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10.08am on Sunday 27 September 2026

Evening Prayer (Evensong) in Traditional Language

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    Evening Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Monday, 28 September 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 136

  
 

  
1
 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious *
 and his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
2
 O give thanks unto the God of all gods *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
3
 O thank the Lord of all lords *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
4
 Who only doeth great wonders *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
5
 Who by his excellent wisdom made the heavens *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
6
 Who laid out the earth above the waters *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
7
 Who hath made great lights *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
  
 
  
8
 The sun to rule the day *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
  
 
  
9
 The moon and the stars to govern the night *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
10
 Who smote Egypt with their first-born *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
  
 
  
11
 And brought out Israel from among them *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
  
 
  
12
 With a mighty hand, and stretched out arm *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
13
 Who divided the Red sea in two parts *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
  
 
  
14
 And made Israel to go through the midst of it *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
15
 But as for Pharaoh and his host, he overthrew them in the Red sea *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
16
 Who led his people through the wilderness *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
17
 Who smote great kings *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
  
 
  
18
 Yea, and slew mighty kings *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
  
 
  
19
 Sehon king of the Amorites *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
  
 
  
20
 And Og the king of Basan *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
  
 
  
21
 And gave away their land for an heritage *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
  
 
  
22
 Even for an heritage unto Israel his servant *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
23
 Who remembered us when we were in trouble *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
  
 
  
24
 And hath delivered us from our enemies *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
25
 Who giveth food to all flesh *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
26
 O give thanks unto the God of heaven *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
27
 O give thanks unto the Lord of lords *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 

Psalm 137

  
 

  
1
 By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept *
 when we remembered thee, O Sion.
  
 
  
2
 As for our harps, we hanged them up *
 upon the trees that are therein.
  
 
  
3
 For they that led us away captive required of us then a song, and melody, in our heaviness *
 Sing us one of the songs of Sion.
  
 
  
4
 How shall we sing the Lord’s song *
 in a strange land?
  
 
  
5
 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem *
 let my right hand forget her cunning.
  
 
  
6
 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth *
 yea if I prefer not Jerusalem in my mirth.
  
 
  
7
 Remember the children of Edom, O Lord, in the day of Jerusalem *
 how they said, Down with it, down with it, even to the ground.
  
 
  
8
 O daughter of Babylon, wasted with misery *
 yea, happy shall he be that rewardeth thee, as thou hast served us.
  
 
  
9
 Blessed shall he be that taketh thy children *
 and throweth them against the stones.
  
 

Psalm 138

  
 

  
1
 I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, with my whole heart *
 even before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
  
 
  
2
 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy Name, because of thy loving-kindness and truth *
 for thou hast magnified thy Name, and thy Word, above all things.
  
 
  
3
 When I called upon thee, thou heardest me *
 and enduedst my soul with much strength.
  
 
  
4
 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord *
 for they have heard the words of thy mouth.
  
 
  
5
 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord *
 that great is the glory of the Lord.
  
 
  
6
 For though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly *
 as for the proud, he beholdeth them afar off.
  
 
  
7
 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, yet shalt thou refresh me *
 thou shalt stretch forth thy hand upon the furiousness of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
  
 
  
8
 The Lord shall make good his loving-kindness toward me *
 yea, thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever; despise not then the works of thine own hands.
  
 
     
    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: Ecclesiasticus 6.14-end

A faithfu1l friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure.
 Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.
 A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him.
 Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.
 My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age.
 Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth, and wait for her good fruits: for thou shalt not toil much in labouring about her, but thou shalt eat of her fruits right soon.
 She is very unpleasant to the unlearned: he that is without understanding will not remain with her.
 She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial; and he will cast her from him ere it be long.
 For wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many.
 Give ear, my son, receive my advice, and refuse not my counsel,
 And put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chain.
 Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bonds.
 Come unto her with thy whole heart, and keep her ways with all thy power.
 Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee: and when thou hast got hold of her, let her not go.
 For at the last thou shalt find her rest, and that shall be turned to thy joy.
 Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and her chains a robe of glory.
 For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her bands are purple lace.
 Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour, and shalt put her about thee as a crown of joy.
 My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be prudent.
 If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive understanding: and if thou bow thine ear, thou shalt be wise,
 Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave unto him that is wise.
 Be willing to hear every godly discourse; and let not the parables of understanding escape thee.
 And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, and let thy foot wear the steps of his door.
 Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord and meditate continually in his commandments: he shall establish thine heart, and give thee wisdom at thine own desire.

or Ezekiel 10.1-19
       
  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: Mark 14.1-11

 

After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.
 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

     
  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  
     
    Lord, we pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; 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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