Leader: This day has been what it has been, & we bring it to you, our God.
All: We bring it in thanksgiving.
Leader: For those parts of it that could have been better,
All: We ask your forgiveness.
Leader: For those people who have been part of it,
All: We ask your blessing.
Leader: We place it all in your hands
All: As we pray.
Please sing together:
The day thou gavest Lord is ended, the darkness falls at thy behest.
To thee our morning prayers ascended; thy praise shall sanctify our rest.
We thank thee that thy Church unsleeping, while earth rolls onward into light.
Through all the world her watch is keeping, and rests not now by day or night.
As o’er each continent and island, the dawn leads on, another day;
The voice of prayer is never silent,nor dies the strain of praise away,
So be it, Lord; thy throne shall never, like earth’s proud empire pass away;
Thy kingdom stands and grows forever, till all thy creatures own thy sway.
Please say the antiphon & psalm as indicated:
All: You are the fairest of the children, and graciousness is poured upon your lips.
Side 1: My heart is aflame with fine phrases, I make my song for the great king: my tongue is the pen of a skilled writer.
Side 2 You are the fairest of the children of earth; grace flows from your lips; for God has blessed you for ever & ever.
Side 1 Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one; clothe yourself with glory and majesty!
Side 2 Take your sword to protect the weak, defeating those who would threaten them. Ride on in the cause of truth & for the sake of justice and mercy. Your enemies will do well to tremble, your arrows will be sharp in their hearts.
Side 1: Your divine throne endures for ever, the sceptre of your realm is a sceptre of equity. You love righteousness and hate evil: as God has anointed you with the oil of gladness, choosing you to serve for the sake of the people.
Side 2: Your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes and cassia.
Music from ivory palaces makes your heart glad.
Daughters of kings are among your noble women: the queen is at your right side in gold of Ophir.
All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit as
it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
All: You are the fairest of the children, and graciousness is poured upon your lips.
Please sing the second part of the psalm as indicated.
Cantors: Behold the bridegroom is coming,
Go out to meet him.
Side 1: Hear, O daughter, consider, & incline your ear:
Forget your own people & your father’s house.
Side 2: The king desires your beauty;
He is your Lord, bow down before him.
Side 1: The richest among your people, O daughter of Tyre,
Will entreat your favour with gifts.
Side 2: The princess in her chamber is being robed
With garments of cloth of gold.
Side 1: In robes of brilliant colours, she is led to your presence, O king,
Her bridesmaids follow in procession.
Side 2: With joy & gladness they form her train,
They enter the palace with songs of delight.
Side 1: So the generations pass as children grow strong
And their elders fade.
Side 2: May the old become wise & the young give us hope;
And I will make God’s name known, whose reign has no end.
Side 1: All the people will praise you, O God,
Throughout the generations.
All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son
And to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
World without end, Amen.
All: Behold the bridegroom is coming,
Go out to meet him.
Reading: 1 Thess 2: 13
Another reason why we constantly thank God for you is that as soon as you heard the message that we brought you as God’s message, you accepted it for what is really is: God’s message & not some human thinking; & it is still a living power among you who believe it.
Leader: Hear my cry, Lord, for I trust in your word.
All: Hear my cry, Lord, for I trust in your word.
Leader: Do not abandon or forsake me.
All: Hear my cry, Lord, for I trust in your word.
Leader: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
All: Hear my cry, Lord, for I trust in your word.
Please sing the Magnificat & its antiphon as indicated.
Cantors: Let my soul proclaim your greatness for ever,
O my God.
Side 1: My being proclaims your greatness,
And my spirit finds joy in you, God my Saviour;
Side 2: For you have looked upon me, your servant, in my lowliness:
All ages to come shall call me blessed.
Side 1: God, you who are mighty, have done great things for me:
Holy is your name.
Side 2: Your mercy is from age to age
Towards those who fear you.
Side 1: You have shown might with your arm,
And confused the proud in their inmost thoughts.
Side 2: You have deposed the mighty from their thrones,
And raised the lowly to high places.
Side 1: The hungry you have given every good thing,
While the rich you have sent away empty.
Side 2: You have upheld Israel, your servant,
Ever mindful of your mercy-
Side 1: Even as you promised our ancestors,
Promised Abraham, Sarah, and their descendants for ever.
All: Give praise to the Father Almighty,
To his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
To the Spirit who dwells in our hearts,
Both now and for ever, Amen.
All: Let my soul proclaim your greatness for ever,
O my God.
Intercessions:
Reader: For people forced to travel: those who are refugees…., homeless….., wanderers …….. pause ……… Be with them on the road,
All: Be present to them.
Reader: For people in dangerous situations: those who are living in war zones…., victims of crime …, vulnerable young people …….. and others …….. pause ……… Be with them on the road,
All: Be present to them.
Reader: For people lacking direction: those who are confused……, depressed ….., despairing …….. pause ……… Be with them on the road,
All: Be present to them.
Reader: For people who often walk alone: those who are isolated ….., ….., housebound …….. those with special needs that make others wary of them ……pause …….. Be with them on the road,
All: Be present to them.
Reader: We pray for people who have died today & for those who will die tonight. We also remember those whose anniversaries of death occur tomorrow including………..
Pause for people to add silently or aloud any intentions.
Leader begins the Our Father….
Leader: Almighty God, we thank you for the strength that you have given us today. Thank you for your gifts especially those travelling the path with us, and we ask protection for us all through this night. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Leader: God of Resurrection, Bright Star, Lord of the Dance,
Leap of Faith, Stillness of Joy:
All: Bless us this night, & all who journey towards tomorrow.
Leader: Bless us all in the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit
All: Amen.