150 Hygiene Kits for Evanston
During the pandemic, The Mission Cincinnati started a partnership with the Evanston Food Pantry. Our Mission Mom’s group spearheaded a project where our church came together to pack 500 hygiene kits that we then delivered to the Pantry so they could distribute them to needy households in our community. Since last November, the Pantry has distributed all 500 kits and are in need of more.
This Fall, The Mission is committing to pack 150 more hygiene kits to help our neighbors. You can help us pack these kits by donating any of the following items:
Body Wash -
50 for men;
48 for women;
50 for children
Deodorant
25 for men;
57 for women
Shampoo & Conditioner
75 for men;
74 for women
Toothbrush;
25 for men
25 for women
25 for children
25 for men
25 for women
13 for children
Toothpaste;
50 for men
47 for women
44 for children
Floss;
45 for men
50 for women
50 for children
Mouthwash -
50 for men;
50 for women;
50 for children
Lotions
75 for men;
75 for women
Razors
69 for men;
75 for women
Feminine Hygiene Products {tampons, pads, etc} - 75
3 OPTIONS FOR ITEM DROP OFF
1) You can bring these items to worship at The Mission any Sunday between now and November 20th, and drop them off in the box by the welcome table.
2) You can also purchase items on Amazon and mail them to us at: The Mission Cincinnati | PO Box 6006 | Cincinnati OH 45206
3) You can drop items off at one of 2 of our partner locations in the Evanston neighborhood. Drop off bins will be available at:
The Evanston Recreation Center - 3204 Woodburn Ave. Cincinnati OH 45207
&
Cream & Sugar Coffee House - 3546 Montgomery Rd. Cincinnati OH 45207
We are hoping to collect all donations by no later than the 2nd week of November so that we can pack them and deliver them to the Pantry to begin distribution prior to Thanksgiving!
Questions? Contact Charles Dudley at charles@missioncincinnati.org
Autumn 2021 Gatherings and Events
Wanting to connect with others at the Mission for fun or to serve our city? Then join with us this Autumn. Below, you will find all the gatherings for our Women’s, Men’s, and Mom’s groups, as well as all our Community Engagement events for September through November!
You can also find information and scheduling on these gatherings and all the Mission small groups and cohorts (including Stage 1 of Pathways for newcomers) at this link.
Men’s Gatherings
September Hangout Around a Firepit: A laid-back evening of games, snacks, and conversations around a firepit.
Date: Saturday September 25th | 7 PM
Location: The Quinn’s Home in Northern Kentucky
Contacts: Fr. William Eavenson at william@missioncincinnati.org, Aaron Quinn at aaron.quinn@uchealth.com
October Hangout at Dickmann’s Sports Café: A fun evening of volleyball (no skill required!) paired with food & drinks
Date: Saturday October 30th | 4 PM - 6:30 PM
Location: Orphanage Road, Ft. Mitchell KY
Contacts: Fr. William Eavenson at william@missioncincinnati.org, Aaron Quinn at aaron.quinn@uchealth.com
November Axe Throwing at Urban Axes: Come for an evening of axe throwing
Date: Friday November 12th | 7 PM
Location: 2010 Elm Street, Cincinnati Ohio
Contacts: Fr. William Eavenson at william@missioncincinnati.org, Aaron Quinn at aaron.quinn@uchealth.com
Women’s Gatherings
September Hangout at Fifty West Brewery:
Come for burgers, hotdogs, shakes, drinks, volleyball (bring a ball), cornhole, lots of sand, a view of the Little Miami River, and more! Fifty West is right next to the Little Miami Scenic Trail, so feel free to show up early to take a bike ride, walk, or run. (And feel to bring your kids if you want to do so. Bring shovels and pails and they will have fun for hours!)
Date: Saturday September 25th, 6:30 PM
Location: 7605 Wooster Pike in Plainville (We’ll meet at the Burger Bar/Beer Garden.)
Contact: Betsy Jo at BetsyJoW@hotmail.com.
October Soup luncheon:
Come for soup and conversation. We’ll provide several soups, and attendees are invited to bring sides and desserts. RSVP to Catherine Brown by October 27th if you are planning to attend.
Date: Sunday October 31, 1:00 PM
Location: OTR Rooftop or Elsewhere (TBD)
Contact: Catherine Brown at 251-689-3190
November Walk at Spring Grove Cemetary
Come for a pleasant late Autumn walk and conversation together. We’ll provide prompts for us to engage with various aspects of our landscape that day.
Date: Saturday November 13: 10 AM- 12 PM.
Location: 4521 Spring Grove Avenue (We’ll meet at the office near the main entrance at this address.)
Contact: Jamie Noyd at 859-802-4515.
Mom’s Gatherings
Autumn Dates: Saturdays August 21st, September 11th, October 23rd, Nov. 13th
Locations: TBD – For more information, contact the Mom’s Gatherings Coordinators.
Contacts: Emily Yokajty at Emily.yokajty@gmail.com, Savannah Eavenson at savannaheaveson@gmail.com
Community Engagement Events
September Pray It Up: Time of Prayer and Worship
Date: September 19th: 10AM-12PM
Locations: TBD
October Trunk Or Treat at the Evanston Rec. Center
Date: October 29th:6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: Evanston Rec Center, 3204 Woodburn Avenue, Cincinnati OH
November Joint Fellowship Event at House Of Joy
{Between all three churches that share space at the building}
Date: November 20th: 6:00-8:0 p.m.
Location: House Of Joy
Autumn Cohorts/Small Groups
In addition to our fellowship gatherings & community engagement events, we also have multiple small groups and discipleship cohorts that meet every semester. Click below for a full list of small groups and cohorts:
Questions?
Have questions about gatherings, groups, or cohorts? Contact Rev. Kristen Yates at kristen@missioncincinnati.org.
Have questions about community engagement events? Contact Charles Dudley at charles@missioncincinnati.org.
INTRODUCING OUR NEW "CHURCH YEAR" : A Vision & Plan for Community, Formation, and Discipleship at The Mission
Check out how you can connect with our life together at The Mission Cincinnati as we begin a new rhythm of journeying through seasons of different spiritual focuses of community, formation, discipleship, teaching, and fellowship starting this Fall!
INTRODUCTION
Pretty much every church I have ever been a part of and almost every church who’s vision statement I’ve ever read SAYS they exist to make disciples of Jesus. But I so rarely see churches articulate a plan or vision for HOW this disciple-making process is supposed to happen. At best, discipleship is usually happening but in a haphazard way through one-on-one relationships where some people are deeply invested in while others are unintentionally left out. At worst, no intentional discipleship happens, and churchgoers it seems are left to simply “get” their growth in the Lord by osmosis just through sitting in Sunday worship services and “picking it up” as they go.”
At The Mission Cincinnati, we want to be far more intentional about disciple-making because we believe truly being about the work of making disciples is core to the mission of Christ’s church and SO ESSENTIAL to what it means to live as Christians in our world today.
For these reasons, we are excited to share with you our NEW CHURCH YEAR: A Vision & Plan for how we will pursue community in the church, formation in the ways of Christ, and growth as Jesus’s disciples.
THE CHURCH YEAR AS TIME
Growing in Christ’s likeness is not easy, quick, or simple. Disicpleship takes time, intentionality, and involves lots of different components. It can be overwhelming to try to focus on every way we each are called to grow and live as Christ followers at once. For this reason, our NEW CHURCH YEAR, breaks the year into different SEASONS that can be mapped on the calendar in which we will focus on different things as a church.
THE CHURCH YEAR AS FOCUS
The different seasons and the focuses for each season in our NEW CHURCH YEAR are:
FALL GROUPS & GATHERINGS // September - November // The focus during this season is on Discipleship Community. During this season, we will host Pathways Cohorts, Geographic Small Groups, and Affinity Fellowship Gatherings (Women’s Gatherings, Men’s Gatherings, etc.), and offer the opportunity to sign up to be a part of a Prayer Triad.
ADVENT // December // During the season of Advent, we will focus on rest, and will pause from group activities and will celebrate by gathering together for an all church Advent/Christmas party.
EPIPHANY-TERM // January - mid February // During these 6 weeks, we will focus on teaching & equipping, and will offer leadership training as well as special interest classes taught by our members and/or pastors.
WINTER GROUPS & GATHERINGS // mid-February - mid-May // The focus during this season is again on Discipleship Community. We will offer the same groups and gatherings we offer in the Fall.
HOLY WEEK - During Holy Week, we break from our Winter Groups and Gatherings to make sacred space to observe and reflect on the events of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection.
SPRING TERM // mid-May - end of June // During these 5 weeks, we again focus on teaching and equipping with leadership training tracks and special interest classes taught by our members, pastors, and/or special guests.
SUMMER // July & August // During Summer our focus is on rest & fellowship. We will gather Dinners for 9, and host one or more retreats for various teams or groups in the church.
THE CHURCH YEAR AS RHYTHM
Our world is seasonal. It makes sense that our life and faith would be the same. Part of the beauty & benefit of spending different seasons on different spiritual focuses is that create rhythms where we are naturally able to exert energy, focusing on loving and growing with others in community, then resting, then taking time to learn and be equipped, then engaging with others, before resting again. This rhythm of moving back and forth between contemplation and action helps us stay spiritually filled and recharged for the work of mission. We move out into the world from a place of rest and we retreat from the mission field and community building into seasons of rest. These spiritual rhythms also provide clarity for how our life together as a church is structured. This clarity increases hospitality as newcomers to our community quickly learn how they can join in. Clarity also helps us empower more leaders as we create new spaces with specific purposes that match up clearly with the gifts of people God has entrusted to our church. The result of all of this is greater fruitfulness and effectiveness for mission as we grow together and labor to reveal God’s Kingdom in our world and share the Good News of Jesus with others!
JOIN THE CHURCH YEAR STARTING THIS FALL !
We will begin our first season operating under these NEW CHURCH YEAR RHYTHMS this Fall, staring in September 2021. We’d love to invite YOU to join us as we begin to engage these new seasons, focuses, and rhythms together! You can get involved by joining a Pathways Cohort (more details on that HERE—> http://www.missioncincinnati.org/pathways), attending a monthly Men’s or Women’s Fellowship Gathering (full schedules coming by mid-August), or joining a Prayer Triad (signups coming soon!). We can’t wait to welcome you into journeying through our New Church Year with us!
For more info on the New Church Year and how you can get involved, contact Rev. Kristen Yates at kristen@missioncincinnati.org.
Where We've Been & Where We're Going | A Ministry Map for Eastertide & Ordinary Time
Greetings Mission Family and Eastertide blessings to you all!
What a JOY it was to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus together last Sunday, both in-person and through our online service! Easter—as the church has celebrated it through history—is not just a day, but actually a SEASON of celebration that lasts 50 days, beginning Easter Sunday and ending on Pentecost. What God has accomplished in and through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is SO SIGNIFICANT, we can’t possibly celebrate it all in just 1 day!
And so in this season of celebration, as we reflect on all the incredible things God has done and is doing in our midst—whether you are brand new to the Mission or whether you’ve been with us for years—I wanted to invite you to take a moment with me, and look back on where we’ve been so far this year and where we are headed by God’s grace in the next few months.
To frame our reflections, I offer these verses from Ecclesiastes chapter 3:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. A time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build.”
Quohelth, the speaker of Wisdom, and the voice of Ecclesiastes says here what most of us know, that life moves through different SEASONS. And these different seasons which bring with them unique opportunities as well as challenges and constraints make different focuses and activities most appropriate.
During the pandemic, our church like many experienced ministry pivot after pivot, moving worship locations multiple times and starting and stopping many things. In late October 2020, we settled into our new worship home at House of Joy. We’ve welcomed many new people into our church in a new location, even as many folks who’d been with us for a long time have moved away, and our current body has been spread out over in-person and digital gatherings.
With all of this change, God prompted us to spend the first season of 2021 focusing on our internal life as a church, taking stock of who we now were as a congregation, building up our unified vision for discipleship, and laying the groundwork for rebuilding and relaunching ministry teams. To that end, I spent time in January and February meeting with every household in the church to pray with you and to share with you about Mission Pathways, the journey we would undertake as a church family to remission the church and rebuild our unity for future ministry. In February we both elected our first-ever Vestry which greatly strengthened our lay leadership and local governance as a church, and 50 adults began journeying through the Heartbeat class, the first stage of Mission Pathways, as together, we explored the vision and mission of our church as well as the 4 core commitments our members make to Belong, Grow, serve and Go. At the conclusion of the Heartbeat Class, we celebrated a powerful Holy Week together with Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Worship services in which we focused on the events of Jesus’s passion, suffering, death, and resurrection.
Which brings us to this week and the threshold of a new ministry season.
For the next 5 weeks, we will continue our focus on building up the internal life of our church as we begin the second stage of Pathways and journey together through our Anglican 101 Class, growing in our appreciation of the ways in which the distinctives of our Anglican heritage nourish our present mission, discipleship, and church life. During these weeks, we will not be offering in-person worship gatherings as our Sunday In-Person pathways cohorts will meet during our usual worship time. We will however offer weekly online worship services that will feature re-preaches of classic sermons, songs of worship, the reading of Scripture, and spaces of prayer. We will also be doing the bulk of our Heartbeat followup, beginning to gather the folks interested in various groups and teams to discern new vision, empower new leaders, and mobilize new ministry for the months ahead.
Starting Sunday, May 16th we will begin a NEW MINISTRY SEASON. Our focus during Ordinary Time this year will be OUTWARD. Our teaching series will be KINGDOM/CULTURE in which we’ll explore the Sermon on the Mount and other key teachings of Jesus, examining what it looks like to engage our present culture as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God, living as missional Christ-followers in a world that does not know Jesus. We will resume regular weekly in-person worship services at House of Joy which we will stream directly online like we did for the annual meeting for those who are not yet ready to rejoin in person. We will also begin to launch the new ministries, groups, teams, and initiatives we will have been forming together over the previous weeks.
This is a truly exciting time to be a part of The Mission. If you are brand new with us or considering visiting, WELCOME! Please take a moment to reach out to us by email us at admin@missioncincinnati.org. A pastor will then reach out to you to start a conversation and help you find ways to get connected. You can also sign up to join one of our Anglican 101 cohorts by filling out the sign up form at missioncincinnati.org/pathways. You are of course also welcome to attend our weekly online services.
For those of you who have been journeying with us these past months, the cohorts you were a part of for Heartbeat will continue for Anglican 101. We will make a few small adjustments to groups based on some changed participation, but all of you will receive specific information related to your cohort this week. Likewise if you filled out a Grow, Serve, or Go info sheet, expect to receive communication in the coming weeks with followup regarding various groups and teams that will be vision casting and launching. Please join us in praying Luke 10:2 prayers in these days because the harvest is indeed plentiful and the workers are indeed few. We need the Lord of the harvest to raise up workers in our midst to send us with power through the Holy Spirit into His harvest fields. Would you join me in asking the Lord for more of His Holy Spirit? For more of the presence power and love of Jesus to be ministered to us daily that we might be able to join Jesus in His Kingdom work in all things.
We will continue to follow CDC guidelines for social-distancing for our gatherings. As vaccinations increase and medical recommendations allow, we hope to begin relaxing some of our restrictions even as we restart some ministries that have been on pause. To that end, if you and your household have been staying away from in-person gatherings for medical reasons, I would encourage you to begin prayerfully making a “return plan” for when and how you will resume in-person connection with our church. Please feel free to discuss your plan with myself or Rev. Kristen so that we can support you in your process. We so value every member of our church. We have so missed everyone’s in-person presence, and we so look forward to making safe space for us to all take measured steps toward being together again in community, worship, and service to our city.
If you have any questions about any of these details, please feel free to reach out to me at william@missioncincinnati.org. Meanwhile, know that you are LOVED and PRAYED FOR! I am so honored to serve as your pastor and we can’t wait to journey with you in the days ahead!
May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you and give you His peace!
Fr. William
Fr. William's "Annual Report Sermon" from Annual Meeting 2021
The Apostle Paul’s offers here a stunning prayer, asking God to transform the Ephesian Christians into EVERYTHING they’ve always wanted to be in the Lord, and everything Christ saved them to become. The Ephesians were living in the shadow of the MASSIVE cult of Artemis, strangers in a city that cared nothing for their God or Gospel. They were up against so much, and their journey of faith was so hard. Yet 2,000 years later, there is no more cult of Artemis…but there is still a church of Jesus Christ. God must have answered Paul’s prayers, and given the Ephesian Christians all they needed to persevere, grow, and flourish. And when I think about what God has done in the past year of our life together at The Mission Cincinnati, I believe God’s provision and movement in OUR midst TODAY, has been similar to what He did amongst the Ephesians. That through the challenges, pivots, and hardships of 2020, God was faithful to answer our prayers to grow us more fully into the church family we’ve always TALKED about being, the church Jesus died for us to become.
Specifically, I think God has moved to do 4 things in our midst this past year:
1) He’s given us CHRIST’S LOVE for one another
2) He’s given us servant-hearts
3) He’s made us generous to the world and
4) He has raised up new leaders and systems
He’s given us Christ’s love for one another. We often TALK about real friendship across difference and being a church who actually likes and does life with those we worship with. And this year, even as COVID made it hard to gather in large groups, God grew us together in SMALL ways. What I remember best from 2020 weren’t big loud events, but personal moments with small groups: sharing communion at a picnic table with 6 guys on our Men’s rafting trip, welcoming first-time visitors in the circles of our park gathering, hearing the testimony of Sarah Gorak experiencing God’s love and welcome through Bekah & Charles’ Intersection group. Watching the Mission Moms pack hygene kits for the Evanston Food pantry in the darkness just because they wanted to serve and bless others. Hearing of the joy of those who moved to the city and experienced welcome in our church, and the overwhelming amount of love some of you have felt when you’ve been hospitalized and others in our church prayed for you or made you meals. There’s a difference between saying you love someone and FEELING affection for them. Jesus wept when he heard that Lazarus died because he not only loved him in the churchy spiritual way God is SUPPOSED to, but ALSO because Lazarus was his friend for whom he FELT affection, and whom he MISSED. In these days, I believe Jesus has ministered to our church by growing the affection of Jesus in our hearts for one another.
He’s given us servant hearts. I cannot express how PROUD I am of this church for the ways you have SERVED in this year. You’ve kept showing up to worship Jesus across 4 worship locations. Some of you who have never used cameras before filmed liturgy segments and sent them to us so we could include you in online worship. Our musicians spent hours recording tracks used in our own online services as well as 2 National Anglican conferences and the South Avondale School Christmas program. You’ve given rides to church, the grocery store, and doctor’s appointments to those who can’t drive themselves. Charlene Davidson has started a ministry of writing care cards to those in our church who are hospitalized or celebrating newborns. For 3 months a faithful group of intercessors from this church gathered out of nowhere to start PRAYING for YOU, for US and for our city. Our Community Group leaders opened their driveways and backyards, went on walks, and shared zoom calls just to make space for people to be together. 8 of our church’s medical professionals gave time to advise us on COVID-19 protocols for gatherings. You’ve reached out to each other with words of encouragement, you’ve stacked chairs and run sound and done everything possible to ensure that Jesus is glorified, and people are welcomed and loved. Christ understood His identity as a servant, as one who had come not to BE served but to serve. This year, God worked in our hearts to grow our capacity and desire to serve…in the image of our servant King.
God has made us generous to the world. Looking at your annual report, you’ll see that in 2020, God allowed us to give away over $24,000.00 to meet the needs of our congregation, community, and local and regional ministry partners. Even as our own church’s income was less than expected due to COVID, and the moving away of several very generous members, we tightened our own belts and opened our hands. We received a PPP loan that helped us meet our financial obligations. We reduced expenses, and were good stewards of the generosity of those who believe in us. And God blessed us with opportunities to help purchase a bus for FOCAS ministries to rescue women out of sex trafficking, to provide 20 baskets of school supplies to needy elementary students, to buy all of the healthy snacks for the whole summer for all of the 36 kids at the Evanston Rec Center’s summer program, to purchase, pack, and deliver 590 hygeine kits for the Evanston Food Pantry and Queen City Prepratory Academy, to cover utility payments and emergency housing and clothing for our own members and others in our city, to support the ongoing work of local ministry partners like Urban Young Life, CCO, and our regional diocese. Jesus taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive. And this year God has shown us that. You, church, have given joyfully out of love for Jesus and neighbor. And God has given back to us more through His Holy Spirit than we could have ever imagined.
Fourth and finally, God has raised up new leaders and systems. Among other things, today we are celebrating the fruit of God’s work over this past year in-and-through our Mission Council members to craft new bylaws that will help protect and steward well the people and resources God has entrusted to our church. We also celebrate the leaders God has raised up from among our congregation to help oversee our finances and guard and advance our church’s vision and mission. We also celebrate the launch of Mission Pathways and the 50 adults who are moving through this process…which over the next year, we believe will raise up so many new leaders for serving teams, small groups, future vestry classes and other ministry. We still have much room to grow as a congregation in pursuit of Christ—we are not yet financially self-sufficient as a church, there are many important ministries we need to create in order to truly make disciples and love our city well, there are many leaders we still need—but by God’s grace we are GROWING STRONG and our future in the Lord is bright. We are truly a maturing church plant…and today is a benchmark and celebration of that growing maturity.
And so, I invite us to celebrate what God HAS done in this past year, and to prayerfully expect all He WILL do in this next year. Let us lift up our own hearts and lives before the Lord with open hands and ask with John Wesley in His covenant prayer for the Lord to “put us to what He will in 2021.” Mission Cincinnati, may the Lord bless you and keep you…and may He establish the work of your hands…even as He is faithful to work in and through us all to build His church here at The Mission…for God’s glory and our world’s good.
Fr. William Eavenson
So What's an Annual Congregational Meeting?
In their book, “Resilient Ministry,” authors Bob Burns and Tasha Chapman speak of “the poetry and the plumbing of ministry.” The poetry of ministry, as Burns and Chapman describe it, is the up-front stuff, the powerful worship songs and moving sermons, the warm-fuzzies of rich and meaningful small group discussions or fruitful personal discipleship relationships. The plumbing is all of the administrative work—the scheduling of meetings, groups and retreats, the relationally-clarifying conversations that keep teams healthy, and the financial stewardship—that goes on, often behind the scenes to build a solid platform for the “poetry” to take place.
Often there is an assumption that only the POETRY is truly spiritual because the administrative stuff is just busy-work, but that could not be further from the truth. Poetry and Plumbing go hand-in-hand in healthy ministry, much in the same way as trellises help young plants to grow or walls of a house give shape to the spaces that lives and hearts inhabit with the warmth of home. Both are spiritual. Both are essential to healthy ministry. We need both.
Which brings us to the topic of the Annual Congregational Meeting. The Mission Cincinnati is about to have its FIRST EVER annual congregational meeting. So it is fair for you to ask and fair for us to spend some time explaining, “What IS an Annual Congregational Meeting and WHY are we having one?”
The Annual Meeting – What is It?
The Annual Meeting is a once/year occasion in the life of an Anglican congregation where the members of the church gather together to primarily do TWO things: 1) review the “annual report” from the previous year which shares the stories of what God has done in and through our life together as a church family over the past year, and 2) to elect new Vestry members…lay leaders who we believe God has raised up to serve our congregation with wise and skilled lay leadership to steward our church’s finances and advise our lead pastor on important matters of ministry and strategy. Since this is our first-ever congregational meeting, we will also be voting to approve the new Code of Regulations—rules that will give our church clearer organization and structures and will help us operate transparently, safely, wisely, and effectively. We will also present our annual budget for 2021, so that everyone in our church can see how we plan to steward our resources to further God’s Kingdom mission, make disciples, and share the love of Jesus with our city.
In normal times, an Annual Meeting would typically take place AFTER a worship service on a Sunday. Given the current strange realties of the pandemic, as well as our time constraints on our space usage at House of Joy, we have decided to place this year’s Annual Meeting within the context of a worship service. Thus, the service will begin as any service would: with a greeting, the procession of the cross, opening liturgy, a song of worship and a Scripture reading. Then we will have the actual meeting which will begin with Fr. William sharing the Annual Report of the past year as a sermon followed by Nelson Wesley presenting the 2021 budget, a space for questions from the floor, and a call for a vote to approve or disapprove the new Code of Regulations as well as the slate of Vestry Candidates. Following the vote, we will conclude the service with the saying of the Apostles Creed, sharing communion, and reciting the post-communion prayer and receiving a Benediction.
If you are a member of the church it is very important that you plan to be present for this meeting if at all possible. We need to have at least 50% of our members in attendance in order for the meeting to be valid. You can attend in-person at House of Joy OR via Zoom using the link in the Mission Minute. The Zoom option will be a live stream so both the in-person and zoom options will take place at the same time from 9:30 – 10:30 AM. We currently have 34 members of our church, so we need to have at least 17 in attendance.
Why Are We Having a Meeting?
Psalm 127 begins “unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” One of the greatest promises in all of Scripture is that GOD promises to build His church. It’s not up to us. It’s up to God. But in His grace, He has dignified us to play a part on this work.
The Annual Meeting is one of the ways our Anglican tradition has learned that we can wisely participate in the Holy Spirit’s work of administrating the mission of God in and through the church. The church needs good, transparent, and accountable stewardship of its resources—financial and otherwise. The church also needs good leaders who are recognized and affirmed as such by other members in the congregation who can personally attest to the character of their lives. In the Annual Meeting, we make space to reflect on the ways God has been at work in our midst. We share our joys from the past year and chart the course for where—as best we can tell—the Lord is leading us next. We also open our finances to accountability. Those of us who have been faithful in our generosity to the church need to see where our donations are going. In this meeting, we show you where our money has been spent in the past year, what that investment has accomplished, and where we plan to invest our resources in the coming year. This practice is one of the ways our clergy and lay leaders seek to be good stewards who know ourselves to be accountable to the Lord in the way we spend the money that is truly His.
Furthermore, our work of “voting” to approve bylaws and vestry members is really a work of spiritual discernment. The “vote” is not mainly a political or democratic process, but much more the fruit of an ongoing spiritual work of God’s leadership and discernment in many lives over the past month and indeed year. Our Mission Council has labored for a year to bring forth these bylaws. Many of YOU—either as nominators or nominees—have participated in the Vestry Nomination process over the past 2 months that has yielded the slate of candidates we will bring before you on Sunday. In the meeting, you have the opportunity to voice your approval or disapproval of this work which furthermore helps us all to hear and follow the voice of God. Thus, every aspect of this meeting should be approached from a posture of prayer and humility before the Lord. Our church is HIS, it is not our own. And Lord willing at the end of the day on Sunday, we will be able to celebrate not only what God has done in our midst over the past year, but also how He has PROVIDED for us, specifically through the caring structure of new bylaws, and the skill and wisdom of good leaders from amongst us for us.
Do I Have to be a Member to Attend?
No. Anyone is welcome to attend our Annual Meeting, and we believe there will be great spiritual value in hearing these testimonies of what God has done and is doing regardless of whether you’ve been a part of our church for years or whether you are attending for the first time. Only members will be able to vote on the bylaws and vestry slate, but every other aspect of our worship is open for you to join in on. Perhaps, seeing the goodness of God in this meeting may cause you to wish to join the church as well, and next year, perhaps you may be a member and able to vote then.
What to Expect & How to Prepare?
Come expectant to see the movement of God…both in what God has done in our midst in the past year as well as how He is providing for us even now in terms of leadership, order, and care.
There are 2 things to do to prepare well : 1) Take a few minutes to read through the “Annual Meeting Document Packet” to familiarize yourself with the Code of Regulations, the Annual Report and the Vestry Nomination Slate. Gather any questions you might have and either submit them prior to Sunday via email to william@missioncincinnati.org, or bring them to ask during the space for questions on Sunday. 2) Pray for our church this week: our vestry nominees, our staff and clergy, and our congregation for protection, wisdom, and the leadership of God for our church on Sunday.
We can’t wait to share our first ever Annual Congregational Meeting with you this Sunday! Grace, peace and blessings on your week!
Important Announcement Regarding the Next Phase of Sunday Gatherings
Dear Mission Cincinnati,
This week, I had an opportunity to read a short book by Thom Rainer called “The Post-Quarantine Church.” Among many helpful things shared in this little book, Thom did a great job of articulating the incredibly faced-paced and intense amount of change many of us in general and the church in specific have experience in these past months of COVID. “Where you are today in terms of rethinking and retooling your ministries,” Thom writes, “probably would have taken another five years without the coronavirus.” He goes on to say that because of this, “the concept of VISION is changing rapidly in churches, particularly in regard to time frame. Church leaders have been accustomed to communicating a vision that covers 3, 5, or even 10 years. No more. In the post-quarantine era, vision casting will be measured in months.”
I find the notion of measuring vision casting in months to be very true. When I think I back on our experience as a church since the first online Sunday on March 15th, it is clear to me that we have already lived through two distinct leadership seasons as a congregation.
The first season I call the “PIVOT” season. The Pivot season began in March and lasted through June. In these days we transitioned our worship services online, started new ministry teams like our street team, intercessory prayer ministry, and pastoral care team. We gave away thousands of dollars to emergent benevolence needs, and experimented with distributed communion and gathering in home sites.
The second season I call the “PARK” season. It began in July and has continued to the present moment. In these days we entered into an experiment of beginning to meet for in-person worship at the Spencer Overlook in Eden Park. Isn’t it wild to consider that we’ve been meeting here for 13 Sundays?! When we started this adventure, we had no idea what to expect. We didn’t know whether this gathering style would work and whether anyone would come. But church YOU GUYS were bold! You stepped up together, and to date the park space has allowed us to make room to gather more than 70 distinct souls. You’ve welcomed 20+ newcomers into the life of our congregation, you’ve dived into life-giving small-group conversation, and you’ve invested hours and hours in praying for our neighborhood, our city, our world, and each other. As a result, we’ve been able to go DEEPER in our relational life as a church. 10 New Mission Communities have been launched over the past few weeks, you’ve rallied to make meals for families with newborns and unexpected hospitalizations. You’ve prayed and journaled together and made space to seek each other out beyond church programming. We were able to have our first full weekend long men’s retreat as a congregation. You’ve shared the love of Jesus with our city through food pantries, and table fellowship. In short, you are BEING the church! Just like with the PIVOT season, there is SO MUCH to celebrate about the PARK season and I am SO PROUD OF YOU. What began as a faith-filled experiment blossomed into a stunning success that moved us forward as a church family. Well DONE Mission Cincinnati! Well done!
In addition to celebrating what God has done in our midst in these past two seasons, I am excited to share with you that we are standing right now on the brink of a third and NEW season today. We are about to step forward into another faith-filled experiment for how we will gather for worship as a congregation during the colder months of late Fall and winter. Starting Sunday October 25th, we will begin meeting for worship from 9:30 – 10:30 AM at House of Joy Christian Ministries 3220 Central Parkway at the foot of Clifton, just off of I-75. There are many details that will be released in the coming weeks about the practicalities of HOW we will gather, but for right now, let me share a bit about WHAT those gatherings will look like and WHY we have made this decision to transition.
So first, what will these gatherings look like?
In this next season at House of Joy, we will gather for a shortened and simplified liturgical worship service that will feature all of the in-person elements we experienced in our gathering pre-covid including live musical worship, live preaching, Scripture, communion, and prayer. There will of course be new safety and social distancing measures in place to protect our people as we gather, and we look forward to sharing more about what those measures will be soon. We believe we’ll be able to offer a joyful, hospitable, and sacred worship space that will also be safe and enjoyable. House of Joy also has a cry room for parents and babies as well as a beautiful and fully outfit nursery that we are hoping to figure out how to activate to offer a safe and fun nursery experience for our families with toddlers who wish to use it. Our plan is to livestream the in-person service so that our worship remains accessible to those who are not yet comfortable or able to join us in-person in a quality way. Again, more information on all of this will be shared soon.
Second, WHY House of Joy?
1) The weather is changing, and while we have LOVED our park gatherings they will not be practical many of the weeks of the colder months. WE need an indoor location for worship.
2) Many of our people are carrying new burdens personally in this season, and as such we wanted to meet in a space that would not require the same amount of setup and teardown that meeting in the Rec Center required. House of Joy is a church with a great sound system and a beautiful large sanctuary. There will be PLENTY of space for us to comfortably socially distance and minimal need for setup and teardown, while still allowing for a beautiful worship space that also allows us to maintain the deep people focus we enjoyed during the park season.
3) While in a different neighborhood than Evanston, House of Joy is still on the border of the area we have always felt God calling us to as a church, the swath of “Uptown Cincinnati” that runs from UC Clifton to Xavier Norwood. We will continue to care for our Evanston neighbors while also looking forward to new ways to partner in the work that our brothers and sisters at House of Joy are already invested in.
4) We are excited to build on the wonderful relationship we already have with Bishop Todd O’Neal and House of Joy. We have hosted Christmas Eve services together for the past 3 years but have not been able to do much more in partnership as congregations. In a year when many of us are yearning to heal the racial divides in our nation, how beautiful for us to be able to receive and accept the hospitality of a beloved African American congregation who already hosts another Latino congregation as well. The possibilities for Kingdom friendship and shared mission, united in Christ across racial difference that could come from this are many and profound!
5) The beautiful space of House of Joy will allow us to once again live more fully into our value of ancient/future worship in the Anglican Way. We will again be able to sing together. We will again be able to physically come to the Table together. And I can’t wait for that!
6) Finally, as with the Park Gatherings, we want to be clear that this is not the “final” solution when it comes to worship gatherings at The Mission. This is, however our gathering wineskin for the next season, the next best thing that we sense God leading us into. LIke the Park Gatherings it is a faith-filled experiment and we are not certain what joys and challenges it will hold for us. WE are excited that God promises to go before us and be present with us in the stepping out. WE can’t wait to see what He will do in this season and we invite you to step out with us!
Obviously there is much more to be said about this transition. Many of the details are still in the works and we look forward to sharing them with you. For now, here are three ways we need your help:
1) Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 25th from 9:30 – 10:30 AM as the first Sunday of a new season of worship as The Mission Cincinnati at House of Joy!
2) Shu-Li will be reaching out to all of our members and past service team members to see if you are able to serve as an occasional volunteer in worship at these services, and then to schedule our serving teams. Please respond to her as quickly as you can. We are going to do our best to limit the number of volunteers needed, as the work load of what will be involved to pull these services off will be much less than before. Your volunterism is SO appreciated and ABSOLUTELY needed to help us move forward in these days!
3) Parents of toddlers and small kids, Benjamin Thomas will be reaching out to you to learn whether you would like to use the nursery during Sunday services, and what level of safety measures you are comfortable with. Our goal is to serve our families and create a space that will be safe and life-giving for your children, that will also allow you space to worship.
I can’t wait for what God is going to do in our midst as we step into this new season together starting Sunday October 25th.
Grace, peace, and blessings in Christ!
Fr. William
8 Practices for Redemptive Social Media Engagement
In 1964, Canadian Marshall McLuhan coined the now famous phrase “the medium is the message.”
So when it comes to conversations on social media, it is worthwhile to consider with McLuhan, whether the MEDIUM of a digitized, pithy, and interpersonally anonymous social media platform even makes it POSSIBLE for us to have civil, constructive, and transformational conversations about important issues. Psychology demonstrates (and our experience proves) that people jump more quickly from ideological disagreement to character attacks when they are commenting on a thread of text instead of interacting face-to-face. Thus, the argument that it is more productive to just abandon attempts at serious conversation on these platforms has merit.
That said, 2.7 billion people currently use Facebook globally, with 223 million American users as of 2020. So, the Christian, called by Jesus to “make disciples of all nations,” has to recognize that the nations are gathered on Facebook. The question then becomes for followers of Jesus, “how can we ENGAGE with people on this platform REDEMPTIVELY? In a way that both showcases the heart and character of God and witnesses to the Gospel?”
Additionally, in a culture that shapes us towards self-expression and self-actualization, what might we learn about the way of Jesus by seeking and attempting to enact practices that help us engage social-media in a self-controlled and benevolently other-oriented way? Could intentional practices of social media engagement actually shape us more as disciples of Jesus in an increasingly digitized world?
Over the last 5 years, as national political polarization and generational divides on public policy stances have sharply increased, I have made an intentional effort to examine my own habits of social media usage, the habits of other followers of Jesus, and discern as best I can what MIGHT be SOME helpful practices to put in play that could yield more faithful and constructive engagement on social media. I have come up with 8 PRACTICES that I have observed yield better conversations when used. This list is by no means exhaustive and I’d love to hear practices of your own in response. I have found this set to help. They are practices I attempt, however imperfectly, to use in all of my online engagement, and thus I would commend them to you for consideration as well!
1) Pray First – One of our challenges. living as we do in a world with a 24/7 news cycle in which we are constantly told that “silence is violence,” is that those of us who desire to be proactive and public witnesses for the Gospel, feel a constant pressure to immediately have a response to every local and national news headline. We are pressured to post before we even truly know what we think, or what indeed might really be helpful to SAY. Immediate reactions are almost always more emotionally charged than reflective responses that emerge out of space and thought. And for the Christian, prayer is a great place to start. If we feel there is something that needs to be said, or even something we need to process, bringing it before God and asking Him to show us what is true, both in terms of facts as well as in our feelings about the facts, is a great way to begin to move toward helpful engaging those facts with others. It also could be worth praying for those who will interact with what you say, even those who will disagree with you, and especially those who may unjustly attack you for your words. The practice of bringing our thoughts and these people before the Lord can help us take the conversation SERIOUSLY but not PERSONALLY, so that we will be freed to treat those who engage negatively with us with great grace instead of personal defensiveness.
2) Humanize Your Conversation Partners – Before you respond to what someone has posted or commented on your post, consider this, “Am I able to see this person as an image-bearer of God, held in existence right now by the loving care of the same God who made me? As a person just as much beloved by God and worthy of dignity as I am?” A truly Christian worldview takes seriously the truth that all people are made in the image of God. We are fellow image-bearers, not monsters. As much as our sin, pride, and ignorance may dirty up that image in us. It is worth us putting in the work to humanize our brothers and sisters in this way before we respond. This will help keep our engagement constructive (even when deeply critical) and loving (even through sharp and necessary disagreement) instead of becoming destructive and inflammatory.
3) Assume the Best of Others’ Intentions – In a fantastic interview with Russell Brand, Brené Brown shared psychological research that, “even if everyone is NOT trying their best right now, simply BELIEVING that they are, will lead you to live a more enjoyable life.” A lot of people get on social media to intentionally stoke negative fires. Because we’ve all run across these people more often than we’d like, the temptation is to quickly assume that anyone who disagrees with us, no matter how thoughtfully, must be out to get us, or is a part of the evil mob who alone has caused all of the world’s problems. How might it change public discussion spaces if Christians refused to buy into this temptation? If we made an intentional, and indeed sacrificial decision for the sake of Christ, to believe that everyone out there—not matter how much we disagree with them—is, at least in their own brain, trying to move the needle towards greater good in the world? This of course doesn’t mean everyone’s right or that we shouldn’t disagree. If we care at all about truth and common good, there are ideas that need to be forcefully resisted. But choosing to believe someone else has good intentions, could dramatically change our tone and posture of interaction for the better. And, according to Brené, this choice will make us happier people when we sign off and get back to the rest of our lives.
4) Bring Relationship Into It – We all know that person: the kid from high school we haven’t talked to in 17 years, who for some reason we’re still Facebook friends with, who comes out of absolute nowhere just to disagree with us about our stance on gun control or the right way to enjoy ice cream with your kids. This scenario is one of the hardest for me to respond well to, because there is a level of humanity that is hard to engage between people who don’t know each other well. Which is why I’ve found it helpful to begin any response to a potentially inflammatory comment with a relational envoy: “Hey (so and so) so good to hear from you! Man its been awhile since we talked! I remember the last time I saw you after high school graduation. I had such a good time talking to you about X. You were always such a thoughtful and encouraging person and I so appreciated that. As to your thoughts on what I shared…” I’ve seen conversations go from confrontational to LIFE-CHANGING by starting a response that way. Such a response takes the emotional charge of the conversation away from the polarizing ideas, and places it firmly in the context of the personal relationship…which we are now attempting to build. The conversation can now be out ideas—less emotionally charged—because we’ve taken THAT energy and put it somewhere else. I’ve been amazed to find that as people start talking in this context of trust (once they realize I’m not going to respond with the same level of rip-your-head-off rage) that we actually agree about more than we disagree with. What began as a random and inflammatory confrontation is now an opportunity to reclaim a friendship.
5) Use the Best Form of the Argument – The last decade has seen the proliferation of memes. Memes, not always, but certainly very often are counter-productive to edifying conversation. Because truth is complex and memes are reductionist. They function like hype men, advancing extremely over-simplified caricatures of positions that allow the poster to feel 100% right about their position, while also feeling justified because (as the meme clearly indicates) everyone who disagrees with me is not only wrong, but an idiot. And this is where, I believe disciples of Jesus are called to do some serious work before we engage. Have you thoughtfully critiqued your own position? From what sources do your beliefs and facts come? What counterarguments would those who disagree with you potentially advance in response? Could you summarize the opposing view to your position in its BEST form, i.e. in such a way that someone who fiercely disagrees with you would listen to your summary, nod their head and say, “Yep. That’s what I believe!” If we can’t answer an honest yes to those questions, we could benefit from doing a bit more work before posting. Because as followers of Jesus, our goal should be winsome, irenic, and compelling articulations of truth. Many important topics are heatedly contested because the complex nature of the reality usually (but importantly not always) leads to situations where both “sides” have some accurate points. Can we distill those? Can we admit the failings and blind spots of our own “camp”? Truly productive conversation can only BEGIN once those who disagree with you feel like you both accurately understand their position and are hearing their objections.
6) Consider Whether You Want to be RIGHT or Want to HELP? – This question calls us to examine our own heart-level motivations for engaging in the first place. Do we just want to be RIGHT? To WIN in a sense over and against all the people who (lamely we think) disagree with us? Or do we want to HELP. To reveal a fuller picture of God’s truth in the world that our partisan or ideological battle lines have obscured? This is so challenging because being right feels so good. And on social media, we don’t even need to be factually correct. We can simply be judged correct by the democracy of likes…which feels equally good. Such a reality calls to mind the Native American proverb, “Do not speak unless you can improve upon the silence.” Does what we have to say truly ADD to the conversation, or just give us the ability to say, “see I was there too!” Silence can be violence when we refuse to take important stands we know we should take before an audience we know we could move, perhaps at our own expense if we were simply to step up. But speaking can also be violent when we speak simply to project our own egos or power as colonizers of thought. I believe that we will never have 100% pure motives this side of eternity, but self-examination in a self-actualizing world can bear measurable fruit in terms of heard voices, changed minds, and inspired hearts in the public square.
7) Seek to SEE not be SEEN – Social media brings the dehumanizing danger of turning ever person into a brand. Social media tells us we can project our influence. Via social media, we have been handed a megaphone through which we can make our voice heard, if we only have the right words, pictures, and networks. But if that is ALL we use social media for, all we believe it to be, just a tool to amplify MY voice, then aren’t we at risk of also dehumanizing others, and reducing them to little more than likes and comments to boost the algorithmic reach of our words? At the same times as social media gives power to speech it also gives power to LISTENING. When in history has a person been able to sign onto a device, and learn what every person in their social sphere thinks about a given topic? Such is the power of social media to SEE and HEAR the voices of OTHERS. If we give ourselves to the practice of listening through social media, then its possible social media could actually make us more humble than proud. This is why its worth potentially not unfriending those who disagree with you politically or ideologically. Those difference people can open us up to hearing and seeing different perspectives. Even if what they have to say is 90% offensive and wrong, what if 10% is true and transforming to our views? They carry the possibility to help us see truth outside our like-minded echo chambers. They can be tutors in the school of difference who can help us SEE, and that is a great gift if we’re willing to receive it.
8) Place Boundaries on Your Use – Social Media feels pervasive to us because we’re on it all the time. Part of the reason we feel compelled to unfriend a difference person, is that they feel as close to us as if they were in our bedroom…because we’re actually reading what they have to say as soon as we wake up, and/or just before we go to bed. But unlike a roommate, child, or spouse, we can turn off social media. WE have the power to guard our gates and determine when we will and will not use it. So place wise boundaries on your use. Take the reigns of your engagement, and thoughtfully and prayerfully plan when you will engage, who you will engage with, and how. I think its possible to see your rhythms of social media use like calendaring meetings. You don’t need to check every five minutes, but you can devote an hour a week (or a day etc) to specifically checking your messages, making posts, and replying. That level of discipline will save your energy to invest in real people around you. It will also specify your focus when you do enter into the digital arena, which I believe will almost always make you more effective and balanced in your engagement.
I hope these practices have been and continue to be helpful to you as you navigate your own redemptive usage of social media! I want to reiterate that I am a pilgrim on the journey too! I have not arrived. Far from it. But I have seen God do some incredible things in my life and the lives of others as I’ve put the above practices in play as consistently as possible. I will also reiterate that this list is by no means exhaustive, so what about you? What practices have you found helpful for redemptive social media engagement? I’d love to hear from you what you think!
By Fr. William Eavenson
Compline
If you are wanting to pray compline (the prayers we say at the close of the day, before we head to sleep) here it is! It is easy to follow along here on your phone, tablet, or computer. The officiant (leader) prays the text in the normal print, and everyone else prays the text in the bold print. (Wherever you see *’s, you may either all say that part of the prayer together, or you may rotate, with one group of people saying the line with the *, and another group saying the next line, and so forth and so on.) You can of course pray all these prayers on your own too.
INVITATORY
The Officiant begins:
The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.
Officiant Our help is in the Name of the Lord;
People The maker of heaven and earth.
CONFESSION
The Officiant continues
Let us humbly confess our sins to Almighty God.
Silence may be kept. The Officiant and People then say
Almighty God and Father, we confess to you,
to one another, and to the whole company of heaven,
that we have sinned, through our own fault,
in thought, and word, and deed, and in what we have left undone.
For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins,
and by the power of your Holy Spirit
raise us up to serve you in newness of life,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The Officiant alone says
May Almighty God grant us forgiveness of all our sins, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Officiant O God, make speed to save us;
People O Lord, make haste to help us.
Officiant Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
People As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Except in Lent, add Alleluia.
PSALMS
One or more of the following, or some other suitable Psalm, is said.
PSALM 4
Cum invocarem
1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness; *
you set me free when I was in trouble; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
2 O you children of men, how long will you blaspheme my honor, *
and have such pleasure in vanity, and seek after falsehood?
3 Know this also, that the Lordhas chosen for himself the one that is godly; *
when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.
4 Stand in awe, and sin not; *
commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.
5 Offer the sacrifice of righteousness *
and put your trust in the Lord.
6 There are many that say, “Who will show us any good?” *
Lord, lift up the light of your countenance upon us.
7 You have put gladness in my heart, *
more than when others’ grain and wine and oil increased.
8 I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest; *
for you, Lord, only, make me dwell in safety.
All say:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
PSALM 31:1-6
In te, Domine, speravi
1 In you, O Lord, have I put my trust; *
let me never be put to confusion; deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Bow down your ear to me, *
make haste to deliver me,
3 And be my strong rock and house of defense, *
that you may save me.
4 For you are my strong rock and my castle; *
be also my guide, and lead me for your Name’s sake.
5 Draw me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me, *
for you are my strength.
6 Into your hands I commend my spirit, *
for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
All say:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
PSALM 91
Qui habitat
1 Whoever dwells under the defense of the Most High *
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say unto the Lord, “You are my refuge and my stronghold, *
my God in whom I will trust.”
3 For he shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter *
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He shall defend you under his wings, and you shall be safe under his feathers; *
his faithfulness and truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of any terror by night, *
nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Of the pestilence that walks in darkness,*
nor of the sickness that destroys at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall beside you, and ten thousand at your right hand, *
but it shall not come near you.
8 Indeed, with your eyes you shall behold *
and see the reward of the ungodly.
9 Because you have said, “The Lordis my refuge,” *
and have made the Most High your stronghold,
10 There shall no evil happen to you, *
neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over you, *
to keep you in all your ways.
12 They shall bear you in their hands, *
that you hurt not your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder; *
the young lion and the serpent you shall trample under your feet.
14 “Because he has set his love upon me, therefore I will deliver him; *
I will lift him up, because he has known my Name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will hear him; *
indeed, I am with him in trouble; I will deliver him and bring him honor.
16 With long life I will satisfy him, *
and show him my salvation.”
All say:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
PSALM 134
Ecce nunc
1 Behold now, praise the Lord, *
all you servants of the Lord,
2 You that stand by night in the house of the Lord, *
even in the courts of the house of our God.
3 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary *
and sing praises unto the Lord.
4 The Lordwho made heaven and earth *
give you blessing out of Zion.
All say:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
LESSONS
One of the following, or some other suitable passage of Scripture, is read.
You, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not leave us.
JEREMIAH 14:9
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
MATTHEW 11:28 30
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
HEBREWS 13:20-21
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.
1 PETER 5:8 9
At the end of the reading is said
The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
PRAYERS
Officiant Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;
People For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
Officiant Keep me, O Lord, as the apple of your eye;
People Hide me under the shadow of your wings.
Officiant Lord, have mercy upon us.
People Christ, have mercy upon us.
Officiant Lord, have mercy upon us.
Officiant and people all say
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,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Officiant O Lord, hear our prayer;
People And let our cry come to you.
Officiant Let us pray.
COLLECTS AND PRAYERS
The Officiant then says one or more of the following Collects.
Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lighten our darkness, we beseech you, O Lord; and by your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Look down, O Lord, from your heavenly throne, illumine this night with your celestial brightness, and from the children of light banish the deeds of darkness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(A COLLECT FOR SATURDAYS): We give you thanks, O God, for revealing your Son Jesus Christ to us by the light of his resurrection: Grant that as we sing your glory at the close of this day, our joy may abound in the morning as we celebrate the Paschal mystery; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
One of the following prayers may be added
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
or this
O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live: Watch over those, both night and day, who work while others sleep, and grant that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other’s toil; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
INTERCESSION
Silence may be kept, and other intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered.
NUNC DIMITTIS
The Song of Simeon
In closing, all say together:
Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, *
according to your word.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, *
Which you have prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, *
and to be the glory of your people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; * as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,world without end. Amen.
LUKE 2:29-32
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
In Easter Season, add Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
BLESSING
Officiant Let us bless the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
The Officiant concludes with the following
The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us, this night and evermore. Amen.
Midday Prayer
If you are wanting to pray midday prayer, here it is! It is easy to follow along here on your phone, tablet, or computer. The officiant (leader) prays the text in the normal print, and everyone else prays the text in the bold print. (Wherever you see *’s, you may either all say that part of the prayer together, or you may rotate, with one group of people saying the line with the *, and another group saying the next line, and so forth and so on.) You can of course pray all these prayers on your own too.
From the 2019 Book of Common Prayer (Anglican Church in North America)
INVITATORY
Officiant O God, make speed to save us;
People O Lord, make haste to help us.
Officiant Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
People As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Except in Lent, add Alleluia.
PSALMS
One or more of the following, or some other suitable Psalm, is sung or said.
At the end each Psalm said, the Gloria Patri (Glory be to the Father (found below)...) is said.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
PSALM 119:105-112
Lucerna pedibus meis
105 Your word is a lantern to my feet *
and a light upon my path.
106 I have sworn and am steadfastly purposed*
to keep your righteous judgments.
107 I am troubled above measure; *
revive me, O Lord, according to your word.
108 Let the freewill offerings of my mouth please you, O Lord; *
and teach me your judgments.
109 My life is always in my hand, *
yet I do not forget your law.
110 The ungodly have laid a snare for me, *
yet I have not strayed from your commandments.
111 Your testimonies have I claimed as my heritage for ever, *
and why? They are the very joy of my heart.
112 I have applied my heart to fulfill your statutes always, *
even unto the end.
PSALM 121
Levavi oculos
1 I will lift up my eyes unto the hills; *
from whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord, *
who has made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved, *
and he who keeps you will not sleep.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lordhimself is your keeper; *
the Lordis your defense upon your right hand,
6 So that the sun shall not burn you by day, *
neither the moon by night.
7 The Lordshall preserve you from all evil; *
indeed, it is he who shall keep your soul.
8 The Lordshall preserve your going out and your coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore.
PSALM 124
Nisi quia Dominus
1 If the Lordhimself had not been on our side, now may Israel say: *
if the Lordhimself had not been on our side, when men rose up against us,
2 Then would they have swallowed us up alive, *
when they were so wrathfully displeased with us;
3 Then the waters would have drowned us, and the torrent gone over us; *
then the raging waters would have gone clean over us.
4 But praised be the Lord, *
who has not given us over to be prey for their teeth.
5 We escaped like a bird out of the snare of the fowler; *
the snare is broken, and we have been delivered.
6 Our help is in the Name of the Lord, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
PSALM 126
In convertendo
1 When the Lordoverturned the captivity of Zion, *
then were we like those who dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter *
and our tongue with shouts of joy.
3 Then they said among the nations, *
“The Lordhas done great things for them.”
4 Indeed, the Lordhas done great things for us already, *
whereof we rejoice.
5 Overturn our captivity, O Lord, *
as when streams refresh the deserts of the south.
6 Those who sow in tears *
shall reap with songs of joy.
7 He who goes on his way weeping and bears good seed *
shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring his sheaves with him.
READINGS
One of the following, or some other suitable passage of Scripture, is read
Jesus said, “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
JOHN 12:31-32
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17-18
From the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of Hosts.
MALACHI 1:11
At the end of the reading is said
The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
MEDITATION
A meditation, silent or spoken, may follow.
THE PRAYERS
Officiant I will bless the Lord at all times.
People His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Officiant Lord, have mercy.
People Christ, have mercy.
Officiant Lord, have mercy.
Officiant and People all say:
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,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Officiant O Lord, hear our prayer;
People And let our cry come to you.
Officiant Let us pray.
THE COLLECTS
The Officiant then says one or more of the following Collects.
Blessed Savior, at this hour you hung upon the Cross, stretching out your loving arms: Grant that all the peoples of the earth may look to you and be saved; for your tender mercies’ sake. Amen.
Almighty Savior, who at mid-day called your servant Saint Paul to be an apostle to the Gentiles: We pray you to illumine the world with the radiance of your glory, that all nations may come and worship you; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Father of all mercies, you revealed your boundless compassion to your apostle Saint Peter in a three-fold vision: Forgive our unbelief, we pray, and so strengthen our hearts and enkindle our zeal, that we may fervently desire the salvation of all people, and diligently labor in the extension of your kingdom; through him who gave himself for the life of the world, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his Cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
INTERCESSIONS
Silence may be kept, and other intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered.
BLESSING
Officiant Let us bless the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
From Easter Day through the Day of Pentecost, “Alleluia, alleluia” may be added to the preceding versicle and response.
Officiant The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
2 CORINTHIANS 13:14T
Opening Sentences, Collects, and Blessings for Evening Prayer
If you are wanting to pray evening prayer, here are the rotating parts. You can find evening prayer here.
OPENING SENTENCES
Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
JOHN 8:12
or this
Lord, I have loved the habitation of your house and the place where your honor dwells.
PSALM 26:8
or this
Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.
PSALM 141:2
or this
ADVENT
Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.
MARK 13:35-36
CHRISTMAS
Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
REVELATION 21:3
EPIPHANY
Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
ISAIAH 60:3
LENT and OTHER PENITENTIAL OCCASIONS
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 JOHN 1:8-9
For I acknowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me.
PSALM 51:3
To the Lordour God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him.
DANIEL 9:9
HOLY WEEK
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lordhas laid on him the iniquity of us all.
ISAIAH 53:6
EASTER
Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:57
ASCENSION
For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.
HEBREWS 9:24
PENTECOST
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
REVELATION 22:17
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling place of the Most High.
PSALM 46:4
TRINITY SUNDAY
Holy, holy, holy is the Lordof Hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!
ISAIAH 6:3
DAYS OF THANKSGIVING
The Lordby wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
PROVERBS 3:19-20
AT ANY TIME
O worship the Lordin the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth stand in awe of him.
PSALM 96:9
I will thank the Lordfor giving me counsel; my heart also chastens me in the night season. I have set the Lord always before me; he is at my right hand, therefore I shall not fall.
PSALM 16:8-9
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
A COLLECT FOR RESURRECTION HOPE Sunday
Lord God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ triumphed over the powers of death and prepared for us our place in the new Jerusalem: Grant that we, who have this day given thanks for his resurrection, may praise you in that City of which he is the light, and where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR PEACE Monday
O God, the source of all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works: Give to your servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments, and that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR AID AGAINST PERILS Tuesday
Lighten our darkness, we beseech you, O Lord; and by your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR PROTECTION Wednesday
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.
A COLLECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST Thursday
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR FAITH Friday
Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies’ sake.
Amen.
A COLLECT FOR THE EVE OF WORSHIP Saturday
O God, the source of eternal light: Shed forth your unending day upon us who watch for you, that our lips may praise you, our lives may bless you, and our worship on the morrow give you glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER 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, women, and children everywhere love you and serve you in peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or this
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
or this
O God, you manifest in your servants the signs of your presence: Send forth upon us the Spirit of love, that in companionship with one another your abounding grace may increase among us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
BLESSING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
2 CORINTHIANS 13:14T
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
ROMANS 15:13T
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever.Amen.
EPHESIANS 3:20-21T
Daily Evening Prayer
If you are wanting to pray evening prayer, here it is! It is easy to follow along here on your phone, tablet, or computer. The officiant (leader) prays the text in the normal print, and everyone else prays the text in the bold print. (Wherever you see *’s, you may either all say that part of the prayer together, or you may rotate, with one group of people saying the line with the *, and another group saying the next line, and so forth and so on.)
If you are leading prayer among a number of people or are doing this alone, you will have to click to another page a few times. (This is clearly marked).
If you are just participating with another person leading, everything you need is here!
I do recommend you have your Scriptures chosen before you start. You can use the ACNA Daily Office Lectionary or another one if you prefer. (Once you click this link, scroll down to the section called “Calendars and Lectionaries”.)
From the 2019 Book of Common Prayer (Anglican Church in North America)
OPENING SENTENCE
The Officiant may begin Evening Prayer by reading an opening sentence of Scripture. Click here for these Scriptures.
CONFESSION OF SIN
The Officiant says to the People:
Dearly beloved, the Scriptures teach us to acknowledge our many sins and offenses, not concealing them from our heavenly Father, but confessing them with humble and obedient hearts that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness andmercy. We ought at all times humbly to acknowledge our sins before Almighty God, but especially when we come together in his presence to give thanks for the great benefits we have received at his hands, to declare his most worthy praise, to hear his holy Word, and to ask, for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things which are necessary for our life and our salvation. Therefore, draw near with me to the throne of heavenly grace.
or this
Let us humbly confess our sins to Almighty God.
Silence is kept. All kneeling, the Officiant and People say:
Almighty and most merciful Father,
we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much the devices and desires
of our own hearts.
We have offended against your holy laws.
We have left undone those things which we ought to have done,
and we have done those things which we ought notto have done;
and apart from your grace, there is no health in us.
O Lord, have mercy upon us.
Spare all those who confess their faults.
Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.
The Priest alone stands and says:
Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, desires not the death of sinners, but that they may turn from their wickedness and live. He has empowered and commanded his ministers to pronounce to his people, being penitent, the absolution and remission of their sins. He pardons and absolves all who truly repent and genuinely believe his holy Gospel. For this reason, we beseech him to grant us true repentance and his Holy Spirit, that our present deeds may please him, the rest of our lives may be pure and holy, and that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or this
The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit. Amen.
or this
If no priest is available, a deacon or layperson remains kneeling and prays:
Grant to your faithful people, merciful Lord, pardon and peace; that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVITATORY
Officiant and people engage in call and response:
Officiant O Lord, open our lips;
People And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.Officiant O God, make speed to save us;
People O Lord, make haste to help us.
Officiant Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
People As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Officiant Praise the Lord.
People The Lord’s Name be praised.
INVITATORY HYMN - PHOS HILARON
O Gladsome Light
O gladsome 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 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 worlds.
THE READINGS
It is common to follow a lectionary here (a list of set readings throughout the year). You can find ACNA’s lectionary here. ( Once you click this link, scroll down to the section called “Calendars and Lectionaries”.)
THE APPOINTED PSALM
Psalm is read. At the end of the Psalms the Gloria Patri (Glory be to the Father…. (found below)) is said.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,world without end. Amen.
THE LESSONS
One or more Lessons, as appointed, are read, the Reader first saying,
A Reading from _____________.
After each Lesson the Reader may say
The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
THE CANTICLES
All may say one or more of the following Canticles after each reading or after all of the readings. (Traditionally these are also sung.)
MAGNIFICAT
The Song of Mary
My soul magnifies the Lord, *
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
For he has regarded *
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from now on, *
all generations will call me blessed;
For he that is mighty has magnified me, *
and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on those who fear him, *
throughout all generations.
He has shown the strength of his arm; *
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has brought down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has exalted the humble and meek.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He, remembering his mercy, has helped his servant Israel, *
as he promised to our fathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,world without end. Amen.
LUKE 1:46-55
NUNC DIMITTIS
The Song of Simeon
Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, *
according to your word.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, *
which you have prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, *
and to be the glory of your people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; * as it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, worldwithout end. Amen.
LUKE 2:29-32
THE APOSTLES CREED
Officiant and People together all say together:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYERS
Officiant The Lord be with you.
People And with your spirit.
Officiant Let us pray.
The People kneel or stand.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Officiant and People all say together
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,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Officiant and People engage in the following call and response. (You may do the first set of “suffrages” or the second set.”
#1
Officiant O Lord, show your mercy upon us;
People And grant us your salvation.
Officiant O Lord, guide those who govern us;
People And lead us in the way of justice and truth.
Officiant Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
People And let your people sing with joy.
Officiant O Lord, save your people;
People And bless your inheritance.
Officiant Give peace in our time, O Lord;
People And defend us by your mighty power.
Officiant Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; .
People Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Officiant Create in us clean hearts, O God;
People And take not your Holy Spirit from us.
or this
#2
Officiant That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful,
People We entreat you, O Lord.
Officiant That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill,
People We entreat you, O Lord.
Officiant That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses,
People We entreat you, O Lord.
Officiant That there may be peace in your Church and in the whole world,
People We entreat you, O Lord.
Officiant That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ,
People We entreat you, O Lord.
Officiant That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of [ ___________ and] all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ,
People We entreat you, O Lord.
THE COLLECTS AND PRAYERS FOR MISSION
The Officiant then prays The Collect of the Day, one or more of the other Collects, and the prayer for Mission. These collects and prayers can be found here.
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
All may offer up their individual petitions silently or aloud
THE GENERAL THANKSGIVING
All say:
Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up our selves to your service,
and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
A PRAYER OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
Officiant says:
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
THE BLESSING
Officiant Let us bless the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
From Easter Day through the Day of Pentecost, “Alleluia, alleluia” may be added to the preceding versicle and response.
The officiant says concluding blessing.
The blessings can be found here.
Opening Sentences, Collects, and Blessings for Morning Prayer
If you are wanting to pray morning prayer, here are the rotating parts. You can find morning prayer here.
From the 2019 Book of Common Prayer (Anglican Church in North America)
OPENING SENTENCES OF SCRIPTURE
ADVENT
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
ISAIAH 40:3
CHRISTMAS
Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
LUKE 2:10-11
EPIPHANY
From the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.
MALACHI 1:11
LENT and OTHER PENITENTIAL OCCASIONS
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
MATTHEW 3:2
Turn your face from my sins, and blot out all my misdeeds.
PSALM 51:9
If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
MARK 8:34
HOLY WEEK
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which was brought upon me, which the Lord inflicted on the day of his fierce anger.
LAMENTATIONS 1:12
EASTER
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
COLOSSIANS 3:1
ASCENSION
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
HEBREWS 4:14, 16
PENTECOST
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
ACTS 1:8
TRINITY SUNDAY
Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!
REVELATION 4:8
DAYS OF THANKSGIVING
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
PROVERBS 3:9-10
AT ANY TIME
The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.
HABAKKUK 2:20
O send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, and bring me to your holy hill, and to your dwelling.
PSALM 43:3
Thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
ISAIAH 57:15
The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
JOHN 4:23
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
PHILIPPIANS 1:2
or this
I was glad when they said unto me, “We will go into the house of the Lord.”
PSALM 122:1
or this
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable in your sight, O Lord
, my rock and my redeemer.
PSALM 19:14
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
From the Collects of the Christian Year
A COLLECT FOR STRENGTH TO AWAIT CHRIST’S RETURN
Sunday
O God our King, by the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ on the first day of the week, you conquered sin, put death to flight, and gave us the hope of everlasting life: Redeem all our days by this victory; forgive our sins, banish our fears, make us bold to praise you and to do your will; and steel us to wait for the consummation of your kingdom on the last great Day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR THE RENEWAL OF LIFE
Monday
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR PEACE
Tuesday
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR GRACE
Wednesday
O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR GUIDANCE
Thursday
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR ENDURANCE
Friday
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the Cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR SABBATH REST
Saturday
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Unless the Great Litany or the Eucharist is to follow, one of the following prayers for mission is added. If the Great Litany is used, it follows here, or after a hymn or anthem, and concludes the Office.
PRAYER FOR MISSION
Almighty and everlasting God, who alone works great marvels: Send down upon our clergy and the congregations committed to their charge the life-giving Spirit of your grace, shower them with the continual dew of your blessing, and ignite in them a zealous love of your Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or this
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or this:
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the Cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit thatwe, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.
BLESSING
The Officiant says one of these concluding sentences (and the People may be invited to join)
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
2 CORINTHIANS 13:14T
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
ROMANS 15:13T
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever.Amen.
EPHESIANS 3:20-21T
Daily Morning Prayer
If you are wanting to pray morning prayer, here it is! It is easy to follow along here on your phone, tablet, or computer. The officiant (leader) prays the text in the normal print, and everyone else prays the text in the bold print. (Wherever you see *’s, you may either all say that part of the prayer together, or you may rotate, with one group of people saying the line with the *, and another group saying the next line, and so forth and so on.)
If you are leading prayer among a number of people or are doing this alone, you will have to click to another page a few times. (This is clearly marked).
If you are just participating with another person leading, everything you need is here!
I do recommend you have your Scriptures chosen before you start. You can use the ACNA Daily Office Lectionary or another one if you prefer. (Once you click this link, scroll down to the section called “Calendars and Lectionaries”.)
From the 2019 Book of Common Prayer (Anglican Church in North America)
OPENING SENTENCE
The Officiant may begin Morning Prayer by reading an opening sentence of Scripture. Click here for these Scriptures.
CONFESSION OF SIN
The Officiant says to the People:
Let us humbly confess our sins to Almighty God.
Silence is kept and then all say:
Almighty and most merciful Father,
we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.
We have offended against your holy laws.
We have left undone those things which we ought to have done,
and we have done those things which we ought notto have done;
and apart from your grace, there is no health in us.
O Lord, have mercy upon us.
Spare all those who confess their faults.
Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.
The Priest alone stands and says the Absolution.
The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit. Amen.
If there is no priest present, a deacon or layperson says the following:
Grant to your faithful people, merciful Lord, pardon and peace; that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
.
INVITATORY
Officiant and people engage in call and response.
Officiant O Lord, open our lips;
People And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Officiant O God, make speed to save us;
People O Lord, make haste to help us.
Officiant Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
People As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Officiant Praise the Lord.
People The Lord’s Name be praised.
INVITATORY SCRIPTURE
All will say either the Venite, Jubilate or Pascha Nostrum.
VENITE
(O Come)
O come, let us sing unto the Lord; *
let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.
For the Lordis a great God *
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are all the depths of the earth, *
and the heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it, *
and his hands prepared the dry land.
O come, let us worship and fall down, *
and kneel before the Lordour Maker.
For he is our God, *
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.
The following verses may be omitted, except in Lent.
Today, if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts *
as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness,
When your fathers tested me, *
and put me to the proof, though they had seen my works.
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation and said, *
“It is a people that err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways,”
Of whom I swore in my wrath *
that they should not enter into my rest.
PSALM 95:1-7, 8-11
JUBILATE
Be Joyful
O be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *
serve the Lordwith gladness,
and come before his presence with a song.
Be assured that the Lord, he is God; *
it is he that has made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise; *
be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.
For the Lordis gracious, his mercy is everlasting, *
and his truth endures from generation to generation.
PSALM 100
PASCHA NOSTRUM
Christ our Passover
Alleluia. Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; *
therefore let us keep the feast,
Not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, *
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; *
death no longer has dominion over him.
The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; *
but the life he lives, he lives to God.
So also consider yourselves dead to sin, *
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.
Christ has been raised from the dead, *
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by a man came death, *
by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, *
so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.
1 CORINTHIANS 5:7-8; ROMANS 6:9-11; 1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-22
THE READINGS
It is common to follow a lectionary here (a list of set readings throughout the year). You can find ACNA’s lectionary here. ( Once you click this link, scroll down to the section called “Calendars and Lectionaries”.)
THE APPOINTED PSALMS
Psalm is read. At the end of the Psalms the Gloria Patri (Glory be to the Father…. (found below)) is said.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
THE LESSONS
One or more Lessons are read, the Reader first saying
A Reading from _____________.
After each lesson, the Reader may say:
The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
THE CANTICLES
All may say one or more of the following Canticles after each reading or after all the readings. (Traditionally these are also sung.)
TE DEUM LAUDAMUS
We Praise You, O God
We praise you, O God; we acclaim you as Lord; *
all creation worships you, the Father everlasting.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, *
the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of power and might, *
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. *
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. *
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all praise, *
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, *
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you took our flesh to set us free *
you humbly chose the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death *
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. *
We believe that you will come to be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people, *
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints *
to glory everlasting.
The following verses may be omitted
Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;*
govern and uphold them now and always.
Day by day we bless you; *
we praise your Name for ever.
Keep us today, Lord, from all sin; *
have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, show us your love and mercy, *
for we have put our trust in you.
In you, Lord, is our hope; *
let us never be put to shame.
BENEDICTUS ES, DOMINE
A Song of Praise
Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; *
you are worthy of praise; glory to you.
Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; *
on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.
Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you, beholding the depths; *
in the high vault of heaven, glory to you.
Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
SONG OF THE THREE YOUNG MEN, 29-34
BENEDICTUS
The Song of Zechariah
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness
and in the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
LUKE 1:68-79
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
Officiant and People all say together.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYERS
Officiant The Lord be with you.
People And with your spirit.
Officiant Let us pray.
Officiant Lord, have mercy.
People Christ, have mercy.
Officiant Lord, have mercy.
Officiant and People all say together:
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,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Officiant and People engage in the following call and response.
Officiant O Lord, show your mercy upon us;
People And grant us your salvation.
Officiant O Lord, guide those who govern us;
People And lead us in the way of justice and truth.
Officiant Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
People And let your people sing with joy.
Officiant O Lord, save your people;
People And bless your inheritance.
Officiant Give peace in our time, O Lord;
People And defend us by your mighty power.
Officiant Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
People Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Officiant Create in us clean hearts, O God;
People And take not your Holy Spirit from us.
THE COLLECTS AND THE PRAYER FOR MISSION
The Officiant then prays one or more Collects and the Prayer for Mission. These collects and prayers can be found here.
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
All may offer up their individual petitions silently or aloud.
THE GENERAL THANKSGIVING
All say:
Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts
we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up our selves to your service,
and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
A PRAYER OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
Officiant says: Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
THE BLESSING
Officiant Let us bless the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
From Easter Day through the Day of Pentecost, “Alleluia, alleluia” may be added to the preceding versicle and response.
The officiant says concluding blessing.
The blessings can be found here.
Tips and Resources for Praying the Daily Office
By Rev. Kristen Yates
In last week’s blog post, I introduced the practice of the Daily Office, a wonderful practice to deepen our prayer life and to connect us with others. If you missed that post, you can find it here.
In this week’s post, I would like to provide some tips and resources for engaging this practice. For while it is a helpful and formative practice, it can sometimes feel confusing or cumbersome for the newbie, and the result is that one can try it and quickly abandon it. So don’t do that!
Instead of jumping right into the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) - which contains the Daily Office - or trying to pray all the offices (Morning, Afternoon, Evening, and Compline Prayer) right away, I have some other suggestions.
If you are new to this practice, consider the following resources and suggestions:
Pray Daily Prayer. This is a helpful book that you can purchase here from Christ Church Plano. Pray Daily gives you a taste of the practice and is very easy to follow. The book is divided by the days of the week, and includes 4 times of praying each day. Each prayer pulls from the Book of Common Prayer but is much reduced and only takes about 5 minutes to pray. This is a great place to start, especially if one of your personal goals is to pray multiple times a day. (Also, they now have a Pray Daily for Families listed on this page at the top which might interest you.)
Use this online resource: http://dailyoffice2019.com. This is an online version of the Daily Office that automatically updates the readings and other parts of the Daily Office for you each day and for each office. You can even tailor it a bit; for example, you can choose how quickly you want to read through the Scriptures in a given year or two. You can also share your settings with others if you would like to pray this with others.
Pray the Daily Office Booklet by Anglican Pastor. Every few months, Anglican Pastor offers up a new booklet with all the prayers and Scripture readings for the coming seasons. If you are wanting a hard copy of the prayers and want a modified version that is easy to pray alone, this might just be for you. It will take you a few minutes to figure out out how everything fits together, but it is pretty simple to use. Sign up here to receive downloadable booklets you can print.
Pray with others. One of the best ways to learn this practice is to pray with others. So pray it with your spouse or in your Mission Community or with friends. Also consider joining Mission’s staff as we pray Morning Prayer every Tuesday at 10:15 AM in our church offices.
Pray an audio version of the Daily Office. If you are not able to pray it with others, a good way to “pray with others” is to engage an online audio version. Trinity Mission has a good version of this that is updated each day. (Do note: This version takes about 30-40 minutes each time.)
Don’t try to pray all four offices right away. Start with one and add others as you grow into this practice. For some of you, you will find that you will always just pray one of the offices; for others of you, praying all four will be an enriching experience.
Try some non-Anglican Daily Offices. There are numerous versions out there, but this has been my favorite througout the years: Celtic Daily Prayer (This is an online version but you can also order a book.)
Finally, if you have a copy of the BCP and are wanting to learn how to use it, come see me (Rev. Kristen). It’s take some time to get used to it since you have to flip back and forth between pages , but once you get it, you are good to go. Also, next week, I’ll post Morning and Evening Prayer for you on our blog and I’ll briefly describe the different sections of the prayers.
Spiritual Formation Blog Posts and Resources
At Mission Cincinnati, we blog almost every week on the topic of spiritual formation, discipleship, and soul-training exercises. This page will hold all the links to these posts in case you want to easily find them and re-read them. Enjoy!
You can find a link to this page on Mission’s Discipleship Page.
So here are the posts!
Rhythms of the Christian Life
Establishing Life-Giving Rhythms and Practices
Living Into the Christian Calendar
Learning a New Way to Pray: The Daily Office
Tips and Resources for Praying the Daily Office
Daily Office Prayers
Discipleship
Learning a New Way to Pray: The Daily Office
By the Rev. Kristen Yates
Over the last few weeks, we have been talking about the rhythmic nature of the Christian life. Last week, we talked about the formative nature of living into the Christian Calendar. This week, we want to explore the Daily Office. If you are new to the Anglican tradition, you may be unfamiliar with this spiritual practice, but this is a practice that has been done by Christians for many centuries that has proven to be very helpful and formative. The Daily Office is a way to structure our days so that we incorporate a regular rhythm of prayer and Scripture engagement into our daily lives.
Now, if you come from a Christian tradition that emphasized daily “quiet times” with the Lord, you might initially think that the Daily Office is just another name for a quiet time, but in fact, the Daily Office is something more than that. For while a quiet time is generally more freeform and emerges from what we feel like praying for that day and what Scriptures happen to come to mind, the Daily Office is a much more structured way of praying that incorporates a regular rhythm of Scripture reading, confession, prayers and creeds that have been prayed for centuries, and individual extemporaneous prayers. The Daily Office also includes prayers for the morning, afternoon, evening, and before bedtime.
While the Daily Office may sound overly restrictive and even too impersonal for some of us, it is the very structure that makes it such a rich practice. It is through the structure that the Holy Spirit moves.
For in praying the Daily Office, we are exposed again and again to the truths of who God is and the truths of who we are - truths that we might not be able to articulate so well on our own but truths that become more and more a part of our very being and believing as we repeat them again and again and even begin to memorize them.
In praying the Daily Office, we are exposed to the overarching story of Jesus and the Church as we read carefully curated Scriptures each day. This practice prevents us from just going to our go-to favorite passages and rather exposes us to a broader variety of Scripture, which then helps us have a comprehensive view of God’s redemptive plans in Jesus and of the Christian life.
In praying the Daily Office, we are led to pray not just for ourselves and our individual needs but also for the needs of the Church and the world, moving our daily prayers away from self-centeredness to God-centeredness and other-centeredness. Our prayers become far more rich and comprehensive.
And finally, in praying the Daily Office, we are given a beautiful means to pray communally. It works well in small and large groups, can be especially helpful for those who otherwise feel uncomfortable praying out loud or extemporaneously, and is even a communal practice when prayed alone in the comfort of one’s home for there are always countless other Christians around the country and world who are praying these same prayers.
So consider trying the Daily Office! Next week, I’ll give you some resources and tips for praying the Daily Office. In the meantime, try this online resource: https://www.dailyoffice2019.com
Living into the Christian Calendar
By the Rev. Kristen Yates
Last week, I began a series of posts speaking about the rhythmic nature of the Christian life, and today I would like to specifically talk about the Christian Calendar. I am not going to go into the history per se of its creation and adoption, but I will:
briefly outline the nature of each season,
explain why I believe the calendar is a helpful aspect of our spiritual formation,
and give you some ways to engage the calendar in your walk with Christ.
The Seasons
For a great overview video of the seasons, check this out:
Advent, the first season, begins in December and consists of 4 Sundays which lead up to Christmas. The season of Advent is characterized by longing, waiting, and hope as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus and as we wait for his Second Coming. Because we reflect on the injustices of the world and the things that are not right in our life, Advent is actually a penitential season, and thus the color of the season is purple. The character of this season certainly stands in contrast to the extended Christmas season that our culture pushes, but by walking through Advent, we are much more prepared to truly enter into the full joy and celebratory nature of Christmas.
Christmas, the second season whose color is white, occurs over a period of twelve days starting on December 25th, and is the time of year we celebrate Jesus’ birth. It is a truly joyous time of feasting and celebration, and because it a season that holds such Good News, it is good for Christians to find ways to keep the celebration going for its whole length.
Epiphanytide, the third season whose color is green (also considered part of Ordinary Time), begins on January 6th, the Epiphany, the day when we recall the Magi finally arriving in Bethlehem to bring their gifts to Jesus. The word epiphany means an unveiling, a revealing, and so during this season of the Christian calendar, we spend time reflecting on the nature of God, allowing the Scriptures to reveal Jesus in his fullness. For Jesus was more than a good man who came to earth, but he was in fact God-made-flesh who came to this world to redeem it.
Lent, the fourth season, is a one that lasts 40 days, echoing the 40 days that the Israelites were in the desert and the 40 days that Jesus was tempted in the desert. It is a penitential season leading up to Easter; thus again, its color is purple. During this season, we reflect deeply on the ways we fail to love God and neighbor and how we turn from God, disobeying him and embracing life choices that are in stark contrast to God’s good designs and desires for us. It is a season of penitence, letting go, abstinence, self-reflection, confession, and prayers for God’s forgiveness and help. It is by walking through Lent that we are able to grasp the full meaning and joy of the Easter season that follows it.
Easter, the fifth season whose color is white, is the longest season of the Christian Calendar (that is excluding Ordinary Time). It lasts for 50 whole days, starting on Easter Sunday, which is the most important day in the entire year. During Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the redemption of the world. Since the Resurrection of Jesus is the greatest news the world has ever seen, it necessitates that the Church engage in an extended time of feasting and celebrating.
Pentecost, the sixth season whose color is red, follows on the heels of Easter and takes up the story of the Church. Whereas the first five seasons focused on the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the season of Pentecost focuses on the life of the Church. It begins with Pentecost Sunday, which commemorates the giving of the Holy Spirit to believers so that they might go forth into the world, extending God’s Good News to the ends of the earth. During Pentecost, we remember who we are in Christ, how God has empowered us, and how we are to be sent out into the world to be Jesus’ hands and feet.
Ordinary Time, the final season, whose color is green, wraps up the Christian calendar and lasts until the beginning of a new Advent. In this season, there is not the unique emphases of the other seasons, but during this time, the Church continues to reflect on all that Jesus said and did, as well as on the instructions that the apostles gave to the first believers in the Church. This reflection time gives opportunity for believers to consider how the truth of their faith shapes them and guides them as they live in the very ordinary details of their everyday lives.
Why is walking through the Christian Calendar helpful to our walk in Christ?
I believe that walking through the Christian Calendar is helpful to our growth in Christ because it helps us to see the whole story of Jesus and the Church each year, rather than letting us get stuck on a few favorite parts of the Scriptures or on our favorite Biblical emphases, which we are all prone to do. It is important that we are shaped by the whole story.
It also gives us opportunities to feast and to fast, to laugh and to cry, to celebrate God’s love for us and to also recognize our brokenness. It would do us no good, for example, if when we came to church, we always sang joyful, celebratory songs. For we also need times to lament of the brokenness of this world and ourselves. We also need times of self-reflection and penitence.
The seasons of the Christian Calendar allow us to worship God while giving voice to all the emotions that life evokes and by naming the true realities of ourselves and our world.
Additionally, the alternating times of feasting and fasting, and celebrating and lamenting in these seasons, give us opportunities to truly celebrate when we come to the feasting days and seasons.
For if we always feast, there is then nothing very special or truly celebratory about any of our feasting. These “feasts” are just part of our normal routine and they don’t necessary evoke a sense of joy, thankfulness, or worship in us. If, however, we fast before we feast and lament before we celebrate, then we can truly experience what feasting and celebration is meant to be.
For example, if we spend the season of Lent fasting, being truly self-reflective and penitent, and understanding why Jesus had to be crucified, then when Easter comes, we then can truly recognize what good news the Resurrection is. This Good News will then awaken true joy, thankfulness, and celebration in us in a much more meaningful and powerful way. And when we feast, we will truly feast!
So how do I practice the seasons of the Christian Calendar?
If you are a member of the Mission Cincinnati, then you are already practicing these seasons when you come to corporate worship each week.
There are, however, some things that you can do on your own, as well.
First, you can purchase a Christian Calendar or find one online, which will remind you of the seasons and the special days (and heroes and heroines of the faith) that are celebrated in each season. I recommend these resources:
Second, you can read through the lectionary, Bible passages assigned each day that will help you enter into the overarching story of God’s love and redemptive plans. I’ll talk about this more next week when I talk about the Daily Office.
Third, you can engage in particular practices on your own that will help you engage with each season more deeply. I won’t write about them here, but will write about them as our church community enters into each new season.
As we are currently in the season of Epiphanytide, my suggestion for you would be spend this season slowly reading through (or listening to) one of the Gospels and really wrestling with it.
My prayer for you as you engage this exercise is that God would reveal Jesus to you in new, fresh ways, so that you would see Jesus anew, perhaps in a fuller and clearer way than you have before.
Well, A Blessed Epiphanytide to you friends. May Christ reveal himself to you more and more as you walk through the Christian Calendar this year.
An Update from Angie from the Middle East
Did you know we support a missionary in the Middle East? Well, we do! Here’s Angie’s most recent update to our Mission Cincinnati family. Angie writes:
Hi, from the Arab world!
God has been doing such amazing things during my 6 months of travel around the Arab World. The Middle East is a very diverse region, which includes Arabs, Turks, Kurds, Bedouins, etc.! Though I've worked with Turks and Kurds for the past 4 years, this the first year I have been able to interact with Arabs in a deep and meaningful way. I am convinced the Father's love for Arabs is so special!
One of my Arab friends that I have connected to through my 3 months in the Arab Gulf region is named Sarah.
Sarah and I have been able to grow a beautiful friendship throughout my travels. She comes from a very wealthy, religiously conservative Muslim family. I am one of only two followers of Jesus she knows, and I feel privileged that she feels comfortable enough to talk with me about the struggles of life and faith. Sarah is searching for meaning, and I feel the Kingdom of God has come near to her! Pray for her as I feel she will soon come to believe Jesus to be the way to God and join our Family!
The next 2.5 months will be spent in Lebanon. Myself and a team of 5 others from Egypt, China, America, and Lebanon have been given amazing opportunities to do discipleship trainings at local fellowships, as well as to serve Syrian and Iraqi refugees within the country. We will be living near refugee camps, both distributing aid and getting to know families that live there.
I am looking forward to seeing God's Kingdom come in power to those that are most vulnerable in this time in history. The testimonies I have already heard of healings, miracles, and true joy being found by people living in the camps is exciting!
Please pray for my team and I, that we would be united in heart and purpose to see His Kingdom in Lebanon! And if you'd like to be on my quarterly email update, ask Kristen for my email address!
Thank you for all your prayers! Many blessings to you all, my Mission Cincinnati family!
Establishing Life-Giving Rhythms and Practices This Year
By the Rev. Kristen Yates (modified from its original post in The Vine and the Way)
Christians by nature are a profoundly rhythmic people. So were their Jewish ancestors.
Perhaps, it is just because nature itself is rhythmic. When God established the heavens and earth, He imbedded rhythms into the created order. All throughout creation, we find patterns of productivity and rest. Plants, animals, fungi, and even bacteria have circadian rhythms, biological processes that display an oscillation of activity over a 24-hour period.
If we look further outward, we find that the earth itself experiences rhythms due to its rotations around its bent axis and its rotation around the sun, resulting in periods of day and night and seasons throughout the year. Depending on the time of day and the season of the year, organisms will go between more productive times and more quiet times.
So it is not surprising that like the Creation itself, Christians, find themselves living into life-giving rhythms of productivity and Sabbath, as well as rhythms of prayer and work; joy and lament; feasting and fasting; celebrating and abstaining; community and solitude; and activism and stillness.
For centuries, Christians and their Jewish forbearers, have structured their weeks in response to God’s call to be co-creators with Him for six days of week and on the seventh day to rest and worship and delight in Him.
They have also structured their days so as to integrate regular prayer into their work, eating, rest, and play.
Since the earliest times, Christians have also structured their years around feast days and celebrations – days throughout the year that help them regularly walk through the life and death of Jesus Christ and the early days of the Church as the Good News of Jesus began to spread.
In addition to all this, Christians have naturally found themselves ebbing and flowing into different seasons of the spiritual life as they have journeyed through the ups and downs of life. As such, they have learned to engage different rhythms and practices of discipleship in each season.
Perhaps, this idea of having rhythms in one’s walk with Jesus is a new concept to you. Or perhaps you are familiar with it, but it has become stale or rote. One way or the other, in this new year, we would love to introduce you to the wonderful practice of establishing life-giving rhythms in your spiritual life and to help you establish such rhythms.
Next week, I’ll write about practicing the Seasons in the Christian Calendar. The following week, I’ll talk about the practice of the Daily Office, and the following week after that, I’ll write about creating a personal Rule of Life (not to worry - this is not about legalisms, but establishing life-giving rhythms for living into what we say we value most.)
May you live into Godly and Life-Giving Rhythms in 2020!