The Bishop's Note is a short weekly message from Bishop Eric Menees where he speaks about an area of Christian belief or practice in furtherance of our mission statement that "we will call and equip laity and clergy to bring people to, and disciple them in, a saving relationship with Jesus Christ." The Bishop's Note is currently going through the 2019 ACNA Book of Common Prayer. 

2019 BCP – Evening Prayer

​Calendar

November 17
Bishop @ Saint John's Porterville

November 24
Bishop @ Jesus our Savior and Grace

November 27-29
Office Closed for Thanksgiving

December 1
Bishop @ Saint Nicholas

December 2-4
Diocesan Clergy Retreat

December 8
Bishop @ Saint Peter's

December 15
Bishop @ Saint Michael's Church Plant

December 22
Bishop @ Epiphany

December 24-26
Office Closed for Christmas

December 31 - January 1
Office Closed for Feast of the Holy Name
Last week in my Bishop’s Note, we completed our examination of the 2019 BCP Service of Morning Prayer. This week, we turn to the service of Evening Prayer.

In essence, the service of Evening Prayer is the mirror image of Morning Prayer in form and structure. However, the prayers appropriately reflect the close of day. What follows is a brief explanation of the differences.
​The Opening Sentences of scripture are different, reflecting the close of the day.
 
The Confession of Sin, Absolution, and Invitatory are the same as in Morning Prayer.
 
In place of the Venite (Psalm 96) we have the Phos Hilaron (O Gladsome Light) which is an ancient hymn originally written and sung in Greek. I can’t think of the Phos Hilaron without hearing the Gregorian chant that we sang at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd in seminary.
 
The appointed psalms and lessons from the lectionary are designed so that the all 150 psalms will be read every 30 or 60 days, depending on the cycle you are on. If one is faithfully doing the offices, the Old Testament is read through on a two-year cycle and the New Testament is read through on a one-year cycle.
 
In between the readings, it is customary to pray the Magnificat (The Song of Mary), or the Nunc Dimittis (Song of Simeon). Again, these Canticles are meant to be sung but are equally powerful when said.
 
The response to the lessons is the same as Morning Prayer with the Apostles Creed. Immediately following the creed are the prayers that begin the same way with the Kyrie and the Lord’s Prayer.
 
The Suffrages for Evening Prayer are the same as Morning Prayer, following western church tradition. We are given the option of following the Eastern tradition of Suffrage which contains the same response to each petition for example:
That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill
​We entreat you, O Lord. 
Following the Suffrages are the collects which begin with the same Collect from the Sunday or Holy Day immediately preceding the day and then a collect for the particular day reflecting different themes, such as Peace, Grace, and Aid Against Perils.

Following the Collects are the Prayers for Mission, which, again are different but follow the same theme. My favorite Prayer for Mission in the evening office reminds me of my daughter who is a nurse working the night shift.
“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.”
Both Morning and Evening Prayer close with the General Thanksgiving and the Prayer of St. John Chrysostom.
I pray that this brief examination of the Morning and Evening Offices has been a blessing to you. Next week we’ll continue our examination of the 2019 BCP with a walk through the Service for Baptism and Confirmation.

May the Lord bless you richly this week as you are faithful in your prayers.

Bishop Menees
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Duties of the Laity
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39 Articles of Religion
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