Material from the Alternative Service Book 1980 is copyright © 1980 the Central Board of Finance of the Church of England.

Morning Prayer

1

Stand
The minister may say

We have come together as the family of God
in our Father's presence
to offer him praise and thanksgiving,
to hear and receive his holy word,
to bring before him the needs of the world,
to ask his forgiveness of our sins,
and to seek his grace, that through his Son Jesus Christ
we may give ourselves to his service.

2

A SENTENCE OF SCRIPTURE may be said (see page 46) and A HYMN may be sung.

3

The minister may say

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

or the sentences for Ash Wednesday to Lent 5 may be used.

4

The minister may say

Let us confess our sins to almighty God.

5

Kneel

All

Almighty God, our heavenly father,
we have sinned against you and against our fellow men,
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry
and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, who died for us,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life;
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

6

Priest

Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy on you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

7

Instead of section 5 one of the alternative Confessions may be used (pp. 165, 166)

8

Stand

Minister

O Lord, open our lips;

People

and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Minister

Let us worship the Lord.

People

All praise to his Name.

All

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.

9

VENITE, or JUBILATE, or THE EASTER ANTHEMS (which shall always be used on Easter Day)

VENITE
1 O come let us sing ' out × to the ' Lord:
let us shout in triumph to the ' rock of ' our sal'vation.

2 Let us come before his ' face with ' thanksgiving:
and cry ' out to × him ' joyfully × in ' psalms.

3 For the Lord is a ' great ' God:
and a great ' king a×bove ' all ' gods.

4 In his hands are the ' depths × of the ' earth:
and the peaks of the ' mountains × are ' his ' also.

5 The sea is his and ' he ' made it:
his hands ' moulded ' dry ' land.

6 Come let us worship and ' bow ' down:
and kneel be'fore the ' Lord our ' maker.

7 For he is the ' Lord our ' God:
we are his ' people × and the ' sheep of × his pasture.

8 If only you would hear his ' voice to'day:
for he ' comes to ' judge the ' earth;

9 He shall judge the ' world with ' righteousness:
and the ' peoples ' with his ' truth.

Glory to the Father and ' to the Son:
and ' to the ' Holy ' Spirit;
as it was in the be'ginning is ' now:
and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men.

JUBILATE
1 O shout to the Lord in triumph ' all the ' earth:
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his ' face with ' songs of ' joy.
2 Know that the Lord ' he is ' God:
it is he who has made us and we are his
we are his ' people × and the ' sheep of × his ' pasture.
3 Come unto his gates with thanksgiving
and into his ' courts with ' praise:
give thanks to him and ' bless his ' holy ' name.
4 For the Lord is good * his loving mercy ' is for ' ever:
his faithfullness through'out all ' gener'ations.

Glory to the Father and ' to the Son:
and ' to the ' Holy ' Spirit;
as it was in the be'ginning is ' now:
and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men.

THE EASTER ANTHEMS
1 Christ our passover has been ' sacri×ficed ' for us:
so let us ' cele'brate the feast,
2 Not with the old leaven of cor'ruption × and ' wickedness:
but with the unleavened ' bread of × sin'cerity × and ' truth.
3 Christ once raised from the dead ' dies no ' more:
death has no ' more do'minion ' over him.
4 In dying he died to sin ' once for all:
in ' living × he ' lives to ' God.
5 See yourselves therefore as ' dead to ' sin:
and alive to God in ' Jesus ' Christ our ' Lord.
6 Christ has been raised × from the ' dead:
the ' firstfruits × of ' those who sleep.
7 For as by ' man came ' death:
by man has come also the resur'rection ' of the ' dead;
8 for as in ' Adam × all ' die:
even so in Christ shall ' all be ' made a'live.

Glory to the Father and ' to the Son:
and ' to the ' Holy ' Spirit;
as it was in the be'ginning is ' now:
and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men.

10

The PSALMS appointed.
Each psalm or group of psalms ends with

Glory to the Father and ' to the Son:
and ' to the ' Holy ' Spirit;
as it was in the be'ginning is ' now:
and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men.

11

Sit
The first READING, from the Old Testament.

At the end the reader may say

This is the word of the Lord.

All

Thanks be to God.

Silence may be kept.

12

Stand
BENEDICTUS, or A SONG OF CREATION, or GREAT AND WONDERFUL.
BENEDICTUS (The Song of Zecharaiah)

1 Blessed be the Lord the ' God of ' Israel:
for he has come to his ' people × and ' set them ' free.

2 He has raised up for us a ' mighty ' saviour:
born of the ' house × of his ' servant ' David.
3 Through his holy prophets he ' promised × of ' old:
that he would save us from our enemies *
from the ' hands of ' all that ' hate us.

4 He promised to show ' mercy × to our ' fathers:
and to re'member × his ' holy ' covenant.

5 This was the oath he swore to our ' father ' Abraham:
to set us ' free × from the ' hands of × our ' enemies,

6 free to worship him with'out ' fear:
holy and righteous in his sight ' all the ' days of ×
our ' life.

7 You my child shall be called the prophet of the '
Most ' High:
for you will go before the ' Lord × to pre'pare his ' way,
8 to give his people knowledge ' of sal'vation:
by the for'giveness × of ' all their ' sins.
9 In the tender compassion ' of our ' God:
the dawn from on ' high shall ' break up'on us,
10 to shine upon 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 be'ginning is ' now:
and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men.


A SONG OF CREATION
On weekdays vv. 4--17 may be omitted.
1 Bless the Lord all cre'ated ' things:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.

2 Bless the ' lord you ' heavens:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.
3 Bless the Lord you ' angels × of the ' Lord:
bless the ' Lord all ' you his ' hosts;
4 bless the Lord you waters a'bove the ' heavens:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.
5 Bless the Lord ' sun and moon:
bless the ' Lord you ' stars of ' heaven;

6 bless the Lord all ' rain and dew:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.

7 Bless the Lord all ' winds that ' blow:
bless the ' Lord you ' fire and ' heat;

8 bless the Lord scorching wind and ' bitter ' cold:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.
9 Bless the Lord dews and ' falling ' snows:
bless the ' Lord you ' nights and ' days;
10 bless the Lord ' light and ' darkness:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.

11 Bless the Lord ' frost and ' cold:
bless the ' Lord you ' ice and ' snow;
12 bless the Lord ' lightnings × and ' clouds:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.
13 O let the earth ' bless the ' Lord:
bless the ' Lord you ' mountains × and ' hills;
14 bless the Lord all that ' grows × in the ' ground:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.

15 Bless the ' Lord you ' springs:
bless the ' Lord you ' seas and ' rivers;
16 bless the Lord you whales and all that ' swim × in the ' waters:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.
17 Bless the Lord all ' birds × of the ' air:
bless the ' Lord you ' beasts and ' cattle;
18 bless the Lord all ' men × on the ' earth:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.
19 O People of God ' bless the ' Lord:
bless the ' Lord you ' priests × of the ' Lord;

20 bless the Lord you ' servants × of the ' Lord:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.

21 Bless the Lord all men of ' upright ' spirit:
bless the Lord you that are ' holy × and ' humble × in ' heart;
Bless the Father the Son and the ' Holy ' Spirit:
sing his ' praise × and ex'alt him × for ' ever.


GREAT AND WONDERFUL
1 Great and wonderful are your deeds Lord '
God × the Al'mighty:
just and true are your ' ways O ' King × of the ' nations.

2 Who shall not revere and praise your ' name O ' Lord?
for ' you a'lone are holy.

3 All nations shall come and worship ' in your ' presence:
for your just ' dealings × have ' been re'vealed.

To him who sits on the throne ' and × to the ' Lamb:
be praise and honour glory and might
for ever and ' ever. ' A'men.

13

Sit
THE SECOND READING, from the New Testament.

At the end the reader may say

This is the word of the Lord.

All

Thanks be to God.

Silence may be kept.

14

A SERMON may be preached here, or at the end of the service.

15

Stand
TE DEUM, or GLORIA IN EXCELSIS, or, in Lent, SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.

TE DEUM
Verses 14--18 may be omitted.
1 You are ' God we ' praise you:
you are the ' Lord and ' we ac'claim you;

2 you are the e'ternal ' Father:
all cre'ation ' worships ' you.
3 To you all angels * all the ' powers of ' heaven:
cherubim and seraphim ' sing in ' endless ' praise,

4 Holy holy holy Lord * God of ' power and ' might:
heaven and ' earth are ' full of × your ' glory.

5 The glorious company of ap'ostles ' praise you:
the noble fellowship of prophets praise you
the white-robed ' army × of ' martyrs ' praise you.

6 Throughout the world the holy ' Church ac'claims you:
Father of ' majes'ty un'bounded;
7 your true and only Son * worthy of ' all ' worship:
and the Holy ' Spirit ' advocate × and ' guide.

8 You Christ are the ' King of ' glory:
the e'ternal ' Son × of the ' Father.
9 When you became man to ' set us ' free:
you did not ab'hor the ' Virgin's ' womb.
10 You overcame the ' sting of ' death:
and opened the kingdom of ' heaven × to ' all be'lievers.

11 You are seated at God's right ' hand in ' glory:
we believe that you will ' come and ' be our ' judge.

12 Come then Lord and ' help your ' people:
bought with the ' price of ' your own ' blood;
13 and bring us ' with your ' saints:
to ' glory ' everlasting.
(†)14 Save your people Lord and ' bless × your in'heritance:
govern and up'hold them ' now and ' always.
15 Day by ' day we ' bless you:
we ' praise your ' name for ' ever.

16 Keep us today Lord from ' all ' sin.
Have mercy ' on us ' Lord have ' mercy.
17 Lord show us your ' love and ' mercy:
for we ' put our ' trust in ' you.
18 In you Lord ' is our ' hope:
let us not be con'founded ' at the ' last.

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS
1 Glory to ' God × in the ' highest:
and ' peace × to his ' people × on ' earth.
2 Lord God ' heaven×ly ' King:
al'mighty ' God and ' Father,
3 we worship you we ' give you ' thanks:
we ' praise you ' for your ' glory.
4 Lord Jesus Christ only ' Son × of the ' Father:
Lord ' God ' Lamb of ' God,
5 you take away the ' sin × of the ' world:
have ' mercy ' on ' us;
6 you are seated at the right hand ' of the ' Father:
re'ceive ' our ' prayer.
7 For you a'lone × are the ' Holy One:
you a'lone ' are the ' Lord,
8 you alone are the Most High * Jesus Christ with the ' Holy ' Spirit:
in the glory of God the ' Father. ' A'men.

SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD
1 Jesus Saviour of the world * come to us ' in your ' mercy:
we look to ' you to ' save and ' help us.

2 By your cross and your life laid down * you set your ' people ' free:
we look to ' you to ' save and ' help us.

3 When they were ready to perish you ' saved × your dis'ciples:
we look to ' you to ' come to × our ' help.

4 In the greatness of your mercy loose us ' from our ' chains:
forgive the ' sins of ' all your ' people.

5 Make yourself known as our Saviour and ' mighty × De'liverer:
save and ' help us × that ' we may ' praise you.

6 Come now and dwell with us ' Lord Christ ' Jesus:
hear our ' prayer × and be ' with us ' always.

(†7) And when you ' come in × your ' glory:
make us to be one with you * and to ' share the '
life of × your ' kingdom.

16

THE APOSTLES' CREED

All

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

17

Kneel
The minister may say

Lord, have mercy on us.

People

Christ, have mercy on us.

Minister

Lord, have mercy on us.

18

All

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.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.

19

These versicles and responses may be said.

Minister

Show us your mercy, O Lord;

People

and grant us your salvation.

Minister

O Lord, save the Queen;

People

and teach her counsellors wisdom.

Minister

Let your priests be clothed with righteousness;

People

and let your servants shout for joy.

Minister

O Lord, make your ways known upon earth;

People

let all nations acknowledge your saving power.

Minister

Give your people the blessing of peace;

People

and let your glory be over all the world.

Minister

Make our hearts clean, O God;

People

and renew a right spirit within us.

20

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY.

21

THIS COLLECT may be said.

O God, the author of peace
and lover of concord,
to know you is eternal life,
to serve you is perfect freedom.
Defend us your servants
from all assaults of our enemies;
that we may trust in your defence,
and not fear the power of any adversaries;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

22

ONE OF THESE COLLECTS is said.

Almighty and everlasting Father,
we thank you that you have brought us safely
to the beginning of this day.
Keep us from falling into sin
or running into danger;
order us in all our doings;
and guide us to do always
what is right in your eyes;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

or

Eternal God and Father,
you create us by your power
and redeem us by your love:
guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves in love and service
to one another and to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

23

Here may be read the State Prayers, occasional prayers and thanksgivings, or other forms of prayer. The prayers may conclude with one of the Endings (p. 107). A sermon may be preached, hymns may be sung, and the service may end with a blessing.