All Hallows Evening Prayer for Saturday Evening (October 10, 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 the ancient lamp-lighting hymn Phos hilaron, “O Gladsome Light, O Grace.”
1 O gladsome Light, O Grace
of God the Father’s face,
The eternal splendour wearing;
celestial, holy, blest,
our Saviour Jesus Christ,
joyful in Thine appearing.
2 Now, ere day fadeth quite,
we see the evening light,
our wonted hymn outpouring;
Father of might unknown,
Thee, His incarnate Son,
and Holy Ghost adoring.
3 To Thee of right belongs
all praise of holy songs,
O Son of God, Lifegiver;
Thee, therefore, O Most High,
the world doth glorify,
and shall exalt for ever.
Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
We praise you, O Lord our God, Ruler of the universe!
Your word brings on the dusk of evening,
your wisdom creates both night and day.
You determine the cycles of time,
arrange the succession of the seasons,
and establish the stars in their heavenly courses.
Lord of the starry hosts is your name.
Living and eternal God,
rule over us always.
Blessed be the Lord,
whose word makes evening fall.
Amen.
Psalm 141 is sung and incense may be burned.
Open this link in a new tab to Gavin Bryars’ choral arrangement of Psalm 141, “Lord, I Cry Unto Thee.”
Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
Lord, I cry unto thee.
Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.
Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.
Lord, I cry unto thee.
But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.
Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.
Give heed to my voice, let my cry come unto thee.
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
Open this link in a new tab to hear Luke Mayernik’s responsorial setting of the evening psalm, “Psalm 113—Blessed Be the Name of the Lord.”
Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever, for ever.
1 Praise, you servants of the Lord
praise the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the name of the Lord
both now and for ever.
Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever, for ever.
2 From the rising to the setting of the sun
is the name of the Lord to be praised.
High above all the nations is the Lord;
above the heavens is his glory.
Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever, for ever.
3 Who is like the Lord, our God,
who is enthroned on high
and looks upon the heavens
and the earth below?
Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever, for ever.
4 He raises up the lowly from the dust;
from the dunghill he lifts up the poor
to seat them with princes,
with princes of his own people.
Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever, for ever.
Silence is kept.
Lord Jesus, surrendering the brightness of your glory, you became mortal so that we might be raised from the dust to share your very being. May the children of God always bless your name from the rising of the sun to its going down, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
The Proclamation of the Word
The Reading
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The Gospel of Christ
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Silence is kept.
Where is your treasure? Where is your heart? Is your treasure here on earth? Is your heart here too?
One of my favorite saints is Francis of Assisi. I owe that to my mother. She had a copy of The Little Flowers of St. Francis which I read as a child. The stories of Francis and his companions captured my imagination. Francis sold his possessions and lived a life of poverty. He preached the gospel to all creatures in obedience to our Lord’s command, preaching to the birds of the air and to the denizen of the forest.
In many Anglican and Episcopal churches Francis is viewed as the patron saint of animals and his feast day is celebrated with the blessing of the pets of parishioners, their children, their grandchildren, and their friends. This practice does not do justice to Francis. He earnestly sought to be a disciple of Jesus and to live according to Jesus’ teachings as he understood them.
Blessing animals is also a practice that is not found in the Bible nor may it be proved by the Holy Scriptures. Only people are blessed in the Bible. This is not to say that we cannot pray for the health and safety of our pets and livestock, only that blessing them is not a biblical practice. While it is not specifically prohibited, it is at odds with the biblical practice of blessing people.
Francis and his companions sought to make purses for themselves that do not wear out. They took Jesus’ words seriously, They strove for God’s kingdom, trusting that God would supply them with clothes and food. We can learn from their example. In the words of the Shaker song, they bowed and were simple, they bowed and were free, they bowed and were humble, yes, they bowed like the willow tree. They valued the things of heaven over the things of earth. They exemplified what the Shakers meant when they sung about being little and low. While the Shakers had some unusual beliefs and practices, they also sought to live by Jesus’ teachings as did Francis and his companions.
Where then is your treasure? Where then is your heart?
Silence is kept.
The Gospel Canticle
Open this link in a new tab to hear the Magnificat from Thomas Weekles’ Sixth Service.
My soul doth magnify the Lord :
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded :
the lowliness of his hand-maiden.
For behold, from henceforth :
all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me :
and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him :
throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with his arm :
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat :
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things :
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel :
as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Intercessions
Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For peace from on high and our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For the welfare of all churches and for the unity of the human family, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For (name), our bishop, and (name), our pastor, and for all ministers of the Gospel, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For our nation, its government, and for all who serve and protect us, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For this city (town, university, monastery…). For every city and community, and for all those living in them, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For the good earth which God has given us and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For the safety of travelers, the recovery of the sick, the care of the destitute and the release of prisoners, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For an angel of peace to guide and protect us, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For a peaceful evening and a night free from sin, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For a Christian end to our lives and for all who have fallen asleep in Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
In the communion of the Holy Spirit (and of all the saints), let us commend ourselves and one another to the living God through Christ our Lord.
To you, O Lord.
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
Open this link in a new tab to hear Kevin Sigfried’s choral arrangement of the Shaker song, “Who Will Bow and Bend Like a Willow.”
Who will bow and bend like a willow,
who will turn and twist and reel,
in the gale of simple freedom,
from the bower of union flowing?
Refrain:
I will bow and be simple,
I will bow and be free,
I will bow and be humble,
yea, bow like the willow tree.
Who will bow, this is the token,
who will wear the easy yoke,
who will bow and be broken,
who will fall upon the rock? [Refrain]
Who will drink the wine of power,
dropping down like a shower,
pride and bondage all forgetting?
The Lord's wine is freely working. [Refrain]
Oh, ho! Who will have it,
who will bow and bend to get it?
We'll be reeling, turning, twisting,
shake out all the starch and stiff'ning! [Refrain]
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Lord bless us and keep us.
The Lord make his face to shine upon us
and be gracious to us.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon us
and give us peace. Amen
Homily
Purses That Do Not Wear Out
Where is your treasure? Where is your heart? Is your treasure here on earth? Is your heart here too?
One of my favorite saints is Francis of Assisi. I owe that to my mother. She had a copy of The Little Flowers of St. Francis which I read as a child. The stories of Francis and his companions captured my imagination. Francis sold his possessions and lived a life of poverty. He preached the gospel to all creatures in obedience to our Lord’s command, preaching to the birds of the air and to the denizen of the forest.
In many Anglican and Episcopal churches Francis is viewed as the patron saint of animals and his feast day is celebrated with the blessing of the pets of parishioners, their children, their grandchildren, and their friends. This practice does not do justice to Francis. He earnestly sought to be a disciple of Jesus and to live according to Jesus’ teachings as he understood them.
Blessing animals is also a practice that is not found in the Bible nor may it be proved by the Holy Scriptures. Only people are blessed in the Bible. This is not to say that we cannot pray for the health and safety of our pets and livestock, only that blessing them is not a biblical practice. While it is not specifically prohibited, it is at odds with the biblical practice of blessing people.
Francis and his companions sought to make purses for themselves that do not wear out. They took Jesus’ words seriously, They strove for God’s kingdom, trusting that God would supply them with clothes and food. We can learn from their example. In the words of the Shaker song, they bowed and were simple, they bowed and were free, they bowed and were humble, yes, they bowed like the willow tree. They valued the things of heaven over the things of earth. They exemplified what the Shakers meant when they sung about being little and low. While the Shakers had some unusual beliefs and practices, they also sought to live by Jesus’ teachings as did Francis and his companions.
Where then is your treasure? Where then is your heart?
Silence is kept.
The Gospel Canticle
Open this link in a new tab to hear the Magnificat from Thomas Weekles’ Sixth Service.
My soul doth magnify the Lord :
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded :
the lowliness of his hand-maiden.
For behold, from henceforth :
all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me :
and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him :
throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with his arm :
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat :
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things :
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel :
as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Intercessions
Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For peace from on high and our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For the welfare of all churches and for the unity of the human family, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For (name), our bishop, and (name), our pastor, and for all ministers of the Gospel, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For our nation, its government, and for all who serve and protect us, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For this city (town, university, monastery…). For every city and community, and for all those living in them, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For the good earth which God has given us and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For the safety of travelers, the recovery of the sick, the care of the destitute and the release of prisoners, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For an angel of peace to guide and protect us, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For a peaceful evening and a night free from sin, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For a Christian end to our lives and for all who have fallen asleep in Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
In the communion of the Holy Spirit (and of all the saints), let us commend ourselves and one another to the living God through Christ our Lord.
To you, O Lord.
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
Open this link in a new tab to hear Kevin Sigfried’s choral arrangement of the Shaker song, “Who Will Bow and Bend Like a Willow.”
Who will bow and bend like a willow,
who will turn and twist and reel,
in the gale of simple freedom,
from the bower of union flowing?
Refrain:
I will bow and be simple,
I will bow and be free,
I will bow and be humble,
yea, bow like the willow tree.
Who will bow, this is the token,
who will wear the easy yoke,
who will bow and be broken,
who will fall upon the rock? [Refrain]
Who will drink the wine of power,
dropping down like a shower,
pride and bondage all forgetting?
The Lord's wine is freely working. [Refrain]
Oh, ho! Who will have it,
who will bow and bend to get it?
We'll be reeling, turning, twisting,
shake out all the starch and stiff'ning! [Refrain]
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Lord bless us and keep us.
The Lord make his face to shine upon us
and be gracious to us.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon us
and give us peace. Amen
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