Celtic Evening Prayers

Sunday, January 3, 2020

Online 5:30 pm

Prelude My Tribute Yoosun Paik, piano by Andrae Crouch

Opening Scripture

Officiant: Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60:3

Candle Lighting

Officiant: I will light a light in the name of the Maker, who lit the world and breathed the breath of life for me.

All: I will wait for the Lord. My soul waits, and in His word do I hope.

Officiant: I will light a light in the name of the Son, who saved the world and stretched out his hand to me.

All: I will wait for the Lord. My soul waits, and in His word do I hope.

Officiant: I will light a light in the name of the Spirit, who encompassed the world and blessed my soul with yearning.

All: I will wait for the Lord. My soul waits, and in His word do I hope.

We light three lights for the Trinity of Love: God above us, God beside us, God beneath us; The beginning, The End, The everlasting one.

The Invitatory and Psalter

Officiant: O God, make speed to save us.

All: O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

All: Alleluia.

Officiant: Please join our choir as they sing our Opening Hymn.

Opening Hymn Of the Father’s Love Begotten Hymnal 82

Words: Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-410?); tr. John Mason Neale (1818-1866) and Henry Williams Baker (1821-1877), alt. Music: Divinum mysterium, Sanctus trope, 11th cent.; adapt. Piae Cantiones, 1582; acc. Bruce Neswick (b. 1956)

Officiant: Please join me in reading the following psalm.

People and Presider

Psalm 145 I will exalt you, O God my King, * and bless your Name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless you * and praise your Name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; * there is no end to his greatness. One generation shall praise your works to another * and shall declare your power. I will ponder the glorious splendor of your majesty * and all your marvelous works. They shall speak of the might of your wondrous acts, * and I will tell of your greatness. They shall publish the remembrance of your great goodness; * they shall sing of your righteous deeds. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, * slow to anger and of great kindness. The Lord is loving to everyone * and his compassion is over all his works. All your works praise you, O Lord, * and your faithful servants bless you. They make known the glory of your kingdom * and speak of your power; That the peoples may know of your power * and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; * your dominion endures throughout all ages. The Lord is faithful in all his words * and merciful in all his deeds. The Lord upholds all those who fall; * he lifts up those who are bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, * and you give them their food in due season. You open wide your hand * and satisfy the needs of every living creature. The Lord is righteous in all his ways * and loving in all his works. The Lord is near to those who call upon him, * to all who call upon him faithfully. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; * he hears their cry and helps them. The Lord preserves all those who love him, * but he destroys all the wicked. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; * let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and ever. All: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *

As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

First Reading: Sirach 3:3-9,14-17

Those who honour their father atone for sins, and those who respect their mother are like those who lay up treasure. Those who honour their father will have joy in their own children,

and when they pray they will be heard.

Those who respect their father will have long life, and those who honour their mother obey the Lord; they will serve their parents as their masters. Honour your father by word and deed, that his blessing may come upon you. For a father’s blessing strengthens the houses of the children, but a mother’s curse uproots their foundations. For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, and will be credited to you against your sins; in the day of your distress it will be remembered in your favour; like frost in fair weather, your sins will melt away. Whoever forsakes a father is like a blasphemer, and whoever angers a mother is cursed by the Lord. My child, perform your tasks with humility; then you will be loved by those whom God accepts.

Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

All: Thanks be to God.

Silence may be kept.

Leader: Let us read the following Song of Simeon together.

People and Presider

Luke 2:29-32

Lord, you now have set your servant free * to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, * whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, *

and the glory of your people Israel.

All: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:* As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Second Reading: 1 John 2:12-17

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young people, because you have conquered the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young people, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live for ever.

Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

All: Thanks be to God.

Silence may be kept.

Officiant: Let us read the following Song of the Redeemed together.

People and Presider

Revelation 15:3-4

O ruler of the universe, Lord God, great deeds are they that you have done, *

surpassing human understanding. Your ways are ways of righteousness and truth, *

O King of all the ages. Who can fail to do you homage, Lord, and sing the praises of your Name? *

for you only are the holy One. All nations will draw near and fall down before you, *

because your just and holy works have been revealed.

All: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:* As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Silence may be kept.

Presider

The Gospel John 6:41-47

Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ They were saying, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, “I have come down from heaven”?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, “And they shall all be taught by God.” Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life.

Officiant: The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Reflection Heather Modzelewski

Meditative Music Amazing Grace Yoosun Paik, piano Traditional American Melody arranged by Randall Hartsell

Officiant: Let us join in reading the Apostles’ Creed

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Officiant: And now, as our Savior Jesus Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray:

All: 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. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayers for Ourselves and Others

Leader: Let us pray for ourselves and others.

Leader: Loving God, because we are better together, even as we are apart, enliven the Church to do your work.

All: That we may take up our cross and follow you, Lord God.

Leader: Breathe fresh life into your people.

All: Give us courage to reveal you, Christ, in word and action.

Leader: Creator of all, lead us and every people in the ways of justice and peace.

All: That we may respect one another in freedom and truth.

Leader: Embolden in us a sense of wonder for the earth and all that is in it.

All: Teach us to care creatively for our fragile world.

Leader: God of truth, inspire with your wisdom those whose decisions affect the lives of others.

All: That all may act with integrity and courage.

Leader: Be among us, to bring light in the darkness.

All: Forgive us our wrongs. Those done and those left undone.

Leader: Give grace to all those whose lives are linked with ours.

All: May we serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.

Leader: Let us now name before God those for whom we offer our personal prayers, either silently or aloud.

All are invited to add their own intercessions either silently or aloud.

Officiant: We pray for those impacted by the Coronavirus: All: God of the present moment,

God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; bring hope and courage to all who wait or work in uncertainty.

Bring hope that you will make them the equal of whatever lies ahead.

Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness;

Restore wellness in body, mind, and spirit, for you are God, and we need you.

In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Officiant: We pray for Peace and Justice

All: Almighty God, you have given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly ask that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will.

Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners.

Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.

Defend our liberties, and fashion us into one united people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or language, remembering that You love us all, no exceptions.

Provide wisdom to those to whom we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth.

When we are blessed with prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness; when we are troubled, help us to trust in You.

All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Officiant: Lord God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ triumphed over the powers of death and prepared for us our place in the new Jerusalem: Grant that we, who have this day given thanks for his resurrection, may praise you in that City of which he is the light, and where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Officiant: And now we pray together,

All: Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work or watch or weep this night. 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.

A period of silence is kept.

Officiant: Please join in singing our Sending Hymn Hymn 665 in the 1982 Hymnal

Sending Hymn All My Hope on God is Founded Hymnal 665 (verses 1-3)

All my hope on God is founded; he doth still my trust renew,

me through change and chance he guideth, only good and only true.

God unknown, he alone

calls my heart to be his own.

Mortal pride and earthly glory, sword and crown betray our trust;

though with care and toil we build them, tower and temple fall to dust.

But God’s power, hour by hour,

is my temple and my tower.

God’s great goodness e’er endureth, deep his wisdom passing thought: splendor, light, and life attend him,

beauty springeth out of nought. Evermore

from his store newborn worlds rise and adore.

Words: Robert Seymour Bridges (1844-1930), alt.; after Joachim Neander (1650-1680); Music: Michael, Herbert Howells (1892-1983) Copyright: Music: Copyright © 1968, Novello & Company Limited. Used by permission.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom

Officiant: Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.

Officiant: Let us bless the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Concluding Scripture

May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of

the Holy Spirit. Amen. Romans 15:13

Postlude Be Thou My Vision Yoosun Paik, piano

Traditional Irish folk song, arr. Randall Hartsell

A special thank you to Art Buck for officiating tonight,

to Rebecca McLain for reading, to Heather Modzelewski for tonight’s Reflection,

and to Yoosun Paik and our Epiphany choir for their musical gifts.

The content of Celtic Worship is drawn from Frontier Services Sunday 2013, A Celtic Liturgy compiled by Pat Robson; A Celtic Primer compiled by Brendan O’Malley; Wild Goose Worship Group, A Wee Worship Book. Music Copyright Acknowledgements: All rights reserved. Except where otherwise noted, music in today's bulletin that is not in the public domain is reprinted under One-License.net # A-723865 and CCLI license #2895248.

Principal Musician: Ji-Yoon “Jiji” Park Minister of Music: Cathy Lard Communications Director: Nadia Baker

Epiphany Episcopal Church is building a Christ-centered community, growing in God’s grace, welcoming all in love, and providing for God’s world.

3301 Hidden Meadow Drive, Oak Hill, VA 20171 | www.epiphanyec.org | (703) 466-5200