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10.55am on Wednesday 5 February 2025

Evening Prayer (Evensong) in Traditional Language

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    Evening Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Thursday, 6 February 2025
The Accession of Queen Elizabeth II, 1952
  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 32

  
 

  
1
 Blessed is he whose unrighteousness is forgiven *
 and whose sin is covered.
  
 
  
2
 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth no sin *
 and in whose spirit there is no guile.
  
 
  
3
 For while I held my tongue *
 my bones consumed away through my daily complaining.
  
 
  
4
 For thy hand is heavy upon me day and night *
 and my moisture is like the drought in summer.
  
 
  
5
 I will acknowledge my sin unto thee *
 and mine unrighteousness have I not hid.
  
 
  
6
 I said, I will confess my sins unto the Lord *
 and so thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin.
  
 
  
7
 For this shall every one that is godly make his prayer unto thee, in a time when thou mayest be found *
 but in the great water-floods they shall not come nigh him.
  
 
  
8
 Thou art a place to hide me in, thou shalt preserve me from trouble *
 thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.
  
 
  
9
 I will inform thee, and teach thee in the way wherein thou shalt go *
 and I will guide thee with mine eye.
  
 
  
10
 Be ye not like to horse and mule, which have no understanding *
 whose mouths must be held with bit and bridle, lest they fall upon thee.
  
 
  
11
 Great plagues remain for the ungodly *
 but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord, mercy embraceth him on every side.
  
 
  
12
 Be glad, O ye righteous, and rejoice in the Lord *
 and be joyful, all ye that are true of heart.
  
 

Psalm 33

  
 

  
1
 Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous *
 for it becometh well the just to be thankful.
  
 
  
2
 Praise the Lord with harp *
 sing praises unto him with the lute, and instrument of ten strings.
  
 
  
3
 Sing unto the Lord a new song *
 sing praises lustily unto him with a good courage.
  
 
  
4
 For the word of the Lord is true *
 and all his works are faithful.
  
 
  
5
 He loveth righteousness and judgement *
 the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
  
 
  
6
 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made *
 and all the hosts of them by the breath of his mouth.
  
 
  
7
 He gathereth the waters of the sea together, as it were upon an heap *
 and layeth up the deep, as in a treasure-house.
  
 
  
8
 Let all the earth fear the Lord *
 stand in awe of him, all ye that dwell in the world.
  
 
  
9
 For he spake, and it was done *
 he commanded, and it stood fast.
  
 
  
10
 The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought *
 and maketh the devices of the people to be of none effect, and casteth out the counsels of princes.
  
 
  
11
 The counsel of the Lord shall endure for ever *
 and the thoughts of his heart from generation to generation.
  
 
  
12
 Blessed are the people, whose God is the Lord Jehovah *
 and blessed are the folk, that he hath chosen to him to be his inheritance.
  
 
  
13
 The Lord looked down from heaven, and beheld all the children of men *
 from the habitation of his dwelling he considereth all them that dwell on the earth.
  
 
  
14
 He fashioneth all the hearts of them *
 and understandeth all their works.
  
 
  
15
 There is no king that can be saved by the multitude of an host *
 neither is any mighty man delivered by much strength.
  
 
  
16
 A horse is counted but a vain thing to save a man *
 neither shall he deliver any man by his great strength.
  
 
  
17
 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him *
 and upon them that put their trust in his mercy;
  
 
  
18
 To deliver their soul from death *
 and to feed them in the time of dearth.
  
 
  
19
 Our soul hath patiently tarried for the Lord *
 for he is our help, and our shield.
  
 
  
20
 For our heart shall rejoice in him *
 because we have hoped in his holy Name.
  
 
  
21
 Let thy merciful kindness, O Lord, be upon us *
 like as we do put our trust in thee.
  
 

Psalm 34

  
 

  
1
 I will alway give thanks unto the Lord *
 his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
  
 
  
2
 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord *
 the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
  
 
  
3
 O praise the Lord with me *
 and let us magnify his Name together.
  
 
  
4
 I sought the Lord, and he heard me *
 yea, he delivered me out of all my fear.
  
 
  
5
 They had an eye unto him, and were lightened *
 and their faces were not ashamed.
  
 
  
6
 Lo, the poor crieth, and the Lord heareth him *
 yea, and saveth him out of all his troubles.
  
 
  
7
 The angel of the Lord tarrieth round about them that fear him *
 and delivereth them.
  
 
  
8
 O taste, and see, how gracious the Lord is *
 blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
  
 
  
9
 O fear the Lord, ye that are his saints *
 for they that fear him lack nothing.
  
 
  
10
 The lions do lack, and suffer hunger *
 but they who seek the Lord shall want no manner of thing that is good.
  
 
  
11
 Come, ye children, and hearken unto me *
 I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
  
 
  
12
 What man is he that lusteth to live *
 and would fain see good days?
  
 
  
13
 Keep thy tongue from evil *
 and thy lips, that they speak no guile.
  
 
  
14
 Eschew evil, and do good *
 seek peace, and ensue it.
  
 
  
15
 The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous *
 and his ears are open unto their prayers.
  
 
  
16
 The countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil *
 to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.
  
 
  
17
 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth them *
 and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
  
 
  
18
 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart *
 and will save such as be of an humble spirit.
  
 
  
19
 Great are the troubles of the righteous *
 but the Lord delivereth him out of all.
  
 
  
20
 He keepeth all his bones *
 so that not one of them is broken.
  
 
  
21
 But misfortune shall slay the ungodly *
 and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
  
 
  
22
 The Lord delivereth the souls of his servants *
 and all they that put their trust in him shall not be destitute.
  
 
     
    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 9

 

And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;

And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the Lord.
 And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering;
 Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the Lord; and a meat offering mingled with oil: for to day the Lord will appear unto you.
 And they brought that which Moses commanded before the tabernacle of the congregation: and all the congregation drew near and stood before the Lord.
 And Moses said, This is the thing which the Lord commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the Lord shall appear unto you.
 And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the Lord commanded.
 Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself.
 And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar:
 But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the Lord commanded Moses.
 And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp.
 And he slew the burnt offering; and Aaron’s sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar.
 And they presented the burnt offering unto him, with the pieces thereof, and the head: and he burnt them upon the altar.
 And he did wash the inwards and the legs, and burnt them upon the burnt offering on the altar.
 And he brought the people’s offering, and took the goat, which was the sin offering for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as the first.
 And he brought the burnt offering, and offered it according to the manner.
 And he brought the meat offering, and took an handful thereof, and burnt it upon the altar, beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning.
 He slew also the bullock and the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people: and Aaron’s sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled upon the altar round about,
 And the fat of the bullock and of the ram, the rump, and that which covereth the inwards, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver:
 And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar:
 And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the Lord; as Moses commanded.
 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.
 And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people.
 And there came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

       
  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 2.14-end

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.
 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

     
  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.
     
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