GREETING
The light and peace of Jesus Christ be with you all.
A.3*
And also with you.
As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,
B.4
so may your mercy come down on us to cleanse our hearts
and set us free to sing your praise
now and for ever. Amen.
A HYMN is sung.
Now, my friends, all that is true, all that is noble,
C.5
all that is just and pure,
all that is lovable and attractive,
whatever is excellent and admirable,
fill our thoughts with these things:
and the God of peace will be with us. Philippians 4.8,9
PSALM 141
The following refrain is recited here and after each
section:
Let 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. Refrain.
Let not my heart incline to any evil thing;
let me not be occupied in wickedness.
But my eyes are turned to you, Lord God,
in you I take refuge; do not leave me defenceless.Refrain.
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY is said.
READINGS from the Old and New Testament are each followed by silence.
A PRAYER
Lord, your word is a lamp for our feet.
H.4
In darkness and in light,
in trouble or in joy,
help us to trust your love,
to serve your purpose,
and to praise your name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A SCRIPTURE SONG.
Metrical versions of Nunc Dimittis (ICP 130) or Cantate Domino
(below) are particularly suitable.
Sing to God New Songs of Worship. (Tune: Beethoven's Ode to
Joy.)
Sing to God new songs of worship
all his deeds are marvellous;
he has brought salvation to us
with his hand and holy arm:
he has shown to all the nations
righteousness and saving power,
he recalled his truth and mercy
to his people Israel.
Sing to God new songs of worship
earth has seen his victory;
let the lands of earth be joyful
praising him with thankfulness:
sound upon the harp his praises,
play to him with melody;
let the trumpets sound his triumph,
show your joy to God the king!
Sing to God new songs of worship
let the sea now make a noise;
all on earth and in the waters
sound your praises to the Lord:
let the hills be joyful together,
let the rivers clap their hands,
for with righteousness and justice
he will come to judge the earth.
© Michael Baughen (b. 1930)
THE SERMON
AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Stand
Let us confess our faith in the Son of God:
I.5
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
Through him all things were made;
without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of us all.
The Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us.
We have seen his glory,
the glory of the One and Only Son,
who came from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
A HYMN may be sung
THE PRAYERS
Kneel
An Evening Litany. J.3
The Taizé Chant, Kyrie eleison, is particularly suitable
sung softly but the response "Lord, have mercy" may be
substituted.
That the rest of this day may be holy, peaceful and full of your
presence,
in faith we pray,
Kyrie, kyrie eleison.
That the work we have done and the people we have met today may
bring us closer to you,
in faith we pray,
Kyrie, kyrie eleison.
That we may be forgiven our sins and failures,
in faith we pray,
Kyrie, kyrie eleison.
That we may hear and respond to your call to peace and
justice,
in faith we pray,
Kyrie, kyrie eleison.
That you will sustain the life and hope of those who are lonely,
oppressed
and anxious,
in faith we pray,
Kyrie, kyrie eleison.
That you will strengthen us in your service, and fulfil our hearts
with longing for your kingdom,
in faith we pray,
Kyrie, kyrie eleison.
Other topics may be freely introduced as desired, and lead in
to the response with, "in faith we pray,".
The litany concludes:
God our Saviour, you know us and love us,
you hear our prayer:
Keep us in the eternal fellowship of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
A GENERAL COLLECT
Lighten our darkness, Lord, we pray,
K.4
and in your great mercy
defend us from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of your only Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gathering all our prayers and praises into one,
we pray as our Saviour Christ has taught us:
Our Father....
In peace we will lie down and rest:
N.3
For you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.
Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
For the night is at hand and the day is now past.
As the night-watch looks for the morning:
So do we long for you, O Christ.
May the risen Lord Jesus watch over us and renew us
as he renews the whole of creation.
May our hearts and lives echo his love. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.