Morning and Evening Prayer

Morning and Evening Prayer

¶    Introduction

From earliest times, Christians gathered at regular hours during each day and night to respond to God’s word with praise on behalf of all creation and with intercession for the salvation of the world. By the fourth century, if not earlier, morning and evening had emerged as the pre-eminent hours for the offering of this sacrifice of praise. Although they have remained so ever since, in the course of time two major changes came over the form of prayer offered. First, regular daily prayer became more and more the practice of the clergy and members of religious orders alone, with the rest of the people of God participating chiefly on Sundays and festivals. Second, as a consequence of this, the forms of prayer came to be thought of more as words to be said or sung than as a liturgy to be celebrated corporately.

The following orders of service are, therefore, intended to help Christians of our own day take their part in this privilege and duty which belongs to all God’s priestly people. They may be celebrated in a very simple form, or enriched with a variety of optional chants and prayers.

Whenever possible, the services should include some singing, especially of the Gospel Canticle, which is the climax of the morning or evening praise for the work of God in Christ. If desired, metrical paraphrases may be substituted for any of the biblical canticles, and other hymns and songs may be added at appropriate points.

The offering of intercession is as integral as praise to the nature of the services, and should not be minimized unless another service containing a substantial element of intercession is to follow immediately.

The character of the services as a liturgical celebration can be enhanced in a number of ways, including the use of appropriate changes of posture and physical movement, the provision of a visual focus for worship, such as a cross, an icon or a lighted candle (the latter especially in the evening), and by assigning different parts of the service (for example, reading the Scriptures, singing the verses of psalms and canticles, leading the prayers) to different members of the worshipping group.

Orders for Sunday to Saturday in Ordinary Time are provided here. Orders for days in the seasons of the year, including an order for the period between All Saints’ Day and the First Sunday of Advent, are provided here. The Seasonal Notes here give further details about the duration of the seasons and other matters.

More general guidance about the orders can be found in the General Introduction here.

Morning and Evening Prayer

Structure
Preparation

    an opening response

    one or more of the following

    a prayer of thanksgiving

    a suitable hymn

    an opening canticle

    an opening prayer, if desired

    One of the following may replace the Preparation

    a Form of Penitence (here)

    in the morning, The Acclamation of Christ at the Dawning of the Day (here)

    in the evening, The Blessing of Light (here)

or a Form of Penitence may be inserted into it.

The Word of God

    psalmody

    a canticle, if desired

    reading(s) from Holy Scripture

    a responsory, if desired

    the Gospel Canticle

Prayers

    intercessions and, especially in the evening, thanksgivings

    the Collect of the day, or the prayer which is printed

    the Lord’s Prayer

Conclusion

    a blessing or the Grace

    a concluding response, if desired

    the Peace may replace or follow the Conclusion

¶    Notes to Morning and Evening Prayer

General Notes relating to the orders of prayer in Common Worship: Daily Prayer will be found here.

1  Required and optional parts of Morning and Evening Prayer

In order to maintain the integrity of the Order, the following should always be used, and is marked with a vertical line [in the print edition; also highlighted with yellow shading online at www.commonworship.com]. All else is optional.

    Opening response

    A prayer of thanksgiving or a suitable hymn or an opening canticle

    Psalmody

    Reading

    Gospel Canticle

    Intercessions

    Collect

    Lord’s Prayer

    Conclusion

If Morning or Evening Prayer and the Holy Communion are combined, the Prayers and Conclusion may be omitted from the office.

2  Principal Services

When Morning or Evening Prayer is the principal service on a Sunday, Principal Feast or other Principal Holy Day, an authorized confession and absolution, the Apostles’ Creed or another authorized affirmation of faith, and a sermon must be included. The third Form of Penitence here may not be used on such occasions.

3  Principal Feasts, other Principal Holy Days and Festivals

On Principal Feasts and other Principal Holy Days the orders of the season are used, except that on the Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary the Christmas orders are used.

On Festivals, the orders for the period from All Saints’ Day until the day before the First Sunday of Advent may be used, with the following exceptions:

    On the Festivals of Stephen, John and the Holy Innocents, the Christmas orders are used;

    on the Festival of Joseph, the Festival of the Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth and the Festival of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Christmas orders may be used;

    on the Festival of the Birth of John the Baptist, the Advent orders may be used;

    on the Festival of Mary Magdalene, the Easter orders may be used;

    on the Festival of the Transfiguration, the Epiphany orders may be used; and

    on Holy Cross Day, the Passiontide orders may be used.

On Lesser Festivals and Commemorations the orders of the Season or of Ordinary Time, as the case may be, are used.

Collects, canticles and refrains specified for each Holy Day (texts that are proper to the day) can be found here (Temporale) and here (Sanctorale).

4  The Acclamation of Christ at the Dawning of the Day and The Blessing of Light

The Order for Morning Prayer may begin with an Acclamation of Christ at the Dawning of the Day (here), which replaces the Preparation. The Blessing of Light (here) may be used in place of the Preparation in the Order for Evening Prayer.

5  The Thanksgiving Prayer

The Thanksgiving Prayer, beginning ‘Blessed are you …’, may be varied or improvised when appropriate.

6  Opening Hymn at Evening Prayer

In the Order for Evening Prayer in the seasons, the hymn suggested may be replaced by another suitable hymn or omitted.

7  The Psalms and Scripture Readings

The psalms and Scripture readings appointed for the day are indicated in the Common Worship Lectionary, published separately. References are given in the order: book, chapter, verse. The references to the psalms in the Lectionary are to the Common Worship Psalter. When other versions are used, such adaptations are made as are necessary. A prayer may be used at the conclusion of each psalm, in which case it is desirable that ‘Glory to …’ be omitted, and that a period of silence for individual reflection be kept between the end of the psalm and the prayer.

    When the readings for Morning or Evening Prayer are used in Prayer During the Day, the short reading found in that office may be used at Morning or Evening Prayer.

    When a reading begins with a personal pronoun, the reader may substitute the appropriate noun or name.

    At the conclusion, the reader may say, ‘This is the word of the Lord’; the reply is, ‘Thanks be to God’.

    At Morning Prayer, a psalm of praise may be said at the conclusion of the psalmody, or, when the canticle immediately follows the psalmody, after that canticle. The following cycle may be used. (Alleluia is not said in Lent, and these psalms are not appropriate in Passiontide.)

    Sunday117

    Monday146

    Tuesday147.1–12

    Wednesday147.13-end

    Thursday148

    Friday149

    Saturday150

8  Sermon

A Sermon may be delivered at one of the following points:

    between the responsory and the Gospel Canticle;

    before the Prayers;

    after the Prayers.

9  Creed

A Creed or authorized Affirmation of Faith may be said after the Gospel Canticle (or after the sermon, if there is one).

10  Prayers

Petitions of intercession, litanies, thanksgivings and other forms of extempore prayer may be used at any point in the Prayers. Some forms of prayer are provided here. The tables here suggest one way of ensuring a broad range of prayer over the week or the season. A General Thanksgiving (here) may also be used. The Litany (here) may be said instead of the Prayers; it is especially suitable on Ash Wednesday, on Fridays in Lent and on the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (2 November).

11  The Collect at Evening Prayer

    At Evening Prayer on Saturday the Collect, canticles and refrains for the Sunday following are used (except where the Saturday itself is a Principal Feast or Festival, Christmas Eve or Easter Eve).

    At Evening Prayer on the day before a Principal Feast, the Collect, canticles and refrains for the Feast are used. (Special provision is made for Christmas Eve and Easter Eve.)

    At Evening Prayer on the day before a Festival, the Collect, canticles and refrains for the Festival may be used at local discretion.

12  The Lord’s Prayer

Other words to introduce the Lord’s Prayer may be used or the introduction may be omitted.

13  Thanksgivings

In Morning or Evening Prayer, one of the Thanksgivings (here), Prayers for the Unity of the Church (here) or Prayers at the Foot of the Cross (here) may be used as an alternative to the Prayers and the Conclusion. When the Thanksgiving for the Word is used, a Form of Penitence is not included at the beginning of the Order.

14  The Sunday Gospel

Where desired, the Gospel reading for Sunday may be used on the preceding Saturday evening, in which case material from the Thanksgiving for the Mission of the Church (here) or the Vigil Office (here) may be used.

15  Te Deum, Gloria in Excelsis and Nunc Dimittis

On Sundays, Principal Feasts and Festivals, the following may be used immediately before the Conclusion:

    Te Deum (Morning or Evening Prayer), here

    Gloria in Excelsis (Morning Prayer), here

    Nunc Dimittis (Evening Prayer), here

The Te Deum and Gloria in Excelsis are not normally used in Advent and Lent.

16  The Peace

The Order may conclude with the Peace in place of or in addition to the Blessing or the Grace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you

All   and also with you.

These words may be added

Let us offer one another a sign of peace,

God’s seal on our prayers.

¶    The Acclamation of Christ at the Dawning of the Day

The Acclamation of Christ at the Dawning of the Day may replace the Preparation as the start of Morning Prayer on any occasion.

O Lord, open our lips

All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Verses from the Venite – A Song of Triumph, or another hymn or canticle, are said or sung. One of these refrains may be used

All   May Christ the daystar dawn in our hearts

and triumph over the shades of night.

(or)

All   May Christ, the true, the only light

banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.

(or)

All   Visit us with your salvation

and sustain us with your gracious Spirit.

O come, let us sing to the Lord;  

let us heartily rejoice in the rock of our salvation. R

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving  

and be glad in him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God  

and a great king above all gods. R

Come, let us worship and bow down  

and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

For he is our God;  

we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. R

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

The refrain may be repeated.

One of these, or a seasonal prayer of thanksgiving, is said

Blessed are you, Sovereign God, creator of all,

to you be glory and praise for ever.

You founded the earth in the beginning

and the heavens are the work of your hands.

In the fullness of time you made us in your image,

and in these last days you have spoken to us

in your Son Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.

As we rejoice in the gift of your presence among us

let the light of your love always shine in our hearts,

your Spirit ever renew our lives

and your praises ever be on our lips.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

(or)

Blessed are you, creator of all,

to you be praise and glory for ever.

As your dawn renews the face of the earth

bringing light and life to all creation,

may we rejoice in this day you have made;

as we wake refreshed from the depths of sleep,

open our eyes to behold your presence

and strengthen our hands to do your will,

that the world may rejoice and give you praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All    Blessed be God for ever.

after Lancelot Andrewes (1626)

Morning Prayer continues with the Word of God, beginning with the appointed psalm.

¶    The Blessing of Light

The Blessing of Light may replace the Preparation at Evening Prayer on any occasion.

A lamp or candle may be lit.

The Lord is my light and my salvation:

my God shall make my darkness to be bright.

The light and peace of Jesus Christ be with you

All   and also with you.

This, or a seasonal prayer of thanksgiving, is said

Blessed are you, Lord God, creator of day and night:

to you be praise and glory for ever.

As darkness falls you renew your promise

to reveal among us the light of your presence.

By the light of Christ, your living Word,

dispel the darkness of our hearts

that we may walk as children of light

and sing your praise throughout the world.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

All   Blessed be God for ever.

Other candles may be lit as Phos Hilaron – A Song of the Light (here), the following, or another suitable hymn or canticle, is sung

Hail, gladdening Light, of his pure glory poured

who is the immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

holiest of holies, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest,

the lights of evening round us shine,

we hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine.

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

with undefilèd tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

Greek, tr: John Keble

Verses from Psalm 141 – A Song of the Evening Sacrifice may be said and incense may be burned

All   Let my prayer rise before you as incense,  

the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly;  

hear my voice when I cry to you.

Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord,  

and guard the door of my lips;

All   Let my prayer rise before you as incense,  

the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Let not my heart incline to any evil thing;  

let me not be occupied in wickedness with evildoers.

But my eyes are turned to you, Lord God;  

in you I take refuge; do not leave me defenceless.

All   Let my prayer rise before you as incense,  

the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Psalm 141.1-4b,8

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,

so may your mercy come down upon us

to cleanse our hearts

and set us free to sing your praise

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Word of God, beginning with the appointed psalm.

Morning and Evening Prayer in Ordinary Time

These orders are used from 3 February (or the Monday after the Sunday on which Candlemas has been observed) until Shrove Tuesday, and again from the Monday after Pentecost until Morning Prayer on the day before All Saints’ Day (or All Saints’ Sunday).

¶    Morning Prayer on Sunday

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

a prayer of thanksgiving (here),

a suitable hymn,

or the Benedicite – a Song of Creation (shorter version)

1    Bless the Lord all you works of the Lord:  

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

2    Bless the Lord you heavens:  

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

3    Bless the Lord you angels of the Lord:  

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

4    Bless the Lord all people on earth:  

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

5    O people of God bless the Lord:  

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

6    Bless the Lord you priests of the Lord:  

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

7    Bless the Lord you servants of the Lord:  

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

8    Bless the Lord all you of upright spirit:  

bless the Lord you that are holy and humble in heart.

The Song of the Three 35-37, 60-65

All   Bless the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit:  

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

This opening prayer may be said

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is 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.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of David, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 32 (here) or number 50 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   Splendour and majesty are yours, O God;

you are exalted as head over all.

1    Blessed are you, God of Israel, for ever and ever,  

for yours is the greatness, the power,

the glory, the splendour and the majesty.

2    Everything in heaven and on earth is yours;  

yours is the kingdom, O Lord,

and you are exalted as head over all.

3    Riches and honour come from you  

and you rule over all.

4    In your hand are power and might;  

yours it is to give power and strength to all.

5    And now we give you thanks, our God,  

and praise your glorious name.

6    For all things come from you,  

and of your own have we given you.

1 Chronicles 29.10b-13,14b

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Splendour and majesty are yours, O God;

you are exalted as head over all.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead.

All   And Christ shall give you light.

You have died and your life is hid with Christ in God.

All   Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead.

Set your minds on things that are above,

not on things that are on the earth.

All   And Christ shall give you light.

When Christ our life appears

you will appear with him in glory.

All   Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead,

and Christ shall give you light.

from Colossians 3

Gospel Canticle

The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is normally said, or the Easter Anthems (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour,

born of the house of your servant David.

1    Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,  

who has come to his people and set them free.

2    He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,  

born of the house of his servant David.

3    Through his holy prophets God promised of old  

to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us,

4    To show mercy to our ancestors,  

and to remember his holy covenant.

5    This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6    Free to worship him without fear,  

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

7    And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,  

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8    To give his people knowledge of salvation  

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9    In the tender compassion of our God  

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68-79

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour,

born of the house of your servant David.

Prayers

Intercessions are offered

¶    for the day and its tasks

¶    for the world and its needs

¶    for the Church and her life

The cycle here and the prayers here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

God of glory,

by the raising of your Son

you have broken the chains of death and hell:

fill your Church with faith and hope;

for a new day has dawned

and the way to life stands open

in our Saviour Jesus Christ.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,

and keep us in eternal life.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Evening Prayer on Sunday

Preparation

O God, make speed to save us.

All   O Lord, make haste to help us.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

a prayer of thanksgiving (here),

a suitable hymn,

or A Song of Worship

1    Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,  

you that by night stand in the house of the Lord.

2    Lift up your hands towards the sanctuary  

and bless the Lord.

3    The Lord who made heaven and earth  

give you blessing out of Zion.

Psalm 134

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,

so may your mercy come down upon us

to cleanse our hearts

and set us free to sing your praise

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of the Lamb, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 62 (here) or number 74 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   Let us rejoice and exult

and give glory and homage to our God.

1    Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,  

whose judgements are true and just.

2    Praise our God, all you his servants,  

all who fear him, both small and great.

3    The Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns:  

let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory.

4    For the marriage of the Lamb has come  

and his bride has made herself ready.

5    Blessed are those who are invited  

to the wedding banquet of the Lamb.

Revelation 19.1b,2a,5b,6b,7,9b

All   To the One who sits on the throne and to the Lamb  

be blessing and honour and glory and might,

for ever and ever. Amen.

All   Let us rejoice and exult

and give glory and homage to our God.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

the Lord is the strength of my life.

All   The Lord is my light and my salvation;

the Lord is the strength of my life.

The light shines in the darkness

and the darkness has not overcome it.

All   The Lord is the strength of my life.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   The Lord is my light and my salvation;

the Lord is the strength of my life.

from Psalm 27 and John 1

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is normally said, or the Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon) (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   You have done great things, O God,

and holy is your name.

1    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2    From this day all generations will call me blessed;  

the Almighty has done great things for me

and holy is his name.

3    He has mercy on those who fear him,  

from generation to generation.

4    He has shown strength with his arm  

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5    Casting down the mighty from their thrones  

and lifting up the lowly.

6    He has filled the hungry with good things  

and sent the rich away empty.

7    He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  

to remember his promise of mercy,

8    The promise made to our ancestors,  

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke 1.46-55

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever.  Amen.

All   You have done great things, O God,

and holy is your name.

Prayers

Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

Intercessions are offered

¶    for peace

¶    for individuals and their needs

The cycle here and the prayers here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

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.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

All   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.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Morning Prayer on Monday

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

a prayer of thanksgiving (here),

a suitable hymn,

or A Song of God’s Compassion

1    The Lord is full of compassion and mercy,  

slow to anger and of great kindness.

2    He will not always accuse us,  

neither will he keep his anger for ever.

3    He has not dealt with us according to our sins,  

nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.

4    For as the heavens are high above the earth,  

so great is his mercy upon those who fear him.

5    As far as the east is from the west,  

so far has he set our sins from us.

6    As a father has compassion on his children,  

so is the Lord merciful towards those who fear him.

7    For he knows of what we are made;  

he remembers that we are but dust.

8    Our days are but as grass;  

we flourish as a flower of the field;

9    For as soon as the wind goes over it, it is gone,  

and its place shall know it no more.

10  But the merciful goodness of the Lord is from of old

and endures for ever on those who fear him,  

and his righteousness on children’s children;

11  On those who keep his covenant  

and remember his commandments to do them.

Psalm 103.8-18

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is 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.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of Deliverance, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 40 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   All the earth, shout and sing for joy,

for great in your midst is the Holy One.

1    ‘Behold, God is my salvation;  

I will trust and will not be afraid;

2    ‘For the Lord God is my strength and my song,  

and has become my salvation.’

3    With joy you will draw water  

from the wells of salvation.

4    On that day you will say,  

‘Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name;

5    ‘Make known his deeds among the nations,  

proclaim that his name is exalted.

6    ‘Sing God’s praises, who has triumphed gloriously;  

let this be known in all the world.

7    ‘Shout and sing for joy, you that dwell in Zion,  

for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.’

Isaiah 12.2-6

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   All the earth, shout and sing for joy,

for great in your midst is the Holy One.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

and be not wise in your own sight.

All   Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

and be not wise in your own sight.

In all your ways acknowledge him

and he will make straight your paths.

All   Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

and be not wise in your own sight.

from Proverbs 3

Gospel Canticle

The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is normally said, or the Te Deum Laudamus (A Song of the Church) (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   You have set us free to worship you without fear,

holy and righteous in your sight.

1    Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,  

who has come to his people and set them free.

2    He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,  

born of the house of his servant David.

3    Through his holy prophets God promised of old  

to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us,

4    To show mercy to our ancestors,  

and to remember his holy covenant.

5    This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6    Free to worship him without fear,  

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

7    And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,  

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8    To give his people knowledge of salvation  

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9    In the tender compassion of our God  

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68-79

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   You have set us free to worship you without fear,

holy and righteous in your sight.

Prayers

Intercessions are offered

¶    for the day and its tasks

¶    for the world and its needs

¶    for the Church and her life

The cycle here and the prayers here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Lord our God,

as with all creation

we offer you the life of this new day,

give us grace to love and serve you

to the praise of Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,

and keep us in eternal life.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Evening Prayer on Monday

Preparation

O God, make speed to save us.

All   O Lord, make haste to help us.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

a prayer of thanksgiving (here),

a suitable hymn,

or A Song of God’s Greatness

1    Bless the Lord, O my soul.  

O Lord my God, how excellent is your greatness!

2    You are clothed with majesty and honour,  

wrapped in light as in a garment.

3    The sun knows the time for its setting.  

You make darkness that it may be night.

4    O Lord, how manifold are your works!  

In wisdom you have made them all;

the earth is full of your creatures.

5    When you send forth your spirit, they are created,  

and you renew the face of the earth.

6    May the glory of the Lord endure for ever;  

may the Lord rejoice in his works;

7    I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;  

I will make music to my God while I have my being.

Psalm 104.1,2,21b,22a,26,32,33,35

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,

so may your mercy come down upon us

to cleanse our hearts

and set us free to sing your praise

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of God’s Grace, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 58 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   The glorious grace of God

is freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

1    Blessed are you,

the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  

for you have blest us in Christ Jesus

with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

2    You chose us to be yours in Christ

before the foundation of the world,  

that we should be holy and blameless before you.

3    In love you destined us for adoption as your children,

through Jesus Christ,  

according to the purpose of your will,

4    To the praise of your glorious grace,  

which you freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

5    In you, we have redemption

through the blood of Christ,  

the forgiveness of our sins,

6    According to the riches of your grace,  

which you have lavished upon us.

7    You have made known to us, in all wisdom and insight,  

the mystery of your will,

8    According to your purpose

which you set forth in Christ,  

as a plan for the fullness of time,

9    To unite all things in Christ,    

things in heaven and things on earth.

Ephesians 1.3-10

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   The glorious grace of God

is freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

and be not wise in your own sight.

All   Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

and be not wise in your own sight.

In all your ways acknowledge him

and he will make straight your paths.

All   Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

and be not wise in your own sight.

from Proverbs 3

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is normally said,

or A Song of the Blessed (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   My spirit rejoices in you, O God,

my soul proclaims your greatness.

1    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2    From this day all generations will call me blessed;  

the Almighty has done great things for me

and holy is his name.

3    He has mercy on those who fear him,  

from generation to generation.

4    He has shown strength with his arm  

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5    Casting down the mighty from their thrones  

and lifting up the lowly.

6    He has filled the hungry with good things  

and sent the rich away empty.

7    He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  

to remember his promise of mercy,

8    The promise made to our ancestors,  

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke 1.46-55

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now and

shall be for ever. Amen.

All   My spirit rejoices in you, O God,

my soul proclaims your greatness.

Prayers

Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

Intercessions are offered

¶    for peace

¶    for individuals and their needs

The cycle here and the prayers here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Kindle in our hearts, O God,

the flame of love which never ceases,

that it may burn in us, giving light to others.

May we shine for ever in your temple,

set on fire with your eternal light,

even your Son Jesus Christ,

our Saviour and our Redeemer.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

All   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.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Morning Prayer on Tuesday

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

a prayer of thanksgiving (here),

a suitable hymn,

or A Song of God’s Righteousness

1    Bless the Lord, O my soul,  

and all that is within me bless his holy name.

2    Bless the Lord, O my soul,  

and forget not all his benefits;

3    Who forgives all your sins  

and heals all your infirmities;

4    Who redeems your life from the Pit  

and crowns you with faithful love and compassion;

5    Who satisfies you with good things,  

so that your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.

6    The Lord executes righteousness  

and judgement for all who are oppressed.

7    He made his ways known to Moses  

and his works to the children of Israel.

8    The Lord has established his throne in heaven,  

and his kingdom has dominion over all.

9    Bless the Lord, you angels of his,  

you mighty ones who do his bidding

and hearken to the voice of his word.

10  Bless the Lord, all you his hosts,  

you ministers of his who do his will.

11  Bless the Lord, all you works of his,

in all places of his dominion;  

bless the Lord, O my soul.

Psalm 103.1-7,19-22

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is 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.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of Peace, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 26 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   Spirit of God, teach us your ways,

that we may walk in the paths of peace.

1    Come, let us go up to the mountain of God,  

to the house of the God of Jacob;

2    That God may teach us his ways,  

and that we may walk in his paths.

3    For the law shall go out from Zion,  

and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

4    God shall judge between the nations,  

and shall mediate for many peoples.

5    They shall beat their swords into ploughshares,  

and their spears into pruning hooks.

6    Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,  

neither shall they learn war any more.

7    O people of Jacob, come:  

let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Isaiah 2.3-5

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Spirit of God, teach us your ways,

that we may walk in the paths of peace.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Open my eyes, O Lord

that I may see the wonders of your law.

All   Open my eyes, O Lord

that I may see the wonders of your law.

Lead me in the path of your commandments

All   that I may see the wonders of your law.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   Open my eyes, O Lord

that I may see the wonders of your law.

from Psalm 119

Gospel Canticle

The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is normally said, or The Song of Christ’s Glory (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   In your tender compassion, O God,

the dawn from on high shall break upon us.

1    Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,  

who has come to his people and set them free.

2    He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,  

born of the house of his servant David.

3    Through his holy prophets God promised of old  

to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us,

4    To show mercy to our ancestors,  

and to remember his holy covenant.

5    This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6    Free to worship him without fear,  

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

7    And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,  

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8    To give his people knowledge of salvation  

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9    In the tender compassion of our God  

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68-79

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   In your tender compassion, O God,

the dawn from on high shall break upon us.

Prayers

Intercessions are offered

¶    for the day and its tasks

¶    for the world and its needs

¶    for the Church and her life

The cycle here and the prayers here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Eternal God and Father,

you create and redeem us by the power of your love:

guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,

that we may give ourselves in love and service

to one another and to you;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,

and keep us in eternal life.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Evening Prayer on Tuesday

Preparation

O God, make speed to save us.

All   O Lord, make haste to help us.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

a prayer of thanksgiving (here),

a suitable hymn,

or A Song of Mercy and Truth

1    O God, will you not give us life again,  

that your people may rejoice in you?

2    Show us your mercy, O Lord,  

and grant us your salvation.

3    Truly, his salvation is near to those who fear him,  

that his glory may dwell in our land.

4    Mercy and truth are met together,  

righteousness and peace have kissed each other;

5    Truth shall spring up from the earth  

and righteousness look down from heaven.

6    Righteousness shall go before him  

and direct his steps in the way.

Psalm 85.6,7,9-11,13

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,

so may your mercy come down upon us

to cleanse our hearts

and set us free to sing your praise

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of the Holy City, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 72 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   I saw the holy city

coming down out of heaven from God.

1    I saw a new heaven and a new earth,  

for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away and the sea was no more.

2    And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,  

prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3    And I heard a great voice from the throne saying,  

‘Behold, the dwelling of God is among mortals.

4    ‘He will dwell with them and they shall be his peoples,  

and God himself will be with them.

5    ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes,  

and death shall be no more.

6    ‘Neither shall there be mourning,

nor crying, nor pain any more,  

for the former things have passed away.’

7    And the One who sat upon the throne said,  

‘Behold, I make all things new.’

Revelation 21.1-5a

All   To the One who sits on the throne and to the Lamb  

be blessing and honour and glory and might, for ever and ever. Amen.

All   I saw the holy city

coming down out of heaven from God.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Open my eyes, O Lord

that I may see the wonders of your law.

All   Open my eyes, O Lord

that I may see the wonders of your law.

Lead me in the path of your commandments

All   that I may see the wonders of your law.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   Open my eyes, O Lord

that I may see the wonders of your law.

from Psalm 119

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is normally said, or Great and Wonderful (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   You have mercy on those who fear you,

from generation to generation.

1    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2    From this day all generations will call me blessed;  

the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.

3    He has mercy on those who fear him,  

from generation to generation.

4    He has shown strength with his arm  

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5    Casting down the mighty from their thrones  

and lifting up the lowly.

6    He has filled the hungry with good things  

and sent the rich away empty.

7    He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  

to remember his promise of mercy,

8    The promise made to our ancestors,  

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke 1.46-55

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   You have mercy on those who fear you,

from generation to generation.

Prayers

Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

Intercessions are offered

¶    for peace

¶    for individuals and their needs

The cycle here and the prayers here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Abide with us, Lord, for it is evening,

and day is drawing to a close.

Abide with us and with your whole Church,

in the evening of the day,

in the evening of life,

in the evening of the world;

abide with us and with all your faithful ones, O Lord,

in time and in eternity.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

All   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.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Morning Prayer on Wednesday

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

a prayer of thanksgiving (here),

a suitable hymn,

or A Song of God’s Glorious Name

1    O Lord our governor,  

how glorious is your name in all the world!

2    Your majesty above the heavens is praised  

out of the mouths of babes at the breast.

3    You have founded a stronghold against your foes,  

that you might still the enemy and the avenger.

4    When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,  

the moon and the stars that you have ordained,

5    What are mortals, that you should be mindful of them;  

mere human beings, that you should seek them out?

6    You have made them little lower than the angels  

and crown them with glory and honour.

7    You have given them dominion over the works of your hands  

and put all things under their feet,

8    All sheep and oxen,  

even the wild beasts of the field,

9    The birds of the air, the fish of the sea  

and whatsoever moves in the paths of the sea.

10  O Lord our governor,  

how glorious is your name in all the world!

Psalm 8

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is 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.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of the Word of the Lord, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 35 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   Return to the Lord, who will have mercy,

to our God, who will richly pardon.

1    Seek the Lord while he may be found,  

call upon him while he is near;

2    Let the wicked abandon their ways,  

and the unrighteous their thoughts;

3    Return to the Lord, who will have mercy;  

to our God, who will richly pardon.

4    ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts,  

neither are your ways my ways,’ says the Lord.

5    ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth,  

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

6    ‘As the rain and the snow come down from above,  

and return not again but water the earth,

7    ‘Bringing forth life and giving growth,  

seed for sowing and bread to eat,

8    ‘So is my word that goes forth from my mouth;  

it will not return to me fruitless,

9    ‘But it will accomplish that which I purpose,  

and succeed in the task I gave it.’

Isaiah 55.6-11

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Return to the Lord, who will have mercy,

to our God, who will richly pardon.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Lord, you will guide me with your counsel

and afterwards receive me with glory.

All   Lord, you will guide me with your counsel

and afterwards receive me with glory.

For I am always with you;

you hold me by my right hand.

All   And afterwards receive me with glory.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   Lord, you will guide me with your counsel

and afterwards receive me with glory.

from Psalm 73

Gospel Canticle

The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is normally said, or A Song of Redemption (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   You show mercy to our ancestors,

and remember your holy covenant.

1    Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,  

who has come to his people and set them free.

2    He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,  

born of the house of his servant David.

3    Through his holy prophets God promised of old  

to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us,

4    To show mercy to our ancestors,  

and to remember his holy covenant.

5    This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6    Free to worship him without fear,  

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

7    And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,  

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8    To give his people knowledge of salvation  

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9    In the tender compassion of our God  

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68-79

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   You show mercy to our ancestors,

and remember your holy covenant.

Prayers

Intercessions are offered

¶    for the day and its tasks

¶    for the world and its needs

¶    for the Church and her life

The cycle here and the prayers here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Almighty and everlasting God,

we thank you that you have brought us safely

to the beginning of this day.

Keep us from falling into sin

or running into danger,

order us in all our doings

and guide us to do always

what is righteous in your sight;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,

and keep us in eternal life.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Evening Prayer on Wednesday

Preparation

O God, make speed to save us.

All   O Lord, make haste to help us.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

a prayer of thanksgiving (here),

a suitable hymn,

or A Song of God’s Descending

1    I love you, O Lord my strength.  

The Lord is my crag, my fortress and my deliverer.

2    In my distress I called upon the Lord  

and cried out to my God for help.

3    He heard my voice in his temple  

and my cry came to his ears.

4    He parted the heavens and came down  

and thick darkness was under his feet.

5    He rode upon the cherubim and flew;  

he came flying on the wings of the wind.

6    He made darkness his covering round about him,  

dark waters and thick clouds his pavilion.

7    From the brightness of his presence, through the clouds  

burst hailstones and coals of fire.

8    The Lord also thundered out of heaven;  

the Most High uttered his voice

with hailstones and coals of fire.

9    For you will save a lowly people  

and bring down the high looks of the proud.

10  You also shall light my candle;  

the Lord my God shall make my darkness to be bright.

11  As for God, his way is perfect;

the word of the Lord is tried in the fire;  

he is a shield to all who trust in him.

Psalm 18.1,6,7,10-14,28,29,31

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,

so may your mercy come down upon us

to cleanse our hearts

and set us free to sing your praise

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of the Blessed, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 69 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   Rejoice and be glad

for you are the light of the world,

and great is your reward in heaven.

1    Blessed are the poor in spirit,  

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

2    Blessed are those who mourn,  

for they shall be comforted.

3    Blessed are the meek,  

for they shall inherit the earth.

4    Blessed are those who hunger

and thirst after righteousness,  

for they shall be satisfied.

5    Blessed are the merciful,  

for they shall obtain mercy.

6    Blessed are the pure in heart,  

for they shall see God.

7    Blessed are the peacemakers,  

for they shall be called children of God.

8    Blessed are those who suffer persecution

for righteousness’ sake,  

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5.3-10

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Rejoice and be glad

for you are the light of the world,

and great is your reward in heaven.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Lord, you will guide me with your counsel

and afterwards receive me with glory.

All   Lord, you will guide me with your counsel

and afterwards receive me with glory.

For I am always with you;

you hold me by my right hand.

All   And afterwards receive me with glory.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   Lord, you will guide me with your counsel

and afterwards receive me with glory.

from Psalm 73

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is normally said, or the Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon) (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   Remember your promise of mercy,

to Abraham and his children for ever.

1    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2    From this day all generations will call me blessed;  

the Almighty has done great things for me

and holy is his name.

3    He has mercy on those who fear him,  

from generation to generation.

4    He has shown strength with his arm  

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5    Casting down the mighty from their thrones  

and lifting up the lowly.

6    He has filled the hungry with good things  

and sent the rich away empty.

7    He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  

to remember his promise of mercy,

8    The promise made to our ancestors,  

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke 1.46-55

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Remember your promise of mercy,

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Prayers

Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

Intercessions are offered

¶    for peace

¶    for individuals and their needs

The cycle here and the prayers here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Eternal Lord,

our beginning and our end:

bring us with the whole creation

to your glory, hidden through past ages

and made known

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

All   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.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Morning Prayer on Thursday

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

a prayer of thanksgiving (here),

a suitable hymn,

or A Song of God’s Blessing

1    God be gracious to us and bless us  

and make his face to shine upon us,

2    That your way may be known upon earth,  

your saving power among all nations.

3    Let the peoples praise you, O God;  

let all the peoples praise you.

4    O let the nations rejoice and be glad,  

for you will judge the peoples righteously

and govern the nations upon earth.

5    Let the peoples praise you, O God;  

let all the peoples praise you.

6    Then shall the earth bring forth her increase,  

and God, our own God, will bless us.

7    God will bless us,  

and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

Psalm 67

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is 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.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of the Covenant, or another suitable canticle,

for example, number 44 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   I have given you as a light to the nations,

and I have called you in righteousness.

1    Thus says God, who created the heavens,  

who fashioned the earth and all that dwells in it;

2    Who gives breath to the people upon it  

and spirit to those who walk in it,

3    ‘I am the Lord and I have called you in righteousness,  

I have taken you by the hand and kept you;

4    ‘I have given you as a covenant to the people,  

a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind,

5    ‘To bring out the captives from the dungeon,  

from the prison, those who sit in darkness.

6    ‘I am the Lord, that is my name;  

my glory I give to no other.’

Isaiah 42.5-8a

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   I have given you as a light to the nations,

and I have called you in righteousness.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Fear not, for I have redeemed you.

I have called you by name; you are mine.

All   Fear not, for I have redeemed you.

I have called you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.

When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned.

All   I have called you by name; you are mine.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   Fear not, for I have redeemed you.

I have called you by name; you are mine.

from Isaiah 43

Gospel Canticle

The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is normally said, or Gloria in Excelsis (A Song of God’s Glory) (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   You promised, O God, to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us.

1    Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,  

who has come to his people and set them free.

2    He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,  

born of the house of his servant David.

3    Through his holy prophets God promised of old  

to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us,

4    To show mercy to our ancestors,  

and to remember his holy covenant.

5    This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6    Free to worship him without fear,  

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

7    And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,  

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8    To give his people knowledge of salvation  

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9    In the tender compassion of our God  

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68-79

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   You promised, O God, to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us.

Prayers

Intercessions are offered

¶    for the day and its tasks

¶    for the world and its needs

¶    for the Church and her life

The cycle here and the prayers here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

O God, the author of peace

and lover of concord,

to know you is eternal life,

to serve you is perfect freedom.

Defend us your servants

from all assaults of our enemies;

that we, surely trusting in your defence,

may not fear the power of any adversaries;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All  Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,

and keep us in eternal life.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Evening Prayer on Thursday

Preparation

O God, make speed to save us.

All   O Lord, make haste to help us.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

a prayer of thanksgiving (here),

a suitable hymn,

or A Song of God’s Chosen One

1    There shall come forth a shoot from the stock of Jesse,  

and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

2    And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,  

the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

3    The spirit of counsel and might,  

the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

4    He shall not judge by what his eyes see,  

or decide by what his ears hear,

5    But with righteousness he shall judge the poor,  

and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.

6    The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,  

and the leopard shall lie down with the kid.

7    The calf, the lion and the fatling together,  

with a little child to lead them.

8    They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,  

for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord

as the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 11.1,2,3b-4a,6,9

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,

so may your mercy come down upon us

to cleanse our hearts

and set us free to sing your praise

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

Great and Wonderful, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 63 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   All nations shall come and worship you, O Christ,

and share in the feast of your kingdom.

1    Great and wonderful are your deeds,  

Lord God the Almighty.

2    Just and true are your ways,  

O ruler of the nations.

3    Who shall not revere and praise your name, O Lord?  

for you alone are holy.

4    All nations shall come and worship in your presence:  

for your just dealings have been revealed.

Revelation 15.3,4

All   To the One who sits on the throne and to the Lamb  

be blessing and honour and glory and might,

for ever and ever. Amen.

All   All nations shall come and worship you, O Christ,

and share in the feast of your kingdom.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Fear not, for I have redeemed you.

I have called you by name; you are mine.

All   Fear not, for I have redeemed you.

I have called you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.

When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned.

All   I have called you by name; you are mine.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   Fear not, for I have redeemed you.

I have called you by name; you are mine.

from Isaiah 43

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is normally said, or A Song of Christ’s Appearing (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   You have filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away empty.

1    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2    From this day all generations will call me blessed;  

the Almighty has done great things for me

and holy is his name.

3    He has mercy on those who fear him,  

from generation to generation.

4    He has shown strength with his arm  

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5    Casting down the mighty from their thrones  

and lifting up the lowly.

6    He has filled the hungry with good things  

and sent the rich away empty.

7    He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  

to remember his promise of mercy,

8    The promise made to our ancestors,  

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke. 1.46–55

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   You have filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away empty.

Prayers

Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

Intercessions are offered

¶    for peace

¶    for individuals and their needs

The cycle here and the prayers here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

O God,

the source of all good desires,

all right judgements, and all just works:

give to your servants that peace

which the world cannot give;

that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments,

and that, freed from the fear of our enemies,

we may pass our time in rest and quietness;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

All   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.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Morning Prayer on Friday

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

a prayer of thanksgiving (here),

a suitable hymn,

or the Venite – A Song of Triumph

1    O come, let us sing to the Lord;  

let us heartily rejoice in the rock of our salvation.

2    Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving  

and be glad in him with psalms.

3    For the Lord is a great God  

and a great king above all gods.

4    In his hand are the depths of the earth  

and the heights of the mountains are his also.

5    The sea is his, for he made it,  

and his hands have moulded the dry land.

6    Come, let us worship and bow down  

and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

7    For he is our God;  

we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.

The canticle may end here.

8    O that today you would listen to his voice:  

‘Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,

on that day at Massah in the wilderness,

9    ‘When your forebears tested me, and put me to the proof,  

though they had seen my works.

10  ‘Forty years long I detested that generation and said,  

“This people are wayward in their hearts;

they do not know my ways.”

11  ‘So I swore in my wrath,  

“They shall not enter into my rest.”’  

Psalm 95

All  Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is 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.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of Humility, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 33 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   Raise us up, O God,

that we may live in your presence.

1    Come, let us return to the Lord  

who has torn us and will heal us.

2    God has stricken us  

and will bind up our wounds.

3    After two days, he will revive us,  

and on the third day will raise us up,

that we may live in his presence.

4    Let us strive to know the Lord;  

his appearing is as sure as the sunrise.

5    He will come to us like the showers,  

like the spring rains that water the earth.

6    ‘O Ephraim, how shall I deal with you?  

How shall I deal with you, O Judah?

7    ‘Your love for me is like the morning mist,  

like the dew that goes early away.

8    ‘Therefore, I have hewn them by the prophets,  

and my judgement goes forth as the light.

9    ‘For loyalty is my desire and not sacrifice,  

and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.’

Hosea 6.1-6

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Raise us up, O God,

that we may live in your presence.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Forsake me not, O Lord;

be not far from me, O my God.

All   Forsake me not, O Lord;

be not far from me, O my God.

Make haste to help me,

O Lord of my salvation.

All   Be not far from me, O my God.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   Forsake me not, O Lord;

be not far from me, O my God.

from Psalm 38

Gospel Canticle

The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is normally said, or A Song of Praise (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   Give your people knowledge of salvation, O God,

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

1    Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,  

who has come to his people and set them free.

2    He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,  

born of the house of his servant David.

3    Through his holy prophets God promised of old  

to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us,

4    To show mercy to our ancestors,  

and to remember his holy covenant.

5    This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6    Free to worship him without fear,  

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

7    And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,  

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8    To give his people knowledge of salvation  

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9    In the tender compassion of our God  

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68-79

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Give your people knowledge of salvation, O God,

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

Prayers

Intercessions are offered

¶    for the day and its tasks

¶    for the world and its needs

¶    for the Church and her life

The cycle here and the prayers here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Gracious Father,

you gave up your Son

out of love for the world:

lead us to ponder the mysteries of his passion,

that we may know eternal peace

through the shedding of our Saviour’s blood,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,

and keep us in eternal life.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Evening Prayer on Friday

Preparation

O God, make speed to save us.

All   O Lord,make haste to help us.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

a prayer of thanksgiving (here),

a suitable hymn,

or A Song of Entreaty

1    Hear my prayer, O Lord,

and in your faithfulness give ear to my supplications;  

answer me in your righteousness.

2    Enter not into judgement with your servant,  

for in your sight shall no one living be justified.

3    My spirit faints within me;  

my heart within me is desolate.

4    I stretch out my hands to you;  

my soul gasps for you like a thirsty land.

5    O Lord, make haste to answer me; my spirit fails me;  

hide not your face from me

lest I be like those who go down to the Pit.

6    Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning,

for in you I put my trust;  

show me the way I should walk in,

for I lift up my soul to you.

7    Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God;  

let your kindly spirit lead me on a level path.

8    Revive me, O Lord, for your name’s sake;  

for your righteousness’ sake, bring me out of trouble

Psalm 143.1,2,4,6-8,10,11

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,

so may your mercy come down upon us

to cleanse our hearts

and set us free to sing your praise

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of the Justified, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 61 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   Our hope is not in vain,

because God’s love has been poured into our hearts.

1    God reckons as righteous those who believe,  

who believe in him who raised Jesus from the dead;

2    For Christ was handed over to death for our sins,  

and raised to life for our justification.

3    Since we are justified by faith,  

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

4    Through Christ we have gained access

to the grace in which we stand,  

and rejoice in our hope of the glory of God.

5    We even exult in our sufferings,  

for suffering produces endurance,

6    And endurance brings hope,  

and our hope is not in vain,

7    Because God’s love has been poured into our hearts,  

through the Holy Spirit, given to us.

8    God proves his love for us:  

while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

9    Since we have been justified by his death,  

how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath.

10  Therefore, we exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  

in whom we have now received our reconciliation.

Romans 4.24,25; 5.1-5,8,9,11

All   Glory to the Father, and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Our hope is not in vain,

because God’s love has been poured into our hearts.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Forsake me not, O Lord;

be not far from me, O my God.

All   Forsake me not, O Lord;

be not far from me, O my God.

Make haste to help me,

O Lord of my salvation.

All   Be not far from me, O my God.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   Forsake me not, O Lord;

be not far from me, O my God.

from Psalm 38

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is normally said, or Saviour of the World (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   You have scattered the proud in their conceit,

and lifted up the lowly.

1    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2    From this day all generations will call me blessed;  

the Almighty has done great things for me

and holy is his name.

3    He has mercy on those who fear him,  

from generation to generation.

4    He has shown strength with his arm  

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5    Casting down the mighty from their thrones  

and lifting up the lowly.

6    He has filled the hungry with good things  

and sent the rich away empty.

7    He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  

to remember his promise of mercy,

8    The promise made to our ancestors,  

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke 1.46-55

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   You have scattered the proud in their conceit,

and lifted up the lowly.

Prayers

Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

Intercessions are offered

¶    for peace

¶    for individuals and their needs

The cycle here and the prayers here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Heal us, O God, from all our afflictions

and keep us steadfast in your love;

bind up our wounds,

raise us from death,

and lead us to fullness of life;

through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

All   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.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Morning Prayer on Saturday

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

a prayer of thanksgiving (here),

a suitable hymn,

or A Song of God’s Praise

1    O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you;  

my soul is athirst for you.

2    My flesh also faints for you,  

as in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.

3    So would I gaze upon you in your holy place,  

that I might behold your power and your glory.

4    Your loving-kindness is better than life itself  

and so my lips shall praise you.

5    I will bless you as long as I live  

and lift up my hands in your name.

6    My soul shall be satisfied, as with marrow and fatness,  

and my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips,

7    When I remember you upon my bed  

and meditate on you in the watches of the night.

8    For you have been my helper  

and under the shadow of your wings will I rejoice.

9    My soul clings to you;  

your right hand shall hold me fast.

Psalm 63.1-9

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is 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.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of Jerusalem our Mother, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 48 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   Thus says our God, I will comfort you,

you shall see and your heart shall rejoice.

1    ‘Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her,  

all you who love her,’ says the Lord.

2    ‘Rejoice with her in joy,  

all you who mourn over her,

3    ‘That you may drink deeply with delight  

from her consoling breast.’

4    For thus says our God,  

‘You shall be nursed and carried on her arm.

5    ‘As a mother comforts her children,  

so I will comfort you;

6    ‘You shall see and your heart shall rejoice;  

you shall flourish like the grass of the fields.’

Isaiah 66.10,11a,12a,12c,13a,14a,b

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Thus says our God, I will comfort you,

you shall see and your heart shall rejoice.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Your salvation is near to those who fear you;

that glory may dwell in our land.

All   Your salvation is near to those who fear you;

that glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth have met together;

righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

All   That glory may dwell in our land.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All  Your salvation is near to those who fear you;

that glory may dwell in our land.

from Psalm 85

Gospel Canticle

The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is normally said, or the Te Deum Laudamus (A Song of the Church) (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   Shine on us, O God, who dwell in darkness,

and guide us into the way of peace.

1    Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,  

who has come to his people and set them free.

2    He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,  

born of the house of his servant David.

3    Through his holy prophets God promised of old  

to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us,

4    To show mercy to our ancestors,  

and to remember his holy covenant.

5    This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6    Free to worship him without fear,  

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

7    And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,  

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8    To give his people knowledge of salvation  

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9    In the tender compassion of our God  

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68-79

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Shine on us, O God, who dwell in darkness,

and guide us into the way of peace.

Prayers

Intercessions are offered

¶    for the day and its tasks

¶    for the world and its needs

¶    for the Church and her life

The cycle here and the prayers here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Grant, Lord,

that we who are baptized into the death

of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ

may continually put to death our evil desires

and be buried with him;

and that through the grave and gate of death

we may pass to our joyful resurrection;

through his merits,

who died and was buried and rose again for us,

your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,

and keep us in eternal life.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Evening Prayer on Saturday

Preparation

O God, make speed to save us.

All   O Lord,make haste to help us.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

a prayer of thanksgiving (here),

a suitable hymn,

or A Song of God’s Light

1    The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom then shall I fear?  

The Lord is the strength of my life;

of whom then shall I be afraid?

2    Though a host encamp against me,

my heart shall not be afraid,  

and though there rise up war against me,

yet will I put my trust in him.

3    One thing have I asked of the Lord

and that alone I seek:  

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

4    To behold the fair beauty of the Lord  

and to seek his will in his temple.

5    For in the day of trouble

he shall hide me in his shelter;  

in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me

and set me high upon a rock.

6    Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation

with great gladness;  

I will sing and make music to the Lord.

Psalm 27.1,3-6,8

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,

so may your mercy come down upon us

to cleanse our hearts

and set us free to sing your praise

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of God’s Love, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 53 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   God’s love was revealed among us

so that we might live through Jesus.

1    Beloved, let us love one another,

for love is of God;  

everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

2    Whoever does not love does not know God,  

for God is love.

3    In this the love of God was revealed among us,  

that God sent his only Son into the world,

so that we might live through him.

4    In this is love,

not that we loved God but that he loved us,  

and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins.

5    Beloved, since God loved us so much,  

we ought also to love one another.

6    For if we love one another, God abides in us,  

and God’s love will be perfected in us.

1 John 4.7-11,12b

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   God’s love was revealed among us

so that we might live through Jesus.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Your salvation is near to those who fear you;

that glory may dwell in our land.

All   Your salvation is near to those who fear you;

that glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth have met together;

righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

All   That glory may dwell in our land.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   Your salvation is near to those who fear you;

that glory may dwell in our land.

from Psalm 85

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is normally said,

or A Song of Praise (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   You have looked with favour on your lowly servant,

from this day all generations will call her blessed.

1    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2    From this day all generations will call me blessed;  

the Almighty has done great things for me

and holy is his name.

3    He has mercy on those who fear him,  

from generation to generation.

4    He has shown strength with his arm  

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5    Casting down the mighty from their thrones  

and lifting up the lowly.

6    He has filled the hungry with good things  

and sent the rich away empty.

7    He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  

to remember his promise of mercy,

8    The promise made to our ancestors,  

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke 1.46-55

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   You have looked with favour on your lowly servant,

from this day all generations will call her blessed.

Prayers

Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

Intercessions are offered

¶    for peace

¶    for individuals and their needs

The cycle here and the prayers here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

O God our protector,

by whose mercy the world turns safely into darkness

and returns again to light:

we give into your hands our unfinished tasks,

our unsolved problems,

and our unfulfilled hopes;

for you alone are our sure defence

and bring us lasting peace

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

All   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.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

Morning and Evening Prayer in Seasonal Time

¶    Morning Prayer

Advent

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Reveal among us the light of your presence

All   that we may behold your power and glory.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Sovereign God of all,

to you be praise and glory for ever.

In your tender compassion

the dawn from on high is breaking upon us

to dispel the lingering shadows of night.

As we look for your coming among us this day,

open our eyes to behold your presence

and strengthen our hands to do your will,

that the world may rejoice and give you praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

a suitable hymn, or A Song of the King’s Glory

1    The earth is the Lord’s and all that fills it,  

the compass of the world and all who dwell therein.

2    For he has founded it upon the seas  

and set it firm upon the rivers of the deep.

3    ‘Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord,  

or who can rise up in his holy place?’

4    ‘Those who have clean hands and a pure heart,  

who have not lifted up their soul to an idol,

nor sworn an oath to a lie;

5    ‘They shall receive a blessing from the Lord,  

a just reward from the God of their salvation.’

6    Such is the company of those who seek him,  

of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

7    Lift up your heads, O gates;

be lifted up, you everlasting doors;  

and the King of glory shall come in.

8    ‘Who is the King of glory?’  

‘The Lord, strong and mighty,

the Lord who is mighty in battle.’

9    Lift up your heads, O gates;

be lifted up, you everlasting doors;  

and the King of glory shall come in.

10  ‘Who is this King of glory?’  

‘The Lord of hosts,

he is the King of glory.’

Psalm 24

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is 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.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of the Wilderness, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 30 (here) or number 49 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   Lift up your voice with strength,

O herald of good tidings.

1    The wilderness and the dry land shall rejoice,  

the desert shall blossom and burst into song.

2    They shall see the glory of the Lord,  

the majesty of our God.

3    Strengthen the weary hands,  

and make firm the feeble knees.

4    Say to the anxious, ‘Be strong, fear not,

your God is coming with judgement,  

coming with judgement to save you.’

5    Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened,  

and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

6    Then shall the lame leap like a hart,  

and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.

7    For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,  

and streams in the desert;

8    The ransomed of the Lord shall return with singing,  

with everlasting joy upon their heads.

9    Joy and gladness shall be theirs,  

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 35.1,2b-4a,4c-6,10

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Lift up your voice with strength,

O herald of good tidings.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Now it is time to awake out of sleep,

All   for the night is far spent and the day is at hand.

Now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed,

All   for the night is far spent.

Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness

and put on the armour of light,

All   for the day is at hand.

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ

and make no provision for the flesh,

All   for the night is far spent and the day is at hand.

from Romans 13

Gospel Canticle

The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is normally said, or A Song of Redemption (here) may be said

From Advent Sunday until 16 December:

Refrain:

All   Look towards the east, O Jerusalem,

and see the glory that is coming from God.

From 17 December until Christmas Eve:

Refrain:

All   Like the sun in the morning sky,

the Saviour of the world will dawn;

like rain upon the meadows,

the Christ will come down upon us.

1    Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,  

who has come to his people and set them free.

2    He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,  

born of the house of his servant David.

3    Through his holy prophets God promised of old  

to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us,

4    To show mercy to our ancestors,  

and to remember his holy covenant.

5    This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6    Free to worship him without fear,  

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

7    And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,  

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8    To give his people knowledge of salvation  

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9    In the tender compassion of our God  

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68-79

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

From Advent Sunday until 16 December:

All   Look towards the east, O Jerusalem,

and see the glory that is coming from God.

From 17 December until Christmas Eve:

All   Like the sun in the morning sky,

the Saviour of the world will dawn;

like rain upon the meadows,

the Christ will come down upon us.

Prayers

Intercessions are offered

¶    for the day and its tasks

¶    for the world and its needs

¶    for the Church and her life

The cycle here and the prayer here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Almighty God,

give us grace to cast away the works of darkness

and to put on the armour of light,

now in the time of this mortal life,

in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;

that on the last day,

when he shall come again in his glorious majesty

to judge the living and the dead,

we may rise to the life immortal;

through him who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

Awaiting his coming in glory,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Awaiting his coming in glory,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

May the Lord, when he comes,

find us watching and waiting.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Evening Prayer

Advent

Preparation

O God, make speed to save us.

All   O Lord, make haste to help us.

Reveal among us the light of your presence

All   that we may behold your power and glory.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Sovereign God,

creator of light and darkness,

to you be glory and praise for ever.

As evening falls, you renew your promise

to reveal among us the light of your presence.

May your word be a lantern to our feet

and a light upon our path

that we may behold your coming among us.

Strengthen us in our stumbling weakness

and free our tongues to sing your praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

A Song of Mercy and Truth (here),

the following or another suitable hymn

Creator of the stars of night,

thy people’s everlasting light,

O Jesu, Saviour of us all,

regard thy servants when they call.

Thou, grieving at the bitter cry

of all creation doomed to die,

didst come to save a ruined race

with healing gifts of heavenly grace.

Thou camest, Bridegroom of the bride,

as drew the world to evening-tide,

proceeding from a virgin shrine,

the Son of Man, yet Lord divine.

At thy great name, exalted now,

all knees must bend, all hearts must bow,

and things in heaven and earth shall own

that thou art Lord and King alone.

To thee, O holy One, we pray

our judge in that tremendous day,

preserve us, while we dwell below,

from every onslaught of the foe.

All praise, eternal Son, to thee,

whose advent sets thy people free,

whom with the Father we adore,

and Spirit blest, for evermore.

Latin, tr: J M Neale

(Tune: LM)

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,

so may your mercy come down upon us

to cleanse our hearts

and set us free to sing your praise

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of the Spirit, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 57 (here) or number 72 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   Surely I am coming soon.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

1    ‘Behold, I am coming soon’, says the Lord,

‘and bringing my reward with me,  

to give to everyone according to their deeds.

2    ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last,  

the beginning and the end.’

3    Blessed are those who do God’s commandments,

that they may have the right to the tree of life,  

and may enter into the city through the gates.

4    ‘I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you,  

with this testimony for all the churches.

5    ‘I am the root and the offspring of David,  

I am the bright morning star.’

6    ‘Come!’ say the Spirit and the Bride;  

‘Come!’ let each hearer reply.

7    Come forward, you who are thirsty,  

let those who desire take the water of life as a gift.

Revelation 22.12–14,16,17

All   To the One who sits on the throne and to the Lamb  

be blessing and honour and glory and might,

for ever and ever. Amen.

All   Surely I am coming soon.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

My soul is waiting for you, O Lord:

in your word is my hope.

All   My soul is waiting for you, O Lord:

in your word is my hope.

There is forgiveness with you,

so that you shall be feared.

All   In your word is my hope.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   My soul is waiting for you, O Lord:

in your word is my hope.

from Psalm 130

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is normally said, or The Song of Christ’s Glory (here) may be said

From the First Sunday of Advent until 16 December:

Refrain:

All   Lord Jesus, you are the one who is to come,

the one whom we await with longing hearts.

From 17 December until 23 December, see here.

1    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2    From this day all generations will call me blessed;  

the Almighty has done great things for me

and holy is his name.

3    He has mercy on those who fear him,  

from generation to generation.

4    He has shown strength with his arm  

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5    Casting down the mighty from their thrones  

and lifting up the lowly.

6    He has filled the hungry with good things  

and sent the rich away empty.

7    He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  

to remember his promise of mercy,

8    The promise made to our ancestors,  

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke 1.46-55

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

From Advent Sunday until 16 December:

All   Lord Jesus, you are the one who is to come,

the one whom we await with longing hearts.

From 17 December until 23 December, see the following refrains.

17 December – O Sapientia

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,

reaching from one end to the other mightily,

and sweetly ordering all things:

Come and teach us the way of prudence.

cf Ecclesiasticus 24.3; Wisdom 8.1

18 December – O Adonai

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,

who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush

and gave him the law on Sinai:

Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

cf Exodus 3.2, 24.12

19 December – O Radix Jesse

O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;

before you kings will shut their mouths,

to you the nations will make their prayer:

Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.

cf Isaiah 11.10, 45.14, 52.15; Romans 15.12

20 December – O Clavis David

O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel;

you open and no one can shut;

you shut and no one can open:

Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,

those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

cf Isaiah 22.22, 42.7

21 December – O Oriens

O Morning Star,

splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:

Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

cf Malachi 4.2

22 December – O Rex Gentium

O King of the nations, and their desire,

the cornerstone making both one:

Come and save the human race,

which you fashioned from clay.

cf Isaiah 28.16; Ephesians 2.14

23 December – O Emmanuel

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,

the hope of the nations and their Saviour:

Come and save us, O Lord our God.

cf Isaiah 7.14

Prayers

Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

Intercessions are offered

¶    for peace

¶    for individuals and their needs

The cycle here and the prayer here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Almighty God,

give us grace to cast away the works of darkness

and to put on the armour of light,

now in the time of this mortal life,

in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;

that on the last day,

when he shall come again in his glorious majesty

to judge the living and the dead,

we may rise to the life immortal;

through him who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

Awaiting his coming in glory,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Awaiting his coming in glory,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

May the Lord, when he comes,

find us watching and waiting.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Morning Prayer

Christmas Season

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

You laid the foundation of the earth

All   and the heavens are the work of your hands.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, sovereign God,

creator of heaven and earth,

to you be praise and glory for ever.

As your living Word, eternal in heaven,

assumed the frailty of our mortal flesh,

may the light of your love be born in us

to fill our hearts with joy as we sing:

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

a suitable hymn, or A Song of the Bride

1    I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,  

my soul shall exult in my God;

2    Who has clothed me with the garments of salvation,  

and has covered me with the cloak of integrity,

3    As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,  

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

4    For as the earth puts forth her blossom,  

and as seeds in the garden spring up,

5    So shall God make righteousness and praise  

blossom before all the nations.

6    For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,  

and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,

7    Until her deliverance shines out like the dawn,  

and her salvation as a burning torch.

8    The nations shall see your deliverance,  

and all rulers shall see your glory;

9    Then you shall be called by a new name  

which the mouth of God will give.

10  You shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord,  

a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

Isaiah 61.10,11; 62.1-3

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is 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.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of the Messiah, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 21 (here) or number 26 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   To us a child is born,

to us a son is given.

1    The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;  

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,

upon them the light has dawned.

2    You have increased their joy and given them great gladness;  

they rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest.

3    For you have shattered the yoke that burdened them;  

the collar that lay heavy on their shoulders.

4    For to us a child is born and to us a son is given,  

and the government will be upon his shoulder.

5    And his name will be called: Wonderful Counsellor;

the Mighty God;  

the Everlasting Father; the Prince of Peace.

6    Of the increase of his government and of peace  

there will be no end,

7    Upon the throne of David and over his kingdom,  

to establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness.

8    From this time forth and for evermore;  

the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9.2,3b,4a,6,7

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   To us a child is born,

to us a son is given.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

The Word of life which was from the beginning

All   we proclaim to you.

The darkness is passing away

and the true light is already shining;

All   the Word of life which was from the beginning.

That which we heard, which we saw with our eyes,

and touched with our hands,

All   we proclaim to you.

For our fellowship is with the Father,

and with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   The Word of life which was from the beginning

we proclaim to you.

from 1 John 1

Gospel Canticle

The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is normally said, or Gloria in Excelsis (A Song of God’s Glory) (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   To us is born a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord,

and all the heavenly hosts now sing,

Glory to God in the highest.

1    Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,  

who has come to his people and set them free.

2    He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,  

born of the house of his servant David.

3    Through his holy prophets God promised of old  

to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us,

4    To show mercy to our ancestors,  

and to remember his holy covenant.

5    This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6    Free to worship him without fear,  

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

7    And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,  

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8    To give his people knowledge of salvation  

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9    In the tender compassion of our God  

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68-79

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   To us is born a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord,

and all the heavenly hosts now sing,

Glory to God in the highest.

Prayers

Intercessions are offered

¶    for the day and its tasks

¶    for the world and its needs

¶    for the Church and her life

The cycle here and the prayer here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Almighty God,

who wonderfully created us in your own image

and yet more wonderfully restored us

through your Son Jesus Christ:

grant that, as he came to share our humanity,

so we may share the life of his divinity;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

May God, who has called us out of darkness

into his marvellous light,

bless us and fill us with peace.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Evening Prayer

Christmas Season

Preparation

O God, make speed to save us.

All   O Lord, make haste to help us.

You laid the foundation of the earth

All   and the heavens are the work of your hands.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Sovereign God,

our light and our salvation,

to you be glory and praise for ever.

To dispel the darkness of our night

you sent forth your Son, the firstborn of all creation,

to be the Christ, the light of the world.

Rejoicing in the mystery of the Word made flesh,

we acclaim him Emmanuel, as all creation sings to you:

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

A Song of God’s Descending (here),

the following or another suitable hymn

Of the Father’s heart begotten,

ere the world from chaos rose,

he is Alpha: from that fountain

all that is and has been flows;

he is Omega, of all things

yet to come the mystic close,

evermore and evermore.

O how blest that wondrous birthday,

when the Maid the curse retrieved,

brought to birth mankind’s salvation,

by the Holy Ghost conceived;

and the Babe, the world’s redeemer,

in her loving arms received,

evermore and evermore.

Sing, ye heights of heaven, his praises;

angels and archangels, sing!

Wheresoe’er ye be, ye faithful,

Let your joyous anthems ring,

every tongue his name confessing,

countless voices answering,

evermore and evermore.

Prudentius, tr: R F Davis

(Tune: 87 87 87 7)

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,

so may your mercy come down upon us

to cleanse our hearts

and set us free to sing your praise

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of Redemption, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 68 (here) or number 73 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   Christ is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn of all creation.

1    The Father has delivered us from the dominion of darkness,  

and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son;

2    In whom we have redemption,  

the forgiveness of our sins.

3    He is the image of the invisible God,  

the firstborn of all creation.

4    For in him all things were created,  

in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.

5    All things were created through him and for him,  

he is before all things and in him all things hold together.

6    He is the head of the body, the Church,  

he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead.

7    In him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell;  

and through him God was pleased to reconcile all things.

Colossians 1.13-18a,19,20a

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Christ is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn of all creation.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,

full of grace and truth.

All   The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,

full of grace and truth.

And we have seen his glory,

the glory as of a father’s only son,

All   full of grace and truth.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,

full of grace and truth.

from John 1

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is normally said, or the Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon) (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   When peaceful silence lay over all,

and night was in the midst of her swift course:

from your royal throne, O God, down from the heavens,

leapt your almighty Word.

1    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2    From this day all generations will call me blessed;  

the Almighty has done great things for me

and holy is his name.

3    He has mercy on those who fear him,  

from generation to generation.

4    He has shown strength with his arm  

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5    Casting down the mighty from their thrones  

and lifting up the lowly.

6    He has filled the hungry with good things  

and sent the rich away empty.

7    He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  

to remember his promise of mercy,

8    The promise made to our ancestors,  

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke 1.46-55

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   When peaceful silence lay over all,

and night was in the midst of her swift course:

from your royal throne, O God, down from the heavens,

leapt your almighty Word.

Prayers

Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

Intercessions are offered

¶    for peace

¶    for individuals and their needs

The cycle here and the prayer here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Almighty God,

who wonderfully created us in your own image

and yet more wonderfully restored us

through your Son Jesus Christ:

grant that, as he came to share our humanity,

so we may share the life of his divinity;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

May God, who has called us out of darkness

into his marvellous light,

bless us and fill us with peace.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Morning Prayer

Epiphany Season

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Your light springs up for the righteous

All   and all the peoples have seen your glory.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Sovereign God,

king of the nations,

to you be praise and glory for ever.

From the rising of the sun to its setting

your name is proclaimed in all the world.

As the Sun of Righteousness dawns in our hearts

anoint our lips with the seal of your Spirit

that we may witness to your gospel

and sing your praise in all the earth.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

a suitable hymn, or Jubilate – A Song of Joy

1    O be joyful in the Lord, all the earth;  

serve the Lord with gladness

and come before his presence with a song.

2    Know that the Lord is God;  

it is he that has made us and we are his;

we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

3    Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;  

give thanks to him and bless his name.

4    For the Lord is gracious; his steadfast love is everlasting,  

and his faithfulness endures from generation to generation.

Psalm 100

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is 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.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of the New Jerusalem, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 31 (here) or number 36 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   Above you the Holy One arises,

and above you God’s glory appears.

1    Arise, shine out, for your light has come,  

the glory of the Lord is rising upon you.

2    Though night still covers the earth,  

and darkness the peoples;

3    Above you the Holy One arises,  

and above you God’s glory appears.

4    The nations will come to your light,  

and kings to your dawning brightness.

5    Your gates will lie open continually,  

shut neither by day nor by night.

6    The sound of violence shall be heard no longer in your land,  

or ruin and devastation within your borders.

7    You will call your walls, Salvation,  

and your gates, Praise.

8    No more will the sun give you daylight,  

nor moonlight shine upon you;

9    But the Lord will be your everlasting light,  

your God will be your splendour.

10  For you shall be called the city of God,  

the dwelling of the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 60.1-3,11a,18,19,14b

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Above you the Holy One arises,

and above you God’s glory appears.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;

All   let the whole earth tremble before him.

Tell it out among the nations that the Lord is King.

All   O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

Tell out his salvation from day to day.

All   Let the whole earth tremble before him.

Declare his glory among the nations

and his wonders among all peoples.

All   O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;

let the whole earth tremble before him.

from Psalm 96

Gospel Canticle

The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is normally said, or A Song of the Blessed (here) may be said

Refrain:

All    This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,

the one who will bring healing to the nations.

1    Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,  

who has come to his people and set them free.

2    He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,  

born of the house of his servant David.

3    Through his holy prophets God promised of old  

to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us,

4    To show mercy to our ancestors,  

and to remember his holy covenant.

5    This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6    Free to worship him without fear,  

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

7    And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,  

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8    To give his people knowledge of salvation  

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9    In the tender compassion of our God  

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68-79

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,

the one who will bring healing to the nations.

Prayers

Intercessions are offered

¶    for the day and its tasks

¶    for the world and its needs

¶    for the Church and her life

The cycle here and the prayer here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Almighty God,

in Christ you make all things new:

transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace,

and in the renewal of our lives

make known your heavenly glory;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

Believing the promises of God,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Believing the promises of God,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

May Christ, who sends us to the nations,

give us the power of his Spirit.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Evening Prayer

Epiphany Season

Preparation

O God, make speed to save us.

All   O Lord,make haste to help us.

From the rising of the sun to its setting

All   your glory is proclaimed in all the world.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Sovereign God,

our light and our salvation,

to you be glory and praise for ever.

You gave your Christ as a light to the nations,

and through the anointing of the Spirit

you established us as a royal priesthood.

As you call us into your marvellous light,

may our lives bear witness to your truth

and our lips never cease to proclaim your praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

A Song of God’s Splendour (here),

the following or another suitable hymn

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;

bow down before him, his glory proclaim;

with gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness

kneel and adore him: the Lord is his name.

Low at his feet lay thy burden of carefulness:

high on his heart he will bear it for thee,

comfort thy sorrows, and answer thy prayerfulness,

guiding thy steps as may best for thee be.

Fear not to enter his courts in the slenderness

of the poor wealth thou wouldst reckon as thine:

truth in its beauty, and love in its tenderness,

these are the offerings to lay on his shrine.

These, though we bring them in trembling and fearfulness,

he will accept for the name that is dear;

mornings of joy give for evenings of tearfulness,

trust for our trembling and hope for our fear.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;

bow down before him, his glory proclaim;

with gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness

kneel and adore him: the Lord is his name.

J S B Monsell

(Tune: 13 10 13 10)

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,

so may your mercy come down upon us

to cleanse our hearts

and set us free to sing your praise

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of Praise, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 63 (here) or number 71 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   You created all things, O God,

and are worthy of our praise for ever.

1    You are worthy, our Lord and God,  

to receive glory and honour and power.

2    For you have created all things,  

and by your will they have their being.

3    You are worthy, O Lamb, for you were slain,  

and by your blood you ransomed for God

saints from every tribe and language and nation.

4    You have made them to be a kingdom and priests

serving our God,  

and they will reign with you on earth.

Revelation 4.11; 5.9b,10

All   To the One who sits on the throne and to the Lamb  

be blessing and honour and glory and might,

for ever and ever. Amen.

All   You created all things, O God,

and are worthy of our praise for ever.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Arise, shine, for your light has come;

the glory of the Lord is rising upon you.

All   Arise, shine, for your light has come;

the glory of the Lord is rising upon you.

God’s salvation has been openly shown to all people.

All   The glory of the Lord is rising upon you.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   Arise, shine, for your light has come;

the glory of the Lord is rising upon you.

from Isaiah 60

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is normally said,

or A Song of Christ’s Appearing (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   Behold,my servant, whom I uphold,

my chosen, in whom my soul delights;

the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

1    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2    From this day all generations will call me blessed;  

the Almighty has done great things for me

and holy is his name.

3    He has mercy on those who fear him,  

from generation to generation.

4    He has shown strength with his arm  

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5    Casting down the mighty from their thrones  

and lifting up the lowly.

6    He has filled the hungry with good things  

and sent the rich away empty.

7    He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  

to remember his promise of mercy,

8    The promise made to our ancestors,  

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke 1.46-55

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,

my chosen, in whom my soul delights;

the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

Prayers

Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

Intercessions are offered

¶    for peace

¶    for individuals and their needs

The cycle here and the prayer here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Almighty God,

in Christ you make all things new:

transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace,

and in the renewal of our lives

make known your heavenly glory;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

Believing the promises of God,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Believing the promises of God,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

May Christ, who sends us to the nations,

give us the power of his Spirit.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Morning Prayer

Lent

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Hear our voice, O Lord, according to your faithful love,

All   according to your judgement give us life.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, God of compassion and mercy,

to you be praise and glory for ever.

In the darkness of our sin,

your light breaks forth like the dawn

and your healing springs up for deliverance.

As we rejoice in the gift of your saving help,

sustain us with your bountiful Spirit

and open our lips to sing your praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

a suitable hymn, or A Song of Penitence

1    Have mercy on me, O God, in your great goodness;  

according to the abundance of your compassion

blot out my offences.

2    Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness  

and cleanse me from my sin.

3    For I acknowledge my faults  

and my sin is ever before me.

4    Against you only have I sinned  

and done what is evil in your sight,

5    So that you are justified in your sentence  

and righteous in your judgement.

6    Cast me not away from your presence  

and take not your holy spirit from me.

7    Give me again the joy of your salvation  

and sustain me with your gracious spirit;

8    Then shall I teach your ways to the wicked  

and sinners shall return to you.

9    Deliver me from my guilt, O God,

the God of my salvation,  

and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness.

Psalm 51.1–5,12–15

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is 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.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

The Song of Manasseh, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 20 (here), number 33 (here) or number 41 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   Full of compassion and mercy and love

is God, the Most High, the Almighty.

1    Lord almighty and God of our ancestors,  

you who made heaven and earth in all their glory:

2    All things tremble with awe at your presence,  

before your great and mighty power.

3    Immeasurable and unsearchable is your promised mercy,  

for you are God, Most High.

4    You are full of compassion, long-suffering and very merciful,  

and you relent at human suffering.

5    O God, according to your great goodness,  

you have promised forgiveness for repentance

to those who have sinned against you.

6    The sins I have committed against you  

are more in number than the sands of the sea.

7    I am not worthy to look up to the height of heaven,  

because of the multitude of my iniquities.

8    And now I bend the knee of my heart before you,  

imploring your kindness upon me.

9    I have sinned, O God, I have sinned,  

and I acknowledge my transgressions.

10  Unworthy as I am, you will save me,  

according to your great mercy.

11  For all the host of heaven sings your praise,  

and your glory is for ever and ever.

Manasseh 1a,2,4,6,7a,b,9a,c,11,12,14b,15b

All  Glory to the Father, and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Full of compassion and mercy and love,

is God, the Most High, the Almighty.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;

All   O my God, in you I trust.

You are the God of my salvation,

All   To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

In you I hope all the day long.

All   O my God, in you I trust.

Remember, Lord, your compassion and love,

for they are from everlasting.

All   To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;

O my God, in you I trust.

from Psalm 25

Gospel Canticle

The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is normally said, or Saviour of the World (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

1    Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,  

who has come to his people and set them free.

2    He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,  

born of the house of his servant David.

3    Through his holy prophets God promised of old  

to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us,

4    To show mercy to our ancestors,  

and to remember his holy covenant.

5    This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6    Free to worship him without fear,  

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

7    And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,  

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8    To give his people knowledge of salvation  

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9    In the tender compassion of our God  

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68–79

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they shall be satisfied.

Prayers

Intercessions are offered

¶    for the day and its tasks

¶    for the world and its needs

¶    for the Church and her life

The cycle here and the prayer here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Almighty and everlasting God,

you hate nothing that you have made

and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:

create and make in us new and contrite hearts

that we, worthily lamenting our sins

and acknowledging our wretchedness,

may receive from you, the God of all mercy,

perfect remission and forgiveness;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

Trusting in the compassion of God,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Trusting in the compassion of God,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

May God our Redeemer show us compassion and love.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Evening Prayer

Lent

Preparation

O God, make speed to save us.

All   O Lord, make haste to help us.

Hear our voice, O Lord, according to your faithful love,

All   according to your judgement give us life.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,

to you be glory and praise for ever.

In the darkness of our sin you have shone in our hearts

to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God

in the face of Jesus Christ.

Open our eyes to acknowledge your presence,

that freed from the misery of sin and shame

we may grow into your likeness from glory to glory.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

A Song of Entreaty (here), the following or another suitable hymn

Lord Jesus, think on me,

and purge away my sin;

from earthborn passions set me free,

and make me pure within.

Lord Jesus, think on me

with many a care opprest;

let me thy loving servant be,

and taste thy promised rest.

Lord Jesus, think on me,

nor let me go astray;

through darkness and perplexity

point thou the heavenly way.

Lord Jesus, think on me,

that, when the flood is past,

I may the eternal brightness see,

and share thy joy at last.

George the Sinner, tr: A W Chatfield

(Tune: SM)

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,

so may your mercy come down upon us

to cleanse our hearts

and set us free to sing your praise

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of Christ the Servant, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 61 (here) or number 67 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   Christ committed no sin,

no guile was found on his lips.

1    Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example,  

that you should follow in his steps.

2    He committed no sin, no guile was found on his lips,  

when he was reviled, he did not revile in turn.

3    When he suffered, he did not threaten,  

but he trusted himself to God who judges justly.

4    Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,  

that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.

5    By his wounds, you have been healed,

for you were straying like sheep,  

but have now returned

to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

1 Peter 2.21b–25

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Christ committed no sin,

no guile was found on his lips.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Forsake me not, O Lord;

be not far from me, O my God.

All   Forsake me not, O Lord;

be not far from me, O my God.

Make haste to help me,

O Lord of my salvation.

All   Be not far from me, O my God.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   Forsake me not, O Lord;

be not far from me, O my God.

from Psalm 38

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is normally said,

or A Song of Praise (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   Come, let us return to the Lord,

for our God will richly pardon.

1    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2    From this day all generations will call me blessed;  

the Almighty has done great things for me

and holy is his name.

3    He has mercy on those who fear him,  

from generation to generation.

4    He has shown strength with his arm  

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5    Casting down the mighty from their thrones  

and lifting up the lowly.

6    He has filled the hungry with good things  

and sent the rich away empty.

7    He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  

to remember his promise of mercy,

8    The promise made to our ancestors,  

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke 1.46–55

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Come, let us return to the Lord,

for our God will richly pardon.

Prayers

Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

Intercessions are offered

¶    for peace

¶    for individuals and their needs

The cycle here and the prayer here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Almighty and everlasting God,

you hate nothing that you have made

and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:

create and make in us new and contrite hearts

that we, worthily lamenting our sins

and acknowledging our wretchedness,

may receive from you, the God of all mercy,

perfect remission and forgiveness;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

Trusting in the compassion of God,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Trusting in the compassion of God,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

May God our Redeemer show us compassion and love.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Morning Prayer

Passiontide

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Let your ways be known upon earth,

All   your saving power among the nations.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,

to you be praise and glory for ever.

As a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief

your only Son was lifted up

that he might draw the whole world to himself.

May we walk this day in the way of the cross

and always be ready to share its weight,

declaring your love for all the world.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

a suitable hymn, or A Song of Lamentation

1    Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?  

Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow,

2    Which was brought upon me,  

which the Lord inflicted

on the day of his fierce anger.

3    For these things I weep;

my eyes flow with tears;  

for a comforter is far from me,

one to revive my courage.

4    Remember my affliction and my bitterness,  

the wormwood and the gall!

5    But this I call to mind,  

and therefore I have hope:

6    The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,  

his mercies never come to an end;

7    They are new every morning;  

great is your faithfulness.

8    ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,  

‘therefore I will hope in him.’

9    The Lord is good to those who wait for him,  

to the soul that seeks him.

10  It is good that we should wait quietly  

for the salvation of the Lord.

11  For the Lord will not reject for ever;  

though he causes grief, he will have compassion,

12  According to the abundance of his steadfast love;  

for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.

Lamentations 1.12,16a,b; 3.19,21-26,31-33

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is 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.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of the Lord’s Gracious Deeds, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 23 (here), number 42 (here) or number 43 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord,

the praises of the Most High.

1    Who is this that comes from Edom,  

coming from Bozrah, his garments stained crimson?

2    Who is this in glorious apparel,  

marching in the greatness of his strength?

3    ‘It is I, who announce that right has won the day,  

it is I,’ says the Lord, ‘for I am mighty to save.’

4    Why are your robes all red, O Lord,  

and your garments like theirs who tread the winepress?

5    ‘I have trodden the winepress alone,  

and from the peoples no one was with me.’

6    I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord,  

the praises of the Most High;

7    All that God has done for us in his mercy,  

by his many acts of love.

8    For God said, ‘Surely, they are my people,

my children who will not deal falsely,’  

and he became their Saviour in all their distress.

9    So God redeemed them by his love and pity;  

he lifted them up and carried them

through all the days of old.

Isaiah 63.1-3a,7-9

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord,

the praises of the Most High.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you;

All   by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.

All   We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

We preach Christ crucified,

the power of God and the wisdom of God.

All   By your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

God forbid that I should glory,

save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

All   We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you;

by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

cf 1 Corinthians 1 and Galatians 6

Gospel Canticle

The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is normally said,

or Saviour of the World (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   The word of the cross is folly

to those who are perishing,

but to those who are being saved

it is the power of God.

1    Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,  

who has come to his people and set them free.

2    He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,  

born of the house of his servant David.

3    Through his holy prophets God promised of old  

to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us,

4    To show mercy to our ancestors,  

and to remember his holy covenant.

5    This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6    Free to worship him without fear,  

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

7    And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,  

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8    To give his people knowledge of salvation  

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9    In the tender compassion of our God  

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68-79

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All  The word of the cross is folly

to those who are perishing,

but to those who are being saved

it is the power of God.

Prayers

Intercessions are offered

¶    for the day and its tasks

¶    for the world and its needs

¶    for the Church and her life

The cycle here and the prayer here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or one of the following is said

(from the Fifth Sunday of Lent)

Most merciful God,

who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ

delivered and saved the world:

grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross

we may triumph in the power of his victory;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

(or, from Palm Sunday)

Almighty and everlasting God,

who in your tender love towards the human race

sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ

to take upon him our flesh

and to suffer death upon the cross:

grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,

and also be made partakers of his resurrection;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

Standing at the foot of the cross,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Standing at the foot of the cross,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

May Christ, who bore our sins on the cross,

set us free to serve him with joy.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

    Evening Prayer

Passiontide

Preparation

O God, make speed to save us.

All   O Lord, make haste to help us.

Let your ways be known upon earth

All   your saving power among the nations.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,

to you be glory and praise for ever.

As we behold your Son, enthroned on the cross,

stir up in us the fire of your love,

that we may be cleansed from all our sins,

and walk with you in newness of life

singing the praise of him who died

for us and our salvation.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

Saviour of the World (here), the following or another suitable hymn

The royal banners forward go,

the cross shines forth in mystic glow;

where he in flesh, our flesh who made,

our sentence bore, our ransom paid.

There whilst he hung, his sacred side

by soldier’s spear was opened wide,

to cleanse us in the precious flood

of water mingled with his blood.

Fulfilled is now what David told

in true prophetic song of old,

how God the nations’ King should be;

for God is reigning from the tree.

O tree of glory, tree most fair,

ordained those holy limbs to bear,

how bright in purple robe it stood,

the purple of a Saviour’s blood!

Upon its arms, like balance true,

he weighed the price for sinners due,

the price which none but he could pay,

and spoiled the spoiler of his prey.

To thee, eternal Three in One,

let homage meet by all be done:

as by the cross thou dost restore,

so rule and guide us evermore.

Venantius Fortunatus, tr: J M Neale (alt.)

(Tune: LM)

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,

so may your mercy come down upon us

to cleanse our hearts

and set us free to sing your praise

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

The Song of Christ’s Glory, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 66 (here) or number 87 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   At the name of Jesus

every knee shall bow.

1    Christ Jesus was in the form of God,  

but he did not cling to equality with God.

2    He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant,  

and was born in our human likeness.

3    Being found in human form he humbled himself,  

and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.

4    Therefore God has highly exalted him,  

and bestowed on him the name above every name,

5    That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,  

in heaven and on earth and under the earth;

6    And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,  

to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2.5–11

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   At the name of Jesus

every knee shall bow.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you;

All   by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

Christ committed no sin, no guile was found on his lips.

All   We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree

that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.

All   By your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

By his wounds you have been healed.

All   We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you;

by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

cf 1 Peter 2

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is normally said,

or A Song of Praise (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   God’s love for us is revealed

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

1    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2    From this day all generations will call me blessed;  

the Almighty has done great things for me

and holy is his name.

3    He has mercy on those who fear him,  

from generation to generation.

4    He has shown strength with his arm  

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5    Casting down the mighty from their thrones  

and lifting up the lowly.

6    He has filled the hungry with good things  

and sent the rich away empty.

7    He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  

to remember his promise of mercy,

8    The promise made to our ancestors,  

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke 1.46–55

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   God’s love for us is revealed

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

Prayers

Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

Intercessions are offered

¶    for peace

¶    for individuals and their needs

The cycle here and the prayer here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or one of the following is said

(from the Fifth Sunday of Lent)

Most merciful God,

who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ

delivered and saved the world:

grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross

we may triumph in the power of his victory;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

(or, from Palm Sunday)

Almighty and everlasting God,

who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ

to take upon him our flesh

and to suffer death upon the cross:

grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,

and also be made partakers of his resurrection;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

Standing at the foot of the cross,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Standing at the foot of the cross,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

May Christ, who bore our sins on the cross,

set us free to serve him with joy.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Morning Prayer

Easter Season

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

In your resurrection, O Christ,

All  let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,

to you be praise and glory for ever.

As once you ransomed your people from Egypt

and led them to freedom in the promised land,

so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness

and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son.

May we, the first fruits of your new creation,

rejoice in this new day you have made,

and praise you for your mighty acts.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All    Blessed be God for ever.

a suitable hymn, or the Easter Anthems

1    Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us:  

so let us celebrate the feast,

2    not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness:  

but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

1 Corinthians 5.7b, 8

3    Christ once raised from the dead dies no more:  

death has no more dominion over him.

4    In dying he died to sin once for all:  

in living he lives to God.

5    See yourselves therefore as dead to sin:  

and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6.9–11

6    Christ has been raised from the dead:  

the first fruits of those who sleep.

7    For as by man came death:  

by man has come also the resurrection of the dead;

8    for as in Adam all die:  

even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15.20–22

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is 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.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

The Song of Moses and Miriam, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 23 (here) or number 32 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   In your unfailing love, O Lord,

you lead the people whom you have redeemed.

Alleluia.

1    I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously,  

the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.

2    The Lord is my strength and my song  

and has become my salvation.

3    This is my God whom I will praise,  

the God of my forebears whom I will exalt.

4    The Lord is a warrior,  

the Lord is his name.

5    Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power:  

your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.

6    At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them;  

they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

7    In your unfailing love, O Lord,  

you lead the people whom you have redeemed.

8    And by your invincible strength  

you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

9    You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord,  

in the sanctuary which your hands have established.

Exodus 15.1b-3,6,10,13,17

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   In your unfailing love, O Lord,

you lead the people whom you have redeemed.

Alleluia.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Death is swallowed up in victory.

All   Where, O death, is your sting?

Christ is risen from the dead,

the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

All   Death is swallowed up in victory.

The trumpet will sound

and the dead shall be raised.

All   Where, O death, is your sting?

We shall not all sleep,

but we shall be changed.

All   Death is swallowed up in victory.

Where, O death, is your sting?

from 1 Corinthians 15

Gospel Canticle

The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is normally said, or The Song of Christ’s Glory (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   The Lord is risen from the tomb

who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

1    Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,  

who has come to his people and set them free.

2    He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,  

born of the house of his servant David.

3    Through his holy prophets God promised of old  

to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us,

4    To show mercy to our ancestors,  

and to remember his holy covenant.

5    This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6    Free to worship him without fear,  

holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

7    And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,  

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8    To give his people knowledge of salvation  

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9    In the tender compassion of our God  

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68-79

All   Glory to the Father and to the

Son and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   The Lord is risen from the tomb

who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

Prayers

Intercessions are offered

¶    for the day and its tasks

¶    for the world and its needs

¶    for the Church and her life

The cycle here and the prayer here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

God of life,

who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son

to the death of the cross,

and by his glorious resurrection

have delivered us from the power of our enemy:

grant us so to die daily to sin,

that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his risen life;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

Rejoicing in God’s new creation,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Rejoicing in God’s new creation,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

May the risen Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.

All   Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

¶    Evening Prayer

Easter Season

Preparation

O God, make speed to save us.

All   O Lord, make haste to help us.

In your resurrection, O Christ,

All   let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord,

the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

to you be glory and praise for ever.

From the deep waters of death

you brought your people to new birth

by raising your Son to life in triumph.

Through him dark death has been destroyed

and radiant life is everywhere restored.

As you call us out of darkness into his marvellous light

may our lives reflect his glory

and our lips repeat the endless song.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

A Song of David (here), the following or another suitable hymn

Ye choirs of new Jerusalem,

your sweetest notes employ,

the Paschal victory to hymn

in strains of holy joy.

How Judah’s lion burst his chains

and crushed the serpent’s head;

and brought with him, from death’s domains,

the long-imprisoned dead.

Triumphant in his glory now

his sceptre ruleth all,

earth, heaven, and hell before him bow,

and at his footstool fall.

While joyful thus his praise we sing,

his mercy we implore,

into his palace bright to bring

and keep us evermore.

All glory to the Father be,

all glory to the Son,

all glory, Holy Ghost, to thee,

while endless ages run. Alleluia, Amen.

Fulbert of Chartres, tr: Robert Campbell

(Tune: CM)

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,

so may your mercy come down upon us

to cleanse our hearts

and set us free to sing your praise

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of Faith, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 60 (here) or number 74 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   God raised Christ from the dead,

the Lamb without spot or stain. Alleluia.

1    Blessed be the God and Father  

of our Lord Jesus Christ!

2    By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope  

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

3    Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading,  

kept in heaven for you,

4    Who are being protected by the power of God through faith,  

for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

5    You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors  

not with perishable things like silver or gold

6    But with the precious blood of Christ  

like that of a lamb without spot or stain.

7    Through him you have confidence in God,

who raised him from the dead and gave him glory,  

so that your faith and hope are set on God.

1 Peter 1.3-5,18,19,21

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   God raised Christ from the dead,

the Lamb without spot or stain. Alleluia.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

The Lord is my strength and my song:

he has become my salvation.

All   The Lord is my strength and my song:

he has become my salvation.

I shall not die, but live,

and declare the works of the Lord.

All   He has become my salvation.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   The Lord is my strength and my song:

he has become my salvation.

from Psalm 118

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is normally said, or Great and Wonderful (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   The stone which the builders rejected

has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

1    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2    From this day all generations will call me blessed;  

the Almighty has done great things for me

and holy is his name.

3    He has mercy on those who fear him,  

from generation to generation.

4    He has shown strength with his arm  

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5    Casting down the mighty from their thrones  

and lifting up the lowly.

6    He has filled the hungry with good things  

and sent the rich away empty.  

7    He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,

to remember his promise of mercy,

8    The promise made to our ancestors,  

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke 1.46-55

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   The stone which the builders rejected

has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

Prayers

Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

Intercessions are offered

¶    for peace

¶    for individuals and their needs

The cycle here and the prayer here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

God of life,

who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son

to the death of the cross,

and by his glorious resurrection

have delivered us from the power of our enemy:

grant us so to die daily to sin,

that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his risen life;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

Rejoicing in God’s new creation,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Rejoicing in God’s new creation,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

May the risen Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.

All   Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

¶    Ascension Day

At Evening Prayer on the Eve and at Morning and Evening Prayer on Ascension Day, the following order is used.

Preparation

At Evening Prayer

O God, make speed to save us.

All   O Lord, make haste to help us.

Your throne has been established from of old;

All   you are from everlasting. Alleluia.

At Morning Prayer

O Lord, open our lips

All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Your throne has been established from of old;

All   you are from everlasting. Alleluia.

At Evening Prayer and Morning Prayer, one or more of the following is said or sung:

A Song of the King’s Glory (here), an Ascension hymn, or this prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth,

to you be glory and praise for ever.

From the darkness of death you have raised your Christ

to the right hand of your majesty on high.

The pioneer of our faith, his passion accomplished,

has opened for us the way to heaven

and sends on us the promised Spirit.

May we be ready to follow the Way

and so be brought to the glory of his presence

where songs of triumph for ever sound:

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

The opening prayer may be said (Evening: here, Morning: here).

The Word of God

The appointed psalmody is said.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

At Evening Prayer, number 63 (here).

At Morning Prayer, number 44 (here).

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Sing to the Lord and bless his name;

All   tell out his salvation from day to day.

God has gone up with a merry noise;

All   sing to the Lord and bless his name.

The Lord with the sound of the trumpet:

All   tell out his salvation from day to day.

He has led captivity captive,

and given gifts to his people.

All   Sing to the Lord and bless his name;

tell out his salvation from day to day.

from Psalms 47and 68

Gospel Canticle

Eve: Magnificat (here)

Refrain:

All   Christ was believed in throughout the world

and taken up in glory. Alleluia.

Benedictus (here)

Refrain:

All   I am ascending to my Father

and to your Father;

to my God and your God. Alleluia.

Magnificat (here)

Refrain:

All   I have made your name known to those you have given me;

and now I pray for them, for I am coming to you. Alleluia.

Prayers

Intercessions are offered (see here and here).

The Collect of the day (here) is said

Grant, we pray, almighty God,

that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ

to have ascended into the heavens,

so we in heart and mind may also ascend

and with him continually dwell;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

Looking for the coming of his kingdom,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Looking for the coming of his kingdom,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

May Christ, who has opened the kingdom of heaven,

bring us to reign with him in glory.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.

All   Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

¶    Morning Prayer

from the day after Ascension Day

until the Day of Pentecost

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Send your Holy Spirit upon us,

All   and clothe us with power from on high. Alleluia.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, creator God,

to you be praise and glory for ever.

As your Spirit moved over the face of the waters

bringing light and life to your creation,

pour out your Spirit on us today

that we may walk as children of light

and by your grace reveal your presence.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

a suitable hymn, or A Song of God’s Righteousness

1    Bless the Lord, O my soul,  

and all that is within me bless his holy name.

2    Bless the Lord, O my soul,  

and forget not all his benefits;

3    Who forgives all your sins  

and heals all your infirmities;

4    Who redeems your life from the Pit  

and crowns you with faithful love and compassion;

5    Who satisfies you with good things,  

so that your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.

6    The Lord executes righteousness  

and judgement for all who are oppressed.

7    He made his ways known to Moses  

and his works to the children of Israel.

8    The Lord has established his throne in heaven,  

and his kingdom has dominion over all.

9    Bless the Lord, you angels of his,  

you mighty ones who do his bidding and hearken to the voice of his word.

10  Bless the Lord, all you his hosts,  

you ministers of his who do his will.

11  Bless the Lord, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion;  

bless the Lord, O my soul.

Psalm 103.1–7,19–22

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is 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.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of Ezekiel, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 45 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   The Spirit of God fills the whole world. Alleluia.

1    I will take you from the nations,  

and gather you from all the countries.

2    I will sprinkle clean water upon you,  

and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses.

3    A new heart I will give you,  

and put a new spirit within you,

4    And I will remove from your body the heart of stone  

and give you a heart of flesh.

5    You shall be my people,  

and I will be your God.

Ezekiel 36.24–26,28b

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   The Spirit of God fills the whole world. Alleluia.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people

All   and kindle in us the fire of your love.

All who are led by the Spirit of God

are children of God and fellow-heirs with Christ.

All   Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people.

Renew the face of your creation, Lord,

pouring on us the gifts of your Spirit,

All   and kindle in us the fire of your love.

For the creation waits with eager longing

for the glorious liberty of the children of God.

All   Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people

and kindle in us the fire of your love.

cf Romans 8

Gospel Canticle

The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is normally said, The Song of Christ’s Glory (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   Christ has gone up on high

and has led captivity captive. Alleluia.

1    Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,  

who has come to his people and set them free.  

2    He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,  

born of the house of his servant David.

3    Through his holy prophets God promised of old  

to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us,

4    To show mercy to our ancestors,  

and to remember his holy covenant.

5    This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6    Free to worship him without fear,  

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

7    And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,  

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8    To give his people knowledge of salvation  

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9    In the tender compassion of our God  

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68–79

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Christ has gone up on high

and has led captivity captive. Alleluia.

Prayers

Intercessions are offered

¶    for the day and its tasks

¶    for the world and its needs

¶    for the Church and her life

The cycle here and the prayer here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

O God the King of glory,

you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ

with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:

we beseech you, leave us not comfortless,

but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us

and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

Being made one by the power of the Spirit,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Being made one by the power of the Spirit,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

May the Spirit kindle in us the fire of God’s love.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.

All   Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

¶    Evening Prayer

from the day after Ascension Day

until the Day of Pentecost

Preparation

O God, make speed to save us.

All   O Lord, make haste to help us.

Send your Holy Spirit upon us,

All   and clothe your people with power from on high. Alleluia.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,

to you be glory and praise for ever.

Raised to your right hand on high

the ascended Christ shows the prints of love

and bestows on us the gifts of grace.

As your Spirit renews the face of the earth,

may we bring forth the fruit of the Spirit

and reveal your glory in all the world.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

A Song of God’s Greatness (here), the following or another suitable hymn

Creator Spirit, Lord of grace,

come, make in us your dwelling place;

O purest Light, in darkness shine;

fill loveless hearts, O Love Divine.

Consoler, hear your people’s cry;

come down, O Gift of God, Most High.

Descend in peace, O heav’nly Dove;

come Fount of Life; come Flame of Love.

As once on Christ the Servant’s head

the oil of sevenfold grace you shed,

so now anoint from love’s deep springs

your chosen prophets, priests and kings.

Of ev’ry gift the living source,

of mighty deeds the unseen force,

the Father sends his promised One

to speak for all who serve his Son.

Keep far all those who wish us ill,

O Dove of Peace, be with us still,

in ev’ry danger at our side

O Friend, befriend us; be our guide.

Reveal to us the Father’s love,

reveal his Son, who reigns above.

To truth, O Truth, make us all true;

in love, O Love, make all things new.

James Quinn S J, based on Veni, Creator Spiritus

(Tune: LM)

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,

so may your mercy come down upon us

to cleanse our hearts

and set us free to sing your praise

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of God’s Children, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 60 (here) or number 63 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   The Spirit of the Father,

who raised Christ Jesus from the dead,

gives life to the people of God. Alleluia.

1    The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus  

has set us free from the law of sin and death.

2    All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God;  

for we have received the Spirit that enables us to cry, ‘Abba, Father’.

3    The Spirit himself bears witness that we are children of God  

and if God’s children, then heirs of God;

4    If heirs of God, then fellow-heirs with Christ;  

since we suffer with him now, that we may be glorified with him.

5    These sufferings that we now endure  

are not worth comparing to the glory that shall be revealed.

6    For the creation waits with eager longing  

for the revealing of the children of God.

Romans 8.2,14,15b–19

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   The Spirit of the Father,

who raised Christ Jesus from the dead,

gives life to the people of God. Alleluia.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

When you send forth your Spirit, we are created;

you renew the face of the earth.

All   When you send forth your Spirit, we are created;

you renew the face of the earth.

O Lord, how manifold are your works;

in wisdom you have made them all.

All   You renew the face of the earth.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   When you send forth your Spirit, we are created;

you renew the face of the earth.

from Psalm 104

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is normally said, or Great and Wonderful (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   How excellent is your name in all the world,

you have set your glory above the heavens. Alleluia.

1    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2    From this day all generations will call me blessed;  

the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.

3    He has mercy on those who fear him,  

from generation to generation.

4    He has shown strength with his arm  

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5    Casting down the mighty from their thrones  

and lifting up the lowly.

6    He has filled the hungry with good things  

and sent the rich away empty.

7    He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  

to remember his promise of mercy,

8    The promise made to our ancestors,  

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke 1.46–55

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   How excellent is your name in all the world,

you have set your glory above the heavens. Alleluia.

Prayers

Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

Intercessions are offered

¶    for peace

¶    for individuals and their needs

The cycle here and the prayer here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

O God the King of glory,

you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ

with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:

we beseech you, leave us not comfortless,

but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us

and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

Being made one by the power of the Spirit,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Being made one by the power of the Spirit,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

May the Spirit kindle in us the fire of God’s love.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.

All   Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

¶    Morning Prayer

from All Saints’ Day until

the day before the First Sunday of Advent

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Your faithful servants bless you.

All   They make known the glory of your kingdom.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Sovereign God,

ruler and judge of all,

to you be praise and glory for ever.

In the darkness of this age that is passing away

may the light of your presence which the saints enjoy

surround our steps as we journey on.

May we reflect your glory this day

and so be made ready to see your face

in the heavenly city where night shall be no more.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

a suitable hymn, or A Song of Trust in God

1    As the deer longs for the water brooks,  

so longs my soul for you, O God.

2    My soul is athirst for God, even for the living God;  

when shall I come before the presence of God?

3    My tears have been my bread day and night,  

while all day long they say to me, ‘Where is now your God?’

4    Now when I think on these things, I pour out my soul:  

how I went with the multitude

and led the procession to the house of God,

5    With the voice of praise and thanksgiving,  

among those who kept holy day.

6    Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul,  

and why are you so disquieted within me?

7    O put your trust in God;  

for I will yet give him thanks,

who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

Psalm 42.1-7

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

This opening prayer may be said

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is 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.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of the New Creation, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 28 (here), number 46 (here) or number 47 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   I will make a way in the wilderness,

and rivers in the desert.

1    ‘I am the Lord, your Holy One,  

the Creator of Israel, your King.’

2    Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea,  

a path in the mighty waters,

3    ‘Remember not the former things,  

nor consider the things of old.

4    ‘Behold, I am doing a new thing;  

now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

5    ‘I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert,  

to give drink to my chosen people,

6    ‘The people whom I formed for myself,  

that they might declare my praise.’

Isaiah 43.15, 16, 18, 19, 20c, 21

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   I will make a way in the wilderness,

and rivers in the desert.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord,

All   my lips shall proclaim your faithfulness.

The heavens bear witness to your wonders;

All   I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

The assembly of your saints proclaims your truth;

All   my lips shall proclaim your faithfulness.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;

steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

All   I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord,

my lips shall proclaim your faithfulness.

from Psalm 89

Gospel Canticle

The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is normally said, or the Te Deum Laudamus (A Song of the Church) (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   You will guide us with your counsel, O God,

and afterwards receive us with glory.

1    Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,  

who has come to his people and set them free.

2    He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,  

born of the house of his servant David.

3    Through his holy prophets God promised of old  

to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us,

4    To show mercy to our ancestors,  

and to remember his holy covenant.

5    This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6    Free to worship him without fear,  

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

7    And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,  

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8    To give his people knowledge of salvation  

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9    In the tender compassion of our God  

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68-79

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   You will guide us with your counsel, O God,

and afterwards receive us with glory.

Prayers

Intercessions are offered

¶    for the day and its tasks

¶    for the world and its needs

¶    for the Church and her life

The cycle here and the prayer here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Almighty God,

you have knit together your elect

in one communion and fellowship

in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord:

give us grace so to follow your blessed saints

in all virtuous and godly living

that we may come to those inexpressible joys

that you have prepared for those who truly love you;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

Uniting our prayers with the whole company of heaven,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Uniting our prayers with the whole company of heaven,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

May Christ, who has opened the kingdom of heaven,

bring us to reign with him in glory.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Evening Prayer

from All Saints’ Day until

the Friday before the First Sunday of Advent

Preparation

O God, make speed to save us.

All   O Lord, make haste to help us.

Your faithful servants bless you.

All   They make known the glory of your kingdom.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Sovereign God,

our light and our salvation,

to you be glory and praise for ever.

Now, as darkness is falling,

wash away our transgressions,

cleanse us by your refining fire

and make us temples of your Holy Spirit.

By the light of Christ,

dispel the darkness of our hearts

and make us ready to enter your kingdom,

where songs of praise for ever sound.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

A Song of Tobit (here), the following or another suitable hymn

Give me the wings of faith to rise

within the veil, and see

the saints above, how great their joys,

how bright their glories be.

Once they were mourning here below,

and wet their couch with tears;

they wrestled hard, as we do now,

with sins and doubts and fears.

I ask them whence their victory came:

they, with united breath,

ascribe their conquest to the Lamb,

their triumph to his death.

They marked the footsteps that he trod,

his zeal inspired their breast,

and, following their incarnate God,

possess the promised rest.

Our glorious Leader claims our praise

for his own pattern given;

while the long cloud of witnesses

show the same path to heaven.

Isaac Watts

(Tune: CM)

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,

so may your mercy come down upon us

to cleanse our hearts

and set us free to sing your praise

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Word of God
Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said or sung.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Canticle

A Song of God’s Assembled, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 70 (here) or number 73 (here), may be said

Refrain:

All   We have come before the throne of God

to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

1    We have come before God’s holy mountain,  

to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God.

2    We have come before countless angels making festival,  

before the assembly of the firstborn citizens of heaven.

3    We have come before God, who is judge of all,  

before the spirits of the just made perfect.

4    We have come before Jesus,  

the mediator of the new covenant.

5    We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken:  

so let us give thanks and offer to God acceptable worship,

6    Full of reverence and awe;  

for our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 12.22-24a,28,29

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   We have come before the throne of God

to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Lord, you will guide me with your counsel

and afterwards receive me with glory.

All   Lord, you will guide me with your counsel

and afterwards receive me with glory.

For I am always with you;

you hold me by my right hand.

All   And afterwards receive me with glory.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   Lord, you will guide me with your counsel

and afterwards receive me with glory.

from Psalm 73

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is normally said, or the Nunc dimittis (The Song of the Simeon) (here) may be said

Refrain:

All   The righteous will shine like the sun

in the kingdom of their Father.

1    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2    From this day all generations will call me blessed;  

the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.

3    He has mercy on those who fear him,  

from generation to generation.

4    He has shown strength with his arm  

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5    Casting down the mighty from their thrones  

and lifting up the lowly.

6    He has filled the hungry with good things  

and sent the rich away empty.

7    He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  

to remember his promise of mercy,

8    The promise made to our ancestors,  

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke 1.46-55

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   The righteous will shine like the sun

in the kingdom of their Father.

Prayers

Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

Intercessions are offered

¶    for peace

¶    for individuals and their needs

The cycle here and the prayer here may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day (here) or the following is said

Almighty God,

you have knit together your elect

in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord:

give us grace so to follow your blessed saints

in all virtuous and godly living

that we may come to those inexpressible joys

that you have prepared for those who truly love you;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

Uniting our prayers with the whole company of heaven,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Uniting our prayers with the whole company of heaven,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

May Christ, who has opened the kingdom of heaven,

bring us to reign with him in glory.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

Additional material for use at Morning or Evening Prayer

Contents

Thanksgivings for use at Morning and Evening Prayer

¶    Thanksgiving for the Word

If possible, this Thanksgiving should be celebrated around the lectern or other symbol of the word.

Your word is a lantern to our feet

All   and a light upon our path.

This prayer of thanksgiving may be said

Blessed are you, Lord our God.

How sweet are your words to the taste,

sweeter than honey to the mouth.

How precious are your commands for our life,

more than the finest gold in our hands.

How marvellous is your will for the world,

unending is your love for the nations.

Our voices shall sing of your promises

and our lips declare your praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All     Blessed be God for ever.

After a suitable introduction, this or another confession and absolution may be used

All   O King enthroned on high,

filling the earth with your glory:

holy is your name,

Lord God almighty.

In our sinfulness we cry to you

to take our guilt away,

and to cleanse our lips to speak your word,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

May the God of all healing and forgiveness

draw us to himself,

and cleanse us from all our sins

that we may behold the glory of his Son,

the Word made flesh,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

Testimonies may be shared. The Apostles’ Creed (here) or an authorized Affirmation of Faith may be said.

Intercessions are offered.

This or another prayer is said

Almighty God,

we thank you for the gift of your holy word.

May it be a lantern to our feet,

a light upon our paths,

and a strength to our lives.

Take us and use us

to love and serve all people

in the power of the Holy Spirit

and in the name of your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here).

The service ends either with the Peace or with the following proclamation to the world

The Word of life which was from the beginning

All   we proclaim to you.

The darkness is passing away

and the true light is already shining;

All   the Word of life which was from the beginning.

That which we heard, which we saw with our eyes,

and touched with our hands,

All   we proclaim to you.

For our fellowship is with the Father,

and with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   The Word of life which was from the beginning

we proclaim to you.

from I John I

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

¶    Thanksgiving for Holy Baptism

If possible, this Thanksgiving should be celebrated at the font.

I saw water flowing from the threshold of the temple.

All   Wherever the river flows

everything will spring to life. Alleluia.

On the banks of the river grow trees bearing every kind of fruit.

All   Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail.

Their fruit will serve for food,

their leaves for the healing of the nations.

All   For the river of the water of life

flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

This prayer of thanksgiving is said and water may be poured into the font

God in Christ gives us water welling up for eternal life.

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

All   Lord, give us this water and we shall thirst no more.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All   It is right to give thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, sovereign God of all,

to you be glory and praise for ever.

You are our light and our salvation.

From the deep waters of death

you have raised your Son to life in triumph.

Grant that all who have been born anew by water and the Spirit

may daily be renewed in your image,

walk by the light of faith,

and serve you in newness of life;

through your anointed Son, Jesus Christ,

to whom with you and the Holy Spirit

we lift our voices of praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

The Apostles’ Creed (here) or an authorized Affirmation of Faith is said.

Intercessions are offered. These should include prayer for those who are preparing for baptism and for those recently baptized.

This or another Collect is said

Almighty God,

in our baptism you have consecrated us

to be temples of your Holy Spirit.

May we, whom you have counted worthy,

nurture this gift of your indwelling Spirit with a lively faith

and worship you with upright lives;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The water may be sprinkled over the people or they may be invited to use it to sign themselves with the cross.

The service ends either with the Peace or with the following blessing

May God, who in Christ gives us a spring of water

welling up to eternal life,

perfect in you the image of his glory;

and may the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

All    Amen.

¶    Thanksgiving

for the Healing Ministry of the Church

If the Thanksgiving for the Healing Ministry of the Church is to include anointing, the minister must be authorized for this ministry as required by Canon B 37.

Bless the Lord, O my soul;

All   and forget not all his benefits.

God forgives all our iniquities;

All   and heals all our diseases.

God redeems our life from the Pit;

All   and crowns us with love and mercy.

James 5.13-16a or another suitable reading such as Mark 1.29-34 or Acts 3.1-10 follows.

This prayer of thanksgiving may be said

Blessed are you, sovereign God, gentle and merciful,

creator of heaven and earth.

Your word brought light out of darkness.

In Jesus Christ you proclaim good news to the poor,

liberty to captives, sight to the blind

and freedom for the oppressed.

Daily your Spirit renews the face of the earth,

bringing life and health, wholeness and peace.

In the renewal of our lives

you make known your heavenly glory.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

The Apostles’ Creed (here) or an authorized Affirmation of Faith may be said.

Intercessions for those in need and those who care for them may be offered in this or another form

Holy God, in whom we live and move and have our being,

we make our prayer to you, saying,

Lord, hear us.

All   Lord, graciously hear us.

Grant to [N and] all who seek you

the assurance of your presence, your power and your peace.

Lord, hear us.

All   Lord, graciously hear us.

Grant your healing grace to [N and] all who are sick

that they may be made whole in body, mind and spirit.

Lord, hear us.

All   Lord, graciously hear us.

Grant to all who minister to the suffering

wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience.

Lord, hear us.

All   Lord, graciously hear us.

Sustain and support the anxious and fearful

and lift up all who are brought low.

Lord, hear us.

All   Lord, graciously hear us.

Hear us, Lord of life.

All   Heal us, and make us whole.

This or another Collect is said

Almighty God,

whose Son revealed in signs and miracles

the wonder of your saving presence:

renew [N, N, … and] all your people

with your heavenly grace,

and in all our weakness

sustain us by your mighty power,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here).

The Ministry of Healing may take place here using these or other suitable prayers

Be with us, Spirit of God;

All   nothing can separate us from your love.

Breathe on us, breath of God;

All   fill us with your saving power.

Speak in us, wisdom of God;

All   bring strength, healing and peace.

The Lord is here.

All   His Spirit is with us.

Silence is kept.

If anointing is to be administered, a priest may use this prayer over the oil, if it has not previously been blessed

Lord, holy Father, giver of health and salvation,

as your apostles anointed those who were sick and healed them,

so continue the ministry of healing in your Church.

Sanctify this oil, that those who are anointed with it

may be freed from suffering and distress,

find inward peace, and know the joy of your salvation,

through your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

All   Amen.

The laying on of hands may be administered using these or other suitable words

In the name of God and trusting in his might alone,

receive Christ’s healing touch to make you whole.

May Christ bring you wholeness of body, mind and spirit,

deliver you from every evil,

and give you his peace.

All   Amen.

If anointing is administered by an authorized minister, these or other suitable words may be used

N, I anoint you in the name of God who gives you life.

Receive Christ’s forgiveness, his healing and his love.

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

grant you the riches of his grace,

his wholeness and his peace.

All   Amen.

This prayer concludes the Ministry of Healing

The almighty Lord,

who is a strong tower for all who put their trust in him,

whom all things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth obey,

be now and evermore your defence.

May you believe and trust that the only name under heaven

given for health and salvation

is the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

All   Amen.

This responsory may be used

O magnify the Lord with me;

let us exalt his name together.

All   O magnify the Lord with me;

let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.

All   O magnify the Lord with me.

In my weakness I cried to the Lord;

he heard me and saved me from my troubles.

All   Let us exalt his name together.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   O magnify the Lord with me;

let us exalt his name together.

cf Psalm 34

The service ends with the Grace or a blessing or the Peace

Peace to you from God our Father who hears our cry.

Peace from his Son Jesus Christ whose death brings healing.

Peace from the Holy Spirit who gives us life and strength.

The peace of the Lord be always with you

All   and also with you.

¶    Thanksgiving

for the Mission of the Church

If possible, this Thanksgiving should be celebrated near or facing the main door of the building.

A suitable Gospel reading may be introduced by this acclamation

We proclaim not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord

All   and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

For the God who said, Let light shine out of darkness,

All   has caused the light to shine within us:

to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God

All   in the face of Jesus Christ.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.

All   Glory to you, O Lord.

After the Gospel reading

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All   Praise to you, O Christ.

This prayer of thanksgiving may be said

Blessed are you,

the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

for you have blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing.

You chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world

and destined us for adoption as your children.

In Christ we have the forgiveness of sins,

an inheritance in your kingdom, the seal of your Spirit,

and in him we live for the praise of your glory.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

The commissioning of those called and prepared to exercise particular ministries may take place here.

The Apostles’ Creed (here) or an authorized Affirmation of Faith and this affirmation of commitment may be said

Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship,

in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?

All   With the help of God, I will.

Will you persevere in resisting evil,

and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

All   With the help of God, I will.

Will you proclaim by word and example

the good news of God in Christ?

All   With the help of God, I will.

Will you seek and serve Christ in all people,

loving your neighbour as yourself?

All   With the help of God, I will.

Will you acknowledge Christ’s authority over human society,

by prayer for the world and its leaders,

by defending the weak, and by seeking peace and justice?

All   With the help of God, I will.

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith,

that you may be rooted and grounded in love

and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit.

All   Amen.

Intercessions for those engaged in ministry and other prayers for the mission of the Church may be offered.

This Collect is said

Almighty God,

who called your Church to witness

that in Christ you were reconciling the world to yourself:

help us so to proclaim the good news of your love,

that all who hear it may be reconciled to you

through him who died for us and rose again

and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here).

The service ends either with the Peace or with the following blessing

Let us bless the living God:

he was born of the Virgin Mary,

All   revealed in his glory,

worshipped by angels,

All   proclaimed among the nations,

believed in throughout the world,

All   exalted to the highest heavens.

Blessed be God, our strength and our salvation,

All   now and for ever. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

Prayers for the Unity of the Church

These prayers may take place around a unity candle, the font or some other symbol of the Church.

Jesus prayed that his followers may all be one.

In the power of the Spirit, we join our prayers with his.

The following may be used

O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

our only Saviour, the Prince of Peace:

give us grace seriously to lay to heart

the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions.

Take away all hatred and prejudice,

and whatever else may hinder us

from godly union and concord;

that, as there is but one body and one Spirit,

one hope of our calling,

one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

one God and Father of us all,

so we may henceforth be all of one heart and of one soul,

united in one holy bond of peace, of faith and charity,

and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

I am the vine and you are the branches.

All   Abide in me as I abide in you.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.

All   Abide in me as I abide in you.

No one has greater love than this,

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

All   Abide in me as I abide in you.

You are my friends if you do what I command you;

love one another as I have loved you.

All   Abide in me as I abide in you.

Intercessions are offered for the unity of the Church.

This response may be used

Lord of the Church

All   hear your people’s prayer.

Silence may be kept.

This Collect is said.

Lord Jesus Christ,

who said to your apostles,

‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you’:

look not on our sins but on the faith of your Church

and grant it the peace and unity of your kingdom;

where you are alive and reign with the Father

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here).

The peace of the Lord be always with you

All   and also with you.

These words may be added

Let us offer one another a sign of peace,

God’s seal on our prayers.

Prayers at the Foot of the Cross

These prayers are for use on Fridays and other appropriate occasions (but not during the Christmas, Epiphany or Easter seasons).

A procession may be made towards a suitable cross, before which lights may be burning, or a cross may be carried in. It may be mounted upright or laid on the ground, with lights burning around it.

On the cross, Jesus offered himself to the Father for the whole world. At the foot of his cross, we join our prayers with his.

One of the following may be said

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:

All   because by your holy cross

you have redeemed the world.

All   Holy God,

Holy and strong,

Holy and immortal,

have mercy upon us.

(or)

We glory in your cross, O Lord,

and praise and glorify your holy resurrection:

All   for by virtue of the cross,

joy has come to the whole world.

God be gracious to us and bless us

and make his face to shine upon us,

All   that your way may be known upon earth,

your saving power among all nations.

We glory in your cross, O Lord,

and praise and glorify your holy resurrection:

All   for by virtue of the cross,

joy has come to the whole world.

While silence is kept, or appropriate hymns or chants are sung, any of those present may come forward to touch the cross. They may, for example, place their forehead on it as a sign of entrusting to God, in union with Christ and his suffering, their own burdens as well as those of others.

Other forms of intercessions may be offered.

This response may be used

Lord, we come to the cross.

All   In your mercy, hear us.

This Collect is said

Almighty Father,

look with mercy on this your family

for which our Lord Jesus Christ was content to be betrayed

and given up into the hands of sinners

and to suffer death upon the cross;

who is alive and glorified with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here).

May the life-giving cross be the source of all our joy and peace.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

A Commemoration of the Resurrection

This Commemoration is appropriate as an early Sunday morning celebration, especially during the Easter season.

Preparation

As the night watch looks for the morning,

All   so do we look for you, O Christ.

[Come with the dawning of the day

All   and make yourself known in the breaking of the bread.]

Opening Canticle

The Benedicite – A Song of Creation (shorter version) may be said or sung

1    Bless the Lord all you works of the Lord:  

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

2    Bless the Lord you heavens:  

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

3    Bless the Lord you angels of the Lord:  

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

4    Bless the Lord all people on earth:  

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

5    O people of God bless the Lord:  

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

6    Bless the Lord you priests of the Lord:  

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

7    Bless the Lord you servants of the Lord:  

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

8    Bless the Lord all you of upright spirit:  

bless the Lord you that are holy and humble in heart.

The Song of the Three 35-37, 60-65

All   Bless the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit:  

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

The Word of God
Psalmody

Psalm 118.14-29 is said

14  The Lord is my strength and my song,  

and he has become my salvation.

15  Joyful shouts of salvation  

sound from the tents of the righteous:

16  ‘The right hand of the Lord does mighty deeds;

the right hand of the Lord raises up;  

the right hand of the Lord does mighty deeds.’

17  I shall not die, but live  

and declare the works of the Lord.

18  The Lord has punished me sorely,  

but he has not given me over to death.

19  Open to me the gates of righteousness,  

that I may enter and give thanks to the Lord.

20  This is the gate of the Lord;  

the righteous shall enter through it.

21  I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me  

and have become my salvation.

22  The stone which the builders rejected  

has become the chief cornerstone.

23  This is the Lord’s doing,  

and it is marvellous in our eyes.

24  This is the day that the Lord has made;  

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

25  Come, O Lord, and save us we pray.  

Come, Lord, send us now prosperity.

26  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord;  

we bless you from the house of the Lord.

27  The Lord is God; he has given us light;  

link the pilgrims with cords

right to the horns of the altar.

28  You are my God and I will thank you;  

you are my God and I will exalt you.

29  O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;  

his mercy endures for ever.

This psalm may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

Scripture Reading

One of the following may be read

Genesis 1.1-5; Exodus 14.21-31; 1 Corinthians 15.1-8; Colossians 3.1-4

Old Testament Canticle

The Song of Moses and Miriam is said

Refrain:

All   In your unfailing love, O Lord,

you lead the people whom you have redeemed. Alleluia.

1    I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously,  

the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.

2    The Lord is my strength and my song  

and has become my salvation.

3    This is my God whom I will praise,  

the God of my forebears whom I will exalt.

4    The Lord is a warrior,  

the Lord is his name.

5    Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power:  

your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.

6    At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them;  

they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

7    In your unfailing love, O Lord,  

you lead the people whom you have redeemed.

8    And by your invincible strength  

you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

9    You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord,  

in the sanctuary which your hands have established.

Exodus 15.1b-3,6,10,13,17

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   In your unfailing love, O Lord,

you lead the people whom you have redeemed. Alleluia.

Gospel Reading

One of the following is read

Matthew 28.1-10; Mark 16.1-8; Mark 16.9-20; Luke 24.1-9; John 20.1-10; John 20.11-18; John 21.1-14

When the Gospel is announced the reader says

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.

All   Glory to you, O Lord.

At the end

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All   Praise to you, O Christ.

New Testament Canticle

The Easter Anthems are said

1    Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us:  

so let us celebrate the feast,

2    not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness:  

but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

1 Corinthians 5.7b, 8

3    Christ once raised from the dead dies no more:  

death has no more dominion over him.

4    In dying he died to sin once for all:  

in living he lives to God.

5    See yourselves therefore as dead to sin:  

and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6.9-11

6    Christ has been raised from the dead:  

the first fruits of those who sleep.

7    For as by man came death:  

by man has come also the resurrection of the dead;

8    for as in Adam all die:  

even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15.20-22

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

Prayers

The Collect is said

Grant, Lord,

that we who are baptized into the death

of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ

may continually put to death our evil desires

and be buried with him;

and that through the grave and gate of death

we may pass to our joyful resurrection;

though his merits,

who died and was buried and rose again for us,

your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said (here)

Rejoicing in God’s new creation,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Rejoicing in God’s new creation,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

May the risen Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. [Alleluia, alleluia.]

All   Thanks be to God. [Alleluia, alleluia.]

Vigil Office

The Order for Evening Prayer for the evening before a Sunday or Principal Feast may be adapted in the following way: Evening Prayer begins with the Blessing of Light and then continues with a repeating pattern of reading, psalm or canticle, silence and prayer; it concludes with the Gospel reading, the Gospel Canticle, the prayers and the blessing.

Alternatively, a Vigil may be kept less formally; those present participate by contributing readings and poetry, music and song, testimony and prayer.

Preparation
The Blessing of Light

A light, which may be the Paschal Candle, is brought in, or a candle may simply be lit. The officiant greets the people with these or other suitable words

In the evening, Jesus came and stood among the disciples and said to them: ‘Peace be with you.’ [Alleluia.]

John 20.19

The light and peace of Jesus Christ be with you all

All   and also with you.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God,

our light and our salvation,

eternal creator of day and night,

to you be glory and praise for ever.

Now, as darkness is falling,

hear the prayer of your faithful people.

As we look for your coming in glory,

wash away our transgressions,

cleanse us by your refining fire

and make us temples of your Holy Spirit.

By the light of Christ,

dispel the darkness of our hearts

and make us ready to enter your kingdom,

where songs of praise for ever sound.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

Other candles may be lit as Phos Hilaron – A Song of the Light (here), the following or another suitable hymn or canticle, is said or sung

Hail, gladdening Light, of his pure glory poured

who is the immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

holiest of holies, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest,

the lights of evening round us shine,

we hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine.

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

with undefilèd tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

Greek, tr: John Keble

Verses from Psalm 141 – A Song of the Evening Sacrifice may be said and incense may be burned.

All   Let my prayer rise before you as incense,  

the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly;  

hear my voice when I cry to you.

Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord,  

and guard the door of my lips;

All   Let my prayer rise before you as incense,  

the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Let not my heart incline to any evil thing;  

let me not be occupied in wickedness with evildoers.

But my eyes are turned to you, Lord God;  

in you I take refuge; do not leave me defenceless.

All   Let my prayer rise before you as incense,  

the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Psalm 141.1-4b,8

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,

so may your mercy come down upon us

to cleanse our hearts

and set us free to sing your praise

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

The Word of God

An Old Testament reading, a psalm, silence and this or another suitable Collect follow

God of glory,

you nourish us with your word

which is the bread of life.

Fill us with your Holy Spirit,

that through us the light of your glory

may shine in all the world;

we ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

All   Amen.

A New Testament reading and The Song of Christ’s Glory or another suitable canticle follow

Refrain:

All   At the name of Jesus

every knee shall bow.

1    Christ Jesus was in the form of God,  

but he did not cling to equality with God.

2    He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant,  

and was born in our human likeness.

3    Being found in human form he humbled himself,  

and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.

4    Therefore God has highly exalted him,  

and bestowed on him the name above every name,

5    That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,  

in heaven and on earth and under the earth;

6    And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,  

to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2.5-11

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   At the name of Jesus

every knee shall bow.

Silence and this or another suitable Collect follow

Kindle in our hearts, O God,

the flame of that love which never ceases,

that it may burn in us, giving light to others.

May we shine for ever in your temple,

set on fire with your eternal light,

even your Son Jesus Christ,

our Saviour and our Redeemer.

Columba (597)

All   Amen.

The Gospel reading for the Sunday or Principal Feast is read.

The reading may be introduced by this acclamation

We proclaim not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord

All   and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

For the God who said, Let light shine out of darkness,

All   has caused the light to shine within us:

to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God

All   in the face of Jesus Christ.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.

All   Glory to you, O Lord.

After the Gospel reading

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All   Praise to you, O Christ.

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) follows with the appropriate refrain (see here)

1    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2    From this day all generations will call me blessed;  

the Almighty has done great things for me

and holy is his name.

3    He has mercy on those who fear him,  

from generation to generation.

4    He has shown strength with his arm  

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5    Casting down the mighty from their thrones  

and lifting up the lowly.

6    He has filled the hungry with good things  

and sent the rich away empty.

7    He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  

to remember his promise of mercy,

8    The promise made to our ancestors,  

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke 1.46-55

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

Prayers

A litany or a suitable chant may be said or sung.

The Collect and the Lord’s Prayer (here) follow.

Awaiting the fulfilment of all God’s promises,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Awaiting the fulfilment of all God’s promises,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

The Conclusion

A hymn may be sung.

The Lord bless us with every spiritual gift

as we wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. [Alleluia, alleluia.]

All   Thanks be to God. [Alleluia, alleluia.]

 

Common Worship: Daily Prayer, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2005 and published by Church House Publishing.

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