Daily Morning Prayer:
Rite Two
December 18, 2024
Wednesday after the Third Sunday of Advent
The Officiant begins the service with one or more of these sentences of Scripture, or with the versicle “Lord, open our lips.”
Advent
Watch, for you know not 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.Mark 13:35, 36
Advent
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.Isaiah 40:3
Advent
The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.Isaiah 40:5
The following Confession of Sin may then be said; or the Office may continue at once with “Lord, open 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 set forth his praise, to hear his 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.
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept.
Officiant and People together, all kneeling
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The Priest alone stands and says
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. 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
OfficiantLord, open our lips.
PeopleAnd our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
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.
Alleluia.
Then follows one of the Invitatory Psalms, Venite or Jubilate.
Venite
Psalm 95:1-7
Come, let us sing to the Lord; *let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God, *and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *and the heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it, *and his hands have molded the dry land.
Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
95
Venite, exultemusBCP p. 7241Come, let us sing to the Lord; *let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
2Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
3For the Lord is a great God, *and a great King above all gods.
4In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *and the heights of the hills are his also.
5The sea is his, for he made it, *and his hands have molded the dry land.
6Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
8Harden not your hearts, as your forebears did in the wilderness, *at Meribah, and on that day at Massah, when they tempted me.
9They put me to the test, *though they had seen my works.
10Forty years long I detested that generation and said, *“This people are wayward in their hearts; they do not know my ways.”
11So I swore in my wrath, *“They shall not enter into my rest.”
Jubilate
Psalm 100
Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.
Know this: The Lord himself is God; *he himself has made us, and we are his; 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 call upon his Name.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; *and his faithfulness endures from age to age.
Then follows
The Psalm or Psalms Appointed
119
Zayin
Memor esto verbi tuiBCP p. 76749Remember your word to your servant, *because you have given me hope.
50This is my comfort in my trouble, *that your promise gives me life.
51The proud have derided me cruelly, *but I have not turned from your law.
52When I remember your judgments of old, *O Lord, I take great comfort.
53I am filled with a burning rage, *because of the wicked who forsake your law.
54Your statutes have been like songs to me *wherever I have lived as a stranger.
55I remember your Name in the night, O Lord, *and dwell upon your law.
56This is how it has been with me, *because I have kept your commandments.
Heth
Portio mea, Domine57You only are my portion, O Lord; *I have promised to keep your words.
58I entreat you with all my heart, *be merciful to me according to your promise.
59I have considered my ways *and turned my feet toward your decrees.
60I hasten and do not tarry *to keep your commandments.
61Though the cords of the wicked entangle me, *I do not forget your law.
62At midnight I will rise to give you thanks, *because of your righteous judgments.
63I am a companion of all who fear you *and of those who keep your commandments.
64The earth, O Lord, is full of your love; *instruct me in your statutes.
Teth
Bonitatem fecisti65O Lord, you have dealt graciously with your servant, *according to your word.
66Teach me discernment and knowledge, *for I have believed in your commandments.
67Before I was afflicted I went astray, *but now I keep your word.
68You are good and you bring forth good; *instruct me in your statutes.
69The proud have smeared me with lies, *but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart.
70Their heart is gross and fat, *but my delight is in your law.
71It is good for me that I have been afflicted, *that I might learn your statutes.
72The law of your mouth is dearer to me *than thousands in gold and silver.
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
The First Lesson
Isa. 9:8-17
A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.
The Word of the Lord.
PeopleThanks be to God.
6
Glory be to God
Gloria in ExcelsisGlory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men. 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.undefined
The Second Lesson
2 Pet. 2:1-10a
A Reading from the Second Letter of Peter.
The Word of the Lord.
PeopleThanks be to God.
16
The Song of Zechariah
Benedictus Dominus DeusLuke 1: 68-79
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, *from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers *and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship him without fear, *holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation *by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness and 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.
The Apostles’ Creed
Officiant and People together, all standing
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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.
The Prayers
The People stand or kneel
OfficiantThe Lord be with you.
PeopleAnd also with you.
OfficiantLet us pray.
Officiant and People
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
Then follows one of these sets of Suffrages
A
V.Show us your mercy, O Lord;
R.And grant us your salvation.
V.Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
R.Let your people sing with joy.
V.Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
R.For only in you can we live in safety.
V.Lord, keep this nation under your care;
R.And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
V.Let your way be known upon earth;
R.Your 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.
B
V.Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;
R.Govern and uphold them, now and always.
V.Day by day we bless you;
R.We praise your name for ever.
V.Lord, keep us from all sin today;
R.Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
V.Lord, show us your love and mercy;
R.For we put our trust in you.
V.In you, Lord, is our hope;
R.And we shall never hope in vain.
The Officiant then says one or more of the following Collects
Third Sunday of Advent
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
15. For the Ministry (Ember Days)
I. For those to be ordained
Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, in your divine providence you have appointed various orders in your Church: Give your grace, we humbly pray, to all who are [now] called to any office and ministry for your people; and so fill them with the truth of your doctrine and clothe them with holiness of life, that they may faithfully serve before you, to the glory of your great Name and for the benefit of your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
15. For the Ministry (Ember Days)
II. For the choice of fit persons for the ministry
O God, you led your holy apostles to ordain ministers in every place: Grant that your Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may choose suitable persons for the ministry of Word and Sacrament, and may uphold them in their work for the extension of your kingdom; through him who is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
15. For the Ministry (Ember Days)
III. For all Christians in their vocation
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Sunday of Advent
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Collect for Peace
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Collect for Grace
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Collect for Guidance
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then, unless the Eucharist or a form of general intercession is to follow, one of these prayers for mission is added
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your 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
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
Then may be said
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
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 Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.2 Corinthians 13:14
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