Evening Prayer for the Time of Advent Saint John Hattiesburg, MS December 21, 2016
Evening Prayer recalls the Old Testament rhythm of prayer in the morning and evening, when you lie down and when you arise (Deut. 6:7). Our Lord himself as well as his apostles and the New Testament church continued that rhythm, marking every day by a sacrifice of prayer and praise to God. The Service of the Light began as a daily lamp-lighting service at the setting of the sun in the early centuries before gas or electric lights. The image of light in the midst of darkness is easily associated with Christ who is our light (John 1:9). We look forward to the Day when we will no longer need lamp nor sun, for the Lord God will be our Light (Rev. 22:5). The Psalter is the hymnal/ prayerbook of both Old and New Testament Israel. Psalm 141 sets the Evening Prayer theme with incense and the uplifted hands of prayer as the evening sacrifice of God s people. In the Old Testament, incense was offered to God, not for the atonement of sins, but as a praiseand thank-offering to God (Ex. 30). Incense, prayer, and praise are the thanksgiving sacrifices of God s saints (Mal. 1:1). Where the Word of Christ dwells richly, there are psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Col 3:16). This is the rhythm of Christian worship: God first speaks to us through his Word; we then speak his words back to him in hymns and songs. The lessons and responses for this service focus on the Second Coming of our Lord. Our hymn of response is the Magnificat, the glorious hymn of praise sung by the blessed mother of our Lord, when the Word preached by Gabriel became flesh in her womb for us and for our salvation. The needs and concerns of the whole people of God are included in the Litany, where the priestly people of God intercede for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity (1 Tim. 2:2). We also give thanks for the saints who have died in the Lord and who rest in the hope of the resurrection (1 Thess. 4:13ff.). From the abundance of god s blessing the faithful then gather an offering of the first fruits of their labor for the work of the Church in the proclamation of the Gospel. The sermon is the Word of God proclaimed for our upbuilding and strengthening in Christ. Those who have heard the Word of the Lord leave with the peace of the Lord on their lips and their hearts. 2
The congregation gathers in silence. Please stand. 3
888 O Gladsome Light, O Grace Thanksgiving for Light L The Lord be with you. C And also with you. L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give him thanks and praise. L Blessed are You, O Lord, our God, king of the universe, who led Your people Israel by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Enlighten our darkness by the light of Your Christ; may His Word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path; for You are merciful, and You love Your whole creation and we, Your creatures, glorify You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. C Amen. Please be seated. Psalmody Psalm 141 4
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L Let us pray. Silence for individual prayer may follow. Let the incense of our repentant prayer ascend before You, O Lord, and let Your loving-kindness descend on us that, with purified minds, we may sing Your praises with the Church on earth and the whole heavenly host and may glorify You forever. C Amen. Scripture Psalm 24 Of David. A psalm. 1 The earth is the LORD s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; 2 for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. 3 Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. 5 They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob. 7 Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty he is the King of glory. L In many and various ways, God spoke to his people of old by the prophets. C But now in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. 6
351 Creator of the Stars of Night 5 O Thou, whose coming is with dread 6 To God the Father and the Son To judge the living and the dead, And Holy Spirit, Three in One, Preserve us from the ancient foe Praise, honor, might, and glory be While still we dwell on earth below. From age to age eternally. Amen. Litany We stand to pray. 7
L For the peace from above and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord: L For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord: L For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord: L For Matt, Kurt, Gary, and John, for all pastors in Christ, for all servants of the Church, and for all the people, let us pray to the Lord: L For Barak our President and Phil our governor, for all public servants, for the government and those who protect us, that they may be upheld and strengthened in every good deed, let us pray to the Lord: L For those who work to bring peace, justice, health, and protection in this and every place, let us pray to the Lord: L For those who bring offerings, those who do good works in this congregation, those who toil, those who sing, and all the people here present who await from the Lord great and abundant mercy, let us pray to the Lord: L For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord: L For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and need, let us pray to the Lord: 8
Silence for individual prayer may follow. Collect Prayers L Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our cares on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. C Amen. L Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. C Amen. L O God, from whom come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works, give to us, Your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey Your commandments and also that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen. 9
L Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray: C 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. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. Please be seated. 340 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates 10
Message Four Psalms for Advent A Psalm for Presence Collect for Guidance in Our Calling, Benedicamus, Benediction C Lord God, You have called Your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that Your hand is leading us and Your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. L Let us bless the Lord. C Thanks be to God. P The almighty and merciful Lord, the Father, the T Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless and preserve you. C Amen. We greet one another in the peace of Christ. Christmas Season Special Collections 1. Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes: Completed November 20 th. 2. Domestic Abuse Family Shelter: Completed December 7 th. 3. Bread Basket Christmas Boxes: Completed December 21 st. 4. Master Builder Center: Reaching Ethiopian Orphans with the Gospel in Word and Deed. See flyers from Rev. Dr. Tilahun Mendedo at foyer mailboxes. 11
Advent and Christmas Worship Schedule Advent Wednesday Evening Prayer December 21 st 2:00pm and 7:00pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service With Holy Communion, 2:00pm and 7:00pm The Christ Mass Christmas Day Worship With Holy Communion, 10:30am Love. Like. Jesus. Saint John Lutheran Church 2001 Hardy Street Hattiesburg MS 39401 Telephone: 601.583.4898 Website: www.saintjohnhattiesburg.com Email: stjohnlutheranchurch@gmail.com Like Us on Facebook: USM Campus Mission Like Us on Facebook: Oktoberfest Hattiesburg Like Us on Facebook: Saint John Church Hattiesburg Like Us on Facebook: Longleaf Heights Neighborhood Association 12