Grace Lutheran Church Grace Lutheran Church
Grace Lutheran Church is live
Evening Prayer
Pam Smith
Pam Smith
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Notes
Playlist

Come join us as we close the day and welcome the evening in this devotional time.

To use closed captioning when viewing the recording, click on the Settings button (gear symbol - bottom right), then click on Subtitles/CC, then click on English (auto-generated).

Now click on Play to begin. (Triangle - bottom left). 

A SERVICE OF EVENING PRAYER

PRELUDE 

    Rock of Ages  ELW 623  

    Spirit of Gentleness  ELW 396

DIALOGUE
When anyone is united to Christ,
there is a new world;

the old order has gone,
and a new order has already begun.

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Trusting in the mercy of God, let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.

Reconciling God,
we confess that we do not trust your abundance,
and we deny your presence in our lives.
We place our hope in ourselves and
rely on our own efforts.
We fail to believe that you provide enough
for all.
We abuse your good creation for our own benefit.

We fear difference and do not welcome others
as you have welcomed us.
We sin in thought, word, and deed.

By your grace, forgive us;
through your love, renew us; and in your Spirit, lead us; so that we may live and serve you in newness of life.  Amen.
Beloved of God, by the radical abundance of divine mercy we have peace with God through + Christ Jesus, through whom we have obtained grace upon grace.
Our sins are forgiven.
Let us live now in hope.
For hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

THANKSGIVING FOR LIGHT
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden.  People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.”  

Let us pray. O Lord God Almighty, as you have taught us to call the evening, the morning, and the noonday one day; and have made the sun to know its going down: Dispel the darkness of our hearts, that by your brightness we may know you to be the true God and eternal light, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen.  

O Gracious Light    
O gracious light, pure brightness of the ever-living Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds. Amen.

PSALM 19  (together) 
 
1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
2Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. 
3There is no speech, nor are there words;  their voice is not heard;
4yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.  In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
5which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
6Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat.
7The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple;
8the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes; 9the fear of the LORD is pure,
9the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is your servant warned;  in keeping them there is great reward.  
12 But who can detect their errors?  Clear me from hidden faults.  
13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent;  do not let them have dominion over me.  Then I shall be blameless,  and innocent of great transgression.  
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you,  O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. 

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.  As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be.  Amen.

Psalm 25 (together)
 
1To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
2O my God, in you I trust;  do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.
3Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
5Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.
6Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love,  for they have been from of old.
7Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me,  for your goodness' sake, O LORD!
8Good and upright is the LORD;  therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9He leads the humble in what is right,  and teaches the humble his way.
10All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
11For your name's sake, O LORD,  pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 Who are they that fear the LORD?  He will teach them the way that they should choose. 
13 They will abide in prosperity, and their children shall possess the land.
14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.  
16Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.  
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart, and bring me out of my distress.  
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.  
19 Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me.  
20 O guard my life, and deliver me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.  
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.  
22Redeem Israel, O God, out of all its troubles. 

 

READING AND REFLECTION
     Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.
     Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness.

Philippians 2:1-13

 1If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,  6who, though he was in the form of God,  did not regard equality with God  as something to be exploited,  7but emptied himself,  taking the form of a slave,  being born in human likeness.  And being found in human form,  8he humbled himself  and became obedient to the point of death —  even death on a cross.  9Therefore God also highly exalted him  and gave him the name  that is above every name,  10so that at the name of Jesus  every knee should bend,  in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  11and every tongue should confess  that Jesus Christ is Lord,  to the glory of God the Father. 12Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.   

Word of God.  Word of Life.

GOSPEL CANTICLE   (together)  

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for you, Lord, have looked with favor on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me bless’d:
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me
and holy is your name.  
You have mercy on those who fear you,
from generation to generation.          
You have shown strength with your arm
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
casting down the mighty from their thrones
and lifting up the lowly.        
You have filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.        
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel,
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
     creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
     who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
     born of the virgin Mary,
     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,
     he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
     and he will come 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.

PRAYERS  

Let us pray.  

That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful,
We entreat you, O Lord.  

That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill,
We entreat you, O Lord.  

That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world,
We entreat you, O Lord.          

That those who are sick or suffering in any way may be healed, particularly Alena, Jenna, Louis, Julie, Jean, John, Michael, Philip, JoAnn, Sandy, Beth, Johnny, Betty, Ron, Dione, Maria, Theresa, Margaret, Susan, Don, Tim, Mary, Ann Joyce, Greg, & Shelby, Alena, Jenna, Louis, Julie, Jean, Michael, Philip, JoAnn, Sandy, Beth, Johnny, Betty, Ron, Dione, Maria, Theresa, Margaret, Susan, Don, Tim, Mary, Ann Joyce, Greg, & Shelby,
We entreat you, O Lord.  

That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.  

That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.  

Most holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works:  Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior.  Amen.  

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep.  Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, sooth the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake.  Amen.


LORD’S PRAYER
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. Amen.

BLESSING

Life is short, and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who make this earthly pilgrimage with us. So, be swift to love,
Make haste to do kindness.
Shower abundant hospitality on friend and stranger,
Walk in justice, that you may follow the path of mercy and love.

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit be with you and those you love, now and forever.

Let us go then in peace.
Amen.

POSTLUDE

    Go, My Children, With My Blessing  ELW 543