Saturday, January 24

The Vespers Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m

The Call to Prayer

Come now and see the works of God,* how wonderful he is in his doing toward all people. In his might he rules for ever; his eyes keep watch over the nations;* let no rebel rise up against him.

Psalm 66:4, 6

The Request for Presence

Show us your mercy, O LORD,* and grant us your salvation

Psalm 85:7

The Greeting

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures here below; praise Him above, you heavenly hosts; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Traditional Doxology

The Hymn

O Love of God, how strong and true, Eternal and yet ever new; Uncomprehended and unbought, Beyond all knowledge and all thought. O wide embracing, wondrous Love, We read you in the sky above; We read you in the earth below, In seas that swell and streams that flow. We read you best in him who came To bear for us the cross of shame, Sent by the Father from on high, Our life to live, our death to die. We read your power to bless and save Even in the darkness of the grave; Still more in resurrection light We read the fullness of your might.

Horatius Bonar

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

You crown the year with your goodness,* and your paths overflow with plenty.

Psalm 66:12

The Vespers Psalm

Sing the Glory of Our God

Be joyful in God, all you lands;* sing the glory of his Name; sing the glory of his praise. Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!* because of your great strength your enemies cringe before you. All the earth bows down before you,* sings to you, sings out your Name.”

Psalm 66:1–3

The Refrain

You crown the year with your goodness,* and your paths overflow with plenty.

The Small Verse

The Lord is my shepherd and nothing is wanting to me. In green pastures He hath settled me.

THE SHORT BREVIARY

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.†

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Help each one of us, gracious Father, to live in such magnanimity and restraint that the Head of the Church may never have cause to say to any one of us, This is my body, broken by you.

Prayer from China