All Hallows Evening Prayer for Wednesday Evening (January 12, 2022)
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, Lord our God,
our eternal Father and David’s King.
You have made our gladness greater and increased our joy
by sending to dwell among us
the Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of Peace.
Born of Mary,
proclaimed to the shepherds,
and acknowledged to the ends of the earth,
your unconquered Sun of righteousness
destroys our darkness and establishes us in freedom.
All glory in the highest be to you,
through Christ, the Son of your favour,
in the anointing love of the Spirit,
this night and for ever and ever. Amen.
Psalm 141 is sung and incense may be burned.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Randall De Bruyn’s arrangement of Psalm 141 from The Grail (England).
Like burning incense, O Lord, let my prayer rise up to you.
Like burning incense, O Lord, let my prayer rise up to you.
I have called to you, Lord, hasten to help me.
Hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer arise before you like incense.
the raising of my hands like the evening oblation.
Set, O Lord, a guard over my mouth,
keep watch, O Lord, at the door of my lips!
Do not turn my heart to things that are wrong,
to evil deeds with those who are sinners.
Never allow me to share in their feasting.
If the righteous strike or reprove me, it is a kindness;
but let the oil of the wicked n’er anoint my head.
Let my prayer be ever against their malice.
To you, Lord God, my eyes are turned;
in you I take refuge; spare my soul!
From the trap they have laid for me keep me safe;
Keep me from the snares of those who do evil.
Glory to the Father and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.
Like burning incense, O Lord, let my prayer rise up 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
Open this link to hear Kiran Young Wimberly’s adaptation of Psalm 121, “I Lift My Eyes Up to the Hills.”
I lift my eyes up to the hills
where does my help come from?
I lift my eyes up to the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord above,
the Lord of heaven and earth.
The One who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleeps
[Instrumental interlude]
The Lord who watches over Israel
is your shade at your right hand.
The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon harm you by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm;
and will watch over your life.
watch over you as you come and go
now and forevermore.
[Instrumental interlude]
The Lord will keep you from all harm;
and will watch over your life.
watch over you as you come and go
now and forevermore,
now and forevermore.
Silence is kept.
Lord, ever watchful and faithful,
we look to you to be our defense
and we lift our hearts to know your help;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Proclamation of the Word
The Reading
Isaiah 43:15-21 God Will Save His People Again
I am the Lord your Holy One. I made Israel. I am your King.”
The Lord is making roads through the sea. He is making a path for his people, even through rough waters. The Lord says, “Those who fight against me with their chariots, horses, and armies will be defeated. They will never rise again. They will be destroyed. They will be put out like the flame in a lamp. So don’t remember what happened in earlier times. Don’t think about what happened a long time ago, because I am doing something new! Now you will grow like a new plant. Surely you know this is true. I will even make a road in the desert, and rivers will flow through that dry land. The wild animals will thank me. The large animals and birds will honor me when I put water in the desert and make rivers flow through that dry land. I will do this to give water to my chosen people. I made them, and they will sing songs of praise to me.
Silence is kept.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory
Homily
Works in Progress
When the priests and Levites sent by the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem demanded that John tell them who he was, John alludes to this promise in the Book of Isaiah in his response to their questions, quoting the Prophet Isaiah. “I am the voice of someone shouting in the desert: ‘Make a straight road ready for the Lord.’” Just as God delivered the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt and drowned Pharoh and his army in the Red Sea, God will deliver his people again.
The promised deliverance would not take the form that the Jews had come to expect—a king like David or Solomon restoring the kingdoms of Israel and Judaea to their former glory. It would take the form of Jesus who to the Jews was a son of an ordinary carpenter, not the Messiah whom God had promised to send them as their deliverer.
Jesus and John were cousins. How well they may have known each other is a topic of debate. John’s mother Ann was a relative of Jesus’ mother Mary and Mary, the Gospel of Luke tells us, visited Ann at least on one occasion. We cannot rule out entirely the possibility that Jesus and John were acquainted.
It does not, however, matter to the narrative how well they were acquainted if they were acquainted at all. The New Testament withholds these details from us. They are not essential to the narrative.
What we learn from the Gospel of John is that Jesus was not the son of an ordinary carpenter. He was not a prophet who had been anointed by God’s Spirit to serve as his spokesman, someone whom God had chosen to speak officially to the public for him.
Jesus was God himself in the person of the Son, who had come to his people to teach them himself and make them his disciples in fulfillment of a promise also in the Book of Isaiah.
Our character must embody those qualities which distinguish a disciple of Jesus from other people—compassion, friendliness, generosity, helpfulness, kindness that forgives other people’s faults, mildness, openness, patience, self-control, thoughtfulness, and the other qualities that set us apart. These qualities and a deep love of God show God’s grace is working in our lives and our love of God is perfecting us.
We are not flawless. We are works in progress. But God is transforming us into the likeness of his Son and restoring in us his image, tarnished by sin and wrongdoing. God wants us to shine like bright stars in the firmament of heaven.
Silence is kept.
The Gospel Canticle
Jesus’ words were not his own. They were God’s. They were what the Father had instructed him to say. He was not speaking just on his own authority but on God’s.
We learn from Luke’s Gospel and his Acts of the Apostles that God brought deliverance not just to the Jews but also to the Gentiles—the non-Jews. Indeed, the salvation he offers is for all who believe in Jesus.
We learn from Luke’s Gospel and his Acts of the Apostles that God brought deliverance not just to the Jews but also to the Gentiles—the non-Jews. Indeed, the salvation he offers is for all who believe in Jesus.
As John who wrote the gospel named after him (not the John who baptized Jesus) records in his gospel, “Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” He ascribes these words to Jesus himself.
The four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, serve the same purpose. They each give us an account of Jesus, his nature, his work, his character, his teaching, and his example. The accounts differ in some ways, but these differences do not make them any less credible.
The four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, serve the same purpose. They each give us an account of Jesus, his nature, his work, his character, his teaching, and his example. The accounts differ in some ways, but these differences do not make them any less credible.
One of the things that I learned as a social worker who investigated child abuse complaints was that if all the witnesses agreed on what had happened, down to the very last detail, they were lying. They had gotten together beforehand and come up with a story to tell to the police and the child protection agency. Witnesses who are giving an accurate account of what happened do not agree on details. They remember different thing.
The gospels not only give us an account of Jesus but also and more importantly they invite us to answer a question that Jesus himself asked, “Who do you say I am?” Who is Jesus to us? Our answer has implications for our lives.
It is not a question which we can answer once and that is it. It is a question that we need to ask ourselves frequently, daily, at different times of the day, and before we go to sleep at night.
The gospels not only give us an account of Jesus but also and more importantly they invite us to answer a question that Jesus himself asked, “Who do you say I am?” Who is Jesus to us? Our answer has implications for our lives.
It is not a question which we can answer once and that is it. It is a question that we need to ask ourselves frequently, daily, at different times of the day, and before we go to sleep at night.
If our answer is, “Jesus is my savior. He is my lord,” then we need to live our lives in accordance with the full implications of our answer, the effects which that answer have on us in the here and now as well as in the future.
If he is our savior, then we cannot go on acting as if going to church, living a moral life, and doing good to others will put us right with God. If he is our lord, then we cannot go on living our lives no differently from our neighbors who are not Christians and who have never set foot inside a church building in their lives.
If he is our savior, then we cannot go on acting as if going to church, living a moral life, and doing good to others will put us right with God. If he is our lord, then we cannot go on living our lives no differently from our neighbors who are not Christians and who have never set foot inside a church building in their lives.
We must wholeheartedly trust Jesus. We must trust his words and keep them, in our actions, not just our words, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, around our family, relations, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and strangers, not just on Sunday, around our brothers and sisters in Christ. We must live our faith to the fullest in the eyes of the world. We must show our love for the Father by showing our love for the Son and obeying what Jesus commanded, loving our neighbors, loving our enemies, and loving one another.
Our character must embody those qualities which distinguish a disciple of Jesus from other people—compassion, friendliness, generosity, helpfulness, kindness that forgives other people’s faults, mildness, openness, patience, self-control, thoughtfulness, and the other qualities that set us apart. These qualities and a deep love of God show God’s grace is working in our lives and our love of God is perfecting us.
We are not flawless. We are works in progress. But God is transforming us into the likeness of his Son and restoring in us his image, tarnished by sin and wrongdoing. God wants us to shine like bright stars in the firmament of heaven.
Silence is kept.
The Gospel Canticle
Open this link in a new tab to hear Chaz Bower’s choral arrangement of “My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness, Lord.”
My soul proclaims your greatness, Lord;
I sing my Savior’s praise!
You looked upon my lowliness,
and I am full of grace.
Now ev’ry land and ev’ry age
this blessing shall proclaim—
great wonders you have done for me,
and holy is your name.
To all who live in holy fear
Your mercy ever flows.
With mighty arm you dash the proud,
Their scheming hearts expose.
The ruthless you have cast aside,
the lowly throned instead;
the hungry filled with all good things,
the rich sent off unfed.
To Israel, your servant blest,
(To Israel, your servant blest,)
your help is ever sure;
(your help is ever sure;)
the promise to our parents made
(the promise ti our parents made)
their children will secure.
(their children will secure.)
Sing glory to the Holy One,
(Sing glory to the Holy One,)
give honor to the Word,
(give honor to the Word,)
and praise the Pow’r of the Most High,
(and praise the Pow’r of the Most High,)
one God, by all adored,
(one God by all adored,)
on God, by all adored.
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
Almighty God, you anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy
Spirit and revealed him as your beloved Son. Keep all who are
born of water and the Spirit faithful in your service, that we
may rejoice to be called children of God, through Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 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 Charles Wesley’s hymn, “O for a Heart to Praise My God.”
O for a heart to praise my God,
A heart from sin set free,
A heart that always feels Thy blood
So freely spilt for me.
A heart resigned, submissive, meek,
My great Redeemer's throne,
Where only Christ is heard to speak,
Where Jesus reigns alone.
A humble, lowly, contrite, heart,
Believing, true and clean,
Which neither life nor death can part
From Him who dwells within.
A heart in every thought renewed
And full of love divine,
Perfect and right and pure and good,
A copy, Lord, of Thine.
[Instrumental interlude]
Thy tender heart is still the same,
And melts at human woe:
Jesus, for thee distressed I am,
I want Thy love to know.
My heart, Thou know'st, can never rest
'Til Thou create my peace;
'Til of mine Eden repossest,
From every sin, I cease.
Fruit of Thy gracious lips, on me
Bestow that peace unknown,
The hidden manna, and the tree
Of life, and the white stone.
Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart;
Come quickly from above;
Write Thy new name upon my heart,
Thy new, best name of Love.
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May the One who began a good work in us
bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ
and may the blessing of God Almighty, the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with us
and remain with us always. Amen.
My soul proclaims your greatness, Lord;
I sing my Savior’s praise!
You looked upon my lowliness,
and I am full of grace.
Now ev’ry land and ev’ry age
this blessing shall proclaim—
great wonders you have done for me,
and holy is your name.
To all who live in holy fear
Your mercy ever flows.
With mighty arm you dash the proud,
Their scheming hearts expose.
The ruthless you have cast aside,
the lowly throned instead;
the hungry filled with all good things,
the rich sent off unfed.
To Israel, your servant blest,
(To Israel, your servant blest,)
your help is ever sure;
(your help is ever sure;)
the promise to our parents made
(the promise ti our parents made)
their children will secure.
(their children will secure.)
Sing glory to the Holy One,
(Sing glory to the Holy One,)
give honor to the Word,
(give honor to the Word,)
and praise the Pow’r of the Most High,
(and praise the Pow’r of the Most High,)
one God, by all adored,
(one God by all adored,)
on God, by all adored.
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
Almighty God, you anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy
Spirit and revealed him as your beloved Son. Keep all who are
born of water and the Spirit faithful in your service, that we
may rejoice to be called children of God, through Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 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 Charles Wesley’s hymn, “O for a Heart to Praise My God.”
O for a heart to praise my God,
A heart from sin set free,
A heart that always feels Thy blood
So freely spilt for me.
A heart resigned, submissive, meek,
My great Redeemer's throne,
Where only Christ is heard to speak,
Where Jesus reigns alone.
A humble, lowly, contrite, heart,
Believing, true and clean,
Which neither life nor death can part
From Him who dwells within.
A heart in every thought renewed
And full of love divine,
Perfect and right and pure and good,
A copy, Lord, of Thine.
[Instrumental interlude]
Thy tender heart is still the same,
And melts at human woe:
Jesus, for thee distressed I am,
I want Thy love to know.
My heart, Thou know'st, can never rest
'Til Thou create my peace;
'Til of mine Eden repossest,
From every sin, I cease.
Fruit of Thy gracious lips, on me
Bestow that peace unknown,
The hidden manna, and the tree
Of life, and the white stone.
Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart;
Come quickly from above;
Write Thy new name upon my heart,
Thy new, best name of Love.
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May the One who began a good work in us
bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ
and may the blessing of God Almighty, the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with us
and remain with us always. Amen.
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