Holy One, open our lips:
and we shall proclaim your praise.
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
Saturdays: From Psalm 27, Dominus illuminatio
The Lord is my light and my salvation; * whom then shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life; * of whom then shall I be afraid?
One thing have I asked of the Lord; one thing I seek; *
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
For in the day of trouble, O God, you shall keep me safe in your shelter; * you shall hide me in the secrecy of your dwelling
and set me high upon a rock.
Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *
have mercy on me and answer me.
You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” *
Your face, Lord, will I seek.
You have been my helper; cast me not away; *
do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
CLOSING
Isaiah 4.2-6
On that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and glory of the survivors of Israel. Whoever is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem, once the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgement and by a spirit of burning. Then the Lord will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over its places of assembly a cloud by day and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night. Indeed, over all the glory there will be a canopy. It will serve as a pavilion, a shade by day from the heat, and a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.
Silence
BENEDICTUS
Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,*
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty saviour,*
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old*
that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our forebears,*
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:*
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,*
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
You my child shall be called the prophet of the Most High,*
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation*
by the forgiveness of all their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God*
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,*
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
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.
PRAYERS
We have been afraid of the fierceness of your love, which sears our hearts as with a laser. Lord, have mercy upon us.
We have refused to believe that you are gentle in judgment, that your hands loosen the knots of our bitterness. Christ, have mercy upon us.
We have failed to see that your eyes are wise in discernment, that your justice restores us and heals. Lord, have mercy upon us.
SATURDAYS:
Christ Jesus, sent into the world so that we may live through you:
Lord, come soon!
Christ Jesus, you remain alongside all whose life is held in contempt:
Lord, come soon!
Christ Jesus, you establish a new covenant with us
that will never be broken:
Lord, come soon!
Christ Jesus, you enlighten the eyes of all who are in darkness:
Lord, come soon!
Christ Jesus, you make our deserts blossom;
you lead us towards the land of gladness:
Lord, come soon!
Christ Jesus, Good News will be proclaimed to the poor
and freedom to prisoners:
Lord, come soon!
Christ Jesus, broken hearts will be healed, the starving filled:
Lord, come soon!
Christ Jesus, the paths will be levelled and your glory will dwell in our land:
Lord, come soon!
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
Stir up your power, Lord, and come: that, with you as our protector, we may be rescued from our sins; and with you as our deliverer, we may be set free; for you live and reign with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
God most holy, we give you thanks for bringing us out of the shadow of night into the light of morning; and we ask you for the joy of spending this day in your service, so that when evening comes, we may once more give you thanks, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
The Lord bless us and preserve us from all evil; and bring us to life eternal. Amen.
St Ternans Banchory 