An Order of Service for Noonday

<An Order of Service for Noonday>

*Officiant* O God, make speed to save us.

*People* O Lord, make haste to help us.

*Officiant and People*

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

*Except in Lent, add* Alleluia.

*A suitable hymn may be sung.*

*One or more of the following Psalms is sung or said. Other suitable selections include Psalms 19,67, one or more sections of Psalm 119, or a selection from Psalms 120 through 133.*

<Psalm 119>

105 Your word is a lantern to my feet * and a light upon my path.

106 I have sworn and am determined * to keep your righteous judgments.

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107 I am deeply troubled; * preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word.

108 Accept, O LORD, the willing tribute of my lips, * and teach me your judgments.

109 My life is always in my hand, * yet I do not forget your law.

110 The wicked have set a trap for me, * but I have not strayed from your commandments.

111 Your decrees are my inheritance for ever; * truly, they are the joy of my heart.

112 I have applied my heart to fulfill your statues * for ever and to the end.

<Psalm 121> =Levavi oculos=

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; * from where is my help to come?

2 My help comes from the LORD, * the maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved * and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.

4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel * shall neither slumber nor sleep;

5 The LORD himself watches over you; * the LORD is your shade at your right hand,

6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, * nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; * it is he who shall keep you safe.

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8 The LORD shall watch over your going out and your coming in, * from this time forth for evermore.

<Psalm 126> =In convertendo=

1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, * then were we like those who dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, * and our tongue with shouts of joy.

3 Then they said among the nations, * "The LORD has done great things for them."

4 The LORD has done great things for us, * and we are glad indeed.

5 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, * like the watercourses of the Negev.

6 Those who sowed with tears * will reap with songs of joy.

7 Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, * will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

*At the end of the Psalms is sung or said*

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

*One of the following, or some other suitable passage of Scripture, is read*

The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. =Romans 5:5=

*People* Thanks be to God.

*or the following*

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If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. =2 Corinthians 5:17-18=

*People* Thanks be to God.

*or this*

From the rising of the sun to its setting my Name shall be great among the nations, and in every place incense shall be offered to my Name, and a pure offering; for my Name shall be great among the nations, says the Lord of Hosts. =Malachi 1:11=

*People* Thanks be to God.

*A meditation, silent or spoken, may follow.*

*The Officiant then begins the Prayers*

Lord, have mercy.

=Christ, have mercy.=

Lord, have mercy.

*Officiant and People*

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be they Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, /on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those /who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Our Father in heaven, hallowed be you Name, your kingdom come, 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.

Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

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*Officiant* Lord, hear our prayer;

*People* And let our cry come to you.

*Officiant* Let us pray.

*The Officiant then says one of the following Collect. If desired, the Collect of the Day may be used.*

Heavenly Father, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, to direct and rule us according to your will, to comfort us in all our afflictions, to defend us from all error, and to lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. =Amen.=

Blessed Savior, at this hour you hung upon the cross, stretching out your loving arms: Grant that all the peoples of the earth may look to you and be saved; for your tender mercies' sake. =Amen.=

Almighty Savior, who at noonday called your servant Saint Paul to be an apostle to the Gentiles: We pray you to illumine the world with the radiance of your glory, that all nations may come and worship you; for you live and reign for ever and ever. =Amen.=

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, "Peace I give to you; my peace I leave with you:" Regard not our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and unity of that heavenly city, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and for ever. =Amen.=

*Free intercessions may be offered.*

*The service concludes as follows*

*Officiant* Let us bless the Lord.

*People* Thanks be to God.

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<Concerning the Service>

*This Order provides a form of evening service or vespers for use on suitable occasions in the late afternoon or evening. It may be used as a complete rite in place of Evening Prayer, or as the introduction to Evening Prayer or some other service, or as the prelude to an evening meal or other activity. It is appropriate also for use in private houses.*

*Any part or parts of this service may be lead by lay persons. A priest or deacon, when presiding, should read the Prayer for Light, and the Blessing or Dismissal at the end. The bishop, when present, should give the Blessing.*

*This order is not appropriate for use on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday in Holy Week, or on Good Friday. Easter Eve has its own form for the Lighting of the Paschal Candle.*

*For the Short Lesson at the beginning of the service, any one of the following is also appropriate, especially for the seasons suggested:*

<column 1>

Isaiah 60:19-20 (Advent)

Luke 12:35-37 (Advent)

John 1:1-5 (Christmas)

Isaiah 60:1-3 (Epiphany)

1 John 1:5-7 (Lent)

John 12:35-36a (Lent)

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Revelation 21:10,22-24 (Easter)

Psalm 36:5-9 (Ascension)

Joel 2:28-30 (Whitsunday)

Colossians 1:9,11-14 (Saints' Days)

1 Peter 2:9 (Saints' Days)

Revelation 22:1,4-5 (Saints' Days)

*Any of the prayers in contemporary language may be adapted to traditional language by changing the pronouns and the corresponding verbs.*

*Additional Directions are on page 142.*

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