Extracts from A Prayer Book for Australia
A Service of the Light
1 Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can extinguish.
2This or a similar hymn is said or sung.
Hail, gladdening Light, of his pure glory poured
Who is the immortal Father, heavenly, blest,
Holiest of Holies, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest,
The lights of evening round us shine,
We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine.
Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung
With undefiled tongue,
Son of our God, giver of life, alone!
Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.
3The minister says or sings
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
One of the following Thanksgivings is said.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe!
You led your people Israel by a pillar of cloud by day
and a pillar of fire by night.
Enlighten our darkness by the light of your Christ.
May his word be a lamp to our feet
and a light to our path;
for you are full of loving kindness for your whole creation,
and we, your creatures, glorify you,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. †
We praise and thank you, O God,
for you are without beginning and without end.
Through Christ you are the creator and preserver
of the whole world;
but, above all, you are his God and Father,
the giver of the Spirit,
and the ruler of all that is, seen and unseen.
You made the day for the works of light
and the night for the refreshment of our minds and bodies.
O loving Lord and source of all that is good,
accept our evening sacrifice of praise.
As you have conducted us through the day
and brought us to night’s beginning,
keep us now in Christ;
grant us a peaceful evening
and a night free from sin;
and, at the end, bring us to everlasting life.
Through Christ and in the Holy Spirit,
we offer you all glory, honour, and worship,
now and for ever. Amen. †
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe,
creator of light and darkness.
In this holy season,
you renew your promise to reveal among us
the splendour of your glory,
enfleshed and visible to us in Jesus Christ your Son.
Through the prophets
you teach us to hope for his reign of peace.
Through the outpouring of his Spirit,
you open our blindness to the glory of his presence.
Strengthen us in our weakness.
Support us in our stumbling efforts to do your will
and free our tongues to sing your praise.
For to you all honour and blessing are due,
now and for ever. Amen. †
Blessed are you, Lord our God,
our eternal Father and David’s king.
You have made our gladness greater and increased our joy
by sending to dwell among us
the Wonderful Counsellor, the Prince of Peace.
Born of Mary,
proclaimed to the shepherds,
and acknowledged to the ends of the earth,
your unconquered Sun of righteousness
destroys our darkness and establishes us in freedom.
All glory in the highest be to you,
through Christ, the Son of your favour,
in the anointing love of his Spirit,
this night and for ever and ever. Amen. †
Blessed are you, O Lord our God,
the shepherd of Israel,
their pillar of cloud by day,
their pillar of fire by night.
In these forty days you lead us
into the desert of repentance
that in this pilgrimage of prayer
we might learn to be your people once more.
In fasting and service
you bring us back to your heart.
You open our eyes to your presence in the world
and you free our hands to lead others
to the radiant splendour of your mercy.
Be with us in these journey days
for without you we are lost and will perish.
To you alone be dominion and glory,
for ever and ever. Amen. †
We praise and thank you, O God our Father,
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through him you have enlightened us
by revealing the light that never fades,
for dark death has been destroyed
and radiant life is everywhere restored.
What was promised is fulfilled:
we have been joined to God,
through renewed life in the Spirit of the risen Lord.
Glory and praise to you, our Father,
through Jesus your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Spirit,
in the kingdom of light eternal,
for ever and ever. Amen. †
4This selection from Psalm 141 may be said.
Let my prayer rise before you as incense,
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly;
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord,
and guard the door of my lips.
Let my prayer rise before you as incense,
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Let not my heart incline to any evil thing;
let me not be occupied in wickedness.
But my eyes are turned to you, Lord God,
in you I take refuge;
do not leave me defenceless.
Let my prayer rise before you as incense,
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
5Evening Prayer continues with the prayer at ¶ 3.
1 Before the Service of the Light begins, there should be as little artificial light in the church building as possible. When the ministers have entered, the Paschal candle or another candle is lit, or the ministers may carry one or more candles as they enter the building.
From Easter to Pentecost, the Paschal candle may be burning in its customary place.
An Advent wreath may be used during the Advent season in conjunction with this service.
2 When the service is used in houses or other settings, the candle may be lit at the meal table or some other suitable place.
3 During the singing of the hymn, Hail, gladdening light (Phos Hilaron), other candles and lights may be lit.
4 On Saturday evening, this service may conclude with the next day’s collect and readings, followed by a canticle.
† Copyright © 1979 by G.I.A. Publications, Inc., Chicago, Illinois. All rights reserved.