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10.51am on Wednesday 5 February 2025

Evening Prayer (Evensong) in Traditional Language

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    Evening Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Tuesday, 4 February 2025
  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 22

  
 

  
1
 My God, my God, look upon me; why hast thou forsaken me *
 and art so far from my health, and from the words of my complaint?
  
 
  
2
 O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou hearest not *
 and in the night-season also I take no rest.
  
 
  
3
 And thou continuest holy *
 O thou worship of Israel.
  
 
  
4
 Our fathers hoped in thee *
 they trusted in thee, and thou didst deliver them.
  
 
  
5
 They called upon thee, and were holpen *
 they put their trust in thee, and were not confounded.
  
 
  
6
 But as for me, I am a worm, and no man *
 a very scorn of men, and the out-cast of the people.
  
 
  
7
 All they that see me laugh me to scorn *
 they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads, saying,
  
 
  
8
 He trusted in God, that he would deliver him *
 let him deliver him, if he will have him.
  
 
  
9
 But thou art he that took me out of my mother’s womb *
 thou wast my hope, when I hanged yet upon my mother’s breasts.
  
 
  
10
 I have been left unto thee ever since I was born *
 thou art my God even from my mother’s womb.
  
 
  
11
 O go not from me, for trouble is hard at hand *
 and there is none to help me.
  
 
  
12
 Many oxen are come about me *
 fat bulls of Basan close me in on every side.
  
 
  
13
 They gape upon me with their mouths *
 as it were a ramping and a roaring lion.
  
 
  
14
 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint *
 my heart also in the midst of my body is even like melting wax.
  
 
  
15
 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaveth to my gums *
 and thou shalt bring me into the dust of death.
  
 
  
16
 For many dogs are come about me *
 and the council of the wicked layeth siege against me.
  
 
  
17
 They pierced my hands and my feet; I may tell all my bones *
 they stand staring and looking upon me.
  
 
  
18
 They part my garments among them *
 and cast lots upon my vesture.
  
 
  
19
 But be not thou far from me, O Lord *
 thou art my succour, haste thee to help me.
  
 
  
20
 Deliver my soul from the sword *
 my darling from the power of the dog.
  
 
  
21
 Save me from the lion’s mouth *
 thou hast heard me also from among the horns of the unicorns.
  
 
  
22
 I will declare thy Name unto my brethren *
 in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
  
 
  
23
 O praise the Lord, ye that fear him *
 magnify him, all ye of the seed of Jacob, and fear him, all ye seed of Israel;
  
 
  
24
 For he hath not despised, nor abhorred, the low estate of the poor *
 he hath not hid his face from him, but when he called unto him he heard him.
  
 
  
25
 My praise is of thee in the great congregation *
 my vows will I perform in the sight of them that fear him.
  
 
  
26
 The poor shall eat, and be satisfied *
 they that seek after the Lord shall praise him; your heart shall live for ever.
  
 
  
27
 All the ends of the world shall remember themselves, and be turned unto the Lord *
 and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before him.
  
 
  
28
 For the kingdom is the Lord’s *
 and he is the Governor among the people.
  
 
  
29
 All such as be fat upon earth *
 have eaten, and worshipped.
  
 
  
30
 All they that go down into the dust shall kneel before him *
 and no man hath quickened his own soul.
  
 
  
31
 My seed shall serve him *
 they shall be counted unto the Lord for a generation.
  
 
  
32
 They shall come, and the heavens shall declare his righteousness *
 unto a people that shall be born, whom the Lord hath made.
  
 

Psalm 23

  
 

  
1
 The Lord is my shepherd *
 therefore can I lack nothing.
  
 
  
2
 He shall feed me in a green pasture *
 and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
  
 
  
3
 He shall convert my soul *
 and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for his Name’s sake.
  
 
  
4
 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death , I will fear no evil *
 for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
  
 
  
5
 Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me *
 thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
  
 
  
6
 But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life *
 and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
  
 
     
    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: Exodus 29.38 - 30.16

Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.
 The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even:
 And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering.
 And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even, and shalt do thereto according to the meat offering of the morning, and according to the drink offering thereof, for a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the Lord.
 This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.
 And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory.
 And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest’s office.
 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.
 And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the Lord their God.

 

And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it.

A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same.
 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.
 And two golden rings shalt thou make to it under the crown of it, by the two corners thereof, upon the two sides of it shalt thou make it; and they shall be for places for the staves to bear it withal.
 And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
 And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.
 And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.
 And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations.
 Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon.
 And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the Lord.
 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
 When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the Lord, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them.
 This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the Lord.
 Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the Lord.
 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls.
 And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls.

       
  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 1.12-end

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in 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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