Advent Evening Prayer

Preparing to Welcome God’s Son, as Mary Welcomed the Angel’s Word

Ascending Perspectives of the Laity

Thursday, December 17, 2020

7 PM

Bellarmine Chapel

In response to the strategic goals of the parish, while endeavoring to create more active disciples, Bellarmine Chapel

offers these liturgies that uniquely bolster the voice and theological reflection of the non-ordained.

Ascending refers to the Feast of Christ’s Ascension, falling on a Thursday forty days after Easter, when Jesus was lifted

up to heaven before the Apostles’ eyes.

So as to lift up a broad range of perspectives into liturgical leadership (especially those of women, youth/young adults,

and the non-ordained members of consecrated and secular life), this prayer follows the Church’s liturgical tradition, and

provides lay ministers the opportunity to preside and preach the good news.

Evening Prayer (Vespers) with Preaching

Christine Shea, Presider

The Service of Light (Lucernarium):

Evening Hymn: Like A Bird That Spreads Her Wings

3.

The Psalmody: Psalm 134 - In The Silent Hours Of The Night

Psalm 91 - Be With Me, Lord

Collect: Presider

O God, whose name is blessed from sunrise to sunset,

fill our hearts with knowledge of you and make us worthy

to sing your praise and thank you for your great glory,

that you may be enthroned upon the praises of your people and honored for all the ages to come;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Congregation: Amen.

Collect: Presider

God, our rock and our Savior, teach us to put our trust in your loving kindness and in time of trouble

to live by hope in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Congregation: Amen.

4.

Psalm 145 - Our God Is Compassion

Collect: Presider

O God, support us all the day long of this troubled life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening

comes, the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over and our work is done. Then, in your mercy,

grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord

Congregation: Amen.

5.

The Gospel Canticle of Mary (Magnificat):

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:4-10

The Preaching: given by Holly Schapker

Responsory: call/response acclamation

Presider: Come to deliver us, gentle and loving God.

Congregation: Come to deliver us, gentle and loving God.

Presider: Turn your face toward us and save us;

Congregation: Gentle and loving God.

Presider: Glory to you, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.

Congregation: Come to deliver us, gentle and loving God.

6.

The Intercessions: Come, Light of Life! Enlighten Us!

The Lord’s Prayer:

Final Collect: Presider Congregation

Almighty and everlasting God, who willed that your Word should take flesh in the womb of the

Blessed Virgin Mary; you who fill our hearts and transcend our thoughts. Guide our discernment and

form our consciences with freedom to recognize your invitations to grow. Deliver us from sin and

sorrow, and conduct us to the everlasting joys of our heavenly home. We ask this through Jesus,

Emmanuel, God with us forever. Amen.

7.

Final Hymn: Song Of Mary verses 1, 3, & 5

All music and text reprinted with permission using OneLicense.net License # A-702668

Collect Prayers & Intercessions paraphrased from the following sources: Morning Praise

and Evensong—A Liturgy of the Hours in Musical Setting © 1973 Fides Publishers, Inc.

Notre Dame, Indiana. People’s Companion to the Breviary Vol. I © 1997 The Carmelites of

Indianapolis.

Icon of the Black Madonna and Child of Montserrat by Holly Schapker © 2010

Icon of Praying Hands © St-Takla.org (taken from free clip art online).