Evening Prayer from the day after Ascension Day until the day of Pentecost

¶	Evening Prayer
	from the day after Ascension Day
	until the day of Pentecost

	Preparation

	O God, make speed to save us.
All	O Lord, make haste to help us.

	Send your Holy Spirit upon us,
All	and clothe your people with power from on high. Alleluia.

	Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
	to you be praise and glory for ever.
	Your living Word brings light out of darkness
	and daily your Spirit renews the face of the earth.
	Christ, the true Lamb, his passion accomplished,
	has been raised to the right hand of your majesty on high.
	The pioneer of our faith has opened the way to heaven
	and sends on us your promised Spirit.
	Pour upon us the riches of your grace
	that we, the first fruits of your new creation,
	may bring forth the fruits of the Spirit
	and reveal your glory in all the world.
	Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
All	Blessed be God for ever.


			This, or another suitable hymn, or A Song of God's Greatness (canticle number 15 page 509), may be said or sung

			Creator Spirit, Lord of grace,
			come, make in us your dwelling place;
			O purest Light, in darkness shine;
			fill loveless hearts, O Love Divine.

			Consoler, hear your people's cry.
			come down, O Gift of God, Most High.
			Descend in peace, O heav'nly Dove;
			come Fount of Life; come Flame of Love.

			As once on Christ the Servant's head
			the oil of sevenfold grace you shed,
			so now anoint from love's deep springs
			your chosen people, priests and kings.

			Of ev'ry gift the living source,
			of mighty deeds the unseen force,
			the Father sends his promised One
			to speak for all who serve his Son.

			Keep far all those who wish us ill,
			O Dove of Peace, be with us still,
			in ev'ry danger at our side
			O Friend, befriend us; be our guide.

			Reveal to us the Father's love,
			reveal his Son, who reigns above.
			To truth, O Truth, make us all true;
			in love, O Love, make all things new.
			James Quinn SJ, based on Veni, Creator Spiritusl
			(Tune: LM)


			The Word of God

			Psalmody

	The appointed psalmody is said or sung.


			Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

			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.

			New Testament Canticle

			If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here,
			or both may be read after the New Testament canticle.

			A Song of God's Children, or another suitable canticle (for example, number 57(page 550) or number 60(page 555), may be said or sung

			Refrain:
	All		The Spirit of the Father,
			who raised Christ Jesus from the dead,
			gives life to the people of God. Alleluia.

	1		The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus •
			has set us free from the law of sin and death.

	2		All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God; •
			for we have received the Spirit that enables us to cry,
			'Abba, Father'.

	3		The Spirit himself bears witness
			that we are children of God •
			and if God's children, then heirs of God;

	4		If heirs of God, then fellow-heirs with Christ; •
			since we suffer with him now,
			that we may be glorified with him.

	5		These sufferings that we now endure •
			are not worth comparing to the glory that shall be revealed.

	6		For the creation waits with eager longing •
			for the revealing of the children of God.
			Romans 8.2,14,15b-19
			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.

	All		The Spirit of the Father,
			who raised Christ Jesus from the dead,
			gives life to the people of God. Alleluia.

			Scripture Reading

	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

			When you send forth your Spirit, we are created;
			you renew the face of the earth.
	All		When you send forth your Spirit, we are created;
			you renew the face of the earth.
			O Lord, how manifold are your works;
			in wisdom you have made them all.
	All		You renew the face of the earth.
			Glory to the Father and to the Son
			and to the Holy Spirit.
	All		When you send forth your Spirit, we are created;
			you renew the face of the earth.

			Gospel Canticle

	The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is said or sung

	Refrain:
All	How excellent is your name in all the world,
	You have set your glory above the heavens. Alleluia.

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.

All	How excellent is your name in all the world,
	You have set your glory above the heavens. Alleluia.

			Prayers

			Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

	Intercessions are offered
	¶	for peace
	¶	for individuals and their needs

			These responses may be used

			Lord, in your mercy (or) Lord, hear us.
			hear our prayer. Lord, graciously hear us.

			The cycle on page 329 and the prayers on pages 342-343 may be used.

			Silence may be kept.

	The Collect of the day or the following Collect is said

	O God the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: we beseech you, leave us not comfortless, but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
All	Amen.

	The Lord's Prayer is said

	Being made one by the power of the Spirit,
	as our Saviour has taught us, so we pray

All	Our Father in heaven …

	(or)

	Being made one by the power of the Spirit,
	let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All	Our Father, who art in heaven …


	The Conclusion

	May the Spirit kindle in us the fire of God's love.
All	Amen.

			Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.
	All		Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
All of the official Common Worship publications are being published by Church House Publishing.