Monday, February 2

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

The Call to Prayer

Come let us bow down, and bend the knee* and kneel before the LORD our Maker. For he is our God and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.

Psalm 95:6–7

The Request for Presence

I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me;* incline your ear to me, and hear my words.

Psalm 17:6

The Greeting

You are God: I praise you;* you are the Lord: I acclaim you; You are the eternal Father:* all creation worships you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:* Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son,* worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit,* advocate and guide. As these have been from the beginning,* so they are now and evermore shall be. Alleluia.

based on the Te Deum and Gloria

The Hymn

Hail to the Lord who comes, comes to his temple gate; Not with his angel host, not in his kingly state; No shouts proclaim him nigh, no crowds his coming wait; But borne upon the throne of Mary’s gentle breast, Watched by her duteous love, in her fond arms at rest, Thus to his Father’s house he comes, the heavenly guest. There Joseph at her side in reverent wonder stands; And, filled with holy joy, old Simeon in his hands Takes up the promised child, the glory of all lands. O Light of all the earth, your children wait for thee! Come to your temples here, that we, from sin set free, Before your Father’s face may all presented be!

John Ellerton

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

O LORD, you are my portion and my cup;* it is you who uphold my lot.

Psalm 16:5

The Vespers Psalm

In Your Paths My Feet Shall Not Stumble

Hear my plea of innocence, O LORD; give heed to my cry;* listen to my prayer, which does not come from lying lips. Weigh my heart, summon me by night,* melt me down; you will find no impurity in me. I give no offense with my mouth as others do;* I have heeded the words of your lips. My footsteps hold fast to the ways of your law;* in your paths my feet shall not stumble. I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me;* incline your ear to me and hear my words. Show me your marvelous loving-kindness,* O Savior of those who take refuge at your right hand from those who rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of your eye;* hide me under the shadow of your wings,

Psalm 17:1, 3–8

The Refrain

O LORD, you are my portion and my cup;* it is you who uphold my lot.

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

Set me free, O God, from the bondage of my sins, and give me the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to me in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. †

Concluding Prayers of the Week

O God, who wonderfully created and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that I may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. † Lord Jesus, stay with me, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be my companion in the way, kindle my heart, and awaken hope, that I may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and in the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love toward me. Amen. †