Celtic

Evening
Prayer

From Canon Pat Robson,

A Celtic Liturgy (London: SPCK, 2000)
(Adapted by the Rev. Dr. Chris McMullen)

Parish of the Upper Kennebecasis

Anglican Diocese of Fredericton
May 13, 2020
 (Tenth Page) A Celtic Evening Prayer Liturgy
I bind unto myself today (Adapted from Canon Pat Robson, A Celtic Liturgy (London: SPCK, 2000)
The power of God to hold and heal;
His eye to watch, his might to stay, Call to Worship
His ear to hearken to my weal. The evening mist rises from the ground to refresh our souls.
The wisdom of my God to teach, The birds cease their songs.
His hand to guide, his shield to ward; And in the darkening shadows of night,
The Word of God to give me speech, We come together in prayer.
His heavenly host to be my guard. Let us worship the Lord.
O Christ, be with me, Christ within me, All praise to his name!
Christ behind me, Christ before; For the joys and blessings of this day,
O Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Let us worship the Lord.
Christ to comfort, and restore! All praise to his name!
For our Lord Jesus Christ who brought light to the world,
O Christ, beneath me, Christ above me,
Let us worship the Lord.
Christ at my left, and Christ my right;
May we walk in his name.
Christ in the heart of all who meet me,
(Pat Robson, A Celtic Liturgy, p. 23)
Christ in my hearing and Christ in my sight!
I bind unto myself this night
Hymn of Praise
The strong name of the Trinity: “Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness”
By invocation of the same,
The three-in-one and one-in-three. Praise the one who breaks the darkness
With a liberating light.
“St. Patrick’s Breastplate”, tr. Cecil Frances Alexander, 1889
Adapted for the tune “Candler” by the Rev. Dr. Chris McMullen, Praise the one who frees the prisoners,
With assistance from David Mitchell, 2004. Turning blindness into sight.
Blessing and Benediction Praise the one who preached the Gospel,
Healing every dread disease,
Deep peace of the running wave to you; Calming storms and feeding thousands
Deep peace of the flowing air to you; With the very bread of peace.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you;
Deep peace of the shining stars to you; Praise the one who blessed the children
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you. With a strong yet gentle word.
(From the Iona Community, as in Robson, A Celtic Liturgy, p. 35)
Praise the one who drove out demons
With a piercing two-edged sword.
Lord may we be wakeful; at sunrise, Praise the one who brings cool water
To begin a new day for you; To the desert's burning sand.
Cheerful at sunset, From this well comes living water,
Having done our work for you. Quenching thirst in every land.
Thankful at moonrise, and under starshine,
For the beauty of your universe; Praise the one true love incarnate:
And adding what little we may in us Christ who suffered in our place.
To the beauty of your great world. Amen. Jesus died and rose for many
That we may know God by grace.
(The Abbot of Greve, Tuscany, 12th c.
Adapted from Robson, A Celtic Liturgy, pp. 35 f.) (Continued…)
 (Ninth Page) (Second Page)
The Lord’s Prayer Let us sing for joy and gladness,
Seeing what our God has done.
“Millennium Prayer”
Praise the one redeeming glory,
(Syllables carried for two notes are underlined)
Praise the One who makes us one.
Our Father who art in heaven Rusty Edwards, © 1987 Hope Publishing Company
Hallowed be thy name! Used with permission, CCLI # 3117248
Thy kingdom, come, thy will be done, Prayer of Confession and Invocation
On earth as in heaven. The light shines in the darkness,
Give us today our daily bread and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5)
And forgive our sins The darkness in our lives brings us grief,
As we forgive each one of those And our sins are heavy to bear.
Who sins against us. Hear what our Lord says:
And lead us not to the time of trial “Come to me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden,
And I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
But deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom, When Christ came on earth
The power and the glory. He lived as a man who knew both hardship and despair.
He knows our need.
Paul Field and David Deal © 1998 Meadowgreen Music Ltd.
Come to him now and lay your burdens at his feet,
Used with permission, CCLI # 3117248
And confess those sins of which you are ashamed.
Hymn of Dedication:
Eternal King and Father of all,
“I Bind Unto Myself Today” In our pride and weakness we have failed you,
I bind unto myself This night And we are truly sorry.
The strong name of the Trinity: We are ashamed that through our own fault
By invocation of the same, We have brought darkness and misery into the world.
The three-in-one and one-in-three. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ,
Our Saviour, who died for us,
I bind unto myself this night
Forgive us our sins.
My faith in Jesus, God become man;
Illumine the dark corners of our loves
Baptized and tried and crucified,
With your Spirit of light,
Arisen; reigning; glorified!
And kindle once more
I bind unto myself the power The flame of love in our hearts. Amen.
Of all God's angels in heaven above;
Eternal God,
Christ's sweet “well-done” in judgement hour,
You have lowered the canopy of night
And all who have died in faith and love.
And its gentle shadows cover us with your peace.
I bind unto myself this day May the dews of heaven heal our wounds
The virtues of the star-lit heav'n; And wash the tears from our eyes.
The glorious sun's life-giving ray, And may the burning light of Christ
The whiteness of the moon at even. Banish for every the darkness from our souls,
(Continued…) That we may be at peace. Amen.
(Robson, A Celtic Liturgy, p. 24)
 (Third Page) (Eighth Page)
Lighting a Christ-Candle You are the wanderer, you the unfed;
You are the homeless, without a bed.
The people who walked in darkness You are the man driven insane;
Have seen a great Light. (Isaiah 9:2)
You are the child crying in pain.
(A Candle may be lit.)
You are the Other, who comes to us;
Eternal Light, shine in our hearts. When we open to others, you bless in us.
Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil.
(Adapted from David Adam, The Edge of Glory, London: SPCK, 1985;
Eternal power, be our support. in Pat Robson, The Celtic Heart: An Anthology of Prayers and Poems
Eternal wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance. in the Celtic Tradition, London: SPCK, 1998, 2009, pp. 51 f.)
Eternal pity, have mercy on us, We remember:
That with our heart and mind and soul and strength Those who are ill or in pain,
We may seek your face, And who find it hard to get through each day…
And be brought by your infinite mercy Those who are nearing the end of their days on earth…
To your holy presence. (Alcuin of York +804 AD) Those who have been parted by death from the ones they love…
Acclamation Those who have lost the ones they love,
By being parted by misunderstanding and hate…
High King of Heaven, Those who live alone and are desperately lonely…
you created the cosmos according to your delight. Those who are abused and who live their lives in fear and shame…
A place that is safe and pure, filled with the songs of angels. Those for whom there is no food, and are dying from hunger…
Your heaven is like a strong mighty city, which no foe can invade.
With walls as high as mountains. Heavenly Father, be with these,
It is like an open meadow, in which all can move freely. And all who are in distress.
With people arriving from earth, but never leaving. Give us strength to join you in your work,
It is huge, ten times the size of earth! And labour by your side,
So that every creature ever born can find a space. Until your kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven,
Yet it is small, no bigger than a hamlet, And all your children see your glory. Amen.
Where all are friends, and no-one is a stranger. (Adapted from Robson, A Celtic Liturgy, pp. 85 f.)
In the centre is a palace, its walls made of emerald,
And its gates, amethyst,
Prayer of Thanksgiving
And on each gate is hung a golden cross. O Lord and Heavenly Father,
The roof is ruby, We thank you for your compassion towards us,
and at each pinnacle stands an eagle covered in gold, And we trust ourselves into your loving care.
Its eyes of sapphire. Where we are weak, give us strength.
Inside the palace it is always daylight, When we lack faith, fill us with confidence.
And the air is cool, neither hot nor cold; Where we are cold, open opur hearts to your dear Son,
And there is a perfect green lawn, That he may enter and heal our wonds.
With a blue stream running across it. We praise you that Jesus, the Son pf Mary,
At its edge are trees and shrubs, always in blossom; Is always our sweet companion,
White, pink and purple, In joy, in sorrow, in work, and in rest;
Spreading a sweet fragrance everywhere. Now and forever! Amen.
(Continued…) (Adapted from Robson, A Celtic Liturgy, p. 81.)
 (Seventh Page) (Fourth Page)
That, at home or abroad, Round the lawn walks the King
I may always walk in your way. Not dressed in fine robes, but a simple white tunic,
Smiling and embracing everyone he meets.
Lord of my heart,
People from outside are constantly entering the palace,
Give me wisdom to direct me,
Mingling with one another, then returning to their delights.
That, thinking or acting,
Everyone may come to the palace;
I may always discern right from wrong.
And leave, taking with them its perfect joy.
Lord of my heart, In this way the whole of the cosmos is blessed;
Give me courage to strengthen me, Infused with the joy of the King’s own home.
That, amongst friends and enemies,
(From The Celtic Psalter, Scotland, 1025 AD;
I may always proclaim your justice. Robson, A Celtic Liturgy, pp. 26 f., adapted.)
Lord of my heart, Hymn of Faith
Give me trust to console me,
“Spirit of God, Unseen as the Wind”
That, hungry or well-fed,
I may always rely on your mercy. Spirit of God, unseen as the wind,
gentle as is the dove;
Lord of my heart,
teach us the truth and help us believe,
Save me from empty praise,
show us the Saviour's love!
That I may always boast of you.
You spoke to us long, long ago,
Lord of my heart,
gave us the written word;
Save me from worldly wealth,
we read it still, needing its truth
That I may always look to the riches of heaven.
through it God's voice is heard.
Lord of my heart,
Without your help we fail our Lord,
Save me from combative audacity,
we cannot live His way;
That I may always seek your protection.
we need Your power, we need Your strength,
Lord of my heart, following Christ each day.
Save me from opinionated vanity Margaret V. Old (1932-2001) © Common Ground, 1998
That I may always learn of your Word. Used with permission CCLI # 3117248
Heart of my own heart, First Scripture Lesson:
Whatever befall, Genesis 8: 6-17,20-22; 9: 8-17
Rule over my thoughts and feelings, Psalm
Words, actions, and all.
(Ancient Irish acclamation, Psalm 25: 1-10, “The Message”
Adapted from Pat Robson, A Celtic Liturgy, pp. 33 f.) 1-2
My head is high, God, held high;
Prayers of Intercession I’m looking to you, God;
No hangdog skulking for me.
We come to you in prayer, O Lord: 3
I’ve thrown in my lot with you;
You are the caller, you are the poor; You won’t embarrass me, will you?
You are the stranger at our door. Or let my enemies get the best of me?
(Continued…) (Continued…)
 (Fifth Page) (Sixth Page)
Don’t embarrass any of us Sermon:
Who went out on a limb for you.
“Our Vocation of Baptism into the Crucified One”
It’s the traitors who should be humiliated.
4
Show me how you work, God; Hymn of Response:
School me in your ways. God of the sparrow, God of the whale,
5
Take me by the hand; God of the swirling stars:
Lead me down the path of truth. How does the creature say “Awe !”
You are my Savior, aren’t you? How does the creature say “Praise!”?
6
Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, God; God of the earthquake, God of the storm,
Rebuild the ancient landmarks! God of the trumpet blast:
7 How does the creature cry “Woe!”
Forget that I sowed wild oats;
How does the creature cry “Save!”?
Mark me with your sign of love.
Plan only the best for me, God! God of the rainbow, God of the cross,
8 God of the empty grave:
God is fair and just;
How does the creature say “Grace!”
He corrects the misdirected,
How does the creature say “Thanks!”?
Sends them in the right direction.
9
He gives the rejects his hand, God of the hungry, God of the sick,
And leads them step-by-step. God of the prodigal:
10
How does the creature say “Care!”
From now on every road you travel How does the creature say “Life!”?
Will take you to God.
Follow the Covenant signs; God of the neighbour, God of the foe,
Read the charted directions. God of the pruning hook:
How does the creature say “Love!”
Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Spirit Holy: How does the creature say “Peace!”?
Our God above, beside, and within and about us!
God of the ages, God of the hand,
“The Message Bible,” © 1993, 2018, Eugene H. Peterson.
God of the loving heart:
Second Scripture Lesson: How do your children say “Joy!”
How do your children say “Home!”?
I Peter 3: 13-22
Jaroslav J. Vajda, © 1983 GIA Publications Inc.
Prayer for Illumination Used with permission, CCLI # 3117248
Affirmation of Faith
O God, kindle in our hearts within a flame of love:
To you, to our neighbour; Lord of my heart,
Our friends, our foes, our kindred all; Give me a vision to inspire me,
For the brave, for the knave, for the thrall. That, working or resting,
O Son of the loveliest Mary, I may always think of you.
From the lowliest thing that lives,
Lord of my heart,
To the Name that is highest of all!
Give me a light to guide me,
(Scottish Hebrides, 19th c.,
A. Carmichael, Carmina Gadelica # 82, altered.) (Continued…)