Thursday after Pentecost Evening Prayer, 4th June 2020.

Holy One, make speed to save us:
O God, come quickly to help us.

Glory to God, Source of all being,
Eternal Word and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and shall be for ever.  Amen.

OPENING  

Variable Psalms

Thursdays: From Psalm 107, Confitemini Domino

Give thanks to the Lord who is good, *
and whose mercy endures for ever.
Let all those whom the Lord has re deemed proclaim *
that God redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
The Lord 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, *
who delivered them from their distress.
The Lord put their feet on a straight path *
to go to a city where they might dwell.
Let them give thanks to you, O Lord, for your mercy *
and the wonders you do for your children.

CLOSING: A song of Pilgrimage (from Sirach 51)

While I was still young, before I began my travels,*
I sought for wisdom openly in my prayers.
I asked for her outside the temple sanctuary,*
and I will seek her to the end.
She has been the delight of my heart.*
from first blossom to early fruit.
I have kept firmly to the true path;*
I have followed her steps since my youth.
I bowed my ear a little and received her;*
I found wisdom and was well instructed.
Glory to the One who gives me wisdom!*
I will live according to her way.
Because I longed to find her with all my heart,*
I have gained a good possession.
As my reward the Lord has given me a tongue*
with which I shall sing his praises.

READING: Matthew 14:13–21

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

SILENCE 

PRAYERS
We have judged others too harshly and thought ourselves superior to them.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
We have judged ourselves too harshly and thought ourselves inferior to others.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
We have refused to accept that there is no condemnation, only compassion, in God’s heart.
Lord, have mercy upon us. 

Lord’s Prayer
Our 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.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

COLLECTS

Thursdays: Bless us, Christ Jesus; you show us where to find rest for our hearts. Amen. 

O God, who on the day of Pentecost enlightened the hearts of your people by the fire of the Holy Spirit: give us wisdom and understanding, and lead us into all truth, that your Church may be kept in the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Lord God almighty, come and dispel the darkness from our hearts, that in the radiance of your brightness we may know you, the only unfading light, glorious in all eternity. Amen.

The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing: through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.