God's love has been poured into our hearts,
through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
1
Romans 5:3
Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
2 The Opening Canticle, A Song of God's Marvellous Acts
I will sing a new hymn to my God:
O Lord you are great and marvellous,
you are marvellous in your strength, invincible.
Let the whole creation serve you:
for you spoke and all things came to be;
You sent out your Spirit and it formed them:
no one can resist your voice.
Mountains and seas are stirred to their depths:
rocks melt like wax at your presence;
But to those who revere you:
you still show mercy.
O Lord you are great and marvellous,
you are marvellous in your strength, invincible.
Let the whole creation serve you:
for you spoke and all things came to be;
You sent out your Spirit and it formed them:
no one can resist your voice.
Mountains and seas are stirred to their depths:
rocks melt like wax at your presence;
But to those who revere you:
you still show mercy.
Judith 16:13-15
3 The Opening Prayer
The night has passed and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.
let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence may be kept
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever. Amen.
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever. Amen.
4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each
1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, •
for my soul takes refuge in you;
2 In the shadow of your wings will I take refuge •
until the storm of destruction has passed by.
3 I will call upon the Most High God, •
the God who fulfils his purpose for me.
4 He will send from heaven and save me
and rebuke those that would trample upon me; •
God will send forth his love and his faithfulness.
5 I lie in the midst of lions, •
people whose teeth are spears and arrows,
and their tongue a sharp sword.
6 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, •
and your glory over all the earth.
7 They have laid a net for my feet;
my soul is pressed down; •
they have dug a pit before me
and will fall into it themselves.
8 My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready; •
I will sing and give you praise.
9 Awake, my soul; awake, harp and lyre, •
that I may awaken the dawn.
10 I will give you thanks, O Lord, among the peoples; •
I will sing praise to you among the nations.
11 For your loving-kindness is as high as the heavens, •
and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
12 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, •
and your glory over all the earth.
for my soul takes refuge in you;
2 In the shadow of your wings will I take refuge •
until the storm of destruction has passed by.
3 I will call upon the Most High God, •
the God who fulfils his purpose for me.
4 He will send from heaven and save me
and rebuke those that would trample upon me; •
God will send forth his love and his faithfulness.
5 I lie in the midst of lions, •
people whose teeth are spears and arrows,
and their tongue a sharp sword.
6 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, •
and your glory over all the earth.
7 They have laid a net for my feet;
my soul is pressed down; •
they have dug a pit before me
and will fall into it themselves.
8 My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready; •
I will sing and give you praise.
9 Awake, my soul; awake, harp and lyre, •
that I may awaken the dawn.
10 I will give you thanks, O Lord, among the peoples; •
I will sing praise to you among the nations.
11 For your loving-kindness is as high as the heavens, •
and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
12 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, •
and your glory over all the earth.
1 Sing to the Lord a new song; •
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord and bless his name; •
tell out his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations •
and his wonders among all peoples.
4 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; •
he is more to be feared than all gods.
5 For all the gods of the nations are but idols; •
it is the Lord who made the heavens.
6 Honour and majesty are before him; •
power and splendour are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; •
ascribe to the Lord honour and strength.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; •
bring offerings and come into his courts.
9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; •
let the whole earth tremble before him.
10 Tell it out among the nations that the Lord is king. •
He has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.
11 Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad; •
let the sea thunder and all that is in it;
12 Let the fields be joyful and all that is in them; •
let all the trees of the wood shout for joy before the Lord.
13 For he comes, he comes to judge the earth; •
with righteousness he will judge the world
and the peoples with his truth.
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord and bless his name; •
tell out his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations •
and his wonders among all peoples.
4 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; •
he is more to be feared than all gods.
5 For all the gods of the nations are but idols; •
it is the Lord who made the heavens.
6 Honour and majesty are before him; •
power and splendour are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; •
ascribe to the Lord honour and strength.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; •
bring offerings and come into his courts.
9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; •
let the whole earth tremble before him.
10 Tell it out among the nations that the Lord is king. •
He has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.
11 Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad; •
let the sea thunder and all that is in it;
12 Let the fields be joyful and all that is in them; •
let all the trees of the wood shout for joy before the Lord.
13 For he comes, he comes to judge the earth; •
with righteousness he will judge the world
and the peoples with his truth.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
Creator Spirit, Advocate promised by our Lord Jesus: increase our faith and help us to walk in the light of your presence, to the glory of God the Father; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed
Genesis 18:1–15 (Listen)
18:1 And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks1 of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3 and said, “O Lord,2 if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5 while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6 And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs3 of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. 8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
9 They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” 10 The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” 13 The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard4 for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15 But Sarah denied it,5 saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”
Footnotes
[1] 18:1
[2] 18:3
[3] 18:6
[4] 18:14
[5] 18:15
(ESV)
Matthew 27:11–26 (Listen)
Jesus Before Pilate
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
The Crowd Chooses Barabbas
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified
24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood;1 see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged2 Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
Footnotes
[1] 27:24
[2] 27:26
(ESV)
The reading may be followed by a period of silence for reflection, a hymn or
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
and bear much fruit to your glory.
7 The Canticle, A Song of Isaiah
'Behold, God is my salvation:,
I will trust and will not be afraid;
'For the Lord God is my strength and my song:
and has become my salvation.'
With joy you will draw water:
from the wells of salvation.
On that day you will say:
'Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name;
'Make known his deeds among the nations:
proclaim that his name is exalted.
'Sing God's praises, who has triumphed gloriously:
let this be known in all the world.
'Shout and sing for joy, you that dwell in Zion:
for great in your midst in the Holy One of Israel.'
I will trust and will not be afraid;
'For the Lord God is my strength and my song:
and has become my salvation.'
With joy you will draw water:
from the wells of salvation.
On that day you will say:
'Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name;
'Make known his deeds among the nations:
proclaim that his name is exalted.
'Sing God's praises, who has triumphed gloriously:
let this be known in all the world.
'Shout and sing for joy, you that dwell in Zion:
for great in your midst in the Holy One of Israel.'
Isaiah 12:2-6
8 The Apostles' Creed may be said
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come 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.
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come 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.
9 The Prayers
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
10 The Lord's Prayer and the Collect of the Day
Our Father in heaven
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
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.
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
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.
Almighty and everliving God,
we humbly pray
that, as your only son was presented in the temple
in accordance with the law,
so we may be dedicated to you with pure and clean hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
we humbly pray
that, as your only son was presented in the temple
in accordance with the law,
so we may be dedicated to you with pure and clean hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Christ our cornerstone,
you were recognised at your presentation in the temple
as a sign of hope for the world,
but also as a stumbling-block for many:
help us so to present ourselves for your service,
that, in sharing your scandal,
we may become a people acceptable to you.
In your name we pray. Amen.
you were recognised at your presentation in the temple
as a sign of hope for the world,
but also as a stumbling-block for many:
help us so to present ourselves for your service,
that, in sharing your scandal,
we may become a people acceptable to you.
In your name we pray. Amen.
11 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.
12 The Morning Collect
Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and by whose love we are redeemed; guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and live this day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
13
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. May we rekindle the gift of God within us. Amen.
see 2 Timothy 1:6-7
1
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound in hope.
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13
Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
2 The Opening Canticle, A Song of Hope
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me:
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good tidings to the afflicted. The Lord has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted:
to proclaim liberty for the captives,
and release for those in prison,
To comfort all who mourn:
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning:
a garment of splendour for the heavy heart.
They shall be called tress of righteousness:
planted for the glory of the Lord.
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good tidings to the afflicted. The Lord has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted:
to proclaim liberty for the captives,
and release for those in prison,
To comfort all who mourn:
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning:
a garment of splendour for the heavy heart.
They shall be called tress of righteousness:
planted for the glory of the Lord.
3 The Opening Prayer
The day is now passed and the night is at hand.
Let us pray with one heart and mind.
Let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence may be kept
Father of lights, receive the prayer and praise we offer you as our evening sacrifice; make us a light for all the world, delivered by your goodness from all the works of darkness; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each
1 Why are the nations in tumult, •
and why do the peoples devise a vain plot?
2 The kings of the earth rise up,
and the rulers take counsel together, •
against the Lord and against his anointed:
3 ‘Let us break their bonds asunder •
and cast away their cords from us.’
4 He who dwells in heaven shall laugh them to scorn; •
the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak to them in his wrath •
and terrify them in his fury:
6 ‘Yet have I set my king •
upon my holy hill of Zion.’
7 I will proclaim the decree of the Lord; •
he said to me: ‘You are my Son; this day have I begotten you.
8 ‘Ask of me and I will give you the nations for your inheritance •
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron •
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.’
10 Now therefore be wise, O kings; •
be prudent, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear, and with trembling kiss his feet, •
lest he be angry and you perish from the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
12 Happy are all they •
who take refuge in him.
and why do the peoples devise a vain plot?
2 The kings of the earth rise up,
and the rulers take counsel together, •
against the Lord and against his anointed:
3 ‘Let us break their bonds asunder •
and cast away their cords from us.’
4 He who dwells in heaven shall laugh them to scorn; •
the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak to them in his wrath •
and terrify them in his fury:
6 ‘Yet have I set my king •
upon my holy hill of Zion.’
7 I will proclaim the decree of the Lord; •
he said to me: ‘You are my Son; this day have I begotten you.
8 ‘Ask of me and I will give you the nations for your inheritance •
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron •
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.’
10 Now therefore be wise, O kings; •
be prudent, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear, and with trembling kiss his feet, •
lest he be angry and you perish from the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
12 Happy are all they •
who take refuge in him.
1 May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble, •
the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2 Send you help from his sanctuary •
and strengthen you out of Zion;
3 Remember all your offerings •
and accept your burnt sacrifice;
4 Grant you your heart’s desire •
and fulfil all your mind.
5 May we rejoice in your salvation
and triumph in the name of our God; •
may the Lord perform all your petitions.
6 Now I know that the Lord will save his anointed; •
he will answer him from his holy heaven,
with the mighty strength of his right hand.
7 Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, •
but we will call only on the name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought down and fallen, •
but we are risen and stand upright.
9 O Lord, save the king •
and answer us when we call upon you.
the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2 Send you help from his sanctuary •
and strengthen you out of Zion;
3 Remember all your offerings •
and accept your burnt sacrifice;
4 Grant you your heart’s desire •
and fulfil all your mind.
5 May we rejoice in your salvation
and triumph in the name of our God; •
may the Lord perform all your petitions.
6 Now I know that the Lord will save his anointed; •
he will answer him from his holy heaven,
with the mighty strength of his right hand.
7 Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, •
but we will call only on the name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought down and fallen, •
but we are risen and stand upright.
9 O Lord, save the king •
and answer us when we call upon you.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
God who wonderfully created us and even more wonderfully restored our humanity: strengthen us by your Holy Spirit to triumph over suffering and death, and grant us eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed
The reading may be followed by a period of silence for reflection, a hymn or
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
and bear much fruit to your glory.
7 The Canticle, A Song of God's Children
In Christ Jesus, the life-giving law of the Spirit:
has set us free from the law of sin and death.
All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God:
it is the Spirit that enables us to cry, 'Abba!' Father.
The Spirit bears witness
that we are God's Children:
and if God's children, then heirs of God.
We are heirs of God and fellow-heirs with Christ:
If we share his sufferings now
we shall be glorified with him hereafter.
These sufferings that we now endure:
are not worth comparing
with the glory that shall be revealed.
For the creation waits with eager longing:
for the revealing of the children of God.
has set us free from the law of sin and death.
All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God:
it is the Spirit that enables us to cry, 'Abba!' Father.
The Spirit bears witness
that we are God's Children:
and if God's children, then heirs of God.
We are heirs of God and fellow-heirs with Christ:
If we share his sufferings now
we shall be glorified with him hereafter.
These sufferings that we now endure:
are not worth comparing
with the glory that shall be revealed.
For the creation waits with eager longing:
for the revealing of the children of God.
Romans 8:2, 14, 15b-19
8 The Prayers
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
9 The Lord's Prayer and the Collect of the Day
Our Father in heaven
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
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.
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
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.
Almighty and everliving God,
we humbly pray
that, as your only son was presented in the temple
in accordance with the law,
so we may be dedicated to you with pure and clean hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
we humbly pray
that, as your only son was presented in the temple
in accordance with the law,
so we may be dedicated to you with pure and clean hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Christ our cornerstone,
you were recognised at your presentation in the temple
as a sign of hope for the world,
but also as a stumbling-block for many:
help us so to present ourselves for your service,
that, in sharing your scandal,
we may become a people acceptable to you.
In your name we pray. Amen.
you were recognised at your presentation in the temple
as a sign of hope for the world,
but also as a stumbling-block for many:
help us so to present ourselves for your service,
that, in sharing your scandal,
we may become a people acceptable to you.
In your name we pray. Amen.
10 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.
11 The Evening Collect
Lighten our darkness, Lord, we pray: and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
12
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfector of our faith. Amen.
Hebrews 12:1