Evensong, "evening song," is said or sung daily at most cathedrals, and often on Sunday evenings in Parish Churches such as ours. Essentially, it thanks God for the day just past and asks His protection during the coming night. It is a quiet, reflective set of prayers, hymns and psalms, asking the worshiper to be still in spirit.

The form for Evensong can vary, but it usually follows the Book of Common Prayer in the responses, Psalms and antiphons offered. The service generally begins with the opening sentences, a hymn and a responsorial praise of God: the Preces. A Psalm is sung then the Magnificat (Mary's song from Luke 1: 46-55), followed by the Nunc Dimittis (Simeon's Song from Luke 2: 28-30). Between the Canticles are the Scripture readings from the day's lectionary and following are the Apostles' Creed and prayers.
 

The service generally includes a short sermon before ending with the final hymn and blessing.

At Christ Church we use the version of Evensong (or Evening Prayer) from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer (BCP) which we consider to be both beautiful and meaningful to worshipers.