Friday, July 3
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

Take My Life

Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to thee. Take my moments and my days; Let them flow in ceaseless praise. Take my hands, and let them move At the impulse of your love. Take my feet, and let them be Swift and beautiful for thee. Take my voice, and let me sing, Always, only, for my King. Take my lips, and let them be Filled with messages from thee. Take my love; my Lord I pour At your feet its treasured store. Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for thee.
Frances R. Havergal

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

My Iniquities Overwhelm Me

There is no health in my flesh, because of your indignation;* there is no soundness in my body, because of my sin. For my iniquities overwhelm me;* like a heavy burden they are too much for me to bear. My wounds stink and fester* by reason of my foolishness. I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;* I go about in mourning all day long. My loins are filled with searing pain;* there is no health in my body. I am utterly numb and crushed;* I wail, because of the groaning of my heart. O LORD, you know all my desires,* and my sighing is not hidden from you. For in you, O LORD, have I fixed my hope;* you will answer me, O Lord my God.
Psalm 38:3–9, 15

The Refrain

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

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

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant that all of us may be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.†

The 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.