Friday, January 30

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 sing to the LORD;* let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.

Psalm 95:1

The Request for Presence

May the glory of the LORD endure for ever;* may the LORD rejoice in all his works.

Psalm 104:32

The Greeting

How great is your goodness, O LORD! which you have laid up for those who fear you;* which you have done in the sight of all for those who put their trust in you.

Psalm 31:19

The Hymn

Holy Spirit, Truth divine, Dawn upon this soul of mine; Word of God and inward light, Wake my spirit, clear in sight. Holy Spirit, Love divine, Glow within this heart of mine; Kindle every high desire; Perish self in your pure fire. Holy Spirit, Power divine, Fill and nerve this will of mine; Grant that I may strongly live, Bravely bear, and nobly strive. Holy Spirit, Right divine, King within my conscience reign; Be my Lord, and I shall be Firmly bound, forever free.

Samuel Longfellow

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

I am small and of little account,* yet I do not forget your commandments.

Psalm 119:141

The Vespers Psalm

He Shall Cover Me with His Pinions

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High,* abides under the shadow of the Almighty. He shall say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my stronghold,* my God in whom I put my trust.” He shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter* and from the deadly pestilence. He shall cover you with his pinions, and you shall find refuge under his wings;* his faithfulness shall be a shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of any terror by night,* nor of the arrow that flies by day; Of the plague that stalks in the darkness,* nor of the sickness that lays waste at mid-day. Athousand shall fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand,* but it shall not come near you.

Psalm 91:1–7

The Refrain

I am small and of little account,* yet I do not forget your commandments.

The Small Verse

Those who sowed with tears* will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed,* will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

Psalm 126:6–7

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 and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.†

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Almighty God, to whom our needs are known before we even ask, Help me to ask only what accords with your will; and those good things which I dare not, or in my blindness I cannot ask, grant for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.†