The Church has always risen early to pray. Before the work of the day begins, the faithful gather to confess their sins, hear the Word of God, sing the Psalms, and offer their petitions to the Father. That rhythm need not stop at the parish door. Join us online each Saturday at 8:30 AM (Pacific) for Morning Prayer on the Saint Paul’s Discord server, led by Mr. Zack Luna.
Whether you are traveling, homebound, or simply want to begin your Saturday in prayer with the parish family, you are welcome.
What Is Discord?
Discord is a free app for group conversation. Think of it as a meeting place with many rooms: some rooms are for text messages, and others are “voice channels” where people can speak and listen together, much like a conference call. Saint Paul’s has its own private server, a parish space where members can pray together, share announcements, and keep in touch through the week.
How to Join
- Get the app. Download Discord for free at discord.com/download (Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android). You can also use it in your web browser at discord.com/app without installing anything.
- Create an account. All you need is an email address, a username, and a password.
- Join the Saint Paul’s server. Use our invite link: discord.gg/cK4nGCfjx. If you need help, contact the parish office and we will walk you through it.
- Enter the voice channel. On Saturday morning, a few minutes before 8:30, open the server and click the Morning Prayer voice channel in the left-hand list. You will be connected to the service.
- Pray along. Keep your microphone muted unless you are reading or responding, and have a Prayer Book open. If you don’t have a printed copy, the 1928 Book of Common Prayer is available online at bcponline.org.
The Order for Daily Morning Prayer
We pray the Order for Daily Morning Prayer from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. It is the Church’s ancient morning office, distilled by Archbishop Cranmer from the monastic hours, so that the whole people of God, not only monks and clergy, might pray the Psalms and hear the Scriptures day by day. Its shape is simple and has a clear logic: we confess, we praise, we hear, we believe, and we pray.
- Opening Sentences and Exhortation. The service opens with a verse of Scripture and the call, “Dearly beloved brethren,” to come humbly before God.
- General Confession and Absolution. We kneel and confess together, “We have left undone those things which we ought to have done,” and receive the declaration of God’s pardon.
- The Lord’s Prayer and Versicles. “O Lord, open thou our lips. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.”
- The Venite and the Psalms. We sing or say Psalm 95, then the Psalms appointed for the day, each ending with the Gloria Patri.
- The Lessons and Canticles. A First Lesson from the Old Testament is followed by the Te Deum or Benedicite; a Second Lesson from the New Testament is followed by the Benedictus or Jubilate. Scripture is read, and the Church answers with praise.
- The Apostles’ Creed. Having heard the Word, we confess the faith once delivered to the saints.
- The Prayers. The Suffrages, the Collect of the Day, the Collect for Peace, and the Collect for Grace, followed by prayers for those in authority, for the clergy and people, the General Thanksgiving, and the Prayer of St. Chrysostom.
- The Grace. We close with the apostolic blessing of 2 Corinthians 13:14.
The service takes about thirty minutes. If the Prayer Book is new to you, don’t worry about keeping perfect pace. Listen, follow along, and join in the responses as you are able. The liturgy forms us by repetition; within a few weeks the words will begin to live in you.
Come begin your Saturday in prayer with us. “O come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.”
Saturdays · 8:30 AM Pacific · Saint Paul’s Discord Server · Led by Mr. Zack Luna
