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.
PSALMODY
OPENING
O Come, O Come, thou silent song,
the music of the sphere’s prolong,
that in our time soon disappears,
yet resonates in list’ning ears.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Through noises shrill
shall clearly sound a voice so still.
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 up-|on 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.
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.
Closing
Reading – Revelation 3.1-6
‘And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars:
‘I know your works; you have a name for being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is at the point of death, for I have not found your works perfect in the sight of my God. Remember then what you received and heard; obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. Yet you have still a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes; they will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. If you conquer, you will be clothed like them in white robes, and I will not blot your name out of the book of life; I will confess your name before my Father and before his angels. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
SILENCE
Responsory
There is a longing, deep within us,
to be with you, O God.
We are expectant
of your coming to walk the earth.
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
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
On this day, lift into the blessing of God’s compassionate gaze:
those who live in high mountains,
all who work with stone;
all who tend the wounds of others. Amen.
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.
Collect
Gracious God,
as we listen once more to your messengers the prophets
turning us around and preparing us to receive our liberation:
give us the humility, insight, and grace to listen to their warnings,
and to heed the still small voice that whispers in our hearts,
that we may look once more upon your face
and greet your every coming with joy. Amen.
Blessing
As we go from this place,
help us to remember that we are cradled in your loving hand,
developing alongside our brother, Jesus
and gifted with life by your Holy breath. Amen.
St Ternans Banchory 