Holden Evening Prayer is a vespers service written by Marty Haugen in 1985-1986 at Holden Village in Washington state with beautiful music and meaningful prayers always used.
Background Information
Marty Haugen wrote Holden Evening Prayer during the winter of 1985-1986 while at Holden Village in the North Cascade Mountains of Washington state, a time of great inspiration for him.
The location and community played a significant role in shaping the service, which was later expanded to include new psalm settings for Advent and Lent.
Marty Haugen’s work is widely published by GIA Publications, Inc., and his compositions are used in many churches and communities around the world.
The Holden Evening Prayer service has become a beloved and enduring part of many worship traditions, cherished for its beautiful music and meaningful prayers.
The service is often used in the evening, as a way to reflect on the day and look to the future, and its themes of light and darkness are particularly relevant during this time.
The music and prayers of the service are designed to be accessible and inclusive, making it a great resource for communities of all sizes and backgrounds.
Overall, the background of Holden Evening Prayer is one of inspiration, community, and a deep commitment to worship and spirituality.
Marty Haugen’s work continues to be an important part of many worship traditions, and his compositions remain widely used and loved today.
The service is a testament to the power of music and prayer to bring people together and inspire spiritual growth and reflection.
The beauty and simplicity of the service make it a great resource for anyone looking to deepen their spiritual practice and connect with others in their community.
Composition and Expansion
Marty Haugen composed Holden Evening Prayer during his time at Holden Village, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of the surroundings.
The service was originally written for the winter community at Holden, and its composition reflects the themes of light and darkness that are so prevalent during this time.
Over time, Haugen expanded the service to include new psalm settings for Advent and Lent, making it a more comprehensive and versatile resource for worship.
The expansion of the service allowed it to be used in a variety of contexts, from small gatherings to large church services.
The music and prayers of the service were designed to be flexible and adaptable, making it easy for communities to incorporate it into their worship traditions.
The service has undergone several revisions and updates since its initial composition, ensuring that it remains relevant and meaningful to contemporary worshipers.
The composition and expansion of Holden Evening Prayer reflect Haugen’s commitment to creating music and prayers that are both beautiful and accessible.
The service continues to be a beloved and enduring part of many worship traditions, cherished for its ability to inspire and uplift.
The expansion of the service has also made it possible for it to be used in a variety of settings, from formal church services to informal gatherings and prayer groups.
Structure of Holden Evening Prayer
Holden Evening Prayer has a simple and meaningful structure with leader and all sections always included.
Leader and All Sections
The Holden Evening Prayer service is designed to be led by a leader and participated in by all, with alternating sections of prayer and song. The leader guides the congregation through the service, inviting them to join in at various points. The all sections are typically sung or recited by the entire congregation, creating a sense of community and shared worship. This format allows for a sense of dialogue between the leader and the congregation, with the leader offering prayers and the congregation responding with song or prayer. The leader and all sections work together to create a sense of flow and continuity throughout the service, drawing the congregation into a deeper experience of prayer and worship. The use of leader and all sections also adds a sense of variety and texture to the service, keeping the congregation engaged and participatory.
Evening Thanksgiving
The Evening Thanksgiving section of the Holden Evening Prayer service is a time for the congregation to express gratitude to God for the blessings of the day. The leader invites the congregation to join in a prayer of thanksgiving, acknowledging God’s presence and guidance in their lives. The prayer is a beautiful expression of devotion, thanking God for the light of Christ that shines in the darkness. The Evening Thanksgiving section is a moment of reflection and appreciation, encouraging the congregation to consider the ways in which God has been present in their lives. The prayer is a heartfelt expression of gratitude, seeking to deepen the congregation’s relationship with God and cultivate a sense of thankfulness and wonder. The Evening Thanksgiving section is a poignant and meaningful part of the Holden Evening Prayer service, inviting the congregation to give thanks and praise to God.
Key Components of Holden Evening Prayer
Holden Evening Prayer features beautiful music and prayers always used together.
The Magnificat
The Magnificat is a significant component of Holden Evening Prayer, a canticle sung during the vespers service, expressing Mary’s joy and praise to God.
The prayer is based on the biblical account of the Virgin Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke.
The Magnificat is a beautiful expression of faith and devotion, and its inclusion in Holden Evening Prayer adds depth and meaning to the service.
The music for the Magnificat in Holden Evening Prayer is written by Marty Haugen, and it is designed to be sung by a congregation.
The Magnificat is an important part of the Holden Evening Prayer service, and it is a key element in the overall structure and theme of the prayer.
It is a time for reflection and worship, and it provides an opportunity for the congregation to express their faith and devotion to God.
The Magnificat is a powerful and moving prayer that is sure to inspire and uplift all who participate in the Holden Evening Prayer service.
Litany and Prayers
Litany and prayers are essential elements of Holden Evening Prayer, providing a framework for worship and devotion.
The litany is a series of prayers and responses that are sung or spoken by the congregation, and it is an important part of the service.
The prayers in Holden Evening Prayer are written by Marty Haugen and are designed to be inclusive and accessible to all participants.
The litany and prayers are typically led by a leader, with the congregation responding and participating in the prayer.
The language and tone of the litany and prayers are simple and heartfelt, making it easy for everyone to join in and participate.
The litany and prayers in Holden Evening Prayer are a beautiful expression of faith and devotion, and they provide a meaningful way for the congregation to worship and connect with God.
The prayers are also a way to reflect on the day’s events and to seek guidance and comfort from God.
Evening Hymn
Evening hymns are joyful and expressive songs sung during Holden Evening Prayer services always with harmony.
Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory
The evening hymn Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory is a beautiful and uplifting song, with lyrics that praise God’s love and light, sung during Holden Evening Prayer services with great harmony and devotion.
The song is a celebration of God’s presence in the world and the joy that it brings to people’s lives, with a soaring melody and inspiring lyrics that express the beauty of God’s creation.
The hymn is often sung during the evening prayer service, and is a favorite among many who attend these services, with its message of hope and joy resonating deeply with those who hear it.
The song is a reminder of the importance of faith and the role that it plays in people’s lives, and is a powerful expression of the human spirit, with its beauty and emotion inspiring all who hear it.
The evening hymn is a key part of the Holden Evening Prayer service, and is a testament to the power of music to uplift and inspire people, with its message of joy and hope staying with those who hear it long after the service is over.
God of Daybreak and God of Shadows
The phrase God of Daybreak and God of Shadows is a powerful and evocative expression of God’s presence in the world, used in the evening hymn of Holden Evening Prayer to convey the idea of God’s light and darkness.
This phrase is a reminder that God is present in all aspects of life, from the brightest moments of joy to the darkest moments of sorrow, and is a source of comfort and strength for those who are struggling.
The image of daybreak and shadows is a powerful one, symbolizing the contrast between light and darkness, and the way that God’s presence can bring light into even the darkest of places.
The use of this phrase in the evening hymn is a testament to the beauty and depth of the Holden Evening Prayer service, and is a reminder of the importance of faith and spirituality in people’s lives.
The phrase God of Daybreak and God of Shadows is a beautiful expression of the human experience, and is a powerful reminder of God’s love and presence.
Holden Evening Prayer is a meaningful service with beautiful music and prayers always.
Final Thoughts
Holden Evening Prayer is a service that has been widely used and appreciated for its beauty and meaning. The music and prayers are carefully crafted to create a sense of community and worship. The service is designed to be flexible and adaptable to different settings and occasions. It can be used in a variety of contexts, from small gatherings to large congregations. The prayers and music are written in a way that is accessible and engaging for people of all ages and backgrounds. The service is also available in a variety of formats, including PDF, making it easy to access and use. Overall, Holden Evening Prayer is a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their faith and connect with others in a meaningful way. It is a service that has the power to inspire and uplift, and to bring people closer to God and to each other.