Oremus for Friday, January 1, 2021

The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus
The celebration of this scriptural festival marks three events: firstly, the naming of the infant; secondly, the sign of the covenant between God and Abraham ‘and his children for ever’, thus Christ’s keeping of the Law; and thirdly, traditionally the first shedding of the Christ’s blood. The most significant of these in the gospels is the name itself, which means ‘Yahweh saves’ and so is linked to the question asked by Moses of God: “What is your name?” “I am who I am,” was the reply, thus the significance of Jesus’s words: “Before Abraham was, I am.” This feast has been observed in the church since at least the sixth century. ^EH

Antiphon¹

Ant. Unto us a child is born, *
unto us a son is given.
Dominion is on his shoulder
and his name shall be called the Angel of Great Counsel.
V. O sing a new song to the Lord, *
for he has worked wonders.
His right hand and his holy arm *
have brought salvation. Isaiah 9; Psalm 98

Almighty God,
you wonderfully created,
and yet more wonderfully restored,
the dignity of human nature.
In your mercy,
let us share the divine life of Jesus Christ
who came to share our humanity,
and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. 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: John Newton
Tune: Innocents https://tinyurl.com/y8epca4r

1 Sweeter sounds than music knows,
Charm me in Emmanuel’s Name;
All her hopes my spirit owes
To His birth, and Cross, and shame.

2 When He came the angels sung,
“Glory be to God on high:”
Lord, unloose my stammering tongue;
Who shall louder sing than I?

3 Did the Lord a man become,
That He might the law fulfil,
Bleed and suffer in my room,
And canst thou, my tongue, be still?

4 No; I must my praises bring,
Though they worthless are, and weak;
For, should I refuse to sing,
Sure the very stones would speak.

5 O my Saviour, Shield, and Sun,
Shepherd, Brother, Lord, and Friend–
Every precious name in one!
I will love Thee without end.

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

Psalm 1 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yaev8zrk)

1  Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor stood in the way of sinners *
 and hath not sat in the seat of the scornful.
2  But his delight is in the law of the Lord *
 and in his law will he exercise himself day and night.
3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the water-side *
 that will bring forth his fruit in due season.
4  His leaf also shall not wither *
 and look, whatsoever he doeth, it shall prosper.
5  As for the ungodly, it is not so with them *
 but they are like the chaff, which the wind
scattereth away from the face of the earth.
6  Therefore the ungodly shall not be able to stand in the judgement *
 neither the sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
7  But the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous *
 and the way of the ungodly shall perish.
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 2 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ya85zg8v)

1  Why do the heathen so furiously rage together *
 and why do the people imagine a vain thing?
2  The kings of the earth stand up, and the rulers take counsel together *
 against the Lord, and against his Anointed.
3  Let us break their bonds asunder *
 and cast away their cords from us.
4  He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn *
 the Lord shall have them in derision.
5  Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath *
 and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6  Yet have I set my King *
 upon my holy hill of Sion.
7  I will preach the law, whereof the Lord hath said unto me *
 Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
8  Desire of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance *
 and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9  Thou shalt bruise them with a rod of iron *
 and break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
10  Be wise now therefore, O ye kings *
 be learned, ye that are judges of the earth.
11  Serve the Lord in fear *
 and rejoice unto him with reverence.
12  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and so ye perish from the right way *
 if his wrath be kindled, (yea, but a little,)
blessed are all they that put their trust in 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 3 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yabg6jbn)

1  Lord, how are they increased that trouble me *
 many are they that rise against me.
2  Many one there be that say of my soul *
 There is no help for him in his God.
3  But thou, O Lord, art my defender *
 thou art my worship, and the lifter up of my head.
4  I did call upon the Lord with my voice *
 and he heard me out of his holy hill.
5  I laid me down and slept, and rose up again *
 for the Lord sustained me.
6  I will not be afraid for ten thousands of the people *
 that have set themselves against me round about.
7  Up, Lord, and help me, O my God *
 for thou smitest all mine enemies upon the cheek-bone;
thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8  Salvation belongeth unto the Lord *
 and thy blessing is upon thy people.
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 4 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y7jpb9m3)

1  Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness *
 thou hast set me at liberty when I was in trouble;
have mercy upon me, and hearken unto my prayer.
2  O ye sons of men, how long will ye blaspheme mine honour *
 and have such pleasure in vanity, and seek after leasing?
3  Know this also, that the Lord hath chosen to himself the man that is godly *
 when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.
4  Stand in awe, and sin not *
 commune with your own heart, and in your chamber, and be still.
5  Offer the sacrifice of righteousness *
 and put your trust in the Lord.
6  There be many that say *
 Who will shew us any good?
7  Lord, lift thou up *
 the light of thy countenance upon us.
8  Thou hast put gladness in my heart *
 since the time that their corn, and wine, and oil, increased.
9  I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest *
 for it is thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety.
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 5 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yd4gge8p)

1  Ponder my words, O Lord *
 consider my meditation.
2  O hearken thou unto the voice of my calling, my King, and my God *
 for unto thee will I make my prayer.
3  My voice shalt thou hear betimes, O Lord *
 early in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
4  For thou art the God that hast no pleasure in wickedness *
 neither shall any evil dwell with thee.
5  Such as be foolish shall not stand in thy sight *
 for thou hatest all them that work vanity.
6  Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing *
 the Lord will abhor both the blood-thirsty and deceitful man.
7  But as for me, I will come into thine house,
even upon the multitude of thy mercy *
 and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
8  Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness, because of mine enemies *
 make thy way plain before my face.
9  For there is no faithfulness in his mouth *
 their inward parts are very wickedness.
10  Their throat is an open sepulchre *
 they flatter with their tongue.
11  Destroy thou them, O God;
let them perish through their own imaginations *
 cast them out in the multitude of their ungodliness;
for they have rebelled against thee.
12  And let all them that put their trust in thee rejoice *
 they shall ever be giving of thanks, because thou defendest them;
they that love thy Name shall be joyful in thee;
13  For thou, Lord, wilt give thy blessing unto the righteous *
 and with thy favourable kindness wilt thou defend him as with a shield.
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

You alone, O God, are holy and righteous,
and we praise you for protecting us in times of trial.
Keep us safe from all evil
and lead us in paths of justice
that we may know the joy of trusting Jesus Christ
our shield and defender. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover, he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil. I know that whatever God does endures for ever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this, so that all should stand in awe before him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already is; and God seeks out what has gone by.

HYMN: Brian Wren ©
Tune: Bunessan https://tinyurl.com/y4jkzvfd

1 This is a day of new beginnings,
time to remember and move on,
time to believe what love is bringing,
laying to rest the pain that’s gone.

2 For by the life and death of Jesus,
love’s mighty Spirit, now as then,
can make for us a world of diff’rence,
as faith and hope are born again.

3 Then let us, with the Spirit’s daring,
step from the past and leave behind
our disappointment, guilt, and grieving,
seeking new paths, and sure to find.

4 Christ is alive, and goes before us
to show and share what love can do.
This is a day of new beginnings;
our God is making all things new.

Reading: Colossians 1:24-29

I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me.

HYMN: F Bland Tucker ©
Tune: Rendez à Dieu https://tinyurl.com/ycjvr7jh

1. Father, we thank thee who hast planted
thy holy Name within our hearts.
Knowledge and faith and life immortal
Jesus thy Son to us imparts.
Thou, Lord, didst make all for thy pleasure,
didst give us food for all our days,
giving in Christ the Bread eternal;
thine is the power, be thine the praise.

2. Watch o’er thy Church, O Lord, in mercy,
save it from evil, guard it still,
perfect it in thy love, unite it,
cleansed and conformed unto thy will.
As grain, once scattered on the hillsides,
was in this broken bread made one,
so from all lands thy Church be gathered
into thy kingdom by thy Son.

Reading: Luke 2:21

After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

CANTICLE Te Deum
(Setting: https://tinyurl.com/y86fwpph)

You are God we praise you,
You are Lord we thank you,
All creation worships you,
Father, ancient of days.
To You all the angels,
All the powers of heaven;
Cherubim and Seraphim,
Sing in endless praise:

You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.

You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.

Your servants the apostles
Honor you and praise you.
The fellowship of prophets
Your greatness glorifies.
The army of the martyrs
Robed in white adores you.
Throughout the world
Your holy church
Proclaims you to the skies!

Father, glorious, infinite in majesty.
Son, victorious
Spirit, comfort and guide.
You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.

Christ, Son of the Father,
King of endless glory
You came among us lowly,
Birth of Mary ‘s womb.
You robbed death of its power,
You opened heaven’s treasure
Now you sit at God’s right hand,
Soon to be our judge

Come Lord Jesus,
Come to help Your people.
Those for whom You shed Your blood
To whom you gave new birth,
You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.

THE PRAYERS ^{Joe Milner}

For the Church: that we may be like Mary, treasuring God’s words and deeds in our hearts and drawing wisdom from them for our daily lives

For a deeper awareness of the Spirit in our lives: that we may know our adoption as children of God and live in freedom and friendship with God

For the grace to ponder: that we may recognize and reverence the work of God in our lives and come to a deeper realization of how much God loves us

For the grace to begin again: that God will free us from all that holds us bound and invigorate us to live life fully for God’s glory and the service of our sisters and brothers

For God’s blessing on the New Year: that God will free us from the Covid virus, renew the gifts of the Spirit within us, and inspire us with new ways to show God’s love and compassion to others

For awareness of the deepest desires God has placed in our hearts: that the Spirit will help us recognize the desires and visions that God has planted within us and give us the courage to pursue them

For the ability to listen better: that we, like the shepherds, may truly listen to the words spoken to us, find meaning in them, and act wisely upon them

For the ability to forgive and let go: that God will help us to forgive all who have injured us and release our pain into God’s hands so that we can live freely and vigorously in this new year

For all leaders of the Church: that they may exercise authority with the wisdom of the Spirit and the love of Christ in their hearts

For peace and healing within nations: that leaders and all who hold public office may faithfully fill their duties and work to relieve the suffering of the poor and marginalized

For all who are suffering: that God will bring relief to the homeless and those in refugee camps, new beginnings for those recovering from natural disasters, and safety to those who live amid violence

For our common home, the earth: that God will help us to be good stewards of creation and guide us to wisely use the natural resources for the good of all the human family

For all who are ill: that God will bring healing to the sick, comfort to those in isolation, strength to caregivers, and health to all of us

For the blessing of peace: that the Spirit of God will open us to the presence of God around us and guide us along new paths that will heal divisions and end bloodshed

For all who have died during this past year: that God’s face will shine upon them and give them eternal peace in God’s presence

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.

Almighty God,
whose blessèd Son was circumcised
in obedience to the law for our sake
and given the Name that is above every name:
give us grace faithfully to bear his Name,
to worship him in the freedom of the Spirit,
and to proclaim him as the Saviour of the world;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen. ^EH

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

The intercessions are by Joe Milner, http://liturgy.slu.edu

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.