All Hallows Evening Prayer for Sunday Evening (July 11, 2021)
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 Stephen Sturk’s choral arrangement of the Phos hilaron, “O Gracious Light.”
1. O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the
everliving Father in heaven.
O Jesus, Christ, holy and blessed!
2. Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing thy praises, O God:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. Thou art worthy at all times
to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
our light and our salvation,
eternal creator of day and night,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
Now, as darkness is falling,
hear the prayer of your faithful people.
As we look for your coming in glory,
wash away our transgressions,
cleanse us by your refining fire
and make us temples of your Holy Spirit.
By the light of Christ,
dispel the darkness of our hearts
and make us ready to enter your kingdom,
where songs of praise for ever sound.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever. Amen.
Psalm 141 is sung and incense may be burned.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Peter Inwood’s responsorial setting of Psalm 141, “O Lord, Let My Prayer Rise Before You Like Incense.”
O Lord, let my prayer rise before you like incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
1 Lord, I am calling:
hasten to help me.
Listen to me as I cry to you.
Let my prayer rise before you like incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
O Lord, let my prayer rise before you like incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
2 Lord, set a guard at my mouth,
keep watch at the gate of my lips.
Let my heart not turn to things that are wrong,
to sharing the evil deeds done by the sinful.
No, I will never taste their delights.
O Lord, let my prayer rise before you like incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
3 The good may reprove me,
in kindness chastise me,
but the wicked shall never anoint my head.
Ev’ry day I counter their malice with prayer.
O Lord, let my prayer rise before you like incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
4 To you, Lord, my God, my eyes are turned:
in you I take refuge;
do not forsake me.
Keep me from the traps they have set for me,
from the snares of those who do evil.
O Lord, let my prayer rise before you like incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
5 Praise to the Father, praise to the Son,
all praise to the life-giving Spirit.
As it was, is now and shall always be
for ages unending. Amen.
O Lord, let my prayer rise before you as incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
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 Michael Joncas’ responsorial setting of Psalm 84, “How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place.”
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord God of Hosts!
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord God of Hosts!
My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord,
My heart and my flesh cry out;
Even the sparrow may find a home,
The swallow a nest for her young;
Your altars, my king and my God.
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord God of Hosts!
How happy are they who may dwell in your courts,
How happy when you are their strength;
Though they might go through the valley of death,
They make it a place of springs.
Your first rain will bring it to life.
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord God of Hosts!
O Lord of Hosts hear my cry,
And harken, O God of Jacob;
One day in your house is worth much more to me
Than ten thousand anywhere else.
The Lord is my sun and my shield.
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord God of Hosts!
Silence is kept.
Lord God,
sustain us in this vale of tears
with the vision of your grace and glory,
that, strengthened by the bread of life,
we may come to your eternal dwelling place;
in the power of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Open this link in a new tab to hear Michael Joncas’ sacred song, “All Who Are Led by the Spirit of Jesus.”
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
1 The Spirit of God is no spirit of slav’ry;
the Spirit drives all fear from our hearts;
the Spirit of God shatters all that would bind us.
The Spirit of God makes us children of God.
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
2 The Spirit of God bids us cry, “Abba, Father”;
The Spirit of God makes a home in our hearts;
the Spirit of God helps our spirits bear witness.
The Spirit of God makes us children of God.
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
3 The Spirit of God gives us patience in suff’ring;
the Spirit of God intercedes for our needs;
the Spirit of God is our promise of glory:
The Spirit of God makes us children of God.
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
4 The Spirit of God groans with all creation;
the Spirit of God blesses dreams from the past;
the Spirit of God sets a vision before us:
The Spirit of God makes us children of God.
We who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
we who will walk in the footsteps of Christ,
we who will follow where Love may lead us
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God,
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
The Proclamation of the Word
The Reading
Mark 6:14-29 The Death of John the Baptist
King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”
For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
Silence is kept.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory
The Homily
The backstory behind today’s reading is that Herod Antipas, the tetrarch, or ruler, of Galilee and Perea during the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, divorced his wife Phasaelis, daughter of Aretas IV Philopatris, king of the Nabataeans, and married Herodias, the wife of his stepbrother Herod II, the son of Herod the Great, and a princess of the Herodian dynasty of Judaea during the time of the Roman Empire. John the Baptist opposed the marriage and his opposition led to his arrest and imprisonment.
John the Baptist was a cousin of Jesus. John's father, Zacharius, was a priest of the Temple in Jerusalem, and John himself was therefore a member of the people of Israel's hereditary priesthood. John would become an itinerant preacher. He was called the “Baptist” because he baptized those who upon hearing his call to repentance expressed sincere regret and penitence about their wrongdoings or sins. John also proclaimed Jesus’ coming. John inaugurated Jesus’ earthly ministry when he baptized Jesus in the Jordan River.
John had earned the enmity of Herodias. Her hostility and ill-will toward John may be attributed not only to his public opposition to the marriage but to also to the unwelcome influence that John appeared to exercise on Herod Antipas. She may have feared that Herod Antipas was having second thoughts about divorcing Phasaelis and marrying her. Phasaelis fled to her father’s court when she learned that Herod Antipas was going to divorce her. Her father invaded Herod Antipas’ tetrarchy and defeated his army with the help of a third brother, Phillip (not the Phillip mentioned in today’s reading). Herod Antipas’ rash promise to Herodias’ daughter, Salome, in front of his guests gave her a perfect opportunity to avenge herself on John the Baptist and to rid herself of someone whom she saw as a threat to herself and her ambitions.
Salome was the daughter of Herodias and her first husband. Her dancing so bedazzled Herod Antipas that he promised her whatever she wished as a reward. It is often assumed that lust caused Herod Antipas to make such a promise. He was seeking to ingratiate himself with his stepbrother’s daughter in return for her sexual favors. Her dancing had aroused his sexual desire for her. However, the New Testament narrative does not infer that Herod Antipas was motivated by lust in making his rash promise. It tells us that Herod Antipas and his guests were “pleased” by her dancing. It does not tell us in what way her dancing was pleasing to them. Assuming that her dancing was erotic and that Herod Antipas and his guests were sexually aroused by the dancing may be reading into the text what cannot be read out of the text. Because it may be plausible does not mean that it was the case.
If anything can be learned from today’s reading, it is to give thought to the consequences of what we say and not to let ourselves be carried away in the heat of the moment. Having made the promise in front of his guests, Herod Antipas could not back out of the promise. Herod's guests were courtiers, officers, and leaders of Galilee and breaking his promise might have serious military and political repercussions for him. He had little choice but to fulfill her wish.
Today’s reading also points to how we can experience stirrings of conscience and how events can overtake us, preventing us from acting on those stirrings of conscience. Like the seed that the sower of Jesus’ parable sowed on rocky soil and which the birds of the air gobbled up, our pangs of conscience may be short-lived and not lead to genuine repentance. We may briefly feel remorse for what we have done, but then the fleeting pleasures of the world distract us. We trade turning away from wrongdoing or sin, turning to God, for excitement that is momentary and lasts for a short time. We let our feelings color our judgment and make unwise decisions which we may later come to regret, decisions that may haunt us for all our lives and have a lasting impact upon our lives.
It is a good idea then to always give thought to what we are going to say and the possible consequences of what we about to say, to ourselves and to others, and not to be in a rush to say the first thing that may come to mind. We should carefully weigh each word. It is never a good idea to make a decision when we are angry or excited. Our anger or excitement will cloud our judgment.
It is also a good idea to heed the Holy Spirit when he pricks our conscience and draws to our attention to the fact that what we are doing or considering doing is wrong or sinful. Our deceitful hearts may seek to persuade us that what we are doing or entertaining doing is harmless or may have no lasting consequence to ourselves or to others. The Holy Spirit, however, is the spirit of truth. He will not mislead us. One of his tasks is to convict us of our wrongdoings and sins. He also reminds us of what Jesus did and said.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can extinguish.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Stephen Sturk’s choral arrangement of the Phos hilaron, “O Gracious Light.”
1. O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the
everliving Father in heaven.
O Jesus, Christ, holy and blessed!
2. Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing thy praises, O God:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. Thou art worthy at all times
to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
our light and our salvation,
eternal creator of day and night,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
Now, as darkness is falling,
hear the prayer of your faithful people.
As we look for your coming in glory,
wash away our transgressions,
cleanse us by your refining fire
and make us temples of your Holy Spirit.
By the light of Christ,
dispel the darkness of our hearts
and make us ready to enter your kingdom,
where songs of praise for ever sound.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever. Amen.
Psalm 141 is sung and incense may be burned.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Peter Inwood’s responsorial setting of Psalm 141, “O Lord, Let My Prayer Rise Before You Like Incense.”
O Lord, let my prayer rise before you like incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
1 Lord, I am calling:
hasten to help me.
Listen to me as I cry to you.
Let my prayer rise before you like incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
O Lord, let my prayer rise before you like incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
2 Lord, set a guard at my mouth,
keep watch at the gate of my lips.
Let my heart not turn to things that are wrong,
to sharing the evil deeds done by the sinful.
No, I will never taste their delights.
O Lord, let my prayer rise before you like incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
3 The good may reprove me,
in kindness chastise me,
but the wicked shall never anoint my head.
Ev’ry day I counter their malice with prayer.
O Lord, let my prayer rise before you like incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
4 To you, Lord, my God, my eyes are turned:
in you I take refuge;
do not forsake me.
Keep me from the traps they have set for me,
from the snares of those who do evil.
O Lord, let my prayer rise before you like incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
5 Praise to the Father, praise to the Son,
all praise to the life-giving Spirit.
As it was, is now and shall always be
for ages unending. Amen.
O Lord, let my prayer rise before you as incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
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 Michael Joncas’ responsorial setting of Psalm 84, “How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place.”
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord God of Hosts!
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord God of Hosts!
My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord,
My heart and my flesh cry out;
Even the sparrow may find a home,
The swallow a nest for her young;
Your altars, my king and my God.
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord God of Hosts!
How happy are they who may dwell in your courts,
How happy when you are their strength;
Though they might go through the valley of death,
They make it a place of springs.
Your first rain will bring it to life.
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord God of Hosts!
O Lord of Hosts hear my cry,
And harken, O God of Jacob;
One day in your house is worth much more to me
Than ten thousand anywhere else.
The Lord is my sun and my shield.
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord God of Hosts!
Silence is kept.
Lord God,
sustain us in this vale of tears
with the vision of your grace and glory,
that, strengthened by the bread of life,
we may come to your eternal dwelling place;
in the power of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Open this link in a new tab to hear Michael Joncas’ sacred song, “All Who Are Led by the Spirit of Jesus.”
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
1 The Spirit of God is no spirit of slav’ry;
the Spirit drives all fear from our hearts;
the Spirit of God shatters all that would bind us.
The Spirit of God makes us children of God.
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
2 The Spirit of God bids us cry, “Abba, Father”;
The Spirit of God makes a home in our hearts;
the Spirit of God helps our spirits bear witness.
The Spirit of God makes us children of God.
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
3 The Spirit of God gives us patience in suff’ring;
the Spirit of God intercedes for our needs;
the Spirit of God is our promise of glory:
The Spirit of God makes us children of God.
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
4 The Spirit of God groans with all creation;
the Spirit of God blesses dreams from the past;
the Spirit of God sets a vision before us:
The Spirit of God makes us children of God.
We who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
we who will walk in the footsteps of Christ,
we who will follow where Love may lead us
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God,
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
The Proclamation of the Word
The Reading
Mark 6:14-29 The Death of John the Baptist
King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”
For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
Silence is kept.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory
The Homily
Careless Words
The backstory behind today’s reading is that Herod Antipas, the tetrarch, or ruler, of Galilee and Perea during the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, divorced his wife Phasaelis, daughter of Aretas IV Philopatris, king of the Nabataeans, and married Herodias, the wife of his stepbrother Herod II, the son of Herod the Great, and a princess of the Herodian dynasty of Judaea during the time of the Roman Empire. John the Baptist opposed the marriage and his opposition led to his arrest and imprisonment.
John the Baptist was a cousin of Jesus. John's father, Zacharius, was a priest of the Temple in Jerusalem, and John himself was therefore a member of the people of Israel's hereditary priesthood. John would become an itinerant preacher. He was called the “Baptist” because he baptized those who upon hearing his call to repentance expressed sincere regret and penitence about their wrongdoings or sins. John also proclaimed Jesus’ coming. John inaugurated Jesus’ earthly ministry when he baptized Jesus in the Jordan River.
John had earned the enmity of Herodias. Her hostility and ill-will toward John may be attributed not only to his public opposition to the marriage but to also to the unwelcome influence that John appeared to exercise on Herod Antipas. She may have feared that Herod Antipas was having second thoughts about divorcing Phasaelis and marrying her. Phasaelis fled to her father’s court when she learned that Herod Antipas was going to divorce her. Her father invaded Herod Antipas’ tetrarchy and defeated his army with the help of a third brother, Phillip (not the Phillip mentioned in today’s reading). Herod Antipas’ rash promise to Herodias’ daughter, Salome, in front of his guests gave her a perfect opportunity to avenge herself on John the Baptist and to rid herself of someone whom she saw as a threat to herself and her ambitions.
Salome was the daughter of Herodias and her first husband. Her dancing so bedazzled Herod Antipas that he promised her whatever she wished as a reward. It is often assumed that lust caused Herod Antipas to make such a promise. He was seeking to ingratiate himself with his stepbrother’s daughter in return for her sexual favors. Her dancing had aroused his sexual desire for her. However, the New Testament narrative does not infer that Herod Antipas was motivated by lust in making his rash promise. It tells us that Herod Antipas and his guests were “pleased” by her dancing. It does not tell us in what way her dancing was pleasing to them. Assuming that her dancing was erotic and that Herod Antipas and his guests were sexually aroused by the dancing may be reading into the text what cannot be read out of the text. Because it may be plausible does not mean that it was the case.
If anything can be learned from today’s reading, it is to give thought to the consequences of what we say and not to let ourselves be carried away in the heat of the moment. Having made the promise in front of his guests, Herod Antipas could not back out of the promise. Herod's guests were courtiers, officers, and leaders of Galilee and breaking his promise might have serious military and political repercussions for him. He had little choice but to fulfill her wish.
Today’s reading also points to how we can experience stirrings of conscience and how events can overtake us, preventing us from acting on those stirrings of conscience. Like the seed that the sower of Jesus’ parable sowed on rocky soil and which the birds of the air gobbled up, our pangs of conscience may be short-lived and not lead to genuine repentance. We may briefly feel remorse for what we have done, but then the fleeting pleasures of the world distract us. We trade turning away from wrongdoing or sin, turning to God, for excitement that is momentary and lasts for a short time. We let our feelings color our judgment and make unwise decisions which we may later come to regret, decisions that may haunt us for all our lives and have a lasting impact upon our lives.
It is a good idea then to always give thought to what we are going to say and the possible consequences of what we about to say, to ourselves and to others, and not to be in a rush to say the first thing that may come to mind. We should carefully weigh each word. It is never a good idea to make a decision when we are angry or excited. Our anger or excitement will cloud our judgment.
It is also a good idea to heed the Holy Spirit when he pricks our conscience and draws to our attention to the fact that what we are doing or considering doing is wrong or sinful. Our deceitful hearts may seek to persuade us that what we are doing or entertaining doing is harmless or may have no lasting consequence to ourselves or to others. The Holy Spirit, however, is the spirit of truth. He will not mislead us. One of his tasks is to convict us of our wrongdoings and sins. He also reminds us of what Jesus did and said.
Exercising care in what we say, giving thought to the consequence of our words, and not letting our anger or excitement get the better of us are forms of self-control. Self-control is one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit's fruit which shows that we, through God's grace working invisibly in us, are becoming more like Jesus, more like our Lord.
Silence is kept.
The Gospel Canticle
Open this link in a new tab to hear Bernadette Farrell - Owen Alstott’s setting of the Magnificat, “My Soul Proclaims the Greatness of the Lord.”
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
My spirit sings to God, my saving God,
Who on this day above all others favored me
And raised me up, a light for all to see.
Through me great deeds will God make manifest,
And all the earth will come to call me blest.
Unbounded love and mercy sure will I proclaim
For all who know and praise God's holy name.
God's mighty arm, protector of the just,
Will guard the weak and raise them from the dust.
But mighty kings will swiftly fall from thrones corrupt.
The strong brought low, the lowly lifted up.
Soon will the poor and hungry of the earth
Be richly blest, be given greater worth.
And Israel, as once foretold to Abraham,
Will live in peace throughout the promised land.
All glory be to God, Creator blest,
To Jesus Christ, God's love made manifest,
And to the Holy Spirit, gentle Comforter,
All glory be, both now and ever more.
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
Eternal God,
open our eyes to see your hand at work
in the splendour of creation
and in the beauty of human life.
Help us to cherish the gifts that surround us,
to share our blessings with our sisters and brothers,
and to experience the joy of life in your presence;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
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 Craig Courtney’s choir anthem, “Footsteps.”
I see His footsteps in the way,
And follow them through darkest night,
Unafraid, I stumble not,
In the glow of perfect light,
I see.
I walk in footsteps of His love,
And find His light leads on before,
Then He gently turns to me,
Softly whispers, "trust Me more,"
I walk.
I walk.
Then as I follow in His way,
My path ahead will brightly shine,
For in His path of guiding light,
I find His footsteps first,
I find His footsteps first,
I find His footsteps first,
Then mine.
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
Let us praise the Lord,
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear John Rutter’s choral benediction “The Peace of God.”
The peace of God,
Which passeth all understanding
Keep your hearts and minds,
Keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
And of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord
The peace of God Which passeth all understanding,
Keep your hearts and minds
Keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
And of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord
And the blessing of God Almighty,
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
Be amongst you
Be amongst you
Be amongst you and remain with you always
Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
Silence is kept.
The Gospel Canticle
Open this link in a new tab to hear Bernadette Farrell - Owen Alstott’s setting of the Magnificat, “My Soul Proclaims the Greatness of the Lord.”
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
My spirit sings to God, my saving God,
Who on this day above all others favored me
And raised me up, a light for all to see.
Through me great deeds will God make manifest,
And all the earth will come to call me blest.
Unbounded love and mercy sure will I proclaim
For all who know and praise God's holy name.
God's mighty arm, protector of the just,
Will guard the weak and raise them from the dust.
But mighty kings will swiftly fall from thrones corrupt.
The strong brought low, the lowly lifted up.
Soon will the poor and hungry of the earth
Be richly blest, be given greater worth.
And Israel, as once foretold to Abraham,
Will live in peace throughout the promised land.
All glory be to God, Creator blest,
To Jesus Christ, God's love made manifest,
And to the Holy Spirit, gentle Comforter,
All glory be, both now and ever more.
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
Eternal God,
open our eyes to see your hand at work
in the splendour of creation
and in the beauty of human life.
Help us to cherish the gifts that surround us,
to share our blessings with our sisters and brothers,
and to experience the joy of life in your presence;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
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 Craig Courtney’s choir anthem, “Footsteps.”
I see His footsteps in the way,
And follow them through darkest night,
Unafraid, I stumble not,
In the glow of perfect light,
I see.
I walk in footsteps of His love,
And find His light leads on before,
Then He gently turns to me,
Softly whispers, "trust Me more,"
I walk.
I walk.
Then as I follow in His way,
My path ahead will brightly shine,
For in His path of guiding light,
I find His footsteps first,
I find His footsteps first,
I find His footsteps first,
Then mine.
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
Let us praise the Lord,
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear John Rutter’s choral benediction “The Peace of God.”
The peace of God,
Which passeth all understanding
Keep your hearts and minds,
Keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
And of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord
The peace of God Which passeth all understanding,
Keep your hearts and minds
Keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
And of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord
And the blessing of God Almighty,
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
Be amongst you
Be amongst you
Be amongst you and remain with you always
Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
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