Prayers at Sunset
As the sun sets on this day, I think it would be stupendous to host an Evensong. For those unaware, Evensong is a church service traditionally held as the sun goes down. This service marks the passing of another day of faith — a day in which we have successfully remained in Christ. The roots of this service are believed to come from the tradition of medieval monasteries, and the practices kept to engage the spirit in worship. The service is generally led by a liturgist and attended by a choir, chief musicians, and a congregation. Most modern Evensong services follow a pattern dictated by The Book of Common Prayer from which the community participates as they follow the order of service.
The following online Evensong should take about 45 mins and finds its support via the readings provided and this Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1OmxURsDMpvJht04SL8pvK?si=2fcd0fca93bc4416.
Join me; light a candle, grab your bible and your favorite drink, and let’s reflect on his grace, mercy, and love as we end this day.
Call to Worship:
We are children of God: Called to praise, bless, and show mercy. We are citizens of a nation: Called to care, respond, and share our freedom. We are members of a community: We are called to know each other, accept each other, and welcome all. We belong to God, and through God, to one another. So may our hearts be as one, and let us worship our God.
Evensong Hymn: Te lucis ante terminum (track #1)
Reading #1: We thank you, O God, for the gift of this day. For this beautiful space, for the warm hearts that greet us. We thank you, O God, for the ability to come together to worship. For songs and prayers that sustain us not only in this hour but in the days that unfold. We thank you, O God, for the blessings in our lives and our world. May we lift our voices in thanks, even as we worship You.
Hymn: All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night (track #2)
Anthem: Hear My Prayer, O Lord (track #3)
Prayer: Almighty and most merciful Father, We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, We have followed too much the devices and desires of our hearts, We have offended against thy holy laws, We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, And we have done those things which we ought not to have done, And there is no health in us: But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us miserable offenders; Spare thou them, O God, which confesses their faults, Restores thou them that are penitent, According to thy promises declared unto humankind in Christ Jesu our Lord: And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.
Hymn: Be Still My Soul (track #4)
Reading #2: O Lord, open thou our lips. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, it is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Praise ye the Lord.
Anthem: Alleluia (track #5)
Prayer: Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that 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.
Hymn: Praise My Soul, The King of Heaven (track #6)
Anthem: The Lord is my Shepherd (track #7)
Reading #3: Here we are, the young and old, The believing and doubting, The weak and strong. Here God is, almighty and merciful, Gracious and just, Trustworthy and true. And we worship.
Hymn: Abide With Me (track #8)
Prayer: Accept our evening thanksgiving, Fountain of every blessing, for you have led us in safety through the length of the day. You daily bless us with so many temporal mercies and have given us the hope of resurrection to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Anthem: If Ye Love Me (track #9)
The Apostle’s Creed: I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth: and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; on the third day, he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Anthem: Sing My Soul, His Wondrous Love (track #10)
Prayer: Save us, O God, and raise us by your Christ. Let us stand up and beg for the mercies of the Lord, and his compassion, for the angel of peace, for whatever is excellent and profitable, for a Christian departure out of this life, an evening and a night of peace, and free from sin, that the course of our life may be blameless. Let us dedicate ourselves and one another to the living God through his Christ. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen.
Closing: God Be In My Head (track #11)
Some of these liturgies were written by Beth Merrill Neel on her blog, ‘Hold Fast to What Is Good’. Used with permission.”
