Saturday Evening Worship: Unfailing Light

Sunset in the North Carolina Mountains

“The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.”

Sometimes the Spirit gathers us in the evening, at the close of day. For St. Mark’s, this evening gathering happens on Saturdays.

Our Saturday service is sometimes referred to as St. Mark’s “contemporary” service, but that ambiguous term means different things to different people. At St. Mark’s, “contemporary” refers to modern hymns played on the piano – most of which would be equally suitable for our Sunday morning worship. Songs are typically drawn from Evangelical Lutheran Worship and Worship and Praise – Augsburg Fortress’ contemporary songbook that was released in 1999. Additional songs come from a variety of other sources.

We have been slowly introducing a setting of Holy Communion written specifically for this time of day. “Unfailing Light” is the title with music by Marty Haugen and several original texts by Susan Briehl.  Especially in the gathering and sending, this setting draws images from scripture that invoke eventide.

With texts like “Your canopy of vigil lights, each star you set in place, bestows a blessing on the night. . .” and “let coyote howl and night hawk circle while solemn owl her wise watch keeps,” we are presented with comforting images of the approaching night.

Lighting candles for Evening Prayer - All Saint's Chapel, University of the South
Sewanee, Tennessee

The service also reminds us of the story of the two disciples who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus. (“Stay with us, for it is evening. . .”) As it was for those disciples, bread is broken, and we are nourished.

When you can’t come to church on Sunday, please remember that we have this Saturday service on the first and third Saturdays of each month at 5:30 p.m. The mood is a little more casual, but we hear the same readings, pray the same prayers, and eat and drink at the same table.  You won’t find anything lacking.

Please join us. . .and bring a friend. 

Evening Prayer at St. Mark's