Friday, May 15
The Vespers Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m


The Call to Prayer
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting and to everlasting;* and let all the people say, “Amen!” Hallelujah!
Psalm 106:48

The Request for Presence
Send forth your strength, O God;* establish, O God, what you have wrought for us.
Psalm 68:28


The Greeting

My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed;* I will sing and make melody.
Psalm 57:7

The Hymn

O Lord Most High, eternal King, By you redeemed, your praise we sing. The bonds of death are burst by thee, And grace has won the victory. Ascending to the Father’s throne You claim the kingdom as your own; And angels wonder when they see How changed is our humanity. You are our joy, O mighty Lord, As you will be our great reward; Let all our glory be in thee Both now and through eternity. O risen Christ, ascended Lord, All praise to you let earth accord, Who are while endless ages run, With Father and with Spirit, One.
Latin, Unknown

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. I will give you thanks for what you have done* and declare the goodness of your Name in the presence of the godly.
Psalm 52:8–9

The Vespers Psalm

I Would Make Known to This Generation Your Power and Your Strength

O God, you have taught me since I was young,* and to this day I tell of your wonderful works. And now that I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me,* till I make known your strength to this generation and your power to all who are to come. Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens;* you have done great things; who is like you, O God? You have showed me great troubles and adversities,* but you will restore my life and bring me up again from the deep places of the earth.
Psalm 71:17–20

The Refrain

I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. I will give you thanks for what you have done* and declare the goodness of your Name in the presence of the godly.

The Cry of the Church

Even so, come Lord Jesus!

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

Remember, O Lord, what you have wrought in us and not what we deserve; and, as you have called me to your service, make me worthy of your calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. †

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Almighty God, whose loving hand has given me all that I possess: Grant me grace that I may honor you with my substance, and, remembering the account which I must one day give, may be a faithful steward of your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. †