August 19, 2009

O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
---Evening Prayer, BCP---

Almighty and most merciful God,
Kindle within us the fire of your love,
that by its cleansing flame
we may be purged of all our sins
and made worthy to worship you
in spirit and in truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
---from the Order for Evening, BCP---

Evening Prayer

Of the daily offices that are part of the ancient practices of our faith, my favorite has always been Evening Prayer. It can be short or long, sung or spoken, coupled with a candle lighting service, or prayed with simplicity.

Like the offices of Morning and Noonday Prayer, and Compline, Evening Prayer is usually a lay-led service. People are trained to say the office, just as people are trained to be readers, acolytes and chalicists in our Sunday Services. Many churches hold Evening Prayer at least once a week, and some, who have a willing choir, hold one of the most beautiful Anglican services, Evensong, on Sunday evenings.

I was speaking with someone in the parish the other day about Evening Prayer. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have regular prayer in the evening, before dinner and the preparation for the next day begin? To us it seemed like a wonderful idea. The question then becomes, are we the only ones who would love to see something like Evening Prayer happen on a regular basis? For to create this ministry requires both people who would come, and people willing to lead.

Perhaps you are one of those people. Perhaps not. I would value your input in either direction. Let me know what you think – Could evening prayer enhance what we do as a parish? Does learning to lead it sound like great fun? Or is it just one more thing for our to-do list that we don’t need?

Let your voice be heard. Email me at .

Lord Christ,
Your saints have been
The lights of the world
In every generation:
Grant that we who follow
In their footsteps
May be made worthy
To enter with them
Into that heavenly country
Where you live and reign
For ever and ever. AMEN
---from the Order for Evening, BCP---

This Week at St. James

• Wednesday: Susan, our parish secretary, leaves for vacation.
• Sunday: Services at 8:00 and 10:15
• Monday: SJA Get Ready, Get Set camp
• Wednesday: 8:30 Healing Eucharist

Prayers Etc.

For those on our prayer list:

• David
• Arabella
• Owen
• Jennifer D.
• Rob C.
• Betsy
• Gracie
• Read
• David W.
• Mimi B.
• Ann W.
• Dan P.
• Holliday O.
• Jack D.
• Chuck S.
• Barry M.
• Joe S.
• Frank O.
• Carey B.
• Dennis R.
• Jackie M.
• Martina
• Peyton S.
• Ginny C.
• Joseph F.
• Brandon E.
• Ellen Warner and Family
• Melanie M.
• Ethan
• Lee
• The Gussio Family
• Ketch
• John
• JDF
• The Semenkow Family
• Susan C.
• Rachel C.
• Billy S.
• Jack and Carol
• Eleanor
• Peter
• Susie
• Gracia
• Peter C.
• Ril A.
• Michele K.
• Adam M.
• Teresa D.

For Matt Rogers, our postulant
For those who are deployed and their families.

A Collect for the Presence of Christ Lord Jesus, stay with us, For evening is at hand and the day is past; Be our companion in the way, Kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, That we may know you As you are revealed in Scripture And the breaking of bread. Grand this for the sake of your love. AMEN
---from Evening Prayer, BCP---

In Closing:

Almighty, everlasting God,
Let our prayer in your sight be as incense,
The lifting up of our hands as the evening sacrifice.
Give us grace to behold you,
Present in your Word and Sacraments,
And to recognize you in the lives of those around us.
Stir up in us the flame of that love
Which burnt in the heart of your Son as he bore his passion,
And let it burn in us to eternal life and to the ages of ages. AMEN
---From the Order for Evening, BCP---

Pax et Bonum,
Loree+

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