Friday, January 16

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

The Call to Prayer

Bless the LORD, you angels of his, you mighty ones who do his bidding,* and hearken to the voice of his word. Bless the LORD, all you his hosts,* you ministers of his who do his will. Bless the LORD, all you works of his,* in all places of his dominion;

Psalm 103:20–22

The Request for Presence

LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer,* hearken, O God of Jacob.

Psalm 84:7

The Greeting

Show me your ways, O LORD,* and teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me,* for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long.

Psalm 25:3–4

The Hymn

Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart, I will pray. Yes, every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart, I will pray. Upon the mountain, my Lord spoke, Out his mouth came fire and smoke. All around me looks so shine, Ask my Lord if all was mine. Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart, I will pray. Yes, every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart, I will pray Jordan river runs right cold, Chills the body, not the soul. Ain’t but one train on this track, Runs to heaven and right back. Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart, I will pray. Yes, every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart, I will pray.

African-American Spiritual

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

But it is good for me to be near God;* I have made the Lord GOD my refuge.

Psalm 73:28

The Vespers Psalm

You Alone Are God

Be merciful to me, O LORD, for you are my God;* I call upon you all the day long. Gladden the soul of your servant,* for to you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. For you, O LORD, are good and forgiving,* and great is your love toward all who call upon you. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer,* and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the time of my trouble I will call upon you,* for you will answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, O LORD,* nor anything like your works. All nations you have made will come and worship you, O LORD,* and glorify your Name. For you are great; you do wondrous things;* and you alone are God.

Psalm 86:3–10

The Refrain

But it is good for me to be near God;* I have made the Lord GOD my refuge.

The Small Verse

Keep me, Lord, as the apple of your eye and carry me under the shadow of your wings.

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

lmighty 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

Protect me, Lord, as I stay awake; watch over me as I sleep, that awake I may watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace. Amen.