By the Bishops, the Clergy, and the Laity of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, in Convention, this Sixteenth Day of October, in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-Nine.

This Convention having, in their present session, set forth A Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, do hereby establish the said Book: And they declare it to be the Liturgy of this Church: And require that it be received as such by all the members of the same: And this Book shall be in use from and after the First Day of October, in the Year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety.

{p. 9}

Preface

It is a most invaluable part of that blessed “liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,” that in his worship different forms and usages may without offense be allowed, provided the substance of the Faith be kept entire; and that, in every Church, what cannot be clearly determined to belong to Doctrine must be referred to Discipline; and therefore, by common consent and authority, may be altered, abridged, enlarged, amended, or otherwise disposed of, as may seem most convenient for the edification of the people, “according to the various exigency of times and occasions.”

The Church of England, to which the Protestant Episcopal Church in these States is indebted, under God, for her first foundation and a long continuance of nursing care and protection, hath, in the Preface of her Book of Common Prayer, laid it down as a rule, that “The particular Forms of Divine Worship, and the Rites and Ceremonies appointed to be used therein, being things in their own nature indifferent, and alterable, and so acknowledged; it is but reasonable that upon weighty and important considerations, according to the various exigency of times and occasions, such changes and alterations should be made therein, as to those that are in place of Authority should, from time to time, seem either necessary or expedient.”

The same Church hath not only in her Preface, but likewise in her Articles and Homilies, declared tho necessity and expediency of occasional alterations and amendments in her Forms of Public Worship; and we find accordingly, that, seeking to keep the happy mean between too much stiffness in refusing, and too much easiness in admitting variations in {p. 10} things once advisedly established, she hath, in the reign of several Princes, since the first compiling of her Liturgy in the time of Edward the Sixth, upon just and weighty considerations her thereunto moving, yielded to make such alterations in some particulars, as in their respective times were thought convenient; yet so as that the main body and essential parts of the same (as well in the chiefest materials, as in the frame and order thereof) have still been continued firm and unshaken

Her general aim in these different reviews and alterations hath been, as she further declares in her said Preface, to do that which, according to her best understanding, might most tend to the preservation of peace and unity in the Church; the procuring of reverence, and the exciting of piety and devotion in the worship of God; and, finally, the cutting off occasion, from them that seek occasion, of cavil or quarrel against her Liturgy. And although, according to her judgment, there be not any thing in it contrary to the Word of God, or to sound doctrine, or which a godly man may not with a good conscience use and submit unto, or which is not fairly defensible, if allowed such just and favourable construction as in common equity ought to be allowed to all human writings; yet upon the principles already laid down, it cannot but be supposed that further alterations would be found expedient. Accordingly, a Commission for a review was issued in the year 1689: but this great and good work miscarried at that time; and the Civil Authority has not since thought proper to revive it by any new Commission.

But when in the course of Divine Providence, these American States became independent with respect to civil government, their ecclesiastical independence was necessarily included; and the different religious denominations of Christians in these States were left at full and equal liberty to model and organize their respective Churches, and forms of worship, and discipline, in such manner as they might judge most convenient for their future prosperity; consistently with the constitution and laws of their country.

The attention of this Church was in the first place drawn to those alterations in the Liturgy which became necessary in the prayers for our Civil Rulers, in consequence of the Revolution. And the principal care herein was to make them conformable to what ought to be the proper end of all such prayers, namely, that “Rulers may have grace, wisdom, {p. 11} and understanding to execute justice, and to maintain truth;” and that the people “may lead quiet and peaceable lives, in all godliness and honesty.”

But while these alterations were in review before the Convention, they could not but, with gratitude to God, embrace the happy occasion which was offered to them (uninfluenced and unrestrained by any worldly authority whatsoever) to take a further review of the Public Service, and to establish such other alterations and amendments therein as might be deemed expedient.

It seems unnecessary to enumerate all the different alterations and amendments. They will appear, and it is to be hoped, the reasons of them also, upon a comparison of this with the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England. In which it will also appear that this Church is far from intending to depart from the Church of England in any essential point of doctrine, discipline, or worship; or further than local circumstances require.

And now, this important work being brought to a conclusion, it is hoped the whole will be received and examined by every true member of our Church, and every sincere Christian, with a meek, candid, and charitable frame of mind; without prejudice or prepossessions; seriously considering what Christianity is, and what the truths of the Gospel are; and earnestly beseeching Almighty God to accompany with his blessing every endeavour for promulgating them to mankind in the clearest, plainest, most affecting and majestic manner, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Saviour.

Philadelphia, October, 1789

{p. 12}{p. 13}

Concerning the Service of the Church

The Holy Eucharist (Rite One / Rite Two), the principal act of Christian worship on the Lord’s Day and other major Feasts, and Daily Morning (Rite One / Rite Two) and Evening Prayer (Rite One / Rite Two), as set forth in this Book, are the regular services appointed for public worship in the Church.

In addition to these services and the other rites contained in this Book, other forms set forth by authority within this Church may be used. Also, subject to the direction of the bishop, special devotions taken from this Book, or from Holy Scripture, may be used when the needs of the congregation so require.

For special days of thanksgiving, appointed by civil or Church authority, and for other special occasions for which no service or prayer has been provided in this Book, the bishop may set forth such forms as are fitting to the occasion.

In all services, the entire Christian assembly participates in such a way that the members of each order within the Church, lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons, fulfill the functions proper to their respective orders, as set forth in the rubrical directions for each service.

The leader of worship in a Christian assembly is normally a bishop or priest. Deacons by virtue of their order do not exercise a presiding function; but, like lay persons, may officiate in the Liturgy of the Word, whether in the form provided in the Daily Office, or (when a bishop or priest is not present) in the form appointed at the Eucharist. Under exceptional circumstances, when the services of a priest cannot be obtained, the bishop may, at discretion, authorize a deacon to preside {p. 14} at other rites also, subject to the limitations described in the directions for each service.

In any of the Proper Liturgies for Special Days, and in other services contained within this Book celebrated in the context of a Rite One service, the contemporary idiom may be conformed to traditional language.

Hymns referred to in the rubrics of this Book are understood as those authorized by this Church. The words of anthems are to be from Holy Scripture, or from this Book, or from texts congruent with them.

On occasion, and as appropriate, instrumental music may be substituted for a hymn or anthem.

Where rubrics indicate that a part of a service is to be “said,” it must be understood to include “or sung,” and vice versa.

When it is desired to use music composed for them, previously authorized liturgical texts may be used in place of the corresponding texts in this Book.

Scriptural citations in this Book, except for the Psalms, follow the numeration of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

{p. 15}

The Calendar of the Church Year

The Church Year consists of two cycles of feasts and holy days: one is dependent upon the movable date of the Sunday of the Resurrection or Easter Day; the other, upon the fixed date of December 25, the Feast of our Lord’s Nativity or Christmas Day.

Easter Day is always the first Sunday after the full moon that falls on or after March 21. It cannot occur before March 22 or after April 25.

The sequence of all Sundays of the Church Year depends upon the date of Easter Day. But the Sundays of Advent are always the four Sundays before Christmas Day, whether it occurs on a Sunday or a weekday. The date of Easter also determines the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, and the feast of the Ascension on a Thursday forty days after Easter Day.

1. Principal Feasts

The Principle Feasts observed in this Church are the following:

Easter Day

Ascension Day

The Day of Pentecost

Trinity Sunday

All Saint’s Day: November 1

Christmas Day: December 25

The Epiphany: January 6

These feasts take precedence of any other day or observance. All Saints’ Day may always be observed on the Sunday following November 1, in addition to its observance on the fixed date.

{p. 16}

2. Sundays

All Sundays of the year are feasts of our Lord Jesus Christ. In addition to the dated days listed above, only the following feasts, appointed on fixed days, take precedence of a Sunday:

The Holy Name

The Presentation

The Transfiguration

The feast of the Dedication of a Church, and the feast of its patron or title, may be observed on, or be transferred to, a Sunday, except in the seasons of Advent, Lent, and Easter.

All other Feasts of our Lord, and all other Major Feasts appointed on fixed days in the Calendar, when they occur on a Sunday, are normally transferred to the first convenient open day within the week. When desired, however, the Collect (traditional / contemporary), Preface (traditional / contemporary), and one or more of the Lessons appointed for the Feast may be substituted for those of the Sunday, but not from the Last Sunday after Pentecost through the First Sunday after the Epiphany, or from the Last Sunday after the Epiphany through Trinity Sunday.

With the express permission of the bishop, and for urgent and sufficient reason, some other special occasion may be observed on a Sunday.

3. Holy Days

The following Holy Days are regularly observed throughout the year. Unless otherwise ordered in the preceding rules concerning Sundays, they have precedence over all other days of commemoration or of special observance:

Other Feasts of Our Lord

The Holy Name

The Presentation

The Annunciation

The Visitation

Saint John the Baptist

The Transfiguration

Holy Cross Day

{p. 17}

Other Major Feasts

All feasts of Apostles

All feasts of Evangelists

Saint Stephen

The Holy Innocents

Saint Joseph

Saint Mary Magdalene

Saint Mary the Virgin

Saint Michael and All Angels

Saint James of Jerusalem

Independence Day

Thanksgiving Day

Fasts

Ash Wednesday

Good Friday

Feasts appointed of fixed days in the Calendar are not observed on the days of Holy Week or of Easter Week. Major Feasts falling in these weeks are transferred to the week following the Second Sunday of Easter, in the order of their occurrence.

Feasts appointed on fixed days in the Calendar do not take precedence of Ash Wednesday.

Feasts of our Lord and other Major Feasts appointed on fixed days, which fall upon or are transferred to a weekday, may be observed on any open day within the week. This provision does not apply to Christmas Day, the Epiphany, and All Saints’ Day.

4. Days of Special Devotion

The following days are observed by special acts of discipline and self-denial:

Ash Wednesday and the other weekdays of Lent and of Holy Week, except the feast of the Annunciation.

Good Friday and all other Fridays of the year, in commemoration of the Lord’s crucifixion, except for Fridays in the Christmas and Easter seasons, and any Feasts of our Lord which occur on a Friday.

5. Days of Optional Observance

Subject to the rules of precedence governing Principal Feasts, Sundays, {p. 18} and Holy Days, the following may be observed with the Collects, Psalms, and Lessons duly authorized by this Church:

Commemorations listed in the Calendar

Other Commemorations, using the Common of Saints

The Ember Days, traditionally observed on the Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays after the First Sunday in Lent, the Day of Pentecost, Holy Cross Day, and December 13.

The Rogation Days, traditionally observed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Day

Various Occasions

Provided, that there is no celebration of the Eucharist for any such occasion on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday; and provided further, that none of the Propers appointed for Various Occasions is used as a substitute for, or as an addition to, the Proper appointed for the Principal Feasts.

{p. 19}

January

1 A: The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ

2 b

3 c

4 d

5 e

6 f: The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

7 g

8 A

9 b

10 c: William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1645

11 d

12 e

13 f: Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, 367

14 g

15 A

16 b

17 c: Antony, Abbot in Egypt, 356

18 d: The Confession of Saint Peter the Apostle

19 e: Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, 1095

20 f: Fabian, Bishop and Martyr of Rome, 250

21 g: Agnes, Martyr at Rome, 304

22 A: Vincent, Deacon of Saragossa, and Martyr, 304

23 b: Phillips Brooks, Bishop of Massachusetts, 1893

24 c

25 d: The Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle

26 e: Timothy and Titus, Companions of Saint Paul

27 f: John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople, 407

28 g: Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Friar, 1274

29 A

30 b

31 c

{p. 20}

February

1 d

2 e: The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple

3 f: Anskar, Archbishop of Hamburg, Missionary to Denmark and Sweden, 865

4 g: Cornelius the Centurion

5 A: The Martyrs of Japan, 1597

6 b

7 c

8 d

9 e

10 f

11 g

12 A

13 b: Absalom Jones, Priest, 1818

14 c: Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop, Missionaries to the Slavs, 869, 885

15 d: Thomas Bray, Priest and Missionary, 1730

16 e

17 f

18 g

19 A

20 b

21 c

22 d

23 e: Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr of Smyrna, 156

24 f: Saint Matthias the Apostle

25 g

26 A

27 b: George Herbert, Priest, 1633

28 c

{p. 21}

March

1 d: David, Bishop of Menevia, Wales, c. 544

2 e: Chad, Bishop of Lichfield, 672

3 f: John and Charles Wesley, Priests, 1791, 1788

4 g

5 A

6 b

7 c: Perpetua and Her Companions, Martyrs at Carthage, 202

8 d

9 e: Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, c. 394

10 f

11 g

12 A: Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, 604

13 b

14 c

15 d

16 e

17 f: Patrick, Bishop and Missionary of Ireland, 461

18 g: Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem, 386

19 A: Saint Joseph

20 b: Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne, 687

21 c: Thomas Ken, Bishop of Bath and Wells, 1711

22 d: James De Koven, Priest, 1879 (14)

23 e: Gregory the Illuminator, Bishop and Missionary of Armenia, 332 (3)

24 f

25 g: The Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary (11)

26 A

27 b: Charles Henry Brent, Bishop of the Philippines, and of Western New York, 1929 (19)

28 c (8)

29 d: John Keble, Priest, 1866

30 e (16)

31 f: John Donne, Priest, 1631 (5)

{p. 22}

April

1 g: Frederick Denison Maurice, Priest, 1872

2 A: James Lloyd Breck, Priest, 1876 (13)

3 b: Richard, Bishop of Chichester, 1253 (2)

4 c

5 d (10)

6 e

7 f (18)

8 g: William Augustus Muhlenberg, Priest, 1877 (7)

9 A: William Law, Priest, 1761

10 b (15)

11 c: George Augustus Selwyn, Bishop of New Zealand, and of Lichfield, 1878 (4)

12 d

13 e (12)

14 f (1)

15 g

16 A (9)

17 b (17)

18 c (6)

19 d: Alphege, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Martyr, 1012

20 e

21 f: Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1109

22 g

23 A

24 b

25 c: Saint Mark the Evangelist

26 d

27 e

28 f

29 g: Catherine of Siena, 1380

30 A

{p. 23}

May

1 b: Saint Philip and Saint James, Apostles

2 c: Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, 373

3 d

4 e: Monnica, Mother of Augustine of Hippo, 387

5 f

6 g

7 A

8 b: Dame Julian of Norwich, c. 1417

9 c: Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop of Constantinople, 389

10 d

11 e

12 f

13 g

14 A

15 b

16 c

17 d

18 e

19 f: Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, 988

20 g: Alcuin, Deacon, and Abbot of Tours, 804

21 A

22 b

23 c

24 d: Jackson Kemper, First Missionary Bishop in the United States, 1870

25 e: Bede, the Venerable, Priest, and Monk of Jarrow, 735

26 f: Augustine, First Archbishop of Canterbury, 605

27 g

28 A

29 b

30 c

31 d: The Visitation of the Virgin Mary

The First Book of Common Prayer, 1549, is appropriately observed on a weekday following the Day of Pentecost.

{p. 24}

June

1 e: Justin, Martyr at Rome, c. 167

2 f: The Martyrs of Lyons, 177

3 g: The Martyrs of Uganda, 1886

4 A

5 b: Boniface, Archbishop of Mainz, Missionary to Germany, and Martyr, 754

6 c

7 d

8 e

9 f: Columba, Abbot of Iona, 597

10 g: Ephrem of Edessa, Syria, Deacon, 373

11 A: Saint Barnabas the Apostle

12 b

13 c

14 d: Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea, 379

15 e

16 f: Joseph Butler, Bishop of Durham, 1752

17 g

18 A: Bernard Mizeki, Catechist and Martyr in Rhodesia, 1896

19 b

20 c

21 d

22 e: Alban, First Martyr of Britain, c. 304

23 f

24 g: The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

25 A

26 b

27 c

28 d: Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, c. 202

29 e: Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Apostles

30 f

{p. 25}

July

1 g

2 A

3 b

4 c: Independence Day

5 d

6 e

7 f

8 g

9 A

10 b

11 c: Benedict of Nursia, Abbot of Monte Casino, c. 540

12 d

13 e

14 f

15 g

16 A

17 b: William White, Bishop of Pennsylvania, 1836

18 c

19 d

20 e

21 f

22 g: Saint Mary Magdalene

23 A

24 b: Thomas a Kempis, Priest, 1471

25 c: Saint James the Apostle

26 d: The Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

27 e: William Reed Huntington, Priest, 1909

28 f

29 g: Mary and Martha of Bethany

30 A: William Wilberforce, 1833

31 b: Joseph of Arimathaea

{p. 26}

August

1 c

2 d

3 e

4 f

5 g

6 A: The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ

7 b: John Mason Neale, Priest, 1866

8 c: Dominic, Priest and Friar, 1221

9 d

10 e: Lawrence, Deacon, and Martyr at Rome, 258

11 f: Clare, Abbess at Assisi, 1253

12 g

13 A: Jeremy Taylor, Bishop of Down, Connor, and Dromore, 1667

14 b

15 c: Saint Mary the Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ

16 d

17 e

18 f: William Porcher DuBose, Priest, 1918

19 g

20 A: Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, 1153

21 b

22 c

23 d

24 e: Saint Bartholomew the Apostle

25 f: Louis, King of France, 1270

26 g

27 A

28 b: Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 430

29 c

30 d

31 e: Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, 651

{p. 27}

September

1 f

2 g: The Martyrs of New Guinea, 1942

3 A

4 b

5 c

6 d

7 e

8 f

9 g

10 A

11 b

12 c: John Henry Hobart, Bishop of New York, 1830

13 d: Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr of Carthage, 258

14 e: Holy Cross Day

15 f

16 g: Ninian, Bishop in Galloway, c. 430

17 A

18 b: Edward Bouverie Pusey, Priest, 1882

19 c: Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury, 690

20 d: John Coleridge Patteson, Bishop of Melanesia, and his Companions, Martyrs, 1971

21 e: Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

22 f

23 g

24 A

25 b: Sergius, Abbot of Holy Trinity, Moscow, 1392

26 c: Lancelot Andrewes, Bishop of Winchester, 1626

27 d

28 e

29 f: Saint Michael and All Angels

30 g: Jerome, Priest, and Monk of Bethlehem, 420

{p. 28}

October

1 A: Remigius, Bishop of Rheims, c. 530

2 b

3 c

4 d: Francis of Assisi, Friar, 1226

5 e

6 f: William Tyndale, Priest, 1536

7 g

8 A

9 b: Robert Grosseteste, Bishop of Lincoln

10 c

11 d

12 e

13 f

14 g

15 A: Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky, Bishop of Shanghai, 1906

16 b: Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, Bishops, 1555, and Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1556

17 c: Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, and Martyr, c. 115

18 d: Saint Luke the Evangelist

19 e: Henry Martyn, Priest and Missionary to India and Persia, 1812

20 f

21 g

22 A

23 b: Saint James of Jerusalem, Brother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and Martyr, c. 62

24 c

25 d

26 e: Alfred the Great, King of the West Saxons, 899

27 f

28 g: Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Apostles

29 A: James Hannington, Bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa, and his Companions, Martyrs, 1885

30 b

31 c

{p. 29}

November

1 d: All Saints

2 e: Commemoration of All Faithful Departed

3 f: Richard Hooker, Priest, 1600

4 g

5 A

6 b

7 c: Willibrord, Archbishop of Utrecht, Missionary to Frisia, 739

8 d

9 e

10 f: Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome, 461

11 g: Martin, Bishop of Tours, 397

12 A: Charles Simeon, Priest, 1836

13 b

14 c: Consecration of Samuel Seabury, First American Bishop, 1784

15 d

16 e: Margaret, Queen of Scotland, 1093

17 f: Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, 1200

18 g: Hilda, Abbess of Whitby, 680

19 A: Elizabeth, Princess of Hungary, 1231

20 b

21 c

22 d

23 e: Clement, Bishop of Rome, c. 100

24 f

25 g

26 A

27 b

28 c 29 d

30 e: Saint Andrew the Apostle

{p. 30}

December

1 f: Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon, 1637

2 g: Channing Moore Williams, Missionary Bishop in China and Japan, 1910

3 A

4 b: John of Damascus, Priest, c. 760

5 c: Clement of Alexandria, Priest, c. 210

6 d: Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c. 342

7 e: Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, 397

8 f

9 g

10 A

11 b

12 c

13 d

14 e

15 f

16 g

17 A

18 b

19 c

20 d

21 e: Saint Thomas the Apostle

22 f

23 g

24 A

25 b: The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

26 c: Saint Stephen, Deacon and Martyr

27 d: Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

28 e: The Holy Innocents

29 f

30 g

31 A

{p. 31}

The Titles of the Seasons

Sundays and Major Holy Days observed in this Church throughout the Year

Advent Season

The First Sunday of Advent

The Second Sunday of Advent

The Third Sunday of Advent

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Christmas Season

The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Christmas Day, December 25

The First Sunday after Christmas Day

The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, January 1

The Second Sunday after Christmas Day

Epiphany Season

The Epiphany, or the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, January 6

The First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The Second Sunday through the Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany

The Last Sunday after the Epiphany

Lenten Season

The First Day of Lent, or Ash Wednesday

The First Sunday in Lent

The Second Sunday in Lent

The Third Sunday in Lent

The Fourth Sunday in Lent

The Fifth Sunday in Lent

Holy Week

The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday

Monday in Holy Week

{p. 32}

Tuesday in Holy Week

Wednesday in Holy Week

Maundy Thursday

Good Friday

Holy Saturday

Easter Season

Easter Eve

The Sunday of the Resurrection, or Easter Day

Monday in Easter Week

Tuesday in Easter Week

Wednesday in Easter Week

Thursday in Easter Week

Friday in Easter Week

Saturday in Easter Week

The Second Sunday of Easter

The Third Sunday of Easter

The Fourth Sunday of Easter

The Fifth Sunday of Easter

The Sixth Sunday of Easter

Ascension Day

The Seventh Sunday of Easter: The Sunday after Ascension Day

The Day of Pentecost: Whitsunday

The Season After Pentecost

The First Sunday after Pentecost: Trinity Sunday

The Second Sunday through the Twenty-Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

The Last Sunday after Pentecost

Holy Days

Saint Andrew the Apostle, November 30

Saint Thomas the Apostle, December 21

Saint Stephen, Deacon and Martyr, December 26

Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist, December 27

The Holy Innocents, December 28

The Confession of Saint Peter the Apostle, January 18

{p. 33}

The Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle, January 25

The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple, also called the Purification of Saint Mary the Virgin, February 2

Saint Matthias the Apostle, February 24

Saint Joseph, March 19

The Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary, March 25

Saint Mark the Evangelist, April 25

Saint Philip and Saint James, Apostles, May 1

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, May 31

Saint Barnabas the Apostle, June 11

The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, June 24

Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Apostles, June 29

Saint Mary Magdalene, July 22

Saint James the Apostle, July 25

The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ, August 6

Saint Mary the Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, August 15

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, August 24

Holy Cross Day, September 14

Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, September 21

Saint Michael and All Angels, September 29

Saint Luke the Evangelist, October 18

Saint James of Jerusalem, Brother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and Martyr, October 23

Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Apostles, October 28

All Saints’ Day, November 1

National Days

Independence Day, July 4

Thanksgiving Day

{p. 34}{p. 35}

The Daily Office

{p. 36}

Daily Morning Prayer: Rite One

Concerning the Service

In the Daily Office, the term “Officiant” is used to denote the person, clerical or lay, who leads the Office.

It is appropriate that others persons be assigned to read the Lessons, and to lead other parts of the service not assigned to the officiant. The bishop, when present, appropriately concludes the Office with a blessing.

At celebrations of the Holy Eucharist (Rite One / Rite Two), the Order for Morning (Rite One / Rite Two) or Evening Prayer (Rite One / Rite Two) may be used in place of all that precedes the Offertory.

Additional Directions are on page 141.

{p. 37}

Daily Morning Prayer: Rite One

The Officiant begins the service with one or more of these sentences of Scripture, or with the versicle “O Lord, open thou our lips” on page 42.

Advent

Watch ye, for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

Mark 13: 35, 36

Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Isaiah 40: 3

The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

Isaiah 40: 5

Christmas

Behold, I bring you good tidings of a great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2: 10, 11

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Revelation 21: 3

{p. 38}

Epiphany

The Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

Isaiah 60: 3

I will give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Isaiah 49: 6b

From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my Name shall be great among the Gentiles, and in every place incense shall be offered unto my Name, and a pure offering: for my Name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 1: 11

Lent

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us, but if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1: 8, 9

Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and repenteth him of evil.

Joel 2: 13

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee; and am no more worthy to be called thy son.”

Luke 15: 18, 19

To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws which he set before us.

Daniel 9: 9, 10

Jesus said, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

Mark 8: 34

{p. 39}

Holy Week

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53: 6

Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me.

Lamentations 1: 12

Easter Season, including Ascension Day and the Day of Pentecost

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118: 24

Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15: 57

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek the things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Colossians 3: 1

Christ is not entered into a the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.

Hebrews 9: 24

Ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witness unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 1: 8

Trinity Sunday

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Revelation 4: 8

{p. 40}

All Saints and other Major Saints’ Days

We give thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.

Colossians 1: 12

Ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God.

Ephesians 2: 19

Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words into the ends of the world.

Psalm 19: 4

Occasions of Thanksgiving

O give thanks unto the Lord, and call upon his Name; tell the people what things he hath done.

Psalm 105: 1

At any Time

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Phillipians 1: 2

I was glad when they said unto me, “We will go into the house of the Lord.”

Psalm 122: 1

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be alway acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

Psalm 19: 14

O send out thy light and thy truth, that they may lead me, and bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy dwelling.

Psalm 43: 3

The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.

Habakkuk 2: 20

The hour is cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

John 4: 23

Thus saith the high and lofty One who inhabiteth eternity, {p. 41} whose name is Holy, “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

Isaiah 57: 15

The following Confession of Sin may then be said; or the Office may continue at once with “O Lord, open thou our lips.”

Confession of Sin

The Officiant says to the people

Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of Almighty God our heavenly Father, to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear this holy Word, and to ask, for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things that are necessary for our life and our salvation. And so that we may prepare ourselves in heart and mind to worship him, let us kneel in silence, and with penitent and obedient hearts confess our sins, that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness and mercy.

or this

Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.

Silence may be kept.

Officiant and People together, all kneeling

Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, we have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts, we have offended against thy holy laws, we have left undone those things which we ought to have done, {p. 42} and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, spare thou those who confess their faults, restore thou those who are penitent, according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord; and grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.

The Priest alone stands and says

The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit.

Amen.

A deacon or lay person using the preceding form remains kneeling, and substitutes “us” for “you” and “our” for “your.”

The Invitatory and Psalter

All stand

Officiant

O Lord, open thou our lips.

People

And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.

Officiant and People (the Gloria Patri)

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.

Except in Lent,

Alleluia

may be added.

Then follows one of the Invitatory Psalms, Venite or Jubilate.

{p. 43}

One of the following Antiphons may be sung or said with the Invitatory Psalm

In Advent

Our King and Savior now draweth nigh: O come, let us adore him.

On the Twelve Days of Christmas

Alleluia. Unto us a child is born: O come, let us adore him. Alleluia.

From the Epiphany through the Baptism of Christ, and on the Feasts of the Transfiguration and Holy Cross

The Lord hath manifested forth his glory: O come, let us adore him.

In Lent

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy: O come, let us adore him.

From Easter Day until the Ascension

Alleluia. The Lord is risen indeed: O come, let us adore him. Alleluia.

From Ascension Day until the Day of Pentecost

Alleluia. Christ the Lord ascendedeth into heaven: O come, let us adore him. Alleluia.

On the Day of Pentecost

Alleluia. The Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: O come, let us adore him. Alleluia.

On Trinity Sunday

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God: O come, let us adore him.

{p. 44}

On other Sundays and weekdays

The earth is the Lord’s for he made it: O come, let us adore him.

or this

Worship the Lord in the beauty of his holiness: O come, let us adore him.

or this

The mercy of the Lord is everlasting: O come, let us adore him.

The Alleluias in the following Antiphons are used only in Easter Season.

On Feasts of the Incarnation

[Alleluia.] The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us: O come, let us adore him. [Alleluia.]

On all Saints and other Major Saints’ Days

[Alleluia.] The Lord is glorious in his saints: O come, let us adore him. [Alleluia.]

Venite

Psalm 95: 1-7

O come, let us sing unto the Lord; * let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God, * and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the corners of the earth, * and the strength of the hills is his also.

The sea is his, and he made it, * and his hands prepared the dry land.

{p. 45}

O come, let us worship and fall down, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

For he is the Lord our God, * and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; * let the whole earth stand in awe of him.

For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the world and with righteousness to judge the world and the peoples with his truth.

or Psalm 95, page 146.

Jubilate

Psalm 100

Be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands; * serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.

Be ye sure that the Lord he is God; * it is he that hath made us and we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise; * be thankful unto him and speak good of his Name.

For the Lord is gracious; his mercy is everlasting; * and his truth endureth from generation to generation.

In Easter Week, in place of an Invitatory Psalm, the following is sung or said. It may also be used daily until the Day of Pentecost.

{p. 46}

Christ our Passover

Pascha nostrum

1 Corinthians 5: 7-8; Romans 6: 9-11; 1 Corinthians 15: 20-22

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; * therefore let us keep the feast,

Not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.

Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; * death hath no more dominion over him.

For in that he died, he died unto sin once; * but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, * but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.

Christ is risen from the dead, * and become the first fruits of them that slept.

For since by man came death, * by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die, * even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.

Then follows

The Psalm or Psalms Appointed

At the end of the Psalms is sung or said

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.

{p. 47}

The Lessons

One or two lessons, as appointed, are read, the Reader first saying

A Reading (Lesson) from ______.

A citation giving chapter and verse may be added.

After each Lesson the Reader may say

The Word of the Lord.

Answer

Thanks be to God.

Or the Reader may say

Here endeth the Lesson (Reading).

Silence may be kept after each Reading. One of the following Canticles, or one of those on pages 85- 95 (Canticles 8-21), is sung or said after each Reading. If three Lessons are used, the Lesson from the Gospel is read after the second Canticle.

Canticle 1. A Song of Creation

Benedicite, omnia opera Domini

Song of the Three Young Men, 35-65

I Invocation

O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord; * praise him and magnify him for ever.

O ye angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord; * praise him and magnify him for ever.

II The Cosmic Order

O ye heavens, bless ye the Lord; * O ye waters that be above the firmament, bless ye the Lord;

O all ye powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord; * praise him and magnify him for ever.

{p. 48}

O ye sun and moon, bless ye the Lord; * O ye stars of heaven, bless ye the Lord;

O ye showers and dew, bless ye the Lord; * praise him and magnify him for ever.

O ye winds of God, bless ye the Lord; * O ye fire and heat, bless ye the Lord;

O ye winter and summer, bless ye the Lord; * praise him and magnify him for ever.

O ye dews and frosts, bless ye the Lord; * O ye frost and cold, bless ye the Lord;

O ye ice and snow, bless ye the Lord; * praise him and magnify him for ever.

O ye nights and days, bless ye the Lord; * O ye light and darkness, bless ye the Lord;

O ye lightnings and clouds, bless ye the Lord; * praise him and magnify him for ever.

III The Earth and its Creatures

O let the earth bless the Lord; * O ye mountains and hills, bless ye the Lord;

O all ye green things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord; * praise him and magnify him for ever.

O all ye fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord; * O all ye beasts and cattle, bless ye the Lord;

O ye children of men, bless ye the Lord; * praise him and magnify him for ever.

O ye wells, bless ye the Lord; O ye seas and floods, bless ye the Lord;

O ye whales and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord; * praise him and magnify him for ever

O all ye fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord; O all ye beasts and cattle, bless ye the Lord;

O ye children of men, bless ye the Ord; * praise him and magnify him for ever.

{p. 49}

IV The People of God

O ye people of God, bless ye the Lord; * O ye priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord;

O ye servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord; * praise him and magnify him for ever.

O ye spirits and souls of the righteous, bless ye the Lord; * O ye holy and humble men of heart, bless ye the Lord.

Let us bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; * praise him and magnify him for ever.

Canticle 2 A Song of Praise

Benedictus es, Domine

Song of the Three Young Men, 29-34

Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our fathers; * praised and exalted above all for ever.

Blessed are thou for the name of thy Majesty; * praised and exalted above all for ever.

Blessed are thou in the temple of thy holiness; * praised and exalted above all for ever.

Blessed are thou that beholdest the depths, and dwellest between the Cherubim; * praised and exalted above all for ever.

Blessed art thou on the glorious throne of thy kingdom; * praised and exalted above all for ever.

Blessed are thou in the firmament of heaven; * praised and exalted above all for ever.

Blessed are thou, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; * praised and exalted above all for ever.

{p. 50}

Canticle 3 The Song of Mary

Magnificat

Luke 1: 46-55

My soul doth magnify the Lord, * and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

For he hath regarded * the lowliness of his handmaiden.

For behold from henceforth * all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath magnified me, * and holy is his Name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him * throughout all generations.

He hath showed strength with his arm; * he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and hath exalted the humble and meek.

He hath filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, * as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.

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.

Canticle 4. The Song of Zechariah

Benedictus Dominus Deus

Luke 1: 68-79

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, * for he hath visited and redeemed his people;

And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us * in the house of his servant David,

As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, * which have been since the world began:

{p. 51}

That we should be saved from our enemies, * and from the hand of all that hate us;

To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers, * and to remember his holy covenant;

To perform the oath which he sware to our forefather Abraham, * that he would give us,

That we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies * might serve him without fear,

In holiness and righteousness before him, * all the days of our life.

And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest, * for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

To give knowledge of salvation unto his people * for the remission of their sins,

Through the tender mercy of our God, * whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us;

To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

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.

Canticle 5. The Song of Solomon

Nunc dimittis

Luke 2: 29-32

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, * according to thy word;

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, * which thou hast prepared before the face of all people,

To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, * and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

{p. 52}

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.

Canticle 6. Glory be to God

Gloria in Excelsis

Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards mean.

We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory,

O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.

O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.

Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.

Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.

For thou only art holy, thou only art the Lord, thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Canticle 7. We Praise Thee

Te Deum laudamus

We praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.

All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.

To thee all Angels cry aloud, the Heavens and all the Powers therein.

To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry:

{p. 53}

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory.

The glorious company of the apostles praise thee. The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee. The noble army of martyrs praise thee. The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee, the Father, of an infinite majesty, thine adorable, true, and only Son, also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.

Thou art the King of glory, O Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst humble thyself to be born of a Virgin. When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be our judge. We therefore pray thee, help thy servants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with thy saints, in glory everlasting.

The Apostles’ Creed

Officiant and People together, all standing

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell.

{p. 54}

The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The text of the Creed on page 96 may be used instead.

The Prayers

The People stand or kneel

Officiant

The Lord be with you.

People

And also with you.

Officiant

Let us pray.

Officiant and People

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.

{p. 55}

Then follows one of these sets of Suffrages

Suffrages A

V. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us;

R. And grant us thy salvation.

V. Endue thy ministers with righteousness;

R. And make thy chosen people joyful.

V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;

R. For only in thee can we live in safety.

V. Lord, keep this nation under thy care;

R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

V. Let thy way be known upon earth;

R. Thy 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 with your Holy Spirit.

Suffrages B

V. O Lord, save thy people and bless thine heritage;

R. Govern them and lift them up for ever.

V. Day by day we magnify thee;

R. And we worship thy name for ever, world without end.

V. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin;

R. O Lord, have mercy upon us, hve mercy upon us.

V. O Lord, let thy mercy be upon us;

R. As our trust is in thee.

V. O Lord, in thee have I trusted;

R. Let me never be confounded.

The Officiant then says one or more of the following Collects

The Collect of the Day

{p. 56}

A Collect for Sundays

O God, who makest us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of thy Son our Lord: Grant us this day such blessing through our worship of thee, that the days to come may be spent in thy favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

A Collect for Fridays

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.

Amen.

A Collect for Saturdays

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world didst rest from all thy works and sanctify a day of rest for all thy creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of thy sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to thy people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

A Collect for the Renewal of Life

O God, the King eternal, who dividest the day from the night and turnest the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep thy law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done thy will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night cometh, rejoice to give thee thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

or this

Lord Jesus Christ, who didst stretch out thine arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of thy saving embrace: So clothe us in thy Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know thee to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of thy Name.

Amen.

Here may be sung a hymn or anthem.

Authorized intercessions and thanksgivings may follow.

Before the close of the Office one or both of the following may be used

The General Thanksgiving

Officiant and People

{p. 59}

And, we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfaignedly thankful; and that we show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, world without end.

Amen.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom

Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication unto thee; and hast promised through thy well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name thou wilt be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions of thy servants as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Amen.

Then may be said

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

From Easter Day through the Day of Pentecost “Alleluia, alleluia” may be added to the preceding versicle and response.

The Officiant may then conclude with one of the following

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore.

Amen.

2 Corinthians 13: 14

{p. 60}

May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Romans 15: 13

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.

Amen.

Ephesians 3: 20, 21

{p. 61}

Daily Evening Prayer: Rite One

The Officiant begins the service with one or more of the following sentences of Scripture, or of those on pages 37- 40; or with the Service of Light on pages 109- 112, and continuing with the appointed Psalmody; or with the versicle “O God, make speed to save us” on page 63.

Let my prayer be set forth in thy sight as the incense, and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.

Psalm 141: 2

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1: 2

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth stand in awe of him.

Psalm 96: 9

Thine is the day, O God, thine also the night; thou hast established the moon and the sun. Thou hast fixed all the boundaries of the earth; thou hast made summer and winter.

Psalm 74: 15, 16

I will bless the Lord, who giveth me counsel; my heart teacheth 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

{p. 62}

Seek him that made the Pleiades and Orion, that turneth deep darkness into the morning, and darkeneth the day into night; that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The Lord is his Name.

Amos 5: 8

If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night,” darkness is not dark to thee, O Lord; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to thee are both alike.

Psalm 139: 10, 11

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

John 8: 12

The following Confession of Sin may then be said; or the Office may continue at once with “O God make speed to save us.”

Confession of Sin

The Officiant says to the people

Dear friends in Christ, here in the presence of Almighty God, let us kneel in silence, and with penitent and obedient hearts confess our sins, so that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness and mercy.

or this

Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.

Silence may be kept.

Officiant and People together, all kneeling

Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, we have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts, {p. 63} we have offended against thy holy laws, we have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, spare thou those who confess their faults, restore thou those who are penitent, according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord; and grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.

The Priest alone stands and says

The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit.

Amen.

A deacon or lay person using the preceding form remains kneeling, and substitutes “us” for “you” and “our” for “your.”

The Invitatory and Psalter

All stand

Officiant

O God, make speed to save us.

People

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Officiant and People

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.

Except in Lent, Alleluia may be added.

{p. 64}

The following, or some other suitable hymn, or an Invitatory Psalm, may be sung or said

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 behold the vesper light, we sing thy praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Thou art worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of life, and to be glorified though all the worlds.

then follows

The Psalm or Psalms Appointed

At the end of the Psalms is sung or said

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 Lessons

One or two lessons, as appointed, are read, the Reader first saying

A Reading (Lesson) from ______.

A citation giving chapter and verse may be added.

{p. 65}

After each Lesson the Reader may say

The Word of the Lord.

Answer

Thanks be to God.

Or the Reader may say

Here endeth the Lesson (Reading).

Silence may be kept after each Reading. One of the following Canticles, or one of those on pages 47- 52, or 85- 95, is sung or said after each Reading. If three Lessons are used, the Lesson from the Gospel is read after the second Canticle.