January

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 6 and 9 a.m.

The Call to Prayer

Sing to the LORD a new song,* for he has done marvelous things.

Psalm 98:1

The Request for Presence

Create in me a clean heart, O God,* and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:11

The Greeting

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

Psalm 119:141

The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Let my mouth be full of your praise* and your glory all the day long.

Psalm 71:8

A Reading

In all this Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables; indeed he would never speak to them except in parables. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: I will speak in parables, unfold what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.… Jesus asked the people, saying, ‘Have you understood all these?’ They said, ‘Yes’ And he said to them, ‘Well then, every scribe who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of Heaven is like a householder who brings out from his storeroom new things as well as old.’

Matthew 13:34–35, 51–52

The Refrain

Let my mouth be full of your praise* and your glory all the day long.

Sing to the LORD a New Song

Sing to the LORD a new song,* for he has done marvelous things.

With his right hand and his holy arm* has he won for himself the victory.

The LORD has made known his victory;* his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

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

Shout with joy to the LORD, all you lands;* lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.

Sing to the LORD with the harp,* with the harp and the voice of song.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn* shout with joy before the King, the LORD.

Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it,* the lands and those who dwell therein.

Let the rivers clap their hands,* and let the hills ring out with joy before the LORD, when he comes to judge the earth

In righteousness shall he judge the world* and the peoples with equity.

Psalm 98

The Refrain

Let my mouth be full of your praise* and your glory all the day long.

The Cry of the Church

O Lord, hear my prayer and let my cry come unto you. Thanks be to God.

THE SHORT BREVIARY

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.†

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Call to Prayer

Blessed be the LORD for evermore!* Amen, I say, Amen.

Psalm 89:52

The Request for Presence

May the graciousness of the LORD our God be upon us;* prosper the work of our hands; prosper our handiwork.

Psalm 90:17

The Greeting

Blessed are you, O LORD;* instruct me in your statutes.

Psalm 119:12

The Refrain for the Midday Lessons

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go;* I will guide you with my eye.”

Psalm 32:9

A Reading

‘This is the covenant I shall make with the House of Israel when those days have come, YAHWEH declares. Within them I shall plant my Law, writing it on their hearts. Then I shall be their God and they will be my people. There will be no further need for everyone to teach neighbor or brother, saying, “Learn to know YAHWEH!” No, they will all know me, from the least to the greatest, YAHWEH declares, since I shall forgive their guilt and never more call their sin to mind.’

Jeremiah 31:33–34

The Refrain

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go;* I will guide you with my eye.”

I Will Dwell in the House of the LORD

The LORD is my shepherd;* I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures* and leads me beside still waters.

He revives my soul* and guides me along right pathways for his Name’s sake.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil;* for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me;* you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over.

Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,* and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 23

The Refrain

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go;* I will guide you with my eye.”

The Small Verse

My help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth and all that is in them. Thanks be to God.

Traditional

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

O God, you make me glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son my Lord: Give me this day such blessing through my worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.†

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m.

The Call to Prayer

Sing praise to the LORD who dwells in Zion;* proclaim to the peoples the things he has done.

Psalm 9:11

To you I lift up my eyes,* to you enthroned in the heavens.

Psalm 123:1

The Greeting

I put my trust in your mercy;* my heart is joyful because of your saving help.

Psalm 13:5

The Hymn

For all the blessings of the year,
For all the friends we hold so dear,
For peace on earth, both far and near,
We thank You, Lord

For life and health, those common things,
That every day and hour brings,
For home, where our affection clings,
We thank You, Lord

For love of Yours which never tires,
That all our better thought inspires
And warms our lives with heavenly fires,
We thank You, Lord

Albert Hutchinson

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

The angel of the LORD encompasses those who fear him,* and he will deliver them.

Psalm 34:7

Let All Flesh Bless His Holy Name

The LORD is near to those who call upon him,* to all who call upon him faithfully.

He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;* he hears their cry and helps them.

The LORD preserves all those who love him,* but he destroys all the wicked.

My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD;* let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and ever.

Psalm 145:19–22

The Refrain

The angel of the LORD encompasses those who fear him,* and he will deliver them.

The Cry of the Church

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Lord God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ, triumphed over the powers of death and prepared for us our place in the new Jerusalem: Grant that I, who have this day given thanks for his resurrection, may praise you in the City of which he is the light, and where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.†

Monday - Nearest to January 1

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 6 and 9 a.m.

The Call to Prayer

Proclaim with me the greatness of the LORD;* let us exalt his Name together.

Psalm 34:3

The Request for Presence

Open my eyes, that I may see* the wonders of your law.

Psalm 119:18

The Greeting

I will confess you among the peoples, O LORD;* I will sing praise to you among the nations.

For your loving-kindness is greater than the heavens,* and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Psalm 57:9–10

The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations,* that we may give thanks to your holy Name and glory in your praise.

Psalm 106:47

A Reading

In accordance with Jewish law, Jesus was brought by his parents to be circumcised eight days after his birth (January 1 on our calendar) and was named by them at that time. Most of the contemporary American church observe these simultaneous events on January 1 either as the Feast of the Holy Name or the Feast of the Circumcision or as the Feast of Mary, Mother of God.

When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.

Luke 2:21

The Refrain

Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations,* that we may give thanks to your holy Name and glory in your praise.

Glory in His Holy Name

Give thanks to the LORD and call upon his Name;* make known his deeds among the peoples.

Sing to him, sing praises to him,* and speak of all his marvelous works.

Glory in his holy Name;* let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

Search for the LORD and his strength;* continually seek his face.

Remember the marvels he has done,* his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,

He has always been mindful of his covenant,* the promise he made for a thousand generations:

The covenant he made with Abraham,* the oath that he swore to Isaac, which he established as a statute for Jacob,* an everlasting covenant for Israel.

Psalm 105:1–5, 8–10

The Refrain

Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations,* that we may give thanks to your holy Name and glory in your praise.

The Gloria

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

Concluding Prayers of the Church

Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, I pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.†

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Call to Prayer

‘Come, we will go up to YAHWEH’S mountain, to the Temple of the God of Jacob so that he may teach us his ways and we may walk in his paths.’

Micah 4:2

Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock;* shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.

Psalm 80:1

The Greeting

The LORD lives! Blessed is my Rock!* Exalted is the God of my salvation!

Psalm 18:46

The Refrain for the Midday Lessons

We give you thanks, O God, we give you thanks,* calling upon your Name and declaring all your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 75:1

A Reading

Make your own the mind of Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God something to be grasped. But he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are; and being in every way like a human being, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. And for this God raised him high, and gave him the name which is above all other names; so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus.

Philippians 2:5–10

The Refrain

We give you thanks, O God, we give you thanks,* calling upon your Name and declaring all your wonderful deeds.

The Righteous Are Like Trees Planted by Streams of Water

Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked,* nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats of the scornful!

Their delight is in the law of the LORD,* and they meditate on his law day and night.

They are like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither;* everything they do shall prosper.

It is not so with the wicked;* they are like chaff which the wind blows away.

Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes,* nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.

For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,* but the way of the wicked is doomed.

Psalm 1

The Refrain

We give you thanks, O God, we give you thanks,* calling upon your Name and declaring all your wonderful deeds.

The Gloria

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

Concluding Prayers of the Church

O God, who appointed Your only-begotten Son to be the Savior of mankind and bid that He should be called Jesus, mercifully grant that we who venerate His holy Name on earth, may also enjoy the vision of Him in heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ. Amen.

adapted from THE SHORT BREVIARY

O God, the source of eternal light: Shed forth your unending day upon all of us who watch for you, that our lips may praise you, our lives may bless you, and our worship may give you glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.†

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m.

The Call to Prayer

Come now and look upon the works of the LORD,* what awesome things he has done on earth.

Psalm 46:9

The Request for Presence

Hear my cry, O God,* and listen to my prayer.

I call upon you from the ends of the earth …

Psalm 61:1–2

The Greeting

Remember your word to your servant,* because you have given me hope.

This is my comfort in my trouble,* that your promise gives me life.

Psalm 119:49–50

The Hymn

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out false, ring in the true.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the shapes of foul disease,
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your Name;* deliver us and forgive us our sins, for your Name’s sake.

Psalm 79:9

Take Delight in the LORD

Do not fret yourself because of evildoers;* do not be jealous of those who do wrong.

For they shall soon wither like the grass,* and like the green grass fade away.

Put your trust in the LORD and do good;* dwell in the land and feed on its riches.

Take delight in the LORD,* and he shall give you your heart’s desire.

Commit your way to the LORD and put your trust in him,* and he will bring it to pass.

He will make your righteousness as clear as the light* and your just dealing as the noonday.

Be still before the LORD* and wait patiently for him.

Psalm 37:1–7

The Refrain

Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your Name;* deliver us and forgive us our sins, for your Name’s sake.

The Gloria

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Grant, O Father, I pray, that whatever I do in my words, my thoughts, or my work, I may do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to you and the Holy Spirit through Him. Amen.

Tuesday - Nearest to January 1

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 6 and 9 a.m.

The Call to Prayer

Love the LORD, all you who worship him;* the LORD protects the faithful, but repays to the full those who act haughtily.

Psalm 31:23

The Request for Presence

Early in the morning I cry out to you,* for in your word is my trust.

Psalm 119:147

The Greeting

“You are my God, and I will thank you;* you are my God, and I will exalt you.”

Psalm 118:28

The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Our help is in the Name of the LORD,* the maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 124:8

A Reading

Of John the Baptizer it is written: “When the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He declared, he did not deny but declared, ‘I am not the Christ … I am, as Isaiah prophesied: A voice of one that cries out in the desert: Prepare a way for the Lord. Make his paths straight.’ Now those who had been sent were Pharisees, and they put this question to him, ‘Why are you baptizing if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the Prophet?’ John answered them, ‘I baptize with water, but standing among you—unknown to you—is the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandal.’ This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.”

John 1:19–20, 23–28

The Refrain

Our help is in the Name of the LORD,* the maker of heaven and earth.

Tremble, O Earth, at the Presence of the LORD

Hallelujah! When Israel came out of Egypt,* the house of Jacob from a people of strange speech,

Judah became God’s sanctuary* and Israel his dominion.

The sea beheld it and fled;* Jordan turned and went back.

The mountains skipped like rams,* and the little hills like young sheep.

What ailed you, O sea, that you fled?* O Jordan, that you turned back?

You mountains, that you skipped like rams?* you little hills like young sheep?

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,* at the presence of the God of Jacob,

Who turned the hard rock into a pool of water* and flint-stone into a flowing spring.

Psalm 114

The Refrain

Our help is in the Name of the LORD,* the maker of heaven and earth.

The Cry of the Church

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Call to Prayer

Hallelujah! Give praise, you servants of the LORD;* praise the Name of the LORD.

Psalm 113:1

The Request for Presence

Hear my voice, O LORD, according to your loving-kindness;* according to your judgments, give me life.

Psalm 119:149

The Greeting

O LORD of hosts,* happy are they who put their trust in you!

Psalm 84:12

The Refrain for the Midday Lessons

With the faithful you show yourself faithful, O God;* with the forthright you show yourself forthright.

With the pure you show yourself pure,* but with the crooked you are wily.

Psalm 18:26–27

A Reading

YAHWEH said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your kindred and your father’s house for a country which I shall show you; and I shall make you a great nation, I shall bless you and make your name famous; you are to be a blessing! I shall bless those who bless you, and shall curse those who curse you, and all clans on earth will bless themselves by you.’ So Abram went as YAHWEH told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.

Genesis 12:1–4

The Refrain

With the faithful you show yourself faithful, O God;* with the forthright you show yourself forthright.

With the pure you show yourself pure,* but with the crooked you are wily.

May His Name Remain For Ever

May his Name remain for ever and be established as long as the sun endures;* may all the nations bless themselves in him and call him blessed.

Blessed be the Lord GOD, the God of Israel,* who alone does wondrous deeds!

And blessed be his glorious Name for ever!* and may all the earth be filled with his glory. Amen. Amen.

Psalm 72:17–19

The Refrain

With the faithful you show yourself faithful, O God;* with the forthright you show yourself forthright.

With the pure you show yourself pure,* but with the crooked you are wily.

The Cry of the Church

O God, come to my assistance! O Lord, make haste to help me!

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

O Lord, my God, accept the fervent prayers of all of us your people; in the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon all of us who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.†

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m.

The Call to Prayer

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.

Psalm 95:6–7

The Request for Presence

O LORD, watch over us* and save us from this generation for ever.

The wicked prowl on every side,* and that which is worthless is highly prized by everyone.

Psalm 12:7–8

The Greeting

How glorious you are!* more splendid than the everlasting mountains!

Psalm 76:4

The Hymn

Blow now the trumpet, blow!
The gladly solemn sound
Let all the nations know,
To earth’s remotest bound:
The year of jubilee is come!
The year of jubilee is come!
Return, you ransomed sinners, home.

Jesus, our great high priest,
Has full atonement made;
You weary spirits, rest;
You mournful souls, be glad:
The year of jubilee is come!
The year of jubilee is come!
Return, you ransomed sinners, home.

You who have sold for naught
Your heritage above
Shall have it back unbought,
The gift of Jesus’ love:
The year of jubilee is come!
The year of jubilee is come!
Return, you ransomed sinners, home.

The gospel trumpet hear,
The news of heavenly grace;
And saved from earth ppear
Before our Savior’s face
The year of jubilee is come!
The year of jubilee is come!
Return to your eternal home.

Charles Wesley

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

Tell it out among the nations: “The LORD is King!”

Psalm 96:10

God Will Ransom My Life

Hear this, all you peoples; hearken, all you who dwell in the world,* you of high degree and low, rich and poor together.

My mouth shall speak of wisdom,* and my heart shall meditate on understanding.

I will incline my ear to a proverb* and set forth my riddle upon the harp.

Why should I be afraid in evil days,* when the wickedness of those at my heels surrounds me,

The wickedness of those who put their trust in their goods,* and boast of their great riches?

We can never ransom ourselves,* or deliver to God the price of our life;

For the ransom of our life is so great,* that we should never have enough to pay it,

In order to live for ever and ever,* and never see the grave.

But God will ransom my life;* he will snatch me from the grasp of death.

Psalm 49:1–8, 15

The Refrain

Tell it out among the nations: “The LORD is King!”

The Gloria

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer,* nor withheld his love from me.

Psalm 66:18

Wednesday - Nearest to January 1

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 6 and 9 a.m.

The Call to Prayer

But I will call upon God,* and the LORD will deliver me.

In the evening, in the morning, and at noonday,* I will complain and lament,

He will bring me safely back… * God, who is enthroned of old, will hear me …

Psalm 55:17ff

The Request for Presence

Save me, O God, by your Name;* in your might, defend my cause.

Hear my prayer, O God;* give ear to the words of my mouth.

Psalm 54:1–2

The Greeting

I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving* and call upon the Name of the LORD.

Psalm 116:15

The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and ever.

Psalm 145:22

A Reading

Jesus taught the people, saying: “I tell you most solemnly everyone who commits sin is a slave. Now a slave has no permanent standing in the household, but a son belongs to it for ever. So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.”

John 8:34–36

The Refrain

Let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and ever.

He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,* and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.

Ascribe to the LORD Glory and Strength

Ascribe to the LORD, you gods,* ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his Name;* worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders;* the LORD is upon the mighty waters.

The voice of the LORD is a powerful voice;* the voice of the LORD is a voice of splendor.

The voice of the LORD breaks the cedar trees;* the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon;

The voice of the LORD splits the flames of fire; the voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;* the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees writhe* and strips the forests bare.

And in the temple of the LORD* all are crying, “Glory!”

The LORD sits enthroned above the flood;* the LORD sits enthroned as King for evermore.

The LORD shall give strength to his people;* the LORD shall give his people the blessing of peace.

Psalm 29

The Refrain

Let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and ever.

The Cry of the Church

O Lord, hear my prayer and let my cry come unto you. Thanks be to God.

THE SHORT BREVIARY

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Call to Prayer

Open my lips, O Lord,* and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice,* but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.

The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit;* a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Psalm 51:16–18

The Request for Presence

Let your ways be known upon earth,* your saving health among all nations.

Psalm 67:2

The Greeting

I hate those who have a divided heart,* but your law do I love.

Psalm 119:113

The Refrain for the Midday Lessons

I will listen to what the LORD God is saying,* for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him.

Psalm 85:8

A Reading

To sum up the whole matter: fear God and keep his commandments, for that is the duty of everyone.

Ecclesiates 12:13

The Refrain

I will listen to what the LORD God is saying,* for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him.

Heavenly Father, in you I live and move and have my being: I humbly pray you so to guide and govern me by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of my life I may not forget you, but may remember that I am ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.†

You Who Fear the Lord, Bless the LORD

O LORD, your Name is everlasting;* your renown, O LORD, endures from age to age.

For the LORD gives his people justice* and shows compassion to his servants.

The idols of the heathen are silver and gold,* the work of human hands.

They have mouths, but they cannot speak;* eyes have they, but they cannot see.

They have ears, but they cannot hear;* neither is there any breath in their mouth.

Those who make them are like them,* and so are all who put their trust in them.

Bless the LORD, O house of Israel;* O house of Aaron, bless the LORD.

Bless the LORD, O house of Levi;* you who fear the LORD, bless the LORD.

Blessed be the LORD out of Zion,* who dwells in Jerusalem. Hallelujah!

Psalm 135:13–21

The Refrain

I will listen to what the LORD God is saying,* for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him.

The Cry of the Church

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m.

The Call to Prayer

Bless the LORD, you angels of his, you mighty ones who do his bidding,* and hearken to the voice of his word.

Bless the LORD, all you his hosts,* you ministers of his who do his will.

Bless the LORD, all you works of his,* in all places of his dominion;

Psalm 103:20–22

The Request for Presence

LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;* hearken, O God of Jacob.

Psalm 84:7

The Greeting

Show me your ways, O LORD,* and teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth and teach me,* for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long.

Psalm 25:3–4

The Hymn

Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus, Lord, to you we raise,
Manifested by the star to the sages from afar;
Branch of royal David’s stem in your birth at Bethlehem;
Anthems be to you addressed, God in man made manifest.

Manifest at Jordan’s stream, Prophet, Priest, and King supreme;
And at Cana, wedding guest, in your Godhead manifest;
Manifest in power divine, changing water into wine;
Anthems be to you addressed, God in man made manifest.

Manifest in making whole palsied limbs and fainting souls;
Manifest in valiant fight, quelling all the devil’s might;
Manifest in gracious will, ever bringing good from ill;
Anthems be to you addressed, God in man made manifest.

Christopher Wordsworth

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

But it is good for me to be near God;* I have made the Lord GOD my refuge.

Psalm 73:28

O Mighty King, You Have Executed Righteousness in Jacob

The LORD is King; let the people tremble;* he is enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth shake.

The LORD is great in Zion;* he is high above all peoples.

Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome;* he is the Holy One.

“O mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity;* you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.”

Psalm 99:1–4

The Refrain

But it is good for me to be near God;* I have made the Lord GOD my refuge.

The Small Verse

Keep me, Lord, as the apple of your eye and carry me under the shadow of your wings.

Traditional

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

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

Thursday - Nearest to January 1

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 6 and 9 a.m.

The Call to Prayer

Sing to the LORD and bless his Name;* proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the nations* and his wonders among all peoples.

For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised;* he is more to be feared than all gods.

Psalm 96:2–4

The Request for Presence

Save me, O God,* for the waters have risen up to my neck.

Psalm 69:1

The Greeting

The LORD lives! Blessed is my Rock!* Exalted is the God of my salvation!

Psalm 18:46

The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

He looks at the earth and it trembles;* he touches the mountains and they smoke.

Psalm 104:33

A Reading

The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates the manifestation or revealing of our Lord to the gentiles. In the contemporary Church this means an emphasis on the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem with slightly less emphasis on the baptism of Jesus by John and on His first miracle, the wedding at Cana.

After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judea during the reign of Herod, suddenly some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east asking, ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, ‘At Bethlehem in Judea, for this is what the prophet wrote: And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the leaders of Judah for from you will come a leader who will shepherd my people Israel.’ Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared and sent them on to Bethlehem with the words, ‘Go and find out all about the child, and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And suddenly the star they had seen rising went forward and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then opening their treasures they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were given warning in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.

Matthew 2:1–12

The Refrain

He looks at the earth and it trembles;* he touches the mountains and they smoke.

The Cry of the Church

The Rulers of the Earth Belong to God

Clap your hands, all you peoples;* shout to God with a cry of joy.

For the LORD Most High is to be feared;* he is the great King over all the earth.

He subdues the peoples under us,* and the nations under our feet.

He chooses our inheritance for us,* the pride of Jacob whom he loves.

God has gone up with a shout,* the LORD with the sound of the ram’s-horn.

Sing praises to God, sing praises;* sing praises to our King, sing praises.

For God is King of all the earth;* sing praises with all your skill.

God reigns over the nations;* God sits upon his holy throne.

The nobles of the peoples have gathered together* with the people of the God of Abraham.

The rulers of the earth belong to God,* and he is highly exalted.

Psalm 47

The Refrain

He looks at the earth and it trembles;* he touches the mountains and they smoke.

O God, come to my assistance! O Lord, make haste to help me!

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Call to Prayer

God has gone up with a shout,* the LORD with the sound of the ram’s-horn.

Sing praises to God, sing praises;* sing praises to our King, sing praises.

For God is King of all the earth;* sing praises with all your skill.

God reigns over the nations;* God sits upon his holy throne.

Psalm 47:5–8

The Request for Presence

Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause;* you set me free when I am hard-pressed; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

Psalm 4:1

The Greeting

Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,* from the clutches of the evildoer and the oppressor.

For you are my hope, O Lord GOD,* my confidence since I was young.

I have been sustained by you ever since I was born;* from my mother’s womb you have been my strength; my praise shall be always of you.

Psalm 71:4–6

The Refrain for the Midday Lessons

Your love, O LORD, for ever will I sing;* from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.

Psalm 89:1

A Reading

Arise, shine out, for your light has come, and the glory of YAHWEH has risen on you. Look! Though night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples, on you YAHWEH is rising and over you his glory can be seen. The nations will come to your light and kings to your dawning brightness. Lift up your eyes and look around: all are assembling and coming towards you, your sons coming from far away and your daughters being carried on the hip. At this sight you will grow radiant, your heart will throb and dilate, since the riches of the sea will flow to you, the wealth of the nations will come to you; camels in throngs will fill your streets, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; everyone in Saba will come, bringing gold and incense and proclaiming YAHWEH’S praises. Why, the coasts and islands put their hope in me and the vessels of Tarshish take the lead in bringing your children from far away, and their silver and gold with them, for the sake of the name of YAHWEH your God, of the holy one of Israel who has made you glorious.

Isaiah 60:1–6, 9

The Refrain

Your love, O LORD, for ever will I sing;* from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.

The LORD Has Chosen Israel for His Own

Hallelujah! Praise the Name of the LORD;* give praise, you servants of the LORD.

You who stand in the house of the LORD,* in the courts of the house of our God.

Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;* sing praises to his Name, for it is lovely.

For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself* and Israel for his own possession.

For I know that the LORD is great,* and that our Lord is above all gods.

Psalm 135:1–5

The Refrain

Your love, O LORD, for ever will I sing;* from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.

The Gloria

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

In truth God has heard me; he has attended the voice of my prayer. Thanks be to God. Amen.

based on Psalm 66:17

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m.

The Call to Prayer

Bless God in the congregation;* bless the LORD, you that are of the fountain of Israel.

Psalm 68:26

The Request for Presence

O LORD, watch over us* and save us from this generation for ever.

The wicked prowl on every side,* and that which is worthless is highly prized by everyone.

Psalm 12:7–8

The Greeting

One generation shall praise your works to another* and shall declare your power.

Psalm 145:4

The Hymn

We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright;
Westward leading still proceeding, guide us to your perfect light.

Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain, gold I bring to crown him again
King for ever, ceasing never over us all to reign.
O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright;
Westward leading still proceeding, guide us to your perfect light.

Frankincense to offer have I: incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, gladly raising, worship himGod Most High.
O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright;
Westward leading still proceeding, guide us to your perfect light.

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone cold tomb.
O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright;
Westward leading still proceeding, guide us to your perfect light.

Glorious now, behold him arise, King and God and Sacrifice;
Heaven sings alleluia: alleluia the earth replies.
O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright;
Westward leading still proceeding, guide us to your perfect light.

John H. Hopkins, Jr.

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

The heaven of heavens is the LORD’S,* but he entrusted the earth to its peoples.

Psalm 115:16

All Kings Shall Bow Down Before Him

In his time shall the righteous flourish;* there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.

He shall rule from sea to sea,* and from the River to the ends of the earth.

His foes shall bow down before him,* and his enemies lick the dust.

The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute,* and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.

All kings shall bow down before him,* and all the nations do him service.

For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress,* and the oppressed who has no helper.

He shall have pity on the lowly and poor;* he shall preserve the lives of the needy.

He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence,* and dear shall their blood be in his sight.

Long may he live! and may there be given to him gold from Arabia;* may prayer be made for him always, and may they bless him all the day long.

May there be abundance of grain on the earth, growing thick even on the hilltops;* may its fruit flourish like Lebanon, and its grain like grass upon the earth.

Psalm 72:6–15

The Refrain

The heaven of heavens is the LORD’S,* but he entrusted the earth to its peoples.

The Cry of the Church

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Grant me, I beseech thee, O merciful God, prudently to study, rightly to understand and perfectly to fulfill that which is pleasing to thee, to the praise and glory of thy name. Amen.

St. Thomas Aquinas

Friday - Nearest to January 1

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 6 and 9 a.m.

The Call to Prayer

Search for the LORD and his strength;* continually seek his face.

Psalm 105:4

Hearken to my voice, O LORD, when I call;* have mercy on me and answer me.

You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.”* Your face, LORD, will I seek.

Hide not your face from me,* nor turn away your servant in displeasure.

Psalm 27:10–12

The Greeting

What terror you inspire!* who can stand before you when you are angry?

Psalm 76:7

The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

I sought the LORD, and he answered me* and delivered me out of all my terror.

Psalm 34:4

A Reading

Every year his parents used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the feast as usual. When the days of the feast were over and they set off home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was somewhere in the party, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere. It happened that, three days later, they found him at the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’ He replied, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ But they did not understand what he meant. He went down with them then and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and with people.

Luke 2:41–52

The Refrain

I sought the LORD, and he answered me* and delivered me out of all my terror.

They Shall Sing of Your Righteous Deeds

I will exalt you, O God my King,* and bless your Name for ever and ever.

Every day will I bless you* and praise your Name for ever and ever.

Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised;* there is no end to his greatness.

One generation shall praise your works to another* and shall declare your power.

I will ponder the glorious splendor of your majesty* and all your marvelous works.

They shall speak of the might of your wondrous acts,* and I will tell of your greatness.

They shall publish the remembrance of your great goodness;* they shall sing of your righteous deeds.

Psalm 145:1-7

The Refrain

I sought the LORD, and he answered me* and delivered me out of all my terror.

The Cry of the Church

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Call to Prayer

Let us bless the LORD, from this time forth for evermore. Hallelujah!

based on Psalm 115:18

The Request for Presence

Send forth your strength, O God;* establish, O God, what you have wrought for us.

Psalm 68:28

The Greeting

I will thank you, O LORD my God, with all my heart,* and glorify your Name for evermore.

Psalm 86:12

The Refrain for the Midday Lessons

This is the LORD’S doing,* and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Psalm 118:23

A Reading

Let us examine our path, let us ponder it and return to YAHWEH. Let us raise our hearts and hands to God in heaven. We are the ones who have sinned …

Lamentations 3:40–42

The Refrain

This is the LORD’S doing,* and it is marvelous in our eyes.

God Has Spoken

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,* the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be overthrown;* God shall help her at the break of day.

The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken;* God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.

The LORD of hosts is with us;* the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Psalm 46:5–8

The Refrain

This is the LORD’S doing,* and it is marvelous in our eyes.

The Cry of the Church

O Lord, hear my prayer and let my cry come unto you. Thanks be to God.

THE SHORT BREVIARY

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant me to so follow in faith where you have led the way, that I may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake in your likeness; for your tender mercies’ sake. Amen.†

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m.

The Call to Prayer

Glory in his holy Name;* let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

Psalm 105:3

The Request for Presence

Send forth your strength, O God;* establish, O God, what you have wrought for us.

Psalm 68:28

The Greeting

The LORD is my strength and my song,* and he has become my salvation.

Psalm 118:14

The Hymn

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O you of God and man the Son,
You will I cherish, you will I honor,
You, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling, starry host:
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer,
Than all the angels heaven can boast.

German

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

Keep watch over my life, for I am faithful;* save your servant whose trust is in you.

based on Psalm 86:2

Almighty God, who has promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in your Son’s Name: I beseech you mercifully to incline your ear to me who have made my prayers and supplications to you; and grant that those things which I have faithfully asked according to your will, I may effectually obtain, to the relief of my necessity, and to the setting forth of your glory; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

He Put a New Song in My Mouth

I waited patiently upon the LORD;* he stooped to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay;* he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;* many shall see, and stand in awe, and put their trust in the LORD.

Happy are they who trust in the LORD!

Psalm 40:1–4

The Refrain

Keep watch over my life, for I am faithful;* save your servant whose trust is in you.

The Small Verse

My help is in the Name of the Lord who made the heavens and the earth. What then shall I fear, of what shall I be afraid?

Traditional

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

Concluding Prayers of the Church

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in eternal peace. Amen.

Saturday - Nearest to January 1

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 6 and 9 a.m.

The Call to Prayer

Sing to the LORD a new song;* sing to the LORD, all the whole earth.

Psalm 96:1

The Request for Presence

I call with my whole heart;* answer me, O LORD, that I may keep your statutes.

Psalm 119:145

The Greeting

Te Deum

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.

The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Righteousness shall go before him,* and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.

Psalm 85:13

A Reading

Jesus answered them: “In all truth I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you bread from heaven, it is my Father who gives you bread from heaven, the true bread; for the bread of God is the bread which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.”

John 6:32–33, 51

The Refrain

Righteousness shall go before him,* and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.

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.

He Has Shown Me the Wonders of His Love

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.

Blessed be the LORD!* for he has shown me the wonders of his love in a besieged city.

Psalm 31:19–21

The Refrain

Righteousness shall go before him,* and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.

The Gloria

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Call to Prayer

Bless our God, you peoples;* make the voice of his praise to be heard;

Who holds our souls in life,* and will not allow our feet to slip.

Psalm 66:7–8

The Request for Presence

Let your ways be known upon earth,* your saving health among all nations.

Psalm 67:2

The Greeting

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

Psalm 31:19

The Refrain for the Midday Lessons

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,* and your faithfulness to the clouds.

Psalm 36:5

A Reading

I am coming to gather every nation and every language. They will come to witness my glory. I shall give them a sign and send some of their survivors to the nations: to Tarshish, Put, Lud, Meshech, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coasts and islands that have never heard of me or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory to the nations, and from all the nations they will bring all your brothers as an offering to YAHWEH, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules and on camels, to my holy mountain, Jerusalem, YAHWEH says, like Israelites bringing offerings in clean vessels to YAHWEH’S house. And some of them I shall make into priests and Levites, YAHWEH says. For as the new heavens and the new earth I am making will endure before me, declares YAHWEH, so will your race and your name endure.

Isaiah 66:18–23

The Refrain

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,* and your faithfulness to the clouds.

The Word of the LORD Is Sure

Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous;* it is good for the just to sing praises.

Praise the LORD with the harp;* play to him upon the psaltery and lyre.

Sing for him a new song;* sound a fanfare with all your skill upon the trumpet.

For the word of the LORD is right,* and all his works are sure.

He loves righteousness and justice;* the loving-kindness of the LORD fills the whole earth.

Psalm 33:1–5

The Refrain

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,* and your faithfulness to the clouds.

The Small Verse

My help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth and all that is in them. Thanks be to God.

Traditional

The Lord’s Prayer

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m.

The Call to Prayer

Behold now, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD,* you that stand by night in the house of the LORD.

Psalm 134:1

My soul waits for the LORD, more than watchmen for the morning,* more than watchmen for the morning.

Psalm 130:5

The Greeting

You, O LORD, are my lamp;* my God, you make my darkness bright.

With you I will break down an enclosure;* with the help of my God I will scale any wall.

Psalm 18:29–30

The Hymn

We would see Jesus, lo! His star is shining
Above the stable while the angels sing;
There in a manger on the hay reclining;
Haste, let us lay our gifts before the King.

We would see Jesus, Mary’s son most holy,
Light of the village life from day to day;
Shining revealed through every task most lowly,
The Christ of God, the life, the truth, the way.

We would see Jesus, on the mountain teaching,
With all the listening people gathered round;
While birds and flowers and sky above are preaching
The blessedness which simple trust has found.

We would see Jesus, in his work of healing,
At eventide before the sun was set;
Divine and human, in his deep revealing
Of God made flesh, in loving service met.

We would see Jesus, in the early morning,
Still as his fold he calls, “Follow me!”
Let us arise, all meaner service scorning,
Lord, we are yours, and give ourselves to Thee.

J. Edgar Park

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

I lie down and go to sleep;* I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

Psalm 3:5