All Hallows Evening Prayer for Saturday (August 22, 2020)
Evening Prayer
The Service of Light
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can extinguish.
Open this link in
a new tab to hear Carl P. Daw Jr.’s metrical version of the Phos hilaron, “O Light Whose Splendor
Thrills and Gladdens.”
O Light whose splendor thrills and gladdens
with radiance brighter than the sun,
pure gleam of God's unending glory,
O Jesus, blest Anointed One;
as twilight hovers near at sunset,
and lamps are lit, and children nod,
in evening hymns we lift our voices
to Father, Spirit, Son: one God.
In all life's brilliant, timeless moments,
let faithful voices sing your praise,
O Son of God, our Life-bestower,
whose glory lightens endless days.
Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
God our Father, we give you thanks
for all your gifts freely bestowed upon us;
for the beauty and wonder of your creation,
in earth and sky and sea; for all that is gracious
in the lives of men and women, revealing the light of Christ;
for minds to muse and hearts to love and hands to serve;
for health and strength to work,
for leisure to rest and play;
for communion with your saints,
in all times and places,
and above all for the great promises and mercies
given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.
To him be praise and glory,
with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Psalm 141 is sung and incense may be burned.
Like burning incense, O Lord,
let my rise to you.
Like burning incense, O Lord,
let my prayer rise to you.
1 I call out to you,
Come quickly to my aid.
My song cries out to you,
O listen to me now.
I raise my hands in off’ring to you.
Like burning incense, O Lord,
(Like burning incense, O Lord,)
let my prayer rise to you.
(let my prayer rise to you.)
Like burning incense, O Lord,
(Like burning incense, O Lord,)
let my prayer rise to you.
(let my prayer rise to you.)
2 Let me speak your truth;
watch over all I say.
Keep my thoughts on you;
let goodness rule my heart.
Keep me far from those who do harm.
Like burning incense, O Lord,
(Like burning incense, O Lord,)
let my prayer rise to you.
(let my prayer rise to you.)
Like burning incense, O Lord,
(Like burning incense, O Lord,)
let my prayer rise to you.
(let my prayer rise to you.)
3 Never let me dine
with those who seek to harm.
Keep your holy ones
always at my side.
Plant your wisdom deep in my soul.
Like burning incense, O Lord,
(Like burning incense, O Lord,)
let my prayer rise to you.
(let my prayer rise to you.)
Like burning incense, O Lord,
(Like burning incense, O Lord,)
let my prayer rise to you.
(let my prayer rise to you.)
4 I look to you for help;
I seek your loving eyes.
Guard my life for you;
Spare me from all wrong.
Keep all evil far from my heart.
Like burning incense, O Lord,
(Like burning incense, O Lord,)
let my prayer rise to you.
(let my prayer rise to you.)
Like burning incense, O Lord,
(Like burning incense, O Lord,)
let my prayer rise to you.
(let my prayer rise to you.)
5 Glory be to God
and to God’s only Son,
glory to the Spirit,
three in one,
now and for ever. Amen.
Like burning incense, O Lord,
(Like burning incense, O Lord,)
let my prayer rise to you.
(let my prayer rise to you.)
Like burning incense, O Lord,
(Like burning incense, O Lord,)
let my prayer rise to you.
(let my prayer rise to you.)
Silence is kept.
Let the incense of our repentant prayer ascend before you, O Lord, and
let your loving kindness descend upon 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 and ever. Amen.
The Psalms
The Lord my God my shepherd is;
how could I want or need?
In pastures green, by streams serene,
he safely does me lead.
how could I want or need?
In pastures green, by streams serene,
he safely does me lead.
To wholeness he restores my soul
and does in mercy bless,
and helps me take for his Name’s sake
the paths of righteousness.
and does in mercy bless,
and helps me take for his Name’s sake
the paths of righteousness.
Yes, even when I must pass
through the valley of death’s shade,
I will not fear, for you are here,
to comfort and to aid.
through the valley of death’s shade,
I will not fear, for you are here,
to comfort and to aid.
You have in grace my table spread
secure in all alarms,
and filled my cup, and raised me up
in everlasting arms.
secure in all alarms,
and filled my cup, and raised me up
in everlasting arms.
Then surely I can trust your love
for all the days to come,
that I may tell your praise,
and dwell for ever in your arms,
for all the days to come,
that I may tell your praise,
and dwell for ever in your arms,
Silence is kept.
O God, our sovereign and shepherd,
who brought again your Son Jesus Christ
from the valley of death,
comfort us with your protecting presence
and your angels of goodness and love,
that we also may come home
and dwell with him in your house for ever.
Amen.
The Proclamation of the Word
The Reading
A reading from Paul’s second letter to Timothy.
In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also
of wood and clay, some for special use, some for ordinary. All who cleanse
themselves of the things I have mentioned will become special utensils,
dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work. Shun
youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with
those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with stupid
and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s
servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher,
patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that
they will repent and come to know the truth, and that they may escape from
the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Silence is kept.
The Homily
A Gentle Spirit
The advice that Paul gives his young protégé Timothy in this passage
should be written in large, bold letters on a poster board and hung on a wall in
full view of wherever we normally use our laptop or personal computer. “Shun
youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with
those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with stupid
and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s
servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher,
patient, correcting opponents with gentleness.”
Paul wrote these words for not just Timothy but also our ourselves and
for anyone else who reads the letter or hears the letter read. Through his
letters Paul exercises his apostleship across time as well as across distance.
We might want to read his words every day before we go online. Due to
our sinful state and a busy devil the internet is rife with controversies of
all kinds. Quarrelsomeness is the spirit of the age. Christians have become
infected with that spirit as much as anyone else. Christians treat each other
in the most unchristian manner—calling each other names and attacking each
other’s character. What is missing is what was called Christian charity in my
childhood—"showing kindness to others and not judging them in a severe way.”
As Paul reminds Timothy, a servant of God is kind, patient, and gentle.
As The Book of Common Prayer reminds us, all Christians, all who have
been baptized and have professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are servants of
God, not just pastors, elder, and deacons. While what Paul writes Timothy is particularly
true for those in ordained ministry, it is true for all Christians whoever they
are and whatever their walk of life may be. We are all called to live a life
worthy of the gospel, a life of kindliness, patience, and gentleness.
Silence is kept.
The Gospel Canticle
Refrain:
My soul proclaims with wonder
the greatness of the Lord;
rejoicing in God's goodness,
my spirit is restored.
For God has looked with favor,
on one the world thought frail;
and blessings through the ages will echo
the angel's first "All hail." [Refrain]
God's mercy shields the faithful
and gives them safe retreat
to arms that turns to scatter
the proud in their conceit. [Refrain]
The mighty have been vanquished;
the lowly lifted up.
The hungry find abundance;
the rich, an empty cup. [Refrain]
To Abraham's descendants
the Lord will steadfast prove,
for God has made with Israel
a covenant of love. [Refrain]
Intercessions
In peace let us pray to the Lord,
Lord, have mercy.
For God’s holy Church, that it may be filled with truth and love,
and be found without fault at the day of his coming, let us pray
to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the ministers of. the Church (especially …………), that they
may be faithful to the Gospel and worthy servants of the people
of God, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For all who fear God and believe in the Lord Jesus, that our
divisions may cease, and that all may be one, as he wills, let us
pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the mission of the Church, that in faithful witness it may preach
the Gospel to the ends of the earth, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those who do not yet believe, and for those who have lost
their faith, that they may receive the light of the Gospel, let us
pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the world, that respect and understanding may
grow among nations and peoples, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those in positions of public trust (especially ………...), that
they may serve justice and truth, and promote the dignity and
freedom of every person, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For our families and all those who are dear to us; for the aged and
for the young that they may have a future to hope in, let us pray
to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer; for
refugees, prisoners, and all who are in danger, that they may be
relieved and protected, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For our enemies, and those who wish us harm; and for all whom
we have injured or offended, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Free Prayer
In silent or spontaneous prayer all bring before God the concerns of the
day.
The Collect
Lighten our darkness,
Lord, we pray,
and in your great mercy
defend us from all perils and dangers of this night,
for the love of your only Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer is said
And now, as our Saviour has taught us,
we are bold to say,
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,
the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Dismissal
What the dew is to the flower,
Gentle words are to the soul,
and a blessing to the giver,
and so dear to the receiver,
we should never withhold.
What the dew is to the flower,
Gentle words are to the soul,
and a blessing to the giver,
and so dear to the receiver,
we should never withhold.
Gentle words kindly spoken
often soothe the troubled mind,
while links of love are broken
by words that are unkind.
Then O, thou gentle spirit,
my constant guardian be,
"Do to others," be my motto,
"as I'd have them do to me."
What the dew is to the flower,
Gentle words are to the soul,
and a blessing to the giver,
and so dear to the receiver,
we should never withhold.
Gentle words kindly spoken
often soothe the troubled mind,
while links of love are broken
by words that are unkind.
Then O, thou gentle spirit,
my constant guardian be,
"Do to others," be my motto,
"as I'd have them do to me."
Gentle words kindly spoken
often soothe the troubled mind,
while links of love are broken
by words that are unkind.
Then O, thou gentle spirit,
my constant guardian be,
"Do to others," be my motto,
"as I'd have them do to me."
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The God of all grace bless us now and forever. Amen.
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