Thursday, November 14
The Vespers Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m


The Call to Prayer
I will call upon God,* and the LORD will deliver me. In the evening, in the morning, and at the noonday, I will complain and lament,* and he will hear my voice. He will bring me safely back . . . God, who is enthroned of old, will hear me.
Psalm 55:17ff

The Request for Presence
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth;* knit my heart to you that I may fear your Name.
Psalm 86:11


The Greeting

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;* my God I put my trust in you . . .
Psalm 25:1

The Hymn

How Can We Sinners Know

How can we sinners know Our sins on earth forgiven? How can my gracious Savior show My name inscribed in heaven? We by his Spirit prove And know the things of God, The things which freely of his love He has on us bestowed. The meek and lowly heart That in our Savior was, To us that Spirit does impart And signs us with his cross. Our nature’s turned, our mind Transformed in all its powers, And both the witnesses are joined The Spirit of God with ours.
Charles Wesley

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

As far as the east is from the west,* so far has he removed our sins from us.
Psalm 103:12

The Vespers Psalm

You Are the Holy One, Enthroned Upon the Praises of Israel

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?* and are so far from my cry and from the words of my distress? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer;* by night as well, but I find no rest. Yet you are the Holy One,* enthroned upon the praises of Israel. Our forefathers put their trust in you;* they trusted, and you delivered them. They cried out to you and were delivered;* they trusted in you and were not put to shame.
Psalm 22:1-5

The Refrain

As far as the east is from the west,* so far has he removed our sins from us.
Psalm 103:12

The Cry of the Church

O God, come to my assistance! O Lord, make haste to help me!

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 God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, I may purify myself as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, I may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he 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, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of my necessity, and to the setting forth of your glory; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.† May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in eternal peace. Amen.