January 8 2001

ARTICLE TOOLS

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The Call to Prayer
Come let us bow down, and bend the knee and kneel before the lord our Maker. For he is our God and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. (Psalm 95:6-7)

The Request for Presence
I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; incline your ear to me, and hear my words. (Psalm 17:6)

The Greeting
You are God: I praise you;

You are the Lord: I acclaim you;

You are the eternal Father: all creation worships you.

Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you: Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

As these have been from the beginning, so they are now and evermore shall be. Alleluia.

The Hymn:

All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night

All Praise to Thee, my God, this night,
For all the blessings of the light!
Keep me, O keep me, King of kings,
Beneath Thine own almighty wings.

Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son,
The ill that I this day have done,
That with the world, myself, and Thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.

O may my soul on Thee repose,
And with sweet sleep my eyelids close,
Sleep that may me more vigorous make
To serve my God when I awake.

When in the night I sleepless be,
My soul with heavenly thoughts supply;
Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,
No powers of darkness me molest.

O when shall I, in endless day,
For ever chase dark sleep away,
And hymns divine with angels sing,
All praise to thee, eternal king?

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

—Thomas Ken

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons
[ To be said after each Scripture reading for the day]

O lord, you are my portion and my cup; it is you who ...