Here is the Selah sequence from 2007’s Selah Service at St. Aidan’s church on Camano Island, Washington on the evening of the Summer Solstice. The church traditional Vespers service which usually begins at 7PM was a good foundation to build on for this service…
A Vespers Selah Service ~ 6.20.2007
CIRCLE ME (Johnson) Solo
Circle me, O God, let Your arms enfold me,
Circle me, O God, let Your love surround.
Circle me, O God, let Your light shine brightly,
Circle me, Circle me, O God.
Circle me, O God, when I’m weak and weary,
Circle me, O God, when despair is near.
Circle me, O God, let Your peace surround me,
Circle me, Circle me, O God.
Circle me, O God, when I’m tired and restless,
Circle me, O God, be my hope, my strength.
Circle me, O God, let Your presence guide me,
Circle me, Circle me, O God.
PROCLAMATION
Leader: Light and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
DON’T BE AFRAID (Iona Community) All sing
Don’t be afraid,
My love is stronger,
My love is stronger than your fear.
Don’t be afraid,
My love is stronger,
For I have promised,
Promised to be always near.
IN GOD ALONE (Taizé) All sing
In God alone my soul can find rest and peace,
In God my peace and joy.
Only in God my soul can find it’s rest,
Find it’s rest and peace.
FROM PSALM 139
Lord, you have searched me out and known me;
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You trace my journeys and my resting-places
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Indeed, there is not a word on my lips,
but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
You press upon me behind and before
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain to it.
Where can I go then from your Spirit?
where can I flee from your presence?
If I climb up to heaven, you are there;
if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there your hand will lead me
and your right hand hold me fast.
If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will cover me,
and the light around me turn to night’,
Darkness is not dark to you;
the night is as bright as the day;
darkness and light to you are both alike.
STAY WITH US (Taizé) All sing
Stay with us O Lord Jesus Christ,
Night will soon fall.
Then stay with us, O Lord Jesus Christ,
Light in our darkness.
EVEN IF (Johnson) Instrumental
DOXOLOGY (Bourgeois / Ken) All sing
All praise to thee, my God, this night
for all the blessings of the light.
Keep me, oh keep me, King of Kings,
beneath Thine own almighty wings.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
GREATER (Moss) All sing
Father become greater, greater,
So we become less.
You are the King of all that is holy. Amen.
Jesus become greater, greater,
So we become less.
You are the Way of all that is worthy. Amen.
Spirit become greater, greater,
So we become less.
You are the breath of all that is living. Amen
FROM 2 CORINTHIANS 4
It is not ourselves that we proclaim; we proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants, for Jesus’ sake. For the same God who said, “Out of darkness let light shine,” has caused his light to shine within us, to give the light of revelation — the revelation of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
OUR DARKNESS (Taizé) All sing
Our darkness is never darkness in Your sight:
The deepest night is clear as the daylight.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
followed by SILENT PRAYER
PIPE ORGAN SOLO (JS Bach)
KYRIE / I CALL TO YOU (Ronning/Johnson) Solo
Kyrie eleison,
Christe eleison,
Dona nobis pacem.
When my eyes cannot see,
And my heart cannot feel,
When my soul longs for mercy,
I call to You.
Take my eyes, take my heart,
Take my soul – make they whole.
I am lost if You won’t hear my prayer.
Kyrie eleison,
Christe eleison,
Dona nobis pacem.
CREATOR OF THE STARRY HEIGHT
(7th Century) All sing
Creator of the starry height,
Thy people’s everlasting Light;
Jesu, Redeemer, save us all,
And hear thy servants when they call.
At Thy great name, exalted now,
All knees in lowly homage bow;
All things in heaven and earth adore,
And own Thee King forever more.
To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Praise, honor, might and glory be,
From age to age eternally. Amen.
LIVE IN CHARITY / UBI CARITAS (Taizé) All
Live in charity and steadfast love,
Live in charity;
God will dwell with you.
Ubi caritas et amor,
Ubi caritas,
Deus ibi est.
FROM MATTHEW 5
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one lights a lamp to put it under a bucket, but on a lamp-stand where it gives light for everyone in the house. And you, like the lamp, must shed light among your fellow men, so that they may see the good you do, and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
BENEDICTION (Johnson) All sing
May your heart find grace,
May your soul know peace,
May your mind be renewed.
And may your eyes see the light,
May your ears hear the glory,
Of Jesus Christ in our midst.
CLOSING PRAYER (Newell)
I lie down this night with God
And God will lie down with me.
I lie down this night with Christ
And Christ will lie down with me.
I lie down this night with the Spirit
And the Spirit will lie down with me.
The Three of my love
will be lying down with me.
I shall not lie down with sin
Nor shall sin or sin’s shadow
lie down with me.
I lie down this night with God
And God will lie down with me.
ALLELUIA (Gouzes) All sing
~
Musicians:
Jeff Johnson: Keys & voice
Gwen Franz: Viola
Billie Jensen: Pipe organ
Steve Jensen: Voice
Hailey Johnson: Voice
