The Catechesis Rooms Get Newly Finished Floors

Art from the Atrium 
See what the children in the Atrium expressed through art as the processed their Atrium work.

Please let the children know that you have seen their important work, and that you know how beautiful it is.

How to Speak Episcopalian

Compline

Compline (BCP 127) is the last office of the day. Part of its beauty is that it is available to anyone and can be said anywhere. It includes a Confession (probably a good idea for everyone at the end of the day,) a Psalm or two, collects, and several prayers. It has a very peaceful feeling in preparation for bedtime, and can easily be adjusted for family use with children. 

Compline comes from the monastic tradition and was the last of the seven monastic offices sung at the very end of the day. At one point, it had been combined with Evening Prayer, but in the 1979 Prayer Book, it was restored to its proper place at the end of the day. Although it is a relatively brief office, it is peaceful and moving, ending with the beautiful nunc dimittis:(BCP 135)

Lord you now have set your servant free:

to go in peace as you have promised:

For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior,

whom you have prepared for all the world to see:

A Light to enlighten the nations,

and the glory of your people Israel.

Next week: What is Chant?

Early Evening Worship, Public & Private

Evening Prayer is for everyone. Whether you practice it in the privacy of your home, or with beloved friends and family in the chapel, it contains some of the most beautiful words ever penned, the
Phos hilaron: (BCP page 64)

O gracious Light,

pure brightness of the everliving 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 thy praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Thou art 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. 

What could be better to brighten a gloomy evening?

Evening Prayer (available in Rites I and II) is sometimes referred to as Evensong, when a significant amount of the service is sung, both by the clergy and/or by a choir. Individuals may use the long service choosing prayers and readings as desired.

Another service (BCP page 109) An Order of Worship for the Evening, is not a service intended for individual use, but for special occasions, perhaps one reverencing the Consecrated Host during the Season of Lent.

On page 199 of the BCP there is a more brief, yet lovely service, still containing the "O Gracious Light." for Individuals. It works well before or after a meal, taking only a small amount of time, yet serving as a framework for prayer and devotion.

Next Week: The Last beautiful office of the day -- Compline.