St Cyril of Alexandria
Cyril was born in Alexandria and was first heard of as a young priest. He succeeded his uncle as Patriarch in the year 412 and began his great defence of the classical doctrines of God the Holy Trinity and of Jesus Christ as a unique and single Person within the Trinity. His chief adversary was the Patriarch of Constantinople, Nestorius, who taught that the Christ was both the Jesus who was made flesh in one of his Persons, the Human Person, and also the one who was Divine, a separate Person within the Godhead. The Nestorian party thus rejected the description of Mary as ‘Theotokos’, God-bearer, and also rejected the papal ruling that they comply with the orthodox views of Cyril. The Council of Ephesus was convened in the year 431 to rule on the matter and eventually gave its full support to Cyril, making the word Theotokos the touchstone of Christian orthodoxy. Cyril’s writings give clear and unequivocal statements about the Real Presence of Christ in the eucharist and the position of Mary, the Theotokos, within the doctrine of her Son’s incarnation. Cyril died at Alexandria in the year 444.EH
Antiphon1
Ant. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood,
abides in me, and I in him, says the Lord.
Ps. Blessed are those whose way is blameless, *
who walk in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who keep his decrees! *
With all their hearts they seek him. Psalm 119
New every morning is your love,
great God of light,
and all day long you are working for good in the world.
Stir up in us the desire to serve you,
to live peacefully with our neighbors,
and to devote each day to your Son,
our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. BCW
Music: https://tinyurl.com/ycn4djk5
O Lord, open my lips.
And my mouth will declare your praise.
Make haste, O God, to deliver me;
make haste to help me, O Lord.
Glory be 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.
Praise to you, O Christ, Alleluia!
HYMN: Jeffrey Rowthorn ©
Tune: Abbot’s Leigh https://tinyurl.com/yacokhzr
1 Lord, you give the great commission:
“Heal the sick and preach the word.”
Lest the Church neglect its mission,
And the gospel go unheard,
Help us witness to your purpose
With renewed integrity;
With the Spirit’s gifts empow’r us
For the work of ministry.
2 Lord, you call us to your service:
“In my name baptize and teach.”
That the world may trust your promise,
Life abundant meant for each,
Give us all new fervor, draw us
Closer in community;
With the Spirit’s gifts empow’r us
For the work of ministry.
3 Lord, you make the common holy:
“This my body, this my blood.”
Let us all, for earth’s true glory,
Daily lift life heavenward,
Asking that the world around us
Share your children’s liberty;
With the Spirit’s gifts empow’r us
For the work of ministry.
4 Lord, you show us love’s true measure:
“Father, what they do, forgive.”
Yet we hoard as private treasure
All that you so freely give.
May your care and mercy lead us
To a just society;
With the Spirit’s gifts empow’r us
For the work of ministry.
5 Lord, you bless with words assuring:
“I am with you to the end.”
Faith and hope and love restoring,
May we serve as you intend,
And, amid the cares that claim us,
Hold in mind eternity;
With the Spirit’s gifts empow’r us
For the work of ministry.
PSALMS
For psalms in contemporary language, https://tinyurl.com/y9tjh7rk
Psalm 126 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y8tuft59)
1 When the Lord turned again the captivity of Sion *
then were we like unto them that dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter *
and our tongue with joy.
3 Then said they among the heathen *
The Lord hath done great things for them.
4 Yea, the Lord hath done great things for us already *
whereof we rejoice.
5 Turn our captivity, O Lord *
as the rivers in the south.
6 They that sow in tears *
shall reap in joy.
7 He that now goeth on his way weeping, and beareth forth good seed *
shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring his sheaves with him.
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 127 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y8tuft59)
1 Except the Lord build the house *
their labour is but lost that build it.
2 Except the Lord keep the city *
the watchman waketh but in vain.
3 It is but lost labour that ye haste to rise up early,
and so late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness *
for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
4 Lo, children and the fruit of the womb *
are an heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord.
5 Like as the arrows in the hand of the giant *
even so are the young children.
6 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them *
they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
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 128 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y8ckoca7)
1 Blessed are all they that fear the Lord *
and walk in his ways.
2 For thou shalt eat the labours of thine hands *
O well is thee, and happy shalt thou be.
3 Thy wife shall be as the fruitful vine *
upon the walls of thine house.
4 Thy children like the olive-branches *
round about thy table.
5 Lo, thus shall the man be blessed *
that feareth the Lord.
6 The Lord from out of Sion shall so bless thee *
that thou shalt see Jerusalem in prosperity all thy life long.
7 Yea, that thou shalt see thy children’s children *
and peace upon Israel.
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 129 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y7qelqeh)
1 Many a time have they fought against me from my youth up *
may Israel now say.
2 Yea, many a time have they vexed me from my youth up *
but they have not prevailed against me.
3 The plowers plowed upon my back *
and made long furrows.
4 But the righteous Lord *
hath hewn the snares of the ungodly in pieces.
5 Let them be confounded and turned backward *
as many as have evil will at Sion.
6 Let them be even as the grass growing upon the house-tops *
which withereth afore it be plucked up;
7 Whereof the mower filleth not his hand *
neither he that bindeth up the sheaves his bosom.
8 So that they who go by say not so much as, The Lord prosper you *
we wish you good luck in the Name of the Lord.
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 130 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y9lymrb2)
1 Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord *
Lord, hear my voice.
2 O let thine ears consider well *
the voice of my complaint.
3 If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss *
O Lord, who may abide it?
4 For there is mercy with thee *
therefore shalt thou be feared.
5 I look for the Lord; my soul doth wait for him *
in his word is my trust.
6 My soul fleeth unto the Lord *
before the morning watch, I say, before the morning watch.
7 O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy *
and with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he shall redeem Israel *
from all his sins.
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 131 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yaxt75nj)
1 Lord, I am not high-minded *
I have no proud looks.
2 I do not exercise myself in great matters *
which are too high for me.
3 But I refrain my soul, and keep it low,
like as a child that is weaned from his mother *
yea, my soul is even as a weaned child.
4 O Israel, trust in the Lord *
from this time forth for evermore.
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
Lord Jesus, gentle and humble of heart,
you promised your kingdom to those who are like children.
Never let pride reign in our hearts.
In compassion embrace all who willingly bear your gentle yoke
now and forever. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Reading: 1 Samuel 8:1-9
When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beer-sheba. Yet his sons did not follow in his ways, but turned aside after gain; they took bribes and perverted justice.
Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, ‘You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations.’ But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, ‘Give us a king to govern us.’ Samuel prayed to the Lord, and the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. Just as they have done to me, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so also they are doing to you. Now then, listen to their voice; only—you shall solemnly warn them, and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.’
HYMN: Timothy Dudley-Smith ©
Tune: St Chrysostom https://tinyurl.com/y9lykz6l
1. O God, whose all-sustaining hand
is over this and every land,
whose laws from age to age have stood,
sure guardians of our common good,
may love of justice rule our days
and ordered freedom guide our ways.
2. Be near to those who strive to see
our homes from harm and terror free,
who live their lives at duty’s call
and spend themselves in serving all:
receive for them your people’s prayer,
uphold them by your constant care.
3. Teach us to serve our neighbour’s need,
the homeless help, the hungry feed,
the poor protect, the weak defend,
and to the friendless prove a friend;
the wayward and the lost reclaim
for love of Christ and in his name.
4. So may our hearts remember yet
that cross where love and justice met,
and find in Christ our fetters freed,
whose mercy answers all our need:
who lives and reigns, our risen Lord,
where justice sheathes her righteous sword.
Reading: Philippians 3:12-16
Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.
HYMN: Johnson Oatman, Jr.
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/yb24kzds
1 I’m pressing on the upward way,
new heights I’m gaining every day;
still praying as I onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Refrain:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
by faith, on heaven’s tableland,
a higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
2 My heart has no desire to stay
where doubts arise and fears dismay;
though some may dwell where these abound,
my prayer, my aim is higher ground. [Refrain]
3 I want to live above the world,
though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
for faith has caught the joyful sound,
the song of saints on higher ground. [Refrain]
4 I want to scale the utmost height
and catch a gleam of glory bright;
but still I’ll pray till heaven I’ve found,
“Lord, lead me on to higher ground.” [Refrain]
Reading: Luke 9:1-6
Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’ They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.
CANTICLE Micah 6:6-8
(Tune: Sharpthorne https://tinyurl.com/yafplab4)
What does the Lord require
for praise and offering?
What sacrifice, desire,
or tribute bid you bring?
Do justly,
love mercy,
walk humbly with your God.
Rulers of earth, give ear!
Should you not justice know?
Will God your pleading hear
while crime and cruelty grow?
Do justly,
love mercy,
walk humbly with your God.
Still down the ages ring
the prophet’s stern commands;
to merchant, worker, king
he brings God’s high commands:
do justly,
love mercy,
walk humbly with your God.
How shall our life fulfill
God’s law so hard and high?
Let Christ endue our will
with grace to fortify.
Then justly,
in mercy,
we’ll humbly walk with God.
THE PRAYERS BCW
God of glory, we praise you for your presence in our lives, and for all goodness
that you shower upon your children in Jesus Christ. Especially we thank you for
promises kept and hope for tomorrow . . .
the enjoyment of friends . . .
the wonders of your creation . . .
the love from our parents, our sisters and brothers, our spouses and children . . .
the pleasures of living. . . .
God of grace, we are one with all your children, for we are sisters and brothers
of Jesus Christ, and we offer our prayers for all whom we love.
Especially we pray for
those we too often forget . . .
people who have lost hope . . .
victims of tragedy and disaster . . .
those who suffer mental anguish . . .
ecumenical councils and church agencies. . . .
(Plainsong Mode 2: https://tinyurl.com/yctqq8cf)DL
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today the bread of life;
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
God of grace and powerful weakness,
at times your prophets were ignored,
rejected, belittled, and unwelcome.
Trusting that we, too, are called to be prophets,
fill us with your Spirit,
and support us by your gentle hands,
that we may persevere in speaking your word
and living our faith. Amen. RCLP
Music: https://tinyurl.com/y9efvwm5
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13:14
BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
EH Exciting Holiness, Ed. Brother Tristram SSF © European Province of the Society of Saint Francis, 1997
RCLP Revised Common Lectionary Prayers. © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.
WS2 Worship Sourcebook, 2nd Edition, © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources
DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.
CW Common Worship © 2000, Central Board of Finance of the Church of England
1 Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©
2 Eric Wyse, Lord’s Prayer, ©; audio from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_a40ME7aVk
The three main scripture readings are from the The New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Edition, The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662).
Musical links are usually either to artists’ albums posted on Spotify or to recordings made available at smallchurchmusic.com. Audio stripped from YouTube videos is footnoted accordingly above.
Compilation © 2020 Stephen T. Benner. All links worked at the time they were created, but I cannot accept responsibility for their content or any damage resulting from their use. The linked content is under the control of the respective content creators and is subject to change at any time. Any copyright texts included in this compilation are provided for non-commercial purposes related to study or worship. Please contact the respective copyright holders for permission to use the texts in other contexts.
Oremus 