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Service of Light

Greeting/Invocation

 We light the Evening Candle and say or sing:

Light and Peace in Jesus Christ our Lord!

~Thanks be to God!

 

In you is the Source of life.

~And in your light we see light.

 

Lenten Hymn

O God, Creator of us all, From whom we come, to whom we go,

You look with mercy on our hearts, the weakness of our wills you know.

 

Forgive us all the wrong we do, And purify each sinful soul.

What we have darkened, heal with light; And what we have destroyed make whole.

 

The fast by law and prophets taught, By you, O Christ, was sanctified.

Bless all our actions, give us strength To share the cross on which you died.

 

O God of mercy, hear our prayer, With Christ your own, and Spirit blest,

Transcendent Trinity in whom Created things all come to rest.  Amen.

 Text: Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal, rev. ed.; Tune: Plainsong Mode II from Dominican Antiphonary

 

SERVICE OF THE WORD

Evening Psalm

Antiphon/Refrain

My prayers rise like incense,

my hands like an evening offering.

Psalm 140/141

I call to you, O Adonai, help me now! Listen to me, Adonai, I am invoking you.

Let my prayer rise like incense before you, my uplifted hands like an evening oblation.

 

Set a guard over my mouth, Adonai; a sentry at the door of my lips.

Save me from all wicked deeds and desires. I will not feast with sinners.

 

The good may chastise me, in their kindness rebuke me,

but the wicked shall never anoint my head with oil; my prayer rises against their malice.

 

Adonai, I look to you for help; in you I take refuge; spare my life.

Keep me from the traps they have set for me, save me from the snares of those who do evil.  Setting: Howard Hughes, S.M. alt. Praise God In Song

 

Reading           Sirach 15: 15-17

If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you; if you trust in God, you too shall live; Adonai has set before you fire and water–to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand. Before humankind are life and death, good and evil, whichever each chooses shall be given and received. Immense is the wisdom of Adonai; the Holy One is mighty in power, and all-seeing.

 Responsory

R. Look with mercy Adonai; Look with kindness on your people: with compassion turn to your sinful people.  V. We are that chosen nation, God, which you have purchased at great price; for  to your love were we restored by Christ’s redeeming sacrifice. V.  O God, we now confess our sin, renounce our greed and stubborn pride. Resolve to mend our ways and win forgiveness through Christ crucified.

Gospel Antiphon

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted;

after he had fasted forty days and nights, he was hungry.

Canticle from Philippians 2: 6-11 

 Though he was in the form of God

Jesus did not  snatch at equality with God.

Instead, he emptied himself,

and took the form of  a servant,

and was born in the likeness of human beings.

 

And being found in human form,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even death on a cross.

 

Therefore God has highly exalted him

and bestowed on him the name

that is above every other name.

That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow

in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

 

And every tongue confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Abba.

 

Glory to the Abba and to the Word

And to the Breath of Love

As always before

So now and evermore. Amen

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted;

after he had fasted forty days and nights, he was hungry.

 

 Service of Prayer

Litany of Intercession

For the Unity of Humanity and the common good of all Earthkind,

God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For the people of this and every other nation, that all be guided in the ways of justice and peace, God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For the health and well-being of all creation, and the wisdom and will to conserve it,

God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For all those who have asked for our prayers and those for whom we have promised to pray, God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For all who are suffering in mind, body or spirit, and for those who care for them,

God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For those who have died, and for those who grieve their passing,

God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Prayer of Jesus

Our Father…

 

Closing Prayer & Blessing

God of Life and Liberation, your Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to prepare for his  ministry of proclaiming and practicing your reign on Earth as it is in heaven where bread is for sharing, power is for serving, and trusting You makes all people members of one family. May our celebration of this holy season rehearse us in living by his values and bring us closer to realizing the freedom, flourishing and fullness of life that your love offers to us and all creation both now  and forever.   ~Amen.

 

May God + bless us and all of creation.  ~Amen 

 

Let us bless Adonai.    ~And give thanks to God.

 

 

Those who wish may end evening prayer with the Marian Antiphon for this season.

Queen of the Heavens we greet you, Queen of Angels now we entreat you;

Fairest flower heaven’s portal from whom came the Light immortal,

Matchless maiden God did raise you for the universe to praise you

Hear us O Hear us, dear Mother, show us your children Jesus our brother.

 

Pray for us Holy Mother of God,

~ that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

 

Let us pray,

O Gracious God grant to your people lasting health of mind and body.

Send us your assistance in  times of temptation.

May we who celebrate the memory of the holy Mother of God,

rise from our sins by the help of her intercession.

We ask this through Christ our Love.  Amen.