An Episcopal Evening Prayer

~ From the New Zealand Prayer Book

Lord it is night. The night is for stillness. Let us be still in the presence of God. It is night after a long day. What has been done has been done; what has not been done has not been done. Let it be. The night is dark. Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you. The night is quiet. Let the quietness of your peace enfold us, all dear to us, and all who have no peace. The night heralds the dawn. Let us look expectantly to a new day, new joys, new possibilities. In your name we pray. Amen

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NROL-33 Launch on an Atlas V

This is a delayed post since it's June, but I wanted to save my launch photo collage somewhere and summer is a TIME TO CATCH UP for me! Back on May 22, the classified NROL-33 satellite launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. 

My FAVORITE shot that I took during the video! NROL-33 lifts into the air!

I watched online, as I do frequently for various launches. I also tweeted the launch and made a collage of launch photos which always goes over well online. From what I understand, the NROL-33 is a satellite launched to join a constellation of spacecraft in GEO orbit to relay for the US Reconnaissance Office - stuff like imaging. SUCH an interesting article HERE at spaceflight101.com and also some basic info about this launch at its ULA site. Launches have always fascinated me and I get super excited watching them. Once at UNO, I brought a few folks into my office to watch one with me because it was during the school day. The sheer power used to gain lift and then speed is amazing. Then, the booster separation and different propellant to push it further away from Earth's gravity and yet, into orbit, is also mind-blowing for me! 

Collage from iPhone video, a bit poor, but whatever

O Gracious Light!

O gracious Light,

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

~ From The Book of Common Prayer (1979)

Previous post: http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html 

NASA pic of the day, by Wally Pacholka

O Gracious Light!

O gracious Light,

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

~ From The Book of Common Prayer (1979)

Milky Way Over Rainer by Ryan Sullivan

The Phos Hilaron (Φῶς Ἱλαρόν) is an ancient hymn - translated into English as 'Hail Gladdening Light' or 'O Gladsome/Joyous Light'. It is the earliest known Christian hymn recorded outside of the Bible that is still in use today. It is part of vespers in the Eastern Orthodox tradition and also used in Episcopal, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgies. My personal favorite version is the translation by John Keble here below:

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

Hail Gladdening Light!

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

~translation of the Phos hilaron by John Keble
(prev. post - http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html )

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Hail Gladdening Light!

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

~translation of the Phos hilaron by John Keble
(prev. post - http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html )

National Geographic image by Jim Richardson

Hail, Gladdening Light!

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

~translation of the Phos hilaron by John Keble
(prev. post - http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html )

google search for milky way image