Entrance of the Light

Hymn of Light

Thanksgiving for the Light

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

We praise you God that since the beginning what comes into being by your Word is light and life.  All things come into being through him who is the Word made flesh.  We praise you that “the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”  You are Lord over light and darkness.

Now as the shadows strengthen and the light turns from brilliance to the warm glow of evening, we are mindful of the gifts of the light.

† For sunrise over water...
† For enlightenment of new knowledge...
† For sunset over mountain peaks...
†The flash of a friendly smile...
† For your Word, “a lamp unto our feet.”

But we thank you also for the night

† For an end to our labors...
† For evening fellowship...
† For the gift of sleep...

Help us now, who have lived in the light of your love throughout the day, to enter into the hours of darkness free from sin.  Dispel any inclination in us to take up the values and habits of those who prefer the darkness of this fallen world to the light of your countenance.  Protect us from all evil and console us in every fear — that we may rest securely in your love and rise up again tomorrow renewed and restored.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Evening Psalm

Psalm 141  An evening prayer for protection  (Cantor sings the verses - all sing the refrains)

R
1 I have called to you, LORD; hasten help me!
Hear my voice when I cry you.
2 Let my prayer arise before you líke incense,
the raising of my hands like an evening óblation.

3 Set, O LORD, a guard over my´ mouth;
keep watch, O LORD, at the door of my´ lips!
4 Do not turn my heart to things that áre wrong,
to evil deeds with those who áre sinners.
R
Never allow me to share in theír feasting.
5 If the upright strike or reprove me it ís kindness;
but let the oil of the wicked not anoint my´ head.
Let my prayer be ever against theír malice.

6 Their leaders were thrown down by the side of thé rock;
then they understood that my words wére kind.
7 As a millstone is shattered to pieces on thé ground,
so their bones were strewn at the mouth of thé grave.
R
8 To you, LORD God, my eyes áre turned;
in you I take refuge; spare my´ soul!
9 From the trap they have laid for me keep safe,
keep me from the snares of those who evil.
10 Let the wicked fall into the traps they háve set
whilst I pursue my way únharmed.  
R

Psalms

93 God, king of the world

1 The LORD is king, with majesty énrobed;
the LORD is robed with might,*
and girded róund with power.

The world you made firm, not to be moved;*
2 your throne has stood firm from óf old.
From all eternity, O LÓRD, you are.

3 The waters have lifted up, O´ LORD,
the waters have lifted up their voice,*
the waters have lifted úp their thunder.

4 Greater than the roar of mighty waters,*
more glorious than the surgings of the´ sea,
the LORD is glorióus on high.

5 Truly your decrees are to trusted.
Holiness is fitting to your house,*
O LORD, until the énd of time.

Praise the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit*
both now and fórever.
The God who is, who was, and is to come*
at the end óf the ages.

Silent Reflection

147 A song of thanksgiving

1 Alleluia!*
Sing praise to the LORD who ís good;
sing to our God who is loving:*
to God our praise ís due.

2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem*
and brings back Israél’s exiles,
3 God heals the broken-hearted*
and binds up all théir wounds.
4 God fixes the number of the stars;*
and calls each one by íts name.

5 Our LORD is great and almighty;*
God’s wisdom can never bé measured.
6 The LORD raises the lowly;*
and humbles the wicked to thé  dust.
7 O sing to the LORD, giving thanks;*
sing psalms to our God with thé harp.

8 God covers the heavens with clouds,*
and prepares the rain for thé earth;
making mountains sprout with grass*
and with plants to serve oúr needs.
9 God provides the beasts with their food*
and the young ravens when théy cry.

10 God takes no delight in horses’ power*
nor pleasure in warriórs’ strength.
11 The LORD delights in those who revere him,*
in those who wait for hís love.

Praise the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit*
both now and fórever.
The God who is, who was, and is to come*
at the end of thé ages.

Silent Reflection

Canticle of Mary - Mary’s Song

Friday Evening Collect

We praise you God that since the beginning what comes into being by your Word is light and life.  All things come into being through him who is the Word made flesh.  We praise you that “the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”  You are Lord over light and darkness.
Now as the shadows strengthen and the light turns from brilliance to the warm glow of evening, we are mindful of the gifts of the light:
† For sunrise over water...
† For enlightenment of new knowledge...
† For sunset over mountain peaks...
†The flash of a friendly smile...
† For your Word, “a lamp unto our feet.”

We thank you also for the night:
† For an end to our labors...
† For evening fellowship...
† For the gift of sleep...
As we move from the activity of our day into the rest of evening, we pause in this hour of twilight — now in the twined light of brother sun and sister moon — to make an accounting of our life.  May the lights of sun and moon reveal to us, with your help Lord, the places where the veil between the sacred and profane are thin.

— two minutes of silence are observed for the practice of the examen —

Help us now, who have lived in the light of your love throughout the day, to enter into the hours of darkness free from sin.  Dispel any inclination in us to take up the values and habits of those who prefer the darkness of this fallen world to the light of your countenance.  Protect us from all evil and console us in every fear — that we may rest securely in your love and rise up again tomorrow renewed and restored.  
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.   Amen.

Hymn - In Praise Of God At Eventide

Dismissal

        Leader:  May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, that we may be found blameless at the coming of the Lord.
People:  Amen.

Leader:  Bless the Lord.
People:  The Lord’s name be praised.

A sign of peace is exchanged as we depart.