Episcopal Priest, Social Worker, Professor, parent, teacher, learner, writer, advocate, and grateful traveller along this journey through life. Serving as the Vocations Minister for the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia.
Saturday Morning Prayer for Eastertide (Daily Prayer for All Seasons)
Today we give thanks for the Ordination of four St. Phoebe School graduates to the Sacred Order of Deacons: Florian, Cabell, Judi and Stephanie. Blessings on your ordination day!!
Collect for the Saturdays:
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Opening
Alleluia! Risen Lord, come be with us, and teach our hearts to live in you. Alleluia!
Prayer
Jesus, divine companion: As the day unfolds, give us strength to understand and eyes to see, as you teach us to walk the soft earth, related to all that lives. Amen.
Praise
A Song of Wisdom (Wisdom 10:15-19, 20b-21)
Wisdom freed from a nation of oppressors * a holy people and a blameless race. She entered the soul of a servant of the Lord, * withstood dread rulers with wonders and signs. To the saints she gave the reward of their labors, * and led them by a marvelous way; She was their shelter by day * and a blaze of stars by night. She brought them across the Red Sea, * she led them through mighty waters; But their enemies she swallowed in the waves * and spewed them out from the depths of the abyss. And then, Lord, the righteous sang hymns to your Name * and praised with one voice your protecting hand; F or Wisdom opened the mouths of the mute * and gave speech to the tongues of a new-born people.
Scripture
Mark 16:9-15
Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.
After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.
Meditation
Prayers
Risen Christ, open our hearts to your grace and truth. May we walk in newness of life.
Teach us to love others in the power of the Spirit. May we walk in newness of life.
Here, the people may add particular intercessions or thanksgivings.
Strengthen us as witnesses to your love. May we walk in newness of life.
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. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
Prayer
God our Deliverer, by water and the Holy Spirit we have been buried with Christ and raised to the new life of grace: Give us inquiring and discerning hearts, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.
Going Out
Alleluia! Risen Lord, come be with us, and teach our hearts to live in you. Alleluia!
Alleluia. Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; * therefore let us keep the feast, Not with old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; * death no longer has dominion over him. The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; * but the life he lives, he lives to God. So also consider yourselves dead to sin, * and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.
Christ has been raised from the dead, * the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by a man came death, * by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, * so in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.
Psalm 136Confitemini
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, * for his mercy endures for ever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods, * for his mercy endures for ever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, * for his mercy endures for ever.
4 Who only does great wonders, * for his mercy endures for ever;
5 Who by wisdom made the heavens, * for his mercy endures for ever;
6 Who spread out the earth upon the waters, * for his mercy endures for ever;
7 Who created great lights, * for his mercy endures for ever;
8 The sun to rule the day, * for his mercy endures for ever;
9 The moon and the stars to govern the night, * for his mercy endures for ever.
10 Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, * for his mercy endures for ever;
11 And brought out Israel from among them, * for his mercy endures for ever;
12 With a mighty hand and a stretched-out arm, * for his mercy endures for ever;
13 Who divided the Red Sea in two, * for his mercy endures for ever;
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it, * for his mercy endures for ever;
15 But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, * for his mercy endures for ever;
16 Who led his people through the wilderness, * for his mercy endures for ever.
17 Who struck down great kings, * for his mercy endures for ever;
18 And slew mighty kings, * for his mercy endures for ever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites, * for his mercy endures for ever;
20 And Og, the king of Bashan, * for his mercy endures for ever;
21 And gave away their lands for an inheritance, * for his mercy endures for ever;
22 An inheritance for Israel his servant, * for his mercy endures for ever.
23 Who remembered us in our low estate, * for his mercy endures for ever;
24 And delivered us from our enemies, * for his mercy endures for ever;
25 Who gives food to all creatures, * for his mercy endures for ever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, * for his mercy endures for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Daniel 12:1-4,13
‘At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. But you, Daniel, keep the words secret and the book sealed until the time of the end. Many shall be running back and forth, and evil shall increase.’ But you, go your way, and rest; you shall rise for your reward at the end of the days.’
Canticle 13 A Song of Praise Benedictus es, Domine Song of the Three Young Men, 29-34
Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; *
you are worthy of praise; glory to you.
Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; *
on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.
Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you, beholding the depths; * in the high vault of heaven, glory to you. Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; * we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
John 16:1-15
‘I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them.
‘I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Canticle 20 Glory to God Gloria in excelsis
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Apostles’ Creed
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 again 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.
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.
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.
V. Show us your mercy, O Lord; R. And grant us your salvation. V. Clothe your ministers with righteousness; R. Let your people sing with joy. V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; R. For only in you can we live in safety. V. Lord, keep this nation under your care; R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth. V. Let your way be known upon earth; R. Your saving health among all nations. V. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; R. Nor the hope of the poor be taken away. V. Create in us clean hearts, O God; R. And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
Almighty Father, who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give us grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.
Let us pray for the needs of the church and the world to God who raised Jesus to new life.
We name the prayers and thanksgivings of our lives.
Through the resurrection of your son, O God, you destroy the power of death and remove your people’s shame. By the power of the Spirit, raise us from sin and seat us at the paschal feast, that we may rejoice in the gift of salvation Jesus has won for us. Amen.
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom:
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Romans 15:13
If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 2 Corinthians 5:17
O God, let our mouth proclaim your praise. And your glory all the day long.
Gloria al Padre, y al Hijo y al Espíritu Santo: * como era en el principio, ahora y siempre, por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.
¡Aleluya!
Antiphon: Alleluia. Christ is risen. O come let us worship. Alleluia.
VeniteSalmo 95:1-7
Vengan, cantemos alegremente al Señor; * aclamemos con júbilo a la Roca que nos salva. Lleguemos ante su presencia con alabanza, * vitoreándole con cánticos; Porque el Señor es Dios grande, * y Rey grande sobre todos los dioses. En su mano están las profundidades de la tierra, * y las alturas de los montes son suyas. Suyo el mar, pues él lo hizo, * y sus manos formaron la tierra seca. Vengan, adoremos y postrémonos; * arrodillémosnos delante del Señor nuestro Hacedor; Porque él es nuestro Dios; nosotros el pueblo de su dehesa, y ovejas de su mano. * ¡Ojalá escuchen hoy su voz!
Antiphon: Alleluia. Christ is risen. O come let us worship. Alleluia.
Psalm 147Laudate Dominum
1 Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God! * how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!
2 The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem; * he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted * and binds up their wounds.
4 He counts the number of the stars * and calls them all by their names.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; * there is no limit to his wisdom.
6 The Lord lifts up the lowly, * but casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; * make music to our God upon the harp.
8 He covers the heavens with clouds * and prepares rain for the earth;
9 He makes grass to grow upon the mountains * and green plants to serve mankind.
10 He provides food for flocks and herds * and for the young ravens when they cry.
11 He is not impressed by the might of a horse; * he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;
12 But the Lord has pleasure in those who fear him, * in those who await his gracious favor.
13 Worship the Lord, O Jerusalem; * praise your God, O Zion;
14 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; * he has blessed your children within you.
15 He has established peace on your borders; * he satisfies you with the finest wheat.
16 He sends out his command to the earth, * and his word runs very swiftly.
17 He gives snow like wool; * he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
18 He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; * who can stand against his cold?
19 He sends forth his word and melts them; * he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.
20 He declares his word to Jacob, * his statutes and his judgments to Israel.
21 He has not done so to any other nation; * to them he has not revealed his judgments. Hallelujah!
Gloria al Padre, y al Hijo y al Espíritu Santo: * como era en el principio, ahora y siempre, por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.
Ezekiel 37:1-14
The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me all round them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, ‘Mortal, can these bones live?’ I answered, ‘O Lord God, you know.’ Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.’
So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.’ I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.
Then he said to me, ‘Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.” Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.’
Canticle H A Song of Hosea Hosea 6:1-3
Come, let us return to our God, * who has torn us and will heal us. God has struck us and will bind up our wounds, * after two days revive us, On the third day restore us, * that in God’s presence we may live. Let us humble ourselves, let us strive to know the Lord, * whose justice dawns like morning light, its dawning as sure as the sunrise. God’s justice will come to us like a shower, * like spring rains that water the earth.
Gloria al Padre, y al Hijo y al Espíritu Santo: * como era en el principio, ahora y siempre, por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.
John 15:12-27
‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
‘If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, “Servants are not greater than their master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not have sin. But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. It was to fulfil the word that is written in their law, “They hated me without a cause.”
‘When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.
Canticle N A Song of God’s Love 1 John 4:7-11
Beloved, let us love one another, * for love is of God. Whoever does not love does not know God, * for God is Love. In this the love of God was revealed among us, * that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through Jesus Christ. In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us * and sent his Son that sins might be forgiven. Beloved, since God loved us so much, * we ought also to love one another. For if we love one another, God abides in us, * and God’s love will be perfected in us.
Gloria al Padre, y al Hijo y al Espíritu Santo: * como era en el principio, ahora y siempre, por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.
Credo de los Apóstoles
Creo en Dios Padre todopoderoso, creador del cielo y de la tierra. Creo en Jesucristo, su único Hijo, nuestro Señor. Fue concebido por obra y gracia del Espíritu Santo y nació de la Virgen María. Padeció bajo el poder de Poncio Pilato. Fue crucificado, muerto y sepultado. Descendió a los infiernos. Al tercer día resucitó de entre los muertos. Subió a los cielos, y está sentado a la diestra de Dios Padre. Desde allí ha de venir a juzgar a vivos y muertos. Creo en el Espíritu Santo, la santa Iglesia católica, la comunión de los santos, el perdón de los pecados, la resurrección de los muertos, y la vida eterna. Amén.
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.
Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, santificado sea tu Nombre, venga tu reino, hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos del mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, tuyo es el poder, y tuya es la gloria, ahora y por siempre. Amén.
Sufragios B
V. Señor, salva a tu pueblo, y bendice a tu heredad; R. Sostennos y guíanos ahora y siempre. V. Día a día te bendecimos; R. Y alabamos tu nombre eternamente. V. De todo pecado guárdanos hoy; R. Ten piedad de nosotros. V. Muéstranos tu amor y tu misericordia; R. Porque en ti ponemos la confianza. V. En ti, Señor, está nuestra esperanza; R. No dejes que esperemos en vano
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Sun of Righteousness, so gloriously risen, shine in our hearts as we celebrate our redemption, that we may see your way to our eternal home, where you reign, one holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever. Amen.
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray for the needs of the church and the world to God who raised Jesus to new life.
We offer the prayers and thanksgivings of our hearts to you
Creator of the universe, you made the world in beauty, and restore all things in glory through the victory of Jesus Christ. We pray that, wherever your image is still disfigured by poverty, sickness, selfishness, war and greed, the new creation in Jesus Christ may appear in justice, love, and peace, to the glory of your name. Amen.
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom:
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to God from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21
Alleluia. Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; * therefore let us keep the feast, Not with old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; * death no longer has dominion over him. The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; * but the life he lives, he lives to God. So also consider yourselves dead to sin, * and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.
Christ has been raised from the dead, * the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by a man came death, * by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, * so in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.
Psalm 97Dominus regnavit
1 The Lord is King; let the earth rejoice; * let the multitude of the isles be glad.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him, * righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne.
3 A fire goes before him * and burns up his enemies on every side.
4 His lightnings light up the world; * the earth sees it and is afraid.
5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, * at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, * and all the peoples see his glory.
7 Confounded be all who worship carved images and delight in false gods! * Bow down before him, all you gods.
8 Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice, * because of your judgments, O Lord.
9 For you are the Lord, most high over all the earth; * you are exalted far above all gods.
10 The Lord loves those who hate evil; * he preserves the lives of his saints and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light has sprung up for the righteous, * and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, * and give thanks to his holy Name.
Psalm 99Dominus regnavit
1 The Lord is King; let the people tremble; * he is enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth shake.
2 The Lord is great in Zion; * he is high above all peoples.
3 Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; * he is the Holy One.
4 “O mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; * you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.”
5 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and fall down before his footstool; * he is the Holy One.
6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, * they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; * they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them.
8 “O Lord our God, you answered them indeed; * you were a God who forgave them, yet punished them for their evil deeds.”
9 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and worship him upon his holy hill; * for the Lord our God is the Holy One.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Micah 7:7-15
But as for me, I will look to the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.
Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. I must bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he takes my side and executes judgement for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall see his vindication. Then my enemy will see, and shame will cover her who said to me, ‘Where is the Lord your God?’ My eyes will see her downfall; now she will be trodden down like the mire of the streets.
A day for the building of your walls! In that day the boundary shall be far extended. In that day they will come to you from Assyria to Egypt, and from Egypt to the River, from sea to sea and from mountain to mountain. But the earth will be desolate because of its inhabitants, for the fruit of their doings.
Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that belongs to you, which lives alone in a forest in the midst of a garden land; let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old. As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, show us marvellous things.
Canticle 13 A Song of Praise Benedictus es, Domine Song of the Three Young Men, 29-34
Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; *
you are worthy of praise; glory to you.
Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; *
on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.
Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you, beholding the depths; * in the high vault of heaven, glory to you. Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; * we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
John 15:1-11
‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
Canticle 20 Glory to God Gloria in excelsis
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Apostles’ Creed
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 again 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.
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.
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.
V. Show us your mercy, O Lord; R. And grant us your salvation. V. Clothe your ministers with righteousness; R. Let your people sing with joy. V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; R. For only in you can we live in safety. V. Lord, keep this nation under your care; R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth. V. Let your way be known upon earth; R. Your saving health among all nations. V. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; R. Nor the hope of the poor be taken away. V. Create in us clean hearts, O God; R. And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Jesus, the true bread that comes down from heaven: leaven us with your Holy Spirit, that the world may know the abundance of life in your new creation. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Let us pray for the needs of the church and the world to God who raised Jesus to new life.
We name the prayers and thanksgivings of our lives.
Through the resurrection of your son, O God, you destroy the power of death and remove your people’s shame. By the power of the Spirit, raise us from sin and seat us at the paschal feast, that we may rejoice in the gift of salvation Jesus has won for us. Amen.
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom:
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Romans 15:13
If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 2 Corinthians 5:17
O God, let our mouth proclaim your praise. And your glory all the day long.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia!
Antiphon: Alleluia. Christ is risen. O come let us worship. Alleluia.
Invitatory: Psalm 63:1-8 Deus, Deus meus
O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; *
my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,
as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place, *
that I might behold your power and your glory.
For your loving-kindness is better than life itself; *
my lips shall give you praise.
So will I bless you as long as I live *
and lift up my hands in your Name.
My soul is content, as with marrow and fatness, *
and my mouth praises you with joyful lips,
When I remember you upon my bed, *
and meditate on you in the night watches.
For you have been my helper, *
and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.
My soul clings to you; *
your right hand holds me fast.
Antiphon: Alleluia. Christ is risen. O come let us worship. Alleluia.
Psalm 103 Benedic, anima mea
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, * and all that is within me, bless his holy Name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, * and forget not all his benefits.
3 He forgives all your sins * and heals all your infirmities;
4 He redeems your life from the grave * and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness;
5 He satisfies you with good things, * and your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.
6 The Lord executes righteousness * and judgment for all who are oppressed.
7 He made his ways known to Moses * and his works to the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, * slow to anger and of great kindness.
9 He will not always accuse us, * nor will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, * nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, * so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, * so far has he removed our sins from us.
13 As a father cares for his children, * so does the Lord care for those who fear him.
14 For he himself knows whereof we are made; * he remembers that we are but dust.
15 Our days are like the grass; * we flourish like a flower of the field;
16 When the wind goes over it, it is gone, * and its place shall know it no more.
17 But the merciful goodness of the Lord endures for ever on those who fear him, * and his righteousness on children’s children;
18 On those who keep his covenant * and remember his commandments and do them.
19 The Lord has set his throne in heaven, * and his kingship has dominion over all.
20 Bless the Lord, you angels of his, you mighty ones who do his bidding, * and hearken to the voice of his word.
21 Bless the Lord, all you his hosts, * you ministers of his who do his will.
22 Bless the Lord, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion; * bless the Lord, O my soul.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Isaiah 30:18-21
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
Truly, O people in Zion, inhabitants of Jerusalem, you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears it, he will answer you. Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself any more, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’
Canticle C The Song of Hannah 1 Samuel 2:1-8
My heart exults in you, O God; * my triumph song is lifted in you. My mouth derides my enemies, * for I rejoice in your salvation. There is none holy like you, * nor any rock to be compared to you, our God. Do not heap up prideful words or speak in arrogance; * Only God is knowing and weighs all actions. The bows of the mighty are broken, * but the weak are clothed in strength. Those once full now labor for bread, * those who hungered now are well fed. The childless woman has borne sevenfold, * while the mother of many is forlorn. God destroys and brings to life, casts down and raises up; * gives wealth or takes it away, humbles and dignifies. God raises the poor from the dust; * and lifts the needy from the ash heap To make them sit with the rulers * and inherit a place of honor. For the pillars of the earth are God’s * on which the whole earth is founded.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
John 14:15-31
‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
‘I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.’ Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.
Canticle N A Song of God’s Love 1 John 4:7-11
Beloved, let us love one another, * for love is of God. Whoever does not love does not know God, * for God is Love. In this the love of God was revealed among us, * that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through Jesus Christ. In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us * and sent his Son that sins might be forgiven. Beloved, since God loved us so much, * we ought also to love one another. For if we love one another, God abides in us, * and God’s love will be perfected in us.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
An Affirmation of Faith (Northumbria Community)
Lord, You have always given bread for the coming day; and though I am poor, today I believe.
Lord, You have always given strength for the coming day; and though I am weak, today I believe.
Lord, You have always given peace for the coming day; and though of anxious heart, today I believe.
Lord, You have always kept me safe in trials; and now, tried as I am, today I believe.
Lord, You have always marked the road for the coming day; and though it may be hidden, today I believe.
Lord, You have always lightened this darkness of mine; and though I cannot yet see, today I believe.
Lord, You have always spoken when time was ripe; and though you be silent now, today I believe.
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.
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. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
V. Help us, O God our Savior; R. Deliver us and forgive us our sins. V. Look upon your congregation; R. Give to your people the blessing of peace. V. Declare your glory among the nations; R. And your wonders among all peoples. V. Do not let the oppressed be shamed and turned away; R. Never forget the lives of your poor. V. Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you; R. And your favor to those who are true of heart. V. Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning; R. So shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.
O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen.
God of unchangeable power, when you fashioned the world the morning stars sang together and the host of heaven shouted for joy; open our eyes to the wonders of creation and teach us to use all things for good, to the honor of your glorious name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray for the needs of the church and the world to God who raised Jesus to new life.
We offer the prayers and thanksgivings of our hearts to you
Love divine, in raising Christ to new life you opened the path of salvation to all peoples. Send us out, with the joy of Mary Magdalene, to proclaim that we have seen the Lord, so that all the world may celebrate with you the banquet of your peace. Amen.
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom:
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to God from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21
Alleluia. Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; * therefore let us keep the feast, Not with old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; * death no longer has dominion over him. The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; * but the life he lives, he lives to God. So also consider yourselves dead to sin, * and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.
Christ has been raised from the dead, * the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by a man came death, * by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, * so in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.
Psalm 93Dominus regnavit
1 The Lord is King; he has put on splendid apparel; * the Lord has put on his apparel and girded himself with strength.
2 He has made the whole world so sure * that it cannot be moved;
3 Ever since the world began, your throne has been established; * you are from everlasting.
4 The waters have lifted up, O Lord, the waters have lifted up their voice; * the waters have lifted up their pounding waves.
5 Mightier than the sound of many waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea, * mightier is the Lord who dwells on high.
6 Your testimonies are very sure, * and holiness adorns your house, O Lord, for ever and for evermore.
Psalm 98Cantate Domino
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, * for he has done marvelous things.
2 With his right hand and his holy arm * has he won for himself the victory.
3 The Lord has made known his victory; * his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.
4 He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, * and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
5 Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; * lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
6 Sing to the Lord with the harp, * with the harp and the voice of song.
7 With trumpets and the sound of the horn * shout with joy before the King, the Lord.
8 Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, * the lands and those who dwell therein.
9 Let the rivers clap their hands, * and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord, when he comes to judge the earth.
10 In righteousness shall he judge the world * and the peoples with equity.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Jonah 2:1-9
Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, ‘I called to the Lord out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. Then I said, “I am driven away from your sight; how shall I look again upon your holy temple?” The waters closed in over me; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped around my head at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me for ever; yet you brought up my life from the Pit, O Lord my God. As my life was ebbing away, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. Those who worship vain idols forsake their true loyalty. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Deliverance belongs to the Lord!’
Canticle 13 A Song of Praise Benedictus es, Domine Song of the Three Young Men, 29-34
Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; *
you are worthy of praise; glory to you.
Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; *
on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.
Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you, beholding the depths; * in the high vault of heaven, glory to you. Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; * we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
John 14:1-14
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’
Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
Canticle 20 Glory to God Gloria in excelsis
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Apostles’ Creed
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 again 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.
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.
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.
V. Show us your mercy, O Lord; R. And grant us your salvation. V. Clothe your ministers with righteousness; R. Let your people sing with joy. V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; R. For only in you can we live in safety. V. Lord, keep this nation under your care; R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth. V. Let your way be known upon earth; R. Your saving health among all nations. V. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; R. Nor the hope of the poor be taken away. V. Create in us clean hearts, O God; R. And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that we who celebrate with awe the Paschal feast may be found worthy to attain to everlasting joys; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Sun of Righteousness, so gloriously risen, shine in our hearts as we celebrate our redemption, that we may see your way to our eternal home, where you reign, one holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Let us pray for the needs of the church and the world to God who raised Jesus to new life.
We name the prayers and thanksgivings of our lives.
Through the resurrection of your son, O God, you destroy the power of death and remove your people’s shame. By the power of the Spirit, raise us from sin and seat us at the paschal feast, that we may rejoice in the gift of salvation Jesus has won for us. Amen.
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom:
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Romans 15:13
Join St. Phoebe School at 8 p.m. ET Sunday-Thursday to pray Compline: Zoom Link for Compline
Eternal God, who led your ancient people into freedom by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night: Grant that we who walk in the light of your presence may rejoice in the liberty of the children of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.
Our help is in the Name of the Lord; The maker of heaven and earth.
O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia
Psalm 98Cantate Domino
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, * for he has done marvelous things.
2 With his right hand and his holy arm * has he won for himself the victory.
3 The Lord has made known his victory; * his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.
4 He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, * and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
5 Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; * lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
6 Sing to the Lord with the harp, * with the harp and the voice of song.
7 With trumpets and the sound of the horn * shout with joy before the King, the Lord.
8 Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, * the lands and those who dwell therein.
9 Let the rivers clap their hands, * and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord, when he comes to judge the earth.
10 In righteousness shall he judge the world * and the peoples with equity.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21
May the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.
Thanks be to God.
V. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit; R. For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth. V. Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye; R. Hide us under the shadow of your wings.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
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. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
Lord, hear our prayer And let our cry come to you Let us pray
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
(we name our prayers and intercessions, silently or aloud)
O God, at this evening hour, the risen Christ revealed himself to his disciples in the breaking of bread. Feed us with the bread of life and break open our hearts, that we may know him not only in the good news of the scriptures, but risen in the midst of your pilgrim people. Amen.
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten 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 beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Let us bless the Lord Thanks be to God
The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us. Amen.
O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm 31In te, Domine, speravi
1 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; * deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Incline your ear to me; * make haste to deliver me.
3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag and my stronghold; * for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.
4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, * for you are my tower of strength.
5 Into your hands I commend my spirit, * for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols, * and I put my trust in the Lord.
7 I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy; * for you have seen my affliction; you know my distress.
8 You have not shut me up in the power of the enemy; * you have set my feet in an open place.
9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; * my eye is consumed with sorrow, and also my throat and my belly.
10 For my life is wasted with grief, and my years with sighing; * my strength fails me because of affliction, and my bones are consumed.
11 I have become a reproach to all my enemies and even to my neighbors, a dismay to those of my acquaintance; * when they see me in the street they avoid me.
12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; * I am as useless as a broken pot.
13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is all around; * they put their heads together against me; they plot to take my life.
14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. * I have said, “You are my God.
15 My times are in your hand; * rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, * and in your loving-kindness save me.”
17 Lord, let me not be ashamed for having called upon you; * rather, let the wicked be put to shame; let them be silent in the grave.
18 Let the lying lips be silenced which speak against the righteous, * haughtily, disdainfully, and with contempt.
19 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.
20 You hide them in the covert of your presence from those who slander them; * you keep them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord! * for he has shown me the wonders of his love in a besieged city.
22 Yet I said in my alarm, “I have been cut off from the sight of your eyes.” * Nevertheless, you heard the sound of my entreaty when I cried out to you.
23 Love the Lord, all you who worship him; * the Lord protects the faithful, but repays to the full those who act haughtily.
24 Be strong and let your heart take courage, * all you who wait for the Lord.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Lamentations 3:1-9,19-24
I am one who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath; he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light; against me alone he turns his hand, again and again, all day long.
He has made my flesh and my skin waste away, and broken my bones; he has besieged and enveloped me with bitterness and tribulation; he has made me sit in darkness like the dead of long ago.
He has walled me about so that I cannot escape; he has put heavy chains on me; though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer; he has blocked my ways with hewn stones, he has made my paths crooked.
The thought of my affliction and my homelessness is wormwood and gall! My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’
John 19:38-42
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
In the midst of life we are in death; from whom can we seek help? From you alone, O Lord, who by our sins are justly angered.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and merciful Savior, deliver us not into the bitterness of eternal death.
Lord, you know the secrets of our hearts; shut not your ears to our prayers, but spare us, O Lord.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and merciful Savior, deliver us not into the bitterness of eternal death.
O worthy and eternal Judge, do not let the pains of death turn us away from you at our last hour.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and merciful Savior, deliver us not into the bitterness of eternal death.
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.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow which was brought upon me, whom the Lord hath afflicted. Lamentations 1:12
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.
Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Invitatory: Psalm 95Venite, exultemus
1 Come, let us sing to the Lord; * let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
3 For the Lord is a great God, * and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also.
5 The sea is his, for he made it, * and his hands have molded the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. * Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
8 Harden not your hearts, as your forebears did in the wilderness, * at Meribah, and on that day at Massah, when they tempted me.
9 They put me to the test, * though they had seen my works.
10 Forty years long I detested that generation and said, * “This people are wayward in their hearts; they do not know my ways.”
11 So I swore in my wrath, * “They shall not enter into my rest.”
Psalm 22Deus, Deus meus
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? * and are so far from my cry and from the words of my distress?
2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; * by night as well, but I find no rest.
3 Yet you are the Holy One, * enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
4 Our forefathers put their trust in you; * they trusted, and you delivered them.
5 They cried out to you and were delivered; * they trusted in you and were not put to shame.
6 But as for me, I am a worm and no man, * scorned by all and despised by the people.
7 All who see me laugh me to scorn; * they curl their lips and wag their heads, saying,
8 “He trusted in the Lord; let him deliver him; * let him rescue him, if he delights in him.”
9 Yet you are he who took me out of the womb, * and kept me safe upon my mother’s breast.
10 I have been entrusted to you ever since I was born; * you were my God when I was still in my mother’s womb.
11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, * and there is none to help.
12 Many young bulls encircle me; * strong bulls of Bashan surround me.
13 They open wide their jaws at me, * like a ravening and a roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint; * my heart within my breast is melting wax.
15 My mouth is dried out like a pot-sherd; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; * and you have laid me in the dust of the grave.
16 Packs of dogs close me in, and gangs of evildoers circle around me; * they pierce my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones.
17 They stare and gloat over me; * they divide my garments among them; they cast lots for my clothing.
18 Be not far away, O Lord; * you are my strength; hasten to help me.
19 Save me from the sword, * my life from the power of the dog.
20 Save me from the lion’s mouth, * my wretched body from the horns of wild bulls.
21 I will declare your Name to my brethren; * in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.
22 Praise the Lord, you that fear him; * stand in awe of him, O offspring of Israel; all you of Jacob’s line, give glory.
23 For he does not despise nor abhor the poor in their poverty; neither does he hide his face from them; * but when they cry to him he hears them.
24 My praise is of him in the great assembly; * I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship him.
25 The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek the Lord shall praise him: * “May your heart live for ever!”
26 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, * and all the families of the nations shall bow before him.
27 For kingship belongs to the Lord; * he rules over the nations.
28 To him alone all who sleep in the earth bow down in worship; * all who go down to the dust fall before him.
29 My soul shall live for him; my descendants shall serve him; * they shall be known as the Lord’s for ever.
30 They shall come and make known to a people yet unborn * the saving deeds that he has done.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
See, my servant shall prosper; he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high. Just as there were many who were astonished at him —so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of mortals— so he shall startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which had not been told them they shall see, and that which they had not heard they shall contemplate.
Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hide their faces he was despised, and we held him of no account.
Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people. They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.
Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain. When you make his life an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days; through him the will of the Lord shall prosper. Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Canticle/Anthem 1
We glory in your cross, O Lord, and praise and glorify your holy resurrection; for by virtue of your cross joy has come to the whole world.
May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance, and come to us.
Let your ways be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
We glory in your cross, O Lord, and praise and glorify your holy resurrection; for by virtue of your cross joy has come to the whole world.
Hebrews 10:16-25
‘This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds’, he also adds, ‘I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.’ Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Canticle/Anthem 2
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; if we endure, we shall also reign with him.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
John 13:36-38
Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus answered, ‘Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterwards.’ Peter said to him, ‘Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ Jesus answered, ‘Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.
Canticle/Anthem 3
O Savior of the world, who by thy cross and precious blood hast redeemed us:
Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.
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.
V. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance; R. Govern them and uphold them, now and always. V. Day by day we bless you; R. We praise your name for ever. V. Lord, keep us from all sin today; R. Have mercy upon us, Lord, have mercy. V. Lord, show us your love and mercy; R. For we put our trust in you. V. In you, Lord, is our hope; R. And we shall never hope in vain.
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.
Intercessions for Good Friday (portions of the Great Litany, BCP pp. 148-155)
O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, Have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful, Have mercy upon us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God, Have mercy upon us.
Remember not, Lord Christ, our offenses, nor the offenses of our forefathers; neither reward us according to our sins. Spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and by thy mercy preserve us, for ever. Spare us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to make wars to cease in all the world; to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord; and to bestow freedom upon all peoples, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to show thy pity upon all prisoners and captives, the homeless and the hungry, and all who are desolate and oppressed, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to inspire us, in our several callings, to do the work which thou givest us to do with singleness of heart as thy servants, and for the common good, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to visit the lonely; to strengthen all who suffer in mind, body, and spirit; and to comfort with thy presence those who are failing and infirm, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to support, help, and comfort all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, Grant us thy peace.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Virtual Stations of the Cross, for Personal Devotion:
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.
Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Venite Psalm 95:1-7
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.
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. * Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
Psalm 116Dilexi, quoniam
1 I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, * because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.
2 The cords of death entangled me; the grip of the grave took hold of me; * I came to grief and sorrow.
3 Then I called upon the Name of the Lord: * “O Lord, I pray you, save my life.”
4 Gracious is the Lord and righteous; * our God is full of compassion.
5 The Lord watches over the innocent; * I was brought very low, and he helped me.
6 Turn again to your rest, O my soul. * for the Lord has treated you well.
7 For you have rescued my life from death, * my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.
8 I will walk in the presence of the Lord * in the land of the living.
9 I believed, even when I said, “I have been brought very low.” * In my distress I said, “No one can be trusted.”
10 How shall I repay the Lord * for all the good things he has done for me?
11 I will lift up the cup of salvation * and call upon the Name of the Lord.
12 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord * in the presence of all his people.
13 Precious in the sight of the Lord * is the death of his servants.
14 O Lord, I am your servant; * I am your servant and the child of your handmaid; you have freed me from my bonds.
15 I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving * and call upon the Name of the Lord.
16 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord * in the presence of all his people,
17 In the courts of the Lord’s house, * in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Exodus 12: 1-4; 10-14
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbour in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgements: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.
Canticle F: A Song of Lamentation Lamentations 1:12,16; 3:19,22-24,26
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? * Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, Which was brought upon me, * inflicted by God’s fierce anger. For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears, * for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my courage. Remember my affliction and my bitterness, * wormwood and gall! The steadfast love of God never ceases, * God’s mercies never end. They are new every morning; * great is your faithfulness. “God is my portion,” says my soul, * “therefore will I hope in God.” It is good that we should wait quietly * for the coming of God’s salvation.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
John 13:1-17,31-35
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’
After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’
Canticle N A Song of God’s Love 1 John 4:7-11
Beloved, let us love one another, * for love is of God. Whoever does not love does not know God, * for God is Love. In this the love of God was revealed among us, * that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through Jesus Christ. In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us * and sent his Son that sins might be forgiven. Beloved, since God loved us so much, * we ought also to love one another. For if we love one another, God abides in us, * and God’s love will be perfected in us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
The Apostles’ Creed
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 again 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.
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.
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.
V. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance; R. Govern them and uphold them, now and always. V. Day by day we bless you; R. We praise your name for ever. V. Lord, keep us from all sin today; R. Have mercy upon us, Lord, have mercy. V. Lord, show us your love and mercy; R. For we put our trust in you. V. In you, Lord, is our hope; R. And we shall never hope in vain.
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Intercessions for Maundy Thursday
Father, on the night he was betrayed, your Son Jesus Christ washed his disciples’ feet. We commit ourselves to follow his example of love and service.
Lord, hear us and humble us.
On this night, he prayed for his disciples to be one. We pray for the unity of your Church…
Lord, hear us and unite us.
On this night, he prayed for those who were to believe through their ministry. We pray for the mission of your Church…
Lord, hear us and renew our zeal.
On this night, he commanded them to love, but suffered rejection himself. We pray for the rejected and unloved…
Lord, hear us and fill us with your love.
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom:
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14