An Order of Service for Noonday
December 28, 2024
Holy Innocents
OfficiantO God, make speed to save us.
PeopleO 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.
Alleluia.
A suitable hymn may be sung.
One or more of the following Psalms is sung or said. Other suitable selections include Psalms 19,67, one or more sections of Psalm 119, or a selection from Psalms 120 through 133.
119
Nun
Lucerna pedibus meisBCP p. 772105Your word is a lantern to my feet *and a light upon my path.
106I have sworn and am determined *to keep your righteous judgments.
107I am deeply troubled; *preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word.
108Accept, O Lord, the willing tribute of my lips, *and teach me your judgments.
109My life is always in my hand, *yet I do not forget your law.
110The wicked have set a trap for me, *but I have not strayed from your commandments.
111Your decrees are my inheritance for ever; *truly, they are the joy of my heart.
112I have applied my heart to fulfill your statutes *for ever and to the end.
121
Levavi oculumBCP p. 7791I lift up my eyes to the hills; *from where is my help to come?
2My help comes from the Lord, *the maker of heaven and earth.
3He will not let your foot be moved *and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.
4Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *shall neither slumber nor sleep;
5The Lord himself watches over you; *the Lord is your shade at your right hand,
6So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *nor the moon by night.
7The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; *it is he who shall keep you safe.
8The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, *from this time forth for evermore.
126
In convertendoBCP p. 7821When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, *then were we like those who dream.
2Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *and our tongue with shouts of joy.
3Then they said among the nations, *“The Lord has done great things for them.”
4The Lord has done great things for us, *and we are glad indeed.
5Restore our fortunes, O Lord, *like the watercourses of the Negev.
6Those who sowed with tears *will reap with songs of joy.
7Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.
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.
One of the following, or some other suitable passage of Scripture, is read
The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.Romans 5:5
PeopleThanks be to God.
If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.2 Corinthians 5:17-18
PeopleThanks be to God.
From the rising of the sun to its setting my Name shall be great among the nations, and in every place incense shall be offered to my Name, and a pure offering; for my Name shall be great among the nations, says the Lord of Hosts.Malachi 1:11
PeopleThanks be to God.
A meditation, silent or spoken, may follow.
The Officiant then begins the Prayers
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
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.
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.
OfficiantLord, hear our prayer.
PeopleAnd let our cry come to you.
OfficiantLet us pray.
The Officiant then says one of the following Collects. If desired, the Collect of the Day may be used.
Heavenly Father, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, to direct and rule us according to your will, to comfort us in all our afflictions, to defend us from all error, and to lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessed Savior, at this hour you hung upon the cross, stretching out your loving arms: Grant that all the peoples of the earth may look to you and be saved; for your tender mercies’ sake. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, “Peace I give to you; my peace I leave with you:” Regard not our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and unity of that heavenly city, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty Savior, who at noonday called your servant Saint Paul to be an apostle to the Gentiles: We pray you to illumine the world with the radiance of your glory, that all nations may come and worship you; for you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
The Holy Innocents
December 28
We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Free intercessions may be offered.
The service concludes as follows
OfficiantLet us bless the Lord.
PeopleThanks be to God.