Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Sunday November 6 Compline

Compline
Opening Sentence
The officiant begins with the following

The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. 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. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. 1 Peter 5:8-9a

V:  Our help is in the Name of the Lord;
R: Who hath made heaven and earth.

Confession of Sin
Minister: Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.

All: Almighty God, our heavenly Father: We have sinned  against thee, through our own fault, in thought, word,  and deed, and in those things which we have left undone.  For the sake of thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us  all our offenses; and grant that we may serve thee in  newness of life, to the glory of thy Name. Amen.

Minister: May the Almighty God grant us + forgiveness of all our  sins, amendment of life, and the grace and comfort of the  Holy Ghost. Amen.

V: O God, make speed to save us.
R: O Lord, make haste to help us.
V: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
R: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
V: Praise ye the Lord.
R: The Lord's Name be praised.

The Psalms
Two or more of the following psalms are sung or said.

Psalm 4. Cum invocarem.

HEAR me when I call, O God of my righteousness: * thou hast set me at liberty when I was in trouble; have mercy upon me, and hearken unto my prayer.
2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye blaspheme mine honour, * and have such pleasure in vanity, and seek after falsehood?
3 Know this also, that the LORD hath chosen to himself the man that is godly; * when I call upon the LORD he will hear me.
4 Stand in awe, and sin not; * commune with your own heart, and in your chamber, and be still.
5 Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, * and put your trust in the LORD.
6 There be many that say, * Who will show us any good?
7 LORD, lift thou up* the light of thy countenance upon us.
8 Thou hast put gladness in my heart; * yea, more than when their corn and wine and oil increase.
9 I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest; * for it is thou, LORD, only, that makest me dwell in safety.

 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,* and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,* world without end. Amen.

Psalm 134. Ecce nunc.

BEHOLD now, praise the LORD, * all ye servants of the LORD;
2 Ye that by night stand in the house of the LORD, * even in the courts of the house of our God.
3 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, * and praise the LORD.
4 The LORD that made heaven and earth * give thee blessing out of Sion.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,* and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,* world without end. Amen.

The Lesson

Wisdom is better than strength, and a wise man is better than a strong man. Hear therefore, ye kings, and understand: learn, ye that are judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, you that rule the people, and that please yourselves in multitudes of nations: For power is given you by the Lord, and strength by the most High, who will examine your works, and search out your thoughts: Because being ministers of his kingdom, you have not judged rightly, nor kept the law of justice, nor walked according to the will of God. Horribly and speedily will he appear to you: for a most severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule. For to him that is little, mercy is granted: but the mighty shall be mightily tormented. For God will not except any man's person, neither will he stand in awe of any man's greatness: for he made the little and the great, and he hath equally care of all. But a greater punishment is ready for the more mighty. 10 To you, therefore, O kings, are these my words, that you may learn wisdom, and not fall from it. 11 For they that have kept just things justly, shall be justified: and they that have learned these things, shall find what to answer. 12 Covet ye therefore my words, and love them, and you shall have instruction. 13 Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away, and is easily seen by them that love her, and is found by them that seek her. 14 She preventeth them that covet her, so that she first sheweth herself unto them. 15 He that awaketh early to seek her, shall not labour: for he shall find her sitting at his door. 16 To think therefore upon her, is perfect understanding: and he that watcheth for her, shall quickly be secure. 17 For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, and she sheweth herself to them cheerfully in the ways, and meeteth them with all providence. 18 For the beginning of her is the most true desire of discipline. 19 And the care of discipline is love: and love is the keeping of her laws: and the keeping of her laws is the firm foundation of incorruption: 20 And incorruption bringeth near to God. 21 Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to the everlasting kingdom. 22 If then your delight be in thrones, and sceptres, O ye kings of the people, love wisdom, that you may reign for ever. 23 Love the light of wisdom, all ye that bear rule over peoples. 24 Now what wisdom is, and what was her origin, I will declare: and I will not hide from you the mysteries of God, but will seek her out from the beginning of her birth, and bring the knowledge of her to light, and will not pass over the truth: 25 Neither will I go with consuming envy: for such a man shall not be partaker of wisdom. 26 Now the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the whole world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people. 27 Receive therefore instruction by my words, and it shall be profitable to you. Wisdom 6

The Hymn
The Office Hymn is sung

Hymn 21 To thee before the close of day - Te lucis ante terminum- Neale
To thee before the close of day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That, with thy wonted favor, thou
Wouldst be our guard and keeper now.

From all ill dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Withhold from us our ghostly foe,
That spot of sin we may not know.

O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son,
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally. Amen.

The Prayers

V: The Lord be with you.
R: And with thy spirit.
V: Let us pray.

V. Into thy hands I commend my spirit.
R. For thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth.
V. Keep me as an apple of an eye;
R. Hide me under the shadow of thy wings.

V. Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Christ have mercy upon us.
V. Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.  Amen.

V:  O Lord, hear my prayer;
R: And let my cry come unto thee.
V: Let us pray.

The Collects

The Officiant then says one or more of the following Collects

O GOD, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all godliness; Be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Be present, O most merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the manifold changes and chances of this life may rest in thy eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The Canticle

The Song of Simeon   Nunc dimittis
Luke 2:29‑32

Ant: Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping;*
   that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, *
    according to thy word;
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, *
    which thou hast prepared before the face of all people,
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, *
    and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: *
   as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end.  Amen.

Ant: Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping;*
   that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.

V. The Lord be with you;
R. And with thy spirit.
V. Let us bless the Lord
R. Thanks be to God.

The Almighty and merciful Lord, + Father, Son,

and Holy Ghost bless us and keep us. Amen.

Monday, September 19, 2016

Sunday November 6 Choral Evensong

Choral Evensong
The Opening Sentence
THE LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. Hab. ii. 20.

¶ Then likewise he shall say,

V: O Lord, open thou our lips.
R: And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
V: O God make speed to save us
R: O Lord make haste to help us
V: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
R: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.
V: Praise ye the Lord.
R: The Lord's Name be praised.

¶ Then may be sung a hymn
Hymn 100 All praise to thee, my God, this night – T Ken
All praise to thee, my God, this night,
for all the blessings of the light:
keep me, O keep me, King of kings,
beneath thine own almighty wings.

Forgive me, Lord, for thy dear Son,
the ill that I this day have done;
that with the world, myself, and thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.

O may my soul on thee repose,
and with sweet sleep mine eyelids close;
sleep that shall me more vigorous make
to serve my God when I awake.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host:
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

The Psalms

Psalm 140. Eripe me, Domine.
Antiphon: Holy is the true Light, and passing wonderful, lending radiance to them that endured in the heat of the conflict: * from Christ they shall inherit a home of fadeless splendor, wherein they rejoice with gladness unceasing.
DELIVER me, O LORD, from the evil man; * and preserve me from the wicked man;
2 Who imagine mischief in their hearts, * and stir up strife all the day long.
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; * adder's poison is under their lips.
4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the ungodly; * preserve me from the wicked men, who are purposed to overthrow my goings.
5 The proud have laid a snare for me, and spread a net abroad with cords; * yea, and set traps in my way.
6 I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God, * hear the voice of my prayers, O LORD.
7 O LORD God, thou strength of my health; * thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Let not the ungodly have his desire, O LORD; * let not his mischievous imagination prosper, lest they be too proud.
9 Let the mischief of their own lips fall upon the head of them * that compass me about.
10 Let hot burning coals fall upon them; * let them be cast into the fire, and into the pit, that they never rise up again.
11 A man full of words shall not prosper upon the earth: * evil shall hunt the wicked person to overthrow him.
12 Sure I am that the LORD will avenge the poor, * and maintain the cause of the helpless.
13 The righteous also shall give thanks unto thy Name; * and the just shall continue in thy sight.

GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.


Psalm 141. Domine, clamavi.
Antiphon: I beheld a great multitude which no man could number, * of all nations, standing before the throne.

LORD, I call upon thee; haste thee unto me, * and consider my voice, when I cry unto thee.
2 Let my prayer be set forth in thy sight as the incense; * and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.
3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth, * and keep the door of my lips.
4 O let not mine heart be inclined to any evil thing; * let me not be occupied in ungodly works with the men that work wickedness, neither let me eat of such things as please them.
5 Let the righteous rather smite me friendly, and reprove me; * yea, let not my head refuse their precious balms.
6 As for the ungodly, * I will pray yet against their wickedness.
7 Let theirjudges be overthrown in stony places, * that they may hear my words; for they are sweet.
8 Our bones lie scattered before the pit, * like as when one breaketh and heweth wood upon the earth.
9 But mine eyes look unto thee, O LORD God; * in thee is my trust; O cast not out my soul.
10 Keep me from the snare that they have laid for me, * and from the traps of the wicked doers.
11 Let the ungodly fall into their own nets together, * and let me ever escape them.


GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Lessons and Canticles

The First Lesson
Exo 33:7-19

And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the Lord went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp. And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle. And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses. 10 And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door. 11 And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle. 12 And Moses said unto the Lord, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. 13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. 14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. 15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. 16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. 17 And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. 18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

Magnificat. St. Luke i. 46.

Antinphon – Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s: * and unto God the things that are God’s, Alleluia!

MY soul doth magnify the Lord, * and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded * the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from henceforth * all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me; * and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him * throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm; * he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; * and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel; * as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.
GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

The Second Lesson
Heb. 1:1-12

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: 11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Nunc dimittis. St. Luke ii. 29.

Antiphon –  Lord mine eyes have seen * thy salvation
LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, * according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen * thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared * before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, * and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

The Creed
¶ Then shall be said the Apostles’ Creed by the Minister and the People, standing. And any Churches may, instead of the words, He descended into hell, use the words, He went into the place of departed spirits, which are considered as words of the same meaning in the Creed.

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost: The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints: The Forgiveness of sins: The Resurrection of the body: And the Life everlasting. Amen.

The Prayers
¶ And after that, these Prayers following, the people devoutly kneeling; the Minister first pronouncing,

Minister         The Lord be with you.
Answer           And with thy spirit.
Minister         Let us pray.

Lord have mercy upon us
Christ have mercy upon us
Lord have mercy upon us

¶ Here, shall follow the Lord's Prayer.

OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Minister         O Lord, show thy mercy upon us;
Answer           And grant us thy salvation.
Minister         O Lord, save the State
Answer           And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
Minister         Endue thy ministers with righteousness;
Answer           And make thy chosen people joyful.
Minister         O Lord, save thy people.
Answer           And bless thine inheritance.
Minister         Give peace in our time, O Lord.
Answer           For it is thou, Lord, only, that makest us dwell in safety.
Minister         Create in us clean hearts, O God;
Answer           And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.

¶ Then shall be said the Collect of the Day, and after that the Collects and Prayers following.

Collect of the 3rd Sunday Before Advent

O GOD, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all godliness; Be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect for All Saints Day

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Christ our Lord; Grant us grace so to follow thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys which thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love thee; through* Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect of the Holy Trinity

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity; We beseech thee that thou wouldest keep us stedfast in this faith, and evermore defend us from all adversities, who livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen.

A Collect for Peace.

O GOD, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed; Give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee, we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

A Collect for Aid against Perils.

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. Amen.

The Hymn
Hymn 21 To thee before the close of day - Te lucis ante terminum- Neale
To thee before the close of day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That, with thy wonted favor, thou
Wouldst be our guard and keeper now.

From all ill dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Withhold from us our ghostly foe,
That spot of sin we may not know.

O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son,
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally. Amen.

A Prayer for The President of the United States, and all in Civil Authority.
ALMIGHTY God, whose kingdom is everlasting and power infinite; Have mercy upon this whole land; and so rule the hearts of thy servants THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, The Governor of this State, and all others in authority, that they, knowing whose ministers they are, may above all things seek thy honour and glory; and that we and all the People, duly considering whose authority they bear, may faithfully and obediently honour them, according to thy blessed Word and ordinance; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

A Prayer for the Clergy and People.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift; Send down upon our Bishops, and other Clergy, and upon the Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate arid Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Prayer for all Conditions of Men.
O GOD, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are any ways afflicted, or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; said when any desire parayers...[*especially those for whom our prayers are desired;] that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them, according to. their several necessities; giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

A General Thanksgiving.
ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies, we, thine unworthy servants, do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all men; [*particularly said when any desire to return thanks...to those who desire now to offer up their praises and thanksgivings for thy late mercies vouchsafed unto them.] We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may he unfeignedly thankful; and that we show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

¶ Note, That the General Thanksgiving may be said by the Congregation with the Minister.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom.
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests; Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.

2 Cor. xiii. 14.

THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Sunday December 6 Noon Prayer

Diurns

The Angelus Domini may be said here

The Angelus Domini

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost.

Hail Mary Full of Grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Amen.

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary Full of Grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Amen.

V. And the Word was made Flesh.
R. And dwelt amongst us.

Hail Mary Full of Grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Amen.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Opening Sentence
The Service begins with the following sentence of scripture.

On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour. Acts 10:9

Opening Prayers
V: O God, make speed to save us.
R: O Lord, make haste to help us.
V: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
R: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.
V: Praise ye the Lord.
R: The Lord's Name be praised.

Except in Lent, add   Alleluia.

The Hymn
Here the office hymn is sung

Hymn 46 O GOD of truth, O Lord of might - Rector potens verax Deus - Neale
O GOD of truth, O Lord of might,
Who orderest time and change aright,
and sendest the early morning ray,
and lightest the glow of perfect day.

Extinguish Thou each sinful fire,
and banish every ill desire:
and while Thou keepest the body whole
shed forth Thy peace upon the soul.

Almighty Father, hear our cry
through Jesus Christ, Our Lord most High
Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee,
doth live and reign eternally. Amen.

The Psalms
Three of the following Psalms is sung or said with the appointed antiphon.

Antiphon: Bless ye the Lord, all ye his Elect: * keep days of joy, and give glory unto him.
XI. Defecit anima mea.

MY soul hath longed for thy salvation, * and I have a good hope because of thy word.
82 Mine eyes-long sore for thy word; * saying, O when wilt thou comfort me?
83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; * yet do I not forget thy statutes.
84 How many are the days of thy servant? * when wilt thou be avenged of them that persecute me?
85 The proud have digged pits for me, * which are not after thy law.
86 All thy commandments are true: * they persecute me falsely; O be thou my help.
87 They had almost made an end of me upon earth; * but I forsook not thy commandments.
88 O quicken me after thy loving-kindness; * and so shall I keep the testimonies of thy mouth.

XII. In aeternum, Domine.

O LORD, thy word * endureth for ever in heaven. go Thy truth also remaineth from one generation to another; * thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and it abideth.
91 They continue this day according to thine ordinance; * for all things serve thee.
92 If my delight had not been in thy law, * I should have perished in my trouble.
93 I will never forget thy commandments; * for with them thou hast quickened me.
94 I am thine: O save me, * for I have sought thy commandments.
95 The ungodly laid wait for me, to destroy me; * but I will consider thy testimonies.
96 I see that all things come to an end; * but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

XIII. Quomodo dilexi!

LORD, what love have I unto thy law! * all the day long is my study in it.
98 Thou, through thy commandments, hast made me wiser than mine enemies; * for they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than my teachers; * for thy testimonies are my study.
100 I am wiser than the aged; * because I keep thy commandments.
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, * that I may keep thy word.
102 I have not shrunk from thy judgments; * for thou teachest me.
103 O how sweet are thy words unto my throat; * yea, sweeter than honey unto my mouth!
104 Through thy commandments I get understanding: * therefore I hate all evil ways.

GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: Bless ye the Lord, all ye his Elect: * keep days of joy, and give glory unto him.

The Reading

Queen Esther also, fearing the danger that was at hand, had recourse to the Lord. And when she had laid away her royal apparel, she put on garments suitable for weeping and mourning: instead of divers precious ointments, she covered her head with ashes and dung, and she humbled her body with fasts: and all the places in which before she was accustomed to rejoice, she filled with her torn hair. And she prayed to the Lord the God of Israel, saying: O my Lord, who alone art our king, help me a desolate woman, and who have no other helper but thee. My danger is in my hands. I have heard of my father that thou, O Lord, didst take Israel from among all nations, and our fathers from all their predecessors, to possess them as an everlasting inheritance, and thou hast done to them as thou hast promised. We have sinned in thy sight, and therefore thou hast delivered us into the hands of our enemies: For we have worshipped their gods. Thou art just, O Lord. And now they are not content to oppress us with most hard bondage, but attributing the strength of their hands to the power of their idols, They design to change thy promises, and destroy thy inheritance, and shut the mouths of them that praise thee, and extinguish the glory of thy temple and altar, 10 That they may open the mouths of Gentiles, and praise the strength of idols, and magnify for ever a carnal king. 11 Give not, O Lord, thy sceptre to them that are not, lest they laugh at our ruin: but turn their counsel upon themselves, and destroy him that hath begun to rage against us. 12 Remember, O Lord, and shew thyself to us in the time of our tribulation, and give me boldness, O Lord, king of gods, and of all power: 13 Give me a well ordered speech in my mouth in the presence of the lion, and turn his heart to the hatred of our enemy, that both he himself may perish, and the rest that consent to him. 14 But deliver us by thy hand, and help me, who have no other helper, but thee, O Lord, who hast the knowledge of all things. 15 And thou knowest that I hate the glory of the wicked, and abhor the bed of the uncircumcised, and of every stranger. 16 Thou knowest my necessity, that I abominate the sign of my pride and glory, which is upon my head in the days of my public appearance, and detest it as a menstruous rag, and wear it not in the days of my silence, 17 And that I have not eaten at Aman's table, nor hath the king's banquet pleased me, and that I have not drunk the wine of the drink offerings: 18 And that thy handmaid hath never rejoiced, since I was brought hither unto this day, but in thee, O Lord, the God of Abraham. 19 O God, who art mighty above all, hear the voice of them, that have no other hope, and deliver us from the hand of the wicked, and deliver me from my fear. Add Esther 14

V: The World of the Lord
R: Thanks be to God

The Canticle
Benedictus es Domine

Ant: Blessed art thou Lord God of our fathers, * praised and exalted above all for ever.

BLESSED art thou, O Lord God of our fathers; * praised and exalted above all for ever.
Blessed art thou for the Name of thy Majesty; * praised and exalted above all for ever.
Blessed art thou in the temple of thy holiness; * Praised and exalted above all for ever.
Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths, and dwellest between the Cherubim: * praised and exalted above all for ever.
Blessed art thou on the glorious throne of thy Kingdom: * praised and exalted above all for ever.
Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven: * praised and exalted above all for ever.

GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

The Prayers

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Officiant and People

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.  Amen.


Officiant   Lord, hear our prayer;
People       And let our cry come to you.
Officiant   Let us pray.

Collects

O GOD, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all godliness; Be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Heavenly Father, send thy Holy Spirit into our hearts, to direct and rule us according to thy will, to comfort us in all our afflictions, to defend us from all error, and to lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Almighty Savior, whom at noonday called thy servant Saint Paul to be an apostle unto the Gentiles: We pray thee to illumine the world with the radiance of thy glory, that all nations may come and worship thee; who you lives and reigns unto the ages of ages.  Amen.

Intercessions may be offered

For Our Country.
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favour and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honourable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogancy, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Church.
O GRACIOUS Father, we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Catholic Church; that thou wouldst be pleased to fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, establish it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of him who died and rose again, and ever liveth to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

For Missions.
O GOD, who hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the whole earth, and didst send thy blessed Son to preach peace to them that are far off and to them that are nigh; Grant that all men everywhere may seek after thee and find thee. Bring the nations into thy fold, pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten thy kingdom; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Increase of the Ministry.
O ALMIGHTY God, look mercifully upon the world which thou hast redeemed by the blood of thy dear Son, and incline the hearts of many to dedicate themselves to the sacred ministry of thy Church; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The service concludes as follows
Officiant   Let us bless the Lord.

People       Thanks be to God.