1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary
© 2024 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
One of the great gifts of the liturgical movement in the mid-twentieth century was the recovery of Evening Prayer as a public daily service meant for the whole church, and not just something to be celebrated in monasteries or as a private devotion. Prominent liturgical historians and musicians of the 1960s and 70s, many of whom taught at and/or were alumni of the liturgical studies program at the University of Notre Dame, were instrumental in recovering the ancient “cathedral-style” of Evening Prayer (Vespers). This style included the now famous Lucenarium rite as well as a robust sense of congregational participation throughout the liturgy witnessed to in early church documents such as the diary of the pilgrim Egeria. Such a cathedral style of Evening Prayer, though first recovered by Roman Catholics, has subsequently been adopted by many Protestant traditions for use in their own communities. (See, for example, page 1040 of Psalms for All Seasons). Tonight’s liturgy is based on Sunday Vespers particularly as it is celebrated in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame during Ordinary Time, with additional content taken from the 2018 Book of Common Worship and other sources.
Please be aware that the use of incense is integral to tonight’s liturgy, so at two points in the liturgy incense will be lit. These two points are during the singing of Psalm 141 as well as during the singing of the Magnificat. As Peter Bower reminds us in the Companion to the Book of Common Worship (Geneva Press, 2003), “The Christian use of incense is rooted in Jewish Temple worship. In the Bible, as is clear in Psalm 141, the incense symbolizes our prayer ascending before God. Heaven and earth are thus joined in a visible and sensuous way."
The incense used tonight is the “Powder Blend” available from Trinity Church Supply. It is a hypoallergenic blend suitable for people with sensitive allergies to incense, and is the lightest fragrance available from that supplier.
Cantor: Jesus Christ is light of the world.
All: The night no darkness can overcome!
Cantor: Stay with us Lord, for it is evening.
All: And the darkness fills this hour.
Cantor: Let your light scatter the darkness.
All: And illumine your church.
"Alegre Luz / O Gladsome Light"
"Let Us Give Thanks to God the Father"
Deuteronomy 24:17-22
17 Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. 18 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.
19 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 21 When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 22 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.
"My Soul Gives Glory to You Lord"
Cantor: That our prayers may rise before you as incense, O Lord,
and the lifting of my hands as an evening sacrifice.
Cantor: We give you our praise and thanks, O God,
for all gifts of love we have received from you,
and for your persistent mercy in Jesus Christ,
℟. Let us pray…
Especially we thank you for
the grace and peace of Jesus Christ. . .
all creatures with whom we share the earth. . .
those whom we love and who have loved us. . .
support and encouragement from others. . .
food and drink shared in your name. . .
℟. Let us pray…
We give you our cares and concerns, O God,
because we know you are kind
and care for your children in every circumstance.
℟. Let us pray…
Especially we pray for:
Churches of every denomination and tradition. . .
people who live in poverty. . .
those who are sick or suffering. . .
those who work for their healing. . .
comfort and peace for those who are dying. . .
℟. Let us pray…
To you, O God, we give up the burdens of this day,
trusting your love and mercy.
To you, O God, we surrender ourselves,
trusting our risen Lord to lead us always
in the way of peace,
today, tomorrow, and forever. Amen.
Gathering our prayers and praises into one, let us pray as our Savior taught us:
Let us cast all our anxiety on the Lord,
who cares for us.
The God of all grace
will restore, strengthen, and support us.
Amen.
Bless the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.
We are grateful for the planning and leading of this service by The Choral Scholars, Jonathan Hehn, OSL, and Kate Williams.
