Evening Prayer (Evensong) in Traditional Language
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Please note: Daily Prayer provided by the official Church of England web site, © The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2002-2004.
Evening Prayer from | |||||
The Book of Common Prayer | |||||
Sunday, 24 September 2023 |
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The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses. | |||||
¶
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Introduction | ||||
The minister may use a seasonal sentence before using one or more of the penitential sentences. | |||||
The minister introduces the service | |||||
Dearly beloved [brethren], | |||||
the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge | |||||
and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; | |||||
[and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before | |||||
the face of almighty God our heavenly Father; | |||||
but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent and | |||||
obedient heart; | |||||
to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same | |||||
by his infinite goodness and mercy. | |||||
And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge | |||||
our sins before God; | |||||
yet ought we most chiefly so to do, | |||||
when we assemble and meet together | |||||
to render thanks for the great benefits that we have | |||||
received at his hands, | |||||
to set forth his most worthy praise, | |||||
to hear his most holy word, | |||||
and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, | |||||
as well for the body as the soul.] | |||||
Wherefore I pray and beseech you, | |||||
as many as are here present, | |||||
to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice, | |||||
unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying [after me]: | |||||
(or) | |||||
Beloved, we are come together in the presence of almighty God and of the whole company of heaven to offer unto him through our Lord Jesus Christ our worship and praise and thanksgiving; to make confession of our sins; to pray, as well for others as for ourselves, that we may know more truly the greatness of God's love and shew forth in our lives the fruits of his grace; and to ask on behalf of all men such things as their well-being doth require. | |||||
Wherefore let us kneel in silence, and remember God's presence with us now. | |||||
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Almighty and most merciful Father, | ||||
we have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. | |||||
We have followed too much the devices and desires | |||||
of our own hearts. | |||||
We have offended against thy holy laws. | |||||
We have left undone those things | |||||
which we ought to have done; | |||||
and we have done those things | |||||
which we ought not to have done; | |||||
and there is no health in us. | |||||
But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. | |||||
Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults. | |||||
Restore thou them that are penitent; | |||||
according to thy promises declared unto mankind | |||||
in Christ Jesu our Lord. | |||||
And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, | |||||
that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, | |||||
to the glory of thy holy name. | |||||
Amen. | |||||
A priest says | |||||
Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, | |||||
who desireth not the death of a sinner, | |||||
but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live; | |||||
and hath given power, and commandment, to his ministers | |||||
to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent, | |||||
the absolution and remission of their sins: | |||||
he pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent | |||||
and unfeignedly believe his holy gospel. | |||||
Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance, | |||||
and his Holy Spirit, | |||||
that those things may please him which we do at this present; | |||||
and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy; | |||||
so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; | |||||
through Jesus Christ our Lord. | |||||
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Amen. | ||||
or other ministers may say | |||||
Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, | |||||
to thy faithful people pardon and peace, | |||||
that they may be cleansed from all their sins, | |||||
and serve thee with a quiet mind; | |||||
through Jesus Christ our Lord. | |||||
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Amen. | ||||
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Our Father, which art in heaven, | ||||
hallowed be thy name; | |||||
thy kingdom come; | |||||
thy will be done, | |||||
in earth as it is in heaven. | |||||
Give us this day our daily bread. | |||||
And forgive us our trespasses, | |||||
as we forgive them that trespass against us. | |||||
And lead us not into temptation; | |||||
but deliver us from evil. | |||||
For thine is the kingdom, | |||||
the power and the glory, | |||||
for ever and ever. | |||||
Amen. | |||||
¶
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Evening Prayer | ||||
The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses. | |||||
These responses are used | |||||
O Lord, open thou our lips | |||||
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and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise. | ||||
O God, make speed to save us. | |||||
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O Lord, make haste to help us. | ||||
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, | |||||
and to the Holy Ghost; | |||||
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as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, | ||||
world without end. Amen. | |||||
Praise ye the Lord. | |||||
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The Lord's name be praised. | ||||
Psalmody | |||||
Psalm 119.113-136* | |||||
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113 | I hate them that imagine evil things * but thy law do I love. | ||||
114 | Thou art my defence and shield * and my trust is in thy word. | ||||
115 | Away from me, ye wicked * I will keep the commandments of my God. | ||||
116 | O stablish me according to thy word, that I may live * and let me not be disappointed of my hope. | ||||
117 | Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe * yea, my delight shall be ever in thy statutes. | ||||
118 | Thou hast trodden down all them that depart from thy statutes * for they imagine but deceit. | ||||
119 | Thou puttest away all the ungodly of the earth like dross * therefore I love thy testimonies. | ||||
120 | My flesh trembleth for fear of thee * and I am afraid of thy judgements. | ||||
121 | I deal with the thing that is lawful and right * O give me not over unto mine oppressors. | ||||
122 | Make thou thy servant to delight in that which is good * that the proud do me no wrong. | ||||
123 | Mine eyes are wasted away with looking for thy health * and for the word of thy righteousness. | ||||
124 | O deal with thy servant according unto thy loving mercy * and teach me thy statutes. | ||||
125 | I am thy servant, O grant me understanding * that I may know thy testimonies. | ||||
126 | It is time for thee, Lord, to lay to thine hand * for they have destroyed thy law. | ||||
127 | For I love thy commandments * above gold and precious stone. | ||||
128 | Therefore hold I straight all thy commandments * and all false ways I utterly abhor. | ||||
129 | Thy testimonies are wonderful * therefore doth my soul keep them. | ||||
130 | When thy word goeth forth * it giveth light and understanding unto the simple. | ||||
131 | I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath * for my delight was in thy commandments. | ||||
132 | O look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me * as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name. | ||||
133 | Order my steps in thy word * and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me. | ||||
134 | O deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men * and so shall I keep thy commandments. | ||||
135 | Shew the light of thy countenance upon thy servant * and teach me thy statutes. | ||||
136 | Mine eyes gush out with water * because men keep not thy law. | ||||
At the end of each psalm these words are said or sung | |||||
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : | |||||
and to the Holy Ghost; | |||||
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : | |||||
world without end. Amen. | |||||
Old Testament Reading | |||||
First Reading: Ezekiel 33.23,30 - 34.10
And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, |
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Magnificat | |||||
Either the Magnificat (as follows) or Cantate Domino (Psalm 98) is said or sung. | |||||
1
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My soul doth magnify the Lord : | ||||
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. | |||||
2
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For he hath regarded : | ||||
the lowliness of his handmaiden. | |||||
3
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For behold, from henceforth : | ||||
all generations shall call me blessed. | |||||
4
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For he that is mighty hath magnified me : | ||||
and holy is his Name. | |||||
5
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And his mercy is on them that fear him : | ||||
throughout all generations. | |||||
6
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He hath shewed strength with his arm : | ||||
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. | |||||
7
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He hath put down the mighty from their seat : | ||||
and hath exalted the humble and meek. | |||||
8
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He hath filled the hungry with good things : | ||||
and the rich he hath sent empty away. | |||||
9
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He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel : | ||||
as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever. | |||||
Luke 1.46-55
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Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : | |||||
and to the Holy Ghost; | |||||
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : | |||||
world without end. Amen. | |||||
New Testament Reading | |||||
Second Reading: Acts 26.1,9-25
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: |
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Nunc dimittis | |||||
Either the Nunc dimittis (as follows) or Deus misereatur (Psalm 67) is said or sung. | |||||
1
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Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace : | ||||
according to thy word. | |||||
2
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For mine eyes have seen : | ||||
thy salvation; | |||||
3
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Which thou hast prepared : | ||||
before the face of all people; | |||||
4
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To be a light to lighten the Gentiles : | ||||
and to be the glory of thy people Israel. | |||||
Luke 2.29-32
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Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : | |||||
and to the Holy Ghost; | |||||
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : | |||||
world without end. Amen. | |||||
The Apostles' Creed | |||||
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I believe in God the Father almighty, | ||||
maker of heaven and earth: | |||||
and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, | |||||
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, | |||||
born of the Virgin Mary, | |||||
suffered under Pontius Pilate, | |||||
was crucified, dead, and buried. | |||||
He descended into hell; | |||||
the third day he rose again from the dead; | |||||
he ascended into heaven, | |||||
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty; | |||||
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. | |||||
I believe in the Holy Ghost; | |||||
the holy catholic Church; | |||||
the communion of saints; | |||||
the forgiveness of sins; | |||||
the resurrection of the body, | |||||
and the life everlasting. | |||||
Amen. | |||||
Prayers | |||||
The Lord be with you. | |||||
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And with thy spirit. | ||||
Let us pray. | |||||
Lord, have mercy upon us. | |||||
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Christ, have mercy upon us. | ||||
Lord, have mercy upon us. | |||||
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Our Father, which art in heaven, | ||||
hallowed be thy name; | |||||
thy kingdom come; | |||||
thy will be done, | |||||
in earth as it is in heaven. | |||||
Give us this day our daily bread. | |||||
And forgive us our trespasses, | |||||
as we forgive them that trespass against us. | |||||
And lead us not into temptation; | |||||
but deliver us from evil. Amen. | |||||
O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us. | |||||
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And grant us thy salvation. | ||||
O Lord, save the King. | |||||
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And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee. | ||||
Endue thy ministers with righteousness. | |||||
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And make thy chosen people joyful. | ||||
O Lord, save thy people. | |||||
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And bless thine inheritance. | ||||
Give peace in our time, O Lord. | |||||
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Because there is none other that fighteth for us, | ||||
but only thou, O God. | |||||
O God, make clean our hearts within us. | |||||
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And take not thy Holy Spirit from us. | ||||
Three Collects are said. | |||||
The Collect of the Day | |||||
O Lord, we beseech thee, let thy continual pity cleanse and defend thy Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without thy succour, preserve it evermore by thy help and goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. | |||||
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Amen. | ||||
The Collect for Peace | |||||
O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, | |||||
and all just works do proceed; | |||||
give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; | |||||
that both, our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, | |||||
and also that, by thee, | |||||
we being defended from the fear of our enemies | |||||
may pass our time in rest and quietness; | |||||
through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. | |||||
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Amen. | ||||
The Collect for Aid against all Perils | |||||
Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; | |||||
and by thy great mercy defend us | |||||
from all perils and dangers of this night; | |||||
for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. | |||||
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Amen. | ||||
The order for the end of the service may include: | |||||
¶ hymns or anthems | |||||
¶ a sermon | |||||
¶ further prayers (which may include prayers from here) | |||||
This prayer may be used to conclude the service | |||||
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, | |||||
and the love of God, | |||||
and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, | |||||
be with us all evermore. | |||||
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Amen. | ||||
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Implementation copyright © Simon Kershaw, 2002-2020.