All Hallows Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer for Sunday (November 27, 2022)
The order of service for this Sunday's services of Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer comes from The Church of England’s service book, Common Worship (2000). The morning readings are different from the evening reading, as are the songs and the homily.
The morning service begins at the top of the page at the Acclamation of Christ at the Dawning of the Day. Scroll down the page for the beginning of the evening service as the Blessing of the Light. MORNING PRAYER
THE ACCLAMATION OF CHRIST AT THE DAWNING OF THE DAY
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Open a link in a new tab to hear Dale A. Witte’s arrangement of the Venite, “Come, O Come, Let Us Sing to the Lord Our Savior!” for cantor or choir and assembly.
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord our Savior!
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord!
1 Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving.
Let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise.
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord our Savior!
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord!
2 For the Lord is a great God and great King above all gods.
The deep places of the earth are in his hands.
The heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his and formed the dry land.
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord our Savior!
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord!
3 Oh, come let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before our Maker.
For he is our God, and we are his people,
the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord our Savior!
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord!
This prayer of thanksgiving is said.
Blessed are you, Sovereign God, creator of all,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
You founded the earth in the beginning
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
In the fullness of time you made us in your image,
and in these last days you have spoken to us
in your Son Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.
As we rejoice in the gift of your presence among us
let the light of your love always shine in our hearts,
your Spirit ever renew our lives
and your praises ever be on our lips.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
THE WORD OF GOD
PSALMODY
Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s responsorial setting of Psalm 63, “In the Morning I Will Sing.”
In the morning I will sing,
I will sing glad songs to you,
I will sing glad songs of praise to you,
I will sing glad songs of praise to you.
1 O God you are my God, for you I long;
for you my soul is thirsting
My body pines for you
like a dry weary land without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary
To see your strength and your glory.
In the morning I will sing,
I will sing glad songs to you,
I will sing glad songs of praise to you,
I will sing glad songs of praise to you.
2 For you love is better than life,
my lips will speak your praise.
So I will bless you all my life,
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet,
my mouth shall praise you with joy.
In the morning I will sing,
I will sing glad songs to you,
I will sing glad songs of praise to you,
I will sing glad songs of praise to you.
3 On my bed I remember you.
on you I muse through the night
for you have been my help;
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
my soul clings to you;
Your right hand holds me fast.
In the morning I will sing,
I will sing glad songs to you,
I will sing glad songs of praise to you,
I will sing glad songs of praise to you.
Silence is kept.
To you we come, radiant Lord,
the goal of all our desiring,
beyond all earthly beauty;
gentle protector, strong deliverer,
in the night you are our confidence;
from first light be our joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
OLD TESTAMENT CANTICLE
Open this link in a new tab to hear John Angotti’s setting of the Benedicite, “Canticle of Daniel.”
God is praised and exalted above all for ever.
God is praised and exalted above all for ever.
1 Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord!
you heavens, bless the Lord!
all waters above the heavens, bless the Lord!
all you hosts of the Lord,
sun and moon, stars of heaven,
bless the Lord!
God is praised and exalted above all for ever.
2 Ev’ry shower and dew, bless the Lord!
all wind and heat, bless the Lord!
cold and chill, dew and rain, bless the Lord!
ice and snow,
nights and days,
lights and darkness and clouds
bless the Lord!
God is praised and exalted above all for ever.
3 Mountains and hills, bless the Lord!
ev’rything growing from the earth, bless the Lord!
springs, seas and rivers, bless the Lord!
all water creatures,
all you birds,
all you beasts, sons of man
bless the Lord!
God is praised and exalted above all for ever.
4 O Israel, bless the Lord!
Priests and servants of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord.
Holy men of humble heart,
Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael,
bless the Lord!
God is praised and exalted above all for ever.
God is praised and exalted above all for ever.
Silence may be kept.
HYMN OF THE DAY
Open this link in a new tab to hear Christopher Idle’s “When the King Shall Come Again.”
1 When the King shall come again
all his power revealing,
splendour shall announce his reign,
life and joy and healing:
earth no longer in decay,
hope no more frustrated;
this is God's redemption day
longingly awaited.
2 In the desert trees take root
fresh from his creation;
plants and flowers and sweetest fruit
join the celebration.
Rivers spring up from the earth,
barren lands adorning;
valleys, this is your new birth,
mountains, greet the morning!
3 Strengthen feeble hands and knees,
fainting hearts, be cheerful!
God who comes for such as these
seeks and saves the fearful.
Deaf ears hear the silent tongues
sing away their weeping;
blind eyes see the lifeless ones
walking, running, leaping.
4 There God's highway shall be seen
where no roaring lion,
nothing evil or unclean
walks the road to Zion:
ransomed people homeward bound
all your praises voicing,
see your Lord with glory crowned,
share in his rejoicing!
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Isaiah 2: 1-5 The Lord’s Future Reign
This is a vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house
will be the highest of all—
the most important place on earth.
It will be raised above the other hills,
and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
People from many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of Jacob’s God.
There he will teach us his ways,
and we will walk in his paths.”
For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion;
his word will go out from Jerusalem.
The Lord will mediate between nations
and will settle international disputes.
They will hammer their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will no longer fight against nation,
nor train for war anymore.
Come, descendants of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Silence is kept
Matthew 24:36-44 Jesus Speaks about the Future
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.
“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
“Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
Silence is kept.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory
HOMILY
How to Live with the Uncertainty of Not Knowing When Jesus Will Come Again as He promised.
Some Christians will spend a lifetime searching the Bible for clues to when Jesus will return. Others quickly jump to the conclusion that the latest catastrophic event or occurrence heralds his imminent return.
In the early1830s American preacher William Miller predicted that Jesus would return in 1843 or 1844, based upon his study of the symbolic meaning of the prophesies of Daniel in the Old Testament Book of Daniel. While Miller first received little attention, he gradually attracted a large following. It was the time of the Second Great Awakening, a Protestant religious revival, and Miller’s beliefs caught the public imagination.
By 1843 Miller had gained a sizeable number of followers not only in the United States but also in Canada and the United Kingdom. His predications had become the basis of a growing movement with its own preachers and publications. In 1844 several dates were determined as the day of Jesus’ expected return. Each day passed without Jesus’ return.
At a camp meeting in New Hampshire in August of that year Samuel S. Snow, one of the movement’s preachers, made the prediction that Jesus would return on October 22, 1844. This prediction spread like wildfire through the movement. On the day of Jesus’ expected return crowds of Millerites, as Miller’s followers came to be called, dressed in white robes, gathered on the top of hills and other high places to wait the coming of the Lord. This day ended like any other day to the disappointment of the Millerites.
Following what is known as the Great Disappointment, the movement would lose steam. Some Millerites rejoined the denominations to which they had previously belonged. Others migrated to the Shakers who believed that Jesus had already appeared for the second time in the person of their leader Mother Ann Lee. One group of Millerites would eventually form the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
In this morning’s New Testament reading, Matthew 24:36-44, Jesus is quite clear that only the Father knows the day of his second coming. No one else has that knowledge, not even the angels and himself. Based on what Jesus says it is perfectly reasonable to conclude that God did not leave clues in the Bible to the day of Jesus’ return, not in the Old Testament prophesies or in the Revelation to John. Jesus does not tell his disciples to search for such clues in the Scriptures. Rather he tells them to watch for his return. Elsewhere in the Gospels he points to their attention that they must be like faithful servants whose master is away on a journey. They will diligently go about performing the duties that their master has given them while looking for his return. They will not neglect the tasks that he has assigned them. At the same time, they will have kept his affairs in order, prepared for his return. Like the servants in the Parable of the Talents they will have made a profit for their master. The master will not return from his journey to find his servants idle and his affairs in a sorry state.
While Jesus compares wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, and pestilence to the beginning of birth pains, it must be kept in mind that he is comparing these events and occurrences to the beginning of these pains. A woman can begin to experience birth pains long before she gives birth. She can also experience false labor. These are contractions which can start as early as the fourth month of pregnancy. It is tempting to see in such events and occurrences signs of the end times but that is not what Jesus is saying.
What are the implications of what Jesus is telling his disciples for us, for his followers in our day and time? Jesus has tasked his disciples with spreading the good news about him to all the peoples on the earth. He has tasked his disciples with making more disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them what he taught. He has tasked us with living our lives in accordance with his teaching and example and representing him in the world. He has further tasked us with ministering to the disadvantaged, to the hungry, to the homeless, to refugees, to the sick, to prisoners and captives. He expects his followers to carry out these responsibilities as faithful servants would carry out the duties that their master gave them. He also expects us to be on the lookout for his return. While he may not return in our lifetime, we must nonetheless be ready at all times for his return. As he told the disciples, he will come when he is least expected.
Silence is kept.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Open this link in a new tab to hear Carl P. Daw, Jr.’s metrical paraphrase of the Benedictus Dominus Deus, “Blessed Be the God of Israel.”
1 Blessed be the God of Israel
who comes to set us free
and raises up new hope for us:
a Branch from David's tree.
So have the prophets long declared
that with a mighty arm
God would turn back our enemies
and all who wish us harm.
2 With promised mercy will God still
the covenant recall,
the oath once sworn to Abraham,
from foes to save us all;
that we might worship without fear
and offer lives of praise,
in holiness and righteousness
to serve God all our days.
3 My child, as prophet of the Lord,
you will prepare the way,
to tell God's people they are saved
from sin's eternal sway.
Then shall God's mercy from on high
shine forth and never cease
to drive away the gloom of death
and lead us into peace.
Silence may be kept.
PRAYERS
That this and all our days
may be full of your praise:
we pray to you, O Lord.
That you will keep us this day without sin:
we pray to you, O Lord.
That we may walk before you
in the paths of righteousness and peace:
we pray to you, O Lord.
That you will bless your people
and lift them up for ever:
we pray to you, O Lord.
That you will guide and protect us by your Holy Spirit
and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting:
we pray to you, O Lord.
Let us commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray,
to the mercy and protection of God.
Open prayer may be offered and silence is kept.
THE COLLECTS
Praise and honour to you living God;
your coming will be like a thief in the night,
like lightning flashing across the sky.
Grant that we may be ready,
and our hearts answer, Come Lord Jesus.
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake.
Amen.
Holy and everliving God,
by your power we are created
and by your love we are redeemed;
guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves to your service,
and live each day in love to one another and to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
As Christ teaches us, we pray:
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.
CLOSING SONG
Open this link in a new tab to hear Timothy Dudley-Smith’s adaptation of the Te Deum laudamus, "We Come with Songs of Blessing."
We come with songs of blessing,
O Father, God Most High,
your Name on earth confessing
to whom the angels cry;
by all the hosts of heaven
continually adored,
to you all praise be given,
the everlasting Lord.
We come with songs,
we come with songs!
The heavens show your glory,
your greatness fills the earth;
the prophets tell your story,
apostles praise your worth.
The saints and martyrs name you
eternal Three-in-One,
and through the world acclaim you
as Father, Spirit, Son.
We come with songs,
we come with songs!
O King for ever glorious,
O Son for sinners slain,
O Christ who died victorious
to rise and rule and reign:
the hosts on high enthrone you
at God the Father's hand;
and wide, to those who own you,
the gates of heaven stand.
We come with songs,
we come with songs!
In mercy, Lord, behold us,
our God to whom we pray;
let Jesus' love enfold us
against that final day;
no tale of sin confound us
before the judgment throne;
his righteousness surround us,
who trust in God alone.
we come with songs!
The heavens show your glory,
your greatness fills the earth;
the prophets tell your story,
apostles praise your worth.
The saints and martyrs name you
eternal Three-in-One,
and through the world acclaim you
as Father, Spirit, Son.
We come with songs,
we come with songs!
O King for ever glorious,
O Son for sinners slain,
O Christ who died victorious
to rise and rule and reign:
the hosts on high enthrone you
at God the Father's hand;
and wide, to those who own you,
the gates of heaven stand.
We come with songs,
we come with songs!
In mercy, Lord, behold us,
our God to whom we pray;
let Jesus' love enfold us
against that final day;
no tale of sin confound us
before the judgment throne;
his righteousness surround us,
who trust in God alone.
We come with songs,
we come with songs!
Amen!
THE CONCLUSION
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful God bless us
and keep us now and for ever. Amen.
EVENING PRAYER
THE BLESSING OF THE LIGHT
A lamp or candle may be lit.
The Lord is my light and my salvation:
my God shall make my darkness to be bright.
The light and peace of Jesus Christ be with you
and also with you.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God,
Ruler of the universe,
Creator of light and darkness.
In this holy season,
when the sun’s light is swallowed up
by the growing darkness of the night,
you renew your promise to reveal
among us the splendor of your glory,
enfleshed and visible to us
in Jesus Christ, your Son.
Through the prophets you teach us
to hope for his reign of peace.
Through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
you open our blindness
to the glory of his presence.
Strengthen us in our weakness.
Support us in our stumbling efforts
to do your will and free our tongues
to sing your praise.
For to you all honor and blessing are due,
now and forever. Amen.
Other candles may be lit as the following is sung.
Open this link in a new tab to hear David von Kampen’s choral arrangement of “Joyous Light of Glory.”
Joyous light of glory of the immortal Father:
Heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ,
We have come to the setting of the Sun
And we look to the evening light.
We sing to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy of being praised
with pure voices forever.
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
The universe proclaims your glory,
your glory, your glory.
As Psalm 141 — A Song of the Evening Sacrifice, is sung, incense may be burned.
Open this link to hear David W. Music’s choral arrangement of Timothy Dudley-Smith’s metrical paraphrase of Psalm 141,"Come Quickly, Lord."
1 Come quickly, Lord, and hear the cries
my heart and hands uplifted raise;
and let my prayer as incense rise,
an evening sacrifice of praise.
Guard now the lips that speak your Name,
lest they, and I, be put to shame.
2 And if my steps should go astray
and from the path of truth I move,
restore me to your narrow way
and in your mercy, Lord, reprove;
from love of self my soul defend,
and wound me as a faithful friend.
*3 When at the last, O Lord our God,
we look to you alone to save,
the plough of judgment breaks the clod,
and bones are scattered from the grave:
our Rock, our Refuge and our Tower,
protect us in the final hour.
4 We fix our eyes upon you, Lord,
and tune our ears to hear your voice;
our hearts by faith receive your word
and in your promises rejoice.
Till morning breaks and night is gone,
in God we trust, and journey on.
*Omitted in the choral arrangement.
This opening prayer is said.
That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,
let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence is kept.
As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,
so may your mercy come down upon us
to cleanse our hearts
and set us free to sing your praise
now and for ever.
Amen.
THE WORD OF GOD
PSALMODY
Open this link in a new tab to hear Songs in His Presence’ setting of Psalm 121: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, “Our Help Is from the Lord.”
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;
whence shall help come to me?
My help is from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
May he not suffer your foot to slip;
may he slumber not who guards you:
indeed he neither slumbers nor sleeps,
the guardian of Israel.
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
The LORD is your guardian;
the LORD is your shade;
he is beside you at your right hand.
The sun shall not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
The LORD will guard you from all evil;
he will guard your life.
The LORD will guard your coming and your going,
both now and forever.
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
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.
NEW TESTAMENT CANTICLE
Open this link in a new tab to hear Donald Pearson's setting of the Dignus est, “Splendor and Honor.”
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
For you created everything that is,
and by your will they were created
and have their being;
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain,
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
From every family, language, people, and nation,
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
And so, to him who sits upon the throne,
and to Christ the Lamb,
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor,
for ever more and for evermore.
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
For ever more and for evermore.
Silence may be kept.
HYMN OF THE DAY
Open this link to hear John Brownlie’s “The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns.”
1 The King shall come when morning dawns,
and light triumphant breaks,
when beauty gilds the eastern hills,
and life to joy awakes.
not as of old, a little child
to bear, and fight, and die,
but crowned with glory like the sun,
that lights that morning sky
2 O, brighter than the rising morn,
when he, victorious rose,
and left the lonesome place of death,
despite the rage of foes.
O, brighter than that glorious morn,
shall this fair morning be,
when Christ, our King, in beauty comes,
and we his face shall see.
3 The King shall come when morning dawns,
and light and beauty brings.
Hail! Christ the Lord! Thy people pray:
Come quickly, King of kings.
Come quickly, King of kings.
The King shall come when morning dawns,
and light and beauty brings.
Hail! Christ the Lord! Thy people pray:
Come quickly, King of kings.
Come quickly, King of kings.
SCRIPTURE READING
Romans 13: 8-14 Love Fulfills God’s Requirements
Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.
This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
Silence is kept.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory
HOMILY
One condition was required of those seeking admission to the early Methodist societies. It was "a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins." Whether an individual genuinely had such a desire could, however, only be determined from how they lived their lives. Those who joined a Methodist society were expected to evidence their desire of salvation “by doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind;” “by doing good;” and “by attending upon all the ordinances of God,” in other words, by employing the means of grace. Among the means of grace which Wesley himself mentions are regularly attending services of public worship; frequently receiving Holy Communion; reading and studying the Scriptures and meditating upon them, prayer, and fasting. These were the three “general rules” that John Wesley established for members of the early Methodist societies. They are guidelines by which Methodists are encouraged to live their lives today. They are also helpful guidelines for other Christians seeking to live according to Jesus’ teaching and example and to be open to God’s grace through which God sanctifies and perfects those who believe in Jesus and transforms them into the likeness of their Lord.
If you are not familiar with John Wesley, he was a priest in the Church of England in the eighteenth century, who was the founder of the Methodist movement. While Wesley was a Fellow at Oxford University, he became the leader of a group of earnest students who made a habit of frequently attending Holy Communion, seriously studying the Bible, and regularly visiting the squalid Oxford prisons. The members of this group were derisively referred to as Methodists because they were “methodical” in their Bible study, prayer, and other practices. Wesley pioneered field preaching, preaching outdoors, and formed those who came to faith under his preaching into societies and the societies into smaller groups for mutual encouragement and edification.
When I was reading this evening reading, Romans 13: 8-14, I immediately thought of the first of Wesley’s three general rules—do no harm and avoid evil of every kind. As the apostle Paul draws to the attention of the Christians at Rome to whom he is writing, “love does no wrong to others.” Love does not harm someone else. He goes on to urge them to give up the way they have been living and to live in a more decent manner. They must live in a way which shows that they are serious about their new-found faith. It is not just a passing fancy. Instead of acting like other Romans, he encourages them to clothe themselves with “the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
What he appears to be urging them to do is emulate Jesus’ character, teaching, and example to the point that those around them will not see them but Jesus. Paul further counsels them not to let their desires tempt them, not even to think about the ways they might indulge these desires or fantasize abut indulging them. Psychologists tell us that once we begin thinking about doing something and then imagining ourselves doing it, we are well on our way to doing it.
An important part of our witness to Jesus as his followers is how we live our lives. Actions speak louder than words. They show our intentions and feelings more clearly than what we say. They show our real attitudes.
One criticism that frequently leveled at those who identify themselves as Christians is that they are hypocrites. While they say one thing but do another. Christians find fault with other people’s feelings, attitudes, and behavior but exhibit the same feelings, attitudes, and behavior with which they find fault.
Among the reasons that Christianity’s influence in Western culture has waned is that many Christians are indistinguishable from the rest of the population. At one time their chief distinguishing characteristic was church attendance. However, that is no longer the case. For this and other reasons the counsel which Paul offers to the Christians at Rome in the first century AD is particularly relevant for our day and time. We are not going to get very far in telling people about Jesus if our lives do not embody what we claim to believe. What we say and what we do must be congruent with each other. Otherwise, people will not take us seriously. Yes, how we live our life as a Christian does make a difference!
Silence is kept.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Open this link to hear Lori True’s adaptation of the Magnificat, “Magnificat, Magnificat.”
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
1 I sing with all my heart, my spirit leaps for joy.
Who am I that you should honor me?
By your saving grace all will call me blest;
and proclaim the greatness of your name!
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
2 How great your gifts to us, how wonderful your works,
with your pow’r you strengthen all the weak.
Your mercy will endure: steadfast is your love
All the faithful follow and believe.
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
3 You scatter all the proud, the rich you send away.
All the mighty vanish in your sight.
You fill each hungry heart, raising up the least.
You are hope for all who are in need.
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
4 You rescue all the poor, your servant Israel.
You preserve your promise long foretold.
You keep your saving word, faithful is your name.
Ev’ry generation sings your praise!
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
Silence may be kept.
PRAYERS
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.
In silent or spontaneous prayer all bring before God the concerns of the day.
THE COLLECTS
Praise and honour to you living God;
your coming will be like a thief in the night,
like lightning flashing across the sky.
Grant that we may be ready,
and our hearts answer, Come Lord Jesus.
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake.
Amen.
Gracious God,
you have given us much today;
grant us also a thankful spirit.
Into your hands we commend ourselves
and those we love.
Be with us still, and when we take our rest
renew us for the service of your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
In darkness and in light,
in trouble and in joy,
help us, heavenly Father,
to trust your love,
to serve your purpose,
and to praise your name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Let us pray with confidence as our Savior has taught us:
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.
CLOSING SONG
Open this link in a new tab to hear Bernadette Farrell’s “Christ, Be Our Light.”
Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
Light for the world to see.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us.
Make us your living voice.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
making your kingdom come.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
THE CONCLUSION
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful God bless us
and keep us now and for ever. Amen.
we come with songs!
Amen!
THE CONCLUSION
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful God bless us
and keep us now and for ever. Amen.
EVENING PRAYER
THE BLESSING OF THE LIGHT
A lamp or candle may be lit.
The Lord is my light and my salvation:
my God shall make my darkness to be bright.
The light and peace of Jesus Christ be with you
and also with you.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God,
Ruler of the universe,
Creator of light and darkness.
In this holy season,
when the sun’s light is swallowed up
by the growing darkness of the night,
you renew your promise to reveal
among us the splendor of your glory,
enfleshed and visible to us
in Jesus Christ, your Son.
Through the prophets you teach us
to hope for his reign of peace.
Through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
you open our blindness
to the glory of his presence.
Strengthen us in our weakness.
Support us in our stumbling efforts
to do your will and free our tongues
to sing your praise.
For to you all honor and blessing are due,
now and forever. Amen.
Other candles may be lit as the following is sung.
Open this link in a new tab to hear David von Kampen’s choral arrangement of “Joyous Light of Glory.”
Joyous light of glory of the immortal Father:
Heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ,
We have come to the setting of the Sun
And we look to the evening light.
We sing to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy of being praised
with pure voices forever.
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
The universe proclaims your glory,
your glory, your glory.
As Psalm 141 — A Song of the Evening Sacrifice, is sung, incense may be burned.
Open this link to hear David W. Music’s choral arrangement of Timothy Dudley-Smith’s metrical paraphrase of Psalm 141,"Come Quickly, Lord."
1 Come quickly, Lord, and hear the cries
my heart and hands uplifted raise;
and let my prayer as incense rise,
an evening sacrifice of praise.
Guard now the lips that speak your Name,
lest they, and I, be put to shame.
2 And if my steps should go astray
and from the path of truth I move,
restore me to your narrow way
and in your mercy, Lord, reprove;
from love of self my soul defend,
and wound me as a faithful friend.
*3 When at the last, O Lord our God,
we look to you alone to save,
the plough of judgment breaks the clod,
and bones are scattered from the grave:
our Rock, our Refuge and our Tower,
protect us in the final hour.
4 We fix our eyes upon you, Lord,
and tune our ears to hear your voice;
our hearts by faith receive your word
and in your promises rejoice.
Till morning breaks and night is gone,
in God we trust, and journey on.
*Omitted in the choral arrangement.
This opening prayer is said.
That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,
let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence is kept.
As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,
so may your mercy come down upon us
to cleanse our hearts
and set us free to sing your praise
now and for ever.
Amen.
THE WORD OF GOD
PSALMODY
Open this link in a new tab to hear Songs in His Presence’ setting of Psalm 121: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, “Our Help Is from the Lord.”
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;
whence shall help come to me?
My help is from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
May he not suffer your foot to slip;
may he slumber not who guards you:
indeed he neither slumbers nor sleeps,
the guardian of Israel.
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
The LORD is your guardian;
the LORD is your shade;
he is beside you at your right hand.
The sun shall not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
The LORD will guard you from all evil;
he will guard your life.
The LORD will guard your coming and your going,
both now and forever.
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
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.
NEW TESTAMENT CANTICLE
Open this link in a new tab to hear Donald Pearson's setting of the Dignus est, “Splendor and Honor.”
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
For you created everything that is,
and by your will they were created
and have their being;
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain,
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
From every family, language, people, and nation,
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
And so, to him who sits upon the throne,
and to Christ the Lamb,
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor,
for ever more and for evermore.
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
For ever more and for evermore.
Silence may be kept.
HYMN OF THE DAY
Open this link to hear John Brownlie’s “The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns.”
1 The King shall come when morning dawns,
and light triumphant breaks,
when beauty gilds the eastern hills,
and life to joy awakes.
not as of old, a little child
to bear, and fight, and die,
but crowned with glory like the sun,
that lights that morning sky
2 O, brighter than the rising morn,
when he, victorious rose,
and left the lonesome place of death,
despite the rage of foes.
O, brighter than that glorious morn,
shall this fair morning be,
when Christ, our King, in beauty comes,
and we his face shall see.
3 The King shall come when morning dawns,
and light and beauty brings.
Hail! Christ the Lord! Thy people pray:
Come quickly, King of kings.
Come quickly, King of kings.
The King shall come when morning dawns,
and light and beauty brings.
Hail! Christ the Lord! Thy people pray:
Come quickly, King of kings.
Come quickly, King of kings.
SCRIPTURE READING
Romans 13: 8-14 Love Fulfills God’s Requirements
Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.
This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
Silence is kept.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory
HOMILY
Does How We Live as a Christian Make a Difference?
One condition was required of those seeking admission to the early Methodist societies. It was "a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins." Whether an individual genuinely had such a desire could, however, only be determined from how they lived their lives. Those who joined a Methodist society were expected to evidence their desire of salvation “by doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind;” “by doing good;” and “by attending upon all the ordinances of God,” in other words, by employing the means of grace. Among the means of grace which Wesley himself mentions are regularly attending services of public worship; frequently receiving Holy Communion; reading and studying the Scriptures and meditating upon them, prayer, and fasting. These were the three “general rules” that John Wesley established for members of the early Methodist societies. They are guidelines by which Methodists are encouraged to live their lives today. They are also helpful guidelines for other Christians seeking to live according to Jesus’ teaching and example and to be open to God’s grace through which God sanctifies and perfects those who believe in Jesus and transforms them into the likeness of their Lord.
If you are not familiar with John Wesley, he was a priest in the Church of England in the eighteenth century, who was the founder of the Methodist movement. While Wesley was a Fellow at Oxford University, he became the leader of a group of earnest students who made a habit of frequently attending Holy Communion, seriously studying the Bible, and regularly visiting the squalid Oxford prisons. The members of this group were derisively referred to as Methodists because they were “methodical” in their Bible study, prayer, and other practices. Wesley pioneered field preaching, preaching outdoors, and formed those who came to faith under his preaching into societies and the societies into smaller groups for mutual encouragement and edification.
When I was reading this evening reading, Romans 13: 8-14, I immediately thought of the first of Wesley’s three general rules—do no harm and avoid evil of every kind. As the apostle Paul draws to the attention of the Christians at Rome to whom he is writing, “love does no wrong to others.” Love does not harm someone else. He goes on to urge them to give up the way they have been living and to live in a more decent manner. They must live in a way which shows that they are serious about their new-found faith. It is not just a passing fancy. Instead of acting like other Romans, he encourages them to clothe themselves with “the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
What he appears to be urging them to do is emulate Jesus’ character, teaching, and example to the point that those around them will not see them but Jesus. Paul further counsels them not to let their desires tempt them, not even to think about the ways they might indulge these desires or fantasize abut indulging them. Psychologists tell us that once we begin thinking about doing something and then imagining ourselves doing it, we are well on our way to doing it.
An important part of our witness to Jesus as his followers is how we live our lives. Actions speak louder than words. They show our intentions and feelings more clearly than what we say. They show our real attitudes.
One criticism that frequently leveled at those who identify themselves as Christians is that they are hypocrites. While they say one thing but do another. Christians find fault with other people’s feelings, attitudes, and behavior but exhibit the same feelings, attitudes, and behavior with which they find fault.
Among the reasons that Christianity’s influence in Western culture has waned is that many Christians are indistinguishable from the rest of the population. At one time their chief distinguishing characteristic was church attendance. However, that is no longer the case. For this and other reasons the counsel which Paul offers to the Christians at Rome in the first century AD is particularly relevant for our day and time. We are not going to get very far in telling people about Jesus if our lives do not embody what we claim to believe. What we say and what we do must be congruent with each other. Otherwise, people will not take us seriously. Yes, how we live our life as a Christian does make a difference!
Silence is kept.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Open this link to hear Lori True’s adaptation of the Magnificat, “Magnificat, Magnificat.”
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
1 I sing with all my heart, my spirit leaps for joy.
Who am I that you should honor me?
By your saving grace all will call me blest;
and proclaim the greatness of your name!
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
2 How great your gifts to us, how wonderful your works,
with your pow’r you strengthen all the weak.
Your mercy will endure: steadfast is your love
All the faithful follow and believe.
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
3 You scatter all the proud, the rich you send away.
All the mighty vanish in your sight.
You fill each hungry heart, raising up the least.
You are hope for all who are in need.
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
4 You rescue all the poor, your servant Israel.
You preserve your promise long foretold.
You keep your saving word, faithful is your name.
Ev’ry generation sings your praise!
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
Magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum.
Silence may be kept.
PRAYERS
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.
In silent or spontaneous prayer all bring before God the concerns of the day.
THE COLLECTS
Praise and honour to you living God;
your coming will be like a thief in the night,
like lightning flashing across the sky.
Grant that we may be ready,
and our hearts answer, Come Lord Jesus.
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake.
Amen.
Gracious God,
you have given us much today;
grant us also a thankful spirit.
Into your hands we commend ourselves
and those we love.
Be with us still, and when we take our rest
renew us for the service of your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
In darkness and in light,
in trouble and in joy,
help us, heavenly Father,
to trust your love,
to serve your purpose,
and to praise your name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Let us pray with confidence as our Savior has taught us:
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.
CLOSING SONG
Open this link in a new tab to hear Bernadette Farrell’s “Christ, Be Our Light.”
Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
Light for the world to see.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us.
Make us your living voice.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
making your kingdom come.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
THE CONCLUSION
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful God bless us
and keep us now and for ever. Amen.
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