Sunday, April 12

The Midday Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m

The Call to Prayer

May these words of mine please him;* I will rejoice in the LORD.

Psalm 104:35

The Request for Presence

Set a watch before my mouth, O LORD, and guard the door of my lips;* let not my heart incline to any evil thing. Let me not be occupied in wickedness with evildoers,* nor eat of their choice foods. Let the righteous smite me in friendly rebuke;* let not the oil of the unrighteous anoint my head . . .

Psalm 141:3–5

The Greeting

I long for your salvation, O LORD,* and your law is my delight. Let me live, and I will praise you,* and let your judgments help me.

Psalm 119:174–175

The Refrain for the Midday Lessons

O God, you have taught me since I was young,* and to this day I tell of your wonderful works.

Psalm 71:17

A Reading

For the Lord YAHWEH says this: ‘Look, I myself shall take care of my flock and look after it. As a shepherd looks after his flock when he is with his scattered sheep, so shall I look after my sheep . . . I myself shall pasture my sheep, I myself shall give them rest—declares the Lord YAHWEH. I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the injured and make the sick strong. I shall watch over the fat and healthy. I shall be a true shepherd to them.’

Ezekiel 34:11–12, 15–16

The Refrain

O God, you have taught me since I was young,* and to this day I tell of your wonderful works.

The Midday Psalm

The LORD Does Not Forsake His Faithful Ones

Our steps are directed by the LORD;* he strengthens those in whose way he delights. If they stumble, they shall not fall headlong,* for the LORD holds them by the hand. I have been young and now I am old,* For the LORD loves justice;* he does not forsake his faithful ones. They shall be kept safe for ever,* but the offspring of the wicked shall be destroyed. The righteous shall possess the land* and dwell in it for ever. The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,* and their tongue speaks what is right. The law of their God is in their heart,* and their footsteps shall not falter.

Psalm 37:24–26a, 29–33

The Refrain

O God, you have taught me since I was young,* and to this day I tell of your wonderful works.

The Small Verse

Into your hands I commend my spirit for you have redeemed me, O God of my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the comforting Spirit.

Traditional

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

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of my faith, that I may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. †

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

O God, the source of eternal light: Shed forth your unending day upon all of us who watch for you, that our lips may praise you, our lives may bless you, and our worship may give you glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. †