This is the message we have heard from Christ:
that God is light, in whom there is
no darkness at all
1
1 John 1:5
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 Herald
Go up to a high mountain
herald of good tiding to Zion:
lift up your voice with strength,
herald of good tidings to Jerusalem.
Lift up your voice, fear not:
say to the cities of Judah, 'Behold your God!'
See the Lord God, coming with power:
coming to rule with his mighty arm.
He brings his reward for the people of God:
the recompense for those who are saved.
God will feed his flock like a shepherd:
and gather the lambs in his arms;
He will hold them to his breast:
and gently lead those that are with young.
herald of good tiding to Zion:
lift up your voice with strength,
herald of good tidings to Jerusalem.
Lift up your voice, fear not:
say to the cities of Judah, 'Behold your God!'
See the Lord God, coming with power:
coming to rule with his mighty arm.
He brings his reward for the people of God:
the recompense for those who are saved.
God will feed his flock like a shepherd:
and gather the lambs in his arms;
He will hold them to his breast:
and gently lead those that are with young.
Isaiah 40:9-11
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 Have mercy on me, O God, for they trample over me; •
all day long they assault and oppress me.
2 My adversaries trample over me all the day long; •
many are they that make proud war against me.
3 In the day of my fear I put my trust in you, •
in God whose word I praise.
4 In God I trust, and will not fear, •
for what can flesh do to me?
5 All day long they wound me with words; •
their every thought is to do me evil.
6 They stir up trouble; they lie in wait; •
marking my steps, they seek my life.
7 Shall they escape for all their wickedness? •
In anger, O God, cast the peoples down.
8 You have counted up my groaning;
put my tears into your bottle; •
are they not written in your book?
9 Then shall my enemies turn back
on the day when I call upon you; •
this I know, for God is on my side.
10 In God whose word I praise,
in the Lord whose word I praise, •
in God I trust and will not fear:
what can flesh do to me?
11 To you, O God, will I fulfil my vows; •
to you will I present my offerings of thanks,
12 For you will deliver my soul from death
and my feet from falling, •
that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
all day long they assault and oppress me.
2 My adversaries trample over me all the day long; •
many are they that make proud war against me.
3 In the day of my fear I put my trust in you, •
in God whose word I praise.
4 In God I trust, and will not fear, •
for what can flesh do to me?
5 All day long they wound me with words; •
their every thought is to do me evil.
6 They stir up trouble; they lie in wait; •
marking my steps, they seek my life.
7 Shall they escape for all their wickedness? •
In anger, O God, cast the peoples down.
8 You have counted up my groaning;
put my tears into your bottle; •
are they not written in your book?
9 Then shall my enemies turn back
on the day when I call upon you; •
this I know, for God is on my side.
10 In God whose word I praise,
in the Lord whose word I praise, •
in God I trust and will not fear:
what can flesh do to me?
11 To you, O God, will I fulfil my vows; •
to you will I present my offerings of thanks,
12 For you will deliver my soul from death
and my feet from falling, •
that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
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.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us in your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share our human nature, so we may be partakers in his divine glory; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed
Hebrews 7:1–10 (Listen)
The Priestly Order of Melchizedek
7:1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers,1 though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
Footnotes
[1] 7:5
(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 Hymn of the Word
In the beginning was the Word:
and the Word was with God,
And the Word was God:
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through him:
and without him, was not anything made that was made.
In him was life:
and the life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness:
and the darkness has not overcome it.
He was in the world:
and the world was made through him
yet the world knew him not.
He came to his own home:
and his own people received him not.
But to all who received him who believed on his name:
he has given power to become children of God;
Who were born not of blood
nor of the will of the flesh:
nor of the will of a man but of God,
And the Word became flesh:
and dwelt among us full of grace and truth;
We have beheld his glory:
glory as of the only Son from the Father,
And from his fullness have we all received:
the grace upon grace.
and the Word was with God,
And the Word was God:
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through him:
and without him, was not anything made that was made.
In him was life:
and the life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness:
and the darkness has not overcome it.
He was in the world:
and the world was made through him
yet the world knew him not.
He came to his own home:
and his own people received him not.
But to all who received him who believed on his name:
he has given power to become children of God;
Who were born not of blood
nor of the will of the flesh:
nor of the will of a man but of God,
And the Word became flesh:
and dwelt among us full of grace and truth;
We have beheld his glory:
glory as of the only Son from the Father,
And from his fullness have we all received:
the grace upon grace.
John 1:1-5, 10-14, 16
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.
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 God of peace equip us with everything good so that we may do his will; and may he work in us that which is pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
see Hebrews 13:20-21
1
The Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult and give God the glory.
Let us rejoice and exult and give God the glory.
Revelation 19:6-7
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 for Joy
Be joyful in the Lord, all the earth:
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with singing.
Know that the Lord is God:
it is he who has made us, and we are his;
for we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise:
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good;
his loving-kindness is everlasting:
and his faithfulness endures from age to age.
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with singing.
Know that the Lord is God:
it is he who has made us, and we are his;
for we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise:
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good;
his loving-kindness is everlasting:
and his faithfulness endures from age to age.
Psalm 100
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 Rescue me from my enemies, O my God; •
set me high above those that rise up against me.
2 Save me from the evildoers •
and from murderous foes deliver me.
3 For see how they lie in wait for my soul •
and the mighty stir up trouble against me.
4 Not for any fault or sin of mine, O Lord; •
for no offence, they run and prepare themselves for war.
5 Rouse yourself, come to my aid and see; •
for you are the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel.
6 Awake, and judge all the nations; •
show no mercy to the evil traitors.
7 They return at nightfall and snarl like dogs •
and prowl about the city.
8 They pour out evil words with their mouths;
swords are on their lips; •
‘For who’, they say, ‘can hear us?’
9 But you laugh at them, O Lord; •
you hold all the nations in derision.
10 For you, O my strength, will I watch; •
you, O God, are my strong tower.
11 My God in his steadfast love will come to me; •
he will let me behold the downfall of my enemies.
12 Slay them not, lest my people forget; •
send them reeling by your might
and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
13 For the sins of their mouth, for the words of their lips, •
let them be taken in their pride.
14 For the cursing and falsehood they have uttered, •
consume them in wrath, consume them till they are no more.
15 And they shall know that God rules in Jacob, •
and to the ends of the earth.
16 And still they return at nightfall and snarl like dogs •
and prowl about the city.
17 Though they forage for something to devour, •
and howl if they are not filled,
18 Yet will I sing of your strength •
and every morning praise your steadfast love;
19 For you have been my stronghold, •
my refuge in the day of my trouble.
20 To you, O my strength, will I sing; •
for you, O God, are my refuge,
my God of steadfast love.
set me high above those that rise up against me.
2 Save me from the evildoers •
and from murderous foes deliver me.
3 For see how they lie in wait for my soul •
and the mighty stir up trouble against me.
4 Not for any fault or sin of mine, O Lord; •
for no offence, they run and prepare themselves for war.
5 Rouse yourself, come to my aid and see; •
for you are the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel.
6 Awake, and judge all the nations; •
show no mercy to the evil traitors.
7 They return at nightfall and snarl like dogs •
and prowl about the city.
8 They pour out evil words with their mouths;
swords are on their lips; •
‘For who’, they say, ‘can hear us?’
9 But you laugh at them, O Lord; •
you hold all the nations in derision.
10 For you, O my strength, will I watch; •
you, O God, are my strong tower.
11 My God in his steadfast love will come to me; •
he will let me behold the downfall of my enemies.
12 Slay them not, lest my people forget; •
send them reeling by your might
and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
13 For the sins of their mouth, for the words of their lips, •
let them be taken in their pride.
14 For the cursing and falsehood they have uttered, •
consume them in wrath, consume them till they are no more.
15 And they shall know that God rules in Jacob, •
and to the ends of the earth.
16 And still they return at nightfall and snarl like dogs •
and prowl about the city.
17 Though they forage for something to devour, •
and howl if they are not filled,
18 Yet will I sing of your strength •
and every morning praise your steadfast love;
19 For you have been my stronghold, •
my refuge in the day of my trouble.
20 To you, O my strength, will I sing; •
for you, O God, are my refuge,
my God of steadfast love.
1 O God, you have cast us off and broken us; •
you have been angry; restore us to yourself again.
2 You have shaken the earth and torn it apart; •
heal its wounds, for it trembles.
3 You have made your people drink bitter things; •
we reel from the deadly wine you have given us.
4 You have made those who fear you to flee, •
to escape from the range of the bow.
5 That your beloved may be delivered, •
save us by your right hand and answer us.
6 God has spoken in his holiness: •
‘I will triumph and divide Shechem,
and share out the valley of Succoth.
7 ‘Gilead is mine and Manasseh is mine; •
Ephraim is my helmet and Judah my sceptre.
8 ‘Moab shall be my washpot;
over Edom will I cast my sandal; •
across Philistia will I shout in triumph.’
9 Who will lead me into the strong city? •
Who will bring me into Edom?
10 Have you not cast us off, O God? •
Will you no longer go forth with our troops?
11 Grant us your help against the enemy, •
for earthly help is in vain.
12 Through God will we do great acts, •
for it is he that shall tread down our enemies.
you have been angry; restore us to yourself again.
2 You have shaken the earth and torn it apart; •
heal its wounds, for it trembles.
3 You have made your people drink bitter things; •
we reel from the deadly wine you have given us.
4 You have made those who fear you to flee, •
to escape from the range of the bow.
5 That your beloved may be delivered, •
save us by your right hand and answer us.
6 God has spoken in his holiness: •
‘I will triumph and divide Shechem,
and share out the valley of Succoth.
7 ‘Gilead is mine and Manasseh is mine; •
Ephraim is my helmet and Judah my sceptre.
8 ‘Moab shall be my washpot;
over Edom will I cast my sandal; •
across Philistia will I shout in triumph.’
9 Who will lead me into the strong city? •
Who will bring me into Edom?
10 Have you not cast us off, O God? •
Will you no longer go forth with our troops?
11 Grant us your help against the enemy, •
for earthly help is in vain.
12 Through God will we do great acts, •
for it is he that shall tread down our enemies.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
God our Saviour, you sent Jesus into the world of sin, and delivered him up to death for us: kindle in our hearts the same love with which he loved his own to the end; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed
John 8:31–47 (Listen)
The Truth Will Set You Free
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave1 to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
You Are of Your Father the Devil
39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
Footnotes
[1] 8:34
(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 Christ's Glory
Christ Jesus was in the form of God:
but he did not cling to equality with God.
He emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant:
and was born in our human likeness.
Being found in human form, he humbled himself:
and became obedient unto death,
even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him:
and bestowed on him the name above every name,
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow:
in heaven and on earth and under the earth;
And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord:
to the glory of God the Father.
but he did not cling to equality with God.
He emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant:
and was born in our human likeness.
Being found in human form, he humbled himself:
and became obedient unto death,
even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him:
and bestowed on him the name above every name,
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow:
in heaven and on earth and under the earth;
And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord:
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5b-11
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.
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 the 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.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
2 Corinthians 13:14