Sunday, January 18

The Morning Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 6 and 9 a.m.

The Call to Prayer

Sing to the LORD and bless his Name;* proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations* and his wonders among all peoples. For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised;* he is more to be feared than all gods.

Psalm 96:2–4

The Request for Presence

Save me, O God,* for the waters have risen up to my neck.

Psalm 69:1

The Greeting

The LORD lives! Blessed is my Rock!* Exalted is the God of my salvation!

Psalm 18:46

The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

He looks at the earth and it trembles;* he touches the mountains and they smoke.

Psalm 104:33

A Reading

Jesus taught the people, saying: “What is your opinion? Aman had two sons. He went and said to the first, ‘My boy, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not go,’ but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, ‘Certainly, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “In truth I tell you, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, showing the way of uprightness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.”

Matthew 21:28–32

The Refrain

He looks at the earth and it trembles;* he touches the mountains and they smoke.

The Morning Psalm

The LORD Accepts My Prayer

LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger;* do not punish me in your wrath. Have pity on me, LORD, for I am weak;* heal me, LORD, for my bones are racked. My spirit shakes with terror,* how long, O LORD, how long? Turn, O LORD, and deliver me;* save me for your mercy’s sake. For in death no one remembers you;* and who will give you thanks in the grave? I grow weary because of my groaning;* every night I drench my bed and flood my couch with tears. The LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. The LORD has heard my supplication;* the LORD accepts my prayer.

Psalm 6:1–6, 8–9

The Refrain

He looks at the earth and it trembles;* he touches the mountains and they smoke.

The Cry of the Church

O God, come to my assistance! O Lord, make haste to help me!

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

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.†

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.†