Wednesday, June 24, 2026

The Nativity of John the Baptist (Midsummer Day)

Liturgical Color
White

Morning Prayer

Opening Sentence

Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. luke 2:10-11

Antiphon

Alleluia. Unto us a child is born: * O come, let us adore him. Alleluia.

Psalms

127; 128

First Lesson

I Thessalonians 2:17–3:13

Second Lesson

Matthew 14:1–13

Evening Prayer

Opening Sentence

Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. revelation 21:3

Psalms

129; 130; 131

First Lesson

Daniel 3

Second Lesson

Acts 20:1–16

Collects

Seasonal Collect

Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent, boldly rebuke vice, patiently suffer for the sake of truth, and proclaim the coming of Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Special Collect

Almighty God, you have surrounded us with a great cloud of witnesses: Grant that we, encouraged by the good example of your servant N., may persevere in running the race that is set before us, until at last, with him, we attain to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Or this: Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one with your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our earthly pilgrimage we may always be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and know ourselves to be surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy; for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Seasonal Blessing

Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with peace and goodwill and make you partakers of the divine nature; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

Remembrance

The Wednesday in the Fourth Week After Pentecost