and blinded, they were thrown into disorder and cut to pieces. 31 Twenty thousand five hundred were slaughtered, besides six hundred horsemen. 32 Timothy himself fled to a stronghold called Gazar′a, especially well garrisoned, where Chae′reas was commander. 33 Then Maccabe′us and his men were glad, and they besieged the fort for four days. 34 The men within, relying on the strength of the place, blasphemed terribly and hurled out wicked words. 35 But at dawn of the fifth day, twenty young men in the army of Maccabe′us, fired with anger because of the blasphemies, bravely stormed the wall and with savage fury cut down every one they met. 36 Others who came up in the same way wheeled around against the defenders and set fire to the towers; they kindled fires and burned the blasphemers alive. Others broke open the gates and let in the rest of the force, and they occupied the city. 37 They killed Timothy, who was hidden in a cistern, and his brother Chae′reas, and Apolloph′anes. 38 When they had accomplished these things, with hymns and thanksgivings they blessed the Lord who shows great kindness to Israel and gives them the victory. The lesson is read, the people sitting Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. 2 Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman's wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” 4 So Naaman went in and told his lord, “Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.” 5 And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing. 6 And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” 7 And when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me.” 8 But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 9 So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha's house. 10 And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” 11 But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. 13 But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 14 So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. 15 Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.” 16 But he said, “As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused. 17 Then Naaman said, “If not, please let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the Lord. 18 In this matter may the Lord pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon your servant in this matter.” 19 He said to him, “Go in peace.” But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, 20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” 21 So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?” 22 And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’” 23 And Naaman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi. 24 And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. 25 He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.” 26 But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? 27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow. The following Canticle is sung or said, all standing My soul magnifies the Lord,* and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; For he has regarded* the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold, from now on,* all generations will call me blessed; For he that is mighty has magnified me,* and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on those who fear him,* throughout all generations. He has shown the strength of his arm;* he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down the mighty from their thrones,* and has exalted the humble and meek. He has filled the hungry with good things,* and the rich he has sent empty away. He, remembering his mercy, has helped his servant Israel,* as he promised to our fathers, Abraham and his seed for ever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; * as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. The following Canticle is sung or said, all standing Surely, it is God who saves me; * I will trust in him and not be afraid. For the LORD is my stronghold and my sure defense, * and he will be my Savior. Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing * from the springs of salvation. And on that day you shall say, * Give thanks to the LORD and call upon his Name; Make his deeds known among the peoples; * see that they remember that his Name is exalted. Sing the praises of the LORD, for he has done great things, * and this is known in all the world. Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy, * for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; * as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. The following Canticle is sung or said, all standing My soul magnifies the Lord,* and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; For he has regarded* the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold, from now on,* all generations will call me blessed; For he that is mighty has magnified me,* and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on those who fear him,* throughout all generations. He has shown the strength of his arm;* he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down the mighty from their thrones,* and has exalted the humble and meek. He has filled the hungry with good things,* and the rich he has sent empty away. He, remembering his mercy, has helped his servant Israel,* as he promised to our fathers, Abraham and his seed for ever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; * as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. The lesson is read, the people sitting The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, 4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” 12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. The lesson is read, the people sitting See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. The following Canticle is sung or said, all standing Lord, now let your servant depart in peace,* according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation,* which you have prepared before the face of all people; To be a light to lighten the Gentiles,* and to be the glory of your people Israel. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; * as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. The following Canticle is sung or said, all standing My soul magnifies the Lord,* and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; For he has regarded* the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold, from now on,* all generations will call me blessed; For he that is mighty has magnified me,* and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on those who fear him,* throughout all generations. He has shown the strength of his arm;* he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down the mighty from their thrones,* and has exalted the humble and meek. He has filled the hungry with good things,* and the rich he has sent empty away. He, remembering his mercy, has helped his servant Israel,* as he promised to our fathers, Abraham and his seed for ever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; * as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. The following Canticle is sung or said, all standing Lord, now let your servant depart in peace,* according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation,* which you have prepared before the face of all people; To be a light to lighten the Gentiles,* and to be the glory of your people Israel. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; * as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Officiant and People together, all standing I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He 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,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again 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.
The People kneel or stand.
Lord, have mercy upon us. Officiant and People 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 us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Officiant and People Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen. That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful, We entreat you, O Lord. That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill, We entreat you, O Lord. That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses, We entreat you, O Lord. That there may be peace in your Church and in the whole world, We entreat you, O Lord. That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be
condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ, We entreat you, O Lord. That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the
communion of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky and all your saints, entrusting
one another and all our life to Christ, We entreat you, O Lord. That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful, We entreat you, O Lord. That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill, We entreat you, O Lord. That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses, We entreat you, O Lord. That there may be peace in your Church and in the whole world, We entreat you, O Lord. That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be
condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ, We entreat you, O Lord. That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the
communion of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky and all your saints, entrusting
one another and all our life to Christ, We entreat you, O Lord. O God, our refuge and strength, true source of all godliness: Graciously hear the devout prayers of your Church, and grant that those things which we ask faithfully, we may obtain effectually; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. O God, our heavenly Father, you raised up your faithful servant Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky to be a Bishop and pastor in your Church and to feed your flock: Give abundantly to all pastors the gifts of your Holy Spirit, that they may minister in your household as true servants of Christ and stewards of your divine mysteries; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. O God, the source of eternal light: Shed forth your unending day upon us who watch for you, that our lips may praise you, our lives may bless you, and our worship on the morrow give you glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, the source of all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works: Give to your servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments, and that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. Lighten our darkness, we beseech you, O Lord; and by your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, Have mercy upon us. O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy upon us. O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful, Have mercy upon us. O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God, Have mercy upon us. Remember not, Lord Jesus, our offenses, nor the offenses of our forebears; neither reward us according to our sins. Spare us, good Lord, spare your people, whom you have redeemed with your most precious blood, and by your mercy preserve us for ever. Spare us, good Lord. From all evil and wickedness; from sin, from the works and assaults of the devil; from your wrath and everlasting condemnation, Good Lord, deliver us. From all blindness of heart; from pride, vanity, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice; and from all lack of charity, Good Lord, deliver us. From all disordered and sinful affections; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil, Good Lord, deliver us. From all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of your Word and commandments, Good Lord, deliver us. From lightning and tempest; from earthquake, fire, and flood; from plague, pestilence, and famine, Good Lord, deliver us. From all oppression, conspiracy, and rebellion; from violence, battle, and murder; and from dying suddenly and unprepared, Good Lord, deliver us. By the mystery of your holy incarnation; by your holy nativity and submission to the Law; by your baptism, fasting, and temptation, Good Lord, deliver us. By your agony and bloody sweat; by your Cross and passion; by your precious death and burial, Good Lord, deliver us. By your glorious resurrection and ascension; by the sending of the Holy Spirit; by your heavenly intercession; and by your coming again in power and great glory, Good Lord, deliver us. In all times of tribulation; in all times of prosperity; in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment, Good Lord, deliver us. We sinners beseech you to hear us, O Lord God: That it may please you to rule and govern your holy Church universal in the right way, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To illumine all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, with true knowledge and understanding of your Word; and that, both by their preaching and living, they may show it accordingly, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To send forth laborers into your harvest; to prosper their work by your Holy Spirit; to make your saving health known unto all nations; and to hasten the coming of your kingdom, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To give all your people increase of grace to hear your Word with humility, to receive it with pure affection, and to bring forth the fruit of the Spirit, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To bring into the way of truth all who have erred and are deceived, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To give us a heart to love and fear you, and diligently to keep your commandments, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To bless and keep all your people, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. That it may please you to rule the hearts of your servant Joe Biden, the President, your servants Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Sovereign, and Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister, your servants, our national leaders, and all others in authority, that they may do justice, and show mercy, and walk humbly before you, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To bless and guide all judges, giving them grace to execute justice, and to maintain truth, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To bless and keep our armed forces by sea, and land, and air, and to shield them in all dangers and adversities, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To bless and protect all who serve their communities by their labor and learning, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To give and preserve for us and for others the bountiful fruits of the earth, so that at the harvest we all may enjoy them, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To make wars to cease in all the world, and to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. That it may please you to show mercy on all prisoners and captives; refugees, the homeless, and the hungry; and all those who are desolate and oppressed, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To preserve all who are in danger by reason of their work or travel, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To strengthen the bonds of those in Holy Matrimony; to uphold the widowed and abandoned; and to comfort all whose homes are torn by strife, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To protect the unborn and their parents, and to preserve all women in childbirth; We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To care for those who have lost children or face infertility, and to provide for young children and orphans, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To visit the lonely and those who grieve; to strengthen all who suffer in mind, body, or spirit; and to comfort with your presence those who are failing and infirm, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To support, help, and deliver all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To have mercy upon all people, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. That it may please you to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sin, negligence, and ignorance; and to endue us with the grace of your Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to your holy Word, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To strengthen those who stand; to encourage the faint-hearted; to raise up those who fall; and finally to beat down Satan under our feet, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To grant to all the faithful departed eternal life and peace, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. To grant that, in the fellowship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky and all the
saints, we may attain to your heavenly kingdom, We beseech you to hear us, good Lord. Son of God, we beseech you to hear us. Son of God, we beseech you to hear us. O Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; Have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; Have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
Grant us your peace. O Christ, hear us. O Christ, hear us.
Lord, have mercy upon us. Officiant and People 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 us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Officiant and People Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen. O Lord, arise and help us;
And deliver us for your Name’s sake. O God, we have heard with our ears, and our forebears have declared to us, the noble works that you did in their days, and in the time before them. O Lord, arise and help us; And deliver us for your Name’s sake. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. O Lord, arise and help us; And deliver us for your Name’s sake. From our enemies defend us, O Christ; Graciously behold our afflictions. With pity behold the sorrows of our hearts; Mercifully forgive the sins of your people. With favor hear our prayers; O Son of David, have mercy upon us. Be pleased to hear us, O Christ; Graciously hear us, O Christ; graciously hear us, O Lord Christ. The Officiant prays Let us pray. Look mercifully, O Father, on our infirmities; and, for the glory of your Name, rescue us from all those evils we now endure; and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in your mercy, serving you in holiness and purity of life, to your honor and glory; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, you manifest in your servants the signs of your presence: Send forth upon us the Spirit of love, that in companionship with one another your abounding grace may increase among us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Most mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee to you for comfort. Deliver us, we beseech you, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Increase, O God, the spirit of neighborliness among us, that in peril we may uphold one another, in suffering tend to one another, and in homelessness, loneliness, or exile befriend one another. Grant us brave and enduring hearts that we may strengthen one another, until the disciplines and testing of these days are ended, and you again give peace in our time; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Officiant may invite the People to offer intercessions and thanksgivings. A hymn or anthem may be sung. Officiant and People Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen. Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.The Psalm Appointed
60 Day Cycle
Psalm 109
Deus, laudem
The Psalms Appointed
30 Day Cycle
Psalm 73
Quam bonus Isræl!
Psalm 74
Ut quid, Deus?
The Psalm Appointed
Sunday and Holy Day Cycle
Psalm 23
Dominus regit me
The First Lesson
II Maccabees 10
Reader
A reading from the Second Book of the Maccabees, beginning with the tenth chapter, the first verse
Purification of the Temple
Accession of Antiochus Eupator
Campaign in Idumea
Judas Defeats Timothy
Reader
Here ends the Reading.
II Maccabees 10:1-8, 24-38
Reader
A reading from the Second Book of the Maccabees, beginning with the tenth chapter, the first verse
Purification of the Temple
Judas Defeats Timothy
Reader
Here ends the Reading.
II Kings 5
Reader
A reading from the Second Book of Kings, beginning with the fifth chapter, the first verse
Naaman Healed of Leprosy
Gehazi's Greed and Punishment
Reader
The Word of the Lord.
People
Thanks be to God.
MAGNIFICAT
The Song of Mary
LUKE 1:46-55
ECCE, DEUS
Surely, it is God who saves me
ISAIAH 12:2-6
MAGNIFICAT
The Song of Mary
LUKE 1:46-55
The Second Lesson
Mark 1:1-13
Reader
A reading from the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Mark, beginning with the first chapter, the first verse
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
who will prepare your way,
3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”The Baptism of Jesus
The Temptation of Jesus
Reader
The Word of the Lord.
People
Thanks be to God.
I John 3:1-10
Reader
A reading from the First Epistle of St. John, beginning with the third chapter, the first verse
Reader
The Word of the Lord.
People
Thanks be to God.
NUNC DIMITTIS
The Song of Simeon
LUKE 2:29-32
MAGNIFICAT
The Song of Mary
LUKE 1:46-55
NUNC DIMITTIS
The Song of Simeon
LUKE 2:29-32
The Third Lesson
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
The Prayers
Officiant
The Lord be with you.
People
And with your spirit.
Officiant
Let us pray.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
The Suffrages
Officiant
O Lord, show your mercy upon us;
People
And grant us your salvation.
Officiant
O Lord, guide those who govern us;
People
And lead us in the way of justice and truth.
Officiant
Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
People
And let your people sing with joy.
Officiant
O Lord, save your people;
People
And bless your inheritance.
Officiant
Give peace in our time, O Lord;
People
And defend us by your mighty power.
Officiant
Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
People
Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Officiant
Create in us clean hearts, O God;
People
And take not your Holy Spirit from us.
Collect of the Day
Eve of The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, or the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 23)
Collect of the Day
Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky, Bishop of Shanghai, 1906
A COLLECT FOR THE EVE OF WORSHIP
Saturday
A COLLECT FOR PEACE
A COLLECT FOR AID AGAINST PERILS
The Great Litany
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
The Supplication
A Collect for Mission
III
In Time of Great Sickness and Mortality
BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, 1928 (U.S.)
In Times of Social Conflict or Unrest
#44, BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER (2019)
Intercessions and Thanksgivings
The General Thanksgiving
A PRAYER OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
Dismissal
Officiant
Let us bless the Lord.
People
Thanks be to God.
The Grace
2 CORINTHIANS 13:14
2 CORINTHIANS 13:14
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