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1 I have called to you, LORD; hasten tó help me!
Hear my voice when I cry tó 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.
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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.
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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 mé safe,
keep me from the snares of those who dó evil.
10 Let the wicked fall into the traps they háve set
whilst I pursue my way únharmed.  
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1 How good and how pleasant ít is,
when people líve in unity!

2 It is like precious oil upon the head,*
running down upon thé beard,
running down upon Aaron’s beard,*
upon the collar óf his robes.

3 It is like the dew of Hermon which falls*
on the heights óf Zion.
For there the LORD gives blessing, *
lífe forever.

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

1 The LORD is king, let earth rejoice,*
let all the coastlands bé glad.
2 Surrounded by cloud and darkness;*
justice and ríght, God’s throne.

3 A fire prepares the way;*
it burns up foes on every´ side.
4 God’s lightnings light up the world,*
the earth trembles át the sight.

5 The mountains melt like wax*
before the LORD of all thé earth.
6 The skies proclaim God’s justice;*
all peoples sée God’s glory.

7 Let those who serve idols be ashamed,*
those who boast of their worthléss gods.
All you spirits, worshíp the LORD.

8 Zion hears and ís glad;
the people of Judah rejoice*
because of your judgménts, O LORD.

9  For you indeed are the LORD*
most high above all thé earth,
exalted far abové all spirits.

10 The LORD loves those who hate evil,*
guards the souls of thé saints,
and sets them free fróm the wicked.

11 Light shines forth for the just*
and joy for the upright óf heart.
12 Rejoice, you just, in the LORD;*
give glory to God’s hóly name.

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

We are dazzled by your brilliance, O God of light.  
You come to us in a pillar of fire to lead us to the promised land;
as a burning bush that captivates our attention;
as a star brilliant in the heavens heralding your coming to be with us;
as a pentecostal flame moving us to bear witness to your love — and we are in awe.  
Accept these prayers of thanksgiving for your gift of light.

Yet Lord, we confess our ambivalence too:
When light is as convenient and simple as the closest switch . . .
When the bright lights of our cities hide the light of your stars in a slate grey sky . . .
When we live mostly unaware of the hour of sunrise and sunset . . .

We imagine that making light is easy.  But then the darkness returns:
Darkness beyond our managing . . .
Darkness too vast to dispel . . .
Darkness that swallows up our fading lights . . .
Darkness which overtakes us in all of our vainglory  . . .

And we are glad:
Glad that this world turns from day to night and back to day without our input.
Glad for light powerful beyond our reckoning which traverses the vast blackness of space to fall upon our eyes and remind us of your awesome power.
Glad for the simple glow of a Christ candle which warms our souls with its feeble flame.
Glad again to be your creatures.  Glad that you are our God.

Today we have made our way through the hours and duties in search of the place of our resurrection.  Now as we recollect our day, may you who are the resurrection and the life, guide our memory to find those places of joy & sorrow, elation & perplexity which can help us to see more clearly the work you are accomplishing in us.

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

Keep us this night in your light and life.  Disperse any shadows within us and keep us in your embrace until we are met again in the gathering light of the new day.  
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

        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.