Evening Prayer in Lent | First English Lutheran Church

We join together for Evening Prayer in Lent on Wednesdays, February 25, March 4, 11, 18, 26 at 7 pm onsite and online on YouTube.

Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday, is the Christian season of spring, of returning to God, ourselves, and our neighbors. It’s a time of repentance and renewal. Lent is traditionally 40 days, not counting Sundays, which is always a celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

Evening Prayer, or Vespers, is an ancient form of daily prayer and is part of the historic Liturgy of the Hours, or Divine Office. This was a daily prayer practice developed in religious communities that gathered for prayer at various hours throughout the day. Each of these liturgies makes use of psalms, Scripture readings, Gospel canticles, and prayers. They do not have preaching and are separate from the eucharistic liturgy. The musical setting we use this season is by Marty Haugen and is called Holden Evening Prayer. It was composed in response to gatherings at Holden Village, a retreat and service center located in the North Cascade Mountains of Washington state.

Evening Prayer uses the symbol of Christ as the light that shines in the darkness as the sun is setting and the dark of night begins. It uses Psalm 141 for the first psalm, and the Song of Mary (Magnificat) for the Gospel canticle.

RESOURCES BELOW:

Invitation to Lent

FAQs about & Spiritual Practices for Lent