OPENING SENTENCES

Thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, "I dwell in the high and holy place and also with the one who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite." Isaiah 57:15

CONFESSION OF SIN

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.

Silence for reflection

May almighty God, who sent his Son into our world to save sinners, bring you his pardon and peace, now and forever. Amen.

Lord, open our lips. *
And our mouths shall proclaim your praise!

MORNING PSALM
PSALM 75

We give you thanks, O God, we give you thanks, *
calling upon your Name and declaring all your
wonderful deeds.

"I will appoint a time," says God; *
"I will judge with equity.

Though the earth and all its inhabitants are quaking, *
I will make its pillars fast.

I will say to the boasters, 'Boast no more,' *
and to the wicked, 'Do not toss your horns;

Do not toss your horns so high, *
nor speak with a proud neck.'"

For judgment is neither from the east nor from the west, *
nor yet from the wilderness or the mountains.

It is God who judges; *
he puts down one and lifts up another.

For in the LORD'S hand there is a cup,
full of spiced and foaming wine, which he pours out, *
and all the wicked of the earth shall drink and
drain the dregs.

But I will rejoice for ever; *
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

He shall break off all the horns of the wicked; *
but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

Father, by the Passion of your Son you proclaimed the final judgment of the world; when you raised Christ upon the cross, you deposed the prince of darkness. Strike down the pride that rules our hearts, and raise us to the glory of the resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning
is now and shall be for ever. Amen.

MORNING SONG

Morning Star - the innocence mission

MORNING LESSONS

For those not receiving Evening Prayer emails, the lectionary OT & NT Lessons for today are 2 Kings 2:1-18; 1 Corinthians 4:1-7.

MATTHEW 5:17-20

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Silence for reflection

CONCLUDING PRAYER

This week, pray especially for:

our City Church kids; that they would know Jesus’ saving love and understand their lives and the world around them in light of his story
for those in positions of public trust especially our city officials; that they may serve justice, and promote the dignity and freedom of every person
for the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer; for refugees, prisoners, and all who are in danger; that they may be relieved and protected

Conclude with the Lord's Prayer and/or the following Collect:

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

Let us bless the Lord. *
Thanks be to God!