Evening Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Tuesday, 30 May 2023
  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 147

  
 

  
1
 Praise the Lord, for it is a good thing to sing praises unto our God *
 yea, a joyful and pleasant thing it is to be thankful.
  
 
  
2
 The Lord doth build up Jerusalem *
 and gather together the out-casts of Israel.
  
 
  
3
 He healeth those that are broken in heart *
 and giveth medicine to heal their sickness.
  
 
  
4
 He telleth the number of the stars *
 and calleth them all by their names.
  
 
  
5
 Great is our Lord, and great is his power *
 yea, and his wisdom is infinite.
  
 
  
6
 The Lord setteth up the meek *
 and bringeth the ungodly down to the ground.
  
 
  
7
 O sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving *
 sing praises upon the harp unto our God;
  
 
  
8
 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, and prepareth rain for the earth *
 and maketh the grass to grow upon the mountains, and herb for the use of men;
  
 
  
9
 Who giveth fodder unto the cattle *
 and feedeth the young ravens that call upon him.
  
 
  
10
 He hath no pleasure in the strength of an horse *
 neither delighteth he in any man’s legs.
  
 
  
11
 But the Lord’s delight is in them that fear him *
 and put their trust in his mercy.
  
 
  
12
 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem *
 praise thy God, O Sion.
  
 
  
13
 For he hath made fast the bars of thy gates *
 and hath blessed thy children within thee.
  
 
  
14
 He maketh peace in thy borders *
 and filleth thee with the flour of wheat.
  
 
  
15
 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth *
 and his word runneth very swiftly.
  
 
  
16
 He giveth snow like wool *
 and scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.
  
 
  
17
 He casteth forth his ice like morsels *
 who is able to abide his frost?
  
 
  
18
 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them *
 he bloweth with his wind, and the waters flow.
  
 
  
19
 He sheweth his word unto Jacob *
 his statutes and ordinances unto Israel.
  
 
  
20
 He hath not dealt so with any nation *
 neither have the heathen knowledge of his laws.
  
 

Psalm 148

  
 

  
1
 O praise the Lord of heaven *
 praise him in the height.
  
 
  
2
 Praise him, all ye angels of his *
 praise him, all his host.
  
 
  
3
 Praise him, sun and moon *
 praise him, all ye stars and light.
  
 
  
4
 Praise him, all ye heavens *
 and ye waters that are above the heavens.
  
 
  
5
 Let them praise the Name of the Lord *
 for he spake the word, and they were made; he commanded, and they were created.
  
 
  
6
 He hath made them fast for ever and ever *
 he hath given them a law which shall not be broken.
  
 
  
7
 Praise the Lord upon earth *
 ye dragons, and all deeps;
  
 
  
8
 Fire and hail, snow and vapours *
 wind and storm, fulfilling his word;
  
 
  
9
 Mountains and all hills *
 fruitful trees and all cedars;
  
 
  
10
 Beasts and all cattle *
 worms and feathered fowls;
  
 
  
11
 Kings of the earth and all people *
 princes and all judges of the world;
  
 
  
12
 Young men and maidens, old men and children, praise the Name of the Lord *
 for his Name only is excellent, and his praise above heaven and earth.
  
 
  
13
 He shall exalt the horn of his people; all his saints shall praise him *
 even the children of Israel, even the people that serveth him.
  
 

Psalm 149

  
 

  
1
 O sing unto the Lord a new song *
 let the congregation of saints praise him.
  
 
  
2
 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him *
 and let the children of Sion be joyful in their King.
  
 
  
3
 Let them praise his Name in the dance *
 let them sing praises unto him with tabret and harp.
  
 
  
4
 For the Lord hath pleasure in his people *
 and helpeth the meek-hearted.
  
 
  
5
 Let the saints be joyful with glory *
 let them rejoice in their beds.
  
 
  
6
 Let the praises of God be in their mouth *
 and a two-edged sword in their hands;
  
 
  
7
 To be avenged of the heathen *
 and to rebuke the people;
  
 
  
8
 To bind their kings in chains *
 and their nobles with links of iron.
  
 
  
9
 That they may be avenged of them, as it is written *
 Such honour have all his saints.
  
 

Psalm 150

  
 

  
1
 O praise God in his holiness *
 praise him in the firmament of his power.
  
 
  
2
 Praise him in his noble acts *
 praise him according to his excellent greatness.
  
 
  
3
 Praise him in the sound of the trumpet *
 praise him upon the lute and harp.
  
 
  
4
 Praise him in the cymbals and dances *
 praise him upon the strings and pipe.
  
 
  
5
 Praise him upon the well-tuned cymbals *
 praise him upon the loud cymbals.
  
 
  
6
 Let every thing that hath breath *
 praise the Lord.
  
 

     
    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: Joshua 2

 

And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.
 And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.
 And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:
 And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.
 But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.
 And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.
 And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
 And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token:
 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.
 And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
 Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.
 And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
 And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.
 Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee.
 And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.
 And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
 And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.
 And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not.
 So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them:
 And they said unto Joshua, Truly the Lord hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.

       
  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: Luke 9.28-36

And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

     
  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  
     
    God, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by the sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgement in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end.
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.

Implemented by Simon Kershaw at Crucix.
Implementation copyright © Simon Kershaw, 2002-2020.