At Evening Prayer on the Eve and Evening Prayer on Ascension Day, the following order is used.
O God, make speed to save us.
AllO Lord, make haste to
help us.
Your throne has been established from of old;
Allyou are from everlasting.
Alleluia.
One or more of the following is said or sung:
A Song of the King’s Glory, an Ascension hymn, or this prayer of thanksgiving
Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
From the darkness of death you have raised your Christ
to the right hand of your majesty on high.
The pioneer of our faith, his passion accomplished,
has opened for us the way to heaven
and sends on us the promised Spirit.
May we be ready to follow the Way
and so be brought to the glory of his presence
where songs of triumph for ever sound:
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
AllBlessed be God for ever.
This opening prayer may be said
That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,
let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence is kept.
As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,
so may your mercy come down upon us
to cleanse our hearts
and set us free to sing your praise
now and for ever.
AllAmen.
The appointed psalmody is said.
If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.
A Song of Christ’s Appearing
may be said
Refrain:
AllChrist was believed in throughout
the world
and taken up in glory.
1Christ Jesus was revealed
in the flesh •
and vindicated in the spirit.
2He was seen by angels
•
and proclaimed among the nations.
3Believed in throughout
the world, •
he was taken up in glory.
4This will be made manifest
at the proper time •
by the blessed and only Sovereign,
5Who alone has immortality,
•
and dwells in unapproachable light.
AllTo the King of kings and
Lord of lords •
be honour and eternal dominion. Amen.
1 Timothy 3.16; 6.15, 16
AllChrist was believed in throughout
the world
and taken up in glory.
One or more readings appointed for the day are read.
The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.
A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow
Sing to the Lord and bless his name;
Alltell out his salvation
from day to day.
God has gone up with a merry noise;
Allsing to the Lord and
bless his name.
The Lord with the sound of the trumpet:
Alltell out his salvation
from day to day.
He has led captivity captive, and given gifts to his people.
AllSing to the Lord and
bless his name;
tell out his salvation from day to day.
from Psalms 47 and 68
The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is said
Refrain on the Eve:
AllChrist was believed in throughout
the world
and taken up in glory. Alleluia.
Refrain on Ascension Day:
AllI have made your name known
to those you have given me;
and now I pray for them, for I am coming to you. Alleluia.
1My soul proclaims the
greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; •
he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.
2From this day all generations
will call me blessed; •
the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his name.
3He has mercy on those
who fear him, •
from generation to generation.
4He has shown strength
with his arm •
and has scattered the proud in their conceit,
5Casting down the mighty
from their thrones •
and lifting up the lowly.
6He has filled the hungry
with good things •
and sent the rich away empty.
7He has come to the aid
of his servant Israel, •
to remember his promise of mercy,
8The promise made to
our ancestors, •
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Luke 1.46-55
AllGlory 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.
Refrain on the Eve:
AllChrist was believed in throughout
the world
and taken up in glory.
Refrain on Ascension Day:
AllI have made your name known
to those you have given me;
and now I pray for them, for I am coming to you. Alleluia.
The Collect of the day is said
Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ
to have ascended into the heavens,
so we in heart and mind may also ascend
and with him continually dwell;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
AllAmen.
The Lord’s Prayer is said
Looking for the coming of his kingdom,
as our Saviour taught us, so we pray
AllOur Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
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 the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
(or)
Looking for the coming of his kingdom,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
AllOur 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.
May Christ, who has opened the kingdom of heaven,
bring us to reign with him in glory.
AllAmen.
Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.
AllThanks be to God. Alleluia,
alleluia.