We will proclaim the name of the Lord.
Ascribe greatness to our God.
1
Deuteronomy 32:3
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 Mercy
God who is rich in mercy:
out of the great love with which he loved us,
Even when we were dead through our trespasses:
made us alive together with Christ,
And raised us up with him:
and made us sit with him
in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
That he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace:
in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.
out of the great love with which he loved us,
Even when we were dead through our trespasses:
made us alive together with Christ,
And raised us up with him:
and made us sit with him
in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
That he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace:
in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:4-7
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 Great is the Lord and highly to be praised, •
in the city of our God.
2 His holy mountain is fair and lifted high, •
the joy of all the earth.
3 On Mount Zion, the divine dwelling place, •
stands the city of the great king.
4 In her palaces God has shown himself •
to be a sure refuge.
5 For behold, the kings of the earth assembled •
and swept forward together.
6 They saw, and were dumbfounded; •
dismayed, they fled in terror.
7 Trembling seized them there;
they writhed like a woman in labour, •
as when the east wind shatters the ships of Tarshish.
8 As we had heard, so have we seen
in the city of the Lord of hosts, the city of our God: •
God has established her for ever.
9 We have waited on your loving-kindness, O God, •
in the midst of your temple.
10 As with your name, O God,
so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; •
your right hand is full of justice.
11 Let Mount Zion rejoice and the daughters of Judah be glad, •
because of your judgements, O Lord.
12 Walk about Zion and go round about her;
count all her towers; •
consider well her bulwarks; pass through her citadels,
13 That you may tell those who come after
that such is our God for ever and ever. •
It is he that shall be our guide for evermore.
in the city of our God.
2 His holy mountain is fair and lifted high, •
the joy of all the earth.
3 On Mount Zion, the divine dwelling place, •
stands the city of the great king.
4 In her palaces God has shown himself •
to be a sure refuge.
5 For behold, the kings of the earth assembled •
and swept forward together.
6 They saw, and were dumbfounded; •
dismayed, they fled in terror.
7 Trembling seized them there;
they writhed like a woman in labour, •
as when the east wind shatters the ships of Tarshish.
8 As we had heard, so have we seen
in the city of the Lord of hosts, the city of our God: •
God has established her for ever.
9 We have waited on your loving-kindness, O God, •
in the midst of your temple.
10 As with your name, O God,
so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; •
your right hand is full of justice.
11 Let Mount Zion rejoice and the daughters of Judah be glad, •
because of your judgements, O Lord.
12 Walk about Zion and go round about her;
count all her towers; •
consider well her bulwarks; pass through her citadels,
13 That you may tell those who come after
that such is our God for ever and ever. •
It is he that shall be our guide for evermore.
1 Why do you glory in evil, you tyrant, •
while the goodness of God endures continually?
2 You plot destruction, you deceiver; •
your tongue is like a sharpened razor.
3 You love evil rather than good, •
falsehood rather than the word of truth.
4 You love all words that hurt, •
O you deceitful tongue.
5 Therefore God shall utterly bring you down; •
he shall take you and pluck you out of your tent
and root you out of the land of the living.
6 The righteous shall see this and tremble; •
they shall laugh you to scorn, and say:
7 ‘This is the one who did not take God for a refuge, •
but trusted in great riches and relied upon wickedness.’
8 But I am like a spreading olive tree in the house of God; •
I trust in the goodness of God for ever and ever.
9 I will always give thanks to you for what you have done; •
I will hope in your name,
for your faithful ones delight in it.
while the goodness of God endures continually?
2 You plot destruction, you deceiver; •
your tongue is like a sharpened razor.
3 You love evil rather than good, •
falsehood rather than the word of truth.
4 You love all words that hurt, •
O you deceitful tongue.
5 Therefore God shall utterly bring you down; •
he shall take you and pluck you out of your tent
and root you out of the land of the living.
6 The righteous shall see this and tremble; •
they shall laugh you to scorn, and say:
7 ‘This is the one who did not take God for a refuge, •
but trusted in great riches and relied upon wickedness.’
8 But I am like a spreading olive tree in the house of God; •
I trust in the goodness of God for ever and ever.
9 I will always give thanks to you for what you have done; •
I will hope in your name,
for your faithful ones delight in it.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
Lord, our God, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier: we ask you to cleanse us from all hypocrisy, to unite us to our fellow men and women by the bonds of peace and love, and to confirm us in holiness; now and for ever. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed
Genesis 24:29–67 (Listen)
29 Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban. Laban ran out toward the man, to the spring. 30 As soon as he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and heard the words of Rebekah his sister, “Thus the man spoke to me,” he went to the man. And behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 31 He said, “Come in, O blessed of the LORD. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.” 32 So the man came to the house and unharnessed the camels, and gave straw and fodder to the camels, and there was water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33 Then food was set before him to eat. But he said, “I will not eat until I have said what I have to say.” He said, “Speak on.”
34 So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35 The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, camels and donkeys. 36 And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old, and to him he has given all that he has. 37 My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell, 38 but you shall go to my father’s house and to my clan and take a wife for my son.’ 39 I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’ 40 But he said to me, ‘The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send his angel with you and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my clan and from my father’s house. 41 Then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my clan. And if they will not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’
42 “I came today to the spring and said, ‘O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now you are prospering the way that I go, 43 behold, I am standing by the spring of water. Let the virgin who comes out to draw water, to whom I shall say, “Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,” 44 and who will say to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,” let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.’
45 “Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ 46 She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels drink also. 47 Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms. 48 Then I bowed my head and worshiped the LORD and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way1 to take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. 49 Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”
50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing has come from the LORD; we cannot speak to you bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the LORD has spoken.”
52 When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before the LORD. 53 And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments. 54 And he and the men who were with him ate and drank, and they spent the night there. When they arose in the morning, he said, “Send me away to my master.” 55 Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.” 56 But he said to them, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.” 57 They said, “Let us call the young woman and ask her.” 58 And they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.” 59 So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,
“Our sister, may you become
thousands of ten thousands,
and may your offspring possess
the gate of those who hate him!”2
61 Then Rebekah and her young women arose and rode on the camels and followed the man. Thus the servant took Rebekah and went his way.
62 Now Isaac had returned from Beer-lahai-roi and was dwelling in the Negeb. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming. 64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel 65 and said to the servant, “Who is that man, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
(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 the Blessed
Blessed are the poor in spirit:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn:
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek:
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right:
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful:
for mercy shall be shown to them.
Blessed are the pure in heart:
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn:
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek:
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right:
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful:
for mercy shall be shown to them.
Blessed are the pure in heart:
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3-10
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.
Everlasting God,
your messengers have carried the good news of Christ
to the ends of the earth:
grant that we who commemorate
the builders of your Church in this land
may know the truth of the gospel in our hearts
and build well on the foundations they have laid;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
your messengers have carried the good news of Christ
to the ends of the earth:
grant that we who commemorate
the builders of your Church in this land
may know the truth of the gospel in our hearts
and build well on the foundations they have laid;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
11 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.
12 The Morning Collect
Lord and heavenly Father,
you have brought us safely to this new day:
keep us by your mighty power, protect us from sin,
guard us from every kind of danger,
and in all we do this day
direct us in the fulfilling of your purpose,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
you have brought us safely to this new day:
keep us by your mighty power, protect us from sin,
guard us from every kind of danger,
and in all we do this day
direct us in the fulfilling of your purpose,
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.
May the Lord bless us and keep us; the Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious to us; the Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace. Amen.
Numbers 6:24-26
1
O sing to the Lord a new song:
sing to the Lord all the earth.
sing to the Lord all the earth.
Psalm 96:1
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, The Song of the Three
Blessed are you, the God of our forebears:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed is your holy and glorious name:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you, glorious in your holy temple:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you who behold the depths:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you in the heights of heaven:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed is your holy and glorious name:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you, glorious in your holy temple:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you who behold the depths:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you in the heights of heaven:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Song of the Three 29-34
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 The Lord, the most mighty God, has spoken •
and called the world from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2 Out of Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth; •
our God comes and will not keep silence.
3 Consuming fire goes out before him •
and a mighty tempest stirs about him.
4 He calls the heaven above, •
and the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 ‘Gather to me my faithful, •
who have sealed my covenant with sacrifice.’
6 Let the heavens declare his righteousness, •
for God himself is judge.
7 Hear, O my people, and I will speak: •
‘I will testify against you, O Israel;
for I am God, your God.
8 ‘I will not reprove you for your sacrifices, •
for your burnt offerings are always before me.
9 ‘I will take no bull out of your house, •
nor he-goat out of your folds,
10 ‘For all the beasts of the forest are mine, •
the cattle upon a thousand hills.
11 ‘I know every bird of the mountains •
and the insect of the field is mine.
12 ‘If I were hungry, I would not tell you, •
for the whole world is mine and all that fills it.
13 ‘Do you think I eat the flesh of bulls, •
or drink the blood of goats?
14 ‘Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving •
and fulfil your vows to God Most High.
15 ‘Call upon me in the day of trouble; •
I will deliver you and you shall honour me.’
16 But to the wicked, says God: •
‘Why do you recite my statutes
and take my covenant upon your lips,
17 ‘Since you refuse to be disciplined •
and have cast my words behind you?
18 ‘When you saw a thief, you made friends with him •
and you threw in your lot with adulterers.
19 ‘You have loosed your lips for evil •
and harnessed your tongue to deceit.
20 ‘You sit and speak evil of your brother; •
you slander your own mother’s son.
21 ‘These things have you done, and should I keep silence? •
Did you think that I am even such a one as yourself?
22 ‘But no, I must reprove you, •
and set before your eyes the things that you have done.
23 ‘You that forget God, consider this well, •
lest I tear you apart and there is none to deliver you.
24 ‘Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving honours me •
and to those who keep my way
will I show the salvation of God.’
and called the world from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2 Out of Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth; •
our God comes and will not keep silence.
3 Consuming fire goes out before him •
and a mighty tempest stirs about him.
4 He calls the heaven above, •
and the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 ‘Gather to me my faithful, •
who have sealed my covenant with sacrifice.’
6 Let the heavens declare his righteousness, •
for God himself is judge.
7 Hear, O my people, and I will speak: •
‘I will testify against you, O Israel;
for I am God, your God.
8 ‘I will not reprove you for your sacrifices, •
for your burnt offerings are always before me.
9 ‘I will take no bull out of your house, •
nor he-goat out of your folds,
10 ‘For all the beasts of the forest are mine, •
the cattle upon a thousand hills.
11 ‘I know every bird of the mountains •
and the insect of the field is mine.
12 ‘If I were hungry, I would not tell you, •
for the whole world is mine and all that fills it.
13 ‘Do you think I eat the flesh of bulls, •
or drink the blood of goats?
14 ‘Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving •
and fulfil your vows to God Most High.
15 ‘Call upon me in the day of trouble; •
I will deliver you and you shall honour me.’
16 But to the wicked, says God: •
‘Why do you recite my statutes
and take my covenant upon your lips,
17 ‘Since you refuse to be disciplined •
and have cast my words behind you?
18 ‘When you saw a thief, you made friends with him •
and you threw in your lot with adulterers.
19 ‘You have loosed your lips for evil •
and harnessed your tongue to deceit.
20 ‘You sit and speak evil of your brother; •
you slander your own mother’s son.
21 ‘These things have you done, and should I keep silence? •
Did you think that I am even such a one as yourself?
22 ‘But no, I must reprove you, •
and set before your eyes the things that you have done.
23 ‘You that forget God, consider this well, •
lest I tear you apart and there is none to deliver you.
24 ‘Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving honours me •
and to those who keep my way
will I show the salvation of God.’
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
God of grace, we thank you for all your gifts to us; grant us to accept both pain and joy in faith and hope, and never to fail in love to you and to our sisters and brothers; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed
John 17:6–19 (Listen)
6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.1 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them2 in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself,3 that they also may be sanctified4 in truth.
Footnotes
[1] 17:15
[2] 17:17
[3] 17:19
[4] 17:19
(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, The Song of Simeon (Nunc dimittis)
Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation:
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
A light to reveal you to the nations:
and the glory of your people Israel.
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation:
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
A light to reveal you to the nations:
and the glory of your people Israel.
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.
Everlasting God,
your messengers have carried the good news of Christ
to the ends of the earth:
grant that we who commemorate
the builders of your Church in this land
may know the truth of the gospel in our hearts
and build well on the foundations they have laid;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
your messengers have carried the good news of Christ
to the ends of the earth:
grant that we who commemorate
the builders of your Church in this land
may know the truth of the gospel in our hearts
and build well on the foundations they have laid;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
10 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.
11 The Evening Collect
Be present, merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night: that we, who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world, may rest on your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.
May Jesus, the Lord of peace, give us peace at all times and in all ways. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 3:16