The Order for Evening Prayer for the evening before a Sunday or Principal Feast may be adapted in the following way: Evening Prayer begins with the Blessing of Light and then continues with a repeating pattern of reading, psalm or canticle, silence and prayer; it concludes with the Gospel reading, the Gospel Canticle, the prayers and the blessing.
Alternatively, a Vigil may be kept less formally; those present participate by contributing readings and poetry,music and song, testimony and prayer.
A light, which may be the Paschal Candle, is brought in, or a candle may simply be lit. The officiant greets the people with these or other suitable words
In the evening, Jesus came and stood among the disciples and
said to them:
‘Peace be with you.’ [Alleluia.]
John 20.19
The light and peace of Jesus Christ be with you all
Alland also with you.
Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
our light and our salvation,
eternal creator of day and night,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
Now, as darkness is falling,
hear the prayer of your faithful people.
As we look for your coming in glory,
wash away our transgressions,
cleanse us by your refining fire
and make us temples of your Holy Spirit.
By the light of Christ,
dispel the darkness of our hearts
and make us ready to enter your kingdom,
where songs of praise for ever sound.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
AllBlessed be God for ever.
Other candles may be lit as Phos Hilaron – A Song of the Light, the following or another suitable hymn or canticle, is said or sung
Hail, gladdening Light, of his pure glory poured
who is the immortal Father, heavenly, blest,
holiest of holies, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest,
the lights of evening round us shine,
we hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine.
Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung
with undefilèd tongue,
Son of our God, giver of life, alone:
therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.
Greek, tr: John Keble
Verses from Psalm 141 – A Song of the Evening Sacrifice may be said and incense may be burned.
AllLet my prayer rise before
you as incense, •
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly; •
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord, •
and guard the door of my lips;
AllLet my prayer rise before
you as incense, •
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Let not my heart incline to any evil thing; •
let me not be occupied in wickedness with evildoers.
But my eyes are turned to you, Lord God; •
in you I take refuge; do not leave me defenceless.
AllLet my prayer rise before
you as incense, •
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Psalm 141.1-4b, 8
This opening prayer may be 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.
AllAmen.
An Old Testament reading, a psalm, silence and this or another suitable Collect follow
God of glory,
you nourish us with your word
which is the bread of life.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit,
that through us the light of your glory
may shine in all the world;
we ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.
AllAmen.
A New Testament reading and The Song of Christ’s Glory or another suitable canticle follow
Refrain:
AllAt the name of Jesus
every knee shall bow.
1Christ Jesus was in
the form of God, •
but he did not cling to equality with God.
2He emptied himself,
taking the form of a servant, •
and was born in our human likeness.
3Being found in human
form he humbled himself, •
and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.
4Therefore God has highly
exalted him, •
and bestowed on him the name above every name,
5That at the name of
Jesus every knee should bow, •
in heaven and on earth and under the earth;
6And every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, •
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2.5-11
AllGlory to the Father and
to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
AllAt the name of Jesus
every knee shall bow.
Silence and this or another suitable Collect follow
Kindle in our hearts, O God,
the flame of love which never ceases,
that it may burn in us, giving light to others.
May we shine for ever in your temple,
set on fire with your eternal light,
even your Son Jesus Christ,
our Saviour and our Redeemer.
AllAmen.
Columba (597)
The Gospel reading for the Sunday or Principal Feast is read.
The reading may be introduced by this acclamation
We proclaim not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord
Alland ourselves as your
servants for Jesus’ sake.
For the God who said, Let light shine out of darkness,
Allhas caused the light
to shine within us:
to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
Allin the face of Jesus
Christ.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.
AllGlory to you, O Lord.
After the Gospel reading
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
AllPraise to you, O Christ.
The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) follows with the appropriate refrain
1My soul proclaims the
greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; •
he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.
2From this day all generations
will call me blessed; •
the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his name.
3He has mercy on those
who fear him, •
from generation to generation.
4He has shown strength
with his arm •
and has scattered the proud in their conceit,
5Casting down the mighty
from their thrones •
and lifting up the lowly.
6He has filled the hungry
with good things •
and sent the rich away empty.
7He has come to the aid
of his servant Israel, •
to remember his promise of mercy,
8The promise made to
our ancestors, •
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Luke 1.46-55
AllGlory to the Father and
to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
A litany or a suitable chant may be said or sung.
The Collect and the Lord’s Prayer follow.
Awaiting the fulfilment of all God’s promises,
as our Saviour taught us, so we pray
AllOur Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
(or)
Awaiting the fulfilment of all God’s promises,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
AllOur 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.
A hymn may be sung.
The Lord bless us with every spiritual gift
as we wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
AllAmen.
Let us bless the Lord. [Alleluia, alleluia.]
AllThanks be to God. [Alleluia,
alleluia.]