Morning Prayer
Fourth Sunday after Easter
Easter / Fourth Sunday after Easter
O Lord, open our lips:
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
Amen.
Psalmody
Antiphon:
Christ has been raised from the dead:*
the first fruits of those who sleep.
1 Corinthians 15-20
Opening
Easter Anthems
1. Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us;*
so let us celebrate the feast.
2. Not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness,*
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
3. Christ once raised from the dead dies no more;*
death has no more dominion over him.
4. In dying, he died to sin once for all;*
in living, he lives to God.
5. See yourselves therefore as dead to sin,*
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord.
6. Christ has been raised from the dead,*
the first fruits of those who sleep.
7. For as by man came death,*
by man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
8. For as in Adam all die,*
even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
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.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or a suitable hymn
Psalm 139
1. Lord, you have searched me out *
and known me.
2. You know my sitting down and my rising up; *
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3. You trace my journeys and my resting-places *
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4. Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *
but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
5. You press upon me behind and before *
and lay your hand upon me.
6. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *
it is so high that I cannot attain to it.
7. Where can I go then from your Spirit? *
Where can I flee from your presence?
8. If I climb up to heaven, you are there; *
if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.
9. If I take the wings of the morning *
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10. even there your hand will lead me *
and your mighty hand hold me fast.
11. If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, *
and the light around me turn to night.”
12. Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day; *
darkness and light to you are both alike.
13. For you yourself created my inmost parts; *
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14. I will thank you because I am marvellously made; *
your works are wonderful, and I know it well.
15. My body was not hidden from you, *
while I was being made in secret and woven in the
depths of the earth.
16. Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the
womb; * all of them were written in your book;
they were fashioned day by day, * when as yet there
was none of them.
17. How deep I find your thoughts, O God! *
How great is the sum of them!
18. If I were to count them, * they would be more in number than the sand;
to count them all, *my life span would need to be
like yours.
19. Oh, that you would slay the wicked, O God! *
You that thirst for blood, depart from me.
20. They speak despitefully against you; *
your enemies take your name in vain.
21. Do I not hate those, O Lord, who hate you? *
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
22. I hate them with a perfect hatred; *
they have become my own enemies.
23. Search me out, O God, and know my heart; *
try me and know my restless thoughts.
24. Look well whether there be any wickedness in me *
and lead me in the way that is everlasting.
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.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Conclusion
Wisdom 10
1. Wisdom freed a holy people and a blameless race,*
from a nation of oppressors.
2. She entered the soul of a servant of the Lord,*
and withstood fearsome rulers with wonders and signs.
3. To the saints she gave the reward of their labours,*
and led them by a marvellous road.
4. She was their shelter by day,*
and a blaze of stars by night.
5. She brought them across the Red Sea;*
she led them through mighty waters.
6. She swallowed their enemies in the waves,*
and spat them out from the depths of the sea.
7. Then, Lord, the righteous sang the glories of your name,*
and praised together your protecting hand.
8. For wisdom opened the mouths of the silent*
and gave speech to the tongues of her children.
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.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Antiphon: Christ has been raised from the dead:* the first fruits of those who sleep.
Reading(s)
Exodus 16.4-15
Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.’ So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, ‘In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?’ And Moses said, ‘When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord.’
Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, “Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.”’ And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked towards the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.”’
In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.
Revelation 2.12-17
‘And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword:
‘I know where you are living, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan lives. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling-block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practise fornication. So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon and make war against them with the sword of my mouth. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.
Silence
Response (Psalm 96.4; 105.1)
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, alleluia, alleluia.
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, alleluia, alleluia.
Make known God’s deeds among the nations.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, alleluia, alleluia.
Song of Zechariah (Benedictus)
Song of Zechariah Antiphon: You will guide us with your counsel, O God: * and, after, receive us with glory. I am the resurrection* * and the life, says the Lord; alleluia!
1 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, *
who has come to his people and set them free.
2 The Lord has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,*
born of the house of his servant David.
3 Through the holy prophets, God promised of old*
to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us,
4 to show mercy to our forebears, *
and to remember his holy covenant.
5 This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:*
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
6 free to worship him without fear,*
holy and righteous before him, all the days of our life.
7 And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,*
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
8 to give his people knowledge of salvation*
by the forgiveness of their sins.
9 In the tender compassion of our God*
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
10 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 shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
(may be said by all)
Song of Zechariah Antiphon: You will guide us with your counsel, O God: * and, after, receive us with glory. I am the resurrection* * and the life, says the Lord; alleluia!
Prayers
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
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.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.
Amen
Collect of the Day
O God,
the light of whose truth stretches out to those who go astray,
that they may return to the path of righteousness:
give your grace to all who profess themselves Christians,
that they may cast out what is harmful,
and pursue all that gives life;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.
Amen
God most holy, we give you thanks for bringing us out of the shadow of night into the light of morning; and we ask you for the joy of spending this day in your service, so that when evening comes, we may once more give you thanks, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
Amen
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!
The Lord bless us and preserve us from all evil;
and bring us to life eternal.
Amen.
Evening Prayer
Fourth Sunday after Easter
Easter / Fourth Sunday after Easter
O God make speed to save us;
O Lord make haste to help us.
Glory to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Psalmody
Antiphon: With you is the well of life,* and in your light we see light.
Psalm 36.9
Opening (from Psalm 36)
1. Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens,*
and your faithfulness to the clouds.
2. Your righteousness is like the strong mountains, your justice like the great deep;*
you save both man and beast, O Lord.
3. How priceless is your love, O God!*
your people take refuge under the shadow of your wings.
4. They feast upon the abundance of your house;*
you give them drink from the river of your delights.
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.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or a suitable Hymn
Psalm 140
1. Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers; *
protect me from the violent,
2. who devise evil in their hearts *
and stir up strife all day long.
3. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; *
adder’s poison is under their lips.
4. Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; *
protect me from the violent, who are determined to
trip me up.
5. The proud have hidden a snare for me and stretched out a net of cords; *
they have set traps for me along the path.
6. I have said to the Lord, ”You are my God; *
listen, O Lord, to my supplication.”
7. O Lord God, the strength of my salvation, *
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8. Do not grant the desires of the wicked, O Lord, *
nor let their evil plans prosper.
9. Let not those who surround me lift up their heads; *
let the evil of their lips overwhelm them.
10. Let hot burning coals fall upon them; *
let them be cast into the mire, never to rise up
again.
11. A slanderer shall not be established on the earth, *
and evil shall hunt down the lawless.
12. I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the
poor *
and render justice to the needy.
13. Surely, the righteous will give thanks to your name, *
and the upright shall continue in your sight.
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.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Conclusion
Colossians 1
1. Give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ;*
he has delivered us from the dominion of darkness.
2. He has transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,*
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins.
3. He is the image of the invisible God,*
the first-born of all creation.
4. For in him all things were created,*
in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.
5 He is the head of the body, the church;*
he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead.
6. In him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell,*
to reconcile all things to himself, making peace by the blood
of his cross.
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.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Antiphon: With you is the well of life,* and in your light we see light.
Reading(s)
John 6.30-40
So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.’
Silence
Response Psalm 30.1
I will exalt you, O Lord, for you have lifted me up; alleluia, alleluia
I will exalt you, O Lord, for you have lifted me up; alleluia, alleluia
You have not let my enemies triumph over me.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
I will exalt you, O Lord, for you have lifted me up; alleluia, alleluia.
Song of Mary (Magnificat)
Song of Mary Antiphon: I am the resurrection* and the life, says the Lord; alleluia!
1 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,*
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
2 who has looked with favour on his lowly servant;*
from this day all generations will call me blessed.
3 The Almighty has done great things for me,*
and holy is his name.
4 God has mercy on those who fear him,*
from generation to generation.
5 The Lord has shown strength with his arm*
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
6 casting down the mighty from their thrones*
and lifting up the lowly.
7 God has filled the hungry with good things*
and sent the rich away empty.
8 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,*
to remember the promise of mercy,
9 the promise made to our forebears,*
to Abraham and his children for ever.
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.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
(may be said by all)
Song of Mary Antiphon: I am the resurrection* and the life, says the Lord; alleluia!
Prayers
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
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.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
Collect of the Day
O God,
the light of whose truth stretches out to those who go astray,
that they may return to the path of righteousness:
give your grace to all who profess themselves Christians,
that they may cast out what is harmful,
and pursue all that gives life;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.
Amen
Lord God almighty, come and dispel the darkness from our hearts, that in the radiance of your brightness we may know you, the only unfading light, glorious in all eternity.
Amen.
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!
The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing:
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Night Prayer
Fourth Sunday after Easter
Easter / Fourth Sunday after Easter
The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
Amen.
O God, make speed to save us;
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to God, source of all being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Alleluia!
Psalmody
Opening This or another suitable opening hymn may be sung.
"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 underfoot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.
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."
Antiphon: The wings of the Lord shall cover you, * and you shall not fear any terror by night.
Psalm: Psalm 91
1. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High,*
abides under the shadow of the Almighty.
2. He shall say to the Lord, ‘You are my refuge and my stronghold,*
my God in whom I put my trust.’
3. He shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter*
and from the deadly pestilence.
4. He shall cover you with his pinions, and you shall find refuge under his wings;*
his faithfulness shall be a shield and buckler.
5. You shall not be afraid of any terror by night,*
nor of the arrow that flies by day:
6. Of the plague that stalks in the darkness,*
nor of the sickness that lays waste at mid-day.
7. A thousand shall fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand.*
but it shall not come near you.
8. Your eyes have only to behold*
to see the reward of the wicked.
9. Because you have made the Lord your refuge,*
and the Most High your habitation,
10. There shall no evil happen to you,*
neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
11. For he shall give his angels charge over you,*
to keep you in all your ways.
12. They shall bear you in their hands,*
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13. You shall tread upon the lion and adder;*
you shall trample the young lion and the serpent under your feet.
14. Because he is bound to me in love, therefore will I deliver him;*
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him;*
I am with him in trouble; I will rescue him and bring him to honour.
16. With long life will I satisfy him,*
and show him my salvation.
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.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Antiphon: The wings of the Lord shall cover you, *
and you shall not fear any terror by night.
Reading(s)
Revelation 22.4,5
They shall see the Lord face to face and his name shall be on their foreheads. And night shall be no more. They need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord will be their light, and they shall reign for ever and ever.
Thanks be to God.
Silence
Response Psalm 31.5
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.
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.
Preserve us as the apple of your eye. Hide us under the shadow of your wings.
Song of Simeon
Antiphon:
Preserve us, O Lord,* while waking, and guard us while sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
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.
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.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Antiphon: Preserve us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Prayers
Collect
Almighty God, whose most dear Son lay at this hour in the sepulchre in obedience to your will; may we by your grace be so buried with him that with him we may rise to life everlasting; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Conclusion
The Lord be with you;
and also with you.
Let us bless the Lord;
Thanks be to God.
May the almighty and merciful God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, bless and keep us.
Amen.
or
May we be hidden under the shadow of God’s wings, this night and for ever.
Amen.