Service of Light

The Service of Light from An Order of Worship for the Evening may introduce a variety of liturgies. The Service of Light may serve as a festal introduction to Evening Prayer, with the selection from the Psalter at Evening Prayer following the Phos hilaron. The Service of Light may also begin an evening eucharist, with the salutation and collect of the day following the Phos hilaron. This order of service is used for a eucharist on the Vigil of Pentecost (BCP, p. 227). The BOS also calls for this order of service to be used at a Vigil Eucharist for the Eve of the Baptism of our Lord, the Eve of All Saints’ Day or All Saints’ Sunday, or the Eve of Baptism. The BOS notes that the Service of Light introduces services for New Year’s Eve and All Hallows’ Eve. It also may introduce Advent and Christmas Festivals of Lessons and Music. The short lesson of scripture may be omitted when one or more scripture lessons are to be read later in the service (BCP, p. 143).

The term may indicate the opening section of An Order of Worship for the Evening (BCP, pp. 109-114). This Service of Light includes the entrance of the ministers into the darkened church, the opening acclamation or greeting, a short lesson of scripture, a prayer for light, the lighting of the candles, and the singing of the Phos hilaron (O Gracious Light). The Phos hilaronis the ancient candle-lighting hymn of the church. It has been associated with the use of incense. An appropriate anthem or psalm may be sung during the candle-lighting, or silence may be kept (BCP, p. 112). The Hymnal 1982 Accompaniment Edition, Vol. 1, provides a variety of candle-lighting anthems (Lucernaria) (S 305-S 320). The BOS also provides responsive texts for candle-lighting anthems. When the BOS Lucernaria are used, it is appropriate to omit the short lesson which precedes the prayer for light.

The term also indicates the first part of the Great Vigil of Easter. This Service of Light includes the kindling of the new fire in the darkness, the opening collect, the lighting of the Paschal candle from the newly kindled fire, the procession to the chancel, and the Exsultet (BCP, pp. 285-287). The procession to the chancel is led by the deacon who bears the Paschal candle. This procession is led by the celebrant if there is no deacon. Candles held by members of the congregation may be lighted from the Paschal candle before it is placed in its stand. Other candles and lamps in the church, except for those at the altar, may also be lighted. The Altar Book provides music for the Exsultet, and the people’s responses are in The Hymnal 1982 (S 69).