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12.17am on Wednesday 14 January 2026

Evening Prayer (Evensong) in Traditional Language

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    Evening Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Thursday, 15 January 2026
  The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
  Introduction
   
  The minister may use a seasonal sentence before using one or more of the penitential sentences.
   
  The minister introduces the service
     
    Dearly beloved [brethren],
    the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge
       and confess our manifold sins and wickedness;
     
    [and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before
       the face of almighty God our heavenly Father;
    but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent and
       obedient heart;
    to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same
       by his infinite goodness and mercy.
    And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge
       our sins before God;
    yet ought we most chiefly so to do,
    when we assemble and meet together
    to render thanks for the great benefits that we have
       received at his hands,
    to set forth his most worthy praise,
    to hear his most holy word,
    and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary,
    as well for the body as the soul.]
     
    Wherefore I pray and beseech you,
    as many as are here present,
    to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice,
    unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying [after me]:
     
    (or)
     
    Beloved, we are come together in the presence of almighty God and of the whole company of heaven to offer unto him through our Lord Jesus Christ our worship and praise and thanksgiving; to make confession of our sins; to pray, as well for others as for ourselves, that we may know more truly the greatness of God's love and shew forth in our lives the fruits of his grace; and to ask on behalf of all men such things as their well-being doth require.
     
    Wherefore let us kneel in silence, and remember God's presence with us now.
   
All
   Almighty and most merciful Father,
    we have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
    We have followed too much the devices and desires
       of our own hearts.
    We have offended against thy holy laws.
    We have left undone those things
       which we ought to have done;
    and we have done those things
         which we ought not to have done;
    and there is no health in us.
    But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.
    Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults.
    Restore thou them that are penitent;
    according to thy promises declared unto mankind
       in Christ Jesu our Lord.
    And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
    that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
    to the glory of thy holy name.
  Amen.
   
  A priest says
     
    Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    who desireth not the death of a sinner,
    but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live;
    and hath given power, and commandment, to his ministers
    to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent,
    the absolution and remission of their sins:
    he pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent
       and unfeignedly believe his holy gospel.
    Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance,
       and his Holy Spirit,
    that those things may please him which we do at this present;
    and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy;
    so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
   
  or other ministers may say
     
    Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord,
    to thy faithful people pardon and peace,
    that they may be cleansed from all their sins,
    and serve thee with a quiet mind;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
   
All
   Our Father, which art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name;
    thy kingdom come;
    thy will be done,
    in earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread.
    And forgive us our trespasses,
  as we forgive them that trespass against us.
    And lead us not into temptation;
    but deliver us from evil.
    For thine is the kingdom,
    the power and the glory,
    for ever and ever.
    Amen.
  Evening Prayer
     
    The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
     
    These responses are used
     
    O Lord, open thou our lips
All
   and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
     
    O God, make speed to save us.
All
   O Lord, make haste to help us.
     
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
    and to the Holy Ghost;
All
   as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
    world without end. Amen.
     
    Praise ye the Lord.
All
   The Lord's name be praised.
     
  Psalmody  
   

Psalm 78

  
 

  
1
 Hear my law, O my people *
 incline your ears unto the words of my mouth.
  
 
  
2
 I will open my mouth in a parable *
 I will declare hard sentences of old;
  
 
  
3
 Which we have heard and known *
 and such as our fathers have told us;
  
 
  
4
 That we should not hide them from the children of the generations to come *
 but to shew the honour of the Lord, his mighty and wonderful works that he hath done.
  
 
  
5
 He made a covenant with Jacob, and gave Israel a law *
 which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children;
  
 
  
6
 That their posterity might know it *
 and the children which were yet unborn;
  
 
  
7
 To the intent that when they came up *
 they might shew their children the same;
  
 
  
8
 That they might put their trust in God *
 and not to forget the works of God, but to keep his commandments;
  
 
  
9
 And not to be as their forefathers, a faithless and stubborn generation *
 a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit cleaveth not stedfastly unto God;
  
 
  
10
 Like as the children of Ephraim *
 who being harnessed, and carrying bows, turned themselves back in the day of battle.
  
 
  
11
 They kept not the covenant of God *
 and would not walk in his law;
  
 
  
12
 But forgat what he had done *
 and the wonderful works that he had shewed for them.
  
 
  
13
 Marvellous things did he in the sight of our forefathers, in the land of Egypt *
 even in the field of Zoan.
  
 
  
14
 He divided the sea, and let them go through *
 he made the waters to stand on an heap.
  
 
  
15
 In the day-time also he led them with a cloud *
 and all the night through with a light of fire.
  
 
  
16
 He clave the hard rocks in the wilderness *
 and gave them drink thereof, as it had been out of the great depth.
  
 
  
17
 He brought waters out of the stony rock *
 so that it gushed out like the rivers.
  
 
  
18
 Yet for all this they sinned more against him *
 and provoked the most Highest in the wilderness.
  
 
  
19
 They tempted God in their hearts *
 and required meat for their lust.
  
 
  
20
 They spake against God also, saying *
 Shall God prepare a table in the wilderness?
  
 
  
21
 He smote the stony rock indeed, that the water gushed out, and the streams flowed withal *
 but can he give bread also, or provide flesh for his people?
  
 
  
22
 When the Lord heard this, he was wroth *
 so the fire was kindled in Jacob, and there came up heavy displeasure against Israel;
  
 
  
23
 Because they believed not in God *
 and put not their trust in his help.
  
 
  
24
 So he commanded the clouds above *
 and opened the doors of heaven.
  
 
  
25
 He rained down manna also upon them for to eat *
 and gave them food from heaven.
  
 
  
26
 So man did eat angels’ food *
 for he sent them meat enough.
  
 
  
27
 He caused the east-wind to blow under heaven *
 and through his power he brought in the south-west-wind.
  
 
  
28
 He rained flesh upon them as thick as dust *
 and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea.
  
 
  
29
 He let it fall among their tents *
 even round about their habitation.
  
 
  
30
 So they did eat, and were well filled; for he gave them their own desire *
 they were not disappointed of their lust.
  
 
  
31
 But while the meat was yet in their mouths, the heavy wrath of God came upon them, and slew the wealthiest of them *
 yea, and smote down the chosen men that were in Israel.
  
 
  
32
 But for all this they sinned yet more *
 and believed not his wondrous works.
  
 
  
33
 Therefore their days did he consume in vanity *
 and their years in trouble.
  
 
  
34
 When he slew them, they sought him *
 and turned them early, and enquired after God.
  
 
  
35
 And they remembered that God was their strength *
 and that the high God was their redeemer.
  
 
  
36
 Nevertheless, they did but flatter him with their mouth *
 and dissembled with him in their tongue.
  
 
  
37
 For their heart was not whole with him *
 neither continued they stedfast in his covenant.
  
 
  
38
 But he was so merciful, that he forgave their misdeeds *
 and destroyed them not.
  
 
  
39
 Yea, many a time turned he his wrath away *
 and would not suffer his whole displeasure to arise.
  
 
  
40
 For he considered that they were but flesh *
 and that they were even a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
  
 
  
41
 Many a time did they provoke him in the wilderness *
 and grieved him in the desert.
  
 
  
42
 They turned back, and tempted God *
 and moved the Holy One in Israel.
  
 
  
43
 They thought not of his hand *
 and of the day when he delivered them from the hand of the enemy;
  
 
  
44
 How he had wrought his miracles in Egypt *
 and his wonders in the field of Zoan.
  
 
  
45
 He turned their waters into blood *
 so that they might not drink of the rivers.
  
 
  
46
 He sent lice among them, and devoured them up *
 and frogs to destroy them.
  
 
  
47
 He gave their fruit unto the caterpillar *
 and their labour unto the grasshopper.
  
 
  
48
 He destroyed their vines with hail-stones *
 and their mulberry-trees with the frost.
  
 
  
49
 He smote their cattle also with hail-stones *
 and their flocks with hot thunderbolts.
  
 
  
50
 He cast upon them the furiousness of his wrath, anger, displeasure, and trouble *
 and sent evil angels among them.
  
 
  
51
 He made a way to his indignation, and spared not their soul from death *
 but gave their life over to the pestilence;
  
 
  
52
 And smote all the first-born in Egypt *
 the most principal and mightiest in the dwellings of Ham.
  
 
  
53
 But as for his own people, he led them forth like sheep *
 and carried them in the wilderness like a flock.
  
 
  
54
 He brought them out safely, that they should not fear *
 and overwhelmed their enemies with the sea.
  
 
  
55
 And brought them within the borders of his sanctuary *
 even to his mountain which he purchased with his right hand.
  
 
  
56
 He cast out the heathen also before them *
 caused their land to be divided among them for an heritage, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
  
 
  
57
 So they tempted, and displeased the most high God *
 and kept not his testimonies;
  
 
  
58
 But turned their backs, and fell away like their forefathers *
 starting aside like a broken bow.
  
 
  
59
 For they grieved him with their hill altars *
 and provoked him to displeasure with their images.
  
 
  
60
 When God heard this, he was wroth *
 and took sore displeasure at Israel.
  
 
  
61
 So that he forsook the tabernacle in Silo *
 even the tent that he had pitched among men.
  
 
  
62
 He delivered their power into captivity *
 and their beauty into the enemy’s hand.
  
 
  
63
 He gave his people over also unto the sword *
 and was wroth with his inheritance.
  
 
  
64
 The fire consumed their young men *
 and their maidens were not given to marriage.
  
 
  
65
 Their priests were slain with the sword *
 and there were no widows to make lamentation.
  
 
  
66
 So the Lord awaked as one out of sleep *
 and like a giant refreshed with wine.
  
 
  
67
 He smote his enemies in the hinder parts *
 and put them to a perpetual shame.
  
 
  
68
 He refused the tabernacle of Joseph *
 and chose not the tribe of Ephraim;
  
 
  
69
 But chose the tribe of Judah *
 even the hill of Sion which he loved.
  
 
  
70
 And there he built his temple on high *
 and laid the foundation of it like the ground which he hath made continually.
  
 
  
71
 He chose David also his servant *
 and took him away from the sheep-folds.
  
 
  
72
 As he was following the ewes great with young ones he took him *
 that he might feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
  
 
  
73
 So he fed them with a faithful and true heart *
 and ruled them prudently with all his power.
  
 
     
    At the end of each psalm these words are said or sung
     
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
    and to the Holy Ghost;
    as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
    world without end. Amen.
     
    Old Testament Reading  
 
   

First Reading: Amos 4

 

Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.

The Lord God hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.
 And ye shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her; and ye shall cast them into the palace, saith the Lord.
 Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years:
 And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord God.
 And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.
 And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.
 So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.
 I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.
 I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.
 I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.
 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
 For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The Lord, The God of hosts, is his name.

       
  Magnificat  
     
    Either the Magnificat (as follows) or Cantate Domino (Psalm 98) is said or sung.
     
1
   My soul doth magnify the Lord :
    and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
     
2
   For he hath regarded :
    the lowliness of his handmaiden.
     
3
   For behold, from henceforth :
    all generations shall call me blessed.
     
4
   For he that is mighty hath magnified me :
    and holy is his Name.
     
5
   And his mercy is on them that fear him :
    throughout all generations.
     
6
   He hath shewed strength with his arm :
    he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
     
7
   He hath put down the mighty from their seat :
    and hath exalted the humble and meek.
     
8
   He hath filled the hungry with good things :
    and the rich he hath sent empty away.
     
9
   He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel :
    as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
   
Luke 1.46-55
     
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
    and to the Holy Ghost;
    as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
    world without end. Amen.
     
  New Testament Reading  
 
   

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3

 

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
 And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

     
  Nunc dimittis  
     
    Either the Nunc dimittis (as follows) or Deus misereatur (Psalm 67) is said or sung.
     
1
   Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace :
    according to thy word.
     
2
   For mine eyes have seen :
    thy salvation;
     
3
   Which thou hast prepared :
    before the face of all people;
     
4
   To be a light to lighten the Gentiles :
    and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
   
Luke 2.29-32
     
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
    and to the Holy Ghost;
    as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
    world without end. Amen.
     
  The Apostles' Creed  
     
All
   I believe in God the Father almighty,
    maker of heaven and earth:
    and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,
    who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
    born of the Virgin Mary,
    suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    was crucified, dead, and buried.
    He descended into hell;
    the third day he rose again from the dead;
    he ascended into heaven,
    and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty;
    from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Ghost;
    the holy catholic Church;
    the communion of saints;
    the forgiveness of sins;
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting.
    Amen.
     
  Prayers  
     
    The Lord be with you.
All
   And with thy spirit.
     
    Let us pray.
     
    Lord, have mercy upon us.
All
   Christ, have mercy upon us.
    Lord, have mercy upon us.
     
All
   Our Father, which art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name;
    thy kingdom come;
    thy will be done,
    in earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread.
    And forgive us our trespasses,
    as we forgive them that trespass against us.
    And lead us not into temptation;
    but deliver us from evil. Amen.
     
    O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us.
All
   And grant us thy salvation.
     
    O Lord, save the King.
All
   And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
     
    Endue thy ministers with righteousness.
All
   And make thy chosen people joyful.
     
    O Lord, save thy people.
All
   And bless thine inheritance.
     
    Give peace in our time, O Lord.
All
   Because there is none other that fighteth for us,
    but only thou, O God.
     
    O God, make clean our hearts within us.
All
   And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
     
    Three Collects are said.
     
  The Collect of the Day  
     
    O Lord, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people which call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
     
     
  The Collect for Peace  
     
    O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels,
         and all just works do proceed;
    give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give;
    that both, our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments,
    and also that, by thee,
    we being defended from the fear of our enemies
    may pass our time in rest and quietness;
    through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
All
   Amen.
     
  The Collect for Aid against all Perils  
     
    Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord;
    and by thy great mercy defend us
         from all perils and dangers of this night;
    for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
All
   Amen.
     
    The order for the end of the service may include:
     
    hymns or anthems
       a sermon
    further prayers (which may include prayers from here)
     
    This prayer may be used to conclude the service
     
    The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    and the love of God,
    and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost,
    be with us all evermore.
All
   Amen.
     
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