Vespers Services Return to Augustana

by Alan Sutherland

Throughout its history, Augustana has had evening Vespers services, both on Sundays and at midweek. However, it has been several years since Augustana has had a regular schedule of Vespers, so on Sunday, April 25th, a committee composed of Pr. Cox, Fred Bowell, Salome Burton, Judy Floy, Patricia Richter, Alan Sutherland and Sonvy Waidler (with Bridgett as an observer) met following the Hospitality Hour to examine both the reasons for developing such a schedule and the feasibility of doing so. In addition, several other members who could not attend the meeting have expressed an interest in working on the project.

The committee first examined the reasons for having a Vespers service. The primary goal is to provide a worship experience for those who, according to opinion surveys, regard themselves as being "spiritual " but for whom Sunday morning worship is not or is no longer a part of their lives – in other words, for those for whom Sunday morning is more "coffee, croissants and The Washington Post" than "bread, wine and The Word." In addition, Sunday Vespers would help those who are called upon to work on Sunday mornings and those who are traveling, both visitors to the area as well as congregational members who are out of town and returning too late to attend church on Sunday morning. The committee also agreed that – most emphatically – Vespers was not to be viewed as an alternative for those who simply want to "sleep in" on Sunday mornings!

The committee then discussed what a Vespers service could or should be. It can be as simple as a prayer service with or without music (or a cappella music) to something as elaborate as a service built around the many and varied liturgies employed by the Lutheran Church around the world. Since, in effect, Augustana will hold its next Vespers service when the church sponsors the Vespers service at National Lutheran Home at 3:00 PM on June 27th, that would be a good way to introduce a tradition of evening Vespers on the last Sunday of every month. Traditionally, there is no set time for Vespers – it is simply a worship service at the close of the day and has been held at Augustana at times ranging from 5 PM to 9 PM. However, to accommodate the growing number of families with young children moving into the general vicinity, it was also agreed that the services should start at 5 PM. The committee agreed that the first two such services should be held on July 25th and August 29th – but rather than wait, anyone can get a head start by joining Pr. Cox at the June 27th Vespers at the National Lutheran Home.

Since the last Sunday in May falls during Memorial Day Weekend, which, this year, due to the dedication that weekend of the World War II Memorial, travel around the region will be extremely difficult, the committee agreed that its next meeting should be on Sunday, May 23rd at -- appropriately-- 5 PM! Anyone interested in helping with this should feel free to join the group for that meeting or contact either the church office or Alan Sutherland.

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The Augustanan
Newsletter
June 2004

This Issue:

Pastor's Message
Ask the Pastor
New Endowment Fund
Accessibility Update
Vespers Service
Getting to Know Us
Council Highlights
Moms and Pops
Around Augustana
Stewardship Message
Committee Schedule
Calendar

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Augustana Lutheran Church

Augustana Lutheran Church
2100 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20009-6507

Church Office Hours:
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm