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Daily Prayer
Collects & Readings

Collects & Readings

The Wednesday after The Third Sunday of Advent

18th December 2019

Choose Another Date

Year A  /  Advent  /  Violet

Daily Prayer (Morning)

Preparation

A Sentence of Scripture

The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together. Isaiah 40: 5

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 3: 2

Versicles and Responses

O Lord, open our lips

All and our mouth will proclaim your praise.

O God, make speed to save us.

All O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;

All as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.

Praise the Lord.

All The Lord’s name be praised.

The Word of God

A Psalm

Psalm 114

1When Israel came out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of a | strange | tongue, ■
Judah became his sanctuary, | Israel | his do | minion.

4What ailed you, O | sea,•that you | fled? ■
O Jordan, that | you were | driven | back?

5You mountains, that you | skipped like | rams, ■
you little | hills like | young | sheep?

6Tremble, O earth, at the | presence•of the | Lord, ■
at the | presence•of the | God of | Jacob,

7Who turns the hard rock into a | pool of | water, ■
the flint-stone | into a | springing | well.

A Canticle

Which may be said here or between the readings

The Song of Isaiah

1 Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid.

2 for the Lord God is my strength and my might;
he has become my salvation.

3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
And you will say in that day:
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;

4 Make known his deeds among the nations;
proclaim that his name is exalted.

5 Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
let this be known in all the earth.

6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen

One or two readings

Genesis 3: 8-15 Revelation 12: 1-10

The Gospel Canticle

Benedictus

1 Blessèd be the Lord the God of Israel,
who has come to his people and set them free.

2 The Lord has raised up for us a mighty saviour,
born of the house of his servant David.

3 Through the holy prophets God promised of old
to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of those who hate us,

4 to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember his holy covenant.

5 This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hand of our enemies.

6 Free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous before him all the days of our life.

7 And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8 To give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9 In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us.

10 To shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen

The Apostles’ Creed

Prayer

Kneel

Let us pray

Lord, have mercy

All Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy

Weekday Intercessions and Thanksgivings

The Cross of Christ: Reconciliation and Human Relationships

Loving Father,
you have reconciled us to yourself in Christ;
by your Spirit you enable us to live as your sons and daughters.

Intercession

We pray for [Personal Relationships]
the home, and family life ...
children deprived of home ...
friends, relations and neighbours ...
relationships in daily life and work ...
those who are estranged ...
those who feel unloved ...
all ministries of care ...

Thanksgiving

Loving Father, we give you thanks
for the obedience of Christ fulfilled in the cross,
his bearing of the sin of the world,
his mercy for the world, which never fails ...
for the joy of loving and being loved,
for friendship,
the lives to which our own are bound,
the gift of peace with you and with one another ...
for the communities in whose life we share
and all relationships in which reconciliation may be known ...

Concluding Prayer

Help us to share in Christ’s ministry
of love and service to one another;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who in the unity of the Holy Spirit
is one with you for ever. Amen.

The Collect of the Day

O Lord Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming sent your messenger
to prepare your way before you:
Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready your way
by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;
for you are alive and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.

Alternative collects

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.

Going out as God’s people

The Lord be with you

All and also with you.

Let us bless the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore.

All Amen

To the King of Ages, immortal, invisible, the only God

be honour and glory for ever and ever.

All Amen

May the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the Holy Spirit

you may abound in hope.

All Amen

Daily Prayer (Evening)

Preparation

Penitence

All say

Heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault;
by what we have done
and by what we have failed to do.
We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ who died for us,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name. Amen.

The priest pronounces the absolution.

Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy on you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

If no priest is present the absolution is omitted and the following prayer may be said:

Merciful Lord,
grant to your faithful people pardon and peace,
that we may be cleansed from all our sins,
and serve you with a quiet mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Versicles and Responses

O Lord, open our lips

All and our mouth will proclaim your praise.

O God, make speed to save us.

All O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;

All as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.

Praise the Lord.

All The Lord’s name be praised.

A Canticle

Which may be said here or between the readings

Nunc Dimittis

1 Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.

2 My own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people.

3 A light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory

One or two readings

Isaiah 11: 1-9 Numbers 16: 20-35 Acts 28: 23-31

The Gospel Canticle

Nunc Dimittis may be used as the Gospel Canticle and Magnificat in the earlier place.

Magnificat

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

2 who has looked with favour on his lowly servant;
from this day all generations will call me blessèd;

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

4 God has mercy on those who fear him,
from generation to generation.

5 The Lord has shown strength with his arm
and scattered the proud in their conceit,

6 casting down the mighty from their thrones
and lifting up the lowly.

7 God has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.

8 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel
to remember the promise of mercy,

9 The promise made to our forebears,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory

Kneel

Let us pray

Lord, have mercy

All Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy

Weekday Intercessions and Thanksgivings

The Cross of Christ: Reconciliation and Human Relationships

Loving Father,
you have reconciled us to yourself in Christ;
by your Spirit you enable us to live as your sons and daughters.

Intercession

We pray for [Personal Relationships]
the home, and family life ...
children deprived of home ...
friends, relations and neighbours ...
relationships in daily life and work ...
those who are estranged ...
those who feel unloved ...
all ministries of care ...

Thanksgiving

Loving Father, we give you thanks
for the obedience of Christ fulfilled in the cross,
his bearing of the sin of the world,
his mercy for the world, which never fails ...
for the joy of loving and being loved,
for friendship,
the lives to which our own are bound,
the gift of peace with you and with one another ...
for the communities in whose life we share
and all relationships in which reconciliation may be known ...

Concluding Prayer

Help us to share in Christ’s ministry
of love and service to one another;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who in the unity of the Holy Spirit
is one with you for ever. Amen.

The Collect of the Day

may be said or one of the following alternative collects

O Lord Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming sent your messenger
to prepare your way before you:
Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready your way
by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;
for you are alive and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.

Alternative collects

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.

The Ending

The Lord be with you

All and also with you.

Let us bless the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore.

All Amen

To God, who by the power at work within us,

is able to do far more abundantly

than all we ask or think,

to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus

to all generations for ever and ever.

All Amen

To the King of Ages, immortal, invisible, the only God

be honour and glory for ever and ever.

All Amen

May the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the Holy Spirit

you may abound in hope.

All Amen

A Late Evening Office

Stand

Blessed be our God for all time, now and for evermore.

All Amen

Glory to you, our God, glory be to you, Holy Spirit, Comforter, treasure of all goodness and giver of life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us from all sin, and in your love bring us to salvation.

All Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.

A Psalm

Psalm 106

1Alleluia. Give thanks to the Lord, for | he is | gracious, ■
for his | faithfulness en | dures for | ever.

2Who can express the mighty | acts•of the | Lord ■
or | show forth | all his | praise?

3Blessed are those who ob | serve•what is | right ■
and | always | do•what is | just.

4Remember me, O Lord, in the favour you | bear•for your | people; ■
visit me in the | day of | your sal | vation;

5That I may see the prosperity of your chosen and rejoice in the | gladness•of your | people, ■
and ex | ult with | your in | heritance.

6We have | sinned•like our | forebears; ■
we have done | wrong and | dealt | wickedly.

7In Egypt they did not consider your wonders, nor remember the abundance of your | faithful | love; ■
they rebelled against the Most | High•at the | Red | Sea.

8But he saved them for his | name’s | sake, ■
that he might | make his | power•to be | known.

9He rebuked the Red Sea and it was | dried | up; ■
so he led them through the | deep as | through the | wilderness.

10He saved them from the | adversary’s | hand ■
and redeemed them | from the | hand•of the | enemy.

11As for those that troubled them, the waters | over | whelmed them; ■
there | was not | one of them | left.

12Then they be | lieved his | words ■
and | sang a | loud his | praise.

13But soon they for | got his | deeds ■
and | would not | wait•for his | counsel.

14A craving | seized them•in the | wilderness, ■
and they put | God•to the | test•in the | desert.

15He gave them | their de | sire, ■
but sent a | wasting | sickness a | mong them.

16They grew jealous of | Moses•in the | camp ■
and of Aaron, the | holy one | of the | Lord.

17So the earth opened and | swallowed up | Dathan ■
and covered the | company | of A | biram.

18A fire was | kindled•in their | company; ■
the | flame burnt | up the | wicked.

19They made a | calf at | Horeb ■
and | worshipped the | molten | image;

20Thus they ex | changed their | glory ■
for the image of an | ox that | feeds on | hay.

21They forgot | God their | saviour, ■
who had done such | great | things in | Egypt,

22Wonderful deeds in the | land of | Ham ■
and fearful things | at the | Red | Sea.

23So he would have destroyed them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him | in the | breach, ■
to turn a | way his | wrath•from con | suming them.

24Then they scorned the | Promised | Land ■
and | would not be | lieve his | word,

25But | murmured•in their | tents ■
and would not | heed the | voice•of the | Lord.

26So he lifted his | hand a | gainst them ■
and swore to over | throw them | in the | wilderness,

27To disperse their descendants a | mong the | nations, ■
and to | scatter them through | out the | lands.

28They joined themselves to the | Baal of | Peor ■
and ate sacrifices | offered | to the | dead.

29They provoked him to anger with their | evil | deeds ■
and a | plague broke | out a | mong them.

30Then Phinehas stood up and | inter | ceded ■
and | so the | plague was | stayed.

31This was counted to | him for | righteousness ■
throughout all | gene | rations for | ever.

32They angered him also at the | waters of | Meribah, ■
so that Moses | suffered | for their | sake;

33For they so em | bittered his | spirit ■
that he spoke | rash words | with his | lips.

34They did not des | troy the | peoples ■
as the | Lord | had com | manded them.

35They | mingled•with the | nations ■
and | learned to | follow their | ways,

36So that they | worshipped their | idols, ■
which be | came to | them a | snare.

37Their own | sons and | daughters ■
they | sacrificed to | evil | spirits.

38They shed | innocent | blood, ■
the | blood•of their | sons and | daughters,

39Which they offered to the | idols of | Canaan, ■
and the | land•was de | filed with | blood.

40Thus were they pol | luted•by their | actions, ■
and in their wanton deeds went | whoring•after | other | gods.

41Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled a | gainst his | people, ■
and he ab | horred | his in | heritance.

42He gave them over to the | hand•of the | nations, ■
and those who | hated | them ruled | over them.

43So their | enemies op | pressed them ■
and put them in sub | jection | under their | hand.

44Many a time did he deliver them, but they rebelled through their | own de | vices ■
and were | brought down | through their | wickedness.

45Nevertheless, he | saw•their ad | versity, ■
when he | heard their | lamen | tation.

46He remembered his | covenant | with them ■
and relented according to the | greatness•of his | faithful | love.

47He made them | also•to be | pitied ■
by | all•who had | taken them | captive.

48Save us, O | Lord our | God, ■
and gather us | from a | mong the | nations,

48that we may give thanks to your | holy | name ■
and | glory | in your | praise.

49Blessed be the Lord, the | God of | Israel, ■
from everlasting | and to | ever | lasting;

49And let all the | people | say, ■
A | men. | Alle | luia.

A reading

Acts 28: 23-31

Acts 28: 23-31

A Canticle

and/or a hymn

Nunc Dimittis

1 Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.

2 My own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people.

3 A light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory

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

Stand

Let us pray to the Lord with all our heart and with all our soul.

All Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for all Christian people, that they may live in love and truth.

All Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for all ministers of the Church, and for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

All Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for peace throughout the world, and for all governments.

All Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for our neighbours and for all our friends.

All Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for those who hate us as we pray for those who love us.

All Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for refugees and prisoners, and for all who are exposed to the dangers of travel.

All Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for all sick people, for the sorrowful and the dying.

All Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for the abundance of the fruits of the earth, and that the poor and hungry may receive a just share.

All Lord, have mercy.

Let us remember our brothers and sisters who have entered into eternal rest.

All Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.

Prayer

Let us continue praying in silence

Silence is kept

or

Let us continue praying in a time of open prayer.

A period of open prayer follows.

The leader brings either of these to an end saying

Lord, in your mercy

All hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.

Common Collect

Lord Almighty,
come and scatter the darkness of our hearts
by the light of your presence;
that we may know you
the Light of the world
and the one true God,
blessed this night and for evermore.
Amen.

Blessing

Let us bless the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

May the Almighty and merciful God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us.

All Amen

Holy Communion

Preparation for Communion

Jesus says: Come to me all that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. (Matthew 11: 28)

God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that all who believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3: 16)

I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me shall never be hungry and whoever believes in me shall never be thirsty. (John 6: 35)

Thanksgiving

Thank God for all the many blessings you have received, and for all that is at present being done for you; for all doctors and nurses; (for this hospital and all who work here).

Repentance

Ask God’s forgiveness for the ways in which you have failed him and others.

Intercession and petition

Pray for all those you love: (for the other patients in your ward;) (for all who will be receiving communion with you;) for all who look after you; for all in need; for yourself, that you may come closer to God and his healing power.

All Lord Jesus Christ, you came to the poor and powerless and gave them hope. Come to me in this wonderful sacrament and raise me up in love to you, for I am helpless without you.

Be calm in the knowledge that you are under the protection of Almighty God.

The following prayer may be used in place of the Collect for Purity:

God of peace, you teach us that in returning to you we shall be saved:
By the power of your Spirit lift us to your presence,
where quietness and confidence shall be our strength;
and where we may be still and know that you are God;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Collect of the Day

O Lord Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming sent your messenger
to prepare your way before you:
Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready your way
by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;
for you are alive and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.

The Ministry of the Word

One or two readings

a gospel reading should normally be included.

Jeremiah 23: 5-8 Matthew 1: 18-24 Psalm 72: 1-2,12-13,18-29

The priest says

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1: 8)

Let us confess our sins.

A short pause for self-examination.

All Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned in thought and word and deed, and in what we have left undone. We are truly sorry, and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may walk in newness of life to the glory of your name. Amen.

The priest says

Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy on you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Prayer

Those present may mention personal needs and thanksgivings. The laying on of hands and/or anointing with oil may take place here or after receiving Holy Communion

The Great Thanksgiving

The priest takes the bread and wine.

The Lord is here.

All His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts.

All We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All It is right to give our thanks and praise.

We give you thanks, our God and Father, for you have created us and you sustain us. Through your only Son Jesus Christ you have revealed your love and your care for all your people; you are ready to forgive and to save in time of need; so we proclaim your glory, saying

All Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night that he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way, after supper he took the cup; and when he had given thanks to you, he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you, for this is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Therefore, Father, with this bread and this cup we do as Christ your Son commanded:

All we remember his passion and death, we celebrate his resurrection and ascension, and we look for the coming of his kingdom.

Accept through him our great high priest this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; and, as we eat and drink these holy gifts, grant by the power of the life-giving Spirit, that we may be made one in your holy Church and partakers of the body and blood of your Son, that he may dwell in us and we in him:

Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

All all honour and glory are yours, Almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.

The priest breaks the bread, saying

The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.

All We, being many, are one body for we all share in the one bread.

Communion

After all have received, silence is kept for a space and the priest says

Let us pray.

All Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Strengthen us by the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.

The Blessing

The peace of God, which passes all understanding,
keep your heart and mind
in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with you and remain with you always.
Amen.

Compline

Stand

The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

All Amen

Brethren, be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist, steadfast in the faith. (1 Peter 5: 8, 9)

But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.

All Thanks be to God.

O God, make speed to save us.

All O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;

All as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Praise ye the Lord.

All The Lord’s Name be praised.

A Psalm

Psalm 106

1Alleluia. Give thanks to the Lord, for | he is | gracious, ■
for his | faithfulness en | dures for | ever.

2Who can express the mighty | acts•of the | Lord ■
or | show forth | all his | praise?

3Blessed are those who ob | serve•what is | right ■
and | always | do•what is | just.

4Remember me, O Lord, in the favour you | bear•for your | people; ■
visit me in the | day of | your sal | vation;

5That I may see the prosperity of your chosen and rejoice in the | gladness•of your | people, ■
and ex | ult with | your in | heritance.

6We have | sinned•like our | forebears; ■
we have done | wrong and | dealt | wickedly.

7In Egypt they did not consider your wonders, nor remember the abundance of your | faithful | love; ■
they rebelled against the Most | High•at the | Red | Sea.

8But he saved them for his | name’s | sake, ■
that he might | make his | power•to be | known.

9He rebuked the Red Sea and it was | dried | up; ■
so he led them through the | deep as | through the | wilderness.

10He saved them from the | adversary’s | hand ■
and redeemed them | from the | hand•of the | enemy.

11As for those that troubled them, the waters | over | whelmed them; ■
there | was not | one of them | left.

12Then they be | lieved his | words ■
and | sang a | loud his | praise.

13But soon they for | got his | deeds ■
and | would not | wait•for his | counsel.

14A craving | seized them•in the | wilderness, ■
and they put | God•to the | test•in the | desert.

15He gave them | their de | sire, ■
but sent a | wasting | sickness a | mong them.

16They grew jealous of | Moses•in the | camp ■
and of Aaron, the | holy one | of the | Lord.

17So the earth opened and | swallowed up | Dathan ■
and covered the | company | of A | biram.

18A fire was | kindled•in their | company; ■
the | flame burnt | up the | wicked.

19They made a | calf at | Horeb ■
and | worshipped the | molten | image;

20Thus they ex | changed their | glory ■
for the image of an | ox that | feeds on | hay.

21They forgot | God their | saviour, ■
who had done such | great | things in | Egypt,

22Wonderful deeds in the | land of | Ham ■
and fearful things | at the | Red | Sea.

23So he would have destroyed them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him | in the | breach, ■
to turn a | way his | wrath•from con | suming them.

24Then they scorned the | Promised | Land ■
and | would not be | lieve his | word,

25But | murmured•in their | tents ■
and would not | heed the | voice•of the | Lord.

26So he lifted his | hand a | gainst them ■
and swore to over | throw them | in the | wilderness,

27To disperse their descendants a | mong the | nations, ■
and to | scatter them through | out the | lands.

28They joined themselves to the | Baal of | Peor ■
and ate sacrifices | offered | to the | dead.

29They provoked him to anger with their | evil | deeds ■
and a | plague broke | out a | mong them.

30Then Phinehas stood up and | inter | ceded ■
and | so the | plague was | stayed.

31This was counted to | him for | righteousness ■
throughout all | gene | rations for | ever.

32They angered him also at the | waters of | Meribah, ■
so that Moses | suffered | for their | sake;

33For they so em | bittered his | spirit ■
that he spoke | rash words | with his | lips.

34They did not des | troy the | peoples ■
as the | Lord | had com | manded them.

35They | mingled•with the | nations ■
and | learned to | follow their | ways,

36So that they | worshipped their | idols, ■
which be | came to | them a | snare.

37Their own | sons and | daughters ■
they | sacrificed to | evil | spirits.

38They shed | innocent | blood, ■
the | blood•of their | sons and | daughters,

39Which they offered to the | idols of | Canaan, ■
and the | land•was de | filed with | blood.

40Thus were they pol | luted•by their | actions, ■
and in their wanton deeds went | whoring•after | other | gods.

41Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled a | gainst his | people, ■
and he ab | horred | his in | heritance.

42He gave them over to the | hand•of the | nations, ■
and those who | hated | them ruled | over them.

43So their | enemies op | pressed them ■
and put them in sub | jection | under their | hand.

44Many a time did he deliver them, but they rebelled through their | own de | vices ■
and were | brought down | through their | wickedness.

45Nevertheless, he | saw•their ad | versity, ■
when he | heard their | lamen | tation.

46He remembered his | covenant | with them ■
and relented according to the | greatness•of his | faithful | love.

47He made them | also•to be | pitied ■
by | all•who had | taken them | captive.

48Save us, O | Lord our | God, ■
and gather us | from a | mong the | nations,

48that we may give thanks to your | holy | name ■
and | glory | in your | praise.

49Blessed be the Lord, the | God of | Israel, ■
from everlasting | and to | ever | lasting;

49And let all the | people | say, ■
A | men. | Alle | luia.

A reading

Acts 28: 23-31

Acts 28: 23-31

Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

All For thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth.

Keep me as the apple of an eye.

All Hide me under the shadow of thy wings.

A Canticle

Nunc Dimittis

1 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word.

2 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

3 To be a light to lighten the Gentiles
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

4 Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

All Preserve us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.

The Apostles’ Creed

Kneel

Let us pray

Lord, have mercy

All Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.

Blessed art thou, Lord God of our fathers,

All to be praised and glorified above all for ever;

Let us bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

All Let us praise him and magnify him for ever.

Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven

All to be praised and glorified above all for ever.

The Almighty and most merciful Lord guard us and give us his blessing.

All Amen.

Confession

All We confess to God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, That we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, Through our own grievous fault. Wherefore we pray God to have mercy upon us. Almighty God, have mercy upon us, Forgive us all our sins, Deliver us from all evil, Confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, And bring us to life everlasting; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The priest, when present, pronounces the absolution.

May the Almighty and merciful Lord grant unto you pardon and remission of all your sins, time for amendment of life, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit.

All Amen.

Wilt thou not turn again and quicken us

All that thy people may rejoice in thee?

O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us

All and grant us thy salvation.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this night without sin.

All O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.

O Lord, hear our prayer

All and let our cry come unto thee.

Let us pray

The Collects

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

All Amen.

Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the silent hours of this night, so that we, who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world, may repose upon thy eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord

All Amen

Look down, O Lord, from thy heavenly throne, illuminate the darkness of this night with thy celestial brightness, and from the children of light banish the deeds of darkness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All Amen

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, who at this evening hour didst rest in the sepulchre, and didst thereby sanctify the grave to be a bed of hope to thy people: Make us so to abound in sorrow for our sins, which were the cause of thy passion, that when our bodies lie in the dust, our souls may live with thee: who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God world without end.

All Amen

Visit, we beseech thee, O Lord, this place (or, our homes), and drive away all the snares of the enemy; Let thy holy angels dwell herein (or, therein) to preserve us in peace; and may thy blessing be upon us evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All Amen

We will lay us down in peace and take our rest.

All For it is thou, Lord, only, that makest us dwell in safety.

The Lord be with you

All and with thy spirit.

Let us bless the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

The Almighty and merciful Lord, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless and preserve us this night and for evermore.

All Amen.

Calendar

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