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Writer's pictureSt. John's

Evening Prayer, Rite II (Thursday, October 21, 2021)


I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me, night after night. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not fall. Psalm 16:7,8


The Confession of Sin

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbour.

Silence may be kept.


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 neighbours 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.


The Invitatory and Psalter

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.


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.


Today’s Appointed Psalm and Lessons


Psalm 37: 19-42

19 The LORD cares for the lives of the godly, * and their inheritance shall last for ever.


20 They shall not be ashamed in bad times, * and in days of famine they shall have enough.


21 As for the wicked, they shall perish, * and the enemies of the LORD, like the glory of

the meadows, shall vanish; they shall vanish like smoke.


22 The wicked borrow and do not repay, * but the righteous are generous in giving.


23 Those who are blessed by God shall possess the land, *

but those who are cursed by him shall be destroyed.


24 Our steps are directed by the LORD; * he strengthens those in whose way he delights.


25 If they stumble, they shall not fall headlong, * for the LORD holds them by the hand.


26 I have been young and now I am old, *

but never have I seen the righteous forsaken, or their children begging bread.


27 The righteous are always generous in their lending, *

and their children shall be a blessing.


28 Turn from evil, and do good, * and dwell in the land for ever.


29 For the LORD loves justice; * he does not forsake his faithful ones.


30 They shall be kept safe for ever, * but the offspring of the wicked shall be destroyed.


31 The righteous shall possess the land * and dwell in it for ever.


32 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, * and their tongue speaks what is right.


33 The law of their God is in their heart, * and their footsteps shall not falter.


34 The wicked spy on the righteous * and seek occasion to kill them.


35 The LORD will not abandon them to their hand, *

nor let them be found guilty when brought to trial.


36 Wait upon the LORD and keep his way; *

he will raise you up to possess the land, and when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.


37 I have seen the wicked in their arrogance, * flourishing like a tree in full leaf.


38 I went by, and behold, they were not there; *

I searched for them, but they could not be found.


39 Mark those who are honest; observe the upright; *

for there is a future for the peaceable.


40 Transgressors shall be destroyed, one and all; * the future of the wicked is cut off.


41 But the deliverance of the righteous comes from the LORD; *

he is their stronghold in time of trouble.


42 The LORD will help them and rescue them; *

he will rescue them from the wicked and deliver them, because they seek refuge in him.


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 First Lesson: A Reading from Ezra 3: 1-13

When the seventh month came, and the Israelites were in the towns, the people gathered together in Jerusalem. Then Jeshua son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel with his kin set out to build the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as prescribed in the law of Moses the man of God. They set up the altar on its foundation, because they were in dread of the neighbouring peoples, and they offered burnt offerings upon it to the Lord, morning and evening. And they kept the festival of booths, as prescribed, and offered the daily burnt-offerings by number according to the ordinance, as required for each day, and after that the regular burnt-offerings, the offerings at the new moon and at all the sacred festivals of the Lord, and the offerings of everyone who made a freewill-offering to the Lord. From the first day of the seventh month, they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord. But the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid. So they gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the Sidonians and the Tyrians to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the grant that they had from King Cyrus of Persia.


In the second year after their arrival at the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak made a beginning, together with the rest of their people, the priests and the Levites and all who had come to Jerusalem from the captivity. They appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upwards, to have the oversight of the work on the house of the Lord. And Jeshua with his sons and his kin, and Kadmiel and his sons, Binnui and Hodaviah* along with the sons of Henadad, the Levites, their sons and kin, together took charge of the workers in the house of God.


When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments were stationed to praise the Lord with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, according to the directions of King David of Israel; and they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, ‘For he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever towards Israel.’ And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of families, old people who had seen the first house on its foundations, wept with a loud voice when they saw this house, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted so loudly that the sound was heard far away.


The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

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 Second Lesson: A Reading from 1 Corinthians 16: 1-9

Now concerning the collection for the saints: you should follow the directions I gave to the churches of Galatia. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put aside and save whatever extra you earn, so that collections need not be taken when I come. And when I arrive, I will send any whom you approve with letters to take your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.


I will visit you after passing through Macedonia—for I intend to pass through Macedonia— and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way, wherever I go. I do not want to see you now just in passing, for I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.


The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.


A Reading from Matthew 12: 15-21

When Jesus became aware of this, he departed. Many crowds followed him, and he cured all of them, and he ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not wrangle or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smouldering wick until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.’


The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

** Reflections on the readings **



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 Prayers

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.


Suffrage 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.


A Prayer for Protection

O God, the life of all who live, the light of the faithful, the strength of those who labour, and the repose of the dead: We thank you for the blessings of the day that is past, and humbly ask for your protection through the coming night. Bring us in safety to the morning hours; through him who died and rose again for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.

A Prayer for Social Justice

Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


A Prayer for the Human Family

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.


** Friends, who can we pray for tonight? Let us offer up our intercessions & thanksgivings **


· Prayers for the repose of the souls of all who have died from Covid-19. We pray for their grieving families.

· Prayers for Houng (Gladys) Adams, Asma Ahmed, Nicky Baxter, Trevor Chase, Carole Cramer, George Cramer, William Feeney, Mihaek Ginotes and all those on our prayer list; and for all those who may be suffering in mind, body and spirit. Prayers for all those who may feel alone, hopeless or in despair.

· Prayers for all school students, teachers, principals, school staff and parents during these challenging times.

· Prayers for all who are without a job, source of income or food insecurity

· Prayers for our St. John’s and Canterbury House family


The General Thanksgiving

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 honour 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.


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 him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Ephesians 3:20,21 Amen.


Have a restful night!

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