Epiphany Eve (Evening Prayer) Jan. 5

Hoag's Object a galaxy which is spectacular to behold. Some sort of celestial object brought the wise men to see Jesus. Whatever it was it was used by God to bring them to see the Christ child.

(Picture is public domain because it was created by NASA. public domain because it was created by NASA. NASA copyright policy states that "NASA material is not protected by copyright unless noted". (NASA copyright policy page or JPL Image Use Policy).

Let Us Pray

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Revelation 21:3

INVOCATION AND CONFESSION

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.

[In your own words confess your sins to God]

Declaration of Forgiveness
Matthew 1:21
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

O Gracious Light Phos hilaron

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 thy praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Thou art worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified though all the worlds.


[In your own words give God praise, thanks and adoration]

PSALM OF THE DAY

Psalm 5

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 READING

Genesis 13:1-4

The Word of the Lord! Thanks be to God.

MARY'S SONG

My soul doth magnify the Lord, *
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For he hath regarded *
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold from henceforth *
all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me, *
and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him *
throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm; *
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, *
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, *
as he promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed 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.


NEW TESTAMENT READING

Matthew 5:13-26

The Word of the Lord! Thanks be to God.

DESIRE OF EVERY NATION by Anna P. Hoppe

Desire of every nation,
Light of the Gentiles, Thou!
In fervent adoration
Before Thy throne we bow;
Our hearts and tongues adore Thee,
Blest Dayspring from the skies.
Like incense sweet before Thee,
Permit our songs to rise.

Thou Herald of the morning,
They who in darkness dwell
Behold Thy brightness dawning
O’er realms of Israel.
With glorious beams unclouded,
Thy all-transcendent light
Dispels the gloom that shrouded
Earth’s dark and dismal night.

Arise and shine in splendor,
Thou bright and morning Star!
The Gentiles come to render
Their gifts from realms afar.
The word by prophets spoken
In truth is now fulfilled.
And yearning hearts, once broken,
With sweetest hope are filled.

Arise and bring salvation
To all who dwell below,
Let earth in jubilation
Reflect Thy radiant glow.
O long expected Savior,
Thou Hope of Israel,
Let Gentiles gain Thy favor,
And of Thy glory tell.

Our Life and Resurrection,
Lord Jesus Christ, Thou art;
O shed Thy light’s reflection
To earth’s remotest part;
Let Gentile tongues confess Thee,
Rejoicing in Thy light,
The ransomed thousands bless Thee,
Thou hast dispelled the night.


THE APOSTLES CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost,
the holy universal Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

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, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.


Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on me a sinner!

That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful,
We entreat thee, O Lord.

That thy holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill,
We entreat thee, O Lord

That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses,
We entreat thee, O Lord.

That there may be peace to thy Church and to the whole world,
We entreat thee, O Lord

That we may depart this life in thy faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ,
We entreat thee, O Lord.

Prayer for the Week

O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know thee now by faith, to thy presence, where we may behold thy glory face to face; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Prayer for Gaza

Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide those involved in the conflict in Gaza into the way of justice and truth. Stop Hamas from making terror attacks. Guide Israel to not hit civilian targets. We lift up to you our Christian brothers and sisters in Israel and Gaza that you will protect them from harm and also protect all civilians on both sides of the conflict. Bring peace in such a way that all sides will acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Amen.

[Here you may in you own words pray for the conflict]

Prayer for Comfort

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give thine 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 they love's sake Amen

[Pray for others and yourself here ]


BENEDICTION
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14