Evening Prayer

Evening Prayer

24

Stand
The minister may say

We have come together as the family of God
in our Father's presence
to offer him praise and thanksgiving,
to hear and receive his holy word,
to bring before him the needs of the world,
to ask his forgiveness of our sins,
and to seek his grace, that through his Son Jesus Christ
we may give ourselves to his service.

25

A SENTENCE OF SCRIPTURE may be said (see page 46) and A HYMN may be sung.

26

The minister may say

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

or the sentences for Ash Wednesday to Lent 5 may be used.

27

The minister may say

Let us confess our sins to almighty God.

28

Kneel

All

Almighty God, our heavenly father,
we have sinned against you and against our fellow men,
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry
and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, who died for us,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life;
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

29

Priest

Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy on you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

30

Instead of section 28 one of the alternative Confessions may be used (pp. 165, 166)

31

Stand

Minister

O Lord, open our lips;

People

and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Minister

Let us worship the Lord.

People

All praise to his Name.

All

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be for ever. Amen.

32

PSALM 134, or O GLADSOME LIGHT, or THE EASTER ANTHEMS

PSALM 134
1 Come bless the Lord all you ' servants of the ' Lord:
you that by night ' stand in the ' house of our God.

2 Lift up your hands towards the holy place and '
bless the ' Lord:
may the Lord bless you from Zion
the ' Lord who made ' heaven and ' earth.

Glory to the Father and ' to the Son:
and ' to the ' Holy ' Spirit;
as it was in the be'ginning is ' now:
and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men.

O GLADSOME LIGHT
1 O gladsome light, O grace
Of God the Fathers face,
The eternal splendour wearing;
Celestial, holy, blest,
Our Saviour Jesus Christ,
Joyful in thine appearing.

2 Now, ere day fadeth quite,
We see the evening light,
Our wonted hymn outpouring;
Father of might unknown,
Thee, his incarnate Son,
And Holy Spirit adoring.

3 To thee of right belongs
All praise of holy songs,
O Son of God, lifegiver;
Thee, therefore, O Most High,
The world doth glorify,
And shall exalt forever.

Other translations of the original may be used.

THE EASTER ANTHEMS
1 Christ our passover has been ' sacri+ficed ' for us:
so let us ' cele'brate the feast,
2 Not with the old leaven of cor'ruption + and ' wickedness:
but with the unleavened ' bread of + sin'cerity + and ' truth.
3 Christ once raised from the dead ' dies no ' more:
death has no ' more do'minion ' over him.
4 In dying he died to sin ' once for all:
in ' living + he ' lives to ' God.
5 See yourselves therefore as ' dead to ' sin:
and alive to God in ' Jesus ' Christ our ' Lord.
6 Christ has been raised + from the ' dead:
the ' firstfruits + of ' those who sleep.
7 For as by ' man came ' death:
by man has come also the resur'rection ' of the ' dead;
8 for as in ' Adam + all ' die:
even so in Christ shall ' all be ' made a'live.

Glory to the Father and ' to the Son:
and ' to the ' Holy ' Spirit;
as it was in the be'ginning is ' now:
and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men.

33

The PSALMS appointed.
Each psalm or group of psalms ends with

Glory to the Father and ' to the Son:
and ' to the ' Holy ' Spirit;
as it was in the be'ginning is ' now:
and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men.

34

Sit
The first READING, from the Old Testament.

At the end the reader may say

This is the word of the Lord.

All

Thanks be to God.

Silence may be kept.

35

Stand
MAGNIFICAT or BLESS THE LORD.

MAGNIFICAT (The Song of Mary)
1 My soul proclaims the ' greatness of the ' Lord:
my spirit re'joices in ' God my ' saviour;

2 for he has looked with favour on his ' lowly ' servant:
from this day all gener'ations will ' call me ' blessèd;

†3 the Almighty has done ' great things ' for me:
and ' holy ' is his ' name.

4 He has mercy on ' those who ' fear him:
in ' every ' generation.

5 He has shown the ' strength of his ' arm:
he has scattered the ' proud in ' their con'ceit.

6 He has cast down the mighty ' from their ' thrones:
and has ' lifted ' up the ' lowly.

7 He has filled the hungry with ' good ' things:
and the rich he has ' sent a'way ' empty.

8 He has come to the help of his ' servant ' Israel:
for he has re'membered his ' promise of ' mercy,

9 the promise he ' made to our ' fathers:
to Abraham ' and his ' children for'ever.

Glory to the Father and ' to the Son:
and ' to the ' Holy ' Spirit;
as it was in the be'ginning is ' now:
and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men.

BLESS THE LORD
1 Bless the Lord the ' God of × our ' fathers:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.

2 Bless his holy and ' glori×ous name:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.

3 Bless him in his holy and ' glori×ous temple:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.

4 Bless him who be'holds the ' depths:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.

5 Bless him who sits be'tween the ' cherubim:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.

6 Bless him on the ' throne of × his ' kingdom:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.

7 Bless him in the ' heights of 'heaven:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.

Bless the Father the Son and the ' Holy ' Spirit:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.

36

Sit
THE SECOND READING, from the New Testament.

At the end the reader may say

This is the word of the Lord.

All

Thanks be to God.

Silence may be kept.

37

A SERMON may be preached here, or at the end of the service.

38

Stand
NUNC DIMITTIS, or THE SONG OF CHRISTS GLORY or GLORY AND HONOUR.

NUNC DIMITTIS
1 Lord, now you let your servant ^| go in ^| peace:
your ' word has ' been ful'filled.

2 My own eyes have ' seen the × sal'vation:
which you have prepared in the ' sight of '
every ' people;

(†)3 a light to re'veal you × to the ' nations:
and the ' glory × of your ' people ' Israel.

Glory to the Father and ' to the ' Son:
and ' to the ' Holy ' Spirit;
as it was in the be'ginning is ' now:
and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men.

THE SONG OF CHRISTS GLORY
1 Christ Jesus was in the ' form of ' God:
but he did not ' cling × to e'quality × with ' God.
2 He emptied himself * taking the ' form × of a ' servant:
and was ' born × in the ' likeness × of ' men.
3 Being found in human form he ' humbled × him'self:
and became obedient unto death ' even '
death × on a ' cross.
4 Therefore God has ' highly × ex'alted him:
and bestowed on him the ' name a×bove ' every ' name,
5 that at the name of Jesus every ' knee should ' bow:
in heaven and on ' earth and ' under × the ' earth;
6 and every tongue confess that Jesus ' Christ is ' Lord:
to the ' glory × of ' God the ' Father.

Glory to the Father and ' to the Son:
and ' to the ' Holy ' Spirit;
as it was in the be'ginning is ' now:
and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men.

GLORY AND HONOUR
1 Glory and ' honour × and ' power:
are yours by ' right O ' Lord our ' God:

2 for you cre'ated ' all things:
and by your ' will they ' have their ' being.

3 Glory and ' honour × and ' power:
are yours by right O Lamb who was slain;

4 for by your blood you ransomed ' men for ' God:
from every race and language * from ' every '
people × and ' nation,

5 to make them a ' kingdom × of ' priests:
to stand and ' serve be'fore our ' God.

To him who sits on the throne ' and × to the ' Lamb:
be praise and honour glory and might * for ever and '
ever. ' A'men.

39

THE APOSTLES' CREED

All

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

40

Kneel
The minister may say

Lord, have mercy on us.

People

Christ, have mercy on us.

Minister

Lord, have mercy on us.

41

All

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
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 the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.

42

These versicles and responses may be said.

Minister

Show us your mercy, O Lord;

People

and grant us your salvation.

Minister

O Lord, save the Queen;

People

and teach her counsellors wisdom.

Minister

Let your priests be clothed with righteousness;

People

and let your servants shout for joy.

Minister

O Lord, make your ways known upon earth;

People

let all nations acknowledge your saving power.

Minister

Give your people the blessing of peace;

People

and let your glory be over all the world.

Minister

Make our hearts clean, O God;

People

and renew a right spirit within us.

43

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY.

44

THIS COLLECT may be said.

O God,
the source of all good desires,
all right judgements, and all just works:
give to your servants that peace
which the world cannot give;
that our hearts may be set to obey
your commandments,
and that freed from the fear of our enemies,
we may pass our time in rest and quietness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

45

THIS COLLECT is said.

Lighten our darkness,
Lord, we pray;
and in your mercy defend us
from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of your only Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

46

Here may be read the State Prayers, occasional prayers and thanksgivings, or other forms of prayer. The prayers may conclude with one of the Endings (p. 107). A sermon may be preached, hymns may be sung, and the service may end with a blessing.

	Evening Prayer
24	Stand The minister may say
		We have come together as the family of God in our Father's presence to offer him praise and thanksgiving, to hear and receive his holy word, to bring before him the needs of the world, to ask his forgiveness of our sins, and to seek his grace, that through his Son Jesus Christ we may give ourselves to his service.
25	A SENTENCE OF SCRIPTURE may be said (see page 46) and A HYMN may be sung.
26	The minister may say
		If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
	or the sentences for Ash Wednesday to Lent 5 may be used.
27	The minister may say
		Let us confess our sins to almighty God.
28	Kneel
	All	Almighty God, our heavenly father, we have sinned against you and against our fellow men, in thought and word and deed, through negligence, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault. We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, who died for us, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may serve you in newness of life; to the glory of your Name. Amen.
29	Priest	Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy on you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
30	Instead of section 28 one of the alternative Confessions may be used (pp. 165, 166)
31	Stand
	Minister	O Lord, open our lips;
	People	and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
	Minister	Let us worship the Lord.
	People	All praise to his Name.
	All	Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
32	PSALM 134, or O GLADSOME LIGHT, or THE EASTER ANTHEMS
PSALM 134 1 Come bless the Lord all you ' servants of the ' Lord: you that by night ' stand in the ' house of our God. 2 Lift up your hands towards the holy place and ' bless the ' Lord: may the Lord bless you from Zion the ' Lord who made ' heaven and ' earth. Glory to the Father and ' to the Son: and ' to the ' Holy ' Spirit; as it was in the be'ginning is ' now: and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men. O GLADSOME LIGHT 1 O gladsome light, O grace Of God the Fathers face, The eternal splendour wearing; Celestial, holy, blest, Our Saviour Jesus Christ, Joyful in thine appearing. 2 Now, ere day fadeth quite, We see the evening light, Our wonted hymn outpouring; Father of might unknown, Thee, his incarnate Son, And Holy Spirit adoring. 3 To thee of right belongs All praise of holy songs, O Son of God, lifegiver; Thee, therefore, O Most High, The world doth glorify, And shall exalt forever. Other translations of the original may be used. THE EASTER ANTHEMS 1 Christ our passover has been ' sacri+ficed ' for us: so let us ' cele'brate the feast, 2 Not with the old leaven of cor'ruption + and ' wickedness: but with the unleavened ' bread of + sin'cerity + and ' truth. 3 Christ once raised from the dead ' dies no ' more: death has no ' more do'minion ' over him. 4 In dying he died to sin ' once for all: in ' living + he ' lives to ' God. 5 See yourselves therefore as ' dead to ' sin: and alive to God in ' Jesus ' Christ our ' Lord. 6 Christ has been raised + from the ' dead: the ' firstfruits + of ' those who sleep. 7 For as by ' man came ' death: by man has come also the resur'rection ' of the ' dead; 8 for as in ' Adam + all ' die: even so in Christ shall ' all be ' made a'live. Glory to the Father and ' to the Son: and ' to the ' Holy ' Spirit; as it was in the be'ginning is ' now: and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men.
33	The PSALMS appointed. Each psalm or group of psalms ends with
		Glory to the Father and ' to the Son: and ' to the ' Holy ' Spirit; as it was in the be'ginning is ' now: and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men.
34	Sit The first READING, from the Old Testament. At the end the reader may say
		This is the word of the Lord.
	All	Thanks be to God.
	Silence may be kept.
35	Stand MAGNIFICAT or BLESS THE LORD.
MAGNIFICAT (The Song of Mary) 1 My soul proclaims the ' greatness of the ' Lord: my spirit re'joices in ' God my ' saviour; 2 for he has looked with favour on his ' lowly ' servant: from this day all gener'ations will ' call me ' blessèd; †3 the Almighty has done ' great things ' for me: and ' holy ' is his ' name. 4 He has mercy on ' those who ' fear him: in ' every ' generation. 5 He has shown the ' strength of his ' arm: he has scattered the ' proud in ' their con'ceit. 6 He has cast down the mighty ' from their ' thrones: and has ' lifted ' up the ' lowly. 7 He has filled the hungry with ' good ' things: and the rich he has ' sent a'way ' empty. 8 He has come to the help of his ' servant ' Israel: for he has re'membered his ' promise of ' mercy, 9 the promise he ' made to our ' fathers: to Abraham ' and his ' children for'ever. Glory to the Father and ' to the Son: and ' to the ' Holy ' Spirit; as it was in the be'ginning is ' now: and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men. BLESS THE LORD 1 Bless the Lord the ' God of × our ' fathers: sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever. 2 Bless his holy and ' glori×ous name: sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever. 3 Bless him in his holy and ' glori×ous temple: sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever. 4 Bless him who be'holds the ' depths: sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever. 5 Bless him who sits be'tween the ' cherubim: sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever. 6 Bless him on the ' throne of × his ' kingdom: sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever. 7 Bless him in the ' heights of 'heaven: sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever. Bless the Father the Son and the ' Holy ' Spirit: sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.
36	Sit THE SECOND READING, from the New Testament. At the end the reader may say
		This is the word of the Lord.
	All	Thanks be to God.
	Silence may be kept.
37	A SERMON may be preached here, or at the end of the service.
38	Stand NUNC DIMITTIS, or THE SONG OF CHRISTS GLORY or GLORY AND HONOUR.
NUNC DIMITTIS 1 Lord, now you let your servant ^\| go in ^\| peace: your ' word has ' been ful'filled. 2 My own eyes have ' seen the × sal'vation: which you have prepared in the ' sight of ' every ' people; (†)3 a light to re'veal you × to the ' nations: and the ' glory × of your ' people ' Israel. Glory to the Father and ' to the ' Son: and ' to the ' Holy ' Spirit; as it was in the be'ginning is ' now: and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men. THE SONG OF CHRISTS GLORY 1 Christ Jesus was in the ' form of ' God: but he did not ' cling × to e'quality × with ' God. 2 He emptied himself * taking the ' form × of a ' servant: and was ' born × in the ' likeness × of ' men. 3 Being found in human form he ' humbled × him'self: and became obedient unto death ' even ' death × on a ' cross. 4 Therefore God has ' highly × ex'alted him: and bestowed on him the ' name a×bove ' every ' name, 5 that at the name of Jesus every ' knee should ' bow: in heaven and on ' earth and ' under × the ' earth; 6 and every tongue confess that Jesus ' Christ is ' Lord: to the ' glory × of ' God the ' Father. Glory to the Father and ' to the Son: and ' to the ' Holy ' Spirit; as it was in the be'ginning is ' now: and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men. GLORY AND HONOUR 1 Glory and ' honour × and ' power: are yours by ' right O ' Lord our ' God: 2 for you cre'ated ' all things: and by your ' will they ' have their ' being. 3 Glory and ' honour × and ' power: are yours by right O Lamb who was slain; 4 for by your blood you ransomed ' men for ' God: from every race and language * from ' every ' people × and ' nation, 5 to make them a ' kingdom × of ' priests: to stand and ' serve be'fore our ' God. To him who sits on the throne ' and × to the ' Lamb: be praise and honour glory and might * for ever and ' ever. ' A'men.
39	THE APOSTLES' CREED
	All	I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
40	Kneel The minister may say
		Lord, have mercy on us.
	People	Christ, have mercy on us.
	Minister	Lord, have mercy on us.
41	All	Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, 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 the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
42	These versicles and responses may be said.
	Minister	Show us your mercy, O Lord;
	People	and grant us your salvation.
	Minister	O Lord, save the Queen;
	People	and teach her counsellors wisdom.
	Minister	Let your priests be clothed with righteousness;
	People	and let your servants shout for joy.
	Minister	O Lord, make your ways known upon earth;
	People	let all nations acknowledge your saving power.
	Minister	Give your people the blessing of peace;
	People	and let your glory be over all the world.
	Minister	Make our hearts clean, O God;
	People	and renew a right spirit within us.
43	THE COLLECT OF THE DAY.
44	THIS COLLECT may be said.
		O God, the source of all good desires, all right judgements, and all just works: give to your servants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments, and that freed from the fear of our enemies, we may pass our time in rest and quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
45	THIS COLLECT is said.
		Lighten our darkness, Lord, we pray; and in your mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
46	Here may be read the State Prayers, occasional prayers and thanksgivings, or other forms of prayer. The prayers may conclude with one of the Endings (p. 107). A sermon may be preached, hymns may be sung, and the service may end with a blessing.