Friday after the Seventh Sunday of Easter
MORNING PRAYER
1: THE PREPARATION
O Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
In your resurrection, O Christ let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.
Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation, to you be praise and glory for ever. As once you ransomed your people from Egypt and led them to freedom in the promised land so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son. May we, the first fruits of your new creation, rejoice in this new day you have made and praise you for your mighty acts. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.
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PASCHA NOSTRUM - The Easter Anthems (1 Cor 5.76, 8; Rom 6.9-11; 1 Cor 15.20-22)
1 Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: • so let us celebrate the feast, 2 not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth 3 Christ once raised from the dead dies no more: • death has no more dominion over him. 4 In dying he died to sin once for all: • in living he lives to God. 5 See yourselves therefore as dead to sin: • and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. 6 Christ has been raised from the dead: • the first fruits of those who sleep. 7 For as by man came death: • by man has come also the resurrection of the dead; 8 for as in Adam all die: • even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
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.
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2: THE WORD OF GOD
THE PSALMODY
Psalm 30 I will exalt you, O Lord, because you have lifted me up *
and have not let my enemies triumph over me.
O Lord my God, I cried out to you, *
and you restored me to health.
You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; *
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.
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.
Weeping may spend the night, *
but joy comes in the morning.
While I felt secure, I said, “I shall never be disturbed. *
You, Lord, with your favor, made me as strong as the mountains.”
Then you hid your face, *
and I was filled with fear.
I cried to you, O Lord; *
I pleaded with the Lord, saying,
“What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? *
will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; *
O Lord, be my helper.”
You have turned my wailing into dancing; *
you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.
Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.
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.
OLD TESTAMENT CANTICLE: THE SONG OF MOSES & MIRIAM (FROM EXODUS 15)
I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously; • the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song • and has become my salvation. This is my God whom I will praise • the God of my forebears whom I will exalt. The Lord is a warrior, • the Lord is his name. Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power: • your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; • they sank as lead in the mighty waters. In your unfailing love, O Lord, • you lead the people whom you have redeemed, And by your invincible strength • you will guide them to your holy dwelling You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, • in the sanctuary which your hands have established
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.
THE FIRST LESSON:
Jer. 31:27-34
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of humans and the seed of animals. And just as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring evil, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the Lord. In those days they shall no longer say: "The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge." But all shall die for their own sins; the teeth of everyone who eats sour grapes shall be set on edge. The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt-- a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, "Know the Lord," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
THE SECOND LESSON:
Matt. 9:9-17
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak, for the patch pulls away from the cloak, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved."
SCRIPTURE RESPONSE
Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give you light.
GOSPEL CANTICLE: THE BENEDICTUS (ISAIAH 43. 15-21)
Easter Refrain The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.
Blessèd be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant, David. Through his holy prophets, he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us; He promised to show mercy to our forebears, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father, Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight, all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
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.
The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.
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3: THE APOSTLES' CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He 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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 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.
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4: THE PRAYERS
On this day that the Lord has made, let us pray for the people he has redeemed.
* That those born to new life in the waters of baptism may know the power of Christ's resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
* That those who suffer pain and anguish may find healing and peace in the wounds of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
* That in the undying love of Christ, we may have union with all who have died in the faith of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.
Silence may be kept.
Let us commend the world, in which Christ rose from the dead, to the mercy and protection of God this day:
THE COLLECT:
The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used:
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
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5: THE CONCLUSION
CONCLUDING ASCRIPTION (BY THOMAS KEN 1637-1711)
To God the Father, who loved us and made us accepted in the Beloved: To God the Son, who loved us and loosed us from our sins in his own blood: To God the Holy Spirit, who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts: To the one true God be all love and all glory, for time and for eternity Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)
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EVENING PRAYER
1: THE PREPARATION
O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.
You, O Lord, are my lamp: you turn our darkness into light.
Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to you be glory and praise for ever. From the deep waters of death you brought your people to new birth by raising your Son to life in triumph. [Through him dark death has been destroyed and radiant life is everywhere restored.] As you call us out of darkness into his marvelous light may our lives reflect his glory and our lips repeat the endless song. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever.
OPENING CANTICLE: PHOS HILARON (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.
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2: THE WORD OF GOD
THE PSALMODY
Psalm 107 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *
and his mercy endures for ever.
Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim *
that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
He gathered them out of the lands; *
from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
Some wandered in desert wastes; *
they found no way to a city where they might dwell.
They were hungry and thirsty; *
their spirits languished within them.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress.
He put their feet on a straight path *
to go to a city where they might dwell.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *
and the wonders he does for his children.
For he satisfies the thirsty *
and fills the hungry with good things.
Some sat in darkness and deep gloom, *
bound fast in misery and iron;
Because they rebelled against the words of God *
and despised the counsel of the Most High.
So he humbled their spirits with hard labor; *
they stumbled, and there was none to help.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them out of darkness and deep gloom *
and broke their bonds asunder.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *
and the wonders he does for his children.
For he shatters the doors of bronze *
and breaks in two the iron bars.
Some were fools and took to rebellious ways; *
they were afflicted because of their sins.
They abhorred all manner of food *
and drew near to death’s door.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress.
He sent forth his word and healed them *
and saved them from the grave.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *
and the wonders he does for his children.
Let them offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and tell of his acts with shouts of joy.
Some went down to the sea in ships *
and plied their trade in deep waters;
They beheld the works of the Lord *
and his wonders in the deep.
Then he spoke, and a stormy wind arose, *
which tossed high the waves of the sea.
They mounted up to the heavens and fell back to the depths; *
their hearts melted because of their peril.
They reeled and staggered like drunkards *
and were at their wits’ end.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress.
He stilled the storm to a whisper *
and quieted the waves of the sea.
Then were they glad because of the calm, *
and he brought them to the harbor they were bound for.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *
and the wonders he does for his children.
Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people *
and praise him in the council of the elders.
The Lord changed rivers into deserts, *
and water-springs into thirsty ground,
A fruitful land into salt flats, *
because of the wickedness of those who dwell there.
He changed deserts into pools of water *
and dry land into water-springs.
He settled the hungry there, *
and they founded a city to dwell in.
They sowed fields, and planted vineyards, *
and brought in a fruitful harvest.
He blessed them, so that they increased greatly; *
he did not let their herds decrease.
Yet when they were diminished and brought low, *
through stress of adversity and sorrow,
(He pours contempt on princes *
and makes them wander in trackless wastes)
He lifted up the poor out of misery *
and multiplied their families like flocks of sheep.
The upright will see this and rejoice, *
but all wickedness will shut its mouth.
Whoever is wise will ponder these things, *
and consider well the mercies of the Lord.
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.
NEW TESTAMENT CANTICLE: A SONG OF FAITH (FROM 1 PETER 1)
1 Blessed be the God and Father • of our Lord Jesus Christ! 2 By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope • through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 3 Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, • kept in heaven for you, 4 Who are being protected by the power of God through faith, • for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5 You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors • not with perishable things like silver or gold 6 But with the precious blood of Christ • like that of a lamb without spot or stain. 7 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, • so that your faith and hope are set on God.
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.
THE LESSON:
Eph. 5:1-20
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be associated with them. For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light-- for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
SCRIPTURE RESPONSE
The Lord is my strength and my song: he has become my salvation.
GOSPEL CANTICLE: THE SONG OF MARY (LUKE 1:46-55)
The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.
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.
The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.
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3: THE PRAYERS
To Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and who now lives in the glory of the Father, let us raise the voice of praise.
* Lord Jesus, you are the Amen, the faithful witness, the first of God's creation: Lord, have mercy.
* You search into the thoughts and affections of all your people: Lord, have mercy.
* You reprove and chasten those whom you love: Lord, have mercy.
* You open the eyes of the blind and set the prisoners free: Lord, have mercy.
* In your paschal victory, you have proclaimed the coming of the kingdom: Lord, have mercy.
Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. Silence may be kept.
THE COLLECT:
The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used:
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
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4: THE CONCLUSION
ARMENIAN ORTHODOX DISMISSAL
Keep us in peace, O Christ our God, under the protection of your holy and venerable cross; save us from our enemies, visible and invisible, and count us worthy to glorify you with thanksgiving, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)
