Thursday, September 28
The Vespers Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m.


The Call to Prayer
Sing praise to the LORD who dwells in Zion;* proclaim to the peoples the things he has done.
Psalm 9:11

The Request for Presence
To you I lift up my eyes,* to you enthroned in the heavens.
Psalm 123:1


The Greeting

I put my trust in your mercy;* my heart is joyful because of your saving help.
Psalm 13:5

The Hymn

O You Immortal Throng of Angels

O you immortal throng of angels round the throne, join with our earth-bound song to make the Savior known. On earth you knew his wondrous grace, his beauteous face in heaven you view. You saw the heaven-born child in human flesh arrayed, so innocent and mild while in the manger laid. “Glory to God and peace on earth,” for such a birth you sang aloud. You in the wilderness beheld the Tempter spoiled, unmasked in every dress, in every combat foiled. With great delight You crowned his head when Satan fled the Savior’s might. You thronged to Calvary and pressed with sad desire that awful sight to see— the Lord of life expire. Even angel eyes slow tears did shed: you mourned the dead in sad surprise. Around his sacred tomb a willing watch you kept; till out from death’s vast room, up from the grave he leapt. You rolled the stone, and all adored your rising Lord with joy unknown. When all arrayed in light the shining conqueror rode, you hailed his wondrous flight up to the throne of God. And waved around your golden wings, and struck your strings of sweetest sound. The joyous notes pursue and louder anthems raise; while mortals sing with you their own Redeemer’s praise. With equal flame and equal art, do you my heart extol his Name.
Philip Doddridge

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

The angel of the LORD encompasses those who fear him,* and he will deliver them.
Psalm 34:7

The Vespers Psalm

Put Your Trust in God

Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul?* and why are you so disquieted within me? Put your trust in God;* for I will yet give thanks to him, who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
Psalm 43:5–6

The Refrain

The angel of the LORD encompasses those who fear him,* and he will deliver them.

The Cry of the Church

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

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

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant me the fullness of your grace, that I, running to obtain your promises, may become a partaker of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.†

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Lord God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ, triumphed over the powers of death and prepared for us our place in the new Jerusalem: Grant that I, who have this day given thanks for his resurrection, may praise you in the City of which he is the light, and where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.†