Tuesday, January 20

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

The Call to Prayer

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise;* give thanks to him and call upon his Name.

Psalm 100:3

The Request for Presence

May God give us his blessing,* and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.

Psalm 67:7

The Greeting

We give you thanks, O God, we give you thanks,* calling upon your Name and declaring all your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 75:1

The Hymn

Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear; Things I would ask him to tell me if he were here: Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea, Stories of Jesus tell them to me. First let me hear how the children stood round his knee, And I shall fancy his blessing resting on me; Words full of kindness, deeds full of grace, All in the love-light of Jesus’ face. Into the city I’d follow the children’s band, Waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand; One of his heralds, yes I would sing Loudest hosannas, “Jesus is King!”

William Parker

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD* in the presence of all his people.

Psalm 116:16

The Vespers Psalm

The LORD Will Make Good His Purpose for Me

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart;* before the gods I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your Name,* because of your love and faithfulness; For you have glorified your Name* and your word above all things. When I called, you answered me;* you increased my strength within me. All the kings of the earth will praise you, O LORD,* when they have heard the words of your mouth. They will sing of the ways of the LORD,* that great is the glory of the LORD. Though the LORD be high, he cares for the lowly;* he perceives the haughty from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe;* you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies; your right hand shall save me. The LORD will make good his purpose for me;* O LORD, your love endures for ever; do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 138

The Refrain

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD* in the presence of all his people.

The Gloria

Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end. Alleluia. Amen.

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.†

Concluding Prayers of the Church

Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one with your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in my earthly pilgrimage I may always be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and know myself to be surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy. I ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all my intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.† Lord God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ, triumphed over the powers of death and prepared for us our place in the new Jerusalem: Grant that I, who have this day given thanks for his resurrection, may praise you in the City of which he is the light, and where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.†