Friday, January 23

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. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving* and raise a loud shout to him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God,* and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the caverns of the earth,* and the heights of the hills are his also. The sea is his, for he made it,* and his hands have molded the dry land.

Psalm 95:1–5

The Request for Presence

May God be merciful to us and bless us,* show us the light of his countenance and come to us.

Psalm 67:1

The Greeting

Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God,* and your glory over all the earth.

Psalm 57:6

The Hymn

From all that dwell below the skies Let the Creator’s praise arise! Let the Redeemer’s Name be sung Through every land, by every tongue! Eternal are your mercies, Lord, And truth eternal is your word: Your praise shall sound from every shore Till suns shall rise and set no more. Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, you heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Isaac Watts Stanza 3, Doxology

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,* which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever.

Psalm 125:1

The Vespers Psalm

His Mercy Endures For Ever

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,* for his mercy endures for ever. Give thanks to the God of gods,* for his mercy endures for ever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords,* for his mercy endures for ever. Who only does great wonders,* for his mercy endures for ever; Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,* for his mercy endures for ever; And brought out Israel from among them,* for his mercy endures for ever; Who led his people through the wilderness,* for his mercy endures for ever. Who remembered us in our low estate,* for his mercy endures for ever; And delivered us from our enemies,* for his mercy endures for ever; Who gives food to all creatures,* for his mercy endures for ever. Give thanks to the God of heaven,* for his mercy endures for ever.

Psalm 136:1–4, 10–11, 16, 23–26

The Refrain

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,* which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever.

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.†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.†

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

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