Daily
Morning Prayer
Opening Sentence
Thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
ISAIAH 57:15
Confession of Sin
The Officiant says to the People
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.
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
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.
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
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
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
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
O come, let us adore him.
Venite
O Come
Officiant and People, all standing
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
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
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
O come, let us adore him.
Venite
O Come
Officiant and People, all standing
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
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
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
O come, let us adore him.
Venite
O Come
Officiant and People, all standing
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
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
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
O come, let us adore him.
Jubilate
Be Joyful
Officiant and People, all standing
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
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
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
O come, let us adore him.
Jubilate
Be Joyful
Officiant and People, all standing
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
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
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
O come, let us adore him.
Jubilate
Be Joyful
Officiant and People, all standing
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
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
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
O come, let us adore him.
Jubilate
Be Joyful
Officiant and People, all standing
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
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
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
O come, let us adore him.
The Psalms Appointed
60 Day Cycle
Psalm 47
Omnes gentes, plaudite
1 O clap your hands together, all you peoples;*
O cry aloud unto God with shouts of joy.
2 For the Lord Most High is to be feared;*
he is the great King over all the earth.
3 He shall subdue the peoples under us,*
and the nations under our feet.
4 He shall choose our inheritance for us,*
the pride of Jacob whom he loved.
5 God has gone up with a shout of triumph,*
the Lord with the sound of the trumpet.
6 O sing praises, sing praises unto our God;*
O sing praises, sing praises unto our King.
7 For God is the King of all the earth;*
think upon his mighty acts and praise him with a song.
8 God reigns over the nations;*
God sits on his holy throne.
9 The princes of the peoples are gathered with the people of the God of Abraham;*
for the mighty upon earth have become the servants of the Lord, and he is very highly exalted.
Psalm 48
Magnus Dominus
1 Great is the Lord and highly to be praised*
in the city of our God, even upon his holy hill.
2 The hill of Zion is beautiful and lofty;*
it is the joy of the whole earth.
3 Upon the north side lies the city of the great King;*
God is well known in her palaces as a sure refuge.
4 For behold, the kings of the earth*
have gathered and advanced together.
5 They marvelled to see such things;*
they were astonished and fled in terror.
6 Trembling came upon them, and anguish,*
as upon a woman in travail.
7 You caused the east wind to blow*
and broke apart the ships of Tarshish.
8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God;*
God upholds her for ever.
9 We wait for your loving-kindness, O God,*
in the midst of your temple.
10 O God, according to your Name, so is your praise to the world's end;*
your right hand is full of righteousness.
11 Let Mount Zion rejoice, and the cities of Judah be glad,*
because of your judgments.
12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her;*
count the number of her towers.
13 Mark well her bulwarks, consider her strongholds,*
that you may tell those who come after.
14 This God is our God for ever and ever;*
he shall be our guide, even unto death.
The Psalms Appointed
30 Day Cycle
Psalm 90
Domine, refugium
1 Lord, you have been our refuge*
from one generation to another.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or the earth and the world were made,*
you are God from everlasting, and world without end.
3 You turn man back to the dust;*
you say, "Return, O children of men."
4 For a thousand years in your sight are as yesterday,*
even as a day that is past.
5 You scatter them as a night-watch that comes quickly to an end;*
they are even as a dream and fade away.
6 They are like the grass, which in the morning is green,*
but in the evening is dried up and withered.
7 For we consume away in your displeasure*
and are afraid at your wrathful indignation.
8 You have set our misdeeds before you,*
and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
9 For when you are angry, all our days are gone;*
we bring our years to an end, as a tale that is told.
10 The days of our life are seventy years, and though some be so strong that they come to eighty years,*
yet is their span but labor and sorrow; so soon it passes away, and we are gone.
11 But who regards the power of your wrath,*
and who considers the fierceness of your anger?
12 So teach us to number our days,*
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
13 Turn again, O Lord, and tarry not;*
be gracious unto your servants.
14 O satisfy us with your mercy in the morning;*
so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.
15 Comfort us again, according to the measure of the days that you have afflicted us,*
and for the years in which we have suffered adversity.
16 Show your servants your work*
and their children your glory.
17 And may the grace of the Lord our God be upon us;*
prosper the work of our hands; O prosper our handiwork.
Psalm 91
Qui habitat
1 Whoever dwells under the defense of the Most High*
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say unto the Lord, "You are my refuge and my stronghold,*
my God in whom I will trust."
3 For he shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter*
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He shall defend you under his wings, and you shall be safe under his feathers;*
his faithfulness and truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of any terror by night,*
nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Of the pestilence that walks in darkness,*
nor of the sickness that destroys at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall beside you, and ten thousand at your right hand,*
but it shall not come near you.
8 Indeed, with your eyes you shall behold*
and see the reward of the ungodly.
9 Because you have said, "The Lord is my refuge,"*
and have made the Most High your stronghold,
10 There shall no evil happen to you,*
neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over you,*
to keep you in all your ways.
12 They shall bear you in their hands,*
that you hurt not your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder;*
the young lion and the serpent you shall trample under your feet.
14 "Because he has set his love upon me, therefore I will deliver him;*
I will lift him up, because he has known my Name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will hear him;*
indeed, I am with him in trouble; I will deliver him and bring him honor.
16 With long life I will satisfy him,*
and show him my salvation."
Psalm 92
Bonum est confiteri
1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord,*
and to sing praises unto your Name, O Most High,
2 To tell of your loving-kindness early in the morning,*
and of your faithfulness in the night season,
3 Upon an instrument of ten strings and upon the lute,*
with the sound of melody upon the harp.
4 For you, Lord, have made me glad by your deeds,*
and I will shout for joy because of your handiwork.
5 O Lord, how glorious are your works;*
your thoughts are very deep.
6 The dull of heart does not consider this,*
and a fool does not understand it:
7 Though the ungodly are as green as the grass, and though all the workers of wickedness flourish,*
they shall be destroyed for ever; but you, Lord, are the Most High for evermore.
8 For lo, your enemies, O Lord, lo, your enemies shall perish,*
and all the workers of wickedness shall be destroyed.
9 But my horn shall be exalted like the horns of wild bulls;*
for I am anointed with fresh oil.
10 My eye also shall see its desire upon my enemies,*
and my ear shall hear with joy the end of the wicked who rise up against me.
11 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,*
and shall spread abroad like a cedar in Lebanon.
12 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord*
shall flourish in the courts of our God.
13 They also shall bring forth fruit in their old age,*
and shall be green and full of sap,
14 That they may show how upright the Lord is,*
my rock, in whom there is no unrighteousness.
Sunday and Holy Day Cycle
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
Judith 12
The lesson is read, the people sitting
| Reader | A reading from the Book of Judith, beginning with the twelfth chapter, the first verse |
Judith as a Guest of Holofernes
Then he commanded them to bring her in where his silver dishes were kept, and ordered them to set a table for her with some of his own food and to serve her with his own wine. 2 But Judith said, “I cannot eat it, lest it be an offense; but I will be provided from the things I have brought with me.” 3 Holofer′nes said to her, “If your supply runs out, where can we get more like it for you? For none of your people is here with us.” 4 Judith replied, “As your soul lives, my lord, your servant will not use up the things I have with me before the Lord carries out by my hand what he has determined to do.”
5 Then the servants of Holofer′nes brought her into the tent, and she slept until midnight. Along toward the morning watch she arose 6 and sent to Holofer′nes and said, “Let my lord now command that your servant be permitted to go out and pray.” 7 So Holofer′nes commanded his guards not to hinder her. And she remained in the camp for three days, and went out each night to the valley of Bethu′lia, and bathed at the spring in the camp. 8 When she came up from the spring she prayed the Lord God of Israel to direct her way for the raising up of her people. 9 So she returned clean and stayed in the tent until she ate her food toward evening.
Judith Attends Holofernes’ Banquet
10 On the fourth day Holofer′nes held a banquet for his slaves only, and did not invite any of his officers. 11 And he said to Bago′as, the eunuch who had charge of all his personal affairs, “Go now and persuade the Hebrew woman who is in your care to join us and eat and drink with us. 12 For it will be a disgrace if we let such a woman go without enjoying her company, for if we do not embrace her she will laugh at us.” 13 So Bago′as went out from the presence of Holofer′nes, and approached her and said, “This beautiful maidservant will please come to my lord and be honored in his presence, and drink wine and be merry with us, and become today like one of the daughters of the Assyrians who serve in the house of Nebuchadnez′zar.” 14 And Judith said, “Who am I, to refuse my lord? Surely whatever pleases him I will do at once, and it will be a joy to me until the day of my death!” 15 So she got up and arrayed herself in all her woman’s finery, and her maid went and spread on the ground for her before Holofer′nes the soft fleeces which she had received from Bago′as for her daily use, so that she might recline on them when she ate.
16 Then Judith came in and lay down, and Holofer′nes’ heart was ravished with her and he was moved with great desire to possess her; for he had been waiting for an opportunity to deceive her, ever since the day he first saw her. 17 So Holofer′nes said to her, “Drink now, and be merry with us!” 18 Judith said, “I will drink now, my lord, because my life means more to me today than in all the days since I was born.” 19 Then she took and ate and drank before him what her maid had prepared. 20 And Holofer′nes was greatly pleased with her, and drank a great quantity of wine, much more than he had ever drunk in any one day since he was born.
| Reader | Here ends the Reading. |
Isaiah 31
The lesson is read, the people sitting
| Reader | A reading from the Prophet Isaiah, beginning with the thirty-first chapter, the first verse |
Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help
and rely on horses,
who trust in chariots because they are many
and in horsemen because they are very strong,
but do not look to the Holy One of Israel
or consult the Lord!
2 And yet he is wise and brings disaster;
he does not call back his words,
but will arise against the house of the evildoers
and against the helpers of those who work iniquity.
3 The Egyptians are man, and not God,
and their horses are flesh, and not spirit.
When the Lord stretches out his hand,
the helper will stumble, and he who is helped will fall,
and they will all perish together.
4 For thus the Lord said to me,
“As a lion or a young lion growls over his prey,
and when a band of shepherds is called out against him
he is not terrified by their shouting
or daunted at their noise,
so the Lord of hosts will come down
to fight on Mount Zion and on its hill.
5 Like birds hovering, so the Lord of hosts
will protect Jerusalem;
he will protect and deliver it;
he will spare and rescue it.”
6 Turn to him from whom people have deeply revolted, O children of Israel. 7 For in that day everyone shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold, which your hands have sinfully made for you.
8 “And the Assyrian shall fall by a sword, not of man;
and a sword, not of man, shall devour him;
and he shall flee from the sword,
and his young men shall be put to forced labor.
9 His rock shall pass away in terror,
and his officers desert the standard in panic,”
declares the Lord, whose fire is in Zion,
and whose furnace is in Jerusalem.
| 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.
QUAERITE DOMINUM
Seek the Lord while he wills to be found
The following Canticle is sung or said, all standing
Seek the LORD while he wills to be found; *
call upon him when he draws near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways *
and the evil ones their thoughts;
And let them turn to the LORD, and he will have compassion, *
and to our God, for he will richly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, *
nor your ways my ways, says the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, *
so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
For as rain and snow fall from the heavens *
and return not again, but water the earth,
Bringing forth life and giving growth, *
seed for sowing and bread for eating,
So is my word that goes forth from my mouth; *
it will not return to me empty;
But it will accomplish that which I have purposed, *
and prosper in that for which I sent it.
ISAIAH 55:6-11
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.
ECCE, DEUS
Surely, it is God who saves me
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.
ISAIAH 12:2-6
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 Second Lesson
Acts 17:16-34
The lesson is read, the people sitting
| Reader | A reading from the Acts of the Apostles, beginning with the seventeenth chapter, the sixteenth verse |
Paul in Athens
16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.
Paul Addresses the Areopagus
22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for
“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;
as even some of your own poets have said,
“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
| Reader | The Word of the Lord. |
| People | Thanks be to God. |
Luke 3:23-38
The lesson is read, the people sitting
| Reader | A reading from the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Luke, beginning with the third chapter, the twenty-third verse |
The Genealogy of Jesus Christ
23 Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, 27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, 33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, 38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
| 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.
DIGNUS ES
A Song to the Lamb
The following Canticle is sung or said, all standing
Splendor and honor and kingly power *
are yours by right, O Lord our God,
For you created everything that is, *
and by your will they were created and have their being;
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, *
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
From every family, language, people, and nation, *
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
And so, to him who sits upon the throne, *
and to Christ the Lamb,
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor, *
for ever and for evermore. Amen.
REVELATION 4:11; 5:9-10, 13, 14
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
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. Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people, that bringing forth in abundance the fruit of good works, they may be abundantly rewarded when our Savior Jesus Christ comes to restore all things; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Almighty and everlasting God, you kindled the flame of your love in the heart of your servant Elizabeth of Hungary to manifest your compassion and mercy to the poor and the persecuted: Grant to us, your humble servants, a like faith and power of love, that we who give thanks for her righteous zeal may profit by her example; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the Cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son 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, Elizabeth of Hungary 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 have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; 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. O Lord our heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served, but to serve: We ask you to bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others especially those who are laboring in this time of plague; endue them with wisdom, patience, and courage, that they may strengthen the weak and raise up those who fall, and, being inspired by your love, may worthily minister to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the sake of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. 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. Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. 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
Friday after the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost, or the Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity (Proper 28)
Collect of the Day
Elizabeth of Hungary, Renewer of Society, 1231
A COLLECT FOR ENDURANCE
Friday
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
II
In Time of Great Sickness and Mortality
BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, 1928 (U.S.)
For Those Who Serve Others
#45, 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
EPHESIANS 3:20-21
2 CORINTHIANS 13:14
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