As we settle in this Sunday evening and turn to peaceful contemplation and reflection, join me here at the internet chapel of St. Bede's-in-the-Bytes for a virtual Choral Evensong (Evening Prayer), Anglican style. I will abbreviate this service somewhat by omitting the Lesson, Gospel and Apostles' Creed, inviting us instead to meditate on a subject of our own, personal choice and in our own spiritual tradition.
But first, a word about Brothers and Sisters:
Welcome to Brothers and Sisters, the weekly meetup for prayer* and community at Daily Kos. We put an asterisk on pray* to acknowledge that not everyone uses conventional religious language, but may want to share joys and concerns, or simply take solace in a meditative atmosphere. Anyone who comes in the spirit of mutual respect, warmth and healing is welcome.
I invite us all to still our souls as the prelude begins over the orange cloud of incense...
THE PRELUDE
Prelude on "Rhosymedre" --Ralph Vaughan Williams
THE IVITITORY AND PSALTER
The Preces--setting: Richard Ayleward
The Phos Hilaron--setting: Charles Wood
Psalm 84 (Quam dilecta)
THE MAGNIFICAT AND NUNC DIMITTIS
setting: Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in C, Charles Villiers Stanford
THE PRAYERS AND SUFFRAGES
THE COLLECTS
From the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, Episcopal Church in the United States of America, Rite II
Most holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.
Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.
THE ANTHEM
My soul, there is a country--C.H.H. Parry
A PRAYER OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
THE POSTLUDE
Postlude in d minor, Charles Villiers Stanford
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Please join us in the comments to share our thoughts, joys, concerns, prayers and thanksgivings as we come together as a community tonight.
NOTE: Some of the music featured here, including the Parry My soul there is a country and the Stanford Magnificat and Nunc dimittis and Postlude in d minor may be heard at my parish in Yarmouth, Maine at Solemn Choral Evensong on Nov. 17th at 4pm. --Bro. Commonmass.