Fr. Tom reads Evening Prayer.
Tonight’s EP video is here.
Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.
Canterbury Cathedral, the home parish of every Anglican on earth.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1
INVITATORY AND PSALTER
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
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. Alleluia.
If possible, light a candle here.
Hymn: O Gracious Light
O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
Psalm 107:1-32
1 Give thanks to the LORD, who is good, *
whose mercy endures for ever.
2 Let all those whom the LORD has redeemed proclaim *
that the LORD redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
3 God gathered them out of the lands; *
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
4 Some wandered in desert wastes; *
they found no way to a city where they might dwell.
5 They were hungry and thirsty; *
their spirits languished within them.
6 Then in their trouble they cried to the LORD, *
who delivered them from their distress.
7 The LORD put their feet on a straight path *
to go to a city where they might dwell.
8 Let them give thanks for the mercy of God, *
for the wonders the LORD does for all people.
9 For God satisfies the thirsty *
and fills the hungry with good things.
10 Some sat in darkness and deep gloom, *
bound fast in misery and iron;
11 Because they rebelled against the words of God *
and despised the counsel of the Most High.
12 So God humbled their spirits with hard labor; *
they stumbled, and there was none to help.
13 Then in their trouble they cried to the LORD, *
who delivered them from their distress.
14 The LORD led them out of darkness and deep gloom *
and broke their bonds asunder.
15 Let them give thanks for the mercy of God, *
for the wonders the LORD does for all people.
16 For God shatters the doors of bronze *
and breaks in two the iron bars.
17 Some were fools and took to rebellious ways; *
they were afflicted because of their sins.
18 They abhorred all manner of food *
and drew near to death’s door.
19 Then in their trouble they cried to the LORD, *
who delivered them from their distress.
20 God sent forth a word to heal them *
and saved them from the grave.
21 Let them give thanks for the mercy of God, *
for the wonders the LORD does for all people.
22 Let them offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and recount the deeds of God with shouts of joy.
23 Some went down to the sea in ships *
and plied their trade in deep waters;
24 They beheld the works of the LORD *
whose wonders are in the deep.
25 Then the LORD spoke, and a stormy wind arose, *
which tossed high the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and fell back to the depths; *
their hearts melted because of their peril.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards *
and were at their wits’ end.
28 Then in their trouble they cried to the LORD, *
who delivered them from their distress.
29 God stilled the storm to a whisper *
and quieted the waves of the sea.
30 Then were they glad because of the calm, *
and God brought them to the harbor they were bound for.
31 Let them give thanks for the mercy of God, *
for the wonders the LORD does for all people.
32 Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people *
and praise God in the council of the elders.
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.
He Qi, 1969: Mary and Martha
THE LESSON
Luke 10:38-42 (NRSV)
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Canticle: A Song of Christ’s Goodness
Anselm of Canterbury
Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you:
You are gentle with us as a mother with her children;
Often you weep over our sins and our pride:
tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgment.
You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds:
in sickness you nurse us,
and with pure milk you feed us.
Jesus, by your dying we are born to new life:
by your anguish and labor we come forth in joy.
Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness:
through your gentleness we find comfort in fear.
Your warmth gives life to the dead:
your touch makes sinners righteous.
Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us:
in your love and tenderness remake us.
In your compassion bring grace and forgiveness:
for the beauty of heaven may your love prepare us.
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
God’s only son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYERS
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.
V. Show us your mercy, O Lord;
R. And grant us your salvation.
V. Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
R. Let your people sing with joy.
V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
R. For only in you can we live in safety.
V. Lord, keep this nation under your care;
R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
V. Let your way be known upon earth;
R. Your saving health among all nations.
V. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
R. Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
V. Create in us clean hearts, O God;
R. And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
The earliest British tribes already knew Celtic Christianity, but after the pagan Angles and Saxons invaded, Pope Gregory the Great sent a small group of monks with their prior Augustine to the islands and counseled him to respect the diversity of Christian practices he found, selecting whatever customs “may be more acceptable to God.” Geographic factors all but ensured that English Christianity would develop differently from the forms in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Continent. Above: St. Augustine meets King Ethelbert of Kent under an oak tree. (Traditional Catholic Priest)
Collect of the Day: Augustine, First Archbishop of Canterbury, 605
O Lord our God, who by your Son Jesus Christ called your servant Augustine to preach the Gospel to the English people: We pray that all whom you call and send may do your will, bide your time, and see your glory; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Social Justice
Almighty God, who created us in your own image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for Fridays
Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies’ sake. Amen.
Weekend of Prayer for the Church
For the Peace of Jerusalem
For Peace among Christians, Jews & Muslims throughout the Middle East
For Church Unity
World Methodism
For the Anglican Communion
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Diocese of Central Tanganyika, Tanzania
Primates of the Anglican Communion
Michael Curry, The Episcopal Church
Paul Kwong, Hong Kong
Ian Ernest, Indian Ocean
Richard Clarke, Ireland
Nathaniel Makoto Uematsu, Japan
For Ecumenical Partners
Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome
Bartholomew of Constantinople, Ecumenical Patriarch
Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America
Robert T. Fuentes, Moderator, The Old Catholic Church USA
The Moravian Church
Our Seminarians & Their Schools
Greg, Christian Leaders Institute
Our Postulant
Elizabeth, Diocese of Pennsylvania
Our Aspirant
Melissa, Diocese of Southern Ohio
Montréal Diocesan Theological College, Québec
Msalato Theological College, Tanzania
Newton Theological College, Papua New Guinea
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, California
Perkins School of Theology, Texas
Please add your own prayers and supplications here.
Prayer for Mission
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Romans 15:13++
VIDEO: An Introduction to Canterbury Cathedral – Eagle Video, 2013
The Daily Office 