Oremus for Friday, December 11, 2020

Antiphon¹

Ant. People of Zion behold, *
the Lord is coming to save all nations;
and the Lord shall cause you to hear
his majestic voice for the joy of your heart.
V. O shepherd of Israel, hear us, *
you who lead Joseph like a flock:
enthroned on the cherubim, shine forth
upon Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh. *
Rouse up your might and come to save us. Isaiah 30; Psalm 80

Almighty God,
give us grace to cast away the works of darkness,
and put on the armor of light,
now in the time of this mortal life
in which your Son Jesus Christ came
to visit us in great humility;
that in the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge both the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. 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: Dietrich Bonhoeffer; trans. Church Hymnary, 4^th edition
Tune: Eventide https://tinyurl.com/yy2qbcv5

1 We turn to God when we are sorely pressed;
we pray for help, and ask for peace and bread;
we seek release from illness, guilt, and death:
all people do, in faith or unbelief.

2 We turn to God when he is sorely pressed,
and find him poor, scorned, without roof and bread,
bowed under weight of weakness, sin, and death:
faith stands by God in his dark hour of grief.

3 God turns to us when we are sorely pressed,
and feeds our souls and bodies with his bread;
for one and all Christ gives himself in death:
through his forgiveness sin will find relief.

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

Psalm 59 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y7xjmm3n)

1  Deliver me from mine enemies, O God *
 defend me from them that rise up against me.
2  O deliver me from the wicked doers *
 and save me from the blood-thirsty men.
3  For lo, they lie waiting for my soul *
 the mighty men are gathered against me,
without any offence or fault of me, O Lord.
4  They run and prepare themselves without my fault *
 arise thou therefore to help me, and behold.
5  Stand up, O Lord God of hosts, thou God of Israel, to visit all the heathen *
 and be not merciful unto them that offend of malicious wickedness.
6  They go to and fro in the evening *
 they grin like a dog, and run about through the city.
7  Behold, they speak with their mouth, and swords are in their lips *
 for who doth hear?
8  But thou, O Lord, shalt have them in derision *
 and thou shalt laugh all the heathen to scorn.
9  My strength will I ascribe unto thee *
 for thou art the God of my refuge.
10  God sheweth me his goodness plenteously *
 and God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
11  Slay them not, lest my people forget it *
 but scatter them abroad among the people,
and put them down, O Lord, our defence.
12  For the sin of their mouth, and for the words of their lips,
they shall be taken in their pride *
 and why? their preaching is of cursing and lies.
13  Consume them in thy wrath, consume them, that they may perish *
 and know that it is God that ruleth in Jacob,
and unto the ends of the world.
14  And in the evening they will return *
 grin like a dog, and will go about the city.
15  They will run here and there for meat *
 and grudge if they be not satisfied.
16  As for me, I will sing of thy power,
and will praise thy mercy betimes in the morning *
 for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17  Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing *
 for thou, O God, art my refuge, and my merciful God.
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 60 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yaj9c4se)

1  O God, thou hast cast us out, and scattered us abroad *
 thou hast also been displeased; O turn thee unto us again.
2  Thou hast moved the land, and divided it *
 heal the sores thereof, for it shaketh.
3  Thou hast shewed thy people heavy things *
 thou hast given us a drink of deadly wine.
4  Thou hast given a token for such as fear thee *
 that they may triumph because of the truth.
5  Therefore were thy beloved delivered *
 help me with thy right hand, and hear me.
6  God hath spoken in his holiness, I will rejoice, and divide Sichem *
 and mete out the valley of Succoth.
7  Gilead is mine, and Manasses is mine *
 Ephraim also is the strength of my head; Judah is my law-giver;
8  Moab is my wash-pot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe *
 Philistia, be thou glad of me.
9  Who will lead me into the strong city *
 who will bring me into Edom?
10  Hast not thou cast us out, O God *
 wilt not thou, O God, go out with our hosts?
11  O be thou our help in trouble *
 for vain is the help of man.
12  Through God will we do great acts *
 for it is he that shall tread down our enemies.
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 61 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ycmkl8hs)

1  Hear my crying, O God *
 give ear unto my prayer.
2  From the ends of the earth will I call upon thee *
 when my heart is in heaviness.
3  O set me up upon the rock that is higher than I *
 for thou hast been my hope, and a strong tower for me against the enemy.
4  I will dwell in thy tabernacle for ever *
 and my trust shall be under the covering of thy wings.
5  For thou, O Lord, hast heard my desires *
 and hast given an heritage unto those that fear thy Name.
6  Thou shalt grant the King a long life *
 that his years may endure throughout all generations.
7  He shall dwell before God for ever *
 O prepare thy loving mercy and faithfulness, that they may preserve him.
8  So will I alway sing praise unto thy Name *
 that I may daily perform my vows.
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 of power,
deliver us from evil
and confirm our trust in you,
that at dusk we may sing of your justice
and at dawn exult in your mercy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Malachi 2:1-9

And now, O priests, this command is for you. If you will not listen, if you will not lay it to heart to give glory to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse on you and I will curse your blessings; indeed I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and I will put you out of my presence.

Know, then, that I have sent this command to you, so that my covenant with Levi may hold, says the Lord of hosts. My covenant with him was a covenant of life and well-being, which I gave him; this called for reverence, and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in integrity and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. But you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you have not kept my ways but have shown partiality in your instruction.

HYMN: Luke Connaughton ©
Tune: Toulon (Genevan 124^th) https://tinyurl.com/y5vroqdq

1 The voice of God goes out to all the world;
his glory speaks across the universe.
The great King’s herald cries from star to star:
with power, with justice, he will walk his way.

2 The Lord has said, ‘Receive my messenger,
my promise to the world, my pledge made fresh,
a lamp to every nation, light from light’:
with power, with justice, he will walk his way.

3 The broken reed he will not trample down,
nor set his heel upon the dying flame.
He binds the wounds, and heals with his strong hand:
with power, with justice, he will walk his way.

4 Anointed with the Spirit and with power,
he comes to crown with comfort all the weak,
to show the face of justice to the poor:
with power, with justice, he will walk his way.

5 His touch will bless the eyes that darkness held;
the lame shall run, the halting tongue shall sing,
and prisoners laugh in light and liberty:
with power, with justice, he will walk his way.

Reading: Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

HYMN: Michael A Perry ©
Tune: Quem pastores https://tinyurl.com/yxoqkyhw

1 Like a mighty river flowing,
like a flower in beauty growing,
far beyond all human knowing
is the perfect peace of God.

2 Like the hills serene and even,
like the coursing clouds of heaven,
like the heart that’s been forgiven
is the perfect peace of God.

3 Like the summer breezes playing,
like the tall trees softly swaying,
like the lips of silent praying
is the perfect peace of God.

4 Like the morning sun ascended,
like the scents of evening blended,
like a friendship never ended
is the perfect peace of God.

5 Like the azure ocean swelling,
like the jewel all-excelling,
far beyond our human telling
is the perfect peace of God.

Reading: Mark 13:5-8

Then Jesus began to say to them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.’

CANTICLE Philippians 2:6-11
(Chant by John Michael Talbot: https://tinyurl.com/y8ljx8y7)

Though he was in the form of God,
Jesus did not deem equality with God
something to be grasped at.
Rather, he emptied himself
and took the form of a slave,
being born in the likeness of men.
He was known to be of human estate
and it was thus that he humbled himself,
obediently accepting even death,
death on a cross!
Because of this,
God highly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
above every other name,  
So that at Jesus’ name
every knee must bend
in the heavens, on the earth,
and under the earth,
and every tongue proclaim
to the glory of God the Father:  
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

THE PRAYERS ^CGP

We are an anxious people, a waiting people, God.
We long for a new and powerful encounter with you.
We wait in bondage through no fault of our own,
entangled by distant forces of evil,
by anger and greed we did not create;
saddened by the waste and foolishness of our time.
We come to drink of your power, to be set free!
And we wait in bondage because of our own sin.
Lead us beyond advertisements
which entice us to have much,
that we might be open to receive much:
to have time for personal relationships,
to give thanks for creation,
to allow your coming into our lives anew.
And so we wait and wait,
remembering your promise, O Promise-Fulfilling God.
And we rejoice that you are more faithful than are we:
that you tug us again into hoping,
and nudge us into life in your Spirit.
We wait, then, as generations have waited,
for the Christ who came among us, is among us,
and will come among us. Amen.

Setting: Sanford Dole https://tinyurl.com/y7ldq7h5

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as 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.

O God,
you gather a people you call your own.
Confirm us in the strength of your abiding word
and stay our hearts in the time of trial,
so that on the day of the Son of Man
we may without fear rejoice to behold his appearing.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. ^ICEL

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.

^DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.

^CGP Celebrating God’s Presence, United Church of Canada

^{ICEL ICEL Opening Prayers, 1998 as revised in GS 2016 Trial Use Collects, Anglican Church of Canada.}

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

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.