Tuesday & Advent
THE PREPARATION
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
Amen.
Our help is in the name of the Lord
Who made heaven and earth.
A period of silence follows, for reflection on the past day. Words of penitence may be used; the following or some other.
Most merciful God,
we confess to you,
before the whole company of heaven
and one another,
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed,
and in what we have failed to do.
Forgive us our sins,
heal us by your Spirit
and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen.
Or:
Holy God,
holy and strong,
holy and immortal:
have mercy on us.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]
A HYMN may be sung, the following or some other.
Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.
From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread under foot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.
Ordinary Doxology
O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death. Amen.
Advent Doxology
To you, O Christ, all glory be,
Whose advent sets your people free;
Whom, with the Father, we adore,
And Holy Spirit, evermore. Amen.
THE WORD OF GOD
THE PSALMODY
From PSALM 143
| 1 | Lord, hear my prayer, and in your faithfulness heed my supplications;* answer me in your righteousness. |
| 2 | Enter not into judgement with your servant,* for in your sight shall no one living be justified. |
| 3 | For my enemy has sought my life and has crushed me to the ground;* making me live in dark places like those who are long dead. |
| 4 | My spirit faints within me;* my heart within me is desolate. |
| 5 | I remember the time past; I muse upon all your deeds;* I consider the works of your hands. |
| 6 | I spread out my hands to you;* my soul gasps to you like a thirsty land. |
| 7 | O Lord, make haste to answer me; my spirit fails me;* do not hide your face from me or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. |
| 8 | Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning, for I put my trust in you;* show me the road that I must walk, for I lift up my soul to you. |
| 9 | Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord,* for I flee to you for refuge. |
| 10 | Teach me to do what pleases you, show me the road that I must walk, for you are my God;* let your good Spirit lead me on level ground. |
| 11 | Revive me, O Lord, for your name’s sake;* for your righteousness’ sake, show me the road that I must walk, bring me out of trouble. |
The psalm may end with:
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]
THE READING: one of the following or some other.
Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11. 28-30
Or (and especially in Advent):
Watch, therefore – for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning – lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Watch.
Mark 13. 35-end
Or (and especially on feasts of Religious):
Blessèd are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven; blessèd are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Matthew 5. 3, 8
THE RESPONSORY may be said.
Into your hands, O Lord,
I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)
Into your hands, O Lord,
I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)
For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
I commend my spirit. (Or: Alleluia! Alleluia!)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
Into your hands, O Lord,
I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)
Keep me as the apple of your eye.
Hide me under the shadow of your wings.
THE GOSPEL CANTICLE: NUNC DIMITTIS (39)
| R: | Save us,* O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep may rest in peace. |
| Or, in Advent: | |
| R: | Come, O Lord,* and visit us in peace; let us rejoice before you with a perfect heart. |
| Or, on feasts: | |
| R: | Grant us your light, O Lord,* that the darkness of our hearts being overcome, we may receive the true light, even Christ our Saviour. |
| 1 | Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:* your word has been fulfilled. |
| 2 | My own eyes have seen the salvation* which you have prepared in the sight of every people; |
| 3 | A light to reveal you to the nations* and the glory of your people Israel. Luke 2. 29-32 |
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]
The refrain is repeated by all.
THE PRAYERS
Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here, or at any point in this section.
THE COLLECT: one of the following or some other.
Look down, O God,
from your heavenly throne,
illuminate the darkness of this night
with your celestial brightness,
and from the children of light
banish the deeds of darkness;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Or:
Lighten our darkness,
Lord, we pray;
and in your mercy defend us from all perils
and dangers of this night;
for the love of your only Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Or, in Advent:
Stir up your power, O God,
and come among us.
Heal our wounds,
calm our fears
and give us peace;
through Jesus our Redeemer. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER may be said.
[As we come to the ending of the day,
let us pray as our Redeemer has taught us:]
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.
Forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
[For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.] Amen.
A devotional ANTHEM may be sung here, or after the blessing.
THE BLESSING
In peace, we will lie down and sleep;
For you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.
Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
For the night is at hand and the day is now past.
As the night-watch looks for the morning,
So do we look for you, O Christ.
[Come with the dawning of the day
And make yourself known
in the breaking of the bread.]
Restore us again, O God of hosts,
Show us the light of your countenance
and we shall be saved.
Bless and keep us, this night and always. Amen.