A VIGIL SERVICE FOR CANDLEMAS
The Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple
click here for an introduction to
Candlemas
NOTES
- This Vigil Service for Candlemas may be used either as a service of preparation for the
Feast, or, when the Feast is transferred to the following Sunday as suggested in the
Calendar, on the Feast itself.
- It is appropriate for a Deacon to bring in the light and sing the Acclamation, to
proclaim the Gospel, and to lead the Prayers of Intercession.
- Readings The number of Readings may be varied according to
circumstances, but at least three are used before the Gospel Reading.
- Hymns Places are indicated for these but they may be sung at other
points or substituted for the Chants after the Readings.
- When a procession is made at the end of the service, the candles should be carried to
the door and then extinguished.
THE SERVICE OF LIGHT
In the darkness, the Presider introduces the service.
The
Lord is my light and my salvation
The Lord is my light and my salvation
The Lord is the strength of my life
The Lord is my light and my salvation
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
The Lord is my light and my salvation
A minister brings in the light, and says
Jesus Christ
is the light of the world
A light no darkness can quench.
While the candles are lit and the light is shared, this hymn is
sung.
O gladsome light of the holy glory of the immortal Father,
Heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ.
Now that we have come to the setting of the sun
and behold the light of evening,
we praise you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
For it is right at all times to worship you
with voices of praise,
O Son of God and giver of life.
Therefore all the world glorifies you.
or
O gladsome light, O grace
Of God the Father's face,
The eternal splendor wearing;
Celestial, holy, blest,
Our Savior Jesus Christ,
Joyful in thine appearing.
Now, ere day fadeth quite,
We see the evening light,
Our wonted hymn outpouring;
Father of might unknown,
Thee, his incarnate Son,
And Holy Spirit adoring.
To thee of right belongs
All praise of holy songs,
O Son of God, Lifegiver;
Thee, therefore, O Most High,
The world doth glorify,
And shall exalt for ever.
When the lights are lit, this ACCLAMATION is made
Let
us give thanks to the Lord our God
He is worthy of all thanksgiving and praise.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, king of the universe:
To you be glory and praise for ever!
For you are our light and our salvation
and we your children wait for your loving kindness
in the midst of your temple.
In your Christ, born of the Virgin Mary,
there has sprung up a light for the righteous
and joyful gladness for those who are faithful.
As we, like Simeon and Anna, welcome him with joy,
presented before us as light of all the world,
may we be filled with his spirit and made a living temple
to the praise and glory of your holy name.
And, as we join our praises with theirs,
grant us a quiet night and a perfect end
now and for ever. Amen.
THIS PSALM may be sung.
I call to you, O Lord; come to
me quickly
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer rise before you as incense.
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord:
keep watch over the door of my lips.
Let not my heart be turned towards evil:
to busy myself with those who do wickedly.
Let my prayer rise before you as incense.
To you, Lord God, I turn my eyes:
I take refuge in you; do not leave me defenceless.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be for ever. Amen.
Let my prayer rise before you as incense.
Presider
Eternal Light, shine into our hearts;
eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil;
eternal Power, be our support;
eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance;
eternal Pity, have mercy on us;
that with all our heart and mind and strength
we may seek your face
and be brought by your infinite mercy
to your holy presence;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE SERVICE OF THE WORD
READING 1
|
Exodus 12:51; 13:2, 11-16
Consecrate to me all the first born |
CHANT
Search the Scriptures, as Christ told us in the gospels.
We find him born in our midst.
Born as a child and bound in swaddling clothes.
We find him born in our midst.
Laid in a manger and fed upon a mother's milk.
We find him born in our midst.
Presented in the temple and carried by Simeon.
We find him born in our midst.
In truth he has appeared in the world.
We find him born in our midst.
COLLECT
O Lord, you have given us your word
for a light to shine upon our path;
grant us so to meditate on that word,
and to follow its teaching,
that we may find in it the light that shines more and more
until the perfect day;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
READING 2
|
Leviticus 12.6-8
The Law of Purification |
CHANT
From the Virgin Mary shines forth Jesus, our Savior.
Sun of Righteousness, our God for ever.
He gives light to those in darkness.
Sun of Righteousness, our God for ever.
Simeon rejoices, in old age carrying
the Redeemer of the world.
Sun of Righteousness, our God for ever.
Anna prophesies in the temple of our God.
Sun of Righteousness, our God for ever.
He is the one who offers and is offered for us.
Sun of Righteousness, our God for ever.
He bestows on us his risen power.
Sun of Righteousness, our God for ever.
COLLECT
Almighty and everlasting God,
you have stooped to raise fallen humanity
by the child-bearing of blessed Mary;
grant that we who have seen your glory
revealed in our human nature,
and your love made perfect in our weakness,
may daily be renewed in your image,
and conformed to the pattern of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
READING 3
|
Isaiah 6.1-8
I saw the Lord, and his train filled the temple |
CANTICLE
|
A Song of Redemption
Colossians 1.13-20 |
- The Father has delivered us from the dominion of darkness:
And transferred us to the Kingdom of his beloved Son.
- In whom we have redemption:
The forgiveness of our sins.
- He is the image of the invisible God:
The first born of all creation.
- For in him all things were created:
In heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.
- All things were created through him and for him:
He is before all things and in him all things hold together.
- He is the head of the body, the Church:
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead.
- For it pleased God that in him all fullness should dwell:
And through him all things be reconciled to himself.
Glory to the Father, and to the
Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be for ever. Amen.
COLLECT
Lord God almighty,
you have given us the vision of your holiness,
and thereby of our own unworthiness to be your witnesses;
touch, we pray, our lips with your cleansing fire;
that so cleansed and hallowed, we may go out into the world
with the authority of your commission;
for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
READING 4
|
Isaiah 19.1-4,19-21
In that day the Egyptians will worship. |
CHANT
Simeon takes in his arms the Lord of glory.
Now am I set free, for I have beheld my Savior.
The heavenly God in mortal flesh.
Now am I set free, for I have beheld my Savior.
He who speaks through the prophets.
Now am I set free, for I have beheld my Savior.
Offering himself for us, in his own dwelling place.
Now am I set free, for I have beheld my Savior.
He is fearful to all, yet his mercy knows no bounds.
Now am I set free, for I have beheld my Savior.
COLLECT
O God,
by whose command the order of time runs its course;
forgive our impatience, perfect our faith,
and, while we wait for the fulfillment of your promises,
grant us to have a good hope because of your word;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
READING 5
|
Haggai 2.1-9
I will fill this house with splendor. |
CHANT
Zion, adorn the bridal chamber,
Welcome Christ the King of glory.
Mary, the Virgin mother, has borne in the flesh
the king of eternity.
Welcome Christ the King of glory.
He comes to earth and appears in the temple.
Welcome Christ the King of glory.
As a sword, his words are sharp with judgment.
Welcome Christ the King of glory.
Praise to the Lord Christ Jesus, giver of life.
Welcome Christ the King of glory.
COLLECT
O God, who in the work of creation
commanded the light to shine out of darkness:
we pray that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
may shine into the hearts of all your people,
dispelling the darkness of ignorance and unbelief,
and revealing to them the knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
READING 6
|
Hebrews 10.1-10
We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ. |
PSALM 40.8-13
- Sacrifice and offering you do not desire:
but my ears you have marked for obedience.
- Burnt offering and sin you have not required:
then said I, lo I come.
- In the scroll of the book it is written of me
that I should do your will:
O my God, I long to do it, your law delights my heart.
- I have declared your righteousness
in the great congregation:
I have not restrained my lips, O Lord,
and that you know.
- I have not hidden your righteousness in my heart:
I have spoken of your faithfulness and of your salvation.
- I have not kept back your loving-kindness
and your truth:
from the great congregation.
The Gospel Reading is introduced by the Minister with this
Acclamation.
We proclaim not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord
And ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
For the God who said 'Let light shine out of darkness'
Has caused his light to shine within us.
To give the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God
In the face of Jesus Christ.
Hear the words of the Gospel according to Luke
Glory to Christ our Savior.
|
THE GOSPEL READING |
Luke 2.22-40
The Presentation in the Temple. |
After the Gospel, the Reader says
This is the Gospel of Christ.
Praise to Christ, our Lord.
AN ADDRESS or HOMILY may be given
THE PRAYERS
Prayers of penitence and intercession may be offered in this or
any suitable form. Any Biddings should precede this litany which is then said without
interpolation.
In peace let us pray to the Lord
By the mystery of the Word made flesh
Good Lord, deliver us.
By the birth in time of the timeless Son of God
Good Lord, deliver us.
By the baptism of the Son of God in the river Jordan
Good Lord, deliver us. .
For the kingdoms of this world,
that they may become the Kingdom of our Lord and Christ
We pray to you, O Lord.
For your holy, catholic and apostolic Church,
that it may be one
We pray to you, O Lord .
For the witness of your faithful people,
that they may be lights in the world
We pray to you, O Lord .
For the poor, the persecuted, the sick and all who suffer; that they may be relieved
and protected
We pray to you, O Lord.
For the aged, for refugees and all in danger,
that they may be strengthened and defended
We pray to you, O Lord .
For those who walk in darkness and in the shadow of death,
that they may come to your eternal light
We pray to you, O Lord.
|
Presider |
Father, source of light and life,
Grant the prayers of your faithful people,
and fill the world with your glory,
through Christ our Lord. Amen. |
THE CONCLUSION
THE CANTICLE
During this Canticle a procession may be made to the doors of the
church.
THE SONG OF SIMEON: Nunc Dimittis
Luke 2.29-32
A light to lighten the nations
and the glory of your people Israel
Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.
A light to lighten the nations
and the glory of your people Israel
My own eyes have seen the salvation:
which you have prepared in the sight of every people.
A light to lighten the nations
and the glory of your people Israel
A light to reveal you to the nations:
and the glory of your people Israel.
A light to lighten the nations
and the glory of your people Israel
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be for ever. Amen.
A light to lighten the nations
and the glory of your people Israel
or
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace:
according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation;
which thou hast prepared before the face of all people.
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles;
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father;
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be:
world without end. Amen.
THE COLLECT
Presider
Almighty Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ was presented in the Temple
and acclaimed the glory of Israel
and the light of the nations:
grant that in him we may be presented to you
and in the world may reflect his glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE BLESSING AND DISMISSAL
Let us bless the living God:
He was born of the Virgin Mary
Revealed in his glory
Worshipped by angels
Proclaimed among the nations
Believed in throughout the world
Exalted to the highest heavens.
Blessed be God, our strength and our salvation
Now and for ever. Amen.
