The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word EVENSONG
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
E
V
E
N
S
O
N
G
More clues leading to the result EVENSONG
- Not a good bet, dealing with grand service
- Service still no good
- Service for example including meat, not the heart
- No odd number in service
- Calm child going first for church service
- Service, for example, includes meat one declined
- Uniform given to relative before German prayers
- Prayers, for example, describing meat one put out
- A service flat that will do on the outskirts of Nuremberg
- Regular lay preachers take it
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "service" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case service = evensong.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does EVENSONG mean?
EVENSONG noun- A religious service, most commonly seen in the Anglican or Episcopal Church, that takes place in the early hours of the evening.