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 everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus
Christ, holy and blessed! Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes
behld 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 105: Part II Et intravit Israel
23 Israel came into Egypt, *
and Jacob became a sojourner in the land of Ham.
24 The Lord made his people exceedingly fruitful; *
he made them stronger than their enemies;
25 Whose heart he turned, so that they hated his people, *
and dealt unjustly with his servants.
26 He sent Moses his servant, *
and Aaron whom he had chosen.
27 They worked his signs among them, *
and portents in the land of Ham.
28 He sent darkness, and it grew dark; *
but the Egyptians rebelled against his words.
29 He turned their waters into blood *
and caused their fish to die.
30 Their land was overrun by frogs, *
in the very chambers of their kings.
31 He spoke, and there came swarms of insects *
and gnats within all their borders.
32 He gave them hailstones instead of rain, *
and flames of fire throughout their land.
33 He blasted their vines and their fig trees *
and shattered every tree in their country.
34 He spoke, and the locust came, *
and young locusts without number,
35 Which ate up all the green plants in their land *
and devoured the fruit of their soil.
36 He struck down the firstborn of their land, *
the firstfruits of all their strength.
37 He led out his people with silver and gold; *
in all their tribes there was not one that stumbled.
38 Egypt was glad of their going, *
because they were afraid of them.
39 He spread out a cloud for a covering *
and a fire to give light in the night season.
40 They asked, and quails appeared, *
and he satisfied them with bread from heaven.
41 He opened the rock, and water flowed, *
so the river ran in the dry places.
42 For God remembered his holy word *
and Abraham his servant.
43 So he led forth his people with gladness, *
his chosen with shouts of joy.
44 He gave his people the lands of the nations, *
and they took the fruit of others' toil,
45 That they might keep his statutes *
and observe his laws.
Hallelujah!
THE FIRST LESSON: A READING FROM THE BOOK OF MACCABEES 4:1-25
4 Now Gorgias took five thousand infantry and one thousand picked cavalry, and this
division moved out by night 2
to fall upon the camp of the Jews and attack them
suddenly. Men from the citadel were his guides. 3But Judas heard of it, and he and his
warriors moved out to attack the king’s force in Emmaus 4while the division was still
absent from the camp. 5When Gorgias entered the camp of Judas by night, he found no
one there, so he looked for them in the hills, because he said, ‘These men are running
away from us.’
6 At daybreak Judas appeared in the plain with three thousand men, but they did not
have armour and swords such as they desired. 7And they saw the camp of the Gentiles,
strong and fortified, with cavalry all around it; and these men were trained in war. 8But
Judas said to those who were with him, ‘Do not fear their numbers or be afraid when
they charge. 9Remember how our ancestors were saved at the Red Sea, when Pharaoh
with his forces pursued them. 10And now, let us cry to Heaven, to see whether he will
favour us and remember his covenant with our ancestors and crush this army before us
today. 11Then all the Gentiles will know that there is one who redeems and saves Israel.’
12 When the foreigners looked up and saw them coming against them, 13they went out
from their camp to battle. Then the men with Judas blew their trumpets 14and engaged
in battle. The Gentiles were crushed, and fled into the plain, 15and all those in the rear
fell by the sword. They pursued them to Gazara, and to the plains of Idumea, and to
Azotus and Jamnia; and three thousand of them fell. 16Then Judas and his force turned
back from pursuing them, 17and he said to the people, ‘Do not be greedy for plunder, for
there is a battle before us; 18Gorgias and his force are near us in the hills. But stand
now against our enemies and fight them, and afterwards seize the plunder boldly.’
19 Just as Judas was finishing this speech, a detachment appeared, coming out of the
hills. 20They saw that their army* had been put to flight, and that the Jews* were burning
the camp, for the smoke that was seen showed what had happened. 21When they
perceived this, they were greatly frightened, and when they also saw the army of Judas
drawn up in the plain for battle, 22they all fled into the land of the Philistines. 23Then
Judas returned to plunder the camp, and they seized a great amount of gold and silver,
and cloth dyed blue and sea purple, and great riches. 24On their return they sang hymns
and praises to Heaven—‘For he is good, for his mercy endures for ever.’ 25Thus Israel
had a great deliverance that day.
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 21:22-22:5
22 I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the
Lamb. 23And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is
its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the
earth will bring their glory into it. 25Its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be
no night there. 26People will bring into it the glory and the honour of the nations. 27But
nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practises abomination or falsehood, but
only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
22 Then the angel* showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing
from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2
through the middle of the street of the city. On
either side of the river is the tree of life* with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit
each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3Nothing
accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in
it, and his servants* will worship him; 4
they will see his face, and his name will be on
their foreheads. 5And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for
the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign for ever and ever.
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
A READING FROM THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW 18:1-9
18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven?’ 2He called a child, whom he put among them, 3and said, ‘Truly I
tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom
of heaven. 4Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven. 5Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
6 ‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it
would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you
were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7Woe to the world because of stumbling-blocks!
Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes!
8 ‘If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better
for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be
thrown into the eternal fire. 9And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw
it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be
thrown into the hell* of fire
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, Carole Cramer, George Cramer, Paul DeFelice, Michael DeLuca, Jr., Francine Densieski, Arthur Elwell, Anthony Esposito, Ray Gant, Dillon Gonzalez, Henrietta Gowac, Dice Grigg, Christopher Guarente, Dan Italiano, 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!