All Hallows Evening Prayer for Saturday Evening (September 18, 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 F. Bland Tucker’s translation of the Phos hilaron, “O Gracious Light.”
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 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.
O Gracious Light!
Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, Creator of the universe,
from old you have led your people by night and day.
May the light of your Christ make our darkness bright,
for your Word and your presence are the light of our pathways,
and you are the light and life of all creation.
Amen.
Psalm 141 is sung and incense may be burned.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen's adaptation of Psalm 141, "Let My prayer Rise Up as Incense Before You."
Let my prayer rise up as incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.
O God, I call to you, come to me now;
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer rise up as incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.
Keep watch within me, God;
deep in my heart may the light of your love be burning bright.
Let my prayer rise up as incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.
All praise to the God of all, Creator of life;
all praise be to the Christ and the Spirit of love.
Let my prayer rise up as incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.
Silence is kept.
May our prayers come before you, O God, as incense, and may your presence surround and fill us, so that in union with all creation, we might sing your praise and your love in our lives. Amen.
The Psalms
Open this link in a new tab to hear Christopher Walker’s adaptation of Psalm 27, “The Lord Is My Light, My Help, My Salvation.”
The Lord is my light, my help, my salvation.
Why should I fear? With God I fear no one.
God protects me all my life.
With the Lord what should I dread?
The Lord is my light, the Lord is my help,
The Lord is my salvation.
There is one thing I ask, of the Lord that I long for:
All of my days with God to be dwelling.
Gazing with awe at the beauty of God,
And in wonder look on God's house.
The Lord is my light, the Lord is my help,
The Lord is my salvation.
I know I will live to see the Lord's goodness;
Now, in this life, I'm sure I will see it.
Trust in the Lord, be strong and be brave;
Wait in hope for God, our salvation.
The Lord is my light, the Lord is my help,
The Lord is my salvation.
Silence is kept.
God, our light and our salvation,
illuminate our lives,
that we may see your goodness in the land of the living,
and, looking on your beauty,
may be changed into the likeness of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Open this link in a new tab to hear Shirley Erena Murray’s “Come and Find the Quiet Center.”
Come and find the quiet center
in this crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter,
find the place where we are freed:
clear the chaos and the clutter,
clear our eyes, that we may see
all the things that really matter,
be at peace, and simply be.
Silence is a friend who claims us,
cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us,
knows our being, touches base,
making space within our thinking,
lifting shades to show the sun,
raising courage when we're shrinking,
finding scope for faith begun.
In the Spirit let us travel,
open to each other's pain,
let our lives and fears unravel,
celebrate the space we gain:
there's a time for deepest dreaming,
there's a time for heart to care,
in the Spirit's lively scheming
there is always room to spare!
Come and find the quiet center
in this crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter,
find the place where we are freed:
clear the chaos and the clutter,
clear our eyes, that we may see
all the things that really matter,
be at peace, and simply be,
be at peace, and simply be.
The Proclamation of the Word
The Reading
Proverbs 31: 11-31 The Capable Wife
How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels!
Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor.
As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm.
She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth.
She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do.
She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant women what to do.
She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard.
She is a hard worker, strong and industrious.
She knows the value of everything she makes, and works late into the night.
She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth.
She is generous to the poor and needy.
She doesn't worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing.
She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen.
Her husband is well known, one of the leading citizens.
She makes clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants.
She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future.
She speaks with a gentle wisdom.
She is always busy and looks after her family's needs.
Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.
He says, “Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all.”
Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.
Silence is kept.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory
The Homily
In the state agencies in which I worked for 27 odd years, most of my supervisors and coworkers were women. Some were married or in a partnered relationship; others were single. More than a few were solo parents, raising children on their own without the help of the children’s father.
They all had one thing in common. They were hard working and industrious, so hard working and industrious they put me to shame. They were far better workers than I was. They stood very high in my estimation. I admired and respected them.
They were for the large part women of faith. A few were Jewish. Most were Christian.
The woman whom I hold in highest regard, imperfections and all, has these same qualities. They are not her only good qualities.
I figure that if we keep on liking someone after we come know their faults, we must have formed a deep affection for them and like them a great deal. Or we are crazy. In either case it will be impossible to blunt our enthusiasm for them.
They may have to come to terms with the fact that we have set our heart on loving them whether they want or welcome our love for them.
God loves us. We can spurn God’s love for us, but God will keep on loving us. Our love for others is only a reflection of God’s love for us.
This evening’s reading from the Book of Proverbs paints a portrait of a capable wife. The good qualities that the capable wife exhibits in this portrait are good qualities which, while they may take a different form in our time, are good qualities that are also desirable in a spouse or partner in our time. They are qualities that transcend gender.
What are these qualities?
Trustworthy. Dependable. Loyal.
Does good. Does not do harm.
Resourceful
Ambitious. Diligent. Enterprising
Active. Energetic
Thrifty. Manages money well. Invests wisely
Hardworking. Competent. Confident. Determined. Industrious.
Productive. Able to work long hours.
Generous to the poor and the needy.
Caring. Ensuring loved ones are dressed warmly for cold weather is an expression of love
Shows creativity, ingenuity, and imagination.
Strong and respected and not afraid of the future. Strong in the sense of mentally strong. Views obstacles as a challenge. Learns from failures and mistakes.
Speaks with a gentle wisdom.
Devoted to loved ones. Looks after their needs. Sees to their health, safety, and well-being.
Appreciated and praised.
Honors God. For a Christian honoring God means honoring Jesus and living our lives in accordance with Jesus’ teaching and example. We show our love for the Father in showing our love for the Son.
Given credit for everything they do. Deserve respect from everyone.
Yes, the life companion who has all of these qualities or a measure of them is far more precious than jewels.
One passage warrants further comment. It is “charm is deceptive and beauty disappears….”
Let my prayer rise up as incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.
O God, I call to you, come to me now;
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer rise up as incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.
Keep watch within me, God;
deep in my heart may the light of your love be burning bright.
Let my prayer rise up as incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.
All praise to the God of all, Creator of life;
all praise be to the Christ and the Spirit of love.
Let my prayer rise up as incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.
Silence is kept.
May our prayers come before you, O God, as incense, and may your presence surround and fill us, so that in union with all creation, we might sing your praise and your love in our lives. Amen.
The Psalms
Open this link in a new tab to hear Christopher Walker’s adaptation of Psalm 27, “The Lord Is My Light, My Help, My Salvation.”
The Lord is my light, my help, my salvation.
Why should I fear? With God I fear no one.
God protects me all my life.
With the Lord what should I dread?
The Lord is my light, the Lord is my help,
The Lord is my salvation.
There is one thing I ask, of the Lord that I long for:
All of my days with God to be dwelling.
Gazing with awe at the beauty of God,
And in wonder look on God's house.
The Lord is my light, the Lord is my help,
The Lord is my salvation.
I know I will live to see the Lord's goodness;
Now, in this life, I'm sure I will see it.
Trust in the Lord, be strong and be brave;
Wait in hope for God, our salvation.
The Lord is my light, the Lord is my help,
The Lord is my salvation.
Silence is kept.
God, our light and our salvation,
illuminate our lives,
that we may see your goodness in the land of the living,
and, looking on your beauty,
may be changed into the likeness of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Open this link in a new tab to hear Shirley Erena Murray’s “Come and Find the Quiet Center.”
Come and find the quiet center
in this crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter,
find the place where we are freed:
clear the chaos and the clutter,
clear our eyes, that we may see
all the things that really matter,
be at peace, and simply be.
Silence is a friend who claims us,
cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us,
knows our being, touches base,
making space within our thinking,
lifting shades to show the sun,
raising courage when we're shrinking,
finding scope for faith begun.
In the Spirit let us travel,
open to each other's pain,
let our lives and fears unravel,
celebrate the space we gain:
there's a time for deepest dreaming,
there's a time for heart to care,
in the Spirit's lively scheming
there is always room to spare!
Come and find the quiet center
in this crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter,
find the place where we are freed:
clear the chaos and the clutter,
clear our eyes, that we may see
all the things that really matter,
be at peace, and simply be,
be at peace, and simply be.
The Proclamation of the Word
The Reading
Proverbs 31: 11-31 The Capable Wife
How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels!
Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor.
As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm.
She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth.
She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do.
She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant women what to do.
She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard.
She is a hard worker, strong and industrious.
She knows the value of everything she makes, and works late into the night.
She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth.
She is generous to the poor and needy.
She doesn't worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing.
She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen.
Her husband is well known, one of the leading citizens.
She makes clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants.
She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future.
She speaks with a gentle wisdom.
She is always busy and looks after her family's needs.
Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.
He says, “Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all.”
Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.
Silence is kept.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory
The Homily
Far More Precious than Jewels
In the state agencies in which I worked for 27 odd years, most of my supervisors and coworkers were women. Some were married or in a partnered relationship; others were single. More than a few were solo parents, raising children on their own without the help of the children’s father.
They all had one thing in common. They were hard working and industrious, so hard working and industrious they put me to shame. They were far better workers than I was. They stood very high in my estimation. I admired and respected them.
They were for the large part women of faith. A few were Jewish. Most were Christian.
The woman whom I hold in highest regard, imperfections and all, has these same qualities. They are not her only good qualities.
I figure that if we keep on liking someone after we come know their faults, we must have formed a deep affection for them and like them a great deal. Or we are crazy. In either case it will be impossible to blunt our enthusiasm for them.
They may have to come to terms with the fact that we have set our heart on loving them whether they want or welcome our love for them.
God loves us. We can spurn God’s love for us, but God will keep on loving us. Our love for others is only a reflection of God’s love for us.
This evening’s reading from the Book of Proverbs paints a portrait of a capable wife. The good qualities that the capable wife exhibits in this portrait are good qualities which, while they may take a different form in our time, are good qualities that are also desirable in a spouse or partner in our time. They are qualities that transcend gender.
What are these qualities?
Trustworthy. Dependable. Loyal.
Does good. Does not do harm.
Resourceful
Ambitious. Diligent. Enterprising
Active. Energetic
Thrifty. Manages money well. Invests wisely
Hardworking. Competent. Confident. Determined. Industrious.
Productive. Able to work long hours.
Generous to the poor and the needy.
Caring. Ensuring loved ones are dressed warmly for cold weather is an expression of love
Shows creativity, ingenuity, and imagination.
Strong and respected and not afraid of the future. Strong in the sense of mentally strong. Views obstacles as a challenge. Learns from failures and mistakes.
Speaks with a gentle wisdom.
Devoted to loved ones. Looks after their needs. Sees to their health, safety, and well-being.
Appreciated and praised.
Honors God. For a Christian honoring God means honoring Jesus and living our lives in accordance with Jesus’ teaching and example. We show our love for the Father in showing our love for the Son.
Given credit for everything they do. Deserve respect from everyone.
Yes, the life companion who has all of these qualities or a measure of them is far more precious than jewels.
One passage warrants further comment. It is “charm is deceptive and beauty disappears….”
Someone may be charming, but their charm may be only a mask or facade they wear in public, what psychologists call a persona, and not their true self. When we first meet them, they may be smiling and friendly, but, as time passes, they may grow distant and unresponsive.
We may sense when we first meet them, they are not who they want us to believe they are. Our Little Professor, that part of our Child ego state, the Adult in the Child, which seeks to unravel the world through intuition and analogical thinking, after scoping them out, may warn us that they are not what they seem.
We may sense when we first meet them, they are not who they want us to believe they are. Our Little Professor, that part of our Child ego state, the Adult in the Child, which seeks to unravel the world through intuition and analogical thinking, after scoping them out, may warn us that they are not what they seem.
We may choose to take a risk and like them anyway, to give them the benefit of the doubt, to see them favorably and to have kindly or friendly feelings for them. We choose to love them as God loves us.
Our Little Professor notices things that we might otherwise not notice. Our Little Professor may notice the friend to whom we waved, started to wave back and then hesitated for some unknown reason and then lowered their hand. A part of them wanted to respond to our gesture of friendship but a part of them held them back.
Our Little Professor notices things that we might otherwise not notice. Our Little Professor may notice the friend to whom we waved, started to wave back and then hesitated for some unknown reason and then lowered their hand. A part of them wanted to respond to our gesture of friendship but a part of them held them back.
We are left to wonder how different our relationship with them might have been if they had not hesitated. In that one moment they signaled that they had ambivalent feelings toward us. Their natural instinct was to be our friend, but some inhabitation was keeping them from responding to that impulse.
Beauty does fade. Hair gets thinner and turns gray and then white. Breasts sag and butts droop.
Beauty does fade. Hair gets thinner and turns gray and then white. Breasts sag and butts droop.
Yet we keep on loving the one we love. We keep on loving the mole on their cheek, their crooked smile, everything about them, the bad with the good. We keep on loving them—the one who filled us with delight on the day we first met, the one whom they are deep down inside.
We keep on loving them not just with our own love but with God’s love. We love them to our last dying breath and beyond.
Silence is kept.
The Gospel Canticle
Open this link in a new tab to hear John Philip Newell’s adaptation of the Magnificat, “The Song of Mary.”
My soul sings of you, O God.
My spirit delights in your Presence.
You have cherished my womanhood.
You have honored earth’s body.
All will know the sacredness of birth.
All will know the gift of life.
Your grace is to those who are open.
Your mercy to the humble in heart.
The dreams of the proud crumble.
The plans of the powerful fail.
You feed the hungry with goodness.
You deny the rich their greed.
The hopes of the poor are precious.
The birth pangs of creation are heard.
You have been faithful to the human family.
You are the seed of new beginnings.
My soul sings of you, O God.
My spirit delights in your presence.
My soul sings of you, O God.
My spirit delights in your presence.
My soul sings of you, O God.
My spirit delights in your presence.
My soul sings of you, O God.
My spirit delights in your presence.
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
God and Father of all,
you have taught us through your Son
that the last shall be first,
and have made a little child a measure of your kingdom
give us the wisdom from above,
so that we may understand that in your sight,
the one who serves is the greatest of all.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of 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
Silence is kept.
The Gospel Canticle
Open this link in a new tab to hear John Philip Newell’s adaptation of the Magnificat, “The Song of Mary.”
My soul sings of you, O God.
My spirit delights in your Presence.
You have cherished my womanhood.
You have honored earth’s body.
All will know the sacredness of birth.
All will know the gift of life.
Your grace is to those who are open.
Your mercy to the humble in heart.
The dreams of the proud crumble.
The plans of the powerful fail.
You feed the hungry with goodness.
You deny the rich their greed.
The hopes of the poor are precious.
The birth pangs of creation are heard.
You have been faithful to the human family.
You are the seed of new beginnings.
My soul sings of you, O God.
My spirit delights in your presence.
My soul sings of you, O God.
My spirit delights in your presence.
My soul sings of you, O God.
My spirit delights in your presence.
My soul sings of you, O God.
My spirit delights in your presence.
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
God and Father of all,
you have taught us through your Son
that the last shall be first,
and have made a little child a measure of your kingdom
give us the wisdom from above,
so that we may understand that in your sight,
the one who serves is the greatest of all.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of 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 to hear Bernadette Farrell’s “Love Goes On.”
Love is patient, love is kind,
never ending, never ending,
slow to anger, rich in mercy;
love goes on beyond all time.
Love is faithful, love is true,
ever joyful and forgiving;
love endures when life is over,
love is old and love is new.
Love alone has shaped our soul,
and our hearts are always restless
until love becomes our purpose,
new creation to unfold.
Love our journey, love our goal.
Though our faith may move mountains,
love alone can heal the broken;
only love will make us whole.
Love our Savior’s one command:
“Love the way that I have loved you,”
with a towel and a basin,
washing feet with servant hands.
There are three gifts that remain
when all other things have perished.
Only faith, hope love enduring,
and the greatest gift is love.
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
Let us praise the Lord,
Thanks be to God.
May God, Creator, bless us and keep us,
may Christ be ever light for our lives,
may the Spirit of love be our guide and path,
for all of our days. Amen.
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