Choral Evensong
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CHORAL EVENSONG July 26, 2020 5:00 P.M. WELCOME TO CHORAL EVENSONG The American Cathedral of the Holy Trinity welcomes all people. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, whatever your questions, whatever your situation, we are glad you are here and invite you to find out more about our life together. The American Cathedral in Paris 23, Avenue George V 75008 PARIS CHORAL EVENSONG Choral Evensong (Evening Prayer/Vêpres Chantées) is one of the real jewels of the Anglican tradition, and has been so for over 400 years. A service of timeless beauty and heritage, it dates from the English Reformation, when the medieval Latin monastic offices of Vespers and Compline were translated into English to be used in all parish and cathedral churches. Along with sung Mattins (Morning Prayer), Evensong was one of the principal Sunday services of the Anglican Church until the late nineteenth-century, when the Eucharist became increasingly prevalent. The service as we have it today is essentially unchanged from Archbishop Thomas Cranmer’s 1549 Book of Common Prayer -- from which the current Episcopal Prayer Book draws its origins. The style of English language (Rite I) used is similar to the language of Shakespeare, dating from the sixteenth century. Much of Evensong is sung by the choir -- giving the congregation the opportunity to listen to the fine Anglican choral tradition of music, and to be inspired and uplifted in worship. It is a musical offering of praise to God. The text of Evensong is taken almost entirely from the Scripture. A portion of the psalter is beautifully chanted by the choir. There are readings from the Old Testament and the New. Then there are the two great songs: the Magnificat, the song of Mary when she heard that she was to become the mother of our Lord; and the Nunc Dimittis, the words of the old prophet Simeon as he held the infant Jesus in his arms and recognized Him as the Messiah. Incense is used by the Church as a symbol of our prayers rising to heaven: “Let my prayer be counted as incense before you” (Psalm 141). We find in the book of Revelation that incense symbolizes the prayers of the saints in heaven -- “the golden bowl full of incense are the prayers of the saints” (5:8; 8:3) -- which rise towards the altar of God. At Evensong, incense is used at the opening procession, and at the Magnificat, to bless the altar and mark it as the sacramental heart of the parish. The clergy lead the congregation in prayer and intercession. Several collects (prayers) are chanted. You are invited to join in singing the hymns, the creeds, and in prayer. INTROIT: If ye love me Thomas Tallis (1505-1585) If ye love me, keep my commandments, and I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever, even the spirit of truth. [text, John 14:15-17] HYMN: 517, “How lovely is thy dwelling-place” BROTHER JAMES’ AIR THE INVITATORY AND PSALTER THE PRECES Thomas Tallis Officiant: O Lord, open thou our lips. Choir: And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. Officiant: O God, make speed to save us. Choir: O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Praise ye the Lord. The Lord's name be praised. THE PSALM: 84 John Stainer (1840-1901) 1 How dear to me is your dwelling, O LORD of hosts! * My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. 2 The sparrow has found her a house and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; * by the side of your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. 3 Happy are they who dwell in your house! * they will always be praising you. 4 Happy are the people whose strength is in you! * whose hearts are set on the pilgrims' way. 5 Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, * for the early rains have covered it with pools of water. 6 They will climb from height to height, * and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion. 7 LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; * hearken, O God of Jacob. 8 Behold our defender, O God; * and look upon the face of your Anointed. 3 9 For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room, * and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked. 10 For the LORD God is both sun and shield; * he will give grace and glory; 11 No good thing will the LORD withhold * from those who walk with integrity. 12 O LORD of hosts, * happy are they who put their trust in you! Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen THE LESSONS THE FIRST LESSON: Acts 28:23-31 After they had set a day to meet with him, they came to him at his lodgings in great numbers. From morning until evening he explained the matter to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. Some were convinced by what he had said, while others refused to believe. So they disagreed with each other; and as they were leaving, Paul made one further statement: "The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah, 'Go to this people and say, You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn-- and I would heal them.' Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen." He lived there two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. The Word of the Lord. All respond Thanks be to God MAGNIFICAT Sung by the Choir Fauxbourdon Service, Robert Sharpe (b.1971) MY SOUL doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations. He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel; as he 4 promised to our forefathers, Abraham, and his seed forever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. THE SECOND LESSON: Mark 2:23-28 One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?" And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions." Then he said to them, "The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath." The Word of the Lord. All respond Thanks be to God. NUNC DIMITTIS Sung by the Choir Fauxbourdon Service, Robert Sharpe LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; to be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. HOMILY The Very Rev. Lucinda R. Laird Please stand. THE APOSTLES' CREED, sung by all, monotone. I BELIEVE in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty.