Morning Prayer
Holy Cross Day
Festivals / Holy Cross Day
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:
The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice:*
let the multitude of the isles be glad.
Psalm 97.1
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 97)
1. You are the Lord, most high over all the earth;*
you are exalted far above all gods.
2. The Lord loves those who hate evil;*
preserving the lives of the saints and delivering them from
the hand of the wicked.
3. Light has sprung up for the righteous,*
and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted.
4. Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous.*
and give thanks to the holy name of the Lord.
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 37.18-40
18. The Lord cares for the lives of the godly, * and their inheritance shall last for ever.
19. They shall not be ashamed in bad times, * and in days of famine they shall have enough.
20. As for the wicked, they shall perish,*
and the enemies of the Lord, like the glory of the meadows, shall vanish; they shall vanish like smoke
21. The wicked borrow and do not repay, * but the righteous are generous in giving.
22. Those who are blessed by God shall possess the land, * but those who are cursed by God shall be destroyed.
23. Our steps are directed by the Lord *
who strengthens those in whose way God delights.
24. If they stumble, they shall not fall headlong, * for the Lord holds them by the hand.
25. I have been young and now I am old, *
but never have I seen the righteous forsaken, or their children begging bread.
26. The righteous are always generous in their lending, * and their children shall be a blessing.
27. Turn from evil, and do good, * and dwell in the land for ever.
28. For the Lord loves justice *and does not forsake those who are faithful.
They shall be kept safe for ever, *but the offspring of the wicked shall be destroyed.
29. The righteous shall possess the land * and dwell in it for ever.
30. The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, * and their tongue speaks what is right.
31. The law of their God is in their heart, * and their footsteps shall not falter.
32. The wicked spy on the righteous * and seek occasion to kill them.
33. The Lord will not abandon them to their hand, * nor let them be found guilty when brought to trial.
34. Wait upon the Lord and keep the ways of God, who will raise you up to possess the land, *
and when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
35. I have seen the wicked in their arrogance, * flourishing like a tree in full leaf.
36. I went by, and behold, they were not there; *
I searched for them, but they could not be found.
37. Mark those who are honest; observe the upright; * for there is a future for the peaceable.
38. Transgressors shall be destroyed, one and all; * the future of the wicked is cut off.
39. But the deliverance of the righteous comes from the Lord, *
who is their stronghold in time of trouble.
40. The Lord will help them and rescue them; * rescuing them from the wicked and delivering them, because they seek refuge in God.
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
We praise you, O God - Te Deum
1. We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord;*
all creation worships you, the Father everlasting
2. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, *
the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:
3. Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,*
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
4. The glorious company of apostles*
praise you.
5. The noble fellowship of prophets*
praise you.
6. The white-robed army of martyrs*
praise you.
7. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:*
Father, of majesty unbounded.
8. Your true and only Son, worthy of all praise,*
the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
9. You, Christ, are the king of glory,*
the eternal Son of the Father.
10. When you took our flesh to set us free*
you humbly chose the Virgin’s womb.
11. You overcame the sting of death,*
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
12. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.*
We believe that you will come to be our judge.
13. Come then, Lord, and help your people,*
bought with the price of your own blood.
14. And bring us with your saints*
to glory everlasting.
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: The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice:* let the multitude of the isles be glad.
Reading(s)
Numbers 21.4-9
From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. The people spoke against God and against Moses, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.’ Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, ‘We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.’ So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.’ So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.
John 3.11-17
‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
‘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.
Silence
Response (Psalm 89.1)
Your love, O Lord, for ever will I sing.
Your love, O Lord, for ever will I sing.
My mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
Throughout all generations.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
Your love, O Lord, for ever will I sing.
Song of Zechariah
Song of Zechariah Antiphon: You will guide us with your counsel, O God: * and, after, receive us with glory. Righteousness and justice* * are the foundation of your throne.
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. Righteousness and justice* * are the foundation of your throne.
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
O God,
whom it has pleased to redeem the human race
through the precious blood of your Only-begotten Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ:
mercifully grant, that we,
who rejoice in the life-giving Cross,
might die to our sins and live for righteousness;
through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.
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
Holy Cross Day
Festivals / Holy Cross Day
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: Sing to the Lord a new song;* sing the praises of God in the congregation of the
faithful.
Psalm 149.1
Opening (from Psalm 149)
1. Let Israel rejoice in their maker;*
let the children of Zion be joyful in their sovereign.
2. For the Lord takes pleasure in this people*
and adorns the poor with victory.
3. Let the faithful rejoice in triumph;*
let them be joyful on their beds.
4. Let the praises of God be in their throat*
and a two-edged sword in their hand.
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 38
1. O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger; * do not punish me in your wrath.
2. For your arrows have already pierced me, * and your hand presses hard upon me.
3. There is no health in my flesh, because of your indignation; *
there is no soundness in my body, because of my sin.
4. For my iniquities overwhelm me; *
like a heavy burden they are too much for me to bear.
5. My wounds stink and fester * by reason of my foolishness.
6. I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; * I go about in mourning all the day long.
7. My loins are filled with searing pain; * there is no health in my body.
8. I am utterly numb and crushed; *
I wail, because of the groaning of my heart.
9. O Lord, you know all my desires, *
and my sighing is not hidden from you.
10. My heart is pounding, my strength has failed me, * and the brightness of my eyes is gone from me.
11. My friends and companions draw back from my affliction; *
my neighbours stand afar off.
12. Those who seek after my life lay snares for me; * those who strive to hurt me speak of my ruin and plot treachery all the day long.
13. But I am like the deaf who do not hear, *
like those who are mute and do not open their mouth.
14. I have become like one who does not hear, * and from whose mouth comes no defence.
15. For in you, O Lord, have I fixed my hope; * you will answer me, O Lord my God.
16. For I said, “Do not let them rejoice at my expense, * those who gloat over me when my foot slips.”
17. Truly, I am on the verge of falling, * and my pain is always with me.
18. I will confess my iniquity * and be sorry for my sin.
19. Those who are my enemies without cause are mighty,* and many in number are those who wrongfully hate me.
20. Those who repay evil for good slander me, * because I follow the course that is right.
21. O Lord, do not forsake me; * be not far from me, O my God.
22. Make haste to help me, * O Lord of my salvation.
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
Revelation 4 and 5
1. Glory and honour and power*
are yours by right, O Lord our God;
2. For you created all things*
and by your will they have their being.
3. Glory and honour and power*
are yours by right, O Lamb who was slain;
4. For by your blood you ransomed us for God,*
from every race and language, from every people and
nation.
5. To make us a kingdom of priests*
to stand and serve before our God.
6. To God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb*
be praise and honour, glory and might, for ever and ever.
Amen.
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: Sing to the Lord a new song;* sing the praises of God in the congregation of the faithful.
Reading(s)
Genesis 3.1-15
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God say, “You shall not eat from any tree in the garden”?’ The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.”’ But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves. 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.’
Silence
Response Psalm 147.12
You delight, Lord, in those who fear you.
You delight, Lord, in those who fear you.
Who wait in hope for your mercy.
Those who fear you.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
You delight, Lord, in those who fear you.
Song of Mary
Song of Mary Antiphon: The Lord swore to David,* the fruit of your body I will set upon your
throne.
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: The Lord swore to David,* the fruit of your body I will set upon your
throne.
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
O God,
whom it has pleased to redeem the human race
through the precious blood of your Only-begotten Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ:
mercifully grant, that we,
who rejoice in the life-giving Cross,
might die to our sins and live for righteousness;
through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.
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
Holy Cross Day
Festivals / Holy Cross Day
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: You, O Lord, are good and forgiving;* full of kindness and truth.
Psalm: Psalm 86
1. Bow down your ear, O Lord, and answer me,*
for I am poor and in misery.
2. Keep watch over my life, for I am faithful;*
save your servant who puts his trust in you.
3. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for you are my God;*
I call upon you all the day long.
4. Gladden the soul of your servant,*
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,*
and great is your love toward all who call upon you.
6. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer,*
and attend to the voice of my supplications.
7. In the time of my trouble I will call upon you,*
for you will answer me.
8. Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord,*
nor anything like your works.
9. All nations you have made will come and worship
you, O Lord,
and glorify your name.
10 For you are great; you do wondrous things;*
and you alone are God.
11. Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth;*
knit my heart to you that I may fear your name.
12. I will thank you, O Lord my God, with all my heart,*
and glorify your name for evermore.
13. For great is your love toward me;*
you have delivered me from the nethermost Pit.
14. The arrogant rise up against me, O God, and a band of violent men seeks my life;*
they have not set you before their eyes.
15. But you, O Lord, are gracious and full of compassion,*
slow to anger, and full of kindness and truth.
16. Turn to me and have mercy upon me;*
give strength to your servant; and save the child of your handmaid.
17. Show me a sign of your favour, so that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed;*
because you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
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: You, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
full of kindness and truth.
Reading(s)
1 Thessalonians 5.9, 10
God destined us to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with him.
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
Come to visit us, Lord, this night, so that by your strength we may rise at daybreak to rejoice in the resurrection of Christ your Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
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.