Welcome to the first Lady Chapel evensong. Evensong is an Episcopal / Anglican service of evening prayer that follows a set order of hymns, psalms, readings, and prayers.

If you want to follow along in the Book of Common Prayer, we’re on page 117. Or you can follow the order of service on the lady chapel Substack. This might be really new to some of you, so feel free to ask questions if you want! Glad you are here :) - Allie

Order of Service for Evensong

A brief welcome from my daughter

Opening Responses

Evening Hymn: O Gracious Light (Phos hilaron)

The Psalm

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, then we were 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 Lord has done great things for them. “

4 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed.

5 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses of the Negev

6 Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy.

7 Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves. (Psalm 126)

The Lesson

A Reading from the second letter to Peter

Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.

Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. (2 Peter 3:8-15a)

The Song of Mary (Magnificat): Lifting Up the Lowly

The Apostles’ Creed

The Lord’s Prayer

A Collect for Advent by Rev. Claire Brown

O God in whom we live and move and have our being, will you also hold our waiting? Give us the grace and grit to keep watch for your presence; renew in us your love and freedom in the coming of your Son Jesus Christ; in whom with you and the Holy Spirit we entrust all our hearts and hopes. Amen.

A hymn is sung. Intercessions can be offered aloud or in silence.

Closing Responses

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Rev. Claire Brown of St. Paul’s Athens, TN wrote our collect for Advent. You can learn more about her here. Be sure to check out her Advent devotional, Keep Watch With Me.

This podcast was mixed by Meg Settle and mastered by Edsel Holden. It was recorded at the downtown branch of the Chattanooga Public Library.

Thank you to Chase Floyd for playing guitar and harmonica on O Gracious Light and Lifting Up the Lowly.

Thank you to Rev. Claire Brown, Rev. Dr. Zac Settle, Rev. Murdock Jones, Rev. Casey Andrew Perkins, and Chase Floyd for sharing your beautiful voices in this service.

Thank you to Mary Erskine for notating these charts.

One final note: the liturgical nerds will notice some pieces of the service missing - I’m working on it. You can pray for my soul in the meantime :)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ladychapel.substack.com