OPENING SENTENCES
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
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
If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Amen.
Lord, open our lips. *
And our mouths shall proclaim your praise!
MORNING PSALM
Psalm 119:49-72
Zayin
Remember your word to your servant, *
because you have given me hope.
This is my comfort in my trouble, *
that your promise gives me life.
The proud have derided me cruelly, *
but I have not turned from your law.
When I remember your judgments of old, *
O LORD, I take great confort.
I am filled with a burning rage, *
because of the wicked who forsake your law.
Your statutes have been like songs to me *
wherever I have lived as a stranger.
I remember your Name in the night, O LORD, *
and dwell upon your law.
This is how it has been with me, *
because I have kept your commandments.
Heth
You only are my portion, O LORD; *
I have promised to keep your words.
I entreat you with all my heart, *
be merciful to me according to your promise.
I have considered my ways *
and turned my feet toward your decrees.
I hasten and do not tarry *
to keep your commandments.
Though the cords of the wicked entangle me, *
I do not forget your law.
At midnight I will rise to give you thanks, *
because of your righteous judgments.
I am a companion of all who fear you *
and of those who keep your commandments.
The earth, O LORD, is full of your love; *
instruct me in your statutes.
Teth
O LORD, you have dealt graciously with your servant, *
according to your word.
Teach me discernment and knowledge, *
for I have believed in your commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray, *
but now I keep your word.
You are good and you bring forth good; *
instruct me in your statutes.
The proud have smeared me with lies, *
but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart.
Their heart is gross and fat, *
but my delight is in your law.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, *
that I might learn your statutes.
The law of your mouth is dearer to me *
than thousands in gold and silver.
Lord, you are just and your commandments are eternal. Teach us to love you with all our hearts and to love our neighbor as ourselves, for the sake of Jesus 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
O Taste and See - Ralph Vaughan Williams
MORNING LESSONS
For those not receiving Evening Prayer emails, the lectionary OT & NT Lessons for today are 1 Kings 17:1-24; Philippians 2:1-11.
Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”
When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Silence for reflection
CONCLUDING PRAYER
In the morning, pray for:
the day and its tasks
the world and its needs
the Church and her life
Conclude with the Lord's Prayer and/or the following Collect:
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. *
Thanks be to God!