Emmaus Evening Prayer - January 17

Video Link

Worship and Dinner
The service will be available on YouTube at 5:00 p.m.
Dinner follows the service.
Emmaus style evening prayer takes its name from a story found in Luke 24:13-35 when the risen Christ travels to Emmaus with two unwitting disciples on the day of his resurrection (Sunday). On the road he opens the scriptures to them, causing their hearts to burn within them, and his true identity is finally revealed to them in the breaking of bread at the evening meal. This service uses the liturgy for Holden Evening Prayer. It is intended to be followed by a meal around the dinner table. Consider making your table special by adding a table cloth, using your most festive dinnerware, and/or lighting a candle. Also consider sharing this meal with someone over the phone, especially if you live alone. 

Holden Evening Prayer
by Marty Haugen 
SERVICE OF LIGHT
 
Leader: Jesus Christ is the light of the world;
All: the light no darkness can overcome;
Leader: Stay with us now, for it is evening,
All: and the day is almost over.
Leader: Let your light scatter the darkness,
All: and shine within your people here.
 
Evening Hymn (All sing.)
 
1.Joyous light of heavenly glory, loving glow of God’s own face, you who sing creation’s story, shine on every land and race. Now as evening falls around us, we shall raise our songs to you, God of daybreak, God of shadows, come and light our hearts anew.

2. In the stars that grace the darkness, in the blazing sun of dawn, of the light of peace and wisdom, we can hear your quiet song. Love that fills the night with wonder, love that warms the weary soul, Love that bursts all chains asunder, set us free and make us whole.

3. You who made the heaven’s splendor, every dancing star of night, make us shine with gentle justice, let us each reflect our light. Mighty God of all creation, gentle Christ who lights our way, loving spirit of salvation, lead us on to endless day.
 
Evening Thanksgiving
 
Leader: May God be with you all,
All: and also with you
Leader: Let us sing our thanks to God,
All: it is right to give God thanks and praise.
 
Leader: Blessed are you, Creator of the universe, from old you have led your people by night and day. May the light of your Christ make our darkness bright, for your Word and your presence are the light of our pathways, and you are the light and life of all creation.
All: Amen
 
PSALMODY, READINGS AND CANTICLES
Psalm 141 (All sing.)
 
Let my prayer rise up as incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.
O God, I call to you, come to me now;
O hear my voice when I cry to you.
 
Let my prayer rise up as incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.
Keep watch within me, God;
deep in my heart may the light of your love
be burning bright.
 
Let my prayer rise up as incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.
All praise to the God of all, Creator of life;
all praise to the Christ and the Spirit of love.
 
Let my prayer rise up as incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.
 
(Silence for meditation)
 
Leader: May our prayers come before you, O God, as incense, and may your presence surround and fill us, so that in union with all creation, we might sing your praise and your love in our lives.
All: Amen
 
The light shines in the darkness
All: and the darkness has not overcome it.
 
THE ANNUNCIATION
 
An angel went from God to a town called Nazareth
 to a woman whose name was Mary.
The angel said to her, “Rejoice, O highly favored,
for God is with you.
You shall bear a child, and his name shall be Jesus,
the Chosen One of God most high.”
And Mary said, “I am a servant of my God,
I live to do your will.”
 
THE MAGNIFICAT  (All sing.)
 
1. My soul proclaims your greatness, O God, and my spirit rejoices in you. You have looked with love on your servant here, and blessed me all my life through. Great and might are you, O Holy One, strong is your kindness evermore. How you favor the weak and lowly one, humbling the proud of heart.
 
2. You have cast the mighty down from their thrones, and uplifted the humble of heart, you have filled the hungry with wonderous things, and left the wealthy no part. Great and mighty are you, O Faithful One, strong is your justice, strong your love. As you promised to Sarah and Abraham, kindness forevermore.
 
3. My soul proclaims your greatness, O God, and my spirit rejoices in you. You have looked with love on your servant here, and blessed me all my life through.
 
LITANY AND PRAYERS
 
All:   Refrain:  God of mercy, hold us in love.
 
Leader:
1. In peace, in peace we pray to you:   Refrain
2. For peace and salvation, we pray to you:  Refrain
3. For peace between nations, peace between peoples:  Refrain
4. For we who are gathered to worship and praise you:  Refrain
5. For all of your servants who live out your gospel: Refrain
6. For all those who govern that justice might guide them:  Refrain
7. For all those who labor in service to others:  Refrain
8. Grant weather that nourishes all of creation: Refrain
9. Keep watch on our loved ones and keep us form danger:  Refrain
10: For all the beloved who rest in your mercy:  Refrain
 
 Leader: Help us, comfort us, all of our days:
All: Keep us, hold us, gracious God.
 
Leader: Great and merciful God, Source and Ground of all goodness and life, give to your people the peace that passes all understanding, and the will to live you Gospel of mercy and justice, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen
 
Leader: God, remember us in your love, and teach us to pray: All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come: your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.
All:  Amen
 
Leader: Let us bless our God:
All: praise and thanks to you.
 
Leader: May God, Creator, bless us and keep us, may Christ be ever light for our lives, may the Spirit of love be our guide and path, for all of our days.
All:  Amen
 
1.10  Assembly Edition G-3460A 
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