God's love has been poured into our hearts,
through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
1
Romans 5:3
Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
2 The Opening Canticle, A Song of God's Marvellous Acts
I will sing a new hymn to my God:
O Lord you are great and marvellous,
you are marvellous in your strength, invincible.
Let the whole creation serve you:
for you spoke and all things came to be;
You sent out your Spirit and it formed them:
no one can resist your voice.
Mountains and seas are stirred to their depths:
rocks melt like wax at your presence;
But to those who revere you:
you still show mercy.
O Lord you are great and marvellous,
you are marvellous in your strength, invincible.
Let the whole creation serve you:
for you spoke and all things came to be;
You sent out your Spirit and it formed them:
no one can resist your voice.
Mountains and seas are stirred to their depths:
rocks melt like wax at your presence;
But to those who revere you:
you still show mercy.
Judith 16:13-15
3 The Opening Prayer
The night has passed and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.
let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence may be kept
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever. Amen.
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever. Amen.
4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom then shall I fear? •
The Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom then shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes,
came upon me to eat up my flesh, •
they stumbled and fell.
3 Though a host encamp against me,
my heart shall not be afraid, •
and though there rise up war against me,
yet will I put my trust in him.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord
and that alone I seek: •
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
5 To behold the fair beauty of the Lord •
and to seek his will in his temple.
6 For in the day of trouble
he shall hide me in his shelter; •
in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me
and set me high upon a rock.
7 And now shall he lift up my head •
above my enemies round about me;
8 Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation
with great gladness; •
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
9 Hear my voice, O Lord, when I call; •
have mercy upon me and answer me.
10 My heart tells of your word, ‘Seek my face.’ •
Your face, Lord, will I seek.
11 Hide not your face from me, •
nor cast your servant away in displeasure.
12 You have been my helper; •
leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
13 Though my father and my mother forsake me, •
the Lord will take me up.
14 Teach me your way, O Lord; •
lead me on a level path,
because of those who lie in wait for me.
15 Deliver me not into the will of my adversaries, •
for false witnesses have risen up against me,
and those who breathe out violence.
16 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord •
in the land of the living.
17 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and he shall comfort your heart; •
wait patiently for the Lord.
whom then shall I fear? •
The Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom then shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes,
came upon me to eat up my flesh, •
they stumbled and fell.
3 Though a host encamp against me,
my heart shall not be afraid, •
and though there rise up war against me,
yet will I put my trust in him.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord
and that alone I seek: •
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
5 To behold the fair beauty of the Lord •
and to seek his will in his temple.
6 For in the day of trouble
he shall hide me in his shelter; •
in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me
and set me high upon a rock.
7 And now shall he lift up my head •
above my enemies round about me;
8 Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation
with great gladness; •
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
9 Hear my voice, O Lord, when I call; •
have mercy upon me and answer me.
10 My heart tells of your word, ‘Seek my face.’ •
Your face, Lord, will I seek.
11 Hide not your face from me, •
nor cast your servant away in displeasure.
12 You have been my helper; •
leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
13 Though my father and my mother forsake me, •
the Lord will take me up.
14 Teach me your way, O Lord; •
lead me on a level path,
because of those who lie in wait for me.
15 Deliver me not into the will of my adversaries, •
for false witnesses have risen up against me,
and those who breathe out violence.
16 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord •
in the land of the living.
17 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and he shall comfort your heart; •
wait patiently for the Lord.
1 I will exalt you, O Lord,
because you have raised me up •
and have not let my foes triumph over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried out to you •
and you have healed me.
3 You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; •
you restored me to life from among those that go down to the Pit.
4 Sing to the Lord, you servants of his; •
give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye,
his favour for a lifetime. •
Heaviness may endure for a night,
but joy comes in the morning.
6 In my prosperity I said,
‘I shall never be moved. •
You, Lord, of your goodness,
have made my hill so strong.’
7 Then you hid your face from me •
and I was utterly dismayed.
8 To you, O Lord, I cried; •
to the Lord I made my supplication:
9 ‘What profit is there in my blood,
if I go down to the Pit? •
Will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
10 ‘Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; •
O Lord, be my helper.’
11 You have turned my mourning into dancing; •
you have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness;
12 Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; •
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.
because you have raised me up •
and have not let my foes triumph over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried out to you •
and you have healed me.
3 You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; •
you restored me to life from among those that go down to the Pit.
4 Sing to the Lord, you servants of his; •
give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye,
his favour for a lifetime. •
Heaviness may endure for a night,
but joy comes in the morning.
6 In my prosperity I said,
‘I shall never be moved. •
You, Lord, of your goodness,
have made my hill so strong.’
7 Then you hid your face from me •
and I was utterly dismayed.
8 To you, O Lord, I cried; •
to the Lord I made my supplication:
9 ‘What profit is there in my blood,
if I go down to the Pit? •
Will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
10 ‘Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; •
O Lord, be my helper.’
11 You have turned my mourning into dancing; •
you have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness;
12 Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; •
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
Creator Spirit, Advocate promised by our Lord Jesus: increase our faith and help us to walk in the light of your presence, to the glory of God the Father; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed
1 Samuel 10:1–16 (Listen)
Saul Anointed King
10:1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you to be prince1 over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the LORD and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the LORD has anointed you to be prince2 over his heritage. 2 When you depart from me today, you will meet two men by Rachel’s tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah, and they will say to you, ‘The donkeys that you went to seek are found, and now your father has ceased to care about the donkeys and is anxious about you, saying, “What shall I do about my son?”’ 3 Then you shall go on from there farther and come to the oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine. 4 And they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall accept from their hand. 5 After that you shall come to Gibeath-elohim,3 where there is a garrison of the Philistines. And there, as soon as you come to the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them, prophesying. 6 Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. 7 Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you. 8 Then go down before me to Gilgal. And behold, I am coming down to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, until I come to you and show you what you shall do.”
9 When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day. 10 When they came to Gibeah,4 behold, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them. 11 And when all who knew him previously saw how he prophesied with the prophets, the people said to one another, “What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” 12 And a man of the place answered, “And who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 13 When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place.
14 Saul’s uncle said to him and to his servant, “Where did you go?” And he said, “To seek the donkeys. And when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.” 15 And Saul’s uncle said, “Please tell me what Samuel said to you.” 16 And Saul said to his uncle, “He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found.” But about the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel had spoken, he did not tell him anything.
Footnotes
[1] 10:1
[2] 10:1
[3] 10:5
[4] 10:10
(ESV)
Luke 22:24–30 (Listen)
Who Is the Greatest?
24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
28 “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
(ESV)
The reading may be followed by a period of silence for reflection, a hymn or
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
and bear much fruit to your glory.
7 The Canticle, A Song of Isaiah
'Behold, God is my salvation:,
I will trust and will not be afraid;
'For the Lord God is my strength and my song:
and has become my salvation.'
With joy you will draw water:
from the wells of salvation.
On that day you will say:
'Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name;
'Make known his deeds among the nations:
proclaim that his name is exalted.
'Sing God's praises, who has triumphed gloriously:
let this be known in all the world.
'Shout and sing for joy, you that dwell in Zion:
for great in your midst in the Holy One of Israel.'
I will trust and will not be afraid;
'For the Lord God is my strength and my song:
and has become my salvation.'
With joy you will draw water:
from the wells of salvation.
On that day you will say:
'Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name;
'Make known his deeds among the nations:
proclaim that his name is exalted.
'Sing God's praises, who has triumphed gloriously:
let this be known in all the world.
'Shout and sing for joy, you that dwell in Zion:
for great in your midst in the Holy One of Israel.'
Isaiah 12:2-6
8 The Apostles' Creed may be said
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come 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.
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come 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.
9 The Prayers
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
10 The Lord's Prayer and the Collect of the Day
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.
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.
11 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.
12 The Morning Collect
Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and by whose love we are redeemed; guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and live this day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
13
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. May we rekindle the gift of God within us. Amen.
see 2 Timothy 1:6-7
1
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound in hope.
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13
Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
2 The Opening Canticle, A Song of Hope
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me:
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good tidings to the afflicted. The Lord has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted:
to proclaim liberty for the captives,
and release for those in prison,
To comfort all who mourn:
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning:
a garment of splendour for the heavy heart.
They shall be called tress of righteousness:
planted for the glory of the Lord.
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good tidings to the afflicted. The Lord has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted:
to proclaim liberty for the captives,
and release for those in prison,
To comfort all who mourn:
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning:
a garment of splendour for the heavy heart.
They shall be called tress of righteousness:
planted for the glory of the Lord.
3 The Opening Prayer
The day is now passed and the night is at hand.
Let us pray with one heart and mind.
Let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence may be kept
Father of lights, receive the prayer and praise we offer you as our evening sacrifice; make us a light for all the world, delivered by your goodness from all the works of darkness; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each
1 Give judgement for me, O Lord,
for I have walked with integrity; •
I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered.
2 Test me, O Lord, and try me; •
examine my heart and my mind.
3 For your love is before my eyes; •
I have walked in your truth.
4 I have not joined the company of the false, •
nor consorted with the deceitful.
5 I hate the gathering of evildoers •
and I will not sit down with the wicked.
6 I will wash my hands in innocence, O Lord, •
that I may go about your altar,
7 To make heard the voice of thanksgiving •
and tell of all your wonderful deeds.
8 Lord, I love the house of your habitation •
and the place where your glory abides.
9 Sweep me not away with sinners, •
nor my life with the bloodthirsty,
10 Whose hands are full of wicked schemes •
and their right hand full of bribes.
11 As for me, I will walk with integrity; •
redeem me, Lord, and be merciful to me.
12 My foot stands firm; •
in the great congregation I will bless the Lord.
for I have walked with integrity; •
I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered.
2 Test me, O Lord, and try me; •
examine my heart and my mind.
3 For your love is before my eyes; •
I have walked in your truth.
4 I have not joined the company of the false, •
nor consorted with the deceitful.
5 I hate the gathering of evildoers •
and I will not sit down with the wicked.
6 I will wash my hands in innocence, O Lord, •
that I may go about your altar,
7 To make heard the voice of thanksgiving •
and tell of all your wonderful deeds.
8 Lord, I love the house of your habitation •
and the place where your glory abides.
9 Sweep me not away with sinners, •
nor my life with the bloodthirsty,
10 Whose hands are full of wicked schemes •
and their right hand full of bribes.
11 As for me, I will walk with integrity; •
redeem me, Lord, and be merciful to me.
12 My foot stands firm; •
in the great congregation I will bless the Lord.
1 To you I call, O Lord my rock;
be not deaf to my cry, •
lest, if you do not hear me,
I become like those who go down to the Pit.
2 Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you, •
when I lift up my hands to your holy of holies.
3 Do not snatch me away with the wicked,
with the evildoers, •
who speak peaceably with their neighbours,
while malice is in their hearts.
4 Repay them according to their deeds •
and according to the wickedness of their devices.
5 Reward them according to the work of their hands •
and pay them their just deserts.
6 They take no heed of the Lord’s doings,
nor of the works of his hands; •
therefore shall he break them down
and not build them up.
7 Blessed be the Lord, •
for he has heard the voice of my prayer.
8 The Lord is my strength and my shield; •
my heart has trusted in him and I am helped;
9 Therefore my heart dances for joy •
and in my song will I praise him.
10 The Lord is the strength of his people, •
a safe refuge for his anointed.
11 Save your people and bless your inheritance; •
shepherd them and carry them for ever.
be not deaf to my cry, •
lest, if you do not hear me,
I become like those who go down to the Pit.
2 Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you, •
when I lift up my hands to your holy of holies.
3 Do not snatch me away with the wicked,
with the evildoers, •
who speak peaceably with their neighbours,
while malice is in their hearts.
4 Repay them according to their deeds •
and according to the wickedness of their devices.
5 Reward them according to the work of their hands •
and pay them their just deserts.
6 They take no heed of the Lord’s doings,
nor of the works of his hands; •
therefore shall he break them down
and not build them up.
7 Blessed be the Lord, •
for he has heard the voice of my prayer.
8 The Lord is my strength and my shield; •
my heart has trusted in him and I am helped;
9 Therefore my heart dances for joy •
and in my song will I praise him.
10 The Lord is the strength of his people, •
a safe refuge for his anointed.
11 Save your people and bless your inheritance; •
shepherd them and carry them for ever.
1 Ascribe to the Lord, you powers of heaven, •
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; •
worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders; •
the Lord is upon the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is mighty in operation; •
the voice of the Lord is a glorious voice.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; •
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf •
and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord splits the flash of lightning;
the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; •
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
8 The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe
and strips the forests bare; •
in his temple all cry, ‘Glory!’
9 The Lord sits enthroned above the water flood; •
the Lord sits enthroned as king for evermore.
10 The Lord shall give strength to his people; •
the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; •
worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders; •
the Lord is upon the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is mighty in operation; •
the voice of the Lord is a glorious voice.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; •
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf •
and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord splits the flash of lightning;
the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; •
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
8 The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe
and strips the forests bare; •
in his temple all cry, ‘Glory!’
9 The Lord sits enthroned above the water flood; •
the Lord sits enthroned as king for evermore.
10 The Lord shall give strength to his people; •
the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
God who wonderfully created us and even more wonderfully restored our humanity: strengthen us by your Holy Spirit to triumph over suffering and death, and grant us eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed
Jeremiah 26 (Listen)
Jeremiah Threatened with Death
26:1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the LORD: 2 “Thus says the LORD: Stand in the court of the LORD’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the LORD all the words that I command you to speak to them; do not hold back a word. 3 It may be they will listen, and every one turn from his evil way, that I may relent of the disaster that I intend to do to them because of their evil deeds. 4 You shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law that I have set before you, 5 and to listen to the words of my servants the prophets whom I send to you urgently, though you have not listened, 6 then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse for all the nations of the earth.’”
7 The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD. 8 And when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold of him, saying, “You shall die! 9 Why have you prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant’?” And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
10 When the officials of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king’s house to the house of the LORD and took their seat in the entry of the New Gate of the house of the LORD. 11 Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, “This man deserves the sentence of death, because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.”
12 Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard. 13 Now therefore mend your ways and your deeds, and obey the voice of the LORD your God, and the LORD will relent of the disaster that he has pronounced against you. 14 But as for me, behold, I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. 15 Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the LORD sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.”
Jeremiah Spared from Death
16 Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man does not deserve the sentence of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.” 17 And certain of the elders of the land arose and spoke to all the assembled people, saying, 18 “Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and said to all the people of Judah: ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts,
“‘Zion shall be plowed as a field;
Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins,
and the mountain of the house a wooded height.’
19 Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Did he not fear the LORD and entreat the favor of the LORD, and did not the LORD relent of the disaster that he had pronounced against them? But we are about to bring great disaster upon ourselves.”
20 There was another man who prophesied in the name of the LORD, Uriah the son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim. He prophesied against this city and against this land in words like those of Jeremiah. 21 And when King Jehoiakim, with all his warriors and all the officials, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah heard of it, he was afraid and fled and escaped to Egypt. 22 Then King Jehoiakim sent to Egypt certain men, Elnathan the son of Achbor and others with him, 23 and they took Uriah from Egypt and brought him to King Jehoiakim, who struck him down with the sword and dumped his dead body into the burial place of the common people.
24 But the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah so that he was not given over to the people to be put to death.
(ESV)
2 Corinthians 11:1–15 (Listen)
Paul and the False Apostles
11:1 I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! 2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. 5 Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. 6 Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.
7 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. 11 And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
(ESV)
The reading may be followed by a period of silence for reflection, a hymn or
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
and bear much fruit to your glory.
7 The Canticle, A Song of God's Children
In Christ Jesus, the life-giving law of the Spirit:
has set us free from the law of sin and death.
All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God:
it is the Spirit that enables us to cry, 'Abba!' Father.
The Spirit bears witness
that we are God's Children:
and if God's children, then heirs of God.
We are heirs of God and fellow-heirs with Christ:
If we share his sufferings now
we shall be glorified with him hereafter.
These sufferings that we now endure:
are not worth comparing
with the glory that shall be revealed.
For the creation waits with eager longing:
for the revealing of the children of God.
has set us free from the law of sin and death.
All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God:
it is the Spirit that enables us to cry, 'Abba!' Father.
The Spirit bears witness
that we are God's Children:
and if God's children, then heirs of God.
We are heirs of God and fellow-heirs with Christ:
If we share his sufferings now
we shall be glorified with him hereafter.
These sufferings that we now endure:
are not worth comparing
with the glory that shall be revealed.
For the creation waits with eager longing:
for the revealing of the children of God.
Romans 8:2, 14, 15b-19
8 The Prayers
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
9 The Lord's Prayer and the Collect of the Day
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.
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.
10 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.
11 The Evening Collect
Lighten our darkness, Lord, we pray: and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
12
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfector of our faith. Amen.
Hebrews 12:1