Obamas and Abraham Lincoln at St. John's Episcopal, D.C. 19 Aug 2012

Obama and his family attended St. John's Episcopal Church across from the White House for the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity replete with the long-discussed (not at St. John's but historically) text of St. John's Gospel, chapter 6.  Expectedly, we hear or Obamas heard socio-political issues from the cleric rather than a close exposition of the text--the Incarnation, Body and Blood of Christ, Necessity of Saving Faith, Necessity of Biblical Doctrine, Predestination and related issues from the biblical text.  Ask for Biblical bread and one gets "stones for food."  Also, Abraham Lincoln often attending "Evening Prayer" (1789 Book of Common Prayer) at St. John's.  Lincoln purposefully entered after divine worship began and left shortly before the benediction.  His pew at the rear is noted there.  We posted the 1789 evening service below the article on the Obamas.

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President Barack Obama, left, with first lady Michelle Obama, right, and their... (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Obamas attend Sunday service at historic church

By STACY A. ANDERSON Associated Press The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has attended a worship service at a historic church steps away from the White House.

Accompanied by his wife, Michelle, and daughters Sasha and Malia on the mild, overcast morning, Obama walked through Lafayette Square to St. John's Episcopal Church.


The Rev. Michael Angell delivered a sermon from John 6 about the extended metaphor of eating Jesus' flesh. Angell urged the crowd to not feed into the hatred and violence of the world, but to "inwardly digest Christ's message of self-surrender."


Angell mentioned a summer of violence, including the Aurora, Colo. movie theater shooting and a shooting last week at the Family Research Council nine blocks from the church.


The Obamas, all wearing shades of blue, participated in Holy Communion before motorcading back to the White House.

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From the 1789 Book of Common Prayer, the service President Abraham Lincoln would have heard upon attendance at St. John's Episcopal Church, Washington D.C. THE ORDER FOR DAILY EVENING PRAYER. ¶ The Minister shall begin the EVENING PRAYER, by reading one or more of the following Sentences of Scripture. THE LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. Hab. ii. 20. From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same, my Name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my Name, and a pure offering: for my Name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts. Mal. i. 11. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be alway acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm xix. 14, 15. When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Ezek. xviii. 27. I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me. Psalm li. 3. Hide thy face from my sins and blot out all mine iniquities. Psalm ii. 9. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God thou wilt not despise. Psalm li. 17. Rend your heart and not your garments and turn unto the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil Joel ii. 13. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God to, walk m his laws which he set before us Dan. ix. 9 10. O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. Jer. x. 24. Psalm vi. 1. Repent ye; for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. St. Matt. iii. 2. I will arise and to my father and will say unto him, Father I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. St. Luke vx. 18, 19. Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord; or in thy sight shall no man having be justified Psalm cxliii. 2. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us; but if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John i. 8, 9. ¶ Then the Minister shall say, DEARLY beloved brethren the Scripture moveth us, in sundry places, to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, by his infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought, at all times, humbly to acknowledge our sins before God; yet ought we chiefly so to do, when we assemble and meet together to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his most holy Word, and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I pray and beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying--	"LORD" is not capitalized in all editions.
	First page of Evening Prayer, from an edition published in 1810. In 1886, there appeared an authorized version of Evening Prayer which is exactly as it appears in the 1892 Book, with the following exceptions: The Introductory Sentences are as they appear here. The two rubrics noted here from 1883 allowing alternate Psalms were included. The versicles following the Nicene Creed are as given here.
A General Confession.  ¶ To be said by the whole Congregation, after the Minister, all kneeling. ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou those, O God who confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.	These two lines printed as one rubric until 1845
The Declaration of Absolution, or Remission of Sins.  ¶ To be said by the Priest alone, standing, the People still kneeling. ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live, hath given power, and commandment, to his Ministers, to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent the Absolution and Remission of their sins. He pardoneth and absolveth all those who truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy Gospel. Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him which we do at this present; and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy; so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. ¶ The People shall answer here, and at the end of every Prayer, Amen. ¶ Or this. ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who, with hearty repentance and true faith, turn unto him; Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ¶ Then the Minister shall kneel and say the Lord’s Prayer; the People still kneeling and repeating it with him, both here, and wheresoever else it is used in Divine Service. OUR Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. ¶ Then likewise he shall say, O Lord open thou our lips. Answer. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.	These two lines printed as one rubric until 1845
¶ Here, all standing up the Minister shall say, Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.* Minister. Praise ye the Lord. Answer. The Lord’s Name be praised. ¶ Then shall follow a Portion of the Psalms, as they are appointed, or one of the Selections, as they are set forth by this Church, with the Doxology, as in the Morning Service. ¶ Then shall be read the first Lesson, according to the Table or Calendar. ¶ After which shall be said or sung the following Psalm, except when it is read in the ordinary course of the Psalms, on the nineteenth day of the month.	* "Amen" added in 1871; in some books from 1845 (but not those used here). These three rubrics printed as one until 1845.
Cantate Domino. Psalm xcviii. O SING unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things. With his own right hand, and with his holy arm, hath he gotten himself the victory. The LORD declared his salvation; his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and truth toward the house of Israel; and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God. Show yourselves joyful unto the LORD, all ye lands; sing, rejoice, and give thanks. Praise the LORD upon the harp; sing to the harp with a psalm of thanksgiving. With trumpets also and shawms, O show yourselves joyful before the Lord the King. Let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is; the round world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth. With righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity. ¶ Or this. Bonum est confiteri. Psalm xcii  IT is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy Name, O Most highest. To tell of thy loving kindness early in the morning, and of thy truth in the night season, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the lute; upon a loud instrument, and upon the harp. For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy works; and I will rejoice in giving praise for the operations of thy hands. Note: That on any day in Lent, instead of the Magnificat, or Cantate Domino, or Bonum est Coinfiteri, there may be said Psalm xlii. Quemadmodum.	"LORD" is not capitalized in all editions. This rubric was inserted here in 1883 (but does not appear in the 1892 version)
¶ Then a Lesson of the New Testament as it is appointed. ¶ And after that, shall be sung or sung this Psalm, except on the twelfth day of the month. Deus misereatur. Psalm lxvii. GOD be merciful unto us, and bless us, and show us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us; That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations Let the people praise thee, O God; yea, let all the people praise thee. O let the nations rejoice and be glad; for thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Let the people praise thee O God; yea, let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth bring forth her increase; and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing. God shall bless us and all the ends of the world shall fear him. ¶ Or this. Benedic anima mea Psalm ciii PRAISE the LORD O my soul; and all that is within me praise his holy Name, Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; Who forgiveth all thy sin, and healeth all thine infirmities; Who saveth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with mercy and loving-kindness O praise the LORD, ye Angels of his, ye that excel in strength; ye that fulfil his commandment, and hearken unto the voice of his word. O praise the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye servants of his that do his pleasure. O speak good of the LORD, all ye works of his, in all places of his dominion; praise thou the Lord, O my soul. Part of Evening Prayer, from a 1790 Folio Edition.	These two rubrics printed as one until 1845.
Note: That on any day in Lent, instead of the Nunc dimittis, or Deus misereatur, or Benedic, anima mea, there may be said Psalm xliii. Judica me, Deus. ¶ Then shall be said the Apostles’ Creed by the Minister and the People, standing. And any Churches may omit the words, He descended into hell, or may, instead of them, use the words, He went into the place of departed spirits, which are considered as words of the same meaning in the Creed.
I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell, The third day he rose from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the Life everlasting. Amen. ¶ Or this. I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible: And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, Begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God; Begotten, not made, Being of one substance with the Father, By Whom all things were made: Who for us men, and for our salvation came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man: And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried: And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures: And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, Whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one Catholick and Apostolick Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins: And I look for the Resurrection of the dead: And the Life of the world to come. Amen. ¶ And after that, these Prayers following, all devoutly kneeling; the Minister first pronouncing, The Lord be with you. Answer. And with thy spirit. Minister. Let us pray. O Lord show thy mercy upon us. Answer. And grant us thy salvation. Minister. O God, make clean our hearts within us. Answer. And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.	.
¶ Then shall be said the Collect for the day, and after that the Collects and Prayers following. A Collect for Peace. O GOD, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed: Give unto thy servants that peace, which the world cannot give; that our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee, we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. A Collect for Aid against Perils. O LORD, our heavenly Father, by whose Almighty power we have been preserved this day; By thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. A Prayer for the President of the United States, and all in Civil Authority. O LORD, our heavenly Father, the high and mighty Ruler of the universe, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth; Most heartily we beseech thee, with thy favour to behold and bless thy servant The President of the United States, and all others in authority; and so replenish them with the grace of thy holy Spirit, that they may always incline to thy will, and walk in thy way. Endue them plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant them in health and prosperity long to live; and finally, after this life, to attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A Prayer for the Clergy and People. ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift; Send down upon our Bishops, and other Clergy, and upon the Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen. A Prayer for all Conditions of Men. O GOD, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for thy holy Church universal that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are any ways afflicted or distressed in mind body or estate; that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities; giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen. A General Thanksgiving ALMIGHTY God Father of all mercies, we, thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving kindness to us, and to all men. We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; and above all, for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace and for the hope of glory. And we beseech thee give us that due sense of all thy mercies that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful and that we [may]* show forth thy praise not only with our lips but in our lives by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom. ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests; Fulfil now, O Lord the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen. Here endeth the Order of Evening Prayer.