The Service of Solemn Evensong and Benediction Evensong, is a wonderful act of prayer, praise and thanksgiving and one of the great treasurers of the Anglican Tradition. It echos the services of the synagogue with its prayers, psalms and scripture readings. Its origin can be traced back to St. Benedict, the great organizer of the monastic movement of the late 4th Century. He was inspired by the psalmist’s words “ seven times a day do I praise thee,” (Psalm 119:164), and designed seven ‘offices’ of praise for monks of his order. These offices are still sung daily by religious communities today. Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer when he complied the Book of Common Prayer, condensed the 7 offices of St. Benedict into three. Morning Prayer or Mattins Noon Day Prayer and Evening Prayer or Evensong. Evensong has a elegantly simple structure. The first part of the service speaks to us about a world before the coming of Jesus. After the confession and absolution – to prepare us for worship, the opening greeting and then a Psalm and reading from the Hebrew scriptures or the Old Testament. The reading is followed by the singing of the Magnificat – the song of Mary, which she sang at the home of her cousin Elizabeth. During the singing of this song of praise the Altar, clergy and congregation are censed as a reminder that as the incense rises to the heavens so does our praise and thanksgiving. This is the pivotal point in the service, a reminder of the Incarnation and the service now moves to the New Testament reading. The second reading is followed by the Song of Simeon. Simeon was a devote man in Jerusalem, who worshiped daily in the temple, he had been promised by God that he would not see death before he had seen the Messiah. When the Holy Family entered the Temple, Simeon recognized Jesus and rejoiced in that God’s promise had been fulfilled. This is followed by the Apostles’ Creed, the summation of the Christian faith in response to the God’s faithfulness in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This is followed by the Lord’s prayer and a series of responsorial prayers based on the psalms called Versicles and responses. Then the three collects or prayers, the first the collect of the day of the Church year followed by collects for peace and for protection. Then will follow an anthem, intercessory prayers before the altar, a sermon and a collection will be taken to support the mission of the Parish. Then follows the short service of Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The focus of this act of devotion, is rejoicing in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the consecrated host of the Mass. The short series of prayers and hymns including a motet are all in honour of Christ who is present with us in the Blessed Sacrament. The service culminates in the priest taking the monstrance which holds the Blessed Sacrament and making a sign of the cross with it over the people gathered. A very moving act, showing Christ’s love for all people.

The Service of Solemn Evensong and Benediction

Evensong, is a wonderful act of prayer, praise and thanksgiving and one of the great treasurers of the Anglican Tradition. It echos the services of the synagogue with its prayers, psalms and scripture readings. Its origin can be traced back to St. Benedict, the great organizer of the monastic movement of the late 4th Century. He was inspired by the psalmist’s words “ seven times a day do I praise thee,” (Psalm 119:164), and designed seven ‘offices’ of praise for monks of his order. These offices are still sung daily by religious communities today.

Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer when he complied the Book of Common Prayer, condensed the 7 offices of St. Benedict into three. Morning Prayer or Mattins Noon Day Prayer and Evening Prayer or Evensong.

Evensong has a elegantly simple structure. The first part of the service speaks to us about a world before the coming of Jesus. After the confession and absolution – to prepare us for worship, the opening greeting and then a Psalm and reading from the Hebrew scriptures or the Old Testament. The reading is followed by the singing of the Magnificat – the song of Mary, which she sang at the home of her cousin Elizabeth. During the singing of this song of praise the Altar, clergy and congregation are censed as a reminder that as the incense rises to the heavens so does our praise and thanksgiving. This is the pivotal point in the service, a reminder of the Incarnation and the service now moves to the New Testament reading. The second reading is followed by the Song of Simeon. Simeon was a devote man in Jerusalem, who worshiped daily in the temple, he had been promised by God that he would not see death before he had seen the Messiah. When the Holy Family entered the Temple, Simeon recognized Jesus and rejoiced in that God’s promise had been fulfilled. This is followed by the Apostles’ Creed, the summation of the Christian faith in response to the God’s faithfulness in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This is followed by the Lord’s prayer and a series of responsorial prayers based on the psalms called Versicles and responses. Then the three collects or prayers, the first the collect of the day of the Church year followed by collects for peace and for protection. Then will follow an anthem, intercessory prayers before the altar, a sermon and a collection will be taken to support the mission of the Parish.

Then follows the short service of Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The focus of this act of devotion, is rejoicing in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the consecrated host of the Mass. The short series of prayers and hymns including a motet are all in honour of Christ who is present with us in the Blessed Sacrament. The service culminates in the priest taking the monstrance which holds the Blessed Sacrament and making a sign of the cross with it over the people gathered. A very moving act, showing Christ’s love for all people.