This is the message we have heard from Christ:
that God is light, in whom there is
no darkness at all
1
1 John 1:5
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 Herald
Go up to a high mountain
herald of good tiding to Zion:
lift up your voice with strength,
herald of good tidings to Jerusalem.
Lift up your voice, fear not:
say to the cities of Judah, 'Behold your God!'
See the Lord God, coming with power:
coming to rule with his mighty arm.
He brings his reward for the people of God:
the recompense for those who are saved.
God will feed his flock like a shepherd:
and gather the lambs in his arms;
He will hold them to his breast:
and gently lead those that are with young.
herald of good tiding to Zion:
lift up your voice with strength,
herald of good tidings to Jerusalem.
Lift up your voice, fear not:
say to the cities of Judah, 'Behold your God!'
See the Lord God, coming with power:
coming to rule with his mighty arm.
He brings his reward for the people of God:
the recompense for those who are saved.
God will feed his flock like a shepherd:
and gather the lambs in his arms;
He will hold them to his breast:
and gently lead those that are with young.
Isaiah 40:9-11
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 fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ •
Corrupt are they, and abominable in their wickedness;
there is no one that does good.
2 The Lord has looked down from heaven
upon the children of earth, •
to see if there is anyone who is wise
and seeks after God.
3 But every one has turned back;
all alike have become corrupt: •
there is none that does good; no, not one.
4 Have they no knowledge, those evildoers, •
who eat up my people as if they ate bread
and do not call upon the Lord?
5 There shall they be in great fear; •
for God is in the company of the righteous.
6 Though they would confound the counsel of the poor, •
yet the Lord shall be their refuge.
7 O that Israel’s salvation would come out of Zion! •
When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
then will Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.
Corrupt are they, and abominable in their wickedness;
there is no one that does good.
2 The Lord has looked down from heaven
upon the children of earth, •
to see if there is anyone who is wise
and seeks after God.
3 But every one has turned back;
all alike have become corrupt: •
there is none that does good; no, not one.
4 Have they no knowledge, those evildoers, •
who eat up my people as if they ate bread
and do not call upon the Lord?
5 There shall they be in great fear; •
for God is in the company of the righteous.
6 Though they would confound the counsel of the poor, •
yet the Lord shall be their refuge.
7 O that Israel’s salvation would come out of Zion! •
When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
then will Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.
1 Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? •
Who may rest upon your holy hill?
2 Whoever leads an uncorrupt life •
and does the thing that is right;
3 Who speaks the truth from the heart •
and bears no deceit on the tongue;
4 Who does no evil to a friend •
and pours no scorn on a neighbour;
5 In whose sight the wicked are not esteemed, •
but who honours those who fear the Lord.
6 Whoever has sworn to a neighbour •
and never goes back on that word;
7 Who does not lend money in hope of gain, •
nor takes a bribe against the innocent;
8 Whoever does these things •
shall never fall.
Who may rest upon your holy hill?
2 Whoever leads an uncorrupt life •
and does the thing that is right;
3 Who speaks the truth from the heart •
and bears no deceit on the tongue;
4 Who does no evil to a friend •
and pours no scorn on a neighbour;
5 In whose sight the wicked are not esteemed, •
but who honours those who fear the Lord.
6 Whoever has sworn to a neighbour •
and never goes back on that word;
7 Who does not lend money in hope of gain, •
nor takes a bribe against the innocent;
8 Whoever does these things •
shall never fall.
1 Preserve me, O God, for in you have I taken refuge; •
I have said to the Lord, ‘You are my lord,
all my good depends on you.’
2 All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, •
upon those who are noble in heart.
3 Though the idols are legion
that many run after, •
their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
neither make mention of their names upon my lips.
4 The Lord himself is my portion and my cup; •
in your hands alone is my fortune.
5 My share has fallen in a fair land; •
indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
6 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel, •
and in the night watches he instructs my heart.
7 I have set the Lord always before me; •
he is at my right hand; I shall not fall.
8 Wherefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices; •
my flesh also shall rest secure.
9 For you will not abandon my soul to Death, •
nor suffer your faithful one to see the Pit.
10 You will show me the path of life;
in your presence is the fullness of joy •
and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
I have said to the Lord, ‘You are my lord,
all my good depends on you.’
2 All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, •
upon those who are noble in heart.
3 Though the idols are legion
that many run after, •
their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
neither make mention of their names upon my lips.
4 The Lord himself is my portion and my cup; •
in your hands alone is my fortune.
5 My share has fallen in a fair land; •
indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
6 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel, •
and in the night watches he instructs my heart.
7 I have set the Lord always before me; •
he is at my right hand; I shall not fall.
8 Wherefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices; •
my flesh also shall rest secure.
9 For you will not abandon my soul to Death, •
nor suffer your faithful one to see the Pit.
10 You will show me the path of life;
in your presence is the fullness of joy •
and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us in your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share our human nature, so we may be partakers in his divine glory; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed
Joshua 4–5:1 (Listen)
Twelve Memorial Stones from the Jordan
4:1 When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua, 2 “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’” 4 Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. 5 And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ 7 then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”
8 And the people of Israel did just as Joshua commanded and took up twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, just as the LORD told Joshua. And they carried them over with them to the place where they lodged and laid them down1 there. 9 And Joshua set up2 twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the covenant had stood; and they are there to this day. 10 For the priests bearing the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to tell the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua.
The people passed over in haste. 11 And when all the people had finished passing over, the ark of the LORD and the priests passed over before the people. 12 The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh passed over armed before the people of Israel, as Moses had told them. 13 About 40,000 ready for war passed over before the LORD for battle, to the plains of Jericho. 14 On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life.
15 And the LORD said to Joshua, 16 “Command the priests bearing the ark of the testimony to come up out of the Jordan.” 17 So Joshua commanded the priests, “Come up out of the Jordan.” 18 And when the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up on dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks, as before.
19 The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. 20 And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. 21 And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, 24 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.”3
The New Generation Circumcised
5:1 As soon as all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan for the people of Israel until they had crossed over, their hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them because of the people of Israel.
(ESV)
Luke 9:51–62 (Listen)
A Samaritan Village Rejects Jesus
51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”1 55 But he turned and rebuked them.2 56 And they went on to another village.
The Cost of Following Jesus
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus3 said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Footnotes
[1] 9:54
[2] 9:55
[3] 9:60
(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, The Hymn of the Word
In the beginning was the Word:
and the Word was with God,
And the Word was God:
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through him:
and without him, was not anything made that was made.
In him was life:
and the life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness:
and the darkness has not overcome it.
He was in the world:
and the world was made through him
yet the world knew him not.
He came to his own home:
and his own people received him not.
But to all who received him who believed on his name:
he has given power to become children of God;
Who were born not of blood
nor of the will of the flesh:
nor of the will of a man but of God,
And the Word became flesh:
and dwelt among us full of grace and truth;
We have beheld his glory:
glory as of the only Son from the Father,
And from his fullness have we all received:
the grace upon grace.
and the Word was with God,
And the Word was God:
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through him:
and without him, was not anything made that was made.
In him was life:
and the life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness:
and the darkness has not overcome it.
He was in the world:
and the world was made through him
yet the world knew him not.
He came to his own home:
and his own people received him not.
But to all who received him who believed on his name:
he has given power to become children of God;
Who were born not of blood
nor of the will of the flesh:
nor of the will of a man but of God,
And the Word became flesh:
and dwelt among us full of grace and truth;
We have beheld his glory:
glory as of the only Son from the Father,
And from his fullness have we all received:
the grace upon grace.
John 1:1-5, 10-14, 16
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
Lord and heavenly Father,
you have brought us safely to this new day:
keep us by your mighty power, protect us from sin,
guard us from every kind of danger,
and in all we do this day
direct us in the fulfilling of your purpose,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
you have brought us safely to this new day:
keep us by your mighty power, protect us from sin,
guard us from every kind of danger,
and in all we do this day
direct us in the fulfilling of your purpose,
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.
May the God of peace equip us with everything good so that we may do his will; and may he work in us that which is pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
see Hebrews 13:20-21
1
The Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult and give God the glory.
Let us rejoice and exult and give God the glory.
Revelation 19:6-7
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 for Joy
Be joyful in the Lord, all the earth:
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with singing.
Know that the Lord is God:
it is he who has made us, and we are his;
for we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise:
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good;
his loving-kindness is everlasting:
and his faithfulness endures from age to age.
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with singing.
Know that the Lord is God:
it is he who has made us, and we are his;
for we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise:
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good;
his loving-kindness is everlasting:
and his faithfulness endures from age to age.
Psalm 100
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 I love you, O Lord my strength. •
The Lord is my crag, my fortress and my deliverer,
2 My God, my rock in whom I take refuge, •
my shield, the horn of my salvation and my stronghold.
3 I cried to the Lord in my anguish •
and I was saved from my enemies.
4 The cords of death entwined me •
and the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
5 The cords of the Pit fastened about me •
and the snares of death entangled me.
6 In my distress I called upon the Lord •
and cried out to my God for help.
7 He heard my voice in his temple •
and my cry came to his ears.
8 The earth trembled and quaked; •
the foundations of the mountains shook;
they reeled because he was angry.
9 Smoke rose from his nostrils
and a consuming fire went out of his mouth; •
burning coals blazed forth from him.
10 He parted the heavens and came down •
and thick darkness was under his feet.
11 He rode upon the cherubim and flew; •
he came flying on the wings of the wind.
12 He made darkness his covering round about him, •
dark waters and thick clouds his pavilion.
13 From the brightness of his presence, through the clouds •
burst hailstones and coals of fire.
14 The Lord also thundered out of heaven; •
the Most High uttered his voice
with hailstones and coals of fire.
15 He sent out his arrows and scattered them; •
he hurled down lightnings and put them to flight.
16 The springs of the ocean were seen,
and the foundations of the world uncovered •
at your rebuke, O Lord,
at the blast of the breath of your displeasure.
17 He reached down from on high and took me; •
he drew me out of the mighty waters.
18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, •
from foes that were too mighty for me.
19 They came upon me in the day of my trouble; •
but the Lord was my upholder.
20 He brought me out into a place of liberty; •
he rescued me because he delighted in me.
21 The Lord rewarded me after my righteous dealing; •
according to the cleanness of my hands he recompensed me,
22 Because I had kept the ways of the Lord •
and had not gone wickedly away from my God,
23 For I had an eye to all his laws, •
and did not cast out his commandments from me.
24 I was also wholehearted before him •
and kept myself from iniquity;
25 Therefore the Lord rewarded me
after my righteous dealing, •
and according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.
26 With the faithful you show yourself faithful; •
with the true you show yourself true;
27 With the pure you show yourself pure, •
but with the crooked you show yourself perverse.
28 For you will save a lowly people •
and bring down the high looks of the proud.
29 You also shall light my candle; •
the Lord my God shall make my darkness to be bright.
30 By your help I shall run at an enemy host; •
with the help of my God I can leap over a wall.
31 As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the Lord is tried in the fire; •
he is a shield to all who trust in him.
32 For who is God but the Lord, •
and who is the rock except our God?
33 It is God who girds me about with strength •
and makes my way perfect.
34 He makes my feet like hinds’ feet •
so that I tread surely on the heights.
35 He teaches my hands to fight •
and my arms to bend a bow of bronze.
36 You have given me the shield of your salvation; •
your right hand upholds me
and your grace has made me great.
37 You enlarge my strides beneath me, •
yet my feet do not slide.
38 I will pursue my enemies and overtake them, •
nor turn again until I have destroyed them.
39 I will smite them down so they cannot rise; •
they shall fall beneath my feet.
40 You have girded me with strength for the battle; •
you will cast down my enemies under me;
41 You will make my foes turn their backs upon me •
and I shall destroy them that hate me.
42 They will cry out, but there shall be none to help them; •
they will cry to the Lord, but he will not answer.
43 I shall beat them as small as the dust on the wind; •
I will cast them out as the mire in the streets.
44 You will deliver me from the strife of the peoples; •
you will make me the head of the nations.
45 A people I have not known shall serve me;
as soon as they hear me, they shall obey me; •
strangers will humble themselves before me.
46 The foreign peoples will lose heart •
and come trembling out of their strongholds.
47 The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock! •
Praised be the God of my salvation,
48 Even the God who vindicates me •
and subdues the peoples under me!
49 You that deliver me from my enemies,
you will set me up above my foes; •
from the violent you will deliver me;
50 Therefore will I give you thanks, O Lord, among the nations •
and sing praises to your name,
51 To the one who gives great victory to his king •
and shows faithful love to his anointed,
to David and his seed for ever.
The Lord is my crag, my fortress and my deliverer,
2 My God, my rock in whom I take refuge, •
my shield, the horn of my salvation and my stronghold.
3 I cried to the Lord in my anguish •
and I was saved from my enemies.
4 The cords of death entwined me •
and the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
5 The cords of the Pit fastened about me •
and the snares of death entangled me.
6 In my distress I called upon the Lord •
and cried out to my God for help.
7 He heard my voice in his temple •
and my cry came to his ears.
8 The earth trembled and quaked; •
the foundations of the mountains shook;
they reeled because he was angry.
9 Smoke rose from his nostrils
and a consuming fire went out of his mouth; •
burning coals blazed forth from him.
10 He parted the heavens and came down •
and thick darkness was under his feet.
11 He rode upon the cherubim and flew; •
he came flying on the wings of the wind.
12 He made darkness his covering round about him, •
dark waters and thick clouds his pavilion.
13 From the brightness of his presence, through the clouds •
burst hailstones and coals of fire.
14 The Lord also thundered out of heaven; •
the Most High uttered his voice
with hailstones and coals of fire.
15 He sent out his arrows and scattered them; •
he hurled down lightnings and put them to flight.
16 The springs of the ocean were seen,
and the foundations of the world uncovered •
at your rebuke, O Lord,
at the blast of the breath of your displeasure.
17 He reached down from on high and took me; •
he drew me out of the mighty waters.
18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, •
from foes that were too mighty for me.
19 They came upon me in the day of my trouble; •
but the Lord was my upholder.
20 He brought me out into a place of liberty; •
he rescued me because he delighted in me.
21 The Lord rewarded me after my righteous dealing; •
according to the cleanness of my hands he recompensed me,
22 Because I had kept the ways of the Lord •
and had not gone wickedly away from my God,
23 For I had an eye to all his laws, •
and did not cast out his commandments from me.
24 I was also wholehearted before him •
and kept myself from iniquity;
25 Therefore the Lord rewarded me
after my righteous dealing, •
and according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.
26 With the faithful you show yourself faithful; •
with the true you show yourself true;
27 With the pure you show yourself pure, •
but with the crooked you show yourself perverse.
28 For you will save a lowly people •
and bring down the high looks of the proud.
29 You also shall light my candle; •
the Lord my God shall make my darkness to be bright.
30 By your help I shall run at an enemy host; •
with the help of my God I can leap over a wall.
31 As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the Lord is tried in the fire; •
he is a shield to all who trust in him.
32 For who is God but the Lord, •
and who is the rock except our God?
33 It is God who girds me about with strength •
and makes my way perfect.
34 He makes my feet like hinds’ feet •
so that I tread surely on the heights.
35 He teaches my hands to fight •
and my arms to bend a bow of bronze.
36 You have given me the shield of your salvation; •
your right hand upholds me
and your grace has made me great.
37 You enlarge my strides beneath me, •
yet my feet do not slide.
38 I will pursue my enemies and overtake them, •
nor turn again until I have destroyed them.
39 I will smite them down so they cannot rise; •
they shall fall beneath my feet.
40 You have girded me with strength for the battle; •
you will cast down my enemies under me;
41 You will make my foes turn their backs upon me •
and I shall destroy them that hate me.
42 They will cry out, but there shall be none to help them; •
they will cry to the Lord, but he will not answer.
43 I shall beat them as small as the dust on the wind; •
I will cast them out as the mire in the streets.
44 You will deliver me from the strife of the peoples; •
you will make me the head of the nations.
45 A people I have not known shall serve me;
as soon as they hear me, they shall obey me; •
strangers will humble themselves before me.
46 The foreign peoples will lose heart •
and come trembling out of their strongholds.
47 The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock! •
Praised be the God of my salvation,
48 Even the God who vindicates me •
and subdues the peoples under me!
49 You that deliver me from my enemies,
you will set me up above my foes; •
from the violent you will deliver me;
50 Therefore will I give you thanks, O Lord, among the nations •
and sing praises to your name,
51 To the one who gives great victory to his king •
and shows faithful love to his anointed,
to David and his seed for ever.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
God our Saviour, you sent Jesus into the world of sin, and delivered him up to death for us: kindle in our hearts the same love with which he loved his own to the end; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed
2 Chronicles 20:1–23 (Listen)
Jehoshaphat’s Prayer
20:1 After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites,1 came against Jehoshaphat for battle. 2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom,2 from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). 3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, 6 and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. 7 Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, 9 ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment,3 or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’ 10 And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy—11 behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
13 Meanwhile all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. 14 And the Spirit of the LORD came4 upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.”
18 Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. 19 And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
20 And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” 21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,
“Give thanks to the LORD,
for his steadfast love endures forever.”
22 And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. 23 For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another.
Footnotes
[1] 20:1
[2] 20:2
[3] 20:9
[4] 20:14
(ESV)
Romans 2:17–29 (Listen)
17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded1 as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically2 uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code3 and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
(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, The Song of Christ's Glory
Christ Jesus was in the form of God:
but he did not cling to equality with God.
He emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant:
and was born in our human likeness.
Being found in human form, he humbled himself:
and became obedient unto death,
even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him:
and bestowed on him the name above every name,
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow:
in heaven and on earth and under the earth;
And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord:
to the glory of God the Father.
but he did not cling to equality with God.
He emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant:
and was born in our human likeness.
Being found in human form, he humbled himself:
and became obedient unto death,
even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him:
and bestowed on him the name above every name,
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow:
in heaven and on earth and under the earth;
And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord:
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5b-11
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
Be present, merciful God, and protect us through the hours of the night: that we, who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world, may rest on your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
2 Corinthians 13:14