Since the earliest days of the Church Christians have sanctified the evening with songs and prayer. All Hallows Evening Prayer is modeled on the ancient cathedral (or popular) office of Vespers, which is another word for Evening Prayer.
One of the oldest hymns outside those found in the New Testament is the Phos Hilaron. It was sung at the lighting of the first lamps of evening and honored our Lord Jesus Christ as the Light of the World. A candle may be lit at the beginning of All Hallows Evening Prayer and additional candles may be lit during the singing of the Phos Hilaron.
Since the earliest days of the Church a fixed element of the cathedral (or popular) office of Vespers is Psalm 141—a penitential psalm. Incense such as frankincense may be burned in a brazier during the singing of this psalm. In All Hallows Evening Prayer Psalm 141 is followed by silence and prayer as is the ancient custom. A variable psalm, chosen for its suitability for the evening, follows Psalm 141. It is also followed by silence and prayer.
A Scripture reading follows the psalmody. A short homily follows the Scripture reading.
A canticle of praise, the Magnificat, follows the homily. In some church traditions it is customary to make the sign of the cross at the beginning of the Magnificat since it is taken from the Gospels.
Another fixed element of the cathedral (or popular) office of Vespers is intercessory prayer. This may take the form of suffrages or a litany and includes a time of free prayer. When the suffrages or the litany is prayed, a brief pause is customarily observed after each suffrage or petition. During this pause specific intentions may be offered silently or aloud.
The prayers conclude with a collect and the Lord’s Prayer. A final hymn is sung after which the Benedicamus and a blessing is said. The blessing is so worded that it may be said by a deacon or a lay person.
The order of service for Wednesday evening (September 2, 2020) is as follows:
Phos Hilarion: “O Gracious Light” arr. Stephen Sturk
Psalm 141: “O Lord, Let My Prayer Rise Before You as Incense” arr, Paul Inwood
Psalm 139: “O God, Your Search Me, and You Know me” Bernadette Farrell
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3: 8-15a
Homily: “Called to Receive God’s Blessing”
Magnificat: “My Soul, Proclaims Your Greatness, Lord” English traditional melody arr. Chaz Bower
Dismissal Hymn: “The Lord into His Garden Comes” Southern Harmony arr. David Music
The link to the service is: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2020/09/all-hallows-evening-prayer-for.html#more
Please feel free to share the link with anyone whom you feel would benefit from the service.
Previous services may be found online at: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/
I hope that the service will be a blessing to you and to all with whom you share the link.
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