Oremus for Saturday, October 31, 2020

Reformation Day

Antiphon¹

Ant. I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord; *
from whatever tribulations they cry out to me,
I will give heed to them; and I will be their Lord for ever.
V. Give ear, my people, to my teaching; *
incline your ear to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable *
and utter hidden lessons of the past. cf. Psalm 37; Psalm 78

Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires, known,
and from whom no secrets are hid:
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.

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: Samuel J Stone
Tune: Aurelia https://tinyurl.com/ycj9rudf

1 The church’s one foundation
is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
she is his new creation
by water and the Word:
from heav’n he came and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.

2 Elect from ev’ry nation,
yet one o’er all the earth,
her charter of salvation
one Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses,
with ev’ry grace endued.

3 Though with a scornful wonder
men see her sore oppressed,
by schisms rent asunder,
by heresies distressed,
yet saints their watch are keeping,
their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
shall be the morn of song.

4 The church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord to defend,
to guide, sustain, and cherish,
is with her to the end;
though there be those that hate her,
and false sons in her pale,
against both foe and traitor
she ever shall prevail.

5 ‘Mid toil and tribulation,
and tumult of her war,
she waits the consummation
of peace forevermore;
till with the vision glorious
her longing eyes are blest,
and the great church victorious
shall be the church at rest.

6 Yet she on earth hath union
with the God the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won:
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we,
like them, the meek and lowly,
on high may dwell with thee.

PSALMS
For psalms in contemporary language, https://tinyurl.com/y9tjh7rk

Psalm 147 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/w8ysftd)

1  Praise the Lord, for it is a good thing to sing praises unto our God *
 yea, a joyful and pleasant thing it is to be thankful.
2  The Lord doth build up Jerusalem *
 and gather together the out-casts of Israel.
3  He healeth those that are broken in heart *
 and giveth medicine to heal their sickness.
4  He telleth the number of the stars *
 and calleth them all by their names.
5  Great is our Lord, and great is his power *
 yea, and his wisdom is infinite.
6  The Lord setteth up the meek *
 and bringeth the ungodly down to the ground.
7  O sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving *
 sing praises upon the harp unto our God;
8  Who covereth the heaven with clouds,
and prepareth rain for the earth *
 and maketh the grass to grow upon the mountains,
and herb for the use of men;
9  Who giveth fodder unto the cattle *
 and feedeth the young ravens that call upon him.
10  He hath no pleasure in the strength of an horse *
 neither delighteth he in any man’s legs.
11  But the Lord’s delight is in them that fear him *
 and put their trust in his mercy.
12  Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem *
 praise thy God, O Sion.
13  For he hath made fast the bars of thy gates *
 and hath blessed thy children within thee.
14  He maketh peace in thy borders *
 and filleth thee with the flour of wheat.
15  He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth *
 and his word runneth very swiftly.
16  He giveth snow like wool *
 and scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.
17  He casteth forth his ice like morsels *
 who is able to abide his frost?
18  He sendeth out his word, and melteth them *
 he bloweth with his wind, and the waters flow.
19  He sheweth his word unto Jacob *
 his statutes and ordinances unto Israel.
20  He hath not dealt so with any nation *
 neither have the heathen knowledge of his laws.
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 148 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/vjv42mh)

1  O praise the Lord of heaven *
 praise him in the height.
2  Praise him, all ye angels of his *
 praise him, all his host.
3  Praise him, sun and moon *
 praise him, all ye stars and light.
4  Praise him, all ye heavens *
 and ye waters that are above the heavens.
5  Let them praise the Name of the Lord *
 for he spake the word, and they were made;
he commanded, and they were created.
6  He hath made them fast for ever and ever *
 he hath given them a law which shall not be broken.
7  Praise the Lord upon earth *
 ye dragons, and all deeps;
8  Fire and hail, snow and vapours *
 wind and storm, fulfilling his word;
9  Mountains and all hills *
 fruitful trees and all cedars;
10  Beasts and all cattle *
 worms and feathered fowls;
11  Kings of the earth and all people *
 princes and all judges of the world;
12  Young men and maidens, old men and children,
praise the Name of the Lord *
 for his Name only is excellent, and his praise above heaven and earth.
13  He shall exalt the horn of his people; all his saints shall praise him *
 even the children of Israel, even the people that serveth 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 149 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/rpojt8q)

1  O sing unto the Lord a new song *
 let the congregation of saints praise him.
2  Let Israel rejoice in him that made him *
 and let the children of Sion be joyful in their King.
3  Let them praise his Name in the dance *
 let them sing praises unto him with tabret and harp.
4  For the Lord hath pleasure in his people *
 and helpeth the meek-hearted.
5  Let the saints be joyful with glory *
 let them rejoice in their beds.
6  Let the praises of God be in their mouth *
 and a two-edged sword in their hands;
7  To be avenged of the heathen *
 and to rebuke the people;
8  To bind their kings in chains *
 and their nobles with links of iron.
9  That they may be avenged of them, as it is written *
 Such honour have all his saints.
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 150 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/vm5vf4z)

1  O praise God in his holiness *
 praise him in the firmament of his power.
2  Praise him in his noble acts *
 praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3  Praise him in the sound of the trumpet *
 praise him upon the lute and harp.
4  Praise him in the cymbals and dances *
 praise him upon the strings and pipe.
5  Praise him upon the well-tuned cymbals *
 praise him upon the loud cymbals.
6  Let every thing that hath breath *
 praise 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.

PRAYER

God our Maker,
you crown the humble with honor
and exalt the faithful who gather in your name.
Because you have favored us with life,
we dance before you in our joy
and praise you with unending song
for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Joshua 6:15-27

On the seventh day the Israelites rose early, at dawn, and marched around the city of Jericho in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times. And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, ‘Shout! For the Lord has given you the city. The city and all that is in it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers we sent. As for you, keep away from the things devoted to destruction, so as not to covet and take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel an object for destruction, bringing trouble upon it. But all silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are sacred to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord.’ So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpets, they raised a great shout, and the wall fell down flat; so the people charged straight ahead into the city and captured it. Then they devoted to destruction by the edge of the sword all in the city, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys.

Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, ‘Go into the prostitute’s house, and bring the woman out of it and all who belong to her, as you swore to her.’ So the young men who had been spies went in and brought Rahab out, along with her father, her mother, her brothers, and all who belonged to her—they brought all her kindred out—and set them outside the camp of Israel. They burned down the city, and everything in it; only the silver and gold, and the vessels of bronze and iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. But Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, Joshua spared. Her family has lived in Israel ever since. For she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

Joshua then pronounced this oath, saying,
‘Cursed before the Lord be anyone who tries
   to build this city—this Jericho!
At the cost of his firstborn he shall lay its foundation,
   and at the cost of his youngest he shall set up its gates!’

So the Lord was with Joshua; and his fame was in all the land.

HYMN: Martin Rinkart; trans. Catherine Winkworth
Tune: Nun danket https://tinyurl.com/yd55j8zp

1 Now thank we all our God
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom his world rejoices;
who from our mothers’ arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

2 O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us,
to keep us in his grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills
of this world in the next.

3 All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given,
the Son and Spirit blest,
who reign in highest heaven
the one eternal God,
whom heaven and earth adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore. 

Reading: Romans 12:18-21

If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

HYMN: Spiritual
Performed by Pete Seeger: https://tinyurl.com/y42gs3sn

1 We shall overcome,
We shall overcome,
We shall overcome someday.

Refrain:
Oh, deep in my heart,
I do believe
We shall overcome someday.

2 We’ll walk hand in hand,
We’ll walk hand in hand,
We’ll walk hand in hand someday. [Refrain]

3 We shall live in peace,
We shall live in peace,
We shall live in peace someday. [Refrain]

4 We are not afraid,
We are not afraid,
We are not afraid today. [Refrain]

5 God will see us through,
God will see us through,
God will see us through today. [Refrain]

6 We shall stand together…

7 The truth will make us free…

8 We shall be like him…

9 The whole wide world around…

Reading: Mark 5:21-34

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered round him; and he was by the lake. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.’ So he went with him.

And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.’ Immediately her haemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, “Who touched me?” ’ He looked all round to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’

CANTICLE Isaiah 9; Isaiah 40:1-9; 1 John 1
(Dan Schutte: https://tinyurl.com/ybrvb259)

Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep!
A new day is dawning for all those who weep
The people in darkness have seen a great light
The Lord of our longing has conquered the night
Refrain:
Let us build the city of God
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love
Has turned the night into day!

We are sons of the morning; we are daughters of day
The One who has loved us has brightened our way. Refrain

God is light; in him there is no darkness
Let us walk in his light, his children, one and all. Refrain

O comfort my people; make gentle your words
Proclaim to my city the day of her birth. Refrain

THE PRAYERS³

Here we stand, Lord,
The people you have redeemed.
Here we stand, Lord,
giving thanks to you for you are good.
We give thanks that your love lasts forever.
We thank you that you free those who are oppressed.

Here we stand knowing that it is you
We all can cry out to for help in times of trouble.
We know that you will not only deliver us but
That you will lead our way to where we need to go.

Here we stand by the living water
That you set flowing for all.
We drink freely from your waters
That gratifies everyone who is thirsty.
And we thank you that you also
Give plenty to eat for those who are hungry.

Here we stand with those who reformed the church so long ago
And with those who still are reforming the church today.
Here we stand witnesses to your good news for all.
Here we stand your servants, your followers, your children.

(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.

Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. ^ELW

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

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^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.

^DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.

^ELW Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

¹ Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©

³ http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.com/2011/10/prayer-for-reformation-sunday.html

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.