The Preparation:

Lord, open our lips.

And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

-

Blessed are you, Sovereign God, creator of all;
To you be glory and praise for ever!
[You founded the earth in the beginning
and the heavens are the work of your hands.]
As we rejoice in the gift of your presence among us,
let the light of your love always shine in our hearts
and your praises ever be on our lips,
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.

-

The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us:

O come, let us worship.

-

Opening Canticle: O Lord, Our Lord (Psalm 8)

O LORD our Governor, *

how exalted is your Name in all the world!

Out of the mouths of infants and children *

your majesty is praised above the heavens.

You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *

to quell the enemy and the avenger.

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

the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,

What is man that you should be mindful of him? *

the son of man that you should seek him out?

You have made him but little lower than the angels; *

you adorn him with glory and honor;

You give him mastery over the works of your hands; *

you put all things under his feet:

All sheep and oxen, *

even the wild beasts of the field,

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

and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.

O LORD our Governor, *

how exalted is your Name in all the world!

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 Opening Prayer

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.

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The Psalmody

Psalm 97

The Lord is King;

let the earth rejoice; *

let the multitude of the isles be glad.

Clouds and darkness are round about him, *

righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne.

A fire goes before him *

and burns up his enemies on every side.

His lightnings light up the world; *

the earth sees it and is afraid.

The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, *

at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

The heavens declare his righteousness, *

and all the peoples see his glory.

Confounded be all who worship carved images

and delight in false gods! *

Bow down before him, all you gods.

Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice, *

because of your judgments, O Lord.

For you are the Lord,

most high over all the earth; *

you are exalted far above all gods.

The Lord loves those who hate evil; *

he preserves the lives of his saints

and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Light has sprung up for the righteous, *

and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted.

Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, *

and give thanks to his holy Name.

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Psalm 98

Sing to the Lord a new song, *

for he has done marvelous things.

With his right hand and his holy arm *

has he won for himself the victory.

The Lord has made known his victory; *

his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, *

and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; *

lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.

Sing to the Lord with the harp, *

with the harp and the voice of song.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn *

shout with joy before the King, the Lord.

Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, *

the lands and those who dwell therein.

Let the rivers clap their hands, *

and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord,

when he comes to judge the earth.

In righteousness shall he judge the world *

and the peoples with equity.

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 First Lesson:

Proverbs 8:22-30

The Lord created me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of long ago. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth-- when he had not yet made earth and fields, or the world's first bits of soil. When he established the heavens, I was there, when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him, like a master worker; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always,

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Canticle 2: A Song of the Messiah (Isaiah 9:2-7)

To us a child is born, to us a son is given;*

who is called Mighty God and Prince of Peace.

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

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, upon them the light

has dawned.

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

they rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest.

For you have shattered the yoke that burdened them;*

the collar that lay heavy on their shoulders.

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

and the government will be upon his shoulder.

And his name will be called: Wonderful Counsellor; the Mighty

God;*

the Everlasting Father; the Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace*

there will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over his kingdom,*

to establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness.

From this time forth and for evermore;*

the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

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.

To us a child is born, to us a son is given;*

who is called Mighty God and Prince of Peace.

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The Second Lesson:

John 13:20-35

Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me." After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, "Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me." The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples-- the one whom Jesus loved-- was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "Do quickly what you are going to do." Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the festival" or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night. When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.' I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

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

To us is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord,*

and all the heavenly hosts now sing, Glory to God in the highest!

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.

To us is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord,*

and all the heavenly hosts now sing, Glory to God in the highest!

-

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.

-

Let us give glory to God on high, who from his fullness have received grace upon grace.

• For the holy Church of God throughout the world, that with one heart we may rejoice in the Word made flesh, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy.

• For good will in the hearts of all; and on earth, peace, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• For the poor, the outcast and the homeless; for the helpless, the lonely and the unloved, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• For all who have gone before us, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

With the blessed Virgin Mary, Saint N. and all the host of heaven, let our voices rise to praise God’s glory:

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

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The Collect:

Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us in your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share our human nature, so we may be partakers in his divine glory; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us, let us pray in faith and trust:

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the grace of Christ our Savior be with us all.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

O God, make speed to save us.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Reveal among us the light of your presence,

That we may behold your power and glory.

-

Blessed are you, Sovereign God, 

creator of light and darkness, 

to you be glory and praise for ever. 

As evening falls, you renew your promise 

to reveal among us the light of your presence. 

May your word be a lantern to our feet 

and a light upon our path 

that we may behold your coming among us. 

Strengthen us in our stumbling weakness 

and free our tongues to sing your praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Blessed be God for ever.

-

Opening Canticle: I Love You, O Lord (from Psalm 18) 

I love you, O Lord my strength,*

O Lord my stronghold, my crag and my haven.

I called upon the Lord in my distress*

and cried out to my God for help.

He heard my voice from his heavenly dwelling;*

my cry of anguish came to his ears.

He parted the heavens and came down*

with a storm cloud under his feet.

He mounted on cherubim and flew;*

he swooped on the wings of the wind.

He wrapped darkness about him;*

he made dark waters and thick clouds his pavilion.

From the brightness of his presence, through the clouds,*

burst hailstones and coals of fire.

The Lord thundered out of heaven;*

the Most High uttered his voice.

You will save a lowly people,*

but you will humble the haughty eyes.

You, O Lord, are my lamp;*

my God, you make my darkness bright.

As for God, his ways are perfect;

the words of the Lord are tried in the fire;*

he is a shield to all who trust in 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 Opening Prayer

As your word, O Lord, gives light to our path, may we behold the glory of your presence and so rejoice to sing your praise, now and for ever.

Amen.

-

The Psalmody

Psalm 145

I will exalt you, O God my King, *

and bless your Name for ever and ever.

Every day will I bless you *

and praise your Name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; *

there is no end to his greatness.

One generation shall praise your works to another *

and shall declare your power.

I will ponder the glorious splendor of your majesty *

and all your marvelous works.

They shall speak of the might of your wondrous acts, *

and I will tell of your greatness.

They shall publish the remembrance of your great goodness; *

they shall sing of your righteous deeds.

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, *

slow to anger and of great kindness.

The Lord is loving to everyone *

and his compassion is over all his works.

All your works praise you, O Lord, *

and your faithful servants bless you.

They make known the glory of your kingdom *

and speak of your power;

That the peoples may know of your power *

and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; *

your dominion endures throughout all ages.

The Lord is faithful in all his words *

and merciful in all his deeds.

The Lord upholds all those who fall; *

he lifts up those who are bowed down.

The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, *

and you give them their food in due season.

You open wide your hand *

and satisfy the needs of every living creature.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways *

and loving in all his works.

The Lord is near to those who call upon him, *

to all who call upon him faithfully.

He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; *

he hears their cry and helps them.

The Lord preserves all those who love him, *

but he destroys all the wicked.

My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; *

let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and 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.

-

Canticle 2: A Song of Redemption (Colossians 1:13-20)

Christ is the image of the invisible God,*

the first-born of all creation.

The Father has delivered us

from the dominion of darkness,*

and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son;

In whom we have redemption,*

the forgiveness of our sins.

He is the image of the invisible God,*

the first-born of all creation.

For in him all things were created,*

in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.

All things were created through him and for him,*

he is before all things

and in him all things hold together.

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

he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead.

For it pleased God that in him

all fullness should dwell,*

and through him all things be reconciled to himself.

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 is the image of the invisible God,*

the first-born of all creation.

-

The Lesson

Isa. 44:1-8

But now hear, O Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen! Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you in the womb and will help you: Do not fear, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring. They shall spring up like a green tamarisk, like willows by flowing streams. This one will say, "I am the Lord's," another will be called by the name of Jacob, yet another will write on the hand, "The Lord's," and adopt the name of Israel. Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let them proclaim it, let them declare and set it forth before me. Who has announced from of old the things to come? Let them tell us what is yet to be. Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses! Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one.

1 John 5:1-12

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. There are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree. If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

-

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

When peaceful silence lay over all, and night was in the midst of her swift course:*

from your royal throne O God, down from the heavens, leapt your almighty Word.

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.

When peaceful silence lay over all, and night was in the midst of her swift course:*

from your royal throne O God, down from the heavens, leapt your almighty Word.

-

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:

Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us, let us pray in faith and trust:

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the grace of Christ our Savior be with us all.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

Lord, open our lips.

And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

-

Blessed are you, Sovereign God, creator of all;
To you be glory and praise for ever!
[You founded the earth in the beginning
and the heavens are the work of your hands.]
As we rejoice in the gift of your presence among us,
let the light of your love always shine in our hearts
and your praises ever be on our lips,
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.

-

The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us:

O come, let us worship.

-

Opening Canticle: O Lord, Our Lord (Psalm 8)

O LORD our Governor, *

how exalted is your Name in all the world!

Out of the mouths of infants and children *

your majesty is praised above the heavens.

You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *

to quell the enemy and the avenger.

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

the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,

What is man that you should be mindful of him? *

the son of man that you should seek him out?

You have made him but little lower than the angels; *

you adorn him with glory and honor;

You give him mastery over the works of your hands; *

you put all things under his feet:

All sheep and oxen, *

even the wild beasts of the field,

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

and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.

O LORD our Governor, *

how exalted is your Name in all the world!

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 Opening Prayer

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 Psalmody

Psalm 28

O Lord, I call to you;

my Rock, do not be deaf to my cry; *

lest, if you do not hear me,

I become like those who go down to the Pit.

Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you, *

when I lift up my hands to your holy of holies.

Do not snatch me away with the wicked or with the evildoers, *

who speak peaceably with their neighbors,

while strife is in their hearts.

Repay them according to their deeds, *

and according to the wickedness of their actions.

According to the work of their hands repay them, *

and give them their just deserts.

They have no understanding of the Lord’s doings,

nor of the works of his hands; *

therefore he will break them down and not build them up.

Blessed is the Lord! *

for he has heard the voice of my prayer.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; *

my heart trusts in him, and I have been helped;

Therefore my heart dances for joy, *

and in my song will I praise him.

The Lord is the strength of his people, *

a safe refuge for his anointed.

Save your people and bless your inheritance; *

shepherd them and carry them for ever.

-

Psalm 30

I will exalt you, O Lord,

because you have lifted me up *

and have not let my enemies triumph over me.

O Lord my God, I cried out to you, *

and you restored me to health.

You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; *

you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.

Sing to the Lord, you servants of his; *

give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.

For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, *

his favor for a lifetime.

Weeping may spend the night, *

but joy comes in the morning.

While I felt secure, I said,

“I shall never be disturbed. *

You, Lord, with your favor, made me as strong as the mountains.”

Then you hid your face, *

and I was filled with fear.

I cried to you, O Lord; *

I pleaded with the Lord, saying,

“What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? *

will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?

Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; *

O Lord, be my helper.”

You have turned my wailing into dancing; *

you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.

Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *

O Lord my God, I will give you thanks 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.

-

The First Lesson:

2 Chron. 24:17-22

Now after the death of Jehoiada the officials of Judah came and did obeisance to the king; then the king listened to them. They abandoned the house of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and served the sacred poles and the idols. And wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this guilt of theirs. Yet he sent prophets among them to bring them back to the Lord; they testified against them, but they would not listen. Then the spirit of God took possession of Zechariah son of the priest Jehoiada; he stood above the people and said to them, "Thus says God: Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has also forsaken you." But they conspired against him, and by command of the king they stoned him to death in the court of the house of the Lord. King Joash did not remember the kindness that Jehoiada, Zechariah's father, had shown him, but killed his son. As he was dying, he said, "May the Lord see and avenge!"

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Canticle 2: A Song of the Messiah (Isaiah 9:2-7)

To us a child is born, to us a son is given;*

who is called Mighty God and Prince of Peace.

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

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, upon them the light

has dawned.

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

they rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest.

For you have shattered the yoke that burdened them;*

the collar that lay heavy on their shoulders.

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

and the government will be upon his shoulder.

And his name will be called: Wonderful Counsellor; the Mighty

God;*

the Everlasting Father; the Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace*

there will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over his kingdom,*

to establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness.

From this time forth and for evermore;*

the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

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.

To us a child is born, to us a son is given;*

who is called Mighty God and Prince of Peace.

-

The Second Lesson:

Acts 6:1-7

Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word." What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

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

To us is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord,*

and all the heavenly hosts now sing, Glory to God in the highest!

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.

To us is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord,*

and all the heavenly hosts now sing, Glory to God in the highest!

-

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.

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Let us give glory to God on high, who from his fullness have received grace upon grace.

• For the holy Church of God throughout the world, that with one heart we may rejoice in the Word made flesh, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy.

• For good will in the hearts of all; and on earth, peace, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• For the poor, the outcast and the homeless; for the helpless, the lonely and the unloved, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• For all who have gone before us, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

With the blessed Virgin Mary, Saint N. and all the host of heaven, let our voices rise to praise God’s glory:

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

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The Collect:

Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us in your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share our human nature, so we may be partakers in his divine glory; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

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Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us, let us pray in faith and trust:

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the grace of Christ our Savior be with us all.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

O God, make speed to save us.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Reveal among us the light of your presence,

That we may behold your power and glory.

-

Blessed are you, Sovereign God, 

creator of light and darkness, 

to you be glory and praise for ever. 

As evening falls, you renew your promise 

to reveal among us the light of your presence. 

May your word be a lantern to our feet 

and a light upon our path 

that we may behold your coming among us. 

Strengthen us in our stumbling weakness 

and free our tongues to sing your praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Blessed be God for ever.

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Opening Canticle: I Love You, O Lord (from Psalm 18) 

I love you, O Lord my strength,*

O Lord my stronghold, my crag and my haven.

I called upon the Lord in my distress*

and cried out to my God for help.

He heard my voice from his heavenly dwelling;*

my cry of anguish came to his ears.

He parted the heavens and came down*

with a storm cloud under his feet.

He mounted on cherubim and flew;*

he swooped on the wings of the wind.

He wrapped darkness about him;*

he made dark waters and thick clouds his pavilion.

From the brightness of his presence, through the clouds,*

burst hailstones and coals of fire.

The Lord thundered out of heaven;*

the Most High uttered his voice.

You will save a lowly people,*

but you will humble the haughty eyes.

You, O Lord, are my lamp;*

my God, you make my darkness bright.

As for God, his ways are perfect;

the words of the Lord are tried in the fire;*

he is a shield to all who trust in 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.

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The Opening Prayer

As your word, O Lord, gives light to our path, may we behold the glory of your presence and so rejoice to sing your praise, now and for ever.

Amen.

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The Psalmody

Psalm 118

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *

his mercy endures for ever.

Let Israel now proclaim, *

“His mercy endures for ever.”

Let the house of Aaron now proclaim, *

“His mercy endures for ever.”

Let those who fear the Lord now proclaim, *

“His mercy endures for ever.”

I called to the Lord in my distress; *

the Lord answered by setting me free.

The Lord is at my side, therefore I will not fear; *

what can anyone do to me?

The Lord is at my side to help me; *

I will triumph over those who hate me.

It is better to rely on the Lord *

than to put any trust in flesh.

It is better to rely on the Lord *

than to put any trust in rulers.

All the ungodly encompass me; *

in the Name of the Lord I will repel them.

They hem me in, they hem me in on every side; *

in the name of the Lord I will repel them.

They swarm about me like bees;

they blaze like a fire of thorns; *

in the name of the Lord I will repel them.

I was pressed so hard that I almost fell, *

but the Lord came to my help.

The Lord is my strength and my song, *

and he has become my salvation.

There is a sound of exultation and victory *

in the tents of the righteous:

“The right hand of the Lord has triumphed! *

the right hand of the Lord is exalted!

the right hand of the Lord has triumphed!”

I shall not die, but live, *

and declare the works of the Lord.

The Lord has punished me sorely, *

but he did not hand me over to death.

Open for me the gates of righteousness; *

I will enter them;

I will offer thanks to the Lord.

“This is the gate of the Lord; *

he who is righteous may enter.”

I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *

and have become my salvation.

The same stone which the builders rejected *

has become the chief cornerstone.

This is the Lord’s doing, *

and it is marvelous in our eyes.

On this day the Lord has acted; *

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Hosanna, Lord, hosanna! *

Lord, send us now success.

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

we bless you from the house of the Lord.

God is the Lord; he has shined upon us; *

form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.

“You are my God, and I will thank you; *

you are my God, and I will exalt you.”

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *

his mercy endures 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.

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Canticle 2: A Song of Redemption (Colossians 1:13-20)

Christ is the image of the invisible God,*

the first-born of all creation.

The Father has delivered us

from the dominion of darkness,*

and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son;

In whom we have redemption,*

the forgiveness of our sins.

He is the image of the invisible God,*

the first-born of all creation.

For in him all things were created,*

in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.

All things were created through him and for him,*

he is before all things

and in him all things hold together.

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

he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead.

For it pleased God that in him

all fullness should dwell,*

and through him all things be reconciled to himself.

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 is the image of the invisible God,*

the first-born of all creation.

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The Lesson

Wisdom 4:7-15

But the righteous, though they die early, will be at rest. For old age is not honored for length of time, or measured by number of years; but understanding is gray hair for anyone, and a blameless life is ripe old age. There were some who pleased God and were loved by him, and while living among sinners were taken up. They were caught up so that evil might not change their understanding or guile deceive their souls. For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good, and roving desire perverts the innocent mind. Being perfected in a short time, they fulfilled long years; for their souls were pleasing to the Lord, therefore he took them quickly from the midst of wickedness. Yet the peoples saw and did not understand, or take such a thing to heart, that God's grace and mercy are with his elect, and that he watches over his holy ones.

Acts 7:59-8:8

While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he died. And Saul approved of their killing him. That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city.

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

When peaceful silence lay over all, and night was in the midst of her swift course:*

from your royal throne O God, down from the heavens, leapt your almighty Word.

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.

When peaceful silence lay over all, and night was in the midst of her swift course:*

from your royal throne O God, down from the heavens, leapt your almighty Word.

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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.

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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.

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The Collect:

Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us, let us pray in faith and trust:

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the grace of Christ our Savior be with us all.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

Lord, open our lips.

And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

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Blessed are you, Sovereign God, creator of all;
To you be glory and praise for ever!
[You founded the earth in the beginning
and the heavens are the work of your hands.]
As we rejoice in the gift of your presence among us,
let the light of your love always shine in our hearts
and your praises ever be on our lips,
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.

-

The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us:

O come, let us worship.

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Opening Canticle: O Lord, Our Lord (Psalm 8)

O LORD our Governor, *

how exalted is your Name in all the world!

Out of the mouths of infants and children *

your majesty is praised above the heavens.

You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *

to quell the enemy and the avenger.

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

the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,

What is man that you should be mindful of him? *

the son of man that you should seek him out?

You have made him but little lower than the angels; *

you adorn him with glory and honor;

You give him mastery over the works of your hands; *

you put all things under his feet:

All sheep and oxen, *

even the wild beasts of the field,

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

and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.

O LORD our Governor, *

how exalted is your Name in all the world!

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.

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The Opening Prayer

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.

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The Psalmody

Psalm 2

Why are the nations in an uproar? *

Why do the peoples mutter empty threats?

Why do the kings of the earth rise up in revolt,

and the princes plot together, *

against the Lord and against his Anointed?

“Let us break their yoke,” they say; *

“let us cast off their bonds from us.”

He whose throne is in heaven is laughing; *

the Lord has them in derision.

Then he speaks to them in his wrath, *

and his rage fills them with terror.

“I myself have set my king *

upon my holy hill of Zion.”

Let me announce the decree of the Lord: *

he said to me, “You are my Son;

this day have I begotten you.

Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance *

and the ends of the earth for your possession.

You shall crush them with an iron rod *

and shatter them like a piece of pottery.”

And now, you kings, be wise; *

be warned, you rulers of the earth.

Submit to the Lord with fear, *

and with trembling bow before him;

Lest he be angry and you perish; *

for his wrath is quickly kindled.

Happy are they all *

who take refuge in him!

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Psalm 85

You have been gracious to your land, O Lord, *

you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.

You have forgiven the iniquity of your people *

and blotted out all their sins.

You have withdrawn all your fury *

and turned yourself from your wrathful indignation.

Restore us then, O God our Savior; *

let your anger depart from us.

Will you be displeased with us for ever? *

will you prolong your anger from age to age?

Will you not give us life again, *

that your people may rejoice in you?

Show us your mercy, O Lord, *

and grant us your salvation.

I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, *

for he is speaking peace to his faithful people

and to those who turn their hearts to him.

Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, *

that his glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth have met together; *

righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Truth shall spring up from the earth, *

and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

The Lord will indeed grant prosperity, *

and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness shall go before him, *

and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.

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.

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The First Lesson:

Micah 4:1-5,5:2-4

In days to come the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised up above the hills. Peoples shall stream to it, and many nations shall come and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. For all the peoples walk, each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever. But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth;

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Canticle 2: A Song of the Messiah (Isaiah 9:2-7)

To us a child is born, to us a son is given;*

who is called Mighty God and Prince of Peace.

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

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, upon them the light

has dawned.

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

they rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest.

For you have shattered the yoke that burdened them;*

the collar that lay heavy on their shoulders.

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

and the government will be upon his shoulder.

And his name will be called: Wonderful Counsellor; the Mighty

God;*

the Everlasting Father; the Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace*

there will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over his kingdom,*

to establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness.

From this time forth and for evermore;*

the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

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.

To us a child is born, to us a son is given;*

who is called Mighty God and Prince of Peace.

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The Second Lesson:

John 3:31-36

The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God's wrath.

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

To us is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord,*

and all the heavenly hosts now sing, Glory to God in the highest!

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.

To us is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord,*

and all the heavenly hosts now sing, Glory to God in the highest!

-

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.

-

Let us give glory to God on high, who from his fullness have received grace upon grace.

• For the holy Church of God throughout the world, that with one heart we may rejoice in the Word made flesh, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy.

• For good will in the hearts of all; and on earth, peace, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• For the poor, the outcast and the homeless; for the helpless, the lonely and the unloved, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• For all who have gone before us, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

With the blessed Virgin Mary, Saint N. and all the host of heaven, let our voices rise to praise God’s glory:

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

-

The Collect:

Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us in your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share our human nature, so we may be partakers in his divine glory; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

-

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us, let us pray in faith and trust:

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the grace of Christ our Savior be with us all.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

O God, make speed to save us.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Reveal among us the light of your presence,

That we may behold your power and glory.

-

Blessed are you, Sovereign God, 

creator of light and darkness, 

to you be glory and praise for ever. 

As evening falls, you renew your promise 

to reveal among us the light of your presence. 

May your word be a lantern to our feet 

and a light upon our path 

that we may behold your coming among us. 

Strengthen us in our stumbling weakness 

and free our tongues to sing your praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Blessed be God for ever.

-

Opening Canticle: I Love You, O Lord (from Psalm 18) 

I love you, O Lord my strength,*

O Lord my stronghold, my crag and my haven.

I called upon the Lord in my distress*

and cried out to my God for help.

He heard my voice from his heavenly dwelling;*

my cry of anguish came to his ears.

He parted the heavens and came down*

with a storm cloud under his feet.

He mounted on cherubim and flew;*

he swooped on the wings of the wind.

He wrapped darkness about him;*

he made dark waters and thick clouds his pavilion.

From the brightness of his presence, through the clouds,*

burst hailstones and coals of fire.

The Lord thundered out of heaven;*

the Most High uttered his voice.

You will save a lowly people,*

but you will humble the haughty eyes.

You, O Lord, are my lamp;*

my God, you make my darkness bright.

As for God, his ways are perfect;

the words of the Lord are tried in the fire;*

he is a shield to all who trust in 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 Opening Prayer

As your word, O Lord, gives light to our path, may we behold the glory of your presence and so rejoice to sing your praise, now and for ever.

Amen.

-

The Psalmody

Psalm 110

The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, *

until I make your enemies your footstool.”

The Lord will send the scepter of your power out of Zion, *

saying, “Rule over your enemies round about you.

Princely state has been yours from the day of your birth; *

in the beauty of holiness have I begotten you,

like dew from the womb of the morning.”

The Lord has sworn and he will not recant: *

“You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”

The Lord who is at your right hand

will smite kings in the day of his wrath; *

he will rule over the nations.

[He will heap high the corpses; *

he will smash heads over the wide earth.

He will drink from the brook beside the road; *

therefore he will lift high his head.]

-

Psalm 132

Lord, remember David, *

and all the hardships he endured;

How he swore an oath to the Lord *

and vowed a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:

“I will not come under the roof of my house, *

nor climb up into my bed;

I will not allow my eyes to sleep, *

nor let my eyelids slumber;

Until I find a place for the Lord, *

a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

“The ark! We heard it was in Ephratah; *

we found it in the fields of Jearim.

Let us go to God’s dwelling place; *

let us fall upon our knees before his footstool.”

Arise, O Lord, into your resting-place, *

you and the ark of your strength.

Let your priests be clothed with righteousness; *

let your faithful people sing with joy.

For your servant David’s sake, *

do not turn away the face of your Anointed.

The Lord has sworn an oath to David; *

in truth, he will not break it:

“A son, the fruit of your body *

will I set upon your throne.

If your children keep my covenant

and my testimonies that I shall teach them, *

their children will sit upon your throne for evermore.”

For the Lord has chosen Zion; *

he has desired her for his habitation:

“This shall be my resting-place for ever; *

here will I dwell, for I delight in her.

I will surely bless her provisions, *

and satisfy her poor with bread.

I will clothe her priests with salvation, *

and her faithful people will rejoice and sing.

There will I make the horn of David flourish; *

I have prepared a lamp for my Anointed.

As for his enemies, I will clothe them with shame; *

but as for him, his crown will shine.”

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 Redemption (Colossians 1:13-20)

Christ is the image of the invisible God,*

the first-born of all creation.

The Father has delivered us

from the dominion of darkness,*

and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son;

In whom we have redemption,*

the forgiveness of our sins.

He is the image of the invisible God,*

the first-born of all creation.

For in him all things were created,*

in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.

All things were created through him and for him,*

he is before all things

and in him all things hold together.

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

he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead.

For it pleased God that in him

all fullness should dwell,*

and through him all things be reconciled to himself.

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 is the image of the invisible God,*

the first-born of all creation.

-

The Lesson

1 John 4:7-16

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.

-

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

When peaceful silence lay over all, and night was in the midst of her swift course:*

from your royal throne O God, down from the heavens, leapt your almighty Word.

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.

When peaceful silence lay over all, and night was in the midst of her swift course:*

from your royal throne O God, down from the heavens, leapt your almighty Word.

-

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:

Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us, let us pray in faith and trust:

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the grace of Christ our Savior be with us all.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

Lord, open our lips.

And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

-

Blessed are you, Sovereign God, creator of all;
To you be glory and praise for ever!
[You founded the earth in the beginning
and the heavens are the work of your hands.]
As we rejoice in the gift of your presence among us,
let the light of your love always shine in our hearts
and your praises ever be on our lips,
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.

-

The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us:

O come, let us worship.

-

Opening Canticle: O Lord, Our Lord (Psalm 8)

O LORD our Governor, *

how exalted is your Name in all the world!

Out of the mouths of infants and children *

your majesty is praised above the heavens.

You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *

to quell the enemy and the avenger.

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

the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,

What is man that you should be mindful of him? *

the son of man that you should seek him out?

You have made him but little lower than the angels; *

you adorn him with glory and honor;

You give him mastery over the works of your hands; *

you put all things under his feet:

All sheep and oxen, *

even the wild beasts of the field,

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

and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.

O LORD our Governor, *

how exalted is your Name in all the world!

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 Opening Prayer

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 Psalmody

Psalm 45

My heart is stirring with a noble song;

let me recite what I have fashioned for the king; *

my tongue shall be the pen of a skilled writer.

You are the fairest of men; *

grace flows from your lips,

because God has blessed you for ever.

Strap your sword upon your thigh, O mighty warrior, *

in your pride and in your majesty.

Ride out and conquer in the cause of truth *

and for the sake of justice.

Your right hand will show you marvelous things; *

your arrows are very sharp, O mighty warrior.

The peoples are falling at your feet, *

and the king’s enemies are losing heart.

Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever, *

a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom;

you love righteousness and hate iniquity.

Therefore God, your God, has anointed you *

with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

All your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia, *

and the music of strings from ivory palaces makes you glad.

Kings’ daughters stand among the ladies of the court; *

on your right hand is the queen,

adorned with the gold of Ophir.

“Hear, O daughter; consider and listen closely; *

forget your people and your father’s house.

The king will have pleasure in your beauty; *

he is your master; therefore do him honor.

The people of Tyre are here with a gift; *

the rich among the people seek your favor.”

All glorious is the princess as she enters; *

her gown is cloth-of-gold.

In embroidered apparel she is brought to the king; *

after her the bridesmaids follow in procession.

With joy and gladness they are brought, *

and enter into the palace of the king.

“In place of fathers, O king, you shall have sons; *

you shall make them princes over all the earth.

I will make your name to be remembered

from one generation to another; *

therefore nations will praise you for ever and ever.”

-

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, *

a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, *

and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea;

Though its waters rage and foam, *

and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.

The Lord of hosts is with us; *

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, *

the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her;

she shall not be overthrown; *

God shall help her at the break of day.

The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken; *

God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.

The Lord of hosts is with us; *

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Come now and look upon the works of the Lord, *

what awesome things he has done on earth.

It is he who makes war to cease in all the world; *

he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,

and burns the shields with fire.

“Be still, then, and know that I am God; *

I will be exalted among the nations;

I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord of hosts is with us; *

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

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 First Lesson:

Baruch 4:36-5:9

Look towards the east, O Jerusalem,
   and see the joy that is coming to you from God.
Look, your children are coming, whom you sent away;
   they are coming, gathered from east and west,
at the word of the Holy One,
   rejoicing in the glory of God.

Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem,
   and put on for ever the beauty of the glory from God.
Put on the robe of the righteousness that comes from God;
   put on your head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting;
for God will show your splendour everywhere under heaven.
For God will give you evermore the name,
   ‘Righteous Peace, Godly Glory’.

Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height;
   look towards the east,
and see your children gathered from west and east
   at the word of the Holy One,
   rejoicing that God has remembered them.
For they went out from you on foot,
   led away by their enemies;
but God will bring them back to you,
   carried in glory, as on a royal throne.
For God has ordered that every high mountain and the everlasting hills be made low
   and the valleys filled up, to make level ground,
   so that Israel may walk safely in the glory of God.
The woods and every fragrant tree
   have shaded Israel at God’s command.
For God will lead Israel with joy,
   in the light of his glory,
   with the mercy and righteousness that come from him.

-

Gal. 3:23-4:7

Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

My point is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than slaves, though they are the owners of all the property; but they remain under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental spirits of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

-

Canticle 2: A Song of the Messiah (Isaiah 9:2-7)

To us a child is born, to us a son is given;*

who is called Mighty God and Prince of Peace.

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

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, upon them the light

has dawned.

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

they rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest.

For you have shattered the yoke that burdened them;*

the collar that lay heavy on their shoulders.

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

and the government will be upon his shoulder.

And his name will be called: Wonderful Counsellor; the Mighty

God;*

the Everlasting Father; the Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace*

there will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over his kingdom,*

to establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness.

From this time forth and for evermore;*

the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

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.

To us a child is born, to us a son is given;*

who is called Mighty God and Prince of Peace.

-

The Second Lesson:

Matt. 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

-

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

To us is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord,*

and all the heavenly hosts now sing, Glory to God in the highest!

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.

To us is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord,*

and all the heavenly hosts now sing, Glory to God in the highest!

-

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.

-

Let us give glory to God on high, who from his fullness have received grace upon grace.

• For the holy Church of God throughout the world, that with one heart we may rejoice in the Word made flesh, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy.

• For good will in the hearts of all; and on earth, peace, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• For the poor, the outcast and the homeless; for the helpless, the lonely and the unloved, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• For all who have gone before us, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

With the blessed Virgin Mary, Saint N. and all the host of heaven, let our voices rise to praise God’s glory:

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

-

The Collect:

Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us in your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share our human nature, so we may be partakers in his divine glory; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

-

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us, let us pray in faith and trust:

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the grace of Christ our Savior be with us all.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

O God, make speed to save us.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Reveal among us the light of your presence,

That we may behold your power and glory.

-

Blessed are you, Sovereign God, 

creator of light and darkness, 

to you be glory and praise for ever. 

As evening falls, you renew your promise 

to reveal among us the light of your presence. 

May your word be a lantern to our feet 

and a light upon our path 

that we may behold your coming among us. 

Strengthen us in our stumbling weakness 

and free our tongues to sing your praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Blessed be God for ever.

-

Opening Canticle: I Love You, O Lord (from Psalm 18) 

I love you, O Lord my strength,*

O Lord my stronghold, my crag and my haven.

I called upon the Lord in my distress*

and cried out to my God for help.

He heard my voice from his heavenly dwelling;*

my cry of anguish came to his ears.

He parted the heavens and came down*

with a storm cloud under his feet.

He mounted on cherubim and flew;*

he swooped on the wings of the wind.

He wrapped darkness about him;*

he made dark waters and thick clouds his pavilion.

From the brightness of his presence, through the clouds,*

burst hailstones and coals of fire.

The Lord thundered out of heaven;*

the Most High uttered his voice.

You will save a lowly people,*

but you will humble the haughty eyes.

You, O Lord, are my lamp;*

my God, you make my darkness bright.

As for God, his ways are perfect;

the words of the Lord are tried in the fire;*

he is a shield to all who trust in 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 Opening Prayer

As your word, O Lord, gives light to our path, may we behold the glory of your presence and so rejoice to sing your praise, now and for ever.

Amen.

-

The Psalmody

Psalm 89: Part I

Your love, O Lord, for ever will I sing; *

from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.

For I am persuaded that your love is established for ever; *

you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens.

“I have made a covenant with my chosen one; *

I have sworn an oath to David my servant:

‘I will establish your line for ever, *

and preserve your throne for all generations.’”

The heavens bear witness to your wonders, O Lord, *

and to your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones;

For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? *

who is like the Lord among the gods?

God is much to be feared in the council of the holy ones, *

great and terrible to all those round about him.

Who is like you, Lord God of hosts? *

O mighty Lord, your faithfulness is all around you.

You rule the raging of the sea *

and still the surging of its waves.

You have crushed Rahab of the deep with a deadly wound; *

you have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.

Yours are the heavens; the earth also is yours; *

you laid the foundations of the world and all that is in it.

You have made the north and the south; *

Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your Name.

You have a mighty arm; *

strong is your hand and high is your right hand.

Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne; *

love and truth go before your face.

Happy are the people who know the festal shout! *

they walk, O Lord, in the light of your presence.

They rejoice daily in your Name; *

they are jubilant in your righteousness.

For you are the glory of their strength, *

and by your favor our might is exalted.

Truly, the Lord is our ruler; *

The Holy One of Israel is our King.

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 Redemption (Colossians 1:13-20)

Christ is the image of the invisible God,*

the first-born of all creation.

The Father has delivered us

from the dominion of darkness,*

and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son;

In whom we have redemption,*

the forgiveness of our sins.

He is the image of the invisible God,*

the first-born of all creation.

For in him all things were created,*

in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.

All things were created through him and for him,*

he is before all things

and in him all things hold together.

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

he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead.

For it pleased God that in him

all fullness should dwell,*

and through him all things be reconciled to himself.

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 is the image of the invisible God,*

the first-born of all creation.

-

The Lesson

Isa. 59:15b-21

Truth is lacking, and whoever turns from evil is despoiled. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, and was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm brought him victory, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in fury as in a mantle. According to their deeds, so will he repay; wrath to his adversaries, requital to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render requital. So those in the west shall fear the name of the Lord, and those in the east, his glory; for he will come like a pent-up stream that the wind of the Lord drives on. And he will come to Zion as Redeemer, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression, says the Lord. And as for me, this is my covenant with them, says the Lord: my spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouths of your children, or out of the mouths of your children's children, says the Lord, from now on and forever.

-

Philippians 2:5-11

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

-

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

When peaceful silence lay over all, and night was in the midst of her swift course:*

from your royal throne O God, down from the heavens, leapt your almighty Word.

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.

When peaceful silence lay over all, and night was in the midst of her swift course:*

from your royal throne O God, down from the heavens, leapt your almighty Word.

-

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:

Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us, let us pray in faith and trust:

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the grace of Christ our Savior be with us all.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

Lord, open our lips.

And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

-

Acclimation of Christ (after Lancelot Andrewes)

Blessed are you, creator of all,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As your dawn renews the face of the earth
bringing light and life to all creation,
may we rejoice in this day you have made;
as we wake refreshed from the depths of sleep,
open our eyes to behold your presence
and strengthen our hands to do your will,
that the world may rejoice and give you praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.

-

Opening Canticle: The Earth is the Lord’s (Psalm 24)

The earth is the LORD'S and all that is in it, *

the world and all who dwell therein.

For it is he who founded it upon the seas *

and made it firm upon the rivers of the deep. 

"Who can ascend the hill of the LORD? *

and who can stand in his holy place?" 

"Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, *

who have not pledged themselves to falsehood,

nor sworn by what is a fraud.

They shall receive a blessing from the LORD *

and a just reward from the God of their salvation."

Such is the generation of those who seek him, *

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

Lift up your heads, O gates;

lift them high, O everlasting doors; *

and the King of glory shall come in.

"Who is this King of glory?" *

"The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle."

Lift up your heads, O gates;

lift them high, O everlasting doors; *

and the King of glory shall come in.

"Who is he, this King of glory?" *

"The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory."

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 Opening Prayer

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 Psalmody

Psalm 66

Be joyful in God, all you lands; *

sing the glory of his Name;

sing the glory of his praise.

Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! *

because of your great strength your enemies cringe before you.

All the earth bows down before you, *

sings to you, sings out your Name.”

Come now and see the works of God, *

how wonderful he is in his doing toward all people.

He turned the sea into dry land,

so that they went through the water on foot, *

and there we rejoiced in him.

In his might he rules for ever;

his eyes keep watch over the nations; *

let no rebel rise up against him.

Bless our God, you peoples; *

make the voice of his praise to be heard;

Who holds our souls in life, *

and will not allow our feet to slip.

For you, O God, have proved us; *

you have tried us just as silver is tried.

You brought us into the snare; *

you laid heavy burdens upon our backs.

You let enemies ride over our heads;

we went through fire and water; *

but you brought us out into a place of refreshment.

I will enter your house with burnt-offerings

and will pay you my vows, *

which I promised with my lips

and spoke with my mouth when I was in trouble.

I will offer you sacrifices of fat beasts

with the smoke of rams; *

I will give you oxen and goats.

Come and listen, all you who fear God, *

and I will tell you what he has done for me.

I called out to him with my mouth, *

and his praise was on my tongue.

If I had found evil in my heart, *

the Lord would not have heard me;

But in truth God has heard me; *

he has attended to the voice of my prayer.

Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer, *

nor withheld his love from me.

-

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 First Lesson:

1 Samuel 2:1b-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 Wilderness (From Isaiah 35)

Lift up your voice with strength,*

O herald of good tidings.

The wilderness and the dry land shall rejoice,*

the desert shall blossom and burst into song.

They shall see the glory of the Lord,*

the majesty of our God.

Strengthen the weary hands,*

and make firm the feeble knees.

Say to the anxious, ‘Be strong, fear not, your God is coming with judgement,*

coming with judgement to save you.’

Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened,*

and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

Then shall the lame leap like a hart,*

and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.

For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,*

and streams in the desert;

The ransomed of the Lord shall return with singing,*

with everlasting joy upon their heads.

Joy and gladness shall be theirs,*

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

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.

Lift up your voice with strength,*

O herald of good tidings.

-

The Second Lesson:

Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

-

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

Look towards the east, O Jerusalem,*

and see the glory that is coming from God.

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.

Look towards the east, O Jerusalem,*

and see the glory that is coming from God.

-

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.

-

Watchful at all times, let us pray for strength to stand with confidence before our Maker and Redeemer. 

• That God may bring in his kingdom with justice and mercy, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy.

• That God may establish among the nations his scepter of righteousness, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That we may seek Christ in the Scriptures and recognize him in the breaking of the bread, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That God may bind up the brokenhearted, restore the sick and raise up all who have fallen, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That the light of God’s coming may dawn on all who live in darkness and the shadow of death, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That, with all the saints in light, we may shine forth as lights for the world, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

We commend ourselves and all for whom we pray to the mercy and protection of our heavenly Father:

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

-

The Collect:

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

-

Advent Week 4

We beseech thee, Almighty God, to purify our consciences by thy daily visitation, that when thy Son Jesus Christ cometh he may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

-

As we look for the coming of the Kingdom, let us pray with confidence as our Savior has taught us

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

O God, make speed to save us.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Reveal among us the light of your presence,

That we may behold your power and glory.

-

Blessed are you, Sovereign God, 

creator of light and darkness, 

to you be glory and praise for ever. 

As evening falls, you renew your promise 

to reveal among us the light of your presence. 

May your word be a lantern to our feet 

and a light upon our path 

that we may behold your coming among us. 

Strengthen us in our stumbling weakness 

and free our tongues to sing your praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Blessed be God for ever.

-

Opening Canticle: A Song of Mercy (from Psalm 85)

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

that your people may rejoice in you?

Show us your mercy, O Lord,*

and grant us your salvation.

Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you,*

that your glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth have met together;*

righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Truth shall spring up from the earth,*

and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

Righteousness shall go before you,*

and peace shall be a pathway for your feet.

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 Opening Prayer

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful, let us pray with one heart and mind.

(Silence may be kept)

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God, so may your mercy come down upon us to cleanse our hearts and set us free to sing your praise now and for ever. 

Amen.

-

The Psalmody

Psalm 116

I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, *

because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.

The cords of death entangled me;

the grip of the grave took hold of me; *

I came to grief and sorrow.

Then I called upon the Name of the Lord: *

“O Lord, I pray you, save my life.”

Gracious is the Lord and righteous; *

our God is full of compassion.

The Lord watches over the innocent; *

I was brought very low, and he helped me.

Turn again to your rest, O my soul. *

for the Lord has treated you well.

For you have rescued my life from death, *

my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.

I will walk in the presence of the Lord *

in the land of the living.

I believed, even when I said,

“I have been brought very low.” *

In my distress I said, “No one can be trusted.”

How shall I repay the Lord *

for all the good things he has done for me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation *

and call upon the Name of the Lord.

I will fulfill my vows to the Lord *

in the presence of all his people.

Precious in the sight of the Lord *

is the death of his servants.

O Lord, I am your servant; *

I am your servant and the child of your handmaid;

you have freed me from my bonds.

I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *

and call upon the Name of the Lord.

I will fulfill my vows to the Lord *

in the presence of all his people,

In the courts of the Lord’s house, *

in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

Hallelujah!

-

Psalm 117

Praise the Lord, all you nations; *

laud him, all you peoples.

For his loving-kindness toward us is great, *

and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever.

Hallelujah!

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 the Spirit (Revelation 22:12-17)

Surely I am coming soon!*

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

“Behold, I am coming soon,” says the Lord, 

“and bringing my reward with me, * 

to give to everyone according to their deeds.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, * 

the beginning and the end.” 

Blessed are those who do God’s commandments, 

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

and may enter the city through the gates. 

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you, * 

with this testimony for all the churches. 

“I am the root and the offspring of David, * 

I am the bright morning star.” 

“Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride; * 

“Come!” let each hearer reply! 

Come forward, you who are thirsty, * 

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

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.

Surely I am coming soon!*

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

-

The Lesson

Titus 2:1-10

But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine. Tell the older men to be temperate, serious, prudent, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in behavior, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us. Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to talk back, not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior.

-

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

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

the one whom we await with longing hearts.

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.

Advent Sunday - Dec 16th Refrain

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

the one whom we await with longing hearts.

-

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:

O Lord our God, make us watchful and keep us faithful as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin but active in his service and joyful in his praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

As we look for the coming of the Kingdom, let us pray with confidence as our Savior has taught us

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

Lord, open our lips.

And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

-

Acclimation of Christ (after Lancelot Andrewes)

Blessed are you, creator of all,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As your dawn renews the face of the earth
bringing light and life to all creation,
may we rejoice in this day you have made;
as we wake refreshed from the depths of sleep,
open our eyes to behold your presence
and strengthen our hands to do your will,
that the world may rejoice and give you praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.

-

Opening Canticle: The Earth is the Lord’s (Psalm 24)

The earth is the LORD'S and all that is in it, *

the world and all who dwell therein.

For it is he who founded it upon the seas *

and made it firm upon the rivers of the deep. 

"Who can ascend the hill of the LORD? *

and who can stand in his holy place?" 

"Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, *

who have not pledged themselves to falsehood,

nor sworn by what is a fraud.

They shall receive a blessing from the LORD *

and a just reward from the God of their salvation."

Such is the generation of those who seek him, *

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

Lift up your heads, O gates;

lift them high, O everlasting doors; *

and the King of glory shall come in.

"Who is this King of glory?" *

"The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle."

Lift up your heads, O gates;

lift them high, O everlasting doors; *

and the King of glory shall come in.

"Who is he, this King of glory?" *

"The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory."

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 Opening Prayer

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 Psalmody

Psalm 61

Hear my cry, O God, *

and listen to my prayer.

I call upon you from the ends of the earth

with heaviness in my heart; *

set me upon the rock that is higher than I.

For you have been my refuge, *

a strong tower against the enemy.

I will dwell in your house for ever; *

I will take refuge under the cover of your wings.

For you, O God, have heard my vows; *

you have granted me the heritage of those who fear your Name.

Add length of days to the king’s life; *

let his years extend over many generations.

Let him sit enthroned before God for ever; *

bid love and faithfulness watch over him.

So will I always sing the praise of your Name, *

and day by day I will fulfill my vows.

-

Psalm 62

For God alone my soul in silence waits; *

from him comes my salvation.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, *

my stronghold, so that I shall not be greatly shaken.

How long will you assail me to crush me,

all of you together, *

as if you were a leaning fence, a toppling wall?

They seek only to bring me down from my place of honor; *

lies are their chief delight.

They bless with their lips, *

but in their hearts they curse.

For God alone my soul in silence waits; *

truly, my hope is in him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, *

my stronghold, so that I shall not be shaken.

In God is my safety and my honor; *

God is my strong rock and my refuge.

Put your trust in him always, O people, *

pour out your hearts before him, for God is our refuge.

Those of high degree are but a fleeting breath, *

even those of low estate cannot be trusted.

On the scales they are lighter than a breath, *

all of them together.

Put no trust in extortion;

in robbery take no empty pride; *

though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.

God has spoken once, twice have I heard it, *

that power belongs to God.

Steadfast love is yours, O Lord, *

for you repay everyone according to his deeds.

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 First Lesson:

Zeph. 3:14-20

Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lord.

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Canticle 2: A Song of the Wilderness (From Isaiah 35)

Lift up your voice with strength,*

O herald of good tidings.

The wilderness and the dry land shall rejoice,*

the desert shall blossom and burst into song.

They shall see the glory of the Lord,*

the majesty of our God.

Strengthen the weary hands,*

and make firm the feeble knees.

Say to the anxious, ‘Be strong, fear not, your God is coming with judgement,*

coming with judgement to save you.’

Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened,*

and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

Then shall the lame leap like a hart,*

and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.

For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,*

and streams in the desert;

The ransomed of the Lord shall return with singing,*

with everlasting joy upon their heads.

Joy and gladness shall be theirs,*

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

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.

Lift up your voice with strength,*

O herald of good tidings.

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The Second Lesson:

Luke 1:1-25

Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.” Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”

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

Look towards the east, O Jerusalem,*

and see the glory that is coming from God.

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.

Look towards the east, O Jerusalem,*

and see the glory that is coming from God.

-

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.

-

Watchful at all times, let us pray for strength to stand with confidence before our Maker and Redeemer. 

• That God may bring in his kingdom with justice and mercy, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy.

• That God may establish among the nations his scepter of righteousness, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That we may seek Christ in the Scriptures and recognize him in the breaking of the bread, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That God may bind up the brokenhearted, restore the sick and raise up all who have fallen, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That the light of God’s coming may dawn on all who live in darkness and the shadow of death, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That, with all the saints in light, we may shine forth as lights for the world, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

We commend ourselves and all for whom we pray to the mercy and protection of our heavenly Father:

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

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The Collect:

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Advent Week 4

We beseech thee, Almighty God, to purify our consciences by thy daily visitation, that when thy Son Jesus Christ cometh he may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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As we look for the coming of the Kingdom, let us pray with confidence as our Savior has taught us

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

O God, make speed to save us.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Reveal among us the light of your presence,

That we may behold your power and glory.

-

Blessed are you, Sovereign God, 

creator of light and darkness, 

to you be glory and praise for ever. 

As evening falls, you renew your promise 

to reveal among us the light of your presence. 

May your word be a lantern to our feet 

and a light upon our path 

that we may behold your coming among us. 

Strengthen us in our stumbling weakness 

and free our tongues to sing your praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Blessed be God for ever.

-

Opening Canticle: A Song of Mercy (from Psalm 85)

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

that your people may rejoice in you?

Show us your mercy, O Lord,*

and grant us your salvation.

Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you,*

that your glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth have met together;*

righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Truth shall spring up from the earth,*

and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

Righteousness shall go before you,*

and peace shall be a pathway for your feet.

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.

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The Opening Prayer

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful, let us pray with one heart and mind.

(Silence may be kept)

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God, so may your mercy come down upon us to cleanse our hearts and set us free to sing your praise now and for ever. 

Amen.

-

The Psalmody

Psalm 112

Hallelujah!

Happy are they who fear the Lord *

and have great delight in his commandments!

Their descendants will be mighty in the land; *

the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Wealth and riches will be in their house, *

and their righteousness will last for ever.

Light shines in the darkness for the upright; *

the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.

It is good for them to be generous in lending *

and to manage their affairs with justice.

For they will never be shaken; *

the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance.

They will not be afraid of any evil rumors; *

their heart is right;

they put their trust in the Lord.

Their heart is established and will not shrink, *

until they see their desire upon their enemies.

They have given freely to the poor, *

and their righteousness stands fast for ever;

they will hold up their head with honor.

The wicked will see it and be angry;

they will gnash their teeth and pine away; *

the desires of the wicked will perish.

-

Psalm 115

Not to us, O Lord, not to us,

but to your Name give glory; *

because of your love and because of your faithfulness.

Why should the heathen say, *

“Where then is their God?”

Our God is in heaven; *

whatever he wills to do he does.

Their idols are silver and gold, *

the work of human hands.

They have mouths, but they cannot speak; *

eyes have they, but they cannot see;

They have ears but they cannot hear; *

noses, but they cannot smell;

They have hands, but they cannot feel;

feet, but they cannot walk; *

they make no sound with their throat.

Those who make them are like them, *

and so are all who put their trust in them.

O Israel, trust in the Lord; *

he is their help and their shield.

O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord; *

he is their help and their shield.

You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; *

he is their help and their shield.

The Lord has been mindful of us, and he will bless us; *

he will bless the house of Israel;

he will bless the house of Aaron;

He will bless those who fear the Lord, *

both small and great together.

May the Lord increase you more and more, *

you and your children after you.

May you be blessed by the Lord, *

the maker of heaven and earth.

The heaven of heavens is the Lord’s, *

but he entrusted the earth to its peoples.

The dead do not praise the Lord, *

nor all those who go down into silence;

But we will bless the Lord, *

from this time forth for evermore.

Hallelujah!

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 the Spirit (Revelation 22:12-17)

Surely I am coming soon!*

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

“Behold, I am coming soon,” says the Lord, 

“and bringing my reward with me, * 

to give to everyone according to their deeds.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, * 

the beginning and the end.” 

Blessed are those who do God’s commandments, 

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

and may enter the city through the gates. 

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you, * 

with this testimony for all the churches. 

“I am the root and the offspring of David, * 

I am the bright morning star.” 

“Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride; * 

“Come!” let each hearer reply! 

Come forward, you who are thirsty, * 

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

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.

Surely I am coming soon!*

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

-

The Lesson

Titus 1:1-16

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that is in accordance with godliness, in the hope of eternal life that God, who never lies, promised before the ages began— in due time he revealed his word through the proclamation with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior, To Titus, my loyal child in the faith we share: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

I left you behind in Crete for this reason, so that you should put in order what remained to be done, and should appoint elders in every town, as I directed you:

someone who is blameless, married only once, whose children are believers, not accused of debauchery and not rebellious. For a bishop, as God’s steward, must be blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or addicted to wine or violent or greedy for gain; but he must be hospitable, a lover of goodness, prudent, upright, devout, and self-controlled. He must have a firm grasp of the word that is trustworthy in accordance with the teaching, so that he may be able both to preach with sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it. There are also many rebellious people, idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision; they must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for sordid gain what it is not right to teach. It was one of them, their very own prophet, who said, “Cretans are always liars, vicious brutes, lazy gluttons.” That testimony is true. For this reason rebuke them sharply, so that they may become sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths or to commandments of those who reject the truth. To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure. Their very minds and consciences are corrupted. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their actions. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

-

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

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

the one whom we await with longing hearts.

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.

Advent Sunday - Dec 16th Refrain

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

the one whom we await with longing hearts.

-

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.

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The Collect:

O Lord our God, make us watchful and keep us faithful as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin but active in his service and joyful in his praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

As we look for the coming of the Kingdom, let us pray with confidence as our Savior has taught us

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

Lord, open our lips.

And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

-

Acclimation of Christ (after Lancelot Andrewes)

Blessed are you, creator of all,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As your dawn renews the face of the earth
bringing light and life to all creation,
may we rejoice in this day you have made;
as we wake refreshed from the depths of sleep,
open our eyes to behold your presence
and strengthen our hands to do your will,
that the world may rejoice and give you praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.

-

Opening Canticle: The Earth is the Lord’s (Psalm 24)

The earth is the LORD'S and all that is in it, *

the world and all who dwell therein.

For it is he who founded it upon the seas *

and made it firm upon the rivers of the deep. 

"Who can ascend the hill of the LORD? *

and who can stand in his holy place?" 

"Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, *

who have not pledged themselves to falsehood,

nor sworn by what is a fraud.

They shall receive a blessing from the LORD *

and a just reward from the God of their salvation."

Such is the generation of those who seek him, *

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

Lift up your heads, O gates;

lift them high, O everlasting doors; *

and the King of glory shall come in.

"Who is this King of glory?" *

"The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle."

Lift up your heads, O gates;

lift them high, O everlasting doors; *

and the King of glory shall come in.

"Who is he, this King of glory?" *

"The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory."

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 Opening Prayer

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.

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The Psalmody

Psalm 24

The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, *

the world and all who dwell therein.

For it is he who founded it upon the seas *

and made it firm upon the rivers of the deep.

“Who can ascend the hill of the Lord? *

and who can stand in his holy place?”

“Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, *

who have not pledged themselves to falsehood,

nor sworn by what is a fraud.

They shall receive a blessing from the Lord *

and a just reward from the God of their salvation.”

Such is the generation of those who seek him, *

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

Lift up your heads, O gates;

lift them high, O everlasting doors; *

and the King of glory shall come in.

“Who is this King of glory?” *

“The Lord, strong and mighty,

the Lord, mighty in battle.”

Lift up your heads, O gates;

lift them high, O everlasting doors; *

and the King of glory shall come in.

“Who is he, this King of glory?” *

“The Lord of hosts,

he is the King of glory.”

-

Psalm 29

Ascribe to the Lord, you gods, *

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his Name; *

worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;

the God of glory thunders; *

the Lord is upon the mighty waters.

The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice; *

the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendor.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; *

the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;

He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, *

and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord splits the flames of fire;

the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; *

the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe *

and strips the forests bare.

And in the temple of the Lord *

all are crying, “Glory!”

The Lord sits enthroned above the flood; *

the Lord sits enthroned as King for evermore.

The Lord shall give strength to his people; *

the Lord shall give his people the blessing 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.

-

The First Lesson:

Gen. 3:8-15

They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" He said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself." He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate." Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent tricked me, and I ate." The Lord God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals and among all wild creatures; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel."

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Canticle 2: A Song of the Wilderness (From Isaiah 35)

Lift up your voice with strength,*

O herald of good tidings.

The wilderness and the dry land shall rejoice,*

the desert shall blossom and burst into song.

They shall see the glory of the Lord,*

the majesty of our God.

Strengthen the weary hands,*

and make firm the feeble knees.

Say to the anxious, ‘Be strong, fear not, your God is coming with judgement,*

coming with judgement to save you.’

Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened,*

and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

Then shall the lame leap like a hart,*

and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.

For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,*

and streams in the desert;

The ransomed of the Lord shall return with singing,*

with everlasting joy upon their heads.

Joy and gladness shall be theirs,*

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

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.

Lift up your voice with strength,*

O herald of good tidings.

-

The Second Lesson:

John 3:16-21

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God."

-

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

Look towards the east, O Jerusalem,*

and see the glory that is coming from God.

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.

Look towards the east, O Jerusalem,*

and see the glory that is coming from God.

-

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.

-

Watchful at all times, let us pray for strength to stand with confidence before our Maker and Redeemer. 

• That God may bring in his kingdom with justice and mercy, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy.

• That God may establish among the nations his scepter of righteousness, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That we may seek Christ in the Scriptures and recognize him in the breaking of the bread, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That God may bind up the brokenhearted, restore the sick and raise up all who have fallen, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That the light of God’s coming may dawn on all who live in darkness and the shadow of death, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That, with all the saints in light, we may shine forth as lights for the world, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

We commend ourselves and all for whom we pray to the mercy and protection of our heavenly Father:

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

-

The Collect:

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

-

Advent Week 4

We beseech thee, Almighty God, to purify our consciences by thy daily visitation, that when thy Son Jesus Christ cometh he may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

-

As we look for the coming of the Kingdom, let us pray with confidence as our Savior has taught us

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

O God, make speed to save us.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Reveal among us the light of your presence,

That we may behold your power and glory.

-

Blessed are you, Sovereign God, 

creator of light and darkness, 

to you be glory and praise for ever. 

As evening falls, you renew your promise 

to reveal among us the light of your presence. 

May your word be a lantern to our feet 

and a light upon our path 

that we may behold your coming among us. 

Strengthen us in our stumbling weakness 

and free our tongues to sing your praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Blessed be God for ever.

-

Opening Canticle: A Song of Mercy (from Psalm 85)

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

that your people may rejoice in you?

Show us your mercy, O Lord,*

and grant us your salvation.

Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you,*

that your glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth have met together;*

righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Truth shall spring up from the earth,*

and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

Righteousness shall go before you,*

and peace shall be a pathway for your feet.

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 Opening Prayer

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful, let us pray with one heart and mind.

(Silence may be kept)

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God, so may your mercy come down upon us to cleanse our hearts and set us free to sing your praise now and for ever. 

Amen.

-

The Psalmody

Psalm 8

O Lord our Governor, *

how exalted is your Name in all the world!

Out of the mouths of infants and children *

your majesty is praised above the heavens.

You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *

to quell the enemy and the avenger.

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

the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,

What is man that you should be mindful of him? *

the son of man that you should seek him out?

You have made him but little lower than the angels; *

you adorn him with glory and honor;

You give him mastery over the works of your hands; *

you put all things under his feet:

All sheep and oxen, *

even the wild beasts of the field,

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

and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.

O Lord our Governor, *

how exalted is you Name in all the world!

-

Psalm 84

How dear to me is your dwelling, O Lord of hosts! *

My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.

The sparrow has found her a house

and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; *

by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts,

my King and my God.

Happy are they who dwell in your house! *

they will always be praising you.

Happy are the people whose strength is in you! *

whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.

Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, *

for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.

They will climb from height to height, *

and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.

Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; *

hearken, O God of Jacob.

Behold our defender, O God; *

and look upon the face of your Anointed.

For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room, *

and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God

than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.

For the Lord God is both sun and shield; *

he will give grace and glory;

No good thing will the Lord withhold *

from those who walk with integrity.

O Lord of hosts, *

happy are they who put their trust in you!

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 the Spirit (Revelation 22:12-17)

Surely I am coming soon!*

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

“Behold, I am coming soon,” says the Lord, 

“and bringing my reward with me, * 

to give to everyone according to their deeds.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, * 

the beginning and the end.” 

Blessed are those who do God’s commandments, 

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

and may enter the city through the gates. 

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you, * 

with this testimony for all the churches. 

“I am the root and the offspring of David, * 

I am the bright morning star.” 

“Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride; * 

“Come!” let each hearer reply! 

Come forward, you who are thirsty, * 

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

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.

Surely I am coming soon!*

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

-

The Lesson

Revelation 12:1-10

A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pangs, in the agony of giving birth. Then another portent appeared in heaven: a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born. And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. But her child was snatched away and taken to God and to his throne; and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, so that there she can be nourished for one thousand two hundred sixty days. And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world-- he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming, "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah, for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

-

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

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

the one whom we await with longing hearts.

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.

Advent Sunday - Dec 16th Refrain

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

the one whom we await with longing hearts.

-

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:

O Lord our God, make us watchful and keep us faithful as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin but active in his service and joyful in his praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

As we look for the coming of the Kingdom, let us pray with confidence as our Savior has taught us

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

Lord, open our lips.

And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

-

Acclimation of Christ (after Lancelot Andrewes)

Blessed are you, creator of all,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As your dawn renews the face of the earth
bringing light and life to all creation,
may we rejoice in this day you have made;
as we wake refreshed from the depths of sleep,
open our eyes to behold your presence
and strengthen our hands to do your will,
that the world may rejoice and give you praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.

-

Opening Canticle: The Earth is the Lord’s (Psalm 24)

The earth is the LORD'S and all that is in it, *

the world and all who dwell therein.

For it is he who founded it upon the seas *

and made it firm upon the rivers of the deep. 

"Who can ascend the hill of the LORD? *

and who can stand in his holy place?" 

"Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, *

who have not pledged themselves to falsehood,

nor sworn by what is a fraud.

They shall receive a blessing from the LORD *

and a just reward from the God of their salvation."

Such is the generation of those who seek him, *

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

Lift up your heads, O gates;

lift them high, O everlasting doors; *

and the King of glory shall come in.

"Who is this King of glory?" *

"The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle."

Lift up your heads, O gates;

lift them high, O everlasting doors; *

and the King of glory shall come in.

"Who is he, this King of glory?" *

"The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory."

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 Opening Prayer

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 Psalmody

Psalm 55

Hear my prayer,O God; *

do not hide yourself from my petition.

Listen to me and answer me; *

I have no peace, because of my cares.

I am shaken by the noise of the enemy *

and by the pressure of the wicked;

For they have cast an evil spell upon me *

and are set against me in fury.

My heart quakes within me, *

and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

Fear and trembling have come over me, *

and horror overwhelms me.

And I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! *

I would fly away and be at rest.

I would flee to a far-off place *

and make my lodging in the wilderness.

I would hasten to escape *

from the stormy wind and tempest.”

Swallow them up, O Lord;

confound their speech; *

for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

Day and night the watchmen make their rounds upon her walls, *

but trouble and misery are in the midst of her.

There is corruption at her heart; *

her streets are never free of oppression and deceit.

For had it been an adversary who taunted me,

then I could have borne it; *

or had it been an enemy who vaunted himself against me,

then I could have hidden from him.

But it was you, a man after my own heart, *

my companion, my own familiar friend.

We took sweet counsel together, *

and walked with the throng in the house of God.

Let death come upon them suddenly;

let them go down alive to the grave; *

for wickedness is in their dwellings, in their very midst.

But I will call upon God, *

and the Lord will deliver me.

In the evening, in the morning, and at noonday,

I will complain and lament, *

and he will hear my voice.

He will bring me safely back from the battle waged against me; *

for there are many who fight me.

God, who is enthroned of old, will hear me and bring them down; *

they never change; they do not fear God.

My companion stretched forth his hand against his comrade; *

he has broken his covenant.

His speech is softer than butter, *

but war is in his heart.

His words are smoother than oil, *

but they are drawn swords.

Cast your burden upon the Lord,

and he will sustain you; *

he will never let the righteous stumble.

For you will bring the bloodthirsty and deceitful *

down to the pit of destruction, O God.

They shall not live out half their days, *

but I will put my trust in you.

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 First Lesson:

Zech. 8:9-17

Thus says the Lord of hosts: Let your hands be strong-- you that have recently been hearing these words from the mouths of the prophets who were present when the foundation was laid for the rebuilding of the temple, the house of the Lord of hosts. For before those days there were no wages for people or for animals, nor was there any safety from the foe for those who went out or came in, and I set them all against one other. But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, says the Lord of hosts. For there shall be a sowing of peace; the vine shall yield its fruit, the ground shall give its produce, and the skies shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. Just as you have been a cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you and you shall be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong. For thus says the Lord of hosts: Just as I purposed to bring disaster upon you, when your ancestors provoked me to wrath, and I did not relent, says the Lord of hosts, so again I have purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; do not be afraid. These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace, do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath; for all these are things that I hate, says the Lord.

-

Canticle 2: A Song of the Wilderness (From Isaiah 35)

Lift up your voice with strength,*

O herald of good tidings.

The wilderness and the dry land shall rejoice,*

the desert shall blossom and burst into song.

They shall see the glory of the Lord,*

the majesty of our God.

Strengthen the weary hands,*

and make firm the feeble knees.

Say to the anxious, ‘Be strong, fear not, your God is coming with judgement,*

coming with judgement to save you.’

Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened,*

and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

Then shall the lame leap like a hart,*

and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.

For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,*

and streams in the desert;

The ransomed of the Lord shall return with singing,*

with everlasting joy upon their heads.

Joy and gladness shall be theirs,*

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

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.

Lift up your voice with strength,*

O herald of good tidings.

-

The Second Lesson:

Matt. 25:31-46

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

-

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

Look towards the east, O Jerusalem,*

and see the glory that is coming from God.

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.

Look towards the east, O Jerusalem,*

and see the glory that is coming from God.

-

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.

-

Watchful at all times, let us pray for strength to stand with confidence before our Maker and Redeemer. 

• That God may bring in his kingdom with justice and mercy, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy.

• That God may establish among the nations his scepter of righteousness, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That we may seek Christ in the Scriptures and recognize him in the breaking of the bread, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That God may bind up the brokenhearted, restore the sick and raise up all who have fallen, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That the light of God’s coming may dawn on all who live in darkness and the shadow of death, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That, with all the saints in light, we may shine forth as lights for the world, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

We commend ourselves and all for whom we pray to the mercy and protection of our heavenly Father:

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

-

The Collect:

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

-

Advent Week 3

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

-

As we look for the coming of the Kingdom, let us pray with confidence as our Savior has taught us

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

O God, make speed to save us.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Reveal among us the light of your presence,

That we may behold your power and glory.

-

Blessed are you, Sovereign God, 

creator of light and darkness, 

to you be glory and praise for ever. 

As evening falls, you renew your promise 

to reveal among us the light of your presence. 

May your word be a lantern to our feet 

and a light upon our path 

that we may behold your coming among us. 

Strengthen us in our stumbling weakness 

and free our tongues to sing your praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Blessed be God for ever.

-

Opening Canticle: A Song of Mercy (from Psalm 85)

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

that your people may rejoice in you?

Show us your mercy, O Lord,*

and grant us your salvation.

Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you,*

that your glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth have met together;*

righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Truth shall spring up from the earth,*

and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

Righteousness shall go before you,*

and peace shall be a pathway for your feet.

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 Opening Prayer

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful, let us pray with one heart and mind.

(Silence may be kept)

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God, so may your mercy come down upon us to cleanse our hearts and set us free to sing your praise now and for ever. 

Amen.

-

The Psalmody

Psalm 138

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart; *

before the gods I will sing your praise.

I will bow down toward your holy temple

and praise your Name, *

because of your love and faithfulness;

For you have glorified your Name *

and your word above all things.

When I called, you answered me; *

you increased my strength within me.

All the kings of the earth will praise you, O Lord, *

when they have heard the words of your mouth.

They will sing of the ways of the Lord, *

that great is the glory of the Lord.

Though the Lord be high, he cares for the lowly; *

he perceives the haughty from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; *

you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;

your right hand shall save me.

The Lord will make good his purpose for me; *

O Lord, your love endures for ever;

do not abandon the works of your hands.

-

Psalm 139

Lord, you have searched me out and known me; *

you know my sitting down and my rising up;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

You trace my journeys and my resting-places *

and are acquainted with all my ways.

Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *

but you, O Lord, know it altogether.

You press upon me behind and before *

and lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *

it is so high that I cannot attain to it.

Where can I go then from your Spirit? *

where can I flee from your presence?

If I climb up to heaven, you are there; *

if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.

If I take the wings of the morning *

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there your hand will lead me *

and your right hand hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, *

and the light around me turn to night,”

Darkness is not dark to you;

the night is as bright as the day; *

darkness and light to you are both alike.

For you yourself created my inmost parts; *

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I will thank you because I am marvelously made; *

your works are wonderful, and I know it well.

My body was not hidden from you, *

while I was being made in secret

and woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb;

all of them were written in your book; *

they were fashioned day by day,

when as yet there was none of them.

How deep I find your thoughts, O God! *

how great is the sum of them!

If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand; *

to count them all, my life span would need to be like yours.

[Oh, that you would slay the wicked, O God! *

You that thirst for blood, depart from me.

They speak despitefully against you; *

your enemies take your Name in vain.

Do I not hate those, O Lord, who hate you? *

and do I not loathe those who rise up against you?

I hate them with a perfect hatred; *

they have become my own enemies.

Search me out, O God, and know my heart; *

try me and know my restless thoughts.

Look well whether there be any wickedness in me *

and lead me in the way that is everlasting.]

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 the Spirit (Revelation 22:12-17)

Surely I am coming soon!*

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

“Behold, I am coming soon,” says the Lord, 

“and bringing my reward with me, * 

to give to everyone according to their deeds.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, * 

the beginning and the end.” 

Blessed are those who do God’s commandments, 

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

and may enter the city through the gates. 

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you, * 

with this testimony for all the churches. 

“I am the root and the offspring of David, * 

I am the bright morning star.” 

“Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride; * 

“Come!” let each hearer reply! 

Come forward, you who are thirsty, * 

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

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.

Surely I am coming soon!*

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

-

The Lesson

Revelation 6:1-17

Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures call out, as with a voice of thunder, "Come!" I looked, and there was a white horse! Its rider had a bow; a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering and to conquer. When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature call out, "Come!" And out came another horse, bright red; its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another; and he was given a great sword. When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature call out, "Come!" I looked, and there was a black horse! Its rider held a pair of scales in his hand, and I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's pay, and three quarts of barley for a day's pay, but do not damage the olive oil and the wine!" When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature call out, "Come!" I looked and there was a pale green horse! Its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed with him; they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, famine, and pestilence, and by the wild animals of the earth. When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given; they cried out with a loud voice, "Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?" They were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number would be complete both of their fellow servants and of their brothers and sisters, who were soon to be killed as they themselves had been killed. When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and there came a great earthquake; the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree drops its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll rolling itself up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the magnates and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

-

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

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

the one whom we await with longing hearts.

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.

Advent Sunday - Dec 16th Refrain

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

the one whom we await with longing hearts.

-

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:

O Lord our God, make us watchful and keep us faithful as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin but active in his service and joyful in his praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

As we look for the coming of the Kingdom, let us pray with confidence as our Savior has taught us

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

Lord, open our lips.

And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

-

Acclimation of Christ (after Lancelot Andrewes)

Blessed are you, creator of all,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As your dawn renews the face of the earth
bringing light and life to all creation,
may we rejoice in this day you have made;
as we wake refreshed from the depths of sleep,
open our eyes to behold your presence
and strengthen our hands to do your will,
that the world may rejoice and give you praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.

-

Opening Canticle: The Earth is the Lord’s (Psalm 24)

The earth is the LORD'S and all that is in it, *

the world and all who dwell therein.

For it is he who founded it upon the seas *

and made it firm upon the rivers of the deep. 

"Who can ascend the hill of the LORD? *

and who can stand in his holy place?" 

"Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, *

who have not pledged themselves to falsehood,

nor sworn by what is a fraud.

They shall receive a blessing from the LORD *

and a just reward from the God of their salvation."

Such is the generation of those who seek him, *

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

Lift up your heads, O gates;

lift them high, O everlasting doors; *

and the King of glory shall come in.

"Who is this King of glory?" *

"The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle."

Lift up your heads, O gates;

lift them high, O everlasting doors; *

and the King of glory shall come in.

"Who is he, this King of glory?" *

"The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory."

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 Opening Prayer

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 Psalmody

Psalm 40

I waited patiently upon the Lord; *

he stooped to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; *

he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.

He put a new song in my mouth,

a song of praise to our God; *

many shall see, and stand in awe,

and put their trust in the Lord.

Happy are they who trust in the Lord! *

they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods.

Great things are they that you have done, O Lord my God!

how great your wonders and your plans for us! *

there is none who can be compared with you.

Oh, that I could make them known and tell them! *

but they are more than I can count.

In sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure *

(you have given me ears to hear you);

Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required, *

and so I said, “Behold, I come.

In the roll of the book it is written concerning me: *

‘I love to do your will, O my God;

your law is deep in my heart.’”

I proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation; *

behold, I did not restrain my lips;

and that, O Lord, you know.

Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart;

I have spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance; *

I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from the great congregation.

You are the Lord;

do not withhold your compassion from me; *

let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever,

For innumerable troubles have crowded upon me;

my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see; *

they are more in number than the hairs of my head,

and my heart fails me.

Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; *

O Lord, make haste to help me.

Let them be ashamed and altogether dismayed

who seek after my life to destroy it; *

let them draw back and be disgraced who take pleasure in my misfortune.

Let those who say “Aha!” and gloat over me be confounded, *

because they are ashamed.

Let all who seek you rejoice in you and be glad; *

let those who love your salvation continually say,

“Great is the Lord!”

Though I am poor and afflicted, *

the Lord will have regard for me.

You are my helper and my deliverer; *

do not tarry, O my God.

Psalm 54

Save me, O God, by your Name; *

in your might, defend my cause.

Hear my prayer, O God; *

give ear to the words of my mouth.

For the arrogant have risen up against me,

and the ruthless have sought my life, *

those who have no regard for God.

Behold, God is my helper; *

it is the Lord who sustains my life.

Render evil to those who spy on me; *

in your faithfulness, destroy them.

I will offer you a freewill sacrifice *

and praise your Name, O Lord, for it is good.

For you have rescued me from every trouble, *

and my eye has seen the ruin of my foes.

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 First Lesson:

Zech. 7:8-8:8

The word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying: Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. But they refused to listen, and turned a stubborn shoulder, and stopped their ears in order not to hear. They made their hearts adamant in order not to hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great wrath came from the Lord of hosts. Just as, when I called, they would not hear, so, when they called, I would not hear, says the Lord of hosts, and I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known. Thus the land they left was desolate, so that no one went to and fro, and a pleasant land was made desolate. The word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. Thus says the Lord: I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts shall be called the holy mountain. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of their great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Even though it seems impossible to the remnant of this people in these days, should it also seem impossible to me, says the Lord of hosts? Thus says the Lord of hosts: I will save my people from the east country and from the west country; and I will bring them to live in Jerusalem. They shall be my people and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.

-

Canticle 2: A Song of the Wilderness (From Isaiah 35)

Lift up your voice with strength,*

O herald of good tidings.

The wilderness and the dry land shall rejoice,*

the desert shall blossom and burst into song.

They shall see the glory of the Lord,*

the majesty of our God.

Strengthen the weary hands,*

and make firm the feeble knees.

Say to the anxious, ‘Be strong, fear not, your God is coming with judgement,*

coming with judgement to save you.’

Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened,*

and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

Then shall the lame leap like a hart,*

and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.

For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,*

and streams in the desert;

The ransomed of the Lord shall return with singing,*

with everlasting joy upon their heads.

Joy and gladness shall be theirs,*

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

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.

Lift up your voice with strength,*

O herald of good tidings.

-

The Second Lesson:

Matt. 25:14-30

“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master replied, 'You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

-

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

Look towards the east, O Jerusalem,*

and see the glory that is coming from God.

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.

Look towards the east, O Jerusalem,*

and see the glory that is coming from God.

-

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.

-

Watchful at all times, let us pray for strength to stand with confidence before our Maker and Redeemer. 

• That God may bring in his kingdom with justice and mercy, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy.

• That God may establish among the nations his scepter of righteousness, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That we may seek Christ in the Scriptures and recognize him in the breaking of the bread, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That God may bind up the brokenhearted, restore the sick and raise up all who have fallen, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That the light of God’s coming may dawn on all who live in darkness and the shadow of death, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That, with all the saints in light, we may shine forth as lights for the world, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

We commend ourselves and all for whom we pray to the mercy and protection of our heavenly Father:

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

-

The Collect:

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

-

Advent Week 3

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

-

As we look for the coming of the Kingdom, let us pray with confidence as our Savior has taught us

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

O God, make speed to save us.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Reveal among us the light of your presence,

That we may behold your power and glory.

-

Blessed are you, Sovereign God, 

creator of light and darkness, 

to you be glory and praise for ever. 

As evening falls, you renew your promise 

to reveal among us the light of your presence. 

May your word be a lantern to our feet 

and a light upon our path 

that we may behold your coming among us. 

Strengthen us in our stumbling weakness 

and free our tongues to sing your praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Blessed be God for ever.

-

Opening Canticle: A Song of Mercy (from Psalm 85)

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

that your people may rejoice in you?

Show us your mercy, O Lord,*

and grant us your salvation.

Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you,*

that your glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth have met together;*

righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Truth shall spring up from the earth,*

and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

Righteousness shall go before you,*

and peace shall be a pathway for your feet.

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 Opening Prayer

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful, let us pray with one heart and mind.

(Silence may be kept)

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God, so may your mercy come down upon us to cleanse our hearts and set us free to sing your praise now and for ever. 

Amen.

-

The Psalmody

Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; *

in your great compassion blot out my offenses.

Wash me through and through from my wickedness *

and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions, *

and my sin is ever before me.

Against you only have I sinned *

and done what is evil in your sight.

And so you are justified when you speak *

and upright in your judgment.

Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, *

a sinner from my mother’s womb.

For behold, you look for truth deep within me, *

and will make me understand wisdom secretly.

Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; *

wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.

Make me hear of joy and gladness, *

that the body you have broken may rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins *

and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, *

and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence *

and take not your holy Spirit from me.

Give me the joy of your saving help again *

and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

I shall teach your ways to the wicked, *

and sinners shall return to you.

Deliver me from death, O God, *

and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness,

O God of my salvation.

Open my lips, O Lord, *

and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice, *

but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.

The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; *

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Be favorable and gracious to Zion, *

and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Then you will be pleased with the appointed sacrifices,

with burnt-offerings and oblations; *

then shall they offer young bullocks upon your altar.

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 the Spirit (Revelation 22:12-17)

Surely I am coming soon!*

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

“Behold, I am coming soon,” says the Lord, 

“and bringing my reward with me, * 

to give to everyone according to their deeds.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, * 

the beginning and the end.” 

Blessed are those who do God’s commandments, 

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

and may enter the city through the gates. 

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you, * 

with this testimony for all the churches. 

“I am the root and the offspring of David, * 

I am the bright morning star.” 

“Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride; * 

“Come!” let each hearer reply! 

Come forward, you who are thirsty, * 

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

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.

Surely I am coming soon!*

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

-

The Lesson

Revelation 5:6-14

Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation; you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God, and they will reign on earth." Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, "To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the elders fell down and worshiped.

-

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

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

the one whom we await with longing hearts.

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.

Advent Sunday - Dec 16th Refrain

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

the one whom we await with longing hearts.

-

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:

O Lord our God, make us watchful and keep us faithful as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin but active in his service and joyful in his praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

As we look for the coming of the Kingdom, let us pray with confidence as our Savior has taught us

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

Lord, open our lips.

And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

-

Acclimation of Christ (after Lancelot Andrewes)

Blessed are you, creator of all,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As your dawn renews the face of the earth
bringing light and life to all creation,
may we rejoice in this day you have made;
as we wake refreshed from the depths of sleep,
open our eyes to behold your presence
and strengthen our hands to do your will,
that the world may rejoice and give you praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.

-

Opening Canticle: The Earth is the Lord’s (Psalm 24)

The earth is the LORD'S and all that is in it, *

the world and all who dwell therein.

For it is he who founded it upon the seas *

and made it firm upon the rivers of the deep. 

"Who can ascend the hill of the LORD? *

and who can stand in his holy place?" 

"Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, *

who have not pledged themselves to falsehood,

nor sworn by what is a fraud.

They shall receive a blessing from the LORD *

and a just reward from the God of their salvation."

Such is the generation of those who seek him, *

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

Lift up your heads, O gates;

lift them high, O everlasting doors; *

and the King of glory shall come in.

"Who is this King of glory?" *

"The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle."

Lift up your heads, O gates;

lift them high, O everlasting doors; *

and the King of glory shall come in.

"Who is he, this King of glory?" *

"The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory."

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 Opening Prayer

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 Psalmody

Psalm 50

The Lord, the God of gods, has spoken; *

he has called the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.

Out of Zion, perfect in its beauty, *

God reveals himself in glory.

Our God will come and will not keep silence; *

before him there is a consuming flame,

and round about him a raging storm.

He calls the heavens and the earth from above *

to witness the judgment of his people.

“Gather before me my loyal followers, *

those who have made a covenant with me

and sealed it with sacrifice.”

Let the heavens declare the rightness of his cause; *

for God himself is judge.

Hear, O my people, and I will speak:

“O Israel, I will bear witness against you; *

for I am God, your God.

I do not accuse you because of your sacrifices; *

your offerings are always before me.

I will take no bull-calf from your stalls, *

nor he-goats out of your pens;

For all the beasts of the forest are mine, *

the herds in their thousands upon the hills.

I know every bird in the sky, *

and the creatures of the fields are in my sight.

If I were hungry, I would not tell you, *

for the whole world is mine and all that is in it.

Do you think I eat the flesh of bulls, *

or drink the blood of goats?

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving *

and make good your vows to the Most High.

Call upon me in the day of trouble; *

I will deliver you, and you shall honor me.”

But to the wicked God says: *

“Why do you recite my statutes,

and take my covenant upon your lips;

Since you refuse discipline, *

and toss my words behind your back?

When you see a thief, you make him your friend, *

and you cast in your lot with adulterers.

You have loosed your lips for evil, *

and harnessed your tongue to a lie.

You are always speaking evil of your brother *

and slandering your own mother’s son.

These things you have done, and I kept still, *

and you thought that I am like you.”

“I have made my accusation; *

I have put my case in order before your eyes.

Consider this well, you who forget God, *

lest I rend you and there be none to deliver you.

Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me; *

but to those who keep in my way will I show the salvation of God.”

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 First Lesson:

Zech. 4:1-14

The angel who talked with me came again, and wakened me, as one is wakened from sleep. He said to me, "What do you see?" And I said, "I see a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it; there are seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. And by it there are two olive trees, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left." I said to the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?" Then the angel who talked with me answered me, "Do you not know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord." He said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts. What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain; and he shall bring out the top stone amid shouts of 'Grace, grace to it!'" Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel. "These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth." Then I said to him, "What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?" And a second time I said to him, "What are these two branches of the olive trees, which pour out the oil through the two golden pipes?" He said to me, "Do you not know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord." Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth."

-

Canticle 2: A Song of the Wilderness (From Isaiah 35)

Lift up your voice with strength,*

O herald of good tidings.

The wilderness and the dry land shall rejoice,*

the desert shall blossom and burst into song.

They shall see the glory of the Lord,*

the majesty of our God.

Strengthen the weary hands,*

and make firm the feeble knees.

Say to the anxious, ‘Be strong, fear not, your God is coming with judgement,*

coming with judgement to save you.’

Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened,*

and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

Then shall the lame leap like a hart,*

and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.

For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,*

and streams in the desert;

The ransomed of the Lord shall return with singing,*

with everlasting joy upon their heads.

Joy and gladness shall be theirs,*

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

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.

Lift up your voice with strength,*

O herald of good tidings.

-

The Second Lesson:

Matt. 25:1-13

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, 'No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

-

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

Look towards the east, O Jerusalem,*

and see the glory that is coming from God.

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.

Look towards the east, O Jerusalem,*

and see the glory that is coming from God.

-

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.

-

Watchful at all times, let us pray for strength to stand with confidence before our Maker and Redeemer. 

• That God may bring in his kingdom with justice and mercy, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy.

• That God may establish among the nations his scepter of righteousness, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That we may seek Christ in the Scriptures and recognize him in the breaking of the bread, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That God may bind up the brokenhearted, restore the sick and raise up all who have fallen, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That the light of God’s coming may dawn on all who live in darkness and the shadow of death, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

• That, with all the saints in light, we may shine forth as lights for the world, let us pray to the Lord:
  Lord, have mercy. 

We commend ourselves and all for whom we pray to the mercy and protection of our heavenly Father:

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

-

The Collect:

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

-

Advent Week 3

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

-

As we look for the coming of the Kingdom, let us pray with confidence as our Savior has taught us

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Preparation:

O God, make speed to save us.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Reveal among us the light of your presence,

That we may behold your power and glory.

-

Blessed are you, Sovereign God, 

creator of light and darkness, 

to you be glory and praise for ever. 

As evening falls, you renew your promise 

to reveal among us the light of your presence. 

May your word be a lantern to our feet 

and a light upon our path 

that we may behold your coming among us. 

Strengthen us in our stumbling weakness 

and free our tongues to sing your praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Blessed be God for ever.

-

Opening Canticle: A Song of Mercy (from Psalm 85)

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

that your people may rejoice in you?

Show us your mercy, O Lord,*

and grant us your salvation.

Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you,*

that your glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth have met together;*

righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Truth shall spring up from the earth,*

and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

Righteousness shall go before you,*

and peace shall be a pathway for your feet.

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 Opening Prayer

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful, let us pray with one heart and mind.

(Silence may be kept)

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God, so may your mercy come down upon us to cleanse our hearts and set us free to sing your praise now and for ever. 

Amen.

-

The Psalmody

Psalm 33

Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous; *

it is good for the just to sing praises.

Praise the Lord with the harp; *

play to him upon the psaltery and lyre.

Sing for him a new song; *

sound a fanfare with all your skill upon the trumpet.

For the word of the Lord is right, *

and all his works are sure.

He loves righteousness and justice; *

the loving-kindness of the Lord fills the whole earth.

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, *

by the breath of his mouth all the heavenly hosts.

He gathers up the waters of the ocean as in a water-skin *

and stores up the depths of the sea.

Let all the earth fear the Lord; *

let all who dwell in the world stand in awe of him.

For he spoke, and it came to pass; *

he commanded, and it stood fast.

The Lord brings the will of the nations to naught; *

he thwarts the designs of the peoples.

But the Lord’s will stands fast for ever, *

and the designs of his heart from age to age.

Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord! *

happy the people he has chosen to be his own!

The Lord looks down from heaven, *

and beholds all the people in the world.

From where he sits enthroned he turns his gaze *

on all who dwell on the earth.

He fashions all the hearts of them *

and understands all their works.

There is no king that can be saved by a mighty army; *

a strong man is not delivered by his great strength.

The horse is a vain hope for deliverance; *

for all its strength it cannot save.

Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear him, *

on those who wait upon his love,

To pluck their lives from death, *

and to feed them in time of famine.

Our soul waits for the Lord; *

he is our help and our shield.

Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, *

for in his holy Name we put our trust.

Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, *

as we have put our trust in you.

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 the Spirit (Revelation 22:12-17)

Surely I am coming soon!*

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

“Behold, I am coming soon,” says the Lord, 

“and bringing my reward with me, * 

to give to everyone according to their deeds.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, * 

the beginning and the end.” 

Blessed are those who do God’s commandments, 

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

and may enter the city through the gates. 

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you, * 

with this testimony for all the churches. 

“I am the root and the offspring of David, * 

I am the bright morning star.” 

“Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride; * 

“Come!” let each hearer reply! 

Come forward, you who are thirsty, * 

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

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.

Surely I am coming soon!*

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

-

The Lesson

Revelation 4:9-5:5

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."

-

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

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

the one whom we await with longing hearts.

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.

Advent Sunday - Dec 16th Refrain

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

the one whom we await with longing hearts.

-

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:

O Lord our God, make us watchful and keep us faithful as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin but active in his service and joyful in his praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

As we look for the coming of the Kingdom, let us pray with confidence as our Savior has taught us

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.