March 20th, 2025 - Midweek Vespers
We offer you a warm welcome, and as is our practice, we remember that the land on which we meet is, was, and always will be native land. We acknowledge those indigenous tribes to Oklahoma: the Wichitas, Caddos, Plains Apaches, and the Quapaws, as the original custodians of the land in this place. We grieve the violence done to native language, culture, and personhood, and seek to honor the sovereignty and dignity of native peoples.
We are so glad you've joined us, whether in-person or online. Please take a moment to tell us you are here by using the sign-in button below.
We offer you a warm welcome, and as is our practice, we remember that the land on which we meet is, was, and always will be native land. We acknowledge those indigenous tribes to Oklahoma: the Wichitas, Caddos, Plains Apaches, and the Quapaws, as the original custodians of the land in this place. We grieve the violence done to native language, culture, and personhood, and seek to honor the sovereignty and dignity of native peoples.
We are so glad you've joined us, whether in-person or online. Please take a moment to tell us you are here by using the sign-in button below.
Introit
Carolyn Sargent
Hymn
The Day You Gave Us, God, Is Ended, Hymn 95
New Century Hymnal
[Please rise in body or in spirit.]
New Century Hymnal
[Please rise in body or in spirit.]
Sanctify the Day
One: As the sun sets, we hold up the day in the fading light, Holy One, and ask You to help us see it clearly.
All: We give thanks for the blessings of the day that has passed - for the food, shelter, fellowship, and grace that have been ours.
One: We acknowledge that we were not our best selves at every moment, stepping on the toes of our neighbor, either by accident or because we were not considerate. Help us to mend what we can, and do better tomorrow.
All: We mark the moments in the day when we were wronged, either by accident or because someone else was not considerate. Rather than hold on to grudges, we release what will only weigh us down.
One: May all that is worth remembering from this day cling relentlessly to our hearts, and may we loose that which will not make us more faithful.
All: Settle our hearts into this moment, Holy One, and steady our breathing as we make ready for a nightfall. Give us rest, that we might be ready for the road that awaits. Amen.
All: We give thanks for the blessings of the day that has passed - for the food, shelter, fellowship, and grace that have been ours.
One: We acknowledge that we were not our best selves at every moment, stepping on the toes of our neighbor, either by accident or because we were not considerate. Help us to mend what we can, and do better tomorrow.
All: We mark the moments in the day when we were wronged, either by accident or because someone else was not considerate. Rather than hold on to grudges, we release what will only weigh us down.
One: May all that is worth remembering from this day cling relentlessly to our hearts, and may we loose that which will not make us more faithful.
All: Settle our hearts into this moment, Holy One, and steady our breathing as we make ready for a nightfall. Give us rest, that we might be ready for the road that awaits. Amen.
Remember the Day
Reading from the previous Sunday: Luke 10:38-42
One: When our anxiety hovers close, when fear clings to our bones, when our stress rises like the tide, come to us. Call us by name. See us in the kitchen, in the classroom, in the hospital waiting room. Speak to us in the quiet and in the crowd.
One: God of Grace, we long to do the “right” thing. We long to make the “right” choice. We long to stand on the “right” side of the dividing line. We confess that sometimes we miss the sacred right in front of us. We lament that we often miss opportunities to show love.
All: Show us how to hold our heart’s desire for perfection loosely. Show us how to lead with grace and love, over anything else.
One: When our anxiety hovers close, when fear clings to our bones, when our stress rises like the tide, come to us. Call us by name. See us in the kitchen, in the classroom, in the hospital waiting room. Speak to us in the quiet and in the crowd.
All: Whether we need to be moved to action or reminded to pause and breath deeply, make it clear for us. Speak, Holy One, for we are listening. Amen.
Call + Response
One: Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten
Those seeking God shall never want.
All: Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten
Those seeking God shall never want.
One: I sought the Lord, and God answered me; God delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to God are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
All: Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten
Those seeking God shall never want.
One: A poor man called, and the Lord heard him; God saved him out of all his troubles.
Those who look to God are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
All: Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten
Those seeking God shall never want.
Those seeking God shall never want.
All: Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten
Those seeking God shall never want.
One: I sought the Lord, and God answered me; God delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to God are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
All: Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten
Those seeking God shall never want.
One: A poor man called, and the Lord heard him; God saved him out of all his troubles.
Those who look to God are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
All: Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten
Those seeking God shall never want.
Illumination
Let us spend the next few minutes gathering up those moments in our mind, and when you are ready, as an act of thanksgiving, come and light as many candles as you need to symbolize the light that grows from our shared giving and receiving.
[Music: Phos Hilaron
3rd Century text
Richard Proulx
Clint Williams and Carolyn Sargent
O Gracious Light, pure brightness of the everlasting Father in Heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed.
Now as we come to the setting of the sun and our eyes behold the blessed light
We sing, we sing, 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 world
O Gracious Light, pure brightness of the everlasting Father in Heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed.]
[Music: Phos Hilaron
3rd Century text
Richard Proulx
Clint Williams and Carolyn Sargent
O Gracious Light, pure brightness of the everlasting Father in Heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed.
Now as we come to the setting of the sun and our eyes behold the blessed light
We sing, we sing, 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 world
O Gracious Light, pure brightness of the everlasting Father in Heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed.]
Prayer for the World
One: We come in prayer with our hearts on our sleeve, Holy One, asking many things as we pray for the word. We ask that you give to all nations justice and peace, and preserve us from discord and strife.
All: Make those who have civil authority compassionate and wise, so that they might cultivate the common good. Help all who are in danger, need, or tribulation. Protect and guide all who travel. Provide for those readying themselves for birth, and watch over children and protect the young.
One: God, we ask you to heal the sick and to strengthen their caregivers. Bring reconciliation to those who are separated. Provided for the unemployed and for all in need. Free prisoners from the bondages of their lives and prisons. Comfort all orphans, widowers, and widows, and bind up the brokenhearted.
All: Give us strength to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers and to be reconciled to them. Helps us not to be alien to our own selves, but to accept with joy that we are works in progress, not perfection. Help us to use wisely the fruits and treasures of the earth, sea, and air.
One: Make known to us in greater depths, the mystery of Love. Give us grace to understand and experience your death, burial and resurrection. Grant to us, O God, your peace, which surpasses all our understanding.
All: Holy One, hear us, and in all things, help us to be people of Love. Amen.
All: Make those who have civil authority compassionate and wise, so that they might cultivate the common good. Help all who are in danger, need, or tribulation. Protect and guide all who travel. Provide for those readying themselves for birth, and watch over children and protect the young.
One: God, we ask you to heal the sick and to strengthen their caregivers. Bring reconciliation to those who are separated. Provided for the unemployed and for all in need. Free prisoners from the bondages of their lives and prisons. Comfort all orphans, widowers, and widows, and bind up the brokenhearted.
All: Give us strength to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers and to be reconciled to them. Helps us not to be alien to our own selves, but to accept with joy that we are works in progress, not perfection. Help us to use wisely the fruits and treasures of the earth, sea, and air.
One: Make known to us in greater depths, the mystery of Love. Give us grace to understand and experience your death, burial and resurrection. Grant to us, O God, your peace, which surpasses all our understanding.
All: Holy One, hear us, and in all things, help us to be people of Love. Amen.
Hymn
What wondrous love is this, Hymn 223
New Century Hymnal
[Please rise in body or in spirit.]
New Century Hymnal
[Please rise in body or in spirit.]