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12.25pm on Thursday 5 March 2026

Evening Prayer (Evensong) in Traditional Language

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    Evening Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Thursday, 5 March 2026
  The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
  Introduction
   
  The minister may use a seasonal sentence before using one or more of the penitential sentences.
   
  The minister introduces the service
     
    Dearly beloved [brethren],
    the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge
       and confess our manifold sins and wickedness;
     
    [and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before
       the face of almighty God our heavenly Father;
    but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent and
       obedient heart;
    to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same
       by his infinite goodness and mercy.
    And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge
       our sins before God;
    yet ought we most chiefly so to do,
    when we assemble and meet together
    to render thanks for the great benefits that we have
       received at his hands,
    to set forth his most worthy praise,
    to hear his most holy word,
    and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary,
    as well for the body as the soul.]
     
    Wherefore I pray and beseech you,
    as many as are here present,
    to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice,
    unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying [after me]:
     
    (or)
     
    Beloved, we are come together in the presence of almighty God and of the whole company of heaven to offer unto him through our Lord Jesus Christ our worship and praise and thanksgiving; to make confession of our sins; to pray, as well for others as for ourselves, that we may know more truly the greatness of God's love and shew forth in our lives the fruits of his grace; and to ask on behalf of all men such things as their well-being doth require.
     
    Wherefore let us kneel in silence, and remember God's presence with us now.
   
All
   Almighty and most merciful Father,
    we have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
    We have followed too much the devices and desires
       of our own hearts.
    We have offended against thy holy laws.
    We have left undone those things
       which we ought to have done;
    and we have done those things
         which we ought not to have done;
    and there is no health in us.
    But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.
    Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults.
    Restore thou them that are penitent;
    according to thy promises declared unto mankind
       in Christ Jesu our Lord.
    And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
    that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
    to the glory of thy holy name.
  Amen.
   
  A priest says
     
    Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    who desireth not the death of a sinner,
    but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live;
    and hath given power, and commandment, to his ministers
    to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent,
    the absolution and remission of their sins:
    he pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent
       and unfeignedly believe his holy gospel.
    Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance,
       and his Holy Spirit,
    that those things may please him which we do at this present;
    and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy;
    so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
   
  or other ministers may say
     
    Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord,
    to thy faithful people pardon and peace,
    that they may be cleansed from all their sins,
    and serve thee with a quiet mind;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
   
All
   Our Father, which art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name;
    thy kingdom come;
    thy will be done,
    in earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread.
    And forgive us our trespasses,
  as we forgive them that trespass against us.
    And lead us not into temptation;
    but deliver us from evil.
    For thine is the kingdom,
    the power and the glory,
    for ever and ever.
    Amen.
  Evening Prayer
     
    The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
     
    These responses are used
     
    O Lord, open thou our lips
All
   and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
     
    O God, make speed to save us.
All
   O Lord, make haste to help us.
     
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
    and to the Holy Ghost;
All
   as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
    world without end. Amen.
     
    Praise ye the Lord.
All
   The Lord's name be praised.
     
  Psalmody  
   

Psalm 27

  
 

  
1
 The Lord is my light, and my salvation; whom then shall I fear *
 the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
  
 
  
2
 When the wicked, even mine enemies, and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh *
 they stumbled and fell.
  
 
  
3
 Though an host of men were laid against me, yet shall not my heart be afraid *
 and though there rose up war against me, yet will I put my trust in him.
  
 
  
4
 One thing have I desired of the Lord, which I will require *
 even that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and to visit his temple.
  
 
  
5
 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his tabernacle *
 yea, in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me, and set me up upon a rock of stone.
  
 
  
6
 And now shall he lift up mine head *
 above mine enemies round about me.
  
 
  
7
 Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation with great gladness *
 I will sing, and speak praises unto the Lord.
  
 
  
8
 Hearken unto my voice, O Lord, when I cry unto thee *
 have mercy upon me, and hear me.
  
 
  
9
 My heart hath talked of thee, Seek ye my face *
 Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
  
 
  
10
 O hide not thou thy face from me *
 nor cast thy servant away in displeasure.
  
 
  
11
 Thou hast been my succour *
 leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
  
 
  
12
 When my father and my mother forsake me *
 the Lord taketh me up.
  
 
  
13
 Teach me thy way, O Lord *
 and lead me in the right way, because of mine enemies.
  
 
  
14
 Deliver me not over into the will of mine adversaries *
 for there are false witnesses risen up against me, and such as speak wrong.
  
 
  
15
 I should utterly have fainted *
 but that I believe verily to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
  
 
  
16
 O tarry thou the Lord’s leisure *
 be strong, and he shall comfort thine heart; and put thou thy trust in the Lord.
  
 

Psalm 28

  
 

  
1
 Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my strength *
 think no scorn of me; lest, if thou make as though thou hearest not, I become like them that go down into the pit.
  
 
  
2
 Hear the voice of my humble petitions, when I cry unto thee *
 when I hold up my hands towards the mercy-seat of thy holy temple.
  
 
  
3
 O pluck me not away, neither destroy me with the ungodly and wicked doers *
 which speak friendly to their neighbours, but imagine mischief in their hearts.
  
 
  
4
 Reward them according to their deeds *
 and according to the wickedness of their own inventions.
  
 
  
5
 Recompense them after the work of their hands *
 pay them that they have deserved.
  
 
  
6
 For they regard not in their mind the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands *
 therefore shall he break them down, and not build them up.
  
 
  
7
 Praised be the Lord *
 for he hath heard the voice of my humble petitions.
  
 
  
8
 The Lord is my strength, and my shield; my heart hath trusted in him, and I am helped *
 therefore my heart danceth for joy, and in my song will I praise him.
  
 
  
9
 The Lord is my strength *
 and he is the wholesome defence of his Anointed.
  
 
  
10
 O save thy people, and give thy blessing unto thine inheritance *
 feed them, and set them up for ever.
  
 

Psalm 29

  
 

  
1
 Bring unto the Lord, O ye mighty, bring young rams unto the Lord *
 ascribe unto the Lord worship and strength.
  
 
  
2
 Give the Lord the honour due unto his Name *
 worship the Lord with holy worship.
  
 
  
3
 It is the Lord, that commandeth the waters *
 it is the glorious God, that maketh the thunder.
  
 
  
4
 It is the Lord, that ruleth the sea; the voice of the Lord is mighty in operation *
 the voice of the Lord is a glorious voice.
  
 
  
5
 The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedar-trees *
 yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Libanus.
  
 
  
6
 He maketh them also to skip like a calf *
 Libanus also, and Sirion, like a young unicorn.
  
 
  
7
 The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire; the voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness *
 yea, the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Cades.
  
 
  
8
 The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to bring forth young, and discovereth the thick bushes *
 in his temple doth every man speak of his honour.
  
 
  
9
 The Lord sitteth above the water-flood *
 and the Lord remaineth a King for ever.
  
 
  
10
 The Lord shall give strength unto his people *
 the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
  
 
     
    At the end of each psalm these words are said or sung
     
    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.
     
    Old Testament Reading  
 
   

First Reading: Jeremiah 9.12-24

Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the Lord hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through?
 And the Lord saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein;
 But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them:
 Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.
 I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them.
 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunning women, that they may come:
 And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.
 For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have cast us out.
 Yet hear the word of the Lord, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth, and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbour lamentation.
 For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets.
 Speak, Thus saith the Lord, Even the carcases of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman, and none shall gather them.
 Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

       
  Magnificat  
     
    Either the Magnificat (as follows) or Cantate Domino (Psalm 98) is said or sung.
     
1
   My soul doth magnify the Lord :
    and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
     
2
   For he hath regarded :
    the lowliness of his handmaiden.
     
3
   For behold, from henceforth :
    all generations shall call me blessed.
     
4
   For he that is mighty hath magnified me :
    and holy is his Name.
     
5
   And his mercy is on them that fear him :
    throughout all generations.
     
6
   He hath shewed strength with his arm :
    he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
     
7
   He hath put down the mighty from their seat :
    and hath exalted the humble and meek.
     
8
   He hath filled the hungry with good things :
    and the rich he hath sent empty away.
     
9
   He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel :
    as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
   
Luke 1.46-55
     
    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.
     
  New Testament Reading  
 
   

Second Reading: John 7.1-13

 

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.

Now the Jew’s feast of tabernacles was at hand.
 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.
 For neither did his brethren believe in him.
 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast: for my time is not yet full come.
 When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.
 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.
 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.

     
  Nunc dimittis  
     
    Either the Nunc dimittis (as follows) or Deus misereatur (Psalm 67) is said or sung.
     
1
   Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace :
    according to thy word.
     
2
   For mine eyes have seen :
    thy salvation;
     
3
   Which thou hast prepared :
    before the face of all people;
     
4
   To be a light to lighten the Gentiles :
    and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
   
Luke 2.29-32
     
    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 Apostles' Creed  
     
All
   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.
     
  Prayers  
     
    The Lord be with you.
All
   And with thy spirit.
     
    Let us pray.
     
    Lord, have mercy upon us.
All
   Christ, have mercy upon us.
    Lord, have mercy upon us.
     
All
   Our Father, which art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name;
    thy kingdom come;
    thy will be done,
    in earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread.
    And forgive us our trespasses,
    as we forgive them that trespass against us.
    And lead us not into temptation;
    but deliver us from evil. Amen.
     
    O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us.
All
   And grant us thy salvation.
     
    O Lord, save the King.
All
   And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
     
    Endue thy ministers with righteousness.
All
   And make thy chosen people joyful.
     
    O Lord, save thy people.
All
   And bless thine inheritance.
     
    Give peace in our time, O Lord.
All
   Because there is none other that fighteth for us,
    but only thou, O God.
     
    O God, make clean our hearts within us.
All
   And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
     
    Three Collects are said.
     
  The Collect of the Day  
     
    Almighty God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
     
     
  The 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 both, 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.
All
   Amen.
     
  The Collect for Aid against all 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.
All
   Amen.
     
    The order for the end of the service may include:
     
    hymns or anthems
       a sermon
    further prayers (which may include prayers from here)
     
    This prayer may be used to conclude the service
     
    The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    and the love of God,
    and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost,
    be with us all evermore.
All
   Amen.
     
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