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  Gospel Canticles
       
    Morning Prayer  
     
    Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah)  
     
1
  Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,  
    who has come to his people and set them free.
     
2
  He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,  
    born of the house of his servant David.
     
3
  Through his holy prophets God promised of old  
    to save us from our enemies,
         from the hands of all that hate us,
     
4
  To show mercy to our ancestors,  
    and to remember his holy covenant.
     
5
  This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  
    to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
     
6
  Free to worship him without fear,  
    holy and righteous in his sight
         all the days of our life.
     
7
  And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,  
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
     
8
  To give his people knowledge of salvation  
    by the forgiveness of all their sins.
     
9
  In the tender compassion of our God  
    the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
     
10
  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  
    and to guide our feet into the way of peace.                     
   
Luke 1.68-79
    Glory to the Father and to the Son
    and to the Holy Spirit;
    as it was in the beginning is now
    and shall be for ever.  Amen.        
       
    Evening Prayer  
     
    Magnificat (The Song of Mary)  
     
1
  My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
         my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  
    he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.
     
2
  From this day all generations will call me blessed;  
    the Almighty has done great things for me
         and holy is his name.
     
3
  He has mercy on those who fear him,  
    from generation to generation.
     
4
  He has shown strength with his arm  
    and has scattered the proud in their conceit,
     
5
  Casting down the mighty from their thrones  
    and lifting up the lowly.
     
6
  He has filled the hungry with good things  
    and sent the rich away empty.
     
7
  He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  
    to remember his promise of mercy,
     
8
  The promise made to our ancestors,  
    to Abraham and his children for ever.         
   
Luke 1.46-55
    Glory to the Father and to the Son
    and to the Holy Spirit;
    as it was in the beginning is now
    and shall be for ever.  Amen.
       
    Night Prayer  
     
    Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon)  
     
1
  Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:  
    your word has been fulfilled.
     
2
  My own eyes have seen the salvation  
    which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
     
3
  A light to reveal you to the nations  
    and the glory of your people Israel.              
   
Luke 2.29-32
    Glory to the Father and to the Son
    and to the Holy Spirit;
    as it was in the beginning is now
    and shall be for ever.  Amen.
     
     
  Other Canticles
     
    The Song of Christ's Glory  
     
1
  Christ Jesus was in the form of God,  
    but he did not cling to equality with God.
     
2
  He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant,  
    and was born in our human likeness.
     
3
  Being found in human form he humbled himself,  
    and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.
     
4
  Therefore God has highly exalted him,  
    and bestowed on him the name above every name,
     
5
  That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow,  
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth;
     
6
  And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,  
    to the glory of God the Father.       
   
Philippians 2.5-11
    Glory to the Father and to the Son
    and to the Holy Spirit;
    as it was in the beginning is now
    and shall be for ever.  Amen.
       
    Great and Wonderful  
     
1
  Great and wonderful are your deeds,  
    Lord God the Almighty.
     
2
  Just and true are your ways,  
    O ruler of the nations.
     
3
  Who shall not revere and praise your name, O Lord?  
    for you alone are holy.
     
4
  All nations shall come and worship in your presence:  
    for your just dealings have been revealed.
   
Revelation 15.3,4
    To the One who sits on the throne and to the Lamb  
    be blessing and honour and glory and might,
         for ever and ever.  Amen.
       
    Bless the Lord  
     
1
  Blessed are you, the God of our ancestors,  
    worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
     
2
  Blessed is your holy and glorious name,  
    worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
     
3
  Blessed are you, in your holy and glorious temple,  
    worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
     
4
  Blessed are you who look into the depths,  
    worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
     
5
  Blessed are you, enthroned on the cherubim,  
    worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
     
6
  Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,  
    worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
     
7
  Blessed are you in the heights of heaven,  
    worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.                                  
   
The Song of the Three 29-34
    Bless the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
    worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
       
    Saviour of the World  
     
1
  Jesus, Saviour of the world,
         come to us in your mercy:  
    we look to you to save and help us.
     
2
  By your cross and your life laid down,
         you set your people free:  
    we look to you to save and help us.
     
3
  When they were ready to perish, you saved your disciples:  
    we look to you to come to our help.
     
4
  In the greatness of your mercy, loose us from our chains,  
    forgive the sins of all your people.
     
5
  Make yourself known as our Saviour and mighty deliverer;  
    save and help us that we may praise you.
     
6
  Come now and dwell with us, Lord Christ Jesus:  
    hear our prayer and be with us always.
     
7
  And when you come in your glory:  
    make us to be one with you
         and to share the life of your kingdom.
     
     
  Te Deum Laudamus
     
    See Note 7.
     
    We praise you, O God,
    we acclaim you as the Lord;
    all creation worships you,
    the Father everlasting.
    To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
    the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:
    Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
    heaven and earth are full of your glory.
    The glorious company of apostles praise you.
    The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
    The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
    Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
    Father, of majesty unbounded,
    your true and only Son, worthy of all praise,
    the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
     
    You, Christ, are the King of glory,
    the eternal Son of the Father.
    When you took our flesh to set us free
    you humbly chose the Virgin's womb.
    You overcame the sting of death
    and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
    You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
    We believe that you will come and be our judge.
    Come then, Lord, and help your people,
    bought with the price of your own blood,
    and bring us with your saints
    to glory everlasting.
     
    The canticle may end here.
     
    Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.
    Govern and uphold them now and always.
     
    Day by day we bless you.
    We praise your name for ever.
     
    Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
    Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
     
    Lord, show us your love and mercy,
    for we have put our trust in you.
     
    In you, Lord, is our hope:
    let us never be put to shame.
     
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
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