Sunday, November 23
The Vespers Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m


The Call to Prayer
Let my mouth be full of your praise* and your glory all the day long. Do not cast me off in my old age;* forsake me not when my strength fails.
Psalm 71:8-9

The Request for Presence
Let your loving-kindness, O LORD, be upon us,* as we have put our trust in you.
Psalm 33:22


The Greeting

To you I lift up my eyes,* to you enthroned in the heavens. As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,* and the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So my eyes look to the LORD my God,* until he shows me his mercy.
based on Psalm 123:1-3

The Hymn

Lead On, O King Eternal

Lead On, O King eternal, the day of march has come; Henceforth in fields of conquest your tents will be our home. Through days of preparation your grace has made us strong; And now, O King eternal, we lift our battle song. Lead on, O King eternal, till sin’s fierce war shall cease, And holiness shall whisper the sweet amen of peace. For not with swords loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums; With deeds of love and mercy the heavenly kingdom comes. Lead on, O King eternal, we follow not with fears, For gladness breaks like morning wherever your face appears. Your cross is lifted over us, we journey in its light; The crown awaits the conquest; lead on, O God of might.
Ernest Shurtleff

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

In truth God has heard me;* he has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Psalm 66:17

The Vespers Psalm

The LORD Does Wonders for His Faithful

Know that the LORD does wonders for the faithful;* when I call upon the LORD, he will hear me. Tremble, then, and do not sin;* speak to your heart in silence upon your bed. Offer the appointed sacrifices* and put your trust in the LORD. Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see better times!”* Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O LORD. You have put gladness in my heart,* more than when grain and wine and oil increase. I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep;* for only you, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:3-8

The Refrain

In truth God has heard me;* he has attended to the voice of my prayer.

The Cry of the Church

O Lord, hear my prayer and let my cry come unto you. Thanks be to God.
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

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your wellbeloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.†

Concluding Prayers of the Church

We humbly beseech Your majesty, O Lord, that as blessed Andrew the Apostle was both a preacher and a ruler of Your Church, so he may unceasingly intercede for us with You. Through our Lord. Amen. Lord God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ, triumphed over the powers of death and prepared for us our place in the new Jerusalem: Grant that I, who have this day given thanks for his resurrection, may praise you in the City of which he is the light, and where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.† Lord God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ, triumphed over the powers of death and prepared for us our place in the new Jerusalem: Grant that I, who have this day given thanks for his resurrection, may praise you in the City of which he is the light, and where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.†
adapted from THE SHORT BREVIEARY