Evensong ~ July 11, 2012

• Opening Sentence

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him. Psalm 96:

• Collect of the Day ~ Proper 9

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to your with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

• A Collect for Protection

O God, the life of all who live, the light of the faithful, the strength of those who labor, and the repose of the dead:  We thank you for the blessings of the day that is past, and humbly ask for your protection through the coming night. Bring us in safety to the morning hours; through him who died and rose again for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

• For Mission

O God and Father of all, whom the whole heavens adore: Let the whole earth also worship you, all nations obey you, all tongues confess and bless you, and men and women everywhere love you and serve you in peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

• Prayer for the General Convention

Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel in General Convention for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

• For Those Who Influence Public Opinion

Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

• Hymn

Here's something quite different from our usual musical selections, but the best we could find for Hal Hopson's hymn based on I Corinthians 13, The Gift of Love - Sung by Doreen Lai and arranged by Martin Lai.  (It seemed to us to be an important text at this particular time in our constant desire to be Unapologetically Episcopalian.)


Though I may speak with bravest fire,
and have the gift to all inspire,
and have not love; my words are vain,
as sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

Though I may give all I possess,
and striving so my love profess,
But not be giv'n by love within,
the profit soon turns strangely thin.

Come, spirit, come, our hearts control.
Our spirits long to be made whole.
O come, spirit, come, Let inward love,
Let love guide every deed.
By this we worship, we are freed.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13 by Hal H. Hopson