Celtic Evening Prayer Service for Lent, Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Below is the complete service that was held this past Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. at St. John’s.  We will be having a short prayer service each Wednesday during Lent following our soup dinner in Walker Hall. You may use these prayers and scripture readings at home.  All are welcome to attend our service and soup dinner.

The Greeting

Come to us this night, O God,

Come to us with light.

Speak to us this night, O God,

Speak to us your truth.

Dwell with us this night, O God,

Dwell with us in love.

The sign of light– a candle is lit

Let the darkness of night surround us,

let light and warmth gather us

and let God’s people say ‘Amen’.

Amen.

Let the tools be stored away,

let the work be over and done

and let God’s the people say ‘Amen.’

Amen.

Let the winds blow wild around us,

But let hearts be glad and minds be calm

And let God’s people say ‘Amen’.

Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Thanks be to you O Christ,

For the many gifts you have bestowed on us,

each day and night, each sea and land, each weather fair, each calm, each wild.

Each night may we remember your mercy given so gently and generously.

Each thing we have received,

From you it came; each thing for which we hope, from your love it will come;

Each thing we enjoy, it is of your bounty; each thing we ask, comes of your disposing.

O God, from whom each thing that is, freely flows,

Grant that no tie over strict, no tie over dear, may be between ourselves and this world. Amen.

Silence is kept.

Prayer of Penitence

Search me, O God, and know my heart. Test me and know my thoughts.

See if there is any wicked way in me. I confess to you, and lead me in the way everlasting.

May the God of all mercy, bring us back to himself,

forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love, in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The Word of God

First reading: Psalm 119 1-11

Happy are those whose way is blameless,

who walk in the law of the Lord.

Happy are those who keep his decrees,

who seek him with their whole heart,

who also do no wrong,

but walk in his ways.

You have commanded your precepts

to be kept diligently.

O that my ways may be steadfast

in keeping your statutes!

Then I shall not be put to shame,

having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

I will praise you with an upright heart,

when I learn your righteous ordinances.

I will observe your statutes;

do not utterly forsake me.

How can young people keep their way pure?

By guarding it according to your word.

With my whole heart I seek you;

do not let me stray from your commandments.

I treasure your word in my heart,

so that I may not sin against you.

Glory 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.

Philippians 4:6–7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and  petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Silence is kept.

The Collect

Almighty God, who built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,

with Jesus Christ himself as the chief cornerstone:

so join us together in unity of spirit by their doctrine,

that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Let us pray together:

Our 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 sin, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That we may depart this life in your faith and love, and be in your arms forever.

We entreat you, O Lord.

That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of all your saints,
entrusting one another and all our life to Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way,

that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness;

for your tender mercies’ sake. 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.

Affirmation of Faith

We believe in God who takes the smallest moment of hope,

and grows it forth like a tree with spreading branches for the sheltering of new life.

We believe in Jesus Christ who walks tall among us, seen in our faces, felt in our hearts,

bedded deep in the longing of our souls for all that is true, just and full of hope.

We believe in the Holy Spirit who waits on our moments of openness,

and springs into the unknowns with joy and delight, that we may be called on

beyond where we thought we could go, where every step is walked on holy ground. Amen.

Closing responses

Stay with us Lord, it is evening:

and the day is almost over.

The darkness is not dark to you:

the night is as bright as the day.

Let your light scatter the darkness:

and fill your church with your everlasting love.