Everyone else begins: 

Leader: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.

People: Amen. 

 
Invitation to Worship  
Psalm 94:6  

Come, let us adore the King, our God. 
Come, let us adore Christ, the King and our God. 
Come, let us adore and bow down to the only Lord Jesus Christ, the King and our God. 
 

Psalm 103 
Praise of God's Creation 

Bless the Lord, my soul! 
Lord God, how great you are, 
Clothed in majesty and glory 
wrapped in light as in a robe! 

You stretch out the heavens like a tent. 
Above the rains you build your dwelling. 
You make the clouds your chariot, 
you walk on the wings of the wind, 
You make the winds your messengers 
and flashing fires your servants. 

You founded the earth on its base, 
to stand firm from age to age. 
You wrapped it with the ocean like a cloak: 
the waters stood higher than the mountains. 

At your voice they took to flight; 
at the voice of your thunder they fled. 
They rose over the mountains and flowed down 
to the place which you had appointed. 
You set limits they might not pass 
lest they return to cover the earth. 

You make springs gush forth in the valleys: 
they flow in between the hills. 
They give drink to all the beasts of the field; 
the wild-asses quench their thirst. 
On their banks dwell the birds of heaven; 
from the branches they sing their song. 

From your dwelling you water the hills; 
earth drinks its fill of your gift. 
You make the grass grow for the cattle 
and plants to serve man's needs, 

That he may bring forth bread from the earth 
and wine to cheer man's heart; 
Oil, to make his face shine 
and bread to strengthen man's heart. 

The trees of the Lord drink their fill, 
the cedars he planted on Lebanon; 
There the birds build their nests: 
on the tree top the stork has her home. 
The goats find a home on the mountains 
and rabbits hide in the rocks. 

You made the moon to mark the months; 
the sun knows the time for its setting. 
When you spread the darkness it is night 
and all the beasts of the forest creep forth. 
The young lions roar for their prey 
and ask their food from God. 

At the rising of the sun they steal away 
and go to rest in their dens. 
Man goes forth to his work, 
to labor till evening falls. 

How many are your works, O Lord! 
In wisdom you have made them all. 

The earth is full of your riches. 
There is the sea, vast and wide, 
With its moving swarms past counting, 
living things great and small. 
The ships are moving there 
and the monsters you made to play with. 

All of these look to you 
to give them their food in due season. 
You give it, they gather it up: 
you open your hand, they have their fill. 

You hide your face, they are dismayed; 
you take back your spirit, they die, returning 
to the dust from which they came. 
You send forth your spirit, they are created; 
and you renew the face of the earth. 

May the glory of the Lord last forever! 
May the Lord rejoice in his works! 
He looks on the earth and it trembles; 
the mountains send forth smoke at his touch. 

I will sing to the Lord all my life, 
make music to my God while I live. 
May my thoughts be pleasing to him. 
I find my joy in the Lord! 
Let sinners vanish from the earth 
and the wicked exist no more. 

Bless the Lord, 
O my soul! 

The sun knows the time for its setting. 
When you spread the darkness it is night 
How many are your works, O Lord! 
In wisdom you have made them all. 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, 
now and ever, and forever.  Amen. 
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. 
Glory to You,  + O God!   (three times with a bow each time) 
 
Prayer of Psalm 103 
 
Leader: Let us pray to the Lord. 

People: Lord, have mercy. 

Leader: O Lord, You are praised by the Powers in hymns which are never silent and in doxologies which never cease.  Fill our mouths with your Holy Name.  Through the prayers of the holy Mother of God and the intercession of all your Saints give us a part and an inheritance with those who keep your commandments. 

Priest: For to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is due all glory, honor, and worship, now and ever and forever. 

Leader: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.

People: Amen. 
 

Psalm 140  
Evening Prayer for Protection 

I have called to you, Lord; hasten to help me! 
Hear my voice when I cry to you. 
Let my prayer arise before you like incense, 
the raising of my hands like an evening oblation.  

Let my prayer arise before you like incense, 
the raising of my hands like an evening sacrifice. 
Set, O Lord, a guard over my mouth; 
keep watch, O Lord, at the door of my lips. 

Do not turn my heart to things that are wrong, 
to evil deeds with men who are sinners. 
Never allow me to share in their feasting. 
If a good man strikes or reproves me it is kindness; 

But let the oil of the wicked not anoint my head. 
Let my prayer be ever against their malice. 
Their princes were thrown down by the side of the rock: 
then they understood that my words were kind. 

As a millstone is shattered to pieces on the ground, 
so their bones were strewn at the mouth of the grave. 
To You, Lord God, my eyes are turned: 
in you I take refuge; spare my soul. 

From the trap they have laid for me keep me safe: 
keep me from the snares of those who do evil. 
Let the wicked fall into the traps they have set 
while I pursue my way unharmed. 
 

Prayer of Psalm 140 

Leader: Let us pray to the Lord. 

People: Lord, have mercy. 

Leader: O Great and most high God, You alone are immortal and You dwell in unapproachable light.  You created all things in your wisdom, dividing light from darkness, establishing the sun to govern the day and the moon and stars to rule the night.  You have deemed us, poor sinners, worthy to reach this hour, to come into your presence with our thanks, and to offer You our evening praise.  O Lord, Lover of Mankind, let our prayers ascend to You as incense, and accept them as a sweet fragrance.  Grant that this evening and the coming night may be spent in peace; clothe us with the armor of light; save us from the fears of the night and from evils that lurk in darkness.  Grant that the sleep You have given to refresh us from our fatigue may be free from every evil. 

O Lord and Giver of All Good Things, may we remember your Name throughout the night. Enlightened by the practice of your commandments, may we rise in gladness of soul to praise your goodness, offering prayers and supplications for our sins and those of Your people.  Through the intercession of the Mother of God look down upon us with mercy; for You are a gracious Lord Who loves mankind, and we glorify You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. 

People: Amen. 
 

Hymn of the Evening 
This hymn was already called ancient by St. Basil the Great 

Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord. 

People: O Joyful Light! 
Light and Holy Glory of the Father immortal, 
the heavenly, holy, the Blessed One; O Jesus Christ. 
Now that we have reached the setting of the sun and see the evening light, 
we sing to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 
It is fitting at all times to raise a song of praise in measured melody to You, 
O Son of God, the giver of life. 
Behold the universe sings your glory! 

Leader: Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord. 

People: Lord, have mercy. 

The leader asks us to pray for the whole world, for the needs of the Church which is God's servant for the world, for our community, for our parish family and, finally, for our own needs. 

Leader: Blessed are You, O Lord, Almighty God!  You search us and you know us. You know what we need even before we ask or are aware of it.  Now, O King who loves mankind and who is gracious in everything, in your great mercy allow us to call upon your Holy Name with an unashamed conscience.  Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One;

Priest: For to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is due all glory, honor and adoration, now and ever and forever. 

Leader: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.

People: Amen. 
 

Canticle of St. Simeon 
Luke 2:29-32  

Now You may dismiss your servant, O Lord, 
according to your Word in peace, 
because my eyes have seen your salvation 
which You have prepared in the sight of all your peoples. 
A light of revelation to the Gentiles 
and the glory of your people, Israel! 

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, 
now and ever and forever. Amen. 

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; 
Lord, cleanse us of our sins; 
Master, forgive our transgressions; 
Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for Your Name's sake. 

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, 
now and ever and forever. Amen. 
 

The Lord's Prayer  
Matthew 6:9-13 

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. 
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread, 
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, 
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 

Priest: For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Everyone else concludes: 

Leader: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.

People: Amen.