Evening Prayer (Evensong) in Traditional Language

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		Evening Prayer from
		*The Book of Common Prayer*
		Wednesday, 5 February 2025 Agatha, Virgin, Martyr, 251
		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: Leviticus 8 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin offering, and two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread; And gather thou all the congregation together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Moses did as the Lord commanded him; and the assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Moses said unto the congregation, This is the thing which the Lord commanded to be done. And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith. And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim. And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the Lord commanded Moses. And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them. And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them. And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him. And Moses brought Aaron’s sons, and put coats upon them, and girded them with girdles, and put bonnets upon them; as the Lord commanded Moses. And he brought the bullock for the sin offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bullock for the sin offering. And he slew it; and Moses took the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it. And he took all the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and Moses burned it upon the altar. But the bullock, and his hide, his flesh, and his dung, he burnt with fire without the camp; as the Lord commanded Moses. And he brought the ram for the burnt offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram. And he killed it; and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about. And he cut the ram into pieces; and Moses burnt the head, and the pieces, and the fat. And he washed the inwards and the legs in water; and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar: it was a burnt sacrifice for a sweet savour, and an offering made by fire unto the Lord; as the Lord commanded Moses. And he brought the other ram, the ram of consecration: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram. And he slew it; and Moses took of the blood of it, and put it upon the tip of Aaron’s right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot. And he brought Aaron’s sons, and Moses put of the blood upon the tip of their right ear, and upon the thumbs of their right hands, and upon the great toes of their right feet: and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about. And he took the fat, and the rump, and all the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and the right shoulder: And out of the basket of unleavened bread, that was before the Lord, he took one unleavened cake, and a cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and put them on the fat, and upon the right shoulder: And he put all upon Aaron’s hands, and upon his sons’ hands, and waved them for a wave offering before the Lord. And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt offering: they were consecrations for a sweet savour: it is an offering made by fire unto the Lord. And Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before the Lord: for of the ram of consecration it was Moses’ part; as the Lord commanded Moses. And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons’ garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him. And Moses said unto Aaron and to his sons, Boil the flesh at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and there eat it with the bread that is in the basket of consecrations, as I commanded, saying, Aaron and his sons shall eat it. And that which remaineth of the flesh and of the bread shall ye burn with fire. And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation in seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you. As he hath done this day, so the Lord hath commanded to do, to make an atonement for you. Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the Lord, that ye die not: for so I am commanded. So Aaron and his sons did all things which the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses.

	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: Philippians 2.1-13 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

	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

		O God, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright; Grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; 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.

© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
All of the official Common Worship publications are available from Church House Publishing.

Daily Prayer

Evening Prayer (Evensong) in Traditional Language

Psalm 27

Psalm 28

Psalm 29

First Reading: Leviticus 8

Second Reading: Philippians 2.1-13