Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Invocation
My brothers and sisters,
our help is in the name of the eternal God,
who is making the heavens and the earth.
Eternal Spirit,
flow through our being and open our lips,
that our mouths may proclaim your praise.
(Silence)
Let us worship the God of love.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Psalm 119:105-112
Your word is a lantern for my feet,
a light searching out all my ways.
I have sworn, and am steadfastly purposed
to keep the way of your justice.
I am troubled beyond measure:
give me life, dear God, according to your promise.
Accept my offerings of praise,
and teach me your truths.
My life is always in your hand,
and I do not forget your law.
The ungodly have laid a snare for me:
may I not swerve from your commandment.
Your wisdom have I claimed as my heritage for ever,
it is the very joy of my heart.
I incline my heart to your counsel,
always, even to the end.
Reading
Ephesians 4:32—5:2
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Canticle
The Song of the Women
T.S. Eliot
We praise thee, O God, for thy glory displayed in all the creatures of the earth.
In the snow, in the rain, in the wind, in the storm;
in all of thy creatures, both the hunters and the hunted.
For all things exist only as seen by thee, only as known by thee, all things exist
Only in thy light, and thy glory is declared even in that which denies thee;
the darkness declares the glory of light.
Those who deny thee could not deny, if thou didst not exist;
and their denial is never complete, for if it were so, they would not exist.
They affirm thee in living; all things affirm thee in living;
the bird in the air, both the hawk and the finch;
the beast on the earth, both the wolf and the lamb.
Therefore we, whom thou hast made to be conscious of thee,
must consciously praise thee, in thought and in word and in deed.
Prayers
Lord have mercy.
E te Ariki kia aroha mai.
Kyrie eleison.
Christ have mercy.
E te Karaiti kia aroha mai.
Christe eleison.
Lord have mercy.
E te Ariki kia aroha mai.
Kyrie eleison.
For the hungry and the overfed
May we have enough.
For the mourners and the mockers
May we laugh together.
For the victims and the oppressors
May we share power wisely.
For the peacemakers and the warmongers
May clear truth and stern love lead us to harmony.
For the silenced and the propagandists
May we speak our own words in truth.
For the unemployed and the overworked
May our impress on the earth be kindly and creative.
For the troubled and the sleek
May we live together as wounded healers.
For the homeless and the cosseted
May our homes be simple, warm and welcoming.
For the vibrant and the dying
May we all die to live.
Collect for Midday
Blessed Saviour, at this hour you hung upon the cross, stretching out your loving arms; grant that all the peoples of the earth may be drawn to your uplifted love; for your kingdom’s sake. Amen.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your 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.
Blessing
May the Creator
bless us and keep us;
may the beloved companion face us
and have mercy on us;
may the eternal Spirit’s countenance
be turned to us and give us peace;
may the Three in One bless us. Amen.
(silence)
The divine Spirit dwells in us.
Kia noho te Wairua o te Runga Rawa ki a tatou.
Thanks be to God.
Whakamoemititia a Ihowa.
The Daily Office 