Vespers (Evening Prayer)
O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
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. Alleluia.
A suitable hymn may be inserted here.
Psalm 14 (15)
Who is worthy to face the Lord? |
|---|
This surpassingly great man did not fear to die or refuse to live. Toil did not wear him out, death would not overpower him.
Lord, who will live in your tent?
Who will dwell on your holy mountain?
Whoever comes there without stain,
acts rightly, speaks truth in his heart.
Whoever does not speak deceitfully,
or do harm to his neighbour, or slander him.
Whoever despises the evil-doer,
but reveres those who fear the Lord.
Whoever swears and keeps his word, come what may
– lends his money without usury –
takes no bribe to condemn the innocent.
Whoever lives like this
will stand firm for ever.
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.
This surpassingly great man did not fear to die or refuse to live. Toil did not wear him out, death would not overpower him.
Psalm 111 (112)
How blessed are the just |
|---|
Lord, if your people still needs me, I do not refuse the burden: let your will be done.
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord
and loves his commands above all things.
His seed will be powerful on earth:
the descendants of the just will be blessed.
Glory and riches will fill his house,
and his righteousness will stand firm for ever.
He rises up in the darkness,
a light for the upright,
compassionate, generous, and just.
Happy the man who takes pity and lends,
who directs his affairs with wisdom –
he will never be shaken.
The just man will be remembered for ever,
no slander will he fear.
His heart is ready, hoping in the Lord;
his heart is strong, it will not fear,
until he looks down on his defeated enemies.
He gives alms and helps the poor:
his righteousness will endure for ever,
his future will be glorious.
The transgressor will see, and be enraged:
he will grind his teeth and fade away.
The desires of the wicked will perish.
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.
Lord, if your people still needs me, I do not refuse the burden: let your will be done.
The bishop Martin left this world: this jewel among priests lives now in Christ.
Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God Almighty;
just and true are your ways, King of all nations!
Who, Lord, will not revere and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship in your presence,
for your judgements have been seen by all.
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 bishop Martin left this world: this jewel among priests lives now in Christ.
| Short reading | 1 Peter 5:1-4 © |
|---|
Now I have something to tell your elders: I am an elder myself, and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and with you I have a share in the glory that is to be revealed. Be the shepherds of the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, because God wants it; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it. Never be a dictator over any group that is put in your charge, but be an example that the whole flock can follow. When the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the crown of unfading glory.
This is a man who loves his brethren and prays for the people.
– This is a man who loves his brethren and prays for the people.
He has given his life for his brethren.
– This is a man who loves his brethren and prays for the people.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
– This is a man who loves his brethren and prays for the people.
| My soul rejoices in the Lord |
|---|
O fortunate high priest! He loved Christ the king with all his being and was not overawed by those in power. This most holy saint, though the persecutor’s sword never touched him, did not fail to receive the palm of martyrdom.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation.
For he has shown me such favour –
me, his lowly handmaiden.
Now all generations will call me blessed,
because the mighty one has done great things for me.
His name is holy,
his mercy lasts for generation after generation
for those who revere him.
He has put forth his strength:
he has scattered the proud and conceited,
torn princes from their thrones;
but lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel,
he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
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 fortunate high priest! He loved Christ the king with all his being and was not overawed by those in power. This most holy saint, though the persecutor’s sword never touched him, did not fail to receive the palm of martyrdom.
| Prayers and Intercessions | |
|---|
Let us acclaim the eternal Father, whose compassion for his people is too great to be measured:
– Lord, may all who hope in you rejoice.
Lord, you sent your Son into this world not to judge the world but so that it should be saved by him:
may his glorious death bear abundant fruit in us.
– Lord, may all who hope in you rejoice.
You have made your priests ministers of Christ and celebrants of his sacred mysteries:
give them the gifts of faithfulness, knowledge and love.
– Lord, may all who hope in you rejoice.
May those whom you have called to chastity for the sake of your kingdom
follow your Son fearlessly and with faith.
– Lord, may all who hope in you rejoice.
From the beginning you created mankind male and female:
give all families a true and enduring love.
– Lord, may all who hope in you rejoice.
Through Christ’s sacrifice you took away the sins of mankind:
grant remission of sins to all those who have died.
– Lord, may all who hope in you rejoice.
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.
Remember, Lord, your mercy and loving kindness.
As you fill the hungry with the good things of heaven,
so relieve our poverty with your abundant riches.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen.
May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.
A M E N
