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Writer's pictureDavid Genovese

Prayer, Rite II (Thursday, December 21, 2023)


Leader: 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

Leader: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence may be kept.

All: 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.


Leader: 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. 


All: Amen.


THE INVITATORY AND PSALTER

Leader: O God, make speed to save us.

All: 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 forever. Amen. Alleluia.


Please recite together.

O GRACIOUS LIGHT: PHOS HILARON

O gracious light, pure brightness of the ever living 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.


PSALM 59 Eripe me de inimicis

1 Rescue me from my enemies, O God; *

protect me from those who rise up against me.

2 Rescue me from evildoers *

and save me from those who thirst for my blood.

3 See how they lie in wait for my life,

how the mighty gather together against me; *

not for any offense or fault of mine, O Lord.

4 Not because of any guilt of mine *

they run and prepare themselves for battle.

5 Rouse yourself, come to my side, and see; *

for you, Lord God of hosts, are Israel's God.

6 Awake, and punish all the ungodly; *

show no mercy to those who are faithless and evil.

7 They go to and fro in the evening; *

they snarl like dogs and run about the city.

8 Behold, they boast with their mouths,

and taunts are on their lips; *

"For who," they say, "will hear us?"

9 But you, O Lord, you laugh at them; *

you laugh all the ungodly to scorn.

10 My eyes are fixed on you, O my Strength; *

for you, O God, are my stronghold.

11 My merciful God comes to meet me; *

God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.

12 Slay them, O God, lest my people forget; *

send them reeling by your might and put them down, O Lord our shield.

13 For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips,

for the cursing and lies that they utter, *

let them be caught in their pride.

14 Make an end of them in your wrath; *

make an end of them, and they shall be no more.

15 Let everyone know that God rules in Jacob, *

and to the ends of the earth.

16 They go to and fro in the evening; *

they snarl like dogs and run about the city.

17 They forage for food, *

and if they are not filled, they howl.

18 For my part, I will sing of your strength; *

I will celebrate your love in the morning;

19 For you have become my stronghold, *

a refuge in the day of my trouble.

20 To you, O my Strength, will I sing; *

for you, O God, are my stronghold and my merciful God.


60 Deus, repulisti nos

1 O God, you have cast us off and broken us; *

you have been angry;

oh, take us back to you again.

2 You have shaken the earth and split it open; *

repair the cracks in it, for it totters.

3 You have made your people know hardship; *

you have given us wine that makes us stagger.

4 You have set up a banner for those who fear you, *

to be a refuge from the power of the bow.

5 Save us by your right hand and answer us, *

that those who are dear to you may be delivered.

6 God spoke from his holy place and said: *

"I will exult and parcel out Shechem;

I will divide the valley of Succoth.

7 Gilead is mine and Manasseh is mine; *

Ephraim is my helmet and Judah my scepter.

8 Moab is my wash-basin,

on Edom I throw down my sandal to claim it, *

and over Philistia will I shout in triumph."

9 Who will lead me into the strong city? *

who will bring me into Edom?

10 Have you not cast us off, O God? *

you no longer go out, O God, with our armies.

11 Grant us your help against the enemy, *

for vain is the help of man.

12 With God we will do valiant deeds, *

and he shall tread our enemies under foot.


THE FIRST LESSON: A READING FROM THE BOOK OF Zechariah 4:1-14

4The angel who talked with me came again, and wakened me, as one is wakened from

sleep. 2He said to me, ‘What do you see?’ And I said, ‘I see a lampstand all of gold, with

a bowl on the top of it; there are seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps

that are on the top of it. 3And by it there are two olive trees, one on the right of the bowl

and the other on its left.’ 4


I said to the angel who talked with me, ‘What are these, my

lord?’ 5Then the angel who talked with me answered me, ‘Do you not know what these

are?’ I said, ‘No, my lord.’ 6He said to me, ‘This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts. 7What are you,

O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain; and he shall bring out

the top stone amid shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’8 Moreover, the word of the LORD came To me, saying, 9‘The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. 10For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel.


‘These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth.’ 11Then I

said to him, ‘What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the

lampstand?’ 12And a second time I said to him, ‘What are these two branches of the

olive trees, which pour out the oil* through the two golden pipes?’ 13He said to me, ‘Do

you not know what these are?’ I said, ‘No, my lord.’ 14Then he said, ‘These are the two

anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.’


Leader: The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.


Please recite together


THE SONG OF SIMEON: NUNC DIMITTIS

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 THE BOOK OF REVELATION 4:9-5:5

9And whenever the living creatures give glory and honour and thanks to the one who is

seated on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall before the

one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives for ever and ever; they

cast their crowns before the throne, singing,

11 ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honour and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they existed and were created.’

5Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the

inside and on the back, sealed* with seven seals; 2and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming

with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’ 3And no one in

heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. 4And

I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look

into it. 5Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of

Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven

seals.’


Leader: The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.


A READING FROM THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW 25:1-13

25 ‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids*

took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.* 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to

meet him.” 7Then all those bridesmaids* got up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish

said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” 9But the wise

replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the

dealers and buy some for yourselves.” 10And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom

came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door

was shut. 11Later the other bridesmaids* came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to

us.” 12But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” 13Keep awake therefore, for

you know neither the day nor the hour.*


Leader: The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.


** REFLECTIONS ON THE READINGS **


Please recite together.


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

Leader: The Lord be with you.

All: And also with you.

Leader: Let us pray.

All: 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:

Leader: O God, the life of all who live, the light of the faithful, the strength of those

who labor, 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.


All: Amen.


A PRAYER FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE:

Leader: 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.


All: Amen.


A PRAYER FOR THE HUMAN FAMILY:

All: 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.


Leader: 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. 


All: 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, and for all those who may be suffering in mind, body

and spirit Dr. John Abraham, Generosa Aceveda, Jim Adams, Bernard

Anderson, Cathy Aviolla, Harold Carrington, Matthew Cassone, Gweneth

Chase, Trevor Chase, Juli Collazo, Ondeene Collymore, Carole Cramer,

George Cramer, Paul DeFelice, Michael DeLuca, Jr., Francine Densieski,

Arthur Elwell, Anthony Esposito, Dillon Gonzalez, Henrietta Gowac, Dice

Grigg, Christopher Guarente, Dan Italiano, Teresa Jankowska, Pauline

Johnson, Chris Kilpert, David Kline, Robert Lane, and all those

on our prayer list.

• 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:

All: 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:

Leader: 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. 

All: Amen.


Leader: Let us bless the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.


Leader: 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


All: Amen.  


Have a restful night!

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