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9.33am on Monday 5 January 2026

Evening Prayer (Evensong) in Traditional Language

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    Evening Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Monday, 5 January 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: Isaiah 49.1-13

 

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
 And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.
 And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.
 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
 Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
 Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
 That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.
 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.
 And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.
 Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.
 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

       
  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 4.7-26

There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

     
  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 in the birth of thy Son hast poured upon us the new light of thine incarnate Word and revealed to us the fullness of thy love: help us so to walk in his light and dwell in his love that we may know the fullness of his joy; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
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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