Evening Prayer The Season after Pentecost 2008 To the Lector what to read The Lector at Evening Prayer leads the Psalm(s) and reads two Lessons. The Psalms are chosen by the Lector from among those printed in the service booklet. The Lessons are the same Old Testament and Gospel readings as at the morning services. how to read it Walk from your pew to the Lectern as the candlelighting concludes. Announce the portion of the Psalter to be read and the manner of recitation, e.g. Let us read in unison Psalms 117 and 121 or Let us read Psalm 139 responsively by whole verse After all the selected Psalms have been read, all say Glory to the Father... Immediately following the Psalms, ask the People to sit, and read the First Lesson. After the Acclamation, be seated at the Lectern and observe silence. All will stand to sing Magnificat. Afterwards, ask the People to sit, and read the Second Lesson. After the Acclamation, be seated at the Lectern and observe silence. All will stand to sing Nunc dimittis. You may return to your pew during this canticle.
Welcome to Evening Prayer Prayers said at particular times of the day are a part of many religious traditions. From Jewish temple and synagogue rites, early Christians developed a rich daily cycle of prayer services (the Office, or the Hours), celebrated in monastic communities and often said privately by pious lay persons. At the Reformation, the Church of England reined in what had become a vast and complex set of rituals and created a set of liturgies in the language of the people, all contained in one volume: the Book of Common Prayer. The Eucharist remained, at least in theory, the central celebration of the Church, while the many daily services of the Office were distilled into Morning and Evening Prayer (Mattins and Evensong), which were celebrated daily in cathedrals, college chapels, and the like, if not always in parishes. Evensong in particular developed a very rich musical tradition which we continue monthly at Good Shepherd during the school term. Morning Prayer (being more like other Protestant services and also more celebratory than the then rather dour Communion rite) eventually became the normal Sunday celebration in most places in the Anglican Communion, which those who have been Episcopalians since the 1970s or earlier will remember. Evening Prayer is structured as follows (Morning Prayer is similar): The service of light and the Psalter a short lesson from scripture and a prayer for light, followed by candlelighting an invitatory hymn (here, O gracious light, an early Christian hymn, set to a familiar hymn-tune) one or more psalms (here, a few appropriate for evening have been selected) The Lessons two lessons from scripture, each followed by a canticle (song from scripture) (here, the Songs of Mary and Simeon from Luke s Gospel the traditional canticles for Evening Prayer again set to familiar tunes); as at the Eucharist, a creed follows the lessons The Prayers the Lord s Prayer either of two sets of responsive prayers, called the suffrages additional prayers collects and intercessions selected by the Officiant a hymn Evening Prayer can also serve as the first half of a Communion service; after the Prayers, the service continues with the Peace, the Eucharistic Prayer, and so forth. Each service of Evening Prayer at Good Shepherd begins with silence and ends with music. You are invited to use both these times for prayer and meditation.
Evening Prayer The Service of Light and the Psalter [ 3 ] Opening Acclamation All stand as the Officiant enters Officiant Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord. People Thanks be to God. Short Lesson & Prayer for Light Officiant Yours is the day, O God, yours also the night; you established the moon and the sun. You fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter. Let us pray. Almighty God, we give you thanks for surrounding us, as daylight fades, with the brightness of the vesper light; and we implore you of your great mercy that, as you enfold us with the radiance of this light, so you would shine into our hearts the brightness of your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. All Amen. O gracious Light Phos hilaron Candles at the altar are lighted as all sing O gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ, in you the Father s glory shone. Immortal, holy, blest is he, and blest are you, his holy Son. Now sunset comes, but light shines forth, the lamps are lit to pierce the night. Praise Father, Son, and Spirit: God who dwells in the the eternal light. Worthy are you of endless praise, O Son of God, Life-giving Lord; wherefore you are through all the earth and in the highest heaven adored.
[ 4 ] The Psalm or Psalms Appointed All read one or more of the following selections as invited by the Lector 16 5 O Lord, you are my portion and my cup; * it is you who uphold my lot. 6 My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; * indeed, I have a goodly heritage. 7 I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; * my heart teaches me, night after night. 8 I have set the Lord always before me; * because he is at my right hand I shall not fall. 9 My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; * my body also shall rest in hope. 10 For you will not abandon me to the grave; * nor let your holy one see the Pit. 11 You will show me the path of life; * in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore. 92 1 It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, * and to sing praises to your Name, O Most High; 2 To tell of your loving-kindness early in the morning * and of your faithfulness in the night season; 3 On the psaltery, and on the lyre, * and to the melody of the harp. 4 For you have made me glad by your acts, O Lord; * and I shout for joy because of the work of your hands. 113 1 Hallelujah! Give praise, you servants of the Lord; * praise the Name of the Lord. 2 Let the Name of the Lord be blessed, * from this time forth for evermore. 3 From the rising of the sun to its going down * let the Name of the Lord be praised. 4 The Lord is high above all nations, * and his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like the Lord our God, who sits enthroned on high * but stoops to behold the heavens and the earth? 6 He takes up the weak out of the dust * and lifts up the poor from the ashes. 7 He sets them with the princes, * with the princes of his people. 8 He makes the woman of a childless house * to be a joyful mother of children. 117 1 Praise the Lord, all you nations; * laud him, all you peoples. 2 For his loving-kindness toward us is great, * and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever. Hallelujah!
121 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; * from where is my help to come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, * the maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot be moved * and he who watches over you will not fall asleep. 4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel * shall neither slumber nor sleep; 5 The Lord himself watches over you; * the Lord is your shade at your right hand, 6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, * nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; * it is he who shall keep you safe. 8 The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, * from this time forth for evermore. [ 5 ] 134 1 Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, * you that stand by night in the house of the Lord. 2 Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the Lord; * the Lord who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion. 139 1 Lord, you have searched me out and known me; * you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 2 You trace my journeys and my resting-places * and are acquainted with all my ways. 6 Where can I go then from your Spirit? * where can I flee from your presence? 7 If I climb up to heaven, you are there; * if I make the grave my bed, you are there also. 8 If I take the wings of the morning * and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 9 Even there your hand will lead me * and your right hand hold me fast. 10 If I say, Surely the darkness will cover me, * and the light around me turn to night, 11 Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day; * darkness and light to you are both alike. 141 1 O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly; * hear my voice when I cry to you. 2 Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, * the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. 3 Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord, and guard the door of my lips; * let not my heart incline to any evil thing. 8 My eyes are turned to you, Lord God; * in you I take refuge. At the end of the Psalms all say Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
[ 6 ] The Lessons First Lesson The People sit, and the Lector reads the Lesson, followed by this acclamation Lector The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. Silence is kept The Song of Mary Magnificat All stand and sing My soul proclaims your greatness, Lord; I sing my Savior s praise! You looked upon my lowliness, and I am full of grace. Now ev ry land and ev ry age this blessing shall proclaim great wonders you have done for me, and holy is your name. To all who live in holy fear your mercy ever flows. With mighty arm you dash the proud, their scheming hearts expose. The ruthless you have cast aside, the lowly throned instead; the hungry filled with all good things, the rich sent off unfed. To Israël, your servant blest, your help is ever sure; the promise to our parents made their children will secure. Sing glory to the Holy One, give honor to the Word, and praise the Pow r of the Most High, one God, by all adored.
Second Lesson The People sit, and the Lector reads the Lesson, followed by this acclamation Lector The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. [ 7 ] Silence is kept The Song of Simeon Nunc dimittis All stand and sing Lord God, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as promised in your word; my eyes have seen the Savior, Christ the Lord, prepared by you for all the world to see, to shine on nations trapped in darkest night, the glory of your people, and their light. Glory and praise be to the Trinity: to God the Father, heaven s mighty Lord, to God the Son, the Father s Holy Word; to God the Spirit, by whose light we see; thus was it, is, and will be, day and night, from age to age, into the endless light.
[ 8 ] The Apostles Creed Officiant I believe in God, the Father almighty, All 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 again 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. The Prayers Officiant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Officiant Let us pray. All kneel [ if Communion is to follow, the Lord s Prayer is omitted here ] The Lord s Prayer Officiant Our Father, who art in heaven, All 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, for ever and ever. Amen.
Suffrages Officiant Show us your mercy, O Lord; People And grant us your salvation. Officiant Clothe your ministers with righteousness; People Let your people sing with joy. Officiant Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; People For only in you can we live in safety. Officiant Lord, keep this nation under your care; People And guide us in the way of justice and truth. Officiant Let your way be known upon earth; People Your saving health among all nations. Officiant Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; People Nor the hope of the poor be taken away. Officiant Create in us clean hearts, O God; People And sustain us with your Holy Spirit. [ 9 ] Collects The Officiant says one or more prayers, to which the People respond Amen [ if Communion is to follow, the service continues on page 10 with the Peace ] Hymn All stand and sing as invited by the Officiant Intercessions All kneel. The Officiant may add further prayers A Prayer of St Chrysostom Voluntary All Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. All are seated until the music concludes Dismissal All stand Officiant Let us bless the Lord. People Thanks be to God. * * *
[ 10 ] The Holy Communion The Peace All stand Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And also with you. All greet one another in the name of the Lord The Offertory The Celebrant reads a sentence of Scripture. All are seated as the altar is prepared The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer D All stand Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Lift up your hearts. People We lift them to the Lord. Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People It is right to give him thanks and praise. Celebrant It is truly right to glorify you, Father, and to give you thanks... The Celebrant praises God as the source of light and life...we acclaim you, and glorify your Name, as we sing, All holy, holy, holy Sanctus
Celebrant We acclaim you, holy Lord, glorious in power... The Celebrant gives thanks for God s steadfast love and saving acts through Christ...we praise you and we bless you. All We praise you, we bless you, we give thanks to you, and we pray to you, Lord our God. Celebrant Lord, we pray that in your goodness and mercy your Holy Spirit may descend upon us... The Celebrant asks God s blessing on this celebration and prays for the unity and well-being of God s people...through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty God and Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. All AMEN. [ 11 ] The Lord s Prayer Celebrant And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, All 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, for ever and ever. Amen. The Breaking of the Bread After the Celebrant breaks the bread, silence is kept the communion of the people At the Celebrant s invitation, the People come to the altar to receive bread & wine, afterward returning to their seats postcommunion prayer Celebrant Let us pray. All Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessing The Celebrant may bless the People Hymn All stand and sing as invited by the Celebrant Voluntary All are seated until the music concludes Dismissal Celebrant Let us bless the Lord. People Thanks be to God. * * * Music Credits O gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ words Early Christian hymn, para. F. Bland Tucker. Church Pension Fund. Reprinted for convenience from Hymnal 1982 under Public Law 94-553 music The Eighth Tune, Thomas Tallis my soul proclaims your greatness, Lord words Luke 1.45 55; tr. With One Voice, 1995. 1995 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-712092 music Forest Green, English melody, adapt. Ralph Vaughan Williams Lord God, you now have set your servant free words Stanza 1: Luke 2.29 32; para. Rae E. Whitney. Church Pension Fund. Reprinted for convenience from Hymnal 1982 under Public Law 94-553 Stanza 2: Patricia Blaze Clark. Used by permission of the author. music Song 1, Orlando Gibbons holy, holy, holy setting Robert Powell. The Church Pension Fund Reprinted for convenience from Hymnal 1982 under Public Law 94-553 Cover illustration by Joan Sharpe