I am enjoying the Holden Evening Prayer services on Wednesday evenings. From the glow of the candles, the words of each song, the singing bowl, and the smell of the extinguished beeswax candles, I love it all. I was first introduced to Holden Evening Prayer while I was on internship. I learned many of the songs and helped lead the service. Until this Lenten season, I had not sung the whole Holden Evening Prayer service. After singing all of Holden Evening Prayer, my love for this service has grown.
The words of the songs are moving. As we sing the words Let my Prayer Rise up, like incense before you, a lifting up of my hands
as an offering to you, I can see some thin, faint lines of smoke for the
burning candles rise up. I imagine each thin,
faint line carrying the prayers we lift up during the service and the ones we
hold in our hearts and minds.
As we journey through Lent and build on the Wednesday
evening services, each service brings new meaning for me. The confirmation class helped light the
candles during the first two Lenten services, which is a great way to involve
them in the worship service. This week
having Pastor Chad and Andrea McKenna singing together added another layer to
the experience. I loved the difference
in the sounds of their voices and when they sang together with a little
harmony. It was so beautiful!
Holden Evening Prayer services have been a blessing to
me. It is a spiritual practice of
singing prayers and embracing a time of silence. It has been my escape during a busy week as
well as an intentional time spent in prayer with God. I hope your Lenten journey has provided you
and continues to provide you with opportunities to connect with God.
Peace,
Pastor Katrina Steingraeber
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