Antiphon (Music: https://tinyurl.com/yclh2jqv)
Behold, I am with you always,
even to the end of age, I am with you always, says the Lord. Matthew 28:20
Almighty God,
to you all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from you no secrets are hidden:
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy Name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Alleluia!
HYMN: Sydney Carter ©
Tune: Lord of the Dance https://tinyurl.com/y9utl2od
1 I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
and I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth.
At Bethlehem I had my birth.
[Refrain:]
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the Dance, said he.
2 I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
but they would not dance and they would not follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
they came with me and the Dance went on. [Refrain]
3 I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame,
the holy people said it was a shame;
they whipped and they stripped and they hung me on high;
and they left me there on a cross to die. [Refrain]
4 I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back;
they buried my body and they thought I’d gone,
but I am the Dance and I still go on. [Refrain]
5 They cut me down and I leapt up high,
I am the life that’ll never, never die;
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me;
I am the Lord of the Dance said he. [Refrain]
PSALMS
For psalms in contemporary language, https://tinyurl.com/y9tjh7rk
Psalm 139 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/qk5mvmw)
1 O Lord, thou hast searched me out, and known me *
thou knowest my down-sitting, and mine up-rising;
thou understandest my thoughts long before.
2 Thou art about my path, and about my bed *
and spiest out all my ways.
3 For lo, there is not a word in my tongue *
but thou, O Lord, knowest it altogether.
4 Thou hast fashioned me behind and before *
and laid thine hand upon me.
5 Such knowledge is too wonderful and excellent for me *
I cannot attain unto it.
6 Whither shall I go then from thy Spirit *
or whither shall I go then from thy presence?
7 If I climb up into heaven, thou art there *
if I go down to hell, thou art there also.
8 If I take the wings of the morning *
and remain in the uttermost parts of the sea;
9 Even there also shall thy hand lead me *
and thy right hand shall hold me.
10 If I say, Peradventure the darkness shall cover me *
then shall my night be turned to day.
11 Yea, the darkness is no darkness with thee,
but the night is as clear as the day *
the darkness and light to thee are both alike.
12 For my reins are thine *
thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
13 I will give thanks unto thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made *
marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well.
14 My bones are not hid from thee *
though I be made secretly, and fashioned beneath in the earth.
15 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect *
and in thy book were all my members written;
16 Which day by day were fashioned *
when as yet there was none of them.
17 How dear are thy counsels unto me, O God *
O how great is the sum of them!
18 If I tell them, they are more in number than the sand *
when I wake up I am present with thee.
19 Wilt thou not slay the wicked, O God *
depart from me, ye blood-thirsty men.
20 For they speak unrighteously against thee *
and thine enemies take thy Name in vain.
21 Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee *
and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22 Yea, I hate them right sore *
even as though they were mine enemies.
23 Try me, O God, and seek the ground of my heart *
prove me, and examine my thoughts.
24 Look well if there be any way of wickedness in me *
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 140 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/syzjs5r)
1 Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man *
and preserve me from the wicked man.
2 Who imagine mischief in their hearts *
and stir up strife all the day long.
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent *
adder’s poison is under their lips.
4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the ungodly *
preserve me from the wicked men,
who are purposed to overthrow my goings.
5 The proud have laid a snare for me,
and spread a net abroad with cords *
yea, and set traps in my way.
6 I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God *
hear the voice of my prayers, O Lord.
7 O Lord God, thou strength of my health *
thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Let not the ungodly have his desire, O Lord *
let not his mischievous imagination prosper, lest they be too proud.
9 Let the mischief of their own lips fall upon the head of them *
that compass me about.
10 Let hot burning coals fall upon them *
let them be cast into the fire, and into the pit,
that they never rise up again.
11 A man full of words shall not prosper upon the earth *
evil shall hunt the wicked person to overthrow him.
12 Sure I am that the Lord will avenge the poor *
and maintain the cause of the helpless.
13 The righteous also shall give thanks unto thy Name *
and the just shall continue in thy sight.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 141 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wrx2qat)
1 Lord, I call upon thee, haste thee unto me *
and consider my voice when I cry unto thee.
2 Let my prayer be set forth in thy sight as the incense *
and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.
3 Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth *
and keep the door of my lips.
4 O let not mine heart be inclined to any evil thing *
let me not be occupied in ungodly works with the men that work wickedness,
lest I eat of such things as please them.
5 Let the righteous rather smite me friendly *
and reprove me.
6 But let not their precious balms break my head *
yea, I will pray yet against their wickedness.
7 Let their judges be overthrown in stony places *
that they may hear my words, for they are sweet.
8 Our bones lie scattered before the pit *
like as when one breaketh and heweth wood upon the earth.
9 But mine eyes look unto thee, O Lord God *
in thee is my trust, O cast not out my soul.
10 Keep me from the snare that they have laid for me *
and from the traps of the wicked doers.
11 Let the ungodly fall into their own nets together *
and let me ever escape them.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
PRAYER
Almighty God, creator of the universe,
we are awed by your wondrous works
and overwhelmed by your infinite wisdom.
For all your majesty we praise you;
yet even more
we rejoice that you do not forget us,
that you want to know us,
that you come to care for us,
sisters and brothers of Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen. Book of Common Worship
THE WORD OF GOD
Reading: Ezekiel 36:22-29
Say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when through you I display my holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. Then you shall live in the land that I gave to your ancestors; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. I will save you from all your uncleannesses, and I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you.
HYMN: Andrew Reed
Tune: St Agnes https://tinyurl.com/y8yxxakp
1 Spirit divine, attend our prayer,
And make this house your home;
Descend with all your gracious pow’r;
O come, great Spirit, come!
2 Come as the light; to us reveal
Our emptiness and woe,
And lead us in those paths of life
Where all the righteous go.
3 Come as the fire and purge our hearts
Like sacrificial flame;
Let our whole soul an off’ring be
To our Redeemer’s name.
4 Come as the dove, and spread your wings,
The wings of peaceful love;
And let your Church on earth become
Blest as the Church above.
5 Spirit divine, attend our prayer;
Make a lost world your home;
Descend with all your gracious pow’r;
O come, great Spirit, come!
Reading: Ephesians 5:1-20
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be associated with them. For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, ‘Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
HYMN: J.R. Peacey ©
Tune: Deus tuorum militum https://tinyurl.com/y952gkdv
1 Awake, awake: fling off the night!
For God has sent a glorious light;
And we who live in Christ’s new day
Must works of darkness put away.
2 Let in the light; all sin expose
To Christ, whose life no darkness knows.
Before the cross expectant kneel;
That Christ may judge, and judging heal.
3 Awake, and rise up from the dead,
And Christ his light on you will shed.
Its pow’r will wrong desires destroy,
And your whole nature fill with joy.
4 Then sing for joy, and use each day;
Give thanks for ev’rything alway.
Lift up your hearts; with one accord
Praise God through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Reading: Matthew 12:1-14
At that time Jesus went through the cornfields on the sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath.’ He said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests. Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests in the temple break the sabbath and yet are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”, you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.’
He left that place and entered their synagogue; a man was there with a withered hand, and they asked him, ‘Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath?’ so that they might accuse him. He said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the sabbath; will you not lay hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a human being than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath.’ Then he said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and it was restored, as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.
CANTICLE Veni Sancte Spiritus (Pentecost Sequence)
(Setting by Bob Hurd: https://tinyurl.com/y9ed2pyx)
1 Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine. Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2 You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe. Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
3 O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill. Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
4 Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray. Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
5 On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sev’nfold gift descend;
Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them our salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end. Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
THE PRAYERS Book of Common Worship
Christ has gathered the church in unity through the Spirit.
With sure hope, let us pray.
Maker of all things,
in the beginning, you created heaven and earth.
In the fullness of time, you restored all things in Christ.
Renew our world, in this day, with your grace and mercy.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Life of the world,
you breathed life into the flesh you created.
Now, by your Spirit, breathe new life into the children of earth.
Turn hatred into love, sorrow into joy, and war into peace.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Lover of concord,
you desire the unity of all Christians.
Set aflame the whole church with the fire of your Spirit.
Unite us to stand in the world as a sign of your love.
Lord, hear our prayer.
God of compassion,
through your Spirit you supply every human need.
Heal the sick, and comfort the distressed.
Befriend the friendless, and help the helpless.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Source of peace,
your Spirit restores our anxious spirits.
In our labor, give us rest;
in our temptation, strength;
in our sadness, consolation.
Lord, hear our prayer.
(Traditional chant: https://tinyurl.com/ydzx5jdp)
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.]
Holy God,
who suddenly appeared upon your children like the flaring of fire
and illumined a multitude with a common mind:
so fill us, and all your faithful, with the Holy Spirit,
that in a blaze of truth we may know
that we are your sons and daughters,
one family of faith,
one body given life through Christ our Head,
who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
forever and ever. Amen. Book of Common Worship
https://tinyurl.com/rkxkpmc
Go in peace, alleluia, alleluia!
Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia!
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace
in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Romans 15:13
Oremus 