CHORAL EVENSONG march 14, 2021 5:30 pm Solemn Evensong (sung Evening Prayer, Rite I beginning on page 61 of The Book of Common Prayer) is one of the jewels of the Anglican tradition. Most of the service is sung, often by the choir alone. Opening Improvisation Patrick A. Scott All stand for The Opening Sentences THE INVITATORY AND PSALTER The Preces and Responses music: The Hymnal 1982, S-1 & S-26 V. O Lord, open thou our lips: R. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise V. O God, make speed to save us: R. O Lord, make hast 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 will be forever. Amen. The congregation is invited to sit and meditate on the text of the opening hymn while the cantors and organist sing. Those worshiping from home are invited to join in singing. See page 6 regarding in-person congregational singing. Office Hymn 143,“ THE GLORY OF THESE FORTY DAYS” music: Erhalt uns, Herr, melody from Geistliche Lieder, 1543 text: Latin, 6th cent.; tr. Maurice F. Bell (1862-1947) All sit while the Choir sings Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 Plainsong Tone II.1 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, * and his mercy endures for ever. 2 Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim * that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe. 3 He gathered them out of the lands; * from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. 17 Some were fools and took to rebellious ways; * they were afflicted because of their sins. 18 They abhorred all manner of food * and drew near to death’s door. 19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, * and he delivered them from their distress. 20 He sent forth his word and healed them * and saved them from the grave. 21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy * and the wonders he does for his children. 22 Let them offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving * and tell of his acts with shouts of joy. Glory 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 All sit for The First Lesson Lector A Lesson from the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians 2:1-10 You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-- by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God-- not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Lector Here endeth the lesson. All stand for The Magnificat music: Dorian Evening Service, Thomas Tallis (1505-1585) text: Song of Mary, Luke 1:46-55 My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For he hath regarded the lowli- ness 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 shewed 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 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. 2 All sit for The Second Lesson Lector A Lesson from the Gospel of John. 3:14-21 Jesus said, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who be- lieve in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” Lector Here endeth the lesson. All stand for The Nunc Dimittis music: Dorian Evening Service, Thomas Tallis (1505-1585) text: The Song of Simeon, Luke 2:29-32 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy sal- vation, 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. The Apostles’ Creed 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 Ghost, 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. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. THE PRAYERS The Cantor and Choir sing The Preces and Responses music: The Hymnal 1982, S-28 V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. All stand or kneel V. Let us pray. R. Lord, have mercy upon us. music: S-91, from Missa de Sancta Maria Magdalena, Christ, have mercy upon us. Healey Willan (1880-1968) Lord, have mercy upon us. 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. 3 V. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us: music: The Hymnal 1982, S-22 R. And grant us thy salvation. V. Endue thy ministers with righteousness: R. And make thy chosen people joyful. V. Give peace O Lord in all the world R. For only in thee can we live in safety. V. Lord, keep this nation under thy care. R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth. V. Let thy way be known upon earth. R. Thy saving health among all nations. V. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten. R. Nor the hope of the poor be taken away. V. Create in us clean hearts, O God. R. And sustain us with thy Holy Spirit. The Collects The Collect of the Day Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. A Collect for Peace O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed: Give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee, we being defended from the fear of all enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of our Savior, Jesus Christ.