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


The Call to Prayer
God is the LORD; he has shined upon us;* form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.
Psalm 118:27

The Request for Presence
Show us the light of your countenance, O God,* and come to us.
Psalm 67:1


The Greeting

The Greeting O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon me. O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon me. O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, grant me your peace.

The Hymn

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms; what a blessedness, what peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms. Leaning, leaning safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms. O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms; O how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms. Leaning, leaning safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms. What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms? I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms. Leaning, leaning safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Elisha Hoffman

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

I will listen to what the LORD God is saying,* for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him.
Psalm 85:8

The Vespers Psalm

Those Who Sowed with Tears Will Reap with Songs of Joy

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,* then were we like those who dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter,* and our tongue with shouts of joy. Then they said among the nations,* “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us,* and we are glad indeed. Restore our fortunes, O LORD,* like the watercourses of the Negev. Those who sowed with tears* will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed,* will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.
Psalm 126:1–7

The Refrain

I will listen to what the LORD God is saying,* for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him.

The Gloria

Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end. Alleluia.* Amen.

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

O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your servant who calls upon you, and grant that I may know and understand what things I ought to do, and that I also may have the grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.†

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Gentle God, you remind me that you are my faithful friend, and that you will deliver me from the chains that keep me from the fullness of life. I bless you for this in love and in confidence in Jesus’ name. Amen.
adapted from THE NEW COMPANION TO THE BREVIARY