Saturday, January 25
The Vespers Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m


The Call to Prayer
Behold now, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD,* you that stand by night in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the LORD;* the LORD who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.
Psalm 134

The Request for Presence
Look upon me and answer me, O LORD my God;* give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death.
Psalm 13:3


The Greeting

O LORD, I am not proud;* I have no haughty looks. I do not occupy myself with great matters,* or with things that are too hard for me. But I still my soul and make it quiet, like a child upon its mother’s breast;* my soul is quieted within me.
Psalm 131:1–3

The Hymn

You are the Way, to you alone from sin and death we flee; And all who would the Father seek, must seek him, Lord, by thee. You are the Truth, your word alone true wisdom can impart; You only can inform the mind and purify the heart. You are the Life, the rending tomb proclaims your conquering arm; And those who put their trust in you nor death nor hell shall harm. You are the Way, the Truth, the Life: grant us that way to know, That truth to keep, that life to win, whose joys eternal flow.
George W. Doane

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

Those who are planted in the house of the LORD* shall flourish in the courts of our God.
Psalm 92:12

The Vespers Psalm

Be Merciful to Me, O LORD

You only are my portion, O LORD;* I have promised to keep your words. I entreat you with all my heart,* be merciful to me according to your promise. I have considered my ways* and turned my feet toward your decrees. I hasten and do not tarry* to keep your commandments. Though the cords of the wicked entangle me,* I do not forget your law. At midnight I will rise to give you thanks,* because of your righteous judgments. I am a companion of all who fear you;* and of those who keep your commandments. The earth, O LORD, is full of your love;* instruct me in your statutes.
Psalm 119:57–64

The Refrain

Those who are planted in the house of the LORD* shall flourish in the courts of our God.

The Small Verse

The Lord is my shepherd and nothing is wanting to me. In green pastures He has settled me.
THE SHORT BREVIARY

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

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.†

Concluding Prayers of the Church

Almighty God, who has promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in your Son’s Name: I beseech you mercifully to incline your ear to me who have made my prayers and supplications to you; and grant that those things which I have faithfully asked according to your will, I may effectually obtain, to the relief of my necessity, and to the setting forth of your glory; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.†