Wednesday, November 26
The Vespers Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m


The Call to Prayer
Sing to the LORD, you servants of his;* give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness. For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye,* his favor for a lifetime.
Psalm 30:4-5

The Request for Presence
Show us the light of your countenance, O God,* and come to us.
based on Psalm 67:1


The Greeting

Your statutes have been like songs to me* wherever I have lived as a stranger. I remember your Name in the night, O LORD,* and dwell upon your law. This is how it has been with me,* because I have kept your commandments.
Psalm 119:54-56

The Hymn

We plow the fields and scatter the good seed on the land, But it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand; He sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain, The breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain. He only is the Maker of all things near and far; He paints the wayside flower, He lights the evening star; The winds and waves obey Him, by Him the birds are fed; Much more to us, His children, He gives our daily bread. We thank You, then, O Father, for all things bright and good, The seed-time and the harvest, our life, our health, our food; Accept the gifts we offer for all Your love imparts, And what You most desire, our humble, thankful hearts.
Mathias Claudius

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

Righteousness shall go before him,* and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.
Psalm 85:13

The Vespers Psalm

Let All the Earth Shout for Joy and Sing

Awesome things will you show us in your righteousness, O God of our salvation,* O Hope of all the ends of the earth and of the seas that are far away. You make fast the mountains by your power;* they are girded about with might. You still the roaring of the seas,* the roaring of their waves, and the clamor of the peoples. Those who dwell at the ends of the earth will tremble at your marvelous signs;* you make the dawn and the dusk to sing for joy. You visit the earth and water it abundantly; you make it very plenteous;* the river of God is full of water. You prepare the grain,* for so you provide for the earth. You drench the furrows and smooth out the ridges;* with heavy rain you soften the ground and bless its increase. You crown the year with your goodness,* and your paths overflow with plenty. May the fields of the wilderness be rich for grazing,* and the hills be clothed with joy. May the meadows cover themselves with flocks, and the valleys cloak themselves with grain;* let them shout for joy and sing.
Psalm 65:5-14

The Refrain

Righteousness shall go before him,* and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.
Psalm 85:13

The Cry of the Church

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

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.†

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

May Almighty God grant me a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.