Wednesday

Morning Prayer

Martyrs of the Reformation Era

The Opening

Opening Sentence

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Hymn: We thank the Lord

We thank the Lord of heav'n and earth,

Who hath preserved us from our birth.

For present joys, for blessings past,

And for the hope of heav'n at last.

For present joys, for blessings past,

And for the hope of heav'n at last.

Singers: Alabama Sacred Harp Singers

Tune: Present Joys

Confession

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

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.

Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.

Versicle and Response

Lord, open our lips.

And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Alleluia. The Lord is risen indeed:

Come let us adore him. Alleluia.

Christ our Passover

Pascha nostrum

I Corinthians 5:7-8; Romans 6:9-11; I Corinthians 15:20-22

Alleluia.

Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; *

therefore let us keep the feast,

Not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, *

but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.

Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; *

death no longer has dominion over him.

The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; *

but the life he lives, he lives to God.

So also consider yourselves dead to sin, *

and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.

Christ has been raised from the dead, *

the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

For since by a man came death, *

by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die, *

so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.

Antiphon

Alleluia. The Lord is risen indeed:

Come let us adore him. Alleluia.

The Psalm

72 Deus, judicium or

Coverdale

¹Give the King your justice, O God, *

and your righteousness to the King's son;

²That he may rule your people righteously *

and the poor with justice.

³That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *

and the little hills bring righteousness.

⁴He shall defend the needy among the people; *

he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.

⁵He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, *

from one generation to another.

⁶He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, *

like showers that water the earth.

⁷In his time shall the righteous flourish; *

there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall

be no more.

⁸He shall rule from sea to sea, *

and from the River to the ends of the earth.

⁹His foes shall bow down before him, *

and his enemies lick the dust.

¹⁰The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, *

and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.

¹¹All kings shall bow down before him, *

and all the nations do him service.

¹²For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, *

and the oppressed who has no helper.

¹³He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; *

he shall preserve the lives of the needy.

¹⁴He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *

and dear shall their blood be in his sight.

¹⁵Long may he live!

and may there be given to him gold from Arabia; *

may prayer be made for him always,

and may they bless him all the day long.

¹⁶May there be abundance of grain on the earth,

growing thick even on the hilltops; *

may its fruit flourish like Lebanon,

and its grain like grass upon the earth.

¹⁷May his Name remain for ever

and be established as long as the sun endures; *

may all the nations bless themselves in him and

call him blessed.

¹⁸Blessed be the Lord GOD, the God of Israel, *

who alone does wondrous deeds!

¹⁹And blessed be his glorious Name for ever! *

and may all the earth be filled with his glory.

Amen. Amen.

Gloria Patri

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. Amen.

The Lessons

The Old Testament Lesson

Wisdom of Solomon 13:1-9

¹For all people who were ignorant of God were foolish by nature;

and they were unable from the good things that are seen to know the one who exists,

nor did they recognize the artisan while paying heed to his works;

² but they supposed that either fire or wind or swift air,

or the circle of the stars, or turbulent water,

or the luminaries of heaven were the gods that rule the world.

³ If through delight in the beauty of these things people assumed them to be gods,

let them know how much better than these is their Lord,

for the author of beauty created them.

⁴ And if people were amazed at their power and working,

let them perceive from them

how much more powerful is the one who formed them.

⁵ For from the greatness and beauty of created things

comes a corresponding perception of their Creator.

⁶ Yet these people are little to be blamed,

for perhaps they go astray

while seeking God and desiring to find him.

⁷ For while they live among his works, they keep searching,

and they trust in what they see, because the things that are seen are beautiful.

⁸ Yet again, not even they are to be excused;

⁹ for if they had the power to know so much

that they could investigate the world,

how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things?

The Word of the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Canticle 11 The Third Song of Isaiah

Isaiah 60:1-3, 11a, 14c, 18-19

Surge, illuminare

Arise, shine, for your light has come, *

and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.

For behold, darkness covers the land; *

deep gloom enshrouds the peoples.

But over you the Lord will rise, *

and his glory will appear upon you.

Nations will stream to your light, *

and kings to the brightness of your dawning.

Your gates will always be open; *

by day or night they will never be shut.

They will call you, The City of the Lord, *

The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Violence will no more be heard in your land, *

ruin or destruction within your borders.

You will call your walls, Salvation, *

and all your portals, Praise.

The sun will no more be your light by day; *

by night you will not need the brightness of the moon.

The Lord will be your everlasting light, *

and your God will be your glory.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The New Testament Lesson

Romans 13:1-14

¹Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. ²Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. ³For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; ⁴for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. ⁵Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. ⁶For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, busy with this very thing.

⁷Pay to all what is due them taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. ⁸Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. ⁹The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

¹¹Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; ¹²the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; ¹³let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. ¹⁴Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

The Word of the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Canticle 16

The Song of Zechariah

Benedictus Dominus Deus

Luke 1:68-79

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *

he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *

born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old,

that he would save us from our enemies, *

from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers *

and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

Free to worship him without fear, *

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

To give his people knowledge of salvation *

by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God *

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

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 will be for ever. Amen.

The Gospel

Luke 8:16-25

¹⁶“No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. ¹⁷For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. ¹⁸Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.” ¹⁹Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. ²⁰And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” ²¹But he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

²²One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they put out, ²³and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. ²⁴They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. ²⁵He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?”

The Word of the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.

The Commemoration

The Roman Catholic Church commemorates the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales on this date: men and women who were executed for treason between 1535 and 1679 for their allegiance to the Catholic Church. In recent years, the Church of England has shared this commemoration, broadening it to all of the English saints and martyrs of the Reformation era. This commemoration remembers not only Anglican martyrs like Thomas Cranmer, Hugh Latimer, and Nicholas Ridley, who died for their adherence to the Church of England, but those Catholics who were killed by Anglicans - along with all other Christians who were persecuted by their fellow Christians for their beliefs, most notably the Anabaptists and the Quakers.

from Lesser Feasts & Fasts 2018

Prayer

Almighty and Most Merciful God, give to your Church that peace which the world cannot give, and grant that those who have been divided on earth may be reconciled in heaven, and share together in the vision of your glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Alternate Psalm and Readings

2 Corinthians 4.7–12

Psalm 51:10-17

Psalm 51:10-17

The Creed

The Apostle's Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Prayers

The Lord's Prayer

or traditional

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.

Save us from the time of trial,

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours,

now and for ever. Amen.

Suffrages

Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;

Govern and uphold them, now and always.

Day by day we bless you;

We praise your Name for ever.

Lord, keep us from all sin today;

Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.

Lord, show us your love and mercy;

For we put our trust in you.

In you, Lord, is our hope;

And we shall never hope in vain.

Collect of the Day: Fifth Sunday of Easter

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

For Mission

O God and Father of all, whom the whole heavens adore: Let the whole earth also worship you, all nations obey you, all tongues confess and bless you, and men and women everywhere love you and serve you in peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

World Cycle of Prayer

We pray for the people of

Mayotte

.

Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer

We pray for our sisters and brothers members of the

Eritrean Catholic Church.

A Collect for Peace

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Hymn: To my humble supplication

To my humble supplication

Lord, give ear and acceptation

Save thy servant, that hath none

Help nor hope but Thee alone. Amen.

Prayers and Intercessions

Let us pray now for our own needs and those of others.

Birthdays

Anniversaries

For Recovery from Sickness

For Travelers

For a Person in Trouble or Bereavement

For Those to be Baptized

For the Departed

Full list of prayers

For our Country

Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion us into one united people. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the President of the

United States

and all in Civil Authority

O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to your merciful care, that, being guided by your Providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant to the President of the United States, the Governor of this State (or, Commonwealth), and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in your fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Hymn: I'm goin'a sing when the Spirit says sing

I'm goin'a sing when the Spirit says sing,

I'm goin'a sing when the Spirit says sing,

I'm goin'a sing when the Spirit says sing,

and obey the Spirit of the Lord.

I'm goin'a sing when the Spirit says sing,

I'm goin'a sing when the Spirit says sing,

I'm goin'a sing when the Spirit says sing,

and obey the Spirit of the Lord.

I'm goin'a shout, shout, shout, shout

I'm goin'a shout when the Spirit says shout,

I'm goin'a shout when the Spirit says shout,

I'm goin'a shout when the Spirit says shout,

and obey the Spirit of the Lord.

I'm goin'a shout, shout, shout, shout

I'm goin'a shout when the Spirit says shout,

I'm goin'a shout when the Spirit says shout,

I'm goin'a shout when the Spirit says shout,

and obey the Spirit of the Lord.

A Prayer of Self-Dedication

Almighty and eternal God,

so draw our hearts to you,

so guide our minds,

so fill our imaginations,

so control our wills,

that we may be wholly yours,

utterly dedicated unto you;

and then use us, we pray you, as you will,

and always to your glory and the welfare of your people;

through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

The General Thanksgiving

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,

we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks

for all your goodness and loving-kindness

to us and to all whom you have made.

We bless you for our creation, preservation,

and all the blessings of this life;

but above all for your immeasurable love

in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;

for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,

that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,

not only with our lips, but in our lives,

by giving up our selves to your service,

and by walking before you

in holiness and righteousness all our days;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,

be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom

Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.

The Ending

Benediction

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14

Hymn: God Be With You

God be with you till we meet again;

By his counsels guide, uphold you;

With his sheep securely fold you.

God be with you till we meet again.

Till we meet, till we meet,

Till we meet at Jesus' feet,

Till we meet, till we meet,

God be with you till we meet again.

---

Noonday Prayer

The Opening

O God, make speed to save us.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Psalm

Psalm 119 Lucerna pedibus meis

¹⁰⁵Your word is a lantern to my feet *

and a light upon my path.

¹⁰⁶I have sworn and am determined *

to keep your righteous judgments.

¹⁰⁷I am deeply troubled; *

preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word.

¹⁰⁸Accept, O Lord, the willing tribute of my lips, *

and teach me your judgments.

¹⁰⁹My life is always in my hand, *

yet I do not forget your law.

¹¹⁰The wicked have set a trap for me, *

but I have not strayed from your commandments.

¹¹¹Your decrees are my inheritance for ever; *

truly, they are the joy of my heart.

¹¹²I have applied my heart to fulfill your statutes *

for ever and to the end.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Reading

The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Romans 5:5

Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.

The Prayers

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

The Lord's Prayer

or traditional

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.

Save us from the time of trial,

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours,

now and for ever. Amen.

Lord, hear our prayer;

And let our cry come to you.

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, Peace I give to you; my own peace I leave with you: Regard not our sins,

but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and

unity of that heavenly City, where with the Father and the

Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and for ever. Amen.

Let us pray now for our own needs and those of others.

Birthdays

Anniversaries

For Recovery from Sickness

For Travelers

For a Person in Trouble or Bereavement

For Those to be Baptized

For the Departed

Full list of prayers

The Ending

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.