Morning Prayer
Third Sunday of Advent
Advent / Third Sunday of Advent
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:
Show your servants your works
and your splendour to their children.
Psalm 90.16
Opening
Come, let us sing
1 Come, let us sing to the Lord; *
let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before the presence of the Lord with thanksgiving *
and raise a loud shout to God with psalms.
3 For you, O Lord, are a great God, * and a great sovereign above all gods.
4 In your hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are yours also.
5 The sea is yours, for you made it, *
and your hands have moulded the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7 For you are our God, and we are the people of your pasture and the sheep of your hand. *
Oh, that today we would hearken to your voice!
8 “Harden not your hearts, *
as your forebears did in the wilderness.
9 They put me to the test, * though they had seen my works.
10 So I swore in my wrath, *
‘They shall not enter into my rest.’”
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 90)
1. Lord, you have been our refuge *
from one generation to another
2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or the land and the earth were born,*
from age to age you are God.
3. Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning;
so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.
4. Make us glad by the measure of the days that you afflicted us *
and the years in which we suffered adversity
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 107:1-22
1. Give thanks to the Lord who is good, *
and whose mercy endures for ever.
2. Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim *
that God redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
3. The Lord gathered them out of the lands; *
from the east and from the west, from the north
and from the south.
4. Some wandered in desert wastes; *
they found no way to a city where they might dwell.
5. They were hungry and thirsty; *
their spirits languished within them.
6. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *
who delivered them from their distress.
7. The Lord put their feet on a straight path *
to go to a city where they might dwell.
8. Let them give thanks to you, O Lord, for your mercy *
and the wonders you do for your children.
9. For you satisfy the thirsty *
and fill the hungry with good things.
10. Some sat in darkness and deep gloom, *
bound fast in misery and iron;
11. because they rebelled against the words of God *
and despised the counsel of the Most High.
12. So you humbled their spirits with hard labour; *
they stumbled, and there was none to help.
13. Then they cried to you in their trouble, *
and you delivered them from their distress.
14. You led them out of darkness and deep gloom *
and broke their bonds asunder.
15. Let them give thanks to you, O Lord, for your mercy *
and the wonders you do for your children.
16. For you shatter the doors of bronze *
and break in two the iron bars.
17. Some were fools and took to rebellious ways; *
they were afflicted because of their sins.
18. They abhorred all manner of food *
and drew near to death’s door.
19. Then they cried to you, O Lord, in their trouble, *
and you delivered them from their distress.
20. You sent forth your word and healed them *
and saved them from the grave.
21. Let them give thanks to you, O Lord, for your
mercy *
and the wonders you do for your children.
22. Let them offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and tell of your acts with shouts of joy.
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
Isaiah 2.2-5
1. In days to come, the mountain where the Lord dwells*
will be lifted high above all the mountains and raised
above the hills.
2. All the nations will flock to it;*
countless peoples will come to it.
3. And they will say, Come let us go to the mountain of the Lord,*
to the temple of the God of Jacob,
4. who will teach us his ways,*
and we will walk in his paths;
5 who will sit in judgement over the nations;*
be arbiter among many peoples.
6. They will beat their swords into ploughshares,*
and their spears into sickles;
7. nation shall not lift up sword against nation,*
nor ever again prepare for war.
8. people of Jacob come,*
let us walk in the light 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.
Antiphon: Show your servants your works and your splendour to their children.
Reading(s)
Malachi 3.1-4.6
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.
For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished. Ever since the days of your ancestors you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’
Will anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing me! But you say, ‘How are we robbing you?’ In your tithes and offerings! You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me—the whole nation of you! Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. I will rebuke the locust for you, so that it will not destroy the produce of your soil; and your vine in the field shall not be barren, says the Lord of hosts. Then all nations will count you happy, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.
You have spoken harsh words against me, says the Lord. Yet you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What do we profit by keeping his command or by going about as mourners before the Lord of hosts? Now we count the arrogant happy; evildoers not only prosper, but when they put God to the test they escape.’
Then those who revered the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord took note and listened, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who revered the Lord and thought on his name. They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, my special possession on the day when I act, and I will spare them as parents spare their children who serve them. Then once more you shall see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.
See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.
Remember the teaching of my servant Moses, the statutes and ordinances that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.
Lo, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents, so that I will not come and strike the land with a curse.
Philemon 4.4-7
When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God
Silence
Response (Psalm 96.10)
Tell it out among the nations: ‘The Lord reigns!’
Tell it out among the nations: ‘The Lord reigns!’
The Lord will judge the peoples with equity.
‘The Lord reigns.’
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
Tell it out among the nations: ‘The Lord reigns!’
Song of Zechariah
Song of Zechariah Antiphon: You will guide us with your counsel, O God: * and, after, receive us with glory. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,* * because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted.
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. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,* * because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted.
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
Stir up our prayers, Lord,
and hear us:
that they who are sorrowful and suffering
may rejoice at the Advent of your only-begotten Son;
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
Third Sunday of Advent
Advent / Third Sunday of Advent
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: My eyes are turned to you, Lord God; * in you I take refuge; do not strip me of my life.
Psalm 141.8
Opening (from Psalms 140 and 141)
1. I have said to the Lord, ”You are my God; listen, O Lord, to my supplication.”
2. Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly; * hear my voice when I cry to you
3. I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the poor * and render justice to the needy.
4. Surely, the righteous will give thanks to your name,* and the upright shall continue in your sight.
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 107:23-43
23. Some went down to the sea in ships *
and plied their trade in deep waters;
24. They beheld your works, O Lord, *
and your wonders in the deep.
25. Then you spoke, and a stormy wind arose, *
which tossed high the waves of the sea.
26. They mounted up to the heavens and fell back to the depths; *
their hearts melted because of their peril.
27. They reeled and staggered like drunkards *
and were at their wits’ end.
28. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *
and you delivered them from their distress.
29. You stilled the storm to a whisper *
and quieted the waves of the sea.
30. Then were they glad because of the calm, *
and you brought them to the harbour they were
bound for.
31. Let them give thanks to you, O Lord, for your
mercy *
and the wonders you do for your children.
32. Let them exalt you in the congregation of the
people *
and praise you in the council of the elders.
33. The Lord changed rivers into deserts, *
and water-springs into thirsty ground,
34. a fruitful land into salt flats, *
because of the wickedness of those who dwell
there.
35. The Lord changed deserts into pools of water *
and dry land into water-springs,
36. settling the hungry there, *
and they founded a city to dwell in.
37. They sowed fields, and planted vineyards, *
and brought in a fruitful harvest.
38. The Lord blessed them, so that they increased greatly; *
and did not let their herds decrease.
39. Yet when they were diminished and brought low, *
through stress of adversity and sorrow,
40. (You pour contempt on princes *
and make them wander in trackless wastes)
41. The Lord lifted up the poor out of misery *
and multiplied their families like flocks of sheep.
42. The upright will see this and rejoice, *
but all wickedness will shut its mouth.
43. Whoever is wise will ponder these things, *
and consider well the mercies 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.
Conclusion
Revelation 22
1. I am the Alpha and the Omega, *
says the Lord.
2. The first and the last,*
the beginning and the end.
3. I am the root and offspring of David,*
the bright morning star.
4. The Spirit and the Bride say, Come;*
let anyone who hears, say, Come,
5 Let anyone who is thirsty come;*
let anyone who desires take the water of life without price.
6. The Lord says, Surely I am coming soon.*
Amen; come, Lord Jesus!
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: My eyes are turned to you, Lord God; *in you I take refuge; do not strip me of my life.
Reading(s)
Luke 1.57-66
Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, ‘No; he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘None of your relatives has this name.’ Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbours, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, ‘What then will this child become?’ For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.
Silence
Response Psalm 28.9
Save your people and bless your inheritance.
Save your people and bless your inheritance.
Shepherd them and carry them for ever.
Bless your inheritance.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
Save your people and bless your inheritance.
Song of Mary
Song of Mary Antiphon: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,* because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted. Isaiah 61.1
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 Spirit of the Lord is upon me,* because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted. Isaiah 61.1
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
Stir up our prayers, Lord,
and hear us:
that they who are sorrowful and suffering
may rejoice at the Advent of your only-begotten Son;
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
Third Sunday of Advent
Advent / Third Sunday of Advent
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: The wings of the Lord shall cover you, * and you shall not fear any terror by night.
Psalm: Psalm 91
1. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High,*
abides under the shadow of the Almighty.
2. He shall say to the Lord, ‘You are my refuge and my stronghold,*
my God in whom I put my trust.’
3. He shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter*
and from the deadly pestilence.
4. He shall cover you with his pinions, and you shall find refuge under his wings;*
his faithfulness shall be a shield and buckler.
5. You shall not be afraid of any terror by night,*
nor of the arrow that flies by day:
6. Of the plague that stalks in the darkness,*
nor of the sickness that lays waste at mid-day.
7. A thousand shall fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand.*
but it shall not come near you.
8. Your eyes have only to behold*
to see the reward of the wicked.
9. Because you have made the Lord your refuge,*
and the Most High your habitation,
10. There shall no evil happen to you,*
neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
11. For he shall give his angels charge over you,*
to keep you in all your ways.
12. They shall bear you in their hands,*
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13. You shall tread upon the lion and adder;*
you shall trample the young lion and the serpent under your feet.
14. Because he is bound to me in love, therefore will I deliver him;*
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him;*
I am with him in trouble; I will rescue him and bring him to honour.
16. With long life will I satisfy him,*
and show him 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.
Antiphon: The wings of the Lord shall cover you, *
and you shall not fear any terror by night.
Reading(s)
Revelation 22.4,5
They shall see the Lord face to face and his name shall be on their foreheads. And night shall be no more. They need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord will be their light, and they shall reign for ever and ever.
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.