Daily
Morning Prayer
The Second Sunday of Christmas
Christmastide
Opening Sentence
Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
LUKE 2:10-11
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. |
Venite
O Come
Officiant and People, all standing
Alleluia, to us a child is born:
O come, let us adore him.
O come, let us sing unto the Lord; *
let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God *
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are all the depths of the earth, *
and the heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it, *
and his hands prepared the dry land.
O come, let us worship and fall down, *
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For he is our God, *
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.
The following verses may be omitted.
Today, if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts *
as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness,
When your fathers tested me, *
and put me to the proof, though they had seen my works.
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation and said, *
“It is a people that err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways,”
Of whom I swore in my wrath *
that they should not enter into my rest.
PSALM 95:1-7, 8-11
Alleluia, to us a child is born:
O come, let us adore him.
Venite
O Come
Officiant and People, all standing
Alleluia, to us a child is born:
O come, let us adore him.
O come, let us sing unto the Lord; *
let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God *
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are all the depths of the earth, *
and the heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it, *
and his hands prepared the dry land.
O come, let us worship and fall down, *
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For he is our God, *
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.
The following verses may be omitted.
Today, if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts *
as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness,
When your fathers tested me, *
and put me to the proof, though they had seen my works.
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation and said, *
“It is a people that err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways,”
Of whom I swore in my wrath *
that they should not enter into my rest.
PSALM 95:1-7, 8-11
Alleluia, to us a child is born:
O come, let us adore him.
Jubilate
Be Joyful
Officiant and People, all standing
Alleluia, to us a child is born:
O come, let us adore him.
O be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *
serve the Lord with gladness,
and come before his presence with a song.
Be assured that the Lord, he is God; *
it is he that has made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise; *
be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.
For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting, *
and his truth endures from generation to generation.
PSALM 100
Alleluia, to us a child is born:
O come, let us adore him.
Jubilate
Be Joyful
Officiant and People, all standing
Alleluia, to us a child is born:
O come, let us adore him.
O be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *
serve the Lord with gladness,
and come before his presence with a song.
Be assured that the Lord, he is God; *
it is he that has made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise; *
be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.
For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting, *
and his truth endures from generation to generation.
PSALM 100
Alleluia, to us a child is born:
O come, let us adore him.
Venite
O Come
Officiant and People, all standing
Alleluia, to us a child is born:
O come, let us adore him.
O come, let us sing unto the Lord; *
let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God *
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are all the depths of the earth, *
and the heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it, *
and his hands prepared the dry land.
O come, let us worship and fall down, *
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For he is our God, *
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.
The following verses may be omitted.
Today, if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts *
as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness,
When your fathers tested me, *
and put me to the proof, though they had seen my works.
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation and said, *
“It is a people that err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways,”
Of whom I swore in my wrath *
that they should not enter into my rest.
PSALM 95:1-7, 8-11
Alleluia, to us a child is born:
O come, let us adore him.
Venite
O Come
Officiant and People, all standing
Alleluia, to us a child is born:
O come, let us adore him.
O come, let us sing unto the Lord; *
let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God *
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are all the depths of the earth, *
and the heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it, *
and his hands prepared the dry land.
O come, let us worship and fall down, *
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For he is our God, *
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.
The following verses may be omitted.
Today, if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts *
as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness,
When your fathers tested me, *
and put me to the proof, though they had seen my works.
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation and said, *
“It is a people that err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways,”
Of whom I swore in my wrath *
that they should not enter into my rest.
PSALM 95:1-7, 8-11
Alleluia, to us a child is born:
O come, let us adore him.
Jubilate
Be Joyful
Officiant and People, all standing
Alleluia, to us a child is born:
O come, let us adore him.
O be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *
serve the Lord with gladness,
and come before his presence with a song.
Be assured that the Lord, he is God; *
it is he that has made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise; *
be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.
For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting, *
and his truth endures from generation to generation.
PSALM 100
Alleluia, to us a child is born:
O come, let us adore him.
Jubilate
Be Joyful
Officiant and People, all standing
Alleluia, to us a child is born:
O come, let us adore him.
O be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *
serve the Lord with gladness,
and come before his presence with a song.
Be assured that the Lord, he is God; *
it is he that has made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise; *
be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.
For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting, *
and his truth endures from generation to generation.
PSALM 100
Alleluia, to us a child is born:
O come, let us adore him.
The Psalms Appointed
60 Day Cycle
Psalm 12
Salvum me fac
1 Help me, O Lord, for there is no godly one left;*
for the faithful have vanished from among the children of men.
2 They speak falsely, every one with his neighbor;*
they flatter with their lips and deceive with a double heart.
3 The Lord shall root out all deceitful lips*
and the tongues that speak proud things,
4 Which have said, "With our tongue will we prevail;*
our lips are our own; who is lord over us?"
5 "Now because of the trouble of the needy*
and because of the deep sighing of the poor,
6 I will rise up," says the Lord,*
"and will give help to every one who longs for it."
7 The words of the Lord are pure words, even as silver that is tried in the furnace,*
and as gold that is purified seven times in the fire.
8 Preserve us, O Lord, and save us*
from this perverse and evil generation.
9 The ungodly walk on every side*
when wickedness is exalted among the children of men.
Psalm 13
Usquequo, Domine?
1 How long will you utterly forget me, O Lord?*
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long shall I seek counsel in my soul and be so vexed in my heart? *
How long shall my enemy triumph over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God;*
give light to my eyes, that I sleep not in death,
4 Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed against him";*
for if I am cast down, those who trouble me will rejoice.
5 But my trust is in your mercy,*
and my heart is joyful in your salvation.
6 I will sing of the Lord, because he has dealt so lovingly with me;*
indeed, I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High.
Psalm 14
Dixit insipiens
1 The fool has said in his heart,*
"There is no God."
2 They are corrupt and have become abominable in their doings;*
there is none that does good, no, not one.
3 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men,*
to see if there were any who would understand and seek after God.
4 But they have all gone astray; they have altogether become abominable;*
there is none that does good, no, not one.
5 Have they no knowledge, all those workers of evil,*
who eat up my people as bread, and call not upon the Lord?
6 There were they brought into great fear, even where no fear was;*
for God is in the generation of the righteous.
7 Though you have made a mockery of the counsel of the poor,*
yet they put their trust in the Lord.
8 Who shall give salvation unto Israel out of Zion?*
When the Lord restores his captive people, then shall Jacob rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
The Psalms Appointed
30 Day Cycle
Psalm 24
Domini est terra
1 The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it,*
the compass of the world and those who dwell therein.
2 For he has founded it upon the seas*
and established it upon the rivers of the deep.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?*
Or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,*
and who has not set his mind upon vanity, nor sworn to deceive his neighbor.
5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord*
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of those who seek him,*
even of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates, and be lifted up, you everlasting doors; *
and the King of glory shall come in.
8 "Who is the King of glory?"*
"It is the Lord, strong and mighty, even the Lord, mighty in battle."
9 Lift up your heads, O you gates, and be lifted up, you everlasting doors; *
and the King of glory shall come in.
10 "Who is the King of glory?"*
"The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory."
Psalm 25
Ad te, Domine, levavi
1 Unto you, O Lord, will I lift up my soul; my God, I have put my trust in you;*
O let me not be ashamed, neither let my enemies triumph over me.
2 For all those who hope in you shall not be ashamed,*
but those who deal untruly shall be put to confusion.
3 Show me your ways, O Lord,*
and teach me your paths.
4 Lead me forth in your truth and teach me,*
for you are the God of my salvation; in you has been my hope all the day long.
5 Call to remembrance, O Lord, your tender mercies,*
and your loving-kindnesses, which have been from of old.
6 O remember not the sins and offenses of my youth,*
but according to your mercy think on me, O LORD, in your goodness.
7 Gracious and righteous is the Lord;*
therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
8 Those who are meek shall he guide in judgment,*
and those who are gentle shall he teach his way.
9 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth*
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
10 For your Name's sake, O Lord,*
forgive my sin, for it is great.
11 Who is the one who fears the Lord?*
He shall teach him in the way that he shall choose.
12 He shall dwell at ease,*
and his seed shall inherit the land.
13 The Lord reveals his secret counsel to those who fear him,*
and he will show them his covenant.
14 My eyes are ever looking to the Lord,*
for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
15 Turn to me, and have mercy on me,*
for I am desolate and in misery.
16 The sorrows of my heart are enlarged;*
O bring me out of my troubles.
17 Look upon my adversity and misery*
and forgive me all my sin.
18 Consider my enemies, how many they are,*
and how they bear a tyrannous hate against me.
19 O keep my soul and deliver me;*
Let me not be ashamed, for I have put my trust in you.
20 Let integrity and righteous dealing preserve me,*
for my hope has been in you.
21 Deliver Israel, O God,*
out of all his troubles.
Psalm 26
Judica me, Domine
1 Be my judge, O Lord, for I have walked innocently;*
my trust has been in the Lord; therefore I shall not fall.
2 Test me, O Lord, and prove me;*
examine my heart and my mind.
3 For your loving-kindness is ever before my eyes,*
and I will walk in your truth.
4 I have not dwelt with evildoers,*
neither will I have fellowship with the deceitful.
5 I have hated the company of the wicked,*
and will not sit among the ungodly.
6 I will wash my hands in innocence, O Lord,*
and so will I go to your altar,
7 That I may lift up the voice of thanksgiving*
and tell of all your wondrous works.
8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of your house*
and the place where your honor dwells.
9 O take not away my soul with the sinners,*
nor my life with the bloodthirsty,
10 Whose hands are full of wickedness,*
and their right hand full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I will walk innocently;*
O deliver me, and be merciful unto me.
12 My foot stands firm;*
I will praise the Lord in the congregations.
The Psalm Appointed
Sunday and Holy Day Cycle
Psalm 84
Quam dilecta!
1 How lovely are your dwellings,*
O Lord God of hosts!
2 My soul has a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord;*
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
3 Indeed, the sparrow has found her a house, and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young,*
even your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are they who dwell in your house;*
they will be always praising you.
5 Blessed is the one whose strength is in you,*
in whose heart are your ways,
6 Who going through the valley of misery uses it for a well;*
indeed, the early rains fill the pools with water.
7 They will go from strength to strength,*
and the God of gods shall be seen by them in Zion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;*
hearken, O God of Jacob.
9 Behold, O God, our defender,*
and look upon the face of your Anointed.
10 For one day in your courts*
is better than a thousand;
11 I would rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God*
than dwell in the tents of ungodliness.
12 For the Lord God is a light and defense;*
the Lord will give grace and honor, and no good thing shall he withhold from those who live a godly life.
13 O Lord God of hosts,*
blessed is the one who puts his trust in you.
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 First Lesson
Genesis 5
The lesson is read, the people sitting
| Reader | A reading from the Book of Genesis, beginning with the fifth chapter, the first verse |
Adam's Descendants to Noah
This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2 Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. 3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. 4 The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. 5 Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.
6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he fathered Enosh. 7 Seth lived after he fathered Enosh 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died.
9 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he fathered Kenan. 10 Enosh lived after he fathered Kenan 815 years and had other sons and daughters. 11 Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died.
12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he fathered Mahalalel. 13 Kenan lived after he fathered Mahalalel 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 Thus all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died.
15 When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he fathered Jared. 16 Mahalalel lived after he fathered Jared 830 years and had other sons and daughters. 17 Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.
18 When Jared had lived 162 years, he fathered Enoch. 19 Jared lived after he fathered Enoch 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died.
21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
25 When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he fathered Lamech. 26 Methuselah lived after he fathered Lamech 782 years and had other sons and daughters. 27 Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.
28 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he fathered a son 29 and called his name Noah, saying, “Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed, this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands.” 30 Lamech lived after he fathered Noah 595 years and had other sons and daughters. 31 Thus all the days of Lamech were 777 years, and he died.
32 After Noah was 500 years old, Noah fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
| Reader | The Word of the Lord. |
| People | Thanks be to God. |
Jeremiah 4
The lesson is read, the people sitting
| Reader | A reading from the Book of Jeremiah, beginning with the fourth chapter, the first verse |
“If you return, O Israel,
declares the Lord,
to me you should return.
If you remove your detestable things from my presence,
and do not waver,
2 and if you swear, ‘As the Lord lives,’
in truth, in justice, and in righteousness,
then nations shall bless themselves in him,
and in him shall they glory.”
3 For thus says the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem:
“Break up your fallow ground,
and sow not among thorns.
4 Circumcise yourselves to the Lord;
remove the foreskin of your hearts,
O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem;
lest my wrath go forth like fire,
and burn with none to quench it,
because of the evil of your deeds.”
Disaster from the North
5 Declare in Judah, and proclaim in Jerusalem, and say,
“Blow the trumpet through the land;
cry aloud and say,
‘Assemble, and let us go
into the fortified cities!’
6 Raise a standard toward Zion,
flee for safety, stay not,
for I bring disaster from the north,
and great destruction.
7 A lion has gone up from his thicket,
a destroyer of nations has set out;
he has gone out from his place
to make your land a waste;
your cities will be ruins
without inhabitant.
8 For this put on sackcloth,
lament and wail,
for the fierce anger of the Lord
has not turned back from us.”
9 “In that day, declares the Lord, courage shall fail both king and officials. The priests shall be appalled and the prophets astounded.” 10 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God, surely you have utterly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, ‘It shall be well with you,’ whereas the sword has reached their very life.”
11 At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, “A hot wind from the bare heights in the desert toward the daughter of my people, not to winnow or cleanse, 12 a wind too full for this comes for me. Now it is I who speak in judgment upon them.”
13 Behold, he comes up like clouds;
his chariots like the whirlwind;
his horses are swifter than eagles—
woe to us, for we are ruined!
14 O Jerusalem, wash your heart from evil,
that you may be saved.
How long shall your wicked thoughts
lodge within you?
15 For a voice declares from Dan
and proclaims trouble from Mount Ephraim.
16 Warn the nations that he is coming;
announce to Jerusalem,
“Besiegers come from a distant land;
they shout against the cities of Judah.
17 Like keepers of a field are they against her all around,
because she has rebelled against me,
declares the Lord.
18 Your ways and your deeds
have brought this upon you.
This is your doom, and it is bitter;
it has reached your very heart.”
Anguish over Judah's Desolation
19 My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain!
Oh the walls of my heart!
My heart is beating wildly;
I cannot keep silent,
for I hear the sound of the trumpet,
the alarm of war.
20 Crash follows hard on crash;
the whole land is laid waste.
Suddenly my tents are laid waste,
my curtains in a moment.
21 How long must I see the standard
and hear the sound of the trumpet?
22 “For my people are foolish;
they know me not;
they are stupid children;
they have no understanding.
They are ‘wise’—in doing evil!
But how to do good they know not.”
23 I looked on the earth, and behold, it was without form and void;
and to the heavens, and they had no light.
24 I looked on the mountains, and behold, they were quaking,
and all the hills moved to and fro.
25 I looked, and behold, there was no man,
and all the birds of the air had fled.
26 I looked, and behold, the fruitful land was a desert,
and all its cities were laid in ruins
before the Lord, before his fierce anger.
27 For thus says the Lord, “The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end.
28 “For this the earth shall mourn,
and the heavens above be dark;
for I have spoken; I have purposed;
I have not relented, nor will I turn back.”
29 At the noise of horseman and archer
every city takes to flight;
they enter thickets; they climb among rocks;
all the cities are forsaken,
and no man dwells in them.
30 And you, O desolate one,
what do you mean that you dress in scarlet,
that you adorn yourself with ornaments of gold,
that you enlarge your eyes with paint?
In vain you beautify yourself.
Your lovers despise you;
they seek your life.
31 For I heard a cry as of a woman in labor,
anguish as of one giving birth to her first child,
the cry of the daughter of Zion gasping for breath,
stretching out her hands,
“Woe is me! I am fainting before murderers.”
| Reader | The Word of the Lord. |
| People | Thanks be to God. |
Jeremiah 31:7-14
The lesson is read, the people sitting
| Reader | A reading from the Book of Jeremiah, beginning with the thirty-first chapter, the seventh verse |
7 For thus says the Lord:
“Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
‘O Lord, save your people,
the remnant of Israel.’
8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country
and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
the pregnant woman and she who is in labor, together;
a great company, they shall return here.
9 With weeping they shall come,
and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back,
I will make them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble,
for I am a father to Israel,
and Ephraim is my firstborn.
10 “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
and declare it in the coastlands far away;
say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him,
and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’
11 For the Lord has ransomed Jacob
and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.
12 They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,
and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall be like a watered garden,
and they shall languish no more.
13 Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy;
I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
14 I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance,
and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness,
declares the Lord.”
| Reader | The Word of the Lord. |
| People | Thanks be to God. |
TE DEUM LAUDAMUS
We Praise You, O God
The following Canticle is sung or said, all standing
We praise you, O God; we acclaim you as Lord; *
all creation worships you, the Father everlasting.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, *
the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of power and might, *
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. *
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. *
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all praise, *
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, *
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you took our flesh to set us free *
you humbly chose the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death *
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. *
We believe that you will come to be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people, *
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints *
to glory everlasting.
The following verses may be omitted
Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;*
govern and uphold them now and always.
Day by day we bless you; *
we praise your Name for ever.
Keep us today, Lord, from all sin; *
have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, show us your love and mercy, *
for we have put our trust in you.
In you, Lord, is our hope; *
let us never be put to shame.
BENEDICTUS
The Song of Zechariah
The following Canticle is sung or said, all standing
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness
and in the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
LUKE 1:68-79
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.
TE DEUM LAUDAMUS
We Praise You, O God
The following Canticle is sung or said, all standing
We praise you, O God; we acclaim you as Lord; *
all creation worships you, the Father everlasting.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, *
the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of power and might, *
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. *
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. *
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all praise, *
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, *
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you took our flesh to set us free *
you humbly chose the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death *
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. *
We believe that you will come to be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people, *
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints *
to glory everlasting.
The following verses may be omitted
Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;*
govern and uphold them now and always.
Day by day we bless you; *
we praise your Name for ever.
Keep us today, Lord, from all sin; *
have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, show us your love and mercy, *
for we have put our trust in you.
In you, Lord, is our hope; *
let us never be put to shame.
The Second Lesson
John 3:22-36
The lesson is read, the people sitting
| Reader | A reading from the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John, beginning with the third chapter, the twenty-second verse |
John the Baptist Exalts Christ
22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).
25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
| Reader | The Word of the Lord. |
| People | Thanks be to God. |
Galatians 5
The lesson is read, the people sitting
| Reader | A reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians, beginning with the fifth chapter, the first verse |
Christ Has Set Us Free
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
Keep in Step with the Spirit
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
| Reader | The Word of the Lord. |
| People | Thanks be to God. |
Ephesians 1:3-14
The lesson is read, the people sitting
| Reader | A reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians, beginning with the first chapter, the third verse |
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
| Reader | The Word of the Lord. |
| People | Thanks be to God. |
BENEDICTUS
The Song of Zechariah
The following Canticle is sung or said, all standing
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness
and in the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
LUKE 1:68-79
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.
TE DEUM LAUDAMUS
We Praise You, O God
The following Canticle is sung or said, all standing
We praise you, O God; we acclaim you as Lord; *
all creation worships you, the Father everlasting.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, *
the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of power and might, *
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. *
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. *
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all praise, *
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, *
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you took our flesh to set us free *
you humbly chose the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death *
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. *
We believe that you will come to be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people, *
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints *
to glory everlasting.
The following verses may be omitted
Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;*
govern and uphold them now and always.
Day by day we bless you; *
we praise your Name for ever.
Keep us today, Lord, from all sin; *
have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, show us your love and mercy, *
for we have put our trust in you.
In you, Lord, is our hope; *
let us never be put to shame.
BENEDICTUS
The Song of Zechariah
The following Canticle is sung or said, all standing
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness
and in the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
LUKE 1:68-79
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 Third Lesson
Matthew 2:1-12
The lesson is read, the people sitting
| Reader | A reading from the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew, beginning with the second chapter, the first verse |
The Visit of the Wise Men
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
| Reader | The Word of the Lord. |
| People | Thanks be to God. |
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
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. O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. O God our King, by the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ on the first day of the week, you conquered sin, put death to flight, and gave us the hope of everlasting life: Redeem all our days by this victory; forgive our sins, banish our fears, make us bold to praise you and to do your will; and steel us to wait for the consummation of your kingdom on the last great Day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 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. Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the Cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. O Almighty God, who in your wrath sent a plague upon your own people in the wilderness for their obstinate rebellion against Moses and Aaron, and also in the time of King David, sent a plague of pestilence which killed seventy thousand, but remembering your mercy spared the rest: have pity upon us miserable sinners, who now are visited with great sickness and mortality; and in the same way that you then accepted an atonement and commanded the destroying Angel to cease from punishing: so it may now please you to withdraw from us this plague and grievous sickness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Most loving Father, you will us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on the One who cares for us. Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested unto us in your Son, 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 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
The Second Sunday of Christmas
A COLLECT FOR STRENGTH TO AWAIT CHRIST’S RETURN
Sunday
A COLLECT FOR PEACE
A COLLECT FOR GRACE
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 the Time of any Common Plague or Sickness
BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, 1662 (ENGLAND)
For Trustfulness in Times of Worry and Anxiety
#80, 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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