× Upcoming Events Past Events
Home
Image for Sacred Song Service
Sacred Song Service – Light in the Darkness: An Interfaith Expression

The Rt. Rev. Eugene T. Sutton
Presider

Sonya Subbayya Sutton
Director & Organist

Sabeeha Rehman & Leslie Adler 
Reader

The Chautauqua Choir

Owen Reyda
Organist

We invite you to quietly prepare your hearts for worship during the Prelude.

* Denotes that the congregation is invited to rise in body or spirit.It is our custom to sing the first and last verses of hymns in unison, the interior verses may be sung in parts.

Hymn

“Day is dying in the west”

Chautauqua, William Fisk Sherwin, 1877
Mary Lathbury, 1877

Day is dying in the west;
Heav’n is touching earth with rest;
Wait and worship while the night
Sets her evening lamps alight
through all the sky.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts!
Heav’n and earth are full of Thee;
Heav’en and earth are praising Thee,
O Lord most high!

Welcome
A Prayer That We Might Find Light In Darkness

(from the Methodist Christian Tradition)

Creator God, dweller in darkness, yet as light to you; from darkness you created earth, day and night, light and dark. Jesus, light of the world, in darkness treasures are illuminated by your light, seen brightest in darkness. Holy Spirit, revealer of treasures; give us strength to persevere searching for the light in the darkest times of life’s journey. Holy Trinity, challenge me to befriend the darkness with your comforting presence; in time you will reveal hidden treasures that can be found amid suffering, pain and grief; then I will see things differently. Help me dig deep, mining for these treasures produced by immense pressure. Then may these treasures be stored in my heart and in heaven. 

Amen.

Anthem

Phos hilaron (O Gladsome Light) 

Music: Roland E. Martin 
Text: Greek, 3rd century 

O gracious Light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heav’n, 

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 thy praises, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

Thou art 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. 

Reading From The Muslim Tradition In The Qur'an

Ayat al-Nur 
Surat An-Nur 24:35

(Translation by Sahih International) 

Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. 

The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, 

The lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star, 

Lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, 

Neither of the east nor of the west, 

Whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. 

Light upon light. 

Allah guides to His light whom He wills. 

And Allah presents examples for the people, 

and Allah is Knowing of all things. 

Hymn*

"Let all mortal flesh keep silence"

PICARDY

Canticle

“The Third Song of Isaiah” 

Music: Anglican Chant 
Text: Isaiah 60: 103, 11, 14, 18-19

Arise, shine, for your light has come, * 

and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you. 

For behold, darkness covers the land; * 

deep gloom enshrouds the peoples. 

But over you the Lord will rise, * 

and his glory will appear upon you. 

Nations will stream to your light, * 

and kings to the brightness of your dawning. 

Your gates will always be open; * 

by day or night they will never be shut. 

They will call you, The City of the Lord, * 

The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. 

Violence will no more be heard in your land, * 

ruin or destruction within your borders. 

You will call your walls, Salvation, * 

and all your portals, Praise. 

The sun will no more be your light by day; * 

by night you will not need the brightness of the moon. 

The Lord will be your everlasting light, * 

and your God will be your glory. 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit 

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.  

Reading From The Jewish Tradition In The Mishkan T'filah

“Yotzeir O” Mishkan T’filah: A Reform Siddur 

IN THE BEGINNING, even then, a new light was sown for the righteous; a promise that Your light would become the catalyst, first for Order and then for Hope. Author of language and light, help us to use words as You have, to cast light into dark waters and draw out justice and truth. 

O SOURCE of light and truth, Creator of the eternal law of goodness, help us to find knowledge by which to live. Lead us to take the words we shall speak into our hearts and our lives. Bless all who enter this sanctuary in need, all who bring the offerings of their hearts. May our worship lead us to acts of kindness, peace and love. 

Anthem

O Light of Life 

Music: Mack Wilberg, 2008 
Text: David Warner 

O Light of Life, O pure Light Divine, 
Thou art in us; our ember is Thine. 
Kindle our faith, give hope when we fear, 
Deepen our love, thy Fire appear. 
Light of our souls, thou spark at our birth - 
Grow bright in us, shine in all the earth. 

O Light of Life, O true Light of peace, 
Storms will arise, let thy light increase. 
Pierce through dark clouds, give pause to the proud; 
Let thy shafts fall, lift humble heads bowed. 
Answer our pleas, melt hearts in thy flame, 
Make us as one - as one in thy name. 

O Light of Life, o sweet life of grace, 
Thou bidst us come, we follow apace. 
On through the night, walk with us we pray, 
Lead us to dawn thy merciful way. 

O Light of Life, O dear light of love, 
Come, wash us clean, send forth thy white dove. 
Fill us with fire, enlighten our eyes; 
Help us to love - ‘tis price of the prize. 
Then let us come, enrobe us in white. 
Cleaving to thee, light unto thy light. Amen 

Reading From The Christian Tradition In The New Testament

The First Epistle of John (2:7-11)

Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new commandment; its truth is seen in Christ and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister, is still in the dark. But those who love their neighbors are living in the light and need not be afraid of stumbling. But those who hate their neighbors walk in darkness; they do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. 

Anthem

Christ, Mighty Savior 

Richard Wayne Dirksen, arr. Zebulon M. Highben 
Text: Latin, 7th c., translation: Alan MacDougall, Anne LeCroy 

Christ, mighty savior, light of all creation, 
you make the daytime radiant with the sunlight 
and to the night give glittering adornment, 
stars in the heavens. 

Now comes the day’s end as the sun is setting, 
mirror of daybreak, pledge of resurrection; 
while in the heavens, choirs of stars appearing, 
hallow the nightfall. 

Therefore we come now, evening rites to offer, 
joyfully chanting holy hymns to praise you, 
with all creation joining hearts and voices, 
singing your glory. 

Give heed, we pray you, to our supplication, 
that you may grant us pardon for offenses, 
strength for our weak hearts, rest for aching bodies, 
soothing the weary. 

Though bodies slumber, hearts shall keep their vigil, 
forever resting in the peace of Jesus, 
in light or darkness worshiping our savior 
now and forever. 

Closing Prayers

From #Resist Harm, United Methodist Church and the Book of Common Prayer 

Transforming God, whose light always penetrates the darkness and whose love always overcomes hate, we ask that you sustain us as we struggle to make your light visible in an angry and frightened world. Nurture us daily as we work for your justice in unjust places, and your peace in places where no peace is to be found. 

Amen 

Give us courage and strength when we are fearful and weak. Give us hope and forgiveness when we feel hopeless and angry. And guide us every step of the way as we walk toward the light. 

Amen 

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God our fathers and mothers, creator of the changes of day and night, giving rest to the weary, renewing the strength of those who are spent, bestowing upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the coming night; keep us from every sing, every evil, and every fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength of our life. To you be glory for endless ages. 

Amen 

Hymn

"Now the day is over"

Merrial, Joseph Barnaby, 1868
Sabine Barind-Gould, 1865

Now the day is over, night is drawing nigh,
shadows of the evening steal across the sky.

Jesus, give the weary calm and sweet repose
with thy tend’rest blessing may our eyelids close.

When the morning wakens, then may I arise
pure, and fresh, and sinless in thy holy eyes. Amen.

Postlude

Largo

George Frederick Handel, 1738
from the opera Xerxes

Use of this piece to close the Sunday evening service has been Chautauqua’s tradition since the dedication of the Massey Memorial Organ on August 6, 1907. Part of the custom has been to remain in our seats until the piece is finished. It is a gesture that we treasure, and one in which you are invited to join. We invite you to leave the Amphitheater silently—without applause.

CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION
Department of Religion

Robert Wilson-Black
Director of Religion

The Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton
Senior Pastor

Sonya Subbayya Sutton
Interim Director of Sacred Music

Owen Reyda
Organ Scholar

Carolyn Snider
Administrative Assistant

Alicen Roberts
Religion Intern

Image for Sacred Song Service
Sacred Song Service – Light in the Darkness: An Interfaith Expression

The Rt. Rev. Eugene T. Sutton
Presider

Sonya Subbayya Sutton
Director & Organist

Sabeeha Rehman & Leslie Adler 
Reader

The Chautauqua Choir

Owen Reyda
Organist

We invite you to quietly prepare your hearts for worship during the Prelude.

* Denotes that the congregation is invited to rise in body or spirit.It is our custom to sing the first and last verses of hymns in unison, the interior verses may be sung in parts.

Hymn

“Day is dying in the west”

Chautauqua, William Fisk Sherwin, 1877
Mary Lathbury, 1877

Day is dying in the west;
Heav’n is touching earth with rest;
Wait and worship while the night
Sets her evening lamps alight
through all the sky.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts!
Heav’n and earth are full of Thee;
Heav’en and earth are praising Thee,
O Lord most high!

Welcome
A Prayer That We Might Find Light In Darkness

(from the Methodist Christian Tradition)

Creator God, dweller in darkness, yet as light to you; from darkness you created earth, day and night, light and dark. Jesus, light of the world, in darkness treasures are illuminated by your light, seen brightest in darkness. Holy Spirit, revealer of treasures; give us strength to persevere searching for the light in the darkest times of life’s journey. Holy Trinity, challenge me to befriend the darkness with your comforting presence; in time you will reveal hidden treasures that can be found amid suffering, pain and grief; then I will see things differently. Help me dig deep, mining for these treasures produced by immense pressure. Then may these treasures be stored in my heart and in heaven. 

Amen.

Anthem

Phos hilaron (O Gladsome Light) 

Music: Roland E. Martin 
Text: Greek, 3rd century 

O gracious Light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heav’n, 

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 thy praises, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

Thou art 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. 

Reading From The Muslim Tradition In The Qur'an

Ayat al-Nur 
Surat An-Nur 24:35

(Translation by Sahih International) 

Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. 

The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, 

The lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star, 

Lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, 

Neither of the east nor of the west, 

Whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. 

Light upon light. 

Allah guides to His light whom He wills. 

And Allah presents examples for the people, 

and Allah is Knowing of all things. 

Hymn*

"Let all mortal flesh keep silence"

PICARDY

Canticle

“The Third Song of Isaiah” 

Music: Anglican Chant 
Text: Isaiah 60: 103, 11, 14, 18-19

Arise, shine, for your light has come, * 

and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you. 

For behold, darkness covers the land; * 

deep gloom enshrouds the peoples. 

But over you the Lord will rise, * 

and his glory will appear upon you. 

Nations will stream to your light, * 

and kings to the brightness of your dawning. 

Your gates will always be open; * 

by day or night they will never be shut. 

They will call you, The City of the Lord, * 

The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. 

Violence will no more be heard in your land, * 

ruin or destruction within your borders. 

You will call your walls, Salvation, * 

and all your portals, Praise. 

The sun will no more be your light by day; * 

by night you will not need the brightness of the moon. 

The Lord will be your everlasting light, * 

and your God will be your glory. 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit 

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.  

Reading From The Jewish Tradition In The Mishkan T'filah

“Yotzeir O” Mishkan T’filah: A Reform Siddur 

IN THE BEGINNING, even then, a new light was sown for the righteous; a promise that Your light would become the catalyst, first for Order and then for Hope. Author of language and light, help us to use words as You have, to cast light into dark waters and draw out justice and truth. 

O SOURCE of light and truth, Creator of the eternal law of goodness, help us to find knowledge by which to live. Lead us to take the words we shall speak into our hearts and our lives. Bless all who enter this sanctuary in need, all who bring the offerings of their hearts. May our worship lead us to acts of kindness, peace and love. 

Anthem

O Light of Life 

Music: Mack Wilberg, 2008 
Text: David Warner 

O Light of Life, O pure Light Divine, 
Thou art in us; our ember is Thine. 
Kindle our faith, give hope when we fear, 
Deepen our love, thy Fire appear. 
Light of our souls, thou spark at our birth - 
Grow bright in us, shine in all the earth. 

O Light of Life, O true Light of peace, 
Storms will arise, let thy light increase. 
Pierce through dark clouds, give pause to the proud; 
Let thy shafts fall, lift humble heads bowed. 
Answer our pleas, melt hearts in thy flame, 
Make us as one - as one in thy name. 

O Light of Life, o sweet life of grace, 
Thou bidst us come, we follow apace. 
On through the night, walk with us we pray, 
Lead us to dawn thy merciful way. 

O Light of Life, O dear light of love, 
Come, wash us clean, send forth thy white dove. 
Fill us with fire, enlighten our eyes; 
Help us to love - ‘tis price of the prize. 
Then let us come, enrobe us in white. 
Cleaving to thee, light unto thy light. Amen 

Reading From The Christian Tradition In The New Testament

The First Epistle of John (2:7-11)

Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new commandment; its truth is seen in Christ and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister, is still in the dark. But those who love their neighbors are living in the light and need not be afraid of stumbling. But those who hate their neighbors walk in darkness; they do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. 

Anthem

Christ, Mighty Savior 

Richard Wayne Dirksen, arr. Zebulon M. Highben 
Text: Latin, 7th c., translation: Alan MacDougall, Anne LeCroy 

Christ, mighty savior, light of all creation, 
you make the daytime radiant with the sunlight 
and to the night give glittering adornment, 
stars in the heavens. 

Now comes the day’s end as the sun is setting, 
mirror of daybreak, pledge of resurrection; 
while in the heavens, choirs of stars appearing, 
hallow the nightfall. 

Therefore we come now, evening rites to offer, 
joyfully chanting holy hymns to praise you, 
with all creation joining hearts and voices, 
singing your glory. 

Give heed, we pray you, to our supplication, 
that you may grant us pardon for offenses, 
strength for our weak hearts, rest for aching bodies, 
soothing the weary. 

Though bodies slumber, hearts shall keep their vigil, 
forever resting in the peace of Jesus, 
in light or darkness worshiping our savior 
now and forever. 

Closing Prayers

From #Resist Harm, United Methodist Church and the Book of Common Prayer 

Transforming God, whose light always penetrates the darkness and whose love always overcomes hate, we ask that you sustain us as we struggle to make your light visible in an angry and frightened world. Nurture us daily as we work for your justice in unjust places, and your peace in places where no peace is to be found. 

Amen 

Give us courage and strength when we are fearful and weak. Give us hope and forgiveness when we feel hopeless and angry. And guide us every step of the way as we walk toward the light. 

Amen 

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God our fathers and mothers, creator of the changes of day and night, giving rest to the weary, renewing the strength of those who are spent, bestowing upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the coming night; keep us from every sing, every evil, and every fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength of our life. To you be glory for endless ages. 

Amen 

Hymn

"Now the day is over"

Merrial, Joseph Barnaby, 1868
Sabine Barind-Gould, 1865

Now the day is over, night is drawing nigh,
shadows of the evening steal across the sky.

Jesus, give the weary calm and sweet repose
with thy tend’rest blessing may our eyelids close.

When the morning wakens, then may I arise
pure, and fresh, and sinless in thy holy eyes. Amen.

Postlude

Largo

George Frederick Handel, 1738
from the opera Xerxes

Use of this piece to close the Sunday evening service has been Chautauqua’s tradition since the dedication of the Massey Memorial Organ on August 6, 1907. Part of the custom has been to remain in our seats until the piece is finished. It is a gesture that we treasure, and one in which you are invited to join. We invite you to leave the Amphitheater silently—without applause.

CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION
Department of Religion

Robert Wilson-Black
Director of Religion

The Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton
Senior Pastor

Sonya Subbayya Sutton
Interim Director of Sacred Music

Owen Reyda
Organ Scholar

Carolyn Snider
Administrative Assistant

Alicen Roberts
Religion Intern