THE FORE-OFFICE
¶ The Minister shall begin Morning and Evening Prayer by reading one or more of the following Sentences of Scripture. On any day, save a Day of Fasting or Abstinence, or on any day when the Litany or Holy Communion is immediately to follow, the Minister may, at his discretion, pass at once from the Sentences to the Lord's Prayer and Angelic Salutation, which may never be omitted.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Psalm 51:17
Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us, in sundry places, to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, by his infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought, at all times, humbly to acknowledge our sins before God; yet ought we chiefly so to do, when we assemble and meet together to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his most holy Word, and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I pray and beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying—
¶ To be said by the whole Congregation, after the Minister, all kneeling.
Almighty and most merciful Father; We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.
DECLARATION OF ABSOLUTION
Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live, hath given power, and commandment, to his Ministers, to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent, the Absolution and Remission of their sins. He pardoneth and ✠ absolveth all those who truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy Gospel. Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance, and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him which we do at this present; and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy; so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER & ANGELIC SALUTATION
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace; The Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou amongst women, And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
℣. O Lord, ✠ open thou our lips. ℟. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. ℣. O God, ✠ make speed to save us. ℟. O Lord, make haste to help us. ℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. ℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. ℣. Praise ye the Lord. ℟. The Lord's Name be praised.
PSALM 8, 19, 24
O1 LORD our Governor, how excellent is thy Name in all the world : thou that hast set thy glory above the heavens!
2Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength, because of thine enemies : that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
3For I will consider thy heavens, even the works of thy fingers : the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained.
4What is man, that thou art mindful of him : and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5Thou madest him lower than the angels : to crown him with glory and worship.
6Thou makest him to have dominion of the works of thy hands : and thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet;
7All sheep and oxen : yea, and the beasts of the field;
8The fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea : and whatsoever walketh through the paths of the seas.
9O Lord our Governor : how excellent is thy Name in all the world!
1THE heavens declare the glory of God : and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2One day telleth another : and one night certifieth another.
3There is neither speech nor language : but their voices are heard among them.
4Their sound is gone out into all lands : and their words into the ends of the world.
5In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun : which cometh forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course.
6It goeth forth from the uttermost part of the heaven, and runneth about unto the end of it again : and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7The law of the Lord is an undefiled law, converting the soul : the testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisdom unto the simple.
8The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoice the heart : the commandment of the Lord is pure, and giveth light unto the eyes.
9The fear of the Lord is clean, and endureth for ever : the judgements of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
10More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold : sweeter also than honey, and the honey-comb.
11Moreover, by them is thy servant taught : and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12Who can tell how oft he offendeth : O cleanse thou me from my secret faults.
13Keep thy servant also from presumptuous sins, lest they get the dominion over me : so shall I be undefiled, and innocent from the great offence.
14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart : be alway acceptable in thy sight,
15O Lord : my strength, and my redeemer.
1THE earth is the Lord's, and all that therein is : the compass of the world, and they that dwell therein.
2For he hath founded it upon the seas : and prepared it upon the floods.
3Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord : or who shall rise up in his holy place?
4Even he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart : and that hath not lift up his mind unto vanity, nor sworn to deceive his neighbour.
5He shall receive the blessing from the Lord : and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6This is the generation of them that seek him : even of them that seek thy face, O Jacob.
7Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors : and the King of glory shall come in.
8Who is the King of glory : it is the Lord strong and mighty, even the Lord mighty in battle.
9Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors : and the King of glory shall come in.
10Who is the King of glory : even the Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost. ℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.
ECCLESIASTICUS 24:7-12
W7ith all these I sought rest: and in whose inheritance shall I abide?
8So the Creator of all things gave me a commandment, and he that made me caused my tabernacle to rest, and said, Let thy dwelling be in Jacob, and thine inheritance in Israel.
9He created me from the beginning before the world, and I shall never fail.
10In the holy tabernacle I served before him; and so was I established in Sion.
11Likewise in the beloved city he gave me rest, and in Jerusalem was my power.
12And I took root in an honourable people, even in the portion of the Lord’s inheritance.
MAGNIFICAT
My soul ✠ doth magnify the Lord, * and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded * the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth * all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me; * and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear him * throughout all generations. He hath showed strength with his arm; * he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things; * and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel; * as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost. ℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.
MATTHEW 1:18-25
N18ow the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
19And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
20But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
21She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
24When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,
25but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
NUNC DIMITTIS
Lord, ✠ now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, * according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen * thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared * before the face of all people; To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, * and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost. ℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.
THE CREED
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost: The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints: The Forgiveness of sins: The Resurrection of the body: ✠ And the Life everlasting. Amen.
℣. The Lord be with you. or, O Lord, hear our prayer. ℟. And with thy spirit. or, And let our cry come unto thee.
℣. Let us pray. ℣. Lord, have mercy upon us. ℟. Christ, have mercy upon us. ℣. Lord, have mercy upon us.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.
PRECES
℣. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us. ℟. And grant us thy salvation. ℣. O Lord, save the State. ℟. And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee. ℣. Endue thy Ministers with righteousness. ℟. And make thy chosen people joyful. ℣. O Lord, save thy people. ℟. And bless thine inheritance. ℣. Give peace in our time, O Lord. ℟. For it is thou, Lord, only, that makest us dwell in safety. ℣. O God, make clean our hearts within us. ℟. And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
COLLECT OF THE DAY
Tuesday after the 17th Sunday after Trinity
Lord, we pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works. Through.
A COLLECT FOR PEACE
O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed; Give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee, we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR AID AGAINST PERILS
Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE CONCLUSION
℣. The Lord be with you. or, O Lord, hear our prayer. ℟. And with thy spirit. or, And let our cry come unto thee. ℣. Let us bless the Lord (alleluia, alleluia.) ℟. Thanks be to God (alleluia, alleluia.) ℣. May the souls ✠ of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. ℟. Amen.
AFTER THE THIRD COLLECT
¶ The following Prayers shall be omitted here when the Great Litany is said, and may be omitted when the Holy Communion is to follow. The Prayer for the Head of State is here said.
A PRAYER FOR THE CLERGY AND PEOPLE
Almighty and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift; Send down upon our Bishops, and other Clergy, and upon the Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.
A PRAYER FOR ALL SORTS & CONDITIONS OF MEN
O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are any ways afflicted, or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; (especially those for whom our prayers are desired;) that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them, according to their several necessities; giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
A GENERAL THANKSGIVING
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we, thine unworthy servants, do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all men; (to those who desire now to offer up their praises and thanksgivings for thy late mercies vouchsafed unto them.) We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful; and that we show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
A PRAYER OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM
Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests; Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
THE GRACE
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, ✠ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.