All Hallows Evening Prayer for Sunday Evening (August 23, 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 prayer 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
Refrain:
O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name,
how wonderful your name,
in all the earth!
When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you set in place -
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him? [Refrain]
the moon and the stars which you set in place -
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him? [Refrain]
You have made him little less than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet: [Refrain]
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet: [Refrain]
All sheep and oxen,
yes, and the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas. [Refrain]
yes, and the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas. [Refrain]
Silence is kept.
We bless you, Master of the heavens,
for the wonderful order which enfolds this world;
grant that your whole creation
may find fulfilment in the Son of Man,
Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Proclamation of the Word
The Reading
A reading from Paul’s letter to the Galatians.
For you were called to freedom, brothers and
sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but
through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up
in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” If,
however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed
by one another.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Silence is kept.
The Homily
Slaves Through Love
In this evening’s homily we return to Paul’s letter to the Galatians, to
verse 13 of chapter 5 of that letter. “For
you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your
freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves
to one another.” What then does it mean to become slaves to one another?
This verse may come as a shock to some of us. We live in a country that
was nearly torn apart in a bloody civil war over slavery. Our nation has not
fully recovered from that war even though it was fought almost 160 years ago.
It was the bloodiest war in American history.
Since the spring of this year we have experienced a number of protests
calling for the removal of Confederate memorials that were erected in the early
twentieth century to recall those who died for the cause of the Southern states.
While some Americans see these memorials as a commemoration of a part of US
history, other Americans see them as a painful reminder of slavery, Jim Crow,
and segregation.
Slavery did not disappear from the world with the American Civil War. Human
trafficking is an endemic problem worldwide, including here in the United
States.
A slave is a human being who is owned by another human being. Slaves are
bought and sold and must do whatever their owner tells them. They have no
choice. They are property. Their owner can do with them whatever he or she
likes. They have no rights. If they disobey their owner, they may be punished
or even killed. Is this the kind of slavery about which Paul is talking?
The key phrase to understand what Paul is saying is “through love.” The
kind of servitude about which Paul is talking is voluntary. It is motivated by
love for our fellow Christians. Paul goes on to say that the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall
love your neighbor as yourself.”
It is helpful here to understand the larger context of what Paul is
saying. Earlier in his letter he has been warning the Galatians about the
Judicizers. The Judicizers were Jews who taught that it was not enough for a
Gentile to believe in Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for their
salvation. A Gentile must also obey all the rules and regulations of the Old
Testament Law and their own traditions. Paul is saying that the commandment to
love one’s neighbor as one’s self sums up the entire law. Gentiles like the
Galatians do not have to obey these rules and regulations. They must, however,
love others as they love themselves.
Jesus himself talks about this kind of servitude. “A dispute also arose
among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But
he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in
authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the
greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who
serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves?
Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.’ He sets
the example for us.
Further on in the letter to the Galatians Paul draws out what it means
to be slaves to each other through love. We
will take a look at what he says in the next homily.
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
Will you let me be your servant,
let me be as Christ to you?
Pray that I may have the grace
Pray that I may have the grace
to let you be my servant, too.
We are pilgrims on a journey,
we are trav’lers on the road.
We are here to help each other
We are here to help each other
walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ-light for you
in the night-time of your fear.
I will hold my hand out to you,
I will hold my hand out to you,
speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping,
when you laugh I'll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow
I will share your joy and sorrow
till we've seen this journey through.
When we sing to God in heaven,
we shall find such harmony,
born of all we've known together
born of all we've known together
of Christ's love and agony.
Will you let me be your servant,
let me be as Christ to you?
Pray that I may have the grace
Pray that I may have the grace
to let you be my servant, too.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The God of all grace bless us now
and forever. Amen.
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