Evensong

The service of Evening Prayer was developed by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556) for the first English Book of Common Prayer. He combined elements of the ancient monastic offices of Vespers and Compline into a single service, as part of a simplified daily discipline intended for use by clergy and lay people alike.  Musical settings of the service developed in royal and university chapels and cathedral choirs of Renaissance England give rise to a uniquely Anglican worship tradition.

Evensong at All Saints is celebrated on the first Sunday of every month at the 5:30 pm service.  The Evensong Choir is made up of singers from the All Saints choir as well as vocalists from the wider community who love this music. The service begins with chanting and the lighting of candles in an ancient tradition of Christian worship.  This is followed by the chanting of a psalm in the medieval plainchant style, readings from the bible and a brief meditation on the scriptures, and silent meditation, interspersed with canticles and an anthem sung by the choir   The service concludes with prayers for the church and the world, and for our own necessities, and a congregational hymn.

The congregation is invited to join the choir in chanting the psalm and the responses at the Greeting, the Lucernarium, and the Prayers, as well as singing the Lord’s Prayer and the closing hymn.

If you are interested in singing with the Evensong Choir, call Music Director Dr. Jean Widaman at 624-3883, extension 21.

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