Daily Office Readings

Week of Sunday, February-26-2012
Saturday

Daily Evening Prayer: Rite Two

Officiant begins with the following:

Yours is the day, O God, yours also the night; you established the moon and the sun. You fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter. Psalm 74:15,16

Seek him who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep darkness into the morning, and darkens the day into night; who calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the surface of the earth: The Lord is his Name. Amos 5:8

Confession of Sin
Officiant says to the people:
Dear friends in Christ, here in the presence of Almighty God, let us kneel in silence, and with penitent and obedient hearts confess our sins, so that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness and mercy.

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence may be kept.
Officiant and People together, all kneeling

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 you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

*A deacon or lay person using the preceding form remains kneeling, and substitutes "us" for "you" and "our" for "your."

The Invitatory and Psalter
All stand
Officiant O God, make speed to save us.
People O Lord, make haste to help us.

Officiant and People

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

-or-
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

O Gracious Light Phos hilaron

O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.

The Psalm or Psalms Appointed:

Psalm 138

Confitebor tibi
1I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart; *
     before the gods I will sing your praise.
2I will bow down toward your holy temple
     and praise your Name, *
     because of your love and faithfulness;
3For you have glorified your Name *
     and your word above all things.
4When I called, you answered me; *
     you increased my strength within me.
5All the kings of the earth will praise you, O LORD, *
     when they have heard the words of your mouth.
6They will sing of the ways of the LORD, *
     that great is the glory of the LORD.
7Though the LORD be high, he cares for the lowly; *
     he perceives the haughty from afar.
8Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; *
     you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;
     your right hand shall save me.
9The LORD will make good his purpose for me; *
     O LORD, your love endures for ever;
     do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 139:1-17(18-23)

1LORD, you have searched me out and known me; *
     you know my sitting down and my rising up;
     you discern my thoughts from afar.
2You trace my journeys and my resting-places *
     and are acquainted with all my ways.
3Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *
     but you, O LORD, know it altogether.
4You press upon me behind and before *
     and lay your hand upon me.
5Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *
     it is so high that I cannot attain to it.
6Where can I go then from your Spirit? *
     where can I flee from your presence?
7If I climb up to heaven, you are there; *
     if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.
8If I take the wings of the morning *
     and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
9Even there your hand will lead me *
     and your right hand hold me fast.
10If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me, *
     and the light around me turn to night,"
11Darkness is not dark to you;
     the night is as bright as the day; *
     darkness and light to you are both alike.
12For you yourself created my inmost parts; *
     you knit me together in my mother's womb.
13I will thank you because I am marvelously made; *
     your works are wonderful, and I know it well.
14My body was not hidden from you, *
     while I was being made in secret
     and woven in the depths of the earth.
15Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb;
     all of them were written in your book; *
     they were fashioned day by day,
     when as yet there was none of them.
16How deep I find your thoughts, O God! *
     how great is the sum of them!
17If I were to count them, they would be more in number
     than the sand; *
     to count them all, my life span would need to
     be like yours.
(18Oh, that you would slay the wicked, O God! *
     You that thirst for blood, depart from me.
19They speak despitefully against you; *
     your enemies take your Name in vain.
20Do I not hate those, O LORD, who hate you? *
     and do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
21I hate them with a perfect hatred; *
     they have become my own enemies.
22Search me out, O God, and know my heart; *
     try me and know my restless thoughts.
23Look well whether there be any wickedness in me *
     and lead me in the way that is everlasting.)

At the end of the Psalm is sung or said

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

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:* 
  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

The Gospel

Reader: A reading from the Gospel, according to St. .

Mark 2:23-3:6
2:²³ Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. ²⁴ And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" ²⁵ But He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: ²⁶ how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?" ²⁷ And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. ²⁸ Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath." 3:¹ And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. ² So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. ³ And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Step forward." ⁴ Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they kept silent. ⁵ And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. ⁶ Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him. -- NKJV

Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.

The Song of Mary Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
 for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. 

From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
 the Almighty has done great things for me,
 and holy is his Name. 

He has mercy on those who fear him *
 in every generation. 

He has shown the strength of his arm, *
 he has scattered the proud in their conceit. 

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
 and has lifted up the lowly. 

He has filled the hungry with good things, *
 and the rich he has sent away empty. 

He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
 for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

The promise he made to our fathers, *
 to Abraham and his children for ever.
 
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
 as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.  Amen.

-OR-

The Song of Simeon Nunc dimittis
Luke 2:29-32

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. 

The Apostles' Creed
Officiant and People together, all standing

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 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 Prayers
The People stand or kneel

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. 

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. 

A
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 by your Holy Spirit.

B
That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of [_________ and] all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.

The Collect of the Day:

First Sunday in Lent
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan; Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

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

Then, unless the Eucharist or a form of general intercession is to follow, the following prayer for mission is added.

Prayer for Mission
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.

Authorized intercessions and thanksgivings may follow.

Before the close of the Office one or both of the following may be used

The General Thanksgiving
Officiant and People

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up our selves to your service,
and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages. 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.

Then may be said
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Officiant concludes with:

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

Scripture taken from the New King James Version.
(Unless otherwise noted.)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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