Evening Prayer - Annunciation

Evening Prayer
Feast of the Annunciation
March 25
______
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One.
Have mercy on us (3x)

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life. For the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was made manifest to us. (1 John 1:1-2)

Hymn

Tune: Annunciation

To a maid engaged to Joseph, the angel Gabriel came.
“Fear not,” the angel told her, “I come to bring good news,
Good news I come to tell you, good news, I say, good news.

“For you are highly favored by the God the Lord of all,
Who even now is with you. You are on earth most blest,
You are most blest, most blessèd, God chose you, you are blest!”

But Mary was most troubled to hear the angel’s word.
What was the angel saying? It troubled her to hear,
To hear the angel’s message, it troubled her to hear.

“Fear not, for God is with you, and you shall bear a child.
His name shall be called Jesus, God’s offspring from on high.
And he shall reign forever, forever reign on high.”

“How shall this be?” said Mary, “I am not yet a wife.”
The angel answered quickly, “The power of the Most High
Will come upon you shortly, your child will be God’s child.”

As Mary heard the angel, she wondered at his words.
“Behold, I am your handmaid,” she said unto her God.
“So be it; I am ready according to your word.”
Words: Gracia Grindal, 1983. Music: Annunciation, Rusty Edwards, 1983
© 1984 by Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, IL 60188.
The Psalter

Ant 1: The angel of the Lord brought tidings to Mary, and she conceived by the Holy Spirit.

138

Confitebor tibi

1: I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart; *
before the gods I will sing your praise.
2: I will bow down toward your holy temple
and praise your Name, *
because of your love and faithfulness;
3: For you have glorified your Name *
and your word above all things.
4: When I called, you answered me; *
you increased my strength within me.
5: All the kings of the earth will praise you, O LORD, *
when they have heard the words of your mouth.
6: They will sing of the ways of the LORD, *
that great is the glory of the LORD.
7: Though the LORD be high, he cares for the lowly; *
he perceives the haughty from afar.
8: Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; *
you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;
your right hand shall save me.
9: The LORD will make good his purpose for me; *
O LORD, your love endures for ever;
do not abandon the works of your hands.

Antiphon 1: The angel of the Lord brought tidings to Mary, and she conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Antiphon 2: Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son, and he will be called the Son of the Most High.

Benedixisti, Domine

1: You have been gracious to your land, O LORD, *
you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.
2: You have forgiven the iniquity of your people *
and blotted out all their sins.
3: You have withdrawn all your fury *
and turned yourself from your wrathful indignation.
4: Restore us then, O God our Savior; *
let your anger depart from us.
5: Will you be displeased with us for ever? *
will you prolong your anger from age to age?
6: Will you not give us life again, *
that your people may rejoice in you?
7: Show us your mercy, O LORD, *
and grant us your salvation.
8: I will listen to what the LORD God is saying, *
for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.
9: Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, *
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10: Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11: Truth shall spring up from the earth, *
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12: The LORD will indeed grant prosperity, *
and our land will yield its increase.
13: Righteousness shall go before him, *
and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.

Antiphon 2: Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son, and he will be called the Son of the Most High.

Antiphon 3: Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.

130

De profundis

1: Out of the depths have I called to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice; *
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
2: If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, *
O LORD, who could stand?
3: For there is forgiveness with you; *
therefore you shall be feared.
4: I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; *
in his word is my hope.
5: My soul waits for the LORD,
more than watchmen for the morning, *
more than watchmen for the morning.
6: O Israel, wait for the LORD, *
for with the LORD there is mercy;
7: With him there is plenteous redemption, *
and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.