Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

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 world,

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

God in Christ has revealed his glory: O come, let us worship.

Opening Canticle: A Song of God’s Blessing (From Psalm 67)

May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance and come to us. Let your ways be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. The earth has brought forth her increase; may God, our own God, give us his blessing. May God give us his blessing,* and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The night has passed and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind:

(Silence may be kept)

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever. Amen.

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm: 72 1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king's son. 2 May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice. 3 May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness. 4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor. 5 May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations. 6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth. 7 In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more. 8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. 9 May his foes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust. 10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts. 11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service. 12 For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper. 13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. 14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight. 15 Long may he live! May gold of Sheba be given to him. May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all day long. 16 May there be abundance of grain in the land; may it wave on the tops of the mountains; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field. 17 May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun. May all nations be blessed in him; may they pronounce him happy. 18 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. 19 Blessed be his glorious name forever; may his glory fill the whole earth. Amen and Amen. 20 The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended.

Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

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

Genesis 22:1-18 After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you." So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you." Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. Isaac said to his father Abraham, "Father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So the two of them walked on together. When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided." The angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, "By myself I have sworn, says the LORD: Because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice."

Canticle 2: A Song of the New Jerusalem (From Isaiah 60)

Nations will come to your light,* and kings to your dawning brightness.

Arise, shine out, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising upon you. Though night still covers the earth, and darkness the peoples; Above you the Holy One arises, and above you God’s glory appears. The nations will come to your light, and kings to your dawning brightness. Your gates will lie open continually; shut neither by day nor by night. The sound of violence shall be heard no longer in your land, or ruin and devastation within your borders. You will call your walls, Salvation, and your gates, Praise. No more will the sun give you daylight, nor moonlight shine upon you; But the Lord will be your everlasting light, your God will be your splendor. For you shall be called the city of God, the dwelling of the Holy One of Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Nations will come to your light,* and kings to your dawning brightness.

One or more readings appointed for the day are read. The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence. 

Hebrews 11:23-31 By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, unafraid of the king's anger; for he persevered as though he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1: 68-79)

This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,* the one who will bring healing to the nations.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,* the one who will bring healing to the nations.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

From the rising of the sun to its setting, let us pray to the Lord.

That the people of God in all the world may worship in spirit and in truth, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That the Church may discover again that unity which is your gift, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 

That the nations of the earth may seek after the ways that make for peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 

That the whole creation, groaning in travail, may be set free to enjoy the glorious liberty of the children of God, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That all who with Christ have entered the shadow of death may find the fulfillment of life and peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

With all the saints in light, let us offer eternal praise to the Lord made manifest:

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

The collect of the day or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all peoples on earth, in the words our Savior has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

May Christ, the Son of God, gladden our hearts with the good news of his Kingdom. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

From the rising of the sun to its setting Your glory is proclaimed in all the world.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God of all, to you be glory and praise for ever! From the rising of the sun to its setting your glory is proclaimed in all the world. You gave the Christ as a light to the nations, and through the anointing of his Spirit you established us as a royal priesthood. As you call us into his marvelous 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. Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: A Song of God’s Splendor (From Psalm 96)

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing to the Lord and bless his name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations and his wonders among all peoples. O the majesty and magnificence of his presence! O the power and the splendor of his sanctuary! Ascribe to the Lord the honor due to his name; bring offerings and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him. Tell it out among the nations: ‘The Lord is king!’* he will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with his truth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

As you call us into your marvelous light, O God, may our lives bear witness to your truth and our lips never cease to proclaim your praise, now and for ever. Amen.

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm: 119:73-96 73 Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. 74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. 75 I know, O LORD, that your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness you have humbled me. 76 Let your steadfast love become my comfort according to your promise to your servant. 77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. 78 Let the arrogant be put to shame, because they have subverted me with guile; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts. 79 Let those who fear you turn to me, so that they may know your decrees. 80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes, so that I may not be put to shame. 81 My soul languishes for your salvation; I hope in your word. 82 My eyes fail with watching for your promise; I ask, "When will you comfort me?" 83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes. 84 How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me? 85 The arrogant have dug pitfalls for me; they flout your law. 86 All your commandments are enduring; I am persecuted without cause; help me! 87 They have almost made an end of me on earth; but I have not forsaken your precepts. 88 In your steadfast love spare my life, so that I may keep the decrees of your mouth. 89 The LORD exists forever; your word is firmly fixed in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. 91 By your appointment they stand today, for all things are your servants. 92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my misery. 93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. 94 I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts. 95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your decrees. 96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Canticle 2: A Song of Christ’s Appearing (from 1 Tim 3 & 6)

Christ was believed in throughout the world* and taken up in glory.

Christ Jesus was revealed in the flesh and vindicated in the spirit. He was seen by angels and proclaimed among the nations. Believed in throughout the world, he was taken up in glory. This will be made manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only Sovereign, Who alone has immortality,* and dwells in unapproachable light.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Christ was believed in throughout the world* and taken up in glory.

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

John 6:52-59 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" So Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever." He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,* my chosen, in whom my soul delights; the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,* my chosen, in whom my soul delights; the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

A Litany for the Evening

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful: We pray to you, O Lord.

That your holy angels may lead us in the paths of peace and goodwill: We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses: We pray to you, O Lord.

That there may be peace in your Church and for the whole world: We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit, in communion with (N. and with) all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ: We pray to you, O Lord.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The collect of the day or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all peoples on earth, in the words our Savior has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

May Christ, the Son of God, gladden our hearts with the good news of his Kingdom. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

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 world,

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

God in Christ has revealed his glory: O come, let us worship.

Opening Canticle: A Song of God’s Blessing (From Psalm 67)

May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance and come to us. Let your ways be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. The earth has brought forth her increase; may God, our own God, give us his blessing. May God give us his blessing,* and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The night has passed and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind:

(Silence may be kept)

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever. Amen.

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm: 61 1 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I; 3 for you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. 4 Let me abide in your tent forever, find refuge under the shelter of your wings. 5 For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. 6 Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations! 7 May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! 8 So I will always sing praises to your name, as I pay my vows day after day.

Psalm: 62 1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken. 3 How long will you assail a person, will you batter your victim, all of you, as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 4 Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence. They take pleasure in falsehood; they bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. 5 For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. 9 Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. 10 Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. 11 Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, 12 and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work.

Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

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

Genesis 21:1-21 The LORD dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as he had promised. Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah bore him. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Now Sarah said, "God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me." And she said, "Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age." The child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac. So she said to Abraham, "Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac." The matter was very distressing to Abraham on account of his son. But God said to Abraham, "Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named for you. As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a nation of him also, because he is your offspring." So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, "Do not let me look on the death of the child." And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him." Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink. God was with the boy, and he grew up; he lived in the wilderness, and became an expert with the bow. He lived in the wilderness of Paran; and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

Canticle 2: A Song of the New Jerusalem (From Isaiah 60)

Nations will come to your light,* and kings to your dawning brightness.

Arise, shine out, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising upon you. Though night still covers the earth, and darkness the peoples; Above you the Holy One arises, and above you God’s glory appears. The nations will come to your light, and kings to your dawning brightness. Your gates will lie open continually; shut neither by day nor by night. The sound of violence shall be heard no longer in your land, or ruin and devastation within your borders. You will call your walls, Salvation, and your gates, Praise. No more will the sun give you daylight, nor moonlight shine upon you; But the Lord will be your everlasting light, your God will be your splendor. For you shall be called the city of God, the dwelling of the Holy One of Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Nations will come to your light,* and kings to your dawning brightness.

One or more readings appointed for the day are read. The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence. 

Hebrews 11:13-22 All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, of whom he had been told, "It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you." He considered the fact that God is able even to raise someone from the dead — and figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked blessings for the future on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, "bowing in worship over the top of his staff." By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his burial.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1: 68-79)

This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,* the one who will bring healing to the nations.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,* the one who will bring healing to the nations.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

From the rising of the sun to its setting, let us pray to the Lord.

That the people of God in all the world may worship in spirit and in truth, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That the Church may discover again that unity which is your gift, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 

That the nations of the earth may seek after the ways that make for peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 

That the whole creation, groaning in travail, may be set free to enjoy the glorious liberty of the children of God, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That all who with Christ have entered the shadow of death may find the fulfillment of life and peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

With all the saints in light, let us offer eternal praise to the Lord made manifest:

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

The collect of the day or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all peoples on earth, in the words our Savior has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

May Christ, the Son of God, gladden our hearts with the good news of his Kingdom. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

From the rising of the sun to its setting Your glory is proclaimed in all the world.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God of all, to you be glory and praise for ever! From the rising of the sun to its setting your glory is proclaimed in all the world. You gave the Christ as a light to the nations, and through the anointing of his Spirit you established us as a royal priesthood. As you call us into his marvelous 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. Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: A Song of God’s Splendor (From Psalm 96)

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing to the Lord and bless his name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations and his wonders among all peoples. O the majesty and magnificence of his presence! O the power and the splendor of his sanctuary! Ascribe to the Lord the honor due to his name; bring offerings and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him. Tell it out among the nations: ‘The Lord is king!’* he will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with his truth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

As you call us into your marvelous light, O God, may our lives bear witness to your truth and our lips never cease to proclaim your praise, now and for ever. Amen.

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm: 68:1-20(21-23)24-36 1 Let God rise up, let his enemies be scattered; let those who hate him flee before him. 2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, let the wicked perish before God. 3 But let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy. 4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds — his name is the LORD — be exultant before him. 5 Father of orphans and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. 6 God gives the desolate a home to live in; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious live in a parched land. 7 O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, 8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9 Rain in abundance, O God, you showered abroad; you restored your heritage when it languished; 10 your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy. 11 The Lord gives the command; great is the company of those who bore the tidings: 12 "The kings of the armies, they flee, they flee!" The women at home divide the spoil, 13 though they stay among the sheepfolds — the wings of a dove covered with silver, its pinions with green gold. 14 When the Almighty scattered kings there, snow fell on Zalmon. 15 O mighty mountain, mountain of Bashan; O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan! 16 Why do you look with envy, O many-peaked mountain, at the mount that God desired for his abode, where the LORD will reside forever? 17 With mighty chariotry, twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands, the Lord came from Sinai into the holy place. 18 You ascended the high mount, leading captives in your train and receiving gifts from people, even from those who rebel against the LORD God's abiding there. 19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. 20 Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belongs escape from death. ( 21 But God will shatter the heads of his enemies, the hairy crown of those who walk in their guilty ways. 22 The Lord said, "I will bring them back from Bashan, I will bring them back from the depths of the sea, 23 so that you may bathe your feet in blood, so that the tongues of your dogs may have their share from the foe." ) 24 Your solemn processions are seen, O God, the processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary — 25 the singers in front, the musicians last, between them girls playing tambourines: 26 "Bless God in the great congregation, the LORD, O you who are of Israel's fountain!" 27 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead, the princes of Judah in a body, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali. 28 Summon your might, O God; show your strength, O God, as you have done for us before. 29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings bear gifts to you. 30 Rebuke the wild animals that live among the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample under foot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war. 31 Let bronze be brought from Egypt; let Ethiopia hasten to stretch out its hands to God. 32 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord, 33 O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens; listen, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice. 34 Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel; and whose power is in the skies. 35 Awesome is God in his sanctuary, the God of Israel; he gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!

Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Canticle 2: A Song of Christ’s Appearing (from 1 Tim 3 & 6)

Christ was believed in throughout the world* and taken up in glory.

Christ Jesus was revealed in the flesh and vindicated in the spirit. He was seen by angels and proclaimed among the nations. Believed in throughout the world, he was taken up in glory. This will be made manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only Sovereign, Who alone has immortality,* and dwells in unapproachable light.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Christ was believed in throughout the world* and taken up in glory.

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

John 6:41-51 Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." They were saying, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?" Jesus answered them, "Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,* my chosen, in whom my soul delights; the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,* my chosen, in whom my soul delights; the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

A Litany for the Evening

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful: We pray to you, O Lord.

That your holy angels may lead us in the paths of peace and goodwill: We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses: We pray to you, O Lord.

That there may be peace in your Church and for the whole world: We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit, in communion with (N. and with) all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ: We pray to you, O Lord.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The collect of the day or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all peoples on earth, in the words our Savior has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

May Christ, the Son of God, gladden our hearts with the good news of his Kingdom. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

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 world,

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

God in Christ has revealed his glory: O come, let us worship.

Opening Canticle: A Song of God’s Blessing (From Psalm 67)

May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance and come to us. Let your ways be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. The earth has brought forth her increase; may God, our own God, give us his blessing. May God give us his blessing,* and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The night has passed and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind:

(Silence may be kept)

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever. Amen.

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm: 42 1 As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, "Where is your God?" 4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God, with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help 6 and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. 7 Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your cataracts; all your waves and your billows have gone over me. 8 By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. 9 I say to God, my rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk about mournfully because the enemy oppresses me?" 10 As with a deadly wound in my body, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me continually, "Where is your God?" 11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.

Psalm: 43 1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people; from those who are deceitful and unjust deliver me! 2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.

Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

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

1Samuel 2:1-10 Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory. "There is no Holy One like the LORD, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and on them he has set the world. "He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might does one prevail. The LORD! His adversaries shall be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed."

Canticle 2: A Song of the New Jerusalem (From Isaiah 60)

Nations will come to your light,* and kings to your dawning brightness.

Arise, shine out, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising upon you. Though night still covers the earth, and darkness the peoples; Above you the Holy One arises, and above you God’s glory appears. The nations will come to your light, and kings to your dawning brightness. Your gates will lie open continually; shut neither by day nor by night. The sound of violence shall be heard no longer in your land, or ruin and devastation within your borders. You will call your walls, Salvation, and your gates, Praise. No more will the sun give you daylight, nor moonlight shine upon you; But the Lord will be your everlasting light, your God will be your splendor. For you shall be called the city of God, the dwelling of the Holy One of Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Nations will come to your light,* and kings to your dawning brightness.

One or more readings appointed for the day are read. The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence. 

John 8:31-36 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?" Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1: 68-79)

This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,* the one who will bring healing to the nations.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,* the one who will bring healing to the nations.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

From the rising of the sun to its setting, let us pray to the Lord.

That the people of God in all the world may worship in spirit and in truth, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That the Church may discover again that unity which is your gift, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 

That the nations of the earth may seek after the ways that make for peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 

That the whole creation, groaning in travail, may be set free to enjoy the glorious liberty of the children of God, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That all who with Christ have entered the shadow of death may find the fulfillment of life and peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

With all the saints in light, let us offer eternal praise to the Lord made manifest:

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

The collect of the day or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all peoples on earth, in the words our Savior has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

May Christ, the Son of God, gladden our hearts with the good news of his Kingdom. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

From the rising of the sun to its setting Your glory is proclaimed in all the world.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God of all, to you be glory and praise for ever! From the rising of the sun to its setting your glory is proclaimed in all the world. You gave the Christ as a light to the nations, and through the anointing of his Spirit you established us as a royal priesthood. As you call us into his marvelous 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. Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: A Song of God’s Splendor (From Psalm 96)

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing to the Lord and bless his name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations and his wonders among all peoples. O the majesty and magnificence of his presence! O the power and the splendor of his sanctuary! Ascribe to the Lord the honor due to his name; bring offerings and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him. Tell it out among the nations: ‘The Lord is king!’* he will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with his truth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

As you call us into your marvelous light, O God, may our lives bear witness to your truth and our lips never cease to proclaim your praise, now and for ever. Amen.

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm: 48 1 Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain, 2 beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. 3 Within its citadels God has shown himself a sure defense. 4 Then the kings assembled, they came on together. 5 As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic, they took to flight; 6 trembling took hold of them there, pains as of a woman in labor, 7 as when an east wind shatters the ships of Tarshish. 8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God, which God establishes forever. 9 We ponder your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple. 10 Your name, O God, like your praise, reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with victory. 11 Let Mount Zion be glad, let the towns of Judah rejoice because of your judgments. 12 Walk about Zion, go all around it, count its towers, 13 consider well its ramparts; go through its citadels, that you may tell the next generation 14 that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will be our guide forever.

Psalm: 87 1 On the holy mount stands the city he founded; 2 the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. 4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; Philistia too, and Tyre, with Ethiopia — "This one was born there," they say. 5 And of Zion it shall be said, "This one and that one were born in it"; for the Most High himself will establish it. 6 The LORD records, as he registers the peoples, "This one was born there." 7 Singers and dancers alike say, "All my springs are in you."

Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Canticle 2: A Song of Christ’s Appearing (from 1 Tim 3 & 6)

Christ was believed in throughout the world* and taken up in glory.

Christ Jesus was revealed in the flesh and vindicated in the spirit. He was seen by angels and proclaimed among the nations. Believed in throughout the world, he was taken up in glory. This will be made manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only Sovereign, Who alone has immortality,* and dwells in unapproachable light.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Christ was believed in throughout the world* and taken up in glory.

One or more readings appointed for the day are read. The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence. 

Haggai 2:1-9 in the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the prophet Haggai, saying: Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, and say, Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Is it not in your sight as nothing? Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the LORD; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear. For thus says the LORD of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts. The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts.

1 John 3:1-8 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. Everyone who commits sin is a child of the devil; for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,* my chosen, in whom my soul delights; the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,* my chosen, in whom my soul delights; the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

A Litany for the Evening

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful: We pray to you, O Lord.

That your holy angels may lead us in the paths of peace and goodwill: We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses: We pray to you, O Lord.

That there may be peace in your Church and for the whole world: We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit, in communion with (N. and with) all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ: We pray to you, O Lord.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The collect of the day or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all peoples on earth, in the words our Savior has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

May Christ, the Son of God, gladden our hearts with the good news of his Kingdom. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

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 world,

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

God in Christ has revealed his glory: O come, let us worship.

Opening Canticle: A Song of God’s Blessing (From Psalm 67)

May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance and come to us. Let your ways be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. The earth has brought forth her increase; may God, our own God, give us his blessing. May God give us his blessing,* and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The night has passed and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind:

(Silence may be kept)

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever. Amen.

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm: 24 1 The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; 2 for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers. 3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. 5 They will receive blessing from the LORD, and vindication from the God of their salvation. 6 Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. 7 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.

Psalm: 29 1 Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy splendor. 3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. 5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire. 8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, "Glory!" 10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever. 11 May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!

Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

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

Genesis 18:16-33 Then the men set out from there, and they looked toward Sodom; and Abraham went with them to set them on their way. The LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? No, for I have chosen him, that he may charge his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice; so that the LORD may bring about for Abraham what he has promised him." Then the LORD said, "How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin! I must go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know." So the men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, while Abraham remained standing before the LORD. Then Abraham came near and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will you then sweep away the place and not forgive it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" And the LORD said, "If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will forgive the whole place for their sake." Abraham answered, "Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?" And he said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there." Again he spoke to him, "Suppose forty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of forty I will not do it." Then he said, "Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak. Suppose thirty are found there." He answered, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." He said, "Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it." Then he said, "Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak just once more. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it." And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.

Canticle 2: A Song of the New Jerusalem (From Isaiah 60)

Nations will come to your light,* and kings to your dawning brightness.

Arise, shine out, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising upon you. Though night still covers the earth, and darkness the peoples; Above you the Holy One arises, and above you God’s glory appears. The nations will come to your light, and kings to your dawning brightness. Your gates will lie open continually; shut neither by day nor by night. The sound of violence shall be heard no longer in your land, or ruin and devastation within your borders. You will call your walls, Salvation, and your gates, Praise. No more will the sun give you daylight, nor moonlight shine upon you; But the Lord will be your everlasting light, your God will be your splendor. For you shall be called the city of God, the dwelling of the Holy One of Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Nations will come to your light,* and kings to your dawning brightness.

One or more readings appointed for the day are read. The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence. 

Mark 8:22-30 They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, "Can you see anything?" And the man looked up and said, "I can see people, but they look like trees, walking." Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Then he sent him away to his home, saying, "Do not even go into the village." Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1: 68-79)

This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,* the one who will bring healing to the nations.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,* the one who will bring healing to the nations.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

From the rising of the sun to its setting, let us pray to the Lord.

That the people of God in all the world may worship in spirit and in truth, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That the Church may discover again that unity which is your gift, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 

That the nations of the earth may seek after the ways that make for peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 

That the whole creation, groaning in travail, may be set free to enjoy the glorious liberty of the children of God, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That all who with Christ have entered the shadow of death may find the fulfillment of life and peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

With all the saints in light, let us offer eternal praise to the Lord made manifest:

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

The collect of the day or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all peoples on earth, in the words our Savior has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

May Christ, the Son of God, gladden our hearts with the good news of his Kingdom. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

From the rising of the sun to its setting Your glory is proclaimed in all the world.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God of all, to you be glory and praise for ever! From the rising of the sun to its setting your glory is proclaimed in all the world. You gave the Christ as a light to the nations, and through the anointing of his Spirit you established us as a royal priesthood. As you call us into his marvelous 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. Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: A Song of God’s Splendor (From Psalm 96)

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing to the Lord and bless his name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations and his wonders among all peoples. O the majesty and magnificence of his presence! O the power and the splendor of his sanctuary! Ascribe to the Lord the honor due to his name; bring offerings and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him. Tell it out among the nations: ‘The Lord is king!’* he will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with his truth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

As you call us into your marvelous light, O God, may our lives bear witness to your truth and our lips never cease to proclaim your praise, now and for ever. Amen.

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm: 8 1 O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; 4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? 5 Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet, 7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Psalm: 84 1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. 3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. 4 Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise. 5 Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6 As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion. 8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! 9 Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed. 10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.

Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

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

Canticle 2: A Song of Christ’s Appearing (from 1 Tim 3 & 6)

Christ was believed in throughout the world* and taken up in glory.

Christ Jesus was revealed in the flesh and vindicated in the spirit. He was seen by angels and proclaimed among the nations. Believed in throughout the world, he was taken up in glory. This will be made manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only Sovereign, Who alone has immortality,* and dwells in unapproachable light.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Christ was believed in throughout the world* and taken up in glory.

One or more readings appointed for the day are read. The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence. 

Galatians 5:13-25 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,* my chosen, in whom my soul delights; the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,* my chosen, in whom my soul delights; the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

A Litany for the Evening

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful: We pray to you, O Lord.

That your holy angels may lead us in the paths of peace and goodwill: We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses: We pray to you, O Lord.

That there may be peace in your Church and for the whole world: We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit, in communion with (N. and with) all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ: We pray to you, O Lord.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The collect of the day or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all peoples on earth, in the words our Savior has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

May Christ, the Son of God, gladden our hearts with the good news of his Kingdom. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

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 world,

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

God in Christ has revealed his glory: O come, let us worship.

Opening Canticle: A Song of God’s Blessing (From Psalm 67)

May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance and come to us. Let your ways be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. The earth has brought forth her increase; may God, our own God, give us his blessing. May God give us his blessing,* and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The night has passed and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind:

(Silence may be kept)

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever. Amen.

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm: 55 1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; do not hide yourself from my supplication. 2 Attend to me, and answer me; I am troubled in my complaint. I am distraught 3 by the noise of the enemy, because of the clamor of the wicked. For they bring trouble upon me, and in anger they cherish enmity against me. 4 My heart is in anguish within me, the terrors of death have fallen upon me. 5 Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me. 6 And I say, "O that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; 7 truly, I would flee far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; 8 I would hurry to find a shelter for myself from the raging wind and tempest." 9 Confuse, O Lord, confound their speech; for I see violence and strife in the city. 10 Day and night they go around it on its walls, and iniquity and trouble are within it; 11 ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its marketplace. 12 It is not enemies who taunt me — I could bear that; it is not adversaries who deal insolently with me — I could hide from them. 13 But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend, 14 with whom I kept pleasant company; we walked in the house of God with the throng. 15 Let death come upon them; let them go down alive to Sheol; for evil is in their homes and in their hearts. 16 But I call upon God, and the LORD will save me. 17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he will hear my voice. 18 He will redeem me unharmed from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. 19 God, who is enthroned from of old, will hear, and will humble them — because they do not change, and do not fear God. 20 My companion laid hands on a friend and violated a covenant with me 21 with speech smoother than butter, but with a heart set on war; with words that were softer than oil, but in fact were drawn swords. 22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. 23 But you, O God, will cast them down into the lowest pit; the bloodthirsty and treacherous shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you.

Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

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

Genesis 18:1-16 The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, "My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on — since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes." Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. They said to him, "Where is your wife Sarah?" And he said, "There, in the tent." Then one said, "I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?" The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too wonderful for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son." But Sarah denied, saying, "I did not laugh"; for she was afraid. He said, "Oh yes, you did laugh." Then the men set out from there, and they looked toward Sodom; and Abraham went with them to set them on their way.

Canticle 2: A Song of the New Jerusalem (From Isaiah 60)

Nations will come to your light,* and kings to your dawning brightness.

Arise, shine out, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising upon you. Though night still covers the earth, and darkness the peoples; Above you the Holy One arises, and above you God’s glory appears. The nations will come to your light, and kings to your dawning brightness. Your gates will lie open continually; shut neither by day nor by night. The sound of violence shall be heard no longer in your land, or ruin and devastation within your borders. You will call your walls, Salvation, and your gates, Praise. No more will the sun give you daylight, nor moonlight shine upon you; But the Lord will be your everlasting light, your God will be your splendor. For you shall be called the city of God, the dwelling of the Holy One of Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Nations will come to your light,* and kings to your dawning brightness.

One or more readings appointed for the day are read. The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence. 

Hebrews 10:26-39 For if we willfully persist in sin after having received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy "on the testimony of two or three witnesses." How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by those who have spurned the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know the one who said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion for those who were in prison, and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more lasting. Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet "in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay; but my righteous one will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back." But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1: 68-79)

This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,* the one who will bring healing to the nations.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,* the one who will bring healing to the nations.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

From the rising of the sun to its setting, let us pray to the Lord.

That the people of God in all the world may worship in spirit and in truth, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That the Church may discover again that unity which is your gift, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 

That the nations of the earth may seek after the ways that make for peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 

That the whole creation, groaning in travail, may be set free to enjoy the glorious liberty of the children of God, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That all who with Christ have entered the shadow of death may find the fulfillment of life and peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

With all the saints in light, let us offer eternal praise to the Lord made manifest:

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

The collect of the day or the following may be used: 

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all peoples on earth, in the words our Savior has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

May Christ, the Son of God, gladden our hearts with the good news of his Kingdom. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

From the rising of the sun to its setting Your glory is proclaimed in all the world.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God of all, to you be glory and praise for ever! From the rising of the sun to its setting your glory is proclaimed in all the world. You gave the Christ as a light to the nations, and through the anointing of his Spirit you established us as a royal priesthood. As you call us into his marvelous 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. Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: A Song of God’s Splendor (From Psalm 96)

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing to the Lord and bless his name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations and his wonders among all peoples. O the majesty and magnificence of his presence! O the power and the splendor of his sanctuary! Ascribe to the Lord the honor due to his name; bring offerings and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him. Tell it out among the nations: ‘The Lord is king!’* he will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with his truth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

As you call us into your marvelous light, O God, may our lives bear witness to your truth and our lips never cease to proclaim your praise, now and for ever. Amen.

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm: 138 1 I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; 2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything. 3 On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul. 4 All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth. 5 They shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD. 6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me. 8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Psalm: 139:1-17 1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. 3 You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely. 5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it. 7 Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night," 12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you. 13 For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed. 17 How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Canticle 2: A Song of Christ’s Appearing (from 1 Tim 3 & 6)

Christ was believed in throughout the world* and taken up in glory.

Christ Jesus was revealed in the flesh and vindicated in the spirit. He was seen by angels and proclaimed among the nations. Believed in throughout the world, he was taken up in glory. This will be made manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only Sovereign, Who alone has immortality,* and dwells in unapproachable light.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Christ was believed in throughout the world* and taken up in glory.

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

John 6:16-27 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going. The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal."

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,* my chosen, in whom my soul delights; the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,* my chosen, in whom my soul delights; the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

A Litany for the Evening

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful: We pray to you, O Lord.

That your holy angels may lead us in the paths of peace and goodwill: We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses: We pray to you, O Lord.

That there may be peace in your Church and for the whole world: We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit, in communion with (N. and with) all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ: We pray to you, O Lord.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The collect of the day or the following may be used: 

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all peoples on earth, in the words our Savior has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

May Christ, the Son of God, gladden our hearts with the good news of his Kingdom. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

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 world,

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

God in Christ has revealed his glory: O come, let us worship.

Opening Canticle: A Song of God’s Blessing (From Psalm 67)

May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance and come to us. Let your ways be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. The earth has brought forth her increase; may God, our own God, give us his blessing. May God give us his blessing,* and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The night has passed and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind:

(Silence may be kept)

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever. Amen.

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm: 40 1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. 4 Happy are those who make the LORD their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods. 5 You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted. 6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. 7 Then I said, "Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. 8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." 9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD. 10 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. 11 Do not, O LORD, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever. 12 For evils have encompassed me without number; my iniquities have overtaken me, until I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me. 13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; O LORD, make haste to help me. 14 Let all those be put to shame and confusion who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire my hurt. 15 Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, "Aha, Aha!" 16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is the LORD!" 17 As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.

Psalm: 54 1 Save me, O God, by your name, and vindicate me by your might. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For the insolent have risen against me, the ruthless seek my life; they do not set God before them. 4 But surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. 5 He will repay my enemies for their evil. In your faithfulness, put an end to them. 6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good. 7 For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.

Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

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

Genesis 17:15-27 God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her." Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said to himself, "Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?" And Abraham said to God, "O that Ishmael might live in your sight!" God said, "No, but your wife Sarah shall bear you a son, and you shall name him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. As for Ishmael, I have heard you; I will bless him and make him fruitful and exceedingly numerous; he shall be the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this season next year." And when he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. Then Abraham took his son Ishmael and all the slaves born in his house or bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house, and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very day, as God had said to him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. And his son Ishmael was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. That very day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised; and all the men of his house, slaves born in the house and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

Canticle 2: A Song of the New Jerusalem (From Isaiah 60)

Nations will come to your light,* and kings to your dawning brightness.

Arise, shine out, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising upon you. Though night still covers the earth, and darkness the peoples; Above you the Holy One arises, and above you God’s glory appears. The nations will come to your light, and kings to your dawning brightness. Your gates will lie open continually; shut neither by day nor by night. The sound of violence shall be heard no longer in your land, or ruin and devastation within your borders. You will call your walls, Salvation, and your gates, Praise. No more will the sun give you daylight, nor moonlight shine upon you; But the Lord will be your everlasting light, your God will be your splendor. For you shall be called the city of God, the dwelling of the Holy One of Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Nations will come to your light,* and kings to your dawning brightness.

One or more readings appointed for the day are read. The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence. 

Hebrews 10:11-25 And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, "he sat down at the right hand of God," and since then has been waiting "until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet." For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds," he also adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1: 68-79)

This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,* the one who will bring healing to the nations.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,* the one who will bring healing to the nations.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

From the rising of the sun to its setting, let us pray to the Lord.

That the people of God in all the world may worship in spirit and in truth, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That the Church may discover again that unity which is your gift, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 

That the nations of the earth may seek after the ways that make for peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 

That the whole creation, groaning in travail, may be set free to enjoy the glorious liberty of the children of God, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That all who with Christ have entered the shadow of death may find the fulfillment of life and peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

With all the saints in light, let us offer eternal praise to the Lord made manifest:

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

The collect of the day or the following may be used: 

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all peoples on earth, in the words our Savior has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

May Christ, the Son of God, gladden our hearts with the good news of his Kingdom. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

From the rising of the sun to its setting Your glory is proclaimed in all the world.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God of all, to you be glory and praise for ever! From the rising of the sun to its setting your glory is proclaimed in all the world. You gave the Christ as a light to the nations, and through the anointing of his Spirit you established us as a royal priesthood. As you call us into his marvelous 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. Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: A Song of God’s Splendor (From Psalm 96)

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing to the Lord and bless his name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations and his wonders among all peoples. O the majesty and magnificence of his presence! O the power and the splendor of his sanctuary! Ascribe to the Lord the honor due to his name; bring offerings and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him. Tell it out among the nations: ‘The Lord is king!’* he will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with his truth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

As you call us into your marvelous light, O God, may our lives bear witness to your truth and our lips never cease to proclaim your praise, now and for ever. Amen.

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm: 51 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment. 5 Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me. 6 You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. 17 The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, 19 then you will delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Canticle 2: A Song of Christ’s Appearing (from 1 Tim 3 & 6)

Christ was believed in throughout the world* and taken up in glory.

Christ Jesus was revealed in the flesh and vindicated in the spirit. He was seen by angels and proclaimed among the nations. Believed in throughout the world, he was taken up in glory. This will be made manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only Sovereign, Who alone has immortality,* and dwells in unapproachable light.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Christ was believed in throughout the world* and taken up in glory.

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

John 6:1-15 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?" He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Six months' wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?" Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost." So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world." When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,* my chosen, in whom my soul delights; the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,* my chosen, in whom my soul delights; the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

A Litany for the Evening

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful: We pray to you, O Lord.

That your holy angels may lead us in the paths of peace and goodwill: We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses: We pray to you, O Lord.

That there may be peace in your Church and for the whole world: We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit, in communion with (N. and with) all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ: We pray to you, O Lord.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The collect of the day or the following may be used: 

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all peoples on earth, in the words our Savior has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

May Christ, the Son of God, gladden our hearts with the good news of his Kingdom. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

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 world,

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

God in Christ has revealed his glory: O come, let us worship.

Opening Canticle: A Song of God’s Blessing (From Psalm 67)

May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance and come to us. Let your ways be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. The earth has brought forth her increase; may God, our own God, give us his blessing. May God give us his blessing,* and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The night has passed and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind:

(Silence may be kept)

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever. Amen.

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm: 50 1 The mighty one, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. 3 Our God comes and does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire, and a mighty tempest all around him. 4 He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: 5 "Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!" 6 The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge. 7 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. 8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me. 9 I will not accept a bull from your house, or goats from your folds. 10 For every wild animal of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is mine. 12 "If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and all that is in it is mine. 13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? 14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. 15 Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." 16 But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes, or take my covenant on your lips? 17 For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you. 18 You make friends with a thief when you see one, and you keep company with adulterers. 19 "You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your kin; you slander your own mother's child. 21 These things you have done and I have been silent; you thought that I was one just like yourself. But now I rebuke you, and lay the charge before you. 22 "Mark this, then, you who forget God, or I will tear you apart, and there will be no one to deliver. 23 Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me; to those who go the right way I will show the salvation of God."

Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

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

Genesis 16:15-17:14 Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram named his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael. When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous." Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are now an alien, all the land of Canaan, for a perpetual holding; and I will be their God." God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. Throughout your generations every male among you shall be circumcised when he is eight days old, including the slave born in your house and the one bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring. Both the slave born in your house and the one bought with your money must be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant."

Canticle 2: A Song of the New Jerusalem (From Isaiah 60)

Nations will come to your light,* and kings to your dawning brightness.

Arise, shine out, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising upon you. Though night still covers the earth, and darkness the peoples; Above you the Holy One arises, and above you God’s glory appears. The nations will come to your light, and kings to your dawning brightness. Your gates will lie open continually; shut neither by day nor by night. The sound of violence shall be heard no longer in your land, or ruin and devastation within your borders. You will call your walls, Salvation, and your gates, Praise. No more will the sun give you daylight, nor moonlight shine upon you; But the Lord will be your everlasting light, your God will be your splendor. For you shall be called the city of God, the dwelling of the Holy One of Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Nations will come to your light,* and kings to your dawning brightness.

One or more readings appointed for the day are read. The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence. 

Hebrews 10:1-10 Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who approach. Otherwise, would they not have ceased being offered, since the worshipers, cleansed once for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sin? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, 'See, God, I have come to do your will, O God' (in the scroll of the book it is written of me)." When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), then he added, "See, I have come to do your will." He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1: 68-79)

This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,* the one who will bring healing to the nations.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,* the one who will bring healing to the nations.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

From the rising of the sun to its setting, let us pray to the Lord.

That the people of God in all the world may worship in spirit and in truth, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That the Church may discover again that unity which is your gift, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 

That the nations of the earth may seek after the ways that make for peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 

That the whole creation, groaning in travail, may be set free to enjoy the glorious liberty of the children of God, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That all who with Christ have entered the shadow of death may find the fulfillment of life and peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

With all the saints in light, let us offer eternal praise to the Lord made manifest:

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

The collect of the day or the following may be used: 

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all peoples on earth, in the words our Savior has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

May Christ, the Son of God, gladden our hearts with the good news of his Kingdom. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

From the rising of the sun to its setting Your glory is proclaimed in all the world.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God of all, to you be glory and praise for ever! From the rising of the sun to its setting your glory is proclaimed in all the world. You gave the Christ as a light to the nations, and through the anointing of his Spirit you established us as a royal priesthood. As you call us into his marvelous 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. Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: A Song of God’s Splendor (From Psalm 96)

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing to the Lord and bless his name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations and his wonders among all peoples. O the majesty and magnificence of his presence! O the power and the splendor of his sanctuary! Ascribe to the Lord the honor due to his name; bring offerings and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him. Tell it out among the nations: ‘The Lord is king!’* he will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with his truth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

As you call us into your marvelous light, O God, may our lives bear witness to your truth and our lips never cease to proclaim your praise, now and for ever. Amen.

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm: 118 1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever." 3 Let the house of Aaron say, "His steadfast love endures forever." 4 Let those who fear the LORD say, "His steadfast love endures forever." 5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me in a broad place. 6 With the LORD on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me? 7 The LORD is on my side to help me; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in mortals. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. 10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 12 They surrounded me like bees; they blazed like a fire of thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me. 14 The LORD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. 15 There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the LORD does valiantly; 16 the right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly." 17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD. 18 The LORD has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. 20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it. 21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save us, we beseech you, O LORD! O LORD, we beseech you, give us success! 26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD. 27 The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you. 29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Canticle 2: A Song of Christ’s Appearing (from 1 Tim 3 & 6)

Christ was believed in throughout the world* and taken up in glory.

Christ Jesus was revealed in the flesh and vindicated in the spirit. He was seen by angels and proclaimed among the nations. Believed in throughout the world, he was taken up in glory. This will be made manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only Sovereign, Who alone has immortality,* and dwells in unapproachable light.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Christ was believed in throughout the world* and taken up in glory.

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

John 5:30-47 "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me. "If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John's. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent. "You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings. But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?"

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,* my chosen, in whom my soul delights; the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,* my chosen, in whom my soul delights; the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

A Litany for the Evening

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful: We pray to you, O Lord.

That your holy angels may lead us in the paths of peace and goodwill: We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses: We pray to you, O Lord.

That there may be peace in your Church and for the whole world: We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit, in communion with (N. and with) all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ: We pray to you, O Lord.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The collect of the day or the following may be used: 

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all peoples on earth, in the words our Savior has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

May Christ, the Son of God, gladden our hearts with the good news of his Kingdom. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

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 world,

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

God in Christ has revealed his glory: O come, let us worship.

Opening Canticle: A Song of God’s Blessing (From Psalm 67)

May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance and come to us. Let your ways be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. The earth has brought forth her increase; may God, our own God, give us his blessing. May God give us his blessing,* and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The night has passed and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind:

(Silence may be kept)

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever. Amen.

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm: 119:49-72 49 Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. 50 This is my comfort in my distress, that your promise gives me life. 51 The arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. 52 When I think of your ordinances from of old, I take comfort, O LORD. 53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, those who forsake your law. 54 Your statutes have been my songs wherever I make my home. 55 I remember your name in the night, O LORD, and keep your law. 56 This blessing has fallen to me, for I have kept your precepts. 57 The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words. 58 I implore your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. 59 When I think of your ways, I turn my feet to your decrees; 60 I hurry and do not delay to keep your commandments. 61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law. 62 At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous ordinances. 63 I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts. 64 The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes. 65 You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to your word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. 67 Before I was humbled I went astray, but now I keep your word. 68 You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. 69 The arrogant smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts. 70 Their hearts are fat and gross, but I delight in your law. 71 It is good for me that I was humbled, so that I might learn your statutes. 72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

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

Genesis 16:1-14 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, bore him no children. She had an Egyptian slave-girl whose name was Hagar, and Sarai said to Abram, "You see that the LORD has prevented me from bearing children; go in to my slave-girl; it may be that I shall obtain children by her." And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. So, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her slave-girl, and gave her to her husband Abram as a wife. He went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, "May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my slave-girl to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the LORD judge between you and me!" But Abram said to Sarai, "Your slave-girl is in your power; do to her as you please." Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she ran away from her. The angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. And he said, "Hagar, slave-girl of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?" She said, "I am running away from my mistress Sarai." The angel of the LORD said to her, "Return to your mistress, and submit to her." The angel of the LORD also said to her, "I will so greatly multiply your offspring that they cannot be counted for multitude." And the angel of the LORD said to her, "Now you have conceived and shall bear a son; you shall call him Ishmael, for the LORD has given heed to your affliction. He shall be a wild ass of a man, with his hand against everyone, and everyone's hand against him; and he shall live at odds with all his kin." So she named the LORD who spoke to her, "You are El-roi"; for she said, "Have I really seen God and remained alive after seeing him?" Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; it lies between Kadesh and Bered.

Canticle 2: A Song of the New Jerusalem (From Isaiah 60)

Nations will come to your light,* and kings to your dawning brightness.

Arise, shine out, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising upon you. Though night still covers the earth, and darkness the peoples; Above you the Holy One arises, and above you God’s glory appears. The nations will come to your light, and kings to your dawning brightness. Your gates will lie open continually; shut neither by day nor by night. The sound of violence shall be heard no longer in your land, or ruin and devastation within your borders. You will call your walls, Salvation, and your gates, Praise. No more will the sun give you daylight, nor moonlight shine upon you; But the Lord will be your everlasting light, your God will be your splendor. For you shall be called the city of God, the dwelling of the Holy One of Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Nations will come to your light,* and kings to your dawning brightness.

One or more readings appointed for the day are read. The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence. 

Hebrews 9:15-28 For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant. Where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. Hence not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. For when every commandment had been told to all the people by Moses in accordance with the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people, saying, "This is the blood of the covenant that God has ordained for you." And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Thus it was necessary for the sketches of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves need better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1: 68-79)

This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,* the one who will bring healing to the nations.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,* the one who will bring healing to the nations.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

From the rising of the sun to its setting, let us pray to the Lord.

That the people of God in all the world may worship in spirit and in truth, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That the Church may discover again that unity which is your gift, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 

That the nations of the earth may seek after the ways that make for peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 

That the whole creation, groaning in travail, may be set free to enjoy the glorious liberty of the children of God, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That all who with Christ have entered the shadow of death may find the fulfillment of life and peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

With all the saints in light, let us offer eternal praise to the Lord made manifest:

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

The collect of the day or the following may be used: 

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all peoples on earth, in the words our Savior has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

May Christ, the Son of God, gladden our hearts with the good news of his Kingdom. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

From the rising of the sun to its setting Your glory is proclaimed in all the world.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God of all, to you be glory and praise for ever! From the rising of the sun to its setting your glory is proclaimed in all the world. You gave the Christ as a light to the nations, and through the anointing of his Spirit you established us as a royal priesthood. As you call us into his marvelous 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. Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: A Song of God’s Splendor (From Psalm 96)

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing to the Lord and bless his name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations and his wonders among all peoples. O the majesty and magnificence of his presence! O the power and the splendor of his sanctuary! Ascribe to the Lord the honor due to his name; bring offerings and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him. Tell it out among the nations: ‘The Lord is king!’* he will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with his truth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

As you call us into your marvelous light, O God, may our lives bear witness to your truth and our lips never cease to proclaim your praise, now and for ever. Amen.

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm: 49 1 Hear this, all you peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor together. 3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp. 5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, 6 those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? 7 Truly, no ransom avails for one's life, there is no price one can give to God for it. 8 For the ransom of life is costly, and can never suffice, 9 that one should live on forever and never see the grave. 10 When we look at the wise, they die; fool and dolt perish together and leave their wealth to others. 11 Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they named lands their own. 12 Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; they are like the animals that perish. 13 Such is the fate of the foolhardy, the end of those who are pleased with their lot. 14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; straight to the grave they descend, and their form shall waste away; Sheol shall be their home. 15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. 16 Do not be afraid when some become rich, when the wealth of their houses increases. 17 For when they die they will carry nothing away; their wealth will not go down after them. 18 Though in their lifetime they count themselves happy — for you are praised when you do well for yourself — 19 they will go to the company of their ancestors, who will never again see the light. 20 Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; they are like the animals that perish.

Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Canticle 2: A Song of Christ’s Appearing (from 1 Tim 3 & 6)

Christ was believed in throughout the world* and taken up in glory.

Christ Jesus was revealed in the flesh and vindicated in the spirit. He was seen by angels and proclaimed among the nations. Believed in throughout the world, he was taken up in glory. This will be made manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only Sovereign, Who alone has immortality,* and dwells in unapproachable light.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Christ was believed in throughout the world* and taken up in glory.

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

John 5:19-29 Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life. "Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out — those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,* my chosen, in whom my soul delights; the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,* my chosen, in whom my soul delights; the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

A Litany for the Evening

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful: We pray to you, O Lord.

That your holy angels may lead us in the paths of peace and goodwill: We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses: We pray to you, O Lord.

That there may be peace in your Church and for the whole world: We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit, in communion with (N. and with) all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ: We pray to you, O Lord.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The collect of the day or the following may be used: 

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all peoples on earth, in the words our Savior has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

May Christ, the Son of God, gladden our hearts with the good news of his Kingdom. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

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 world,

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

God in Christ has revealed his glory: O come, let us worship.

Opening Canticle: A Song of God’s Blessing (From Psalm 67)

May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance and come to us. Let your ways be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. The earth has brought forth her increase; may God, our own God, give us his blessing. May God give us his blessing,* and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The night has passed and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind:

(Silence may be kept)

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever. Amen.

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm: 45 1 My heart overflows with a goodly theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. 2 You are the most handsome of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. 3 Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your glory and majesty. 4 In your majesty ride on victoriously for the cause of truth and to defend the right; let your right hand teach you dread deeds. 5 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; the peoples fall under you. 6 Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. Your royal scepter is a scepter of equity; 7 you love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; 8 your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad; 9 daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. 10 Hear, O daughter, consider and incline your ear; forget your people and your father's house, 11 and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him; 12 the people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts, the richest of the people 13 with all kinds of wealth. The princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes; 14 in many-colored robes she is led to the king; behind her the virgins, her companions, follow. 15 With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king. 16 In the place of ancestors you, O king, shall have sons; you will make them princes in all the earth. 17 I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations; therefore the peoples will praise you forever and ever.

Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

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

Genesis 15:1-11,17-21 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." But Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir." But the word of the LORD came to him, "This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir." He brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your descendants be." And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness. Then he said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess." But he said, "O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?" He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites."

Canticle 2: A Song of the New Jerusalem (From Isaiah 60)

Nations will come to your light,* and kings to your dawning brightness.

Arise, shine out, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising upon you. Though night still covers the earth, and darkness the peoples; Above you the Holy One arises, and above you God’s glory appears. The nations will come to your light, and kings to your dawning brightness. Your gates will lie open continually; shut neither by day nor by night. The sound of violence shall be heard no longer in your land, or ruin and devastation within your borders. You will call your walls, Salvation, and your gates, Praise. No more will the sun give you daylight, nor moonlight shine upon you; But the Lord will be your everlasting light, your God will be your splendor. For you shall be called the city of God, the dwelling of the Holy One of Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Nations will come to your light,* and kings to your dawning brightness.

One or more readings appointed for the day are read. The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence. 

Hebrews 9:1-14 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was constructed, the first one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence; this is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a tent called the Holy of Holies. In it stood the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which there were a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot speak now in detail. Such preparations having been made, the priests go continually into the first tent to carry out their ritual duties; but only the high priest goes into the second, and he but once a year, and not without taking the blood that he offers for himself and for the sins committed unintentionally by the people. By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the sanctuary has not yet been disclosed as long as the first tent is still standing. This is a symbol of the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, but deal only with food and drink and various baptisms, regulations for the body imposed until the time comes to set things right. But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1: 68-79)

This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,* the one who will bring healing to the nations.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

This is the Christ, the Chosen of God,* the one who will bring healing to the nations.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

From the rising of the sun to its setting, let us pray to the Lord.

That the people of God in all the world may worship in spirit and in truth, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That the Church may discover again that unity which is your gift, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 

That the nations of the earth may seek after the ways that make for peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 

That the whole creation, groaning in travail, may be set free to enjoy the glorious liberty of the children of God, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That all who with Christ have entered the shadow of death may find the fulfillment of life and peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

With all the saints in light, let us offer eternal praise to the Lord made manifest:

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

The collect of the day or the following may be used: 

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all peoples on earth, in the words our Savior has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

May Christ, the Son of God, gladden our hearts with the good news of his Kingdom. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

From the rising of the sun to its setting Your glory is proclaimed in all the world.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God of all, to you be glory and praise for ever! From the rising of the sun to its setting your glory is proclaimed in all the world. You gave the Christ as a light to the nations, and through the anointing of his Spirit you established us as a royal priesthood. As you call us into his marvelous 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. Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: A Song of God’s Splendor (From Psalm 96)

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing to the Lord and bless his name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations and his wonders among all peoples. O the majesty and magnificence of his presence! O the power and the splendor of his sanctuary! Ascribe to the Lord the honor due to his name; bring offerings and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him. Tell it out among the nations: ‘The Lord is king!’* he will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with his truth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

As you call us into your marvelous light, O God, may our lives bear witness to your truth and our lips never cease to proclaim your praise, now and for ever. Amen.

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm: 47 1 Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with loud songs of joy. 2 For the LORD, the Most High, is awesome, a great king over all the earth. 3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. 4 He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. 5 God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. 7 For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm. 8 God is king over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. 9 The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted.

Psalm: 48 1 Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain, 2 beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. 3 Within its citadels God has shown himself a sure defense. 4 Then the kings assembled, they came on together. 5 As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic, they took to flight; 6 trembling took hold of them there, pains as of a woman in labor, 7 as when an east wind shatters the ships of Tarshish. 8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God, which God establishes forever. 9 We ponder your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple. 10 Your name, O God, like your praise, reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with victory. 11 Let Mount Zion be glad, let the towns of Judah rejoice because of your judgments. 12 Walk about Zion, go all around it, count its towers, 13 consider well its ramparts; go through its citadels, that you may tell the next generation 14 that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will be our guide forever.

Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Canticle 2: A Song of Christ’s Appearing (from 1 Tim 3 & 6)

Christ was believed in throughout the world* and taken up in glory.

Christ Jesus was revealed in the flesh and vindicated in the spirit. He was seen by angels and proclaimed among the nations. Believed in throughout the world, he was taken up in glory. This will be made manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only Sovereign, Who alone has immortality,* and dwells in unapproachable light.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Christ was believed in throughout the world* and taken up in glory.

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

John 5:1-18 After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids — blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me." Jesus said to him, "Stand up, take your mat and walk." At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk. Now that day was a sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been cured, "It is the sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your mat." But he answered them, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Take up your mat and walk.'" They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take it up and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had disappeared in the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "See, you have been made well! Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. Therefore the Jews started persecuting Jesus, because he was doing such things on the sabbath. But Jesus answered them, "My Father is still working, and I also am working." For this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because he was not only breaking the sabbath, but was also calling God his own Father, thereby making himself equal to God.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,* my chosen, in whom my soul delights; the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,* my chosen, in whom my soul delights; the anointed one on whom my Spirit rests.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

A Litany for the Evening

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful: We pray to you, O Lord.

That your holy angels may lead us in the paths of peace and goodwill: We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses: We pray to you, O Lord.

That there may be peace in your Church and for the whole world: We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit, in communion with (N. and with) all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ: We pray to you, O Lord.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The collect of the day or the following may be used: 

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all peoples on earth, in the words our Savior has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

May Christ, the Son of God, gladden our hearts with the good news of his Kingdom. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

This week, like many, I've been grieving the recent killings in Minneapolis, MN. In this episode of Thoughts & Prayers, I hope to offer some comfort to others who are also grieving. To that end, I've compiled a meditation on the Conversion of St. Paul, a Daily Office reading from Hebrews 10:32-39, and a liturgy from Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals. Common Prayer was founded to provide hope in dark times, and moving forward, we will explore more ways to focus on that mission.

I pray that these thoughts and prayers may offer solace and create space for conversation for those who need it.

Fr. Michael+

-

Liturgy: Death of Someone Killed in the Neighborhood

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world. Amen. Have mercy on us. Grant us peace. For the unbearable toil of our sinful world, we plead for remission.

For the terror of absence from our beloved, we plead for your comfort.

For the scandalous presence of death in your creation, we plead for the resurrection. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us. Grant us peace.

Come, Holy Spirit, and heal all that is broken in our lives, in our streets, and in our world. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

-

Additional Links:

Get the Book: Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals

Some Pastoral Thoughts from Fr Kenneth Tanner (PS: You Should Follow Him on IG or Substack)