Friday, December 23rd
FAST Day
Vigil (Matins) (Small
Hour) 4:45am,
25 min.
The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God. [The candle is lit.]
Centering Prayer (20 min.) or [Prayer Beads]
Dismissal/The Light Goes Forth
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen. [The candle is extinguished.]
Early
Morning (Lauds) (Small
Hour) 6:15am
20min.
The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God. [The candle is lit.]
Call to this Day as Worship
This is the day that the Lord has made!
Let us rejoice and be
glad in it!
Lord, I make this day a gift to Thee.
Help me live this day
to Your glory!
Lectio Divina
(“Divine/Sacred Reading”) is an ancient devotional practice (see Appendix D for
full information).
Listen with your heart
for what the Holy Spirit would say to you as you read. Traditionally, there are 4 “Moments:”
1. Lectio (Reading)
2. Meditatio (Reflecting)
3. Oratio (Responding)
4. Contemplatio (Resting)
Conclusion/The Light Goes Forth
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen. [The candle may be extinguished]
Morning
(Prime-Terce) (Large Hour)
8:00am 30 min.
The Seventh “O Antiphon”
[The following may be read responsively;
OR Verse 1 “O come, O come, Emmanuel…”
of O Come, O Come Emmanuel may be sung;
O Emmanuel,
our King and Lawgiver,
the Expected of the nations
and their Savior:
Come and save us, O Lord, our God.
[The last line can be
sung together if desired:]
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
[The
candle is lit.]
Scripture with Reflection & Praise
Doxology [one of two options below, or other… may
be spoken together or sung]
Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!
OR
Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Reflection [someone can share a reflection on one of
the readings… or just silently reflect]
Gloria Patri [traditional or “modern” version… traditional; may be spoken
together or sung]
Glory
be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
OR
[“modern;” spoken together]
Glory
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
Prayer
Unison Prayer
You gave your all to
the world in the bleakness of that stable.
Love was born that day:
pure love, undiluted, poured out for all
who call on your name.
Such grace, undeserved,
deserves a response
in the life that we lead.
Forgive our ingratitude
after all you have done.
Draw us to your Word.
Give us a new song to
sing
that will resonate throughout this world
and begin with us today. Amen. (faithandworship.com)
Intercessions
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Together, let us pray for…
…our family/friends/congregations.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…those who suffer and those in trouble.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the concerns of this community.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the world, its people, and its leaders.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the church universal: its leaders, its people, and its
mission.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the communion of saints.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[other intercessions,
suitable for the day or the hour, can be added to the list above]
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[individual concerns
and joys may now be shared]
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[when all are finished
sharing:]
We pray all these things
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Ignatian Exercises [Prayer Beads opt.]
[If you are observing
this time in community, a Spiritual Director can lead this time. If on your
own, you can seek out a Director or follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and
the words printed here. We recommend use of a Spiritual Director.]
Imaginatively Praying the Gospel
We will be asking, in prayer, to become participants in the
events of Jesus’ earthly life and ministry. This is praying in a way that truly
relies on our personal & dynamic relationship with the Lord. We want to be
doing the following things:
1.
Listening – being inwardly still and
receptive.
2.
Disclosing – revealing ourselves, in
prayer, just as we are.
3.
Sharing – in deep connection with God
through Scripture and Prayer we are absorbing his word and sharing in events.
4.
Reflecting – upon a deepening experience
of both God and the Bible, becoming aware of just how he meets us.
5.
Giving – feely offering to others what we
receive.
To engage in the Imaginative Gospel Prayer/Meditation:
1.
Read the passage several times.
2.
Enter the Scene
3.
Ask God for what you desire (if you know;
ie, to meet him, feel his touch, etc.)
4.
Fill out the Scene: what are the details
(try to see them down to the smallest details), where are you or what is your
role?
5.
Talk with the characters in the Bible
story/scene, and especially with the Lord.
6.
There are 2 Absolute Rules to keep:
a.
Never moralize or judge yourself, and
b.
Always respond from the hearts, not the
head
7.
Attend to your feelings and reactions.
As we approach Christmas, we will use the imaginative prayer
detailed above to enter the events leading up to the Nativity.
The Lord’s Prayer & Kyrie
[traditional version –
The Lord’s Prayer]
Our Father, who art in
heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our
daily bread.
And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
[The Kyrie – “Lord, have mercy” – English:]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
[repeat as many times
as desired]
OR
[The Kyrie in Greek:]
Kyrie eleison. Christe
eleison. Kyrie eleison.
Dismissal/The Light Goes Forth
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen.
[The
candle may be carried out or extinguished]
Noon (Sext) (Large Hour) 12:15pm
30 min.
The Seventh “O Antiphon”
[The following may be read responsively;
OR Verse 1 “O come, O come, Emmanuel…”
of O Come, O Come Emmanuel may be sung;
O Emmanuel,
our King and Lawgiver,
the Expected of the nations
and their Savior:
Come and save us, O Lord, our God.
[The last line can be
sung together if desired:]
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
[The
candle is lit.]
Scripture with Reflection & Praise
Doxology [one of two options below, or other]
[may be spoken together or sung]
Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! OR
Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Reflection [someone may share a brief reflection, or
you may reflect silently]
Gloria Patri [traditional or “modern” version… traditional; may be spoken
together or sung]
Glory
be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
OR
[“modern;”
spoken together]
Glory
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
Prayer
Unison Prayer
You gave your all to
the world in the bleakness of that stable.
Love was born that day:
pure love, undiluted, poured out for all who call on your
name.
Such grace, undeserved,
deserves a response
in the life that we lead.
Forgive our ingratitude
after all you have done.
Draw us to your Word.
Give us a new song to
sing
that will resonate throughout this world
and begin with us today. Amen. (faithandworship.com)
Intercessions
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Together, let us pray
for…
…our family/friends/congregations.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…those who suffer and those in trouble.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the concerns of this community.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the world, its people, and its leaders.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the church universal: its leaders, its people, and its
mission.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the communion of saints.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[other intercessions,
suitable for the day or the hour, can be added to the list above]
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[individual concerns
and joys may now be shared]
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[when all are finished
sharing:]
We pray all these things
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Examen [Prayer Beads opt.] (Some of John Wesley’s
General Questions)
1. Have I been zealous to undertake, and
active in doing, what good I could?
2. Have I interested myself any farther in
the affairs of others than charity required?
3. Have I mentioned any failing or fault of
any man, when it was not necessary for the good of another?
4. Have I before or in every action
considered how it might be a means of improving in the virtue of the day?
Lord’s Prayer & Kyrie
[traditional version –
The Lord’s Prayer]
Our Father, who art in
heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our
daily bread.
And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
[The Kyrie – “Lord,
have mercy” – English:]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
[repeat as many times
as desired]
OR
[The Kyrie in Greek:] Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison.
Dismissal/The Light Goes Forth
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen.
[The
candle may be carried out or extinguished]
Afternoon
(Nones) (Small
Hour) 4pm 10min.
Introduction
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the
race, I have kept the
faith.” [2
Timothy 4:7, ESV]
“I press on toward the
goal for the prize
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” [Phil. 3:14, ESV]
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great
a cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight, and the sin
which clings so closely, and let us run
with endurance the race that is set before
us.” [Heb. 12:1, ESV]
Welcoming Prayer
At the hour of Nones, we are
preparing to finish the day well, practicing the art of letting go, and
pondering things we must leave undone; all of which can usher us to a place of
contemplating our own vulnerabilities, frailties, and mortality.
It is also a time by which we may
have accumulated a lot of negative and false things as the day has gone on… and
we need some healing and restoration.
1.
Focus, feel and
sink into the feelings, emotions, thoughts, sensations and commentaries in your
body.
2.
Welcome God in the feelings, emotions,
thoughts, commentaries or sensations in your body by saying, “Welcome.”
3.
Let go by repeating the following
sentences:
·
“I let go of the desire for security, affection,
control.”
·
“I let go of the desire to change this
feeling/sensation.”
Kyrie
[The Kyrie – “Lord,
have mercy” – English:]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
[repeat as many times
as desired]
OR
[The Kyrie in Greek:]
Kyrie eleison. Christe
eleison. Kyrie eleison.
Evening
(Vespers)
(Large Hour) 5:30pm
30 min.
The Seventh “O Antiphon”
[The following may be read responsively;
OR Verse 1 “O come, O come, Emmanuel…”
of O Come, O Come Emmanuel may be sung;
O Emmanuel,
our King and Lawgiver,
the Expected of the nations
and their Savior:
Come and save us, O Lord, our God.
[The last line can be
sung together if desired:]
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
[The
candle is lit.]
Scripture with Reflection & Praise
Doxology [one of two options below, or other… may be spoken together
or sung]
Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! OR
Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Reflection [someone may share a reflection on the
hour’s scripture, or silently reflect]
Gloria Patri [traditional or “modern” version… traditional; may be spoken
together or sung]
Glory
be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
OR
[“modern;” spoken together]
Glory
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
Prayer
Unison Prayer
You gave your all to
the world in the bleakness of that stable.
Love was born that day:
pure love, undiluted, poured out for all
who call on your name.
Such grace, undeserved,
deserves a response
in the life that we lead.
Forgive our ingratitude
after all you have done.
Draw us to your Word.
Give us a new song to
sing
that will resonate throughout this world
and begin with us today. Amen. (faithandworship.com)
Intercessions
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Together, let us pray
for…
…our family/friends/congregations.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…those who suffer and those in trouble.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the concerns of this community.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the world, its people, and its leaders.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the church universal: its leaders, its people, and its
mission.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the communion of saints.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[other intercessions,
suitable for the day or the hour, can be added to the list above]
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[individual concerns
and joys may now be shared]
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[when all are finished
sharing:]
We pray all these things
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Examen (20 min.) or Centering Prayer (20 min.)
Examen: What Do I Seek? (“Reimagining the Examen”)
1.
Gratitude – I spend a few moments thanking God for
one or two of the blessings, big or small, I’ve received today.
2.
“Where Are You?” – In my heart, I hear God asking me,
“Where are you?” Sit with that question awhile before trying to answer.
Describe to God, as best I can, where I am – mentally, physically, spiritually.
I share with God my strongest thoughts and emotions, without judgment. I name
them and give them to God.
3.
“What Do You Seek?” – Using prayerful imagination, I listen
for anything the Lord might tell me, in his response to my answer to “Where Are
You?” I see Jesus’ face before me,
looking at me with love, and hear him ask, “What do you seek?” I sit awhile
with the question, then answer as concretely as possible. Once again, I listen
to see if God responds to my response.
Lord’s Prayer & Kyrie
[traditional version –
The Lord’s Prayer]
Our Father, who art in
heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our
daily bread.
And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
[The Kyrie – “Lord,
have mercy” – English:]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
[repeat as many times
as desired]
OR
[The Kyrie in Greek:]
Kyrie eleison. Christe
eleison. Kyrie eleison.
Dismissal/The Light Goes Forth
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen.
[The
candle may be carried out or extinguished]
Family Bedtime (Hora Somni)
(Small
Hour)
8:00pm
[Appendix F has full
details, additional resources, etc. for this non-traditional Hour.]
Friday – Prayers of the
People, with Confession [Appendix F]
Night
(Compline) (Small Hour) 10:00pm 15 min.
The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God. [The candle is lit]
If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me,
and the light
around me turn to night,”
darkness is not dark to
you, O Lord;
the night is as bright as the day;
darkness and light to
you are both alike. [Psalm 139:10-11]
Examen (20
min.) or Centering Prayer (20 min.)
or Prayer
Beads
[Those who cannot do
Centering Prayer may use Prayer Beads or engage other forms of active yet
contemplative prayer during this time.]
[Appendix B offers guidance on using beads.]
Examen: What
Do I Seek? (“Reimagining the Examen”)
1.
Gratitude – I spend a few moments thanking God for
one or two of the blessings, big or small, I’ve received today.
2.
“Where Are You?” – In my heart, I hear God asking me,
“Where are you?” Sit with that question awhile before trying to answer.
Describe to God, as best I can, where I am – mentally, physically, spiritually.
I share with God my strongest thoughts and emotions, without judgment. I name
them and give them to God.
3.
“What Do You Seek?” – Using prayerful imagination, I listen
for anything the Lord might tell me, in his response to my answer to “Where Are
You?” I see Jesus’ face before me,
looking at me with love, and hear him ask, “What do you seek?” I sit awhile
with the question, then answer as concretely as possible. Once again, I listen
to see if God responds to my response.
Kyrie
[The Kyrie – “Lord,
have mercy” – English:]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
[repeat as
desired]
OR
[The Kyrie in Greek:]
Kyrie eleison. Christe
eleison. Kyrie eleison.
Dismissal/The Light Goes Forth
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen.
[The
candle may be carried out or extinguished]
No comments:
Post a Comment