Evening Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Thursday, 1 June 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 6

  
 

  
1
 O Lord, rebuke me not in thine indignation *
 neither chasten me in thy displeasure.
  
 
  
2
 Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak *
 O Lord, heal me, for my bones are vexed.
  
 
  
3
 My soul also is sore troubled *
 but, Lord, how long wilt thou punish me?
  
 
  
4
 Turn thee, O Lord, and deliver my soul *
 O save me for thy mercy’s sake.
  
 
  
5
 For in death no man remembereth thee *
 and who will give thee thanks in the pit?
  
 
  
6
 I am weary of my groaning; every night wash I my bed *
 and water my couch with my tears.
  
 
  
7
 My beauty is gone for very trouble *
 and worn away because of all mine enemies.
  
 
  
8
 Away from me, all ye that work vanity *
 for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.
  
 
  
9
 The Lord hath heard my petition *
 the Lord will receive my prayer.
  
 
  
10
 All mine enemies shall be confounded, and sore vexed *
 they shall be turned back, and put to shame suddenly.
  
 

Psalm 7

  
 

  
1
 O Lord my God, in thee have I put my trust *
 save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me;
  
 
  
2
 Lest he devour my soul, like a lion, and tear it in pieces *
 while there is none to help.
  
 
  
3
 O Lord my God, if I have done any such thing *
 or if there be any wickedness in my hands;
  
 
  
4
 If I have rewarded evil unto him that dealt friendly with me *
 yea, I have delivered him that without any cause is mine enemy;
  
 
  
5
 Then let mine enemy persecute my soul, and take me *
 yea, let him tread my life down upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust.
  
 
  
6
 Stand up, O Lord, in thy wrath, and lift up thyself, because of the indignation of mine enemies *
 arise up for me in the judgement that thou hast commanded.
  
 
  
7
 And so shall the congregation of the people come about thee *
 for their sakes therefore lift up thyself again.
  
 
  
8
 The Lord shall judge the people; give sentence with me, O Lord *
 according to my righteousness, and according to the innocency that is in me.
  
 
  
9
 O let the wickedness of the ungodly come to an end *
 but guide thou the just.
  
 
  
10
 For the righteous God *
 trieth the very hearts and reins.
  
 
  
11
 My help cometh of God *
 who preserveth them that are true of heart.
  
 
  
12
 God is a righteous Judge, strong, and patient *
 and God is provoked every day.
  
 
  
13
 If a man will not turn, he will whet his sword *
 he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
  
 
  
14
 He hath prepared for him the instruments of death *
 he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.
  
 
  
15
 Behold, he travaileth with mischief *
 he hath conceived sorrow, and brought forth ungodliness.
  
 
  
16
 He hath graven and digged up a pit *
 and is fallen himself into the destruction that he made for other.
  
 
  
17
 For his travail shall come upon his own head *
 and his wickedness shall fall on his own pate.
  
 
  
18
 I will give thanks unto the Lord, according to his righteousness *
 and I will praise the Name of the Lord most High.
  
 

Psalm 8

  
 

  
1
 O Lord our Governor, how excellent is thy Name in all the world *
 thou that has set thy glory above the heavens!
  
 
  
2
 Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength, because of thine enemies *
 that thou mightest still the enemy, and the avenger.
  
 
  
3
 For I will consider thy heavens, even the works of thy fingers *
 the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained.
  
 
  
4
 What is man, that thou art mindful of him *
 and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
  
 
  
5
 Thou madest him lower than the angels *
 to crown him with glory and worship.
  
 
  
6
 Thou makest him to have dominion of the works of thy hands *
 and thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet;
  
 
  
7
 All sheep and oxen *
 yea, and the beasts of the field;
  
 
  
8
 The fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea *
 and whatsoever walketh through the paths of the seas.
  
 
  
9
 O Lord our Governor *
 how excellent is thy Name in all the world!
  
 

     
    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 4.1-5.1

 

And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying,
Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,
 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.
 Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:
 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of Jordan, and take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:
 That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?
 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
 And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the Lord spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.
 And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.
 For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until everything was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over.
 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the Lord passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people.
 And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spake unto them:
 About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the Lord unto battle, to the plains of Jericho.
 On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.
 And the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying,
 Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan.
 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan.
 And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before.
 And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.
 And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.
 And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?
 Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.
 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:
 That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever.

 

And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.
       
  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 9.51-end

And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

     
  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.
     
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