Morning Prayer
Thursday after Pentecost 16
Season of Creation / Creation Week 2
O Lord, open our lips:
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
Amen.
Psalmody
Antiphon:
O God, you created the heavens and spread out the earth
You gave breath to all people and spirit to everything that lives.
Isaiah 42.5
Opening
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or a suitable Hymn
(Or from Psalm 24.1-4)
1. The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it;
2. for God has founded it on the seas,
and established it on the rivers.
3. Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in God’s holy place?
4. Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not
swear deceitfully.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or a suitable hymn
Psalm 47
1. Clap your hands, all you peoples; *
shout to God with a cry of joy.
2. For the Lord Most High is to be feared, *
the great sovereign over all the earth,
3. who subdues the peoples under us *
and the nations under our feet;
4. who chooses our inheritance for us, *
the pride of Jacob whom God loves.
5. God has gone up with a shout, *
with the sound of the ram’s-horn.
6. Sing praises to God, sing praises; *
sing praises to our sovereign, sing praises.
7. For God is sovereign of all the earth; *
sing praises with all your skill.
8. God reigns over the nations *
and sits upon the holy throne.
9. The nobles of the peoples have gathered together * with the people of the God of Abraham.
The rulers of the earth belong to God, * who is highly
exalted.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Psalm 48
1. Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised; *
in whose city is the holy hill of God.
2. Beautiful and lofty, the joy of all the earth, is the hill of Zion, *
the very centre of the world and the city of the great
sovereign.
3. God is in its citadels *
and is known to be its sure refuge.
4. Behold, the rulers of the earth assembled *
and marched forward together.
5. They looked and were astounded; *
they retreated and fled in terror.
6. Trembling seized them there; *
they writhed like a woman in childbirth,
7. like ships of the sea *
when the east wind shatters them.
8. As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the
Lord of hosts, in the city of our God; *
God has established it for ever.
9. We have waited in silence on your loving-kindness, O God, *
in the midst of your temple.
10. Your praise, like your name, O God, reaches to the world’s end; *
your hand is full of justice.
11. Let Mount Zion be glad and the cities of Judah
rejoice, *
because of your judgements.
12. Make the circuit of Zion; walk round about it; *
count the number of its towers.
13. Consider well its bulwarks; examine its strongholds; *
that you may tell those who come after.
14. This God is our God for ever and ever, *
who shall be our guide for evermore.
Conclusion
Isaiah 24.4-7
4. The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and
withers; the heavens languish together with the earth.
5. The earth lies polluted under its inhabitants;
for they have transgressed laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.
6. Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants
suffer for their guilt. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth dwindled, and few people are left.
7. The wine dries up, the vine languishes, all the merry-
hearted sigh.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Antiphon: O God, you created the heavens and spread out the earth. You gave breath to all people and spirit to everything which lives.
Reading(s)
Esther 1.1-4,10-19
This happened in the days of Ahasuerus, the same Ahasuerus who ruled over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia. In those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, in the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for all his officials and ministers. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were present, while he displayed the great wealth of his kingdom and the splendour and pomp of his majesty for many days, one hundred and eighty days in all.
On the seventh day, when the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who attended him, to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing the royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the officials her beauty; for she was fair to behold. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command conveyed by the eunuchs. At this the king was enraged, and his anger burned within him.
Then the king consulted the sages who knew the laws (for this was the king’s procedure towards all who were versed in law and custom, and those next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven officials of Persia and Media, who had access to the king, and sat first in the kingdom): ‘According to the law, what is to be done to Queen Vashti because she has not performed the command of King Ahasuerus conveyed by the eunuchs?’ Then Memucan said in the presence of the king and the officials, ‘Not only has Queen Vashti done wrong to the king, but also to all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. For this deed of the queen will be made known to all women, causing them to look with contempt on their husbands, since they will say, “King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, and she did not come.” This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s behaviour will rebel against the king’s officials, and there will be no end of contempt and wrath! If it pleases the king, let a royal order go out from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes so that it may not be altered, that Vashti is never again to come before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she.
Acts 17.1-15
After Paul and Silas had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three sabbath days argued with them from the scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, ‘This is the Messiah, Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.’ Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews became jealous, and with the help of some ruffians in the market-places they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar. While they were searching for Paul and Silas to bring them out to the assembly, they attacked Jason’s house. When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some believers before the city authorities, shouting, ‘These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has entertained them as guests. They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus.’ The people and the city officials were disturbed when they heard this, and after they had taken bail from Jason and the others, they let them go.
That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas off to Beroea; and when they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue. These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, including not a few Greek women and men of high standing. But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Beroea as well, they came there too, to stir up and incite the crowds. Then the believers immediately sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained behind. Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and after receiving instructions to have Silas and Timothy join him as soon as possible, they left him.
Silence
Response (Proverbs 3.19-20)
By your wisdom, O Lord, you founded the earth and established the heavens;
By your wisdom, O Lord, you founded the earth and established the heavens;
By you knowledge the deeps broke open.
You founded the earth and established the heavens;
Glory to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit.
By your wisdom, O Lord, you founded the earth and established the heavens.
Song of Zechariah
Song of Zechariah Antiphon: You will guide us with your counsel, O God: * and, after, receive us with glory. God’s hand laid the foundation of the earth. * God’s right hand spread out the heavens.
1 Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,* for he has come to his people and set them free.
2 He has raised up for us a mighty saviour,* born of the house of his servant David.
3 Through his holy prophets he promised of old* that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us.
4 He promised to show mercy to our forebears,* and to remember his holy covenant.
5 This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:* to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
6 free to worship him without fear,* holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
7 You my 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 for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
(may be said by all)
Song of Zechariah Antiphon: You will guide us with your counsel, O God: * and, after, receive us with glory. God’s hand laid the foundation of the earth. * God’s right hand spread out the heavens.
Prayers
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
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.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.
Amen
Collect of the Day
God the Creator,
in Christ you call all people
to the fullness of glory
for which you created us in your image:
heal our hardened hearts,
renew our obedience to your will,
and conform our lives to your gracious design,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen
God most holy, we give you thanks for bringing us out of the shadow of night into the light of morning; and we ask you for the joy of spending this day in your service, so that when evening comes, we may once more give you thanks, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
Amen
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!
The Lord bless us and preserve us from all evil;
and bring us to life eternal.
Amen.
Evening Prayer
Thursday after Pentecost 16
Season of Creation / Creation Week 2
O God make speed to save us;
O Lord make haste to help us.
Glory to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Psalmody
Antiphon: Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation All things have been created through Christ and for Christ.
Colossians 1.15,16
Opening (from Psalm 19.1-4)
1. The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
2. Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
3. There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
4. Yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or a suitable Hymn
Psalm 49
1. Hear this, all you peoples; *
hearken, all you who dwell in the world,
2. you of high degree and low, *
rich and poor together.
3. My mouth shall speak of wisdom, *
and my heart shall meditate on understanding.
4. I will incline my ear to a proverb *
and set forth my riddle upon the harp.
5. Why should I be afraid in evil days, *
when the wickedness of those at my heels surrounds
me,
6. the wickedness of those who put their trust in their goods, *
and boast of their great riches?
7. We can never ransom ourselves, *
or deliver to God the price of our life;
8. for the ransom of our life is so great, *
that we should never have enough to pay it,
9. in order to live for ever and ever, *
and never see the grave.
10. For we see that the wise die also; like the dull and stupid they perish *
and leave their wealth to those who come after them.
11. Their graves shall be their homes for ever, their
dwelling places from generation to generation, *
though they call the lands after their own names.
12. Even though honoured, they cannot live for ever; *
they are like the beasts that perish.
13. Such is the way of those who foolishly trust in
themselves, *
and the end of those who delight in their own words.
14. Like a flock of sheep they are destined to die; death is their shepherd; they go down straightway to the grave. *
Their form shall waste away, and the land of the dead
shall be their home.
15. But God will ransom my life *
and will snatch me from the grasp of death.
16. Do not be envious when some become rich, *
or when the grandeur of their house increases;
17. for they will carry nothing away at their death, *
nor will their grandeur follow them.
18. Though they thought highly of themselves while they lived, *
and were praised for their success,
19. they shall join the company of their ancestors, *
who will never see the light again.
20. Those who are honoured, but have no understanding, *
are like the beasts that perish.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Conclusion
Benedicite
All you Works of the Lord, bless the Lord : praise and magnify God for ever.
O Waters above the Firmament, bless the Lord : praise and magnify God for ever.
O Sun and Moon, bless the Lord : praise and magnify God for ever. O Stars of Heaven, bless the Lord : praise and magnify God for ever.
All you Works of the Lord, bless the Lord : praise and magnify God for ever.
O Showers and Dew, bless the Lord : praise and magnify God for ever.
O Winds of God, bless the Lord : praise and magnify God for ever. O Fire and Heat, bless the Lord : praise and magnify God for ever.
O Winter and Summer, bless the Lord : praise and magnify God for ever.
O Frost and Cold, bless the Lord: praise and magnify God for ever.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Antiphon: Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. All things have been created through Christ and for Christ.
Reading(s)
John 12.36b-43
While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.’ After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. This was to fulfil the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?’ And so they could not believe, because Isaiah also said, ‘He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not look with their eyes, and understand with their heart and turn— and I would heal them.’ Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke about him. Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God.
Silence
Response John 1
Through God’s Word all things were made.
Through God’s Word all things were made.
In the Word is life
And the life is the light of all people.
Glory to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit.
Through God’s Word all things were made.
Song of Mary
Song of Mary Antiphon: As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return until they have watered the earth So shall my word not return to me empty, says the Lord. Isaiah 50.10-11
1 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
*my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
2 for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant;*
from this day all generations will call me blessed.
3 The Almighty has done great things for me*
and holy is his name.
4 He has mercy on those who fear him*
in every generation.
5 He has shown the strength of his arm;*
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
6 He has cast down the mighty from their thrones*
and has lifted up the lowly.
7 He has filled the hungry with good things,*
and the rich he has sent away empty.
8 He has come to the help of his servant Israel,*
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
9 the promise he made to our forebears,*
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 shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
(may be said by all)
Song of Mary Antiphon: As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return until they have watered the earth So shall my word not return to me empty, says the Lord. Isaiah 50.10-11
Prayers
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
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.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
Collect of the Day
God the Creator,
in Christ you call all people
to the fullness of glory
for which you created us in your image:
heal our hardened hearts,
renew our obedience to your will,
and conform our lives to your gracious design,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen
Lord God almighty, come and dispel the darkness from our hearts, that in the radiance of your brightness we may know you, the only unfading light, glorious in all eternity.
Amen.
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!
The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing:
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Night Prayer
Thursday after Pentecost 16
Season of Creation / Creation Week 2
The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
Amen.
O God, make speed to save us;
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to God, source of all being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Alleluia!
Psalmody
Opening This or another suitable opening hymn may be sung.
"Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.
From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread underfoot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.
O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death."
Antiphon: O Lord, my God, my Saviour,* by day and night I cry to you.
Psalm: Psalm 88
2. Let my prayer enter into your presence;*
incline your ear to my lamentation.
3. For I am full of trouble;*
my life is at the brink of the grave.
4. I am counted among those who go down to the Pit;*
I have become like one who has no strength;
5 Lost among the dead,*
like the slain who lie in the grave,
6. Whom you remember no more,*
for they are cut off from your hand.
7. You have laid me in the depths of the Pit,*
in dark places, and in the abyss.
8. Your anger weighs upon me heavily,*
and all your great waves overwhelm me.
9. You have put my friends far from me;
you have made me to be abhorred by them;*
I am in prison and cannot get free.
10. My sight has failed me because of trouble;*
Lord, I have called upon you daily;
I have stretched out my hands to you.
11. Do you work wonders for the dead?*
will those who have died stand up and give you thanks?
12. Will your loving-kindness be declared in the grave?*
your faithfulness in the land of destruction?
13. Will your wonders be known in the dark?*
or your righteousness in the country where all is forgotten?
14. But as for me, O Lord, I cry to you for help;*
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
15. Lord, why have you rejected me?*
why have you hidden your face from me?
16. Ever since my youth, I have been wretched and at the point of death;*
I have borne your terrors with a troubled mind.
17. Your blazing anger has swept over me;*
your terrors have destroyed me;
18. They surround me all day long like a flood;*
they encompass me on every side.
19. My friend and neighbour you have put away from me,*
and darkness is my only companion.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Antiphon: O Lord, my God, my Saviour, by day and night I cry to you.
Reading(s)
Jeremiah 14.9
You are in our midst, Lord, and we bear your name. Do not forsake us.
Thanks be to God.
Silence
Response Psalm 31.5
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
I commend my spirit.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Song of Simeon
Antiphon:
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.
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 to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Antiphon: 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.
Prayers
Collect
Look down, O Lord, from your heavenly throne, illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness; and from the children of light banish the deeds of darkness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Conclusion
The Lord be with you;
and also with you.
Let us bless the Lord;
Thanks be to God.
May the almighty and merciful God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, bless and keep us.
Amen.
or
May we be hidden under the shadow of God’s wings, this night and for ever.
Amen.