Wednesday, October 15
The Vespers Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m.


The Call to Prayer
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;* his mercy endures for ever.
Psalm 118:29

The Request for Presence
As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,* and the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So my eyes look to you, O LORD my God.
adapted from Psalm 123:2–3


The Greeting

My heart sings to you without ceasing;* O LORD my God, I will give you thanks for ever.
Psalm 30:13

The Hymn

Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire

Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire, let us your influence prove; source of the old prophetic fire, fountain of life and love. Come, Holy Ghost (for moved by you the prophets wrote and spoke), unlock the truth, yourself the key, unseal the sacred book. Expand your wings, celestial Dove, brood over our nature’s night; on our disordered spirits move, and let there now be light. God, through the Spirit we shall know if you within us shine, and sound, with all your saints below, the depths of love divine.
Charles Wesley

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

But you, O LORD, are gracious and full of compassion,* slow to anger, and full of kindness and truth.
Psalm 86:15

The Vespers Psalm

I Tell of Your Wonderful Works

But I shall always wait in patience,* and shall praise you more and more. My mouth shall recount your mighty acts and saving deeds all day long;* though I cannot know the number of them. I will begin with the mighty works of the Lord GOD;* I will recall your righteousness, yours alone. O God, you have taught me since I was young,* and to this day I tell of your wonderful works.
Psalm 71:14–17

The Refrain

But you, O LORD, are gracious and full of compassion,* slow to anger, and full of kindness and truth.

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

Lord, I pray that your grace may always precede and follow me, that I may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.†

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

I thank you, my God, for your care and protection this day, keeping me from physical harm and spiritual ignorance. I now place the work of the day into Your hands, trusting that You will redeem my mistakes, and transform my accomplishments into works of praise. And now I ask that You will work within me while I sleep, using the hours of my rest to create in me a new mind and heart and soul. May my mind, which during the day was directed to my work and activities, through the night be directed wholly to You.
Jacob Boehme