Monday, January 26

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

The Call to Prayer

Bless our God, you peoples;* make the voice of his praise to be heard; Who holds our souls in life,* and will not allow our feet to slip.

Psalm 66:7–8

The Request for Presence

O God of hosts;* show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Psalm 80:7

The Greeting

As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,* and the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So my eyes look to you, O LORD my God.

based on Psalm 123:2–3

The Hymn

Guide me, O you great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak, but you are mighty; Hold me with your powerful hand. Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more; Feed me till I want no more. Open now the crystal fountain, Whence the healing stream does flow; Let the fire and cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through. Strong deliverer, strong deliverer, Forever be my strength and shield Forever be my strength and shield. When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside; Death of death and hell’s destruction, Land me safe on Canaan’s side. Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever give to you, I will ever give to you.

William Williams

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

For I am but a sojourner with you,* a wayfarer, as all my forebears were.

Psalm 39:14

The Vespers Psalm

Having You I Desire Nothing on Earth

When my mind became embittered,* I was sorely wounded in my heart. I was stupid and had no understanding;* I was like a brute beast in your presence. Yet I am always with you;* you hold me by my right hand. You will guide me by your counsel,* and afterwards receive me with glory. Whom have I in heaven but you?* and having you I desire nothing upon earth. Though my flesh and my heart should waste away, God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. Truly, those who forsake you will perish;* you destroy all who are unfaithful. But it is good for me to be near God;* I have made the Lord GOD my refuge. I will speak of all your works* in the gates of the city of Zion.

Psalm 73:21–29

The Refrain

For I am but a sojourner with you,* a wayfarer, as all my forebears were.

The Cry of the Church

Even so come, Lord Jesus!

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

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that I, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of public worship, and grant as well that my Sabbath upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.†