Oremus for Saturday, January 2, 2021

Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen
Gregory and Basil were two friends bound together by their desire to promote and defend the divinity of Christ as proclaimed in the Nicene Creed. This was against the seemingly overwhelming pressure from both Church and State for the establishment of Arianism, which denied Christ’s divinity and thus the whole Christian doctrine of the Trinity. Basil was renowned for being headstrong and forceful, in comparison to his friend Gregory, who would rather spend his days in prayer and living the simple, ascetic life. Gregory’s brilliance in oratory and theological debate meant that a hidden life was virtually impossible and Basil drew him into the forefront of the controversy. Their joint persuasive eloquence convinced the first Council of Constantinople, meeting in 381, that their teaching was the truly orthodox one and the Council ratified the text of the Nicene Creed in the form it is used in the East to this day. Basil died in 379 and Gregory ten years later. ^EH

Antiphon¹

Ant. God is in his holy dwelling place; *
the God who causes us to dwell together,
one at heart, in his house;
he himself will give power and strength to his people.
V. Let God arise; let his foes be scattered. *
Let those who hate him flee from his presence.
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; †
like wax that melts before the fire, *
so the wicked shall perish at the presence of God. Psalm 68

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: Psalm 104; para. Martin Leckebusch ©
Tune: Tidings https://tinyurl.com/yawfdoq8

1 We worship you, whose splendor dwarfs the cosmos, 
whose very clothes are robes of dazzling light; 
on wind and cloud you ride across the heavens; 
your word bids fiery angels soar in flight.

Refrain:
Lord God, our voices gladly we raise, 
joining creation’s unending hymn of praise.

2 You made the earth, determining its orbit: 
primeval chaos fled at your command. 
You send the streams from mountain peak to valley, 
and yet prevent them flooding all the land. [Refrain]

3 The waters flow, till plain and pasture flourish; 
the forest thrives— there birds may freely nest; 
the thirsty creatures drink and find refreshment; 
and human hearts with wine and grain are blessed. [Refrain]

4 You formed the moon to mark the passing seasons; 
you gave the sun, whose radiance lights the day; 
as each new morning calls us to your service, 
the wildlife of the nighttime steals away. [Refrain]

5 Unnumbered marvels emphasize your wisdom:
who knows what mysteries lie beneath the sea?
Yet every mouth relies on your provision:
without your care, how brief our lives would be. [Refrain]

6 May you rejoice in all you have created,
though just your glance could set the earth ablaze;
may we direct our lives to bring you pleasure,
and praise you with the song of all our days. [Refrain]

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

Psalm 9 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yczh7vnk)

1  I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, with my whole heart *
 I will speak of all thy marvellous works.
2  I will be glad and rejoice in thee *
 yea, my songs will I make of thy Name, O thou most Highest.
3  While mine enemies are driven back *
 they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
4  For thou hast maintained my right and my cause *
 thou art set in the throne that judgest right.
5  Thou hast rebuked the heathen, and destroyed the ungodly *
 thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.
6  O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end *
 even as the cities which thou hast destroyed;
their memorial is perished with them.
7  But the Lord shall endure for ever *
 he hath also prepared his seat for judgement.
8  For he shall judge the world in righteousness *
 and minister true judgement unto the people.
9  The Lord also will be a defence for the oppressed *
 even a refuge in due time of trouble.
10  And they that know thy Name will put their trust in thee *
 for thou, Lord, hast never failed them that seek thee.
11  O praise the Lord which dwelleth in Sion *
 shew the people of his doings.
12  For, when he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them *
 and forgetteth not the complaint of the poor.
13  Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider the trouble
which I suffer of them that hate me *
 thou that liftest me up from the gates of death.
14  That I may shew all thy praises within the ports of the daughter of Sion *
 I will rejoice in thy salvation.
15  The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made *
 in the same net which they hid privily, is their foot taken.
16  The Lord is known to execute judgement *
 the ungodly is trapped in the work of his own hands.
17  The wicked shall be turned into hell *
 and all the people that forget God.
18  For the poor shall not alway be forgotten *
 the patient abiding of the meek shall not perish for ever.
19  Up, Lord, and let not man have the upper hand *
 let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
20  Put them in fear, O Lord *
 that the heathen may know themselves to be but men.
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 10 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yakosuxg)

1  Why standest thou so far off, O Lord *
 and hidest thy face in the needful time of trouble?
2  The ungodly for his own lust doth persecute the poor *
 let them be taken in the crafty wiliness that they have imagined.
3  For the ungodly hath made boast of his own heart’s desire *
 and speaketh good of the covetous, whom God abhorreth.
4  The ungodly is so proud, that he careth not for God *
 neither is God in all his thoughts.
5  His ways are alway grievous *
 thy judgements are far above out of his sight,
and therefore defieth he all his enemies.
6  For he hath said in his heart, Tush, I shall never be cast down *
 there shall no harm happen unto me.
7  His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and fraud *
 under his tongue is ungodliness and vanity.
8  He sitteth lurking in the thievish corners of the streets *
 and privily in his lurking dens doth he murder the innocent;
his eyes are set against the poor.
9  For he lieth waiting secretly, even as a lion lurketh he in his den *
 that he may ravish the poor.
10  He doth ravish the poor *
 when he getteth him into his net.
11  He falleth down, and humbleth himself *
 that the congregation of the poor may fall into the hands of his captains.
12  He hath said in his heart, Tush, God hath forgotten *
 he hideth away his face, and he will never see it.
13  Arise, O Lord God, and lift up thine hand *
 forget not the poor.
14  Wherefore should the wicked blaspheme God *
 while he doth say in his heart, Tush, thou God carest not for it.
15  Surely thou hast seen it *
 for thou beholdest ungodliness and wrong.
16  That thou mayest take the matter into thine hand *
 the poor committeth himself unto thee;
for thou art the helper of the friendless.
17  Break thou the power of the ungodly and malicious *
 take away his ungodliness, and thou shalt find none.
18  The Lord is King for ever and ever *
 and the heathen are perished out of the land.
19  Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the poor *
 thou preparest their heart, and thine ear hearkeneth thereto;
20  To help the fatherless and poor unto their right *
 that the man of the earth be no more exalted against 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.

Psalm 11 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yboxkznx)

1  In the Lord put I my trust *
 how say ye then to my soul,
that she should flee as a bird unto the hill?
2  For lo, the ungodly bend their bow,
and make ready their arrows within the quiver *
 that they may privily shoot at them which are true of heart.
3  For the foundations will be cast down *
 and what hath the righteous done?
4  The Lord is in his holy temple *
 the Lord’s seat is in heaven.
5  His eyes consider the poor *
 and his eye-lids try the children of men.
6  The Lord alloweth the righteous *
 but the ungodly, and him that delighteth in wickedness
doth his soul abhor.
7  Upon the ungodly he shall rain snares,
fire and brimstone, storm and tempest *
 this shall be their portion to drink.
8  For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness *
 his countenance will behold the thing that is just.
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 Most High,
in Jesus Christ you rule the world with righteousness
and judge the nations with equity.
Cast down the haughty and lift up the lowly.
Make us compassionate to the needy
that we may be close to Jesus Christ,
our servant Lord. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Proverbs 1:1-7

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

For learning about wisdom and instruction,
   for understanding words of insight,
for gaining instruction in wise dealing,
   righteousness, justice, and equity;
to teach shrewdness to the simple,
   knowledge and prudence to the young—
let the wise also hear and gain in learning,
   and the discerning acquire skill,
to understand a proverb and a figure,
   the words of the wise and their riddles.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
   fools despise wisdom and instruction.

HYMN: Gregory Nazianzen, trans. John Brownlie
Tune: Harewood https://tinyurl.com/y9fmwnfc

1 O Light that knew no dawn,
that shines to endless day,
all things in earth and heav’n
are lustered by thy ray;
no eye can to thy throne ascend,
nor mind thy brightness comprehend.

2 Thy grace, O Father, give,
that I may serve in fear;
above all boons, I pray,
grant me thy voice to hear;
from sin thy child in mercy free,
and let me dwell in light with thee:

3 That, cleansed from stain of sin,
I may meet homage give,
and, pure in heart, behold
thy beauty while I live;
clean hands in holy worship raise,
and thee, O Christ my Savior, praise.

4 In supplication meek
to thee I bend the knee;
O Christ, when thou shalt come,
in love remember me,
and in thy kingdom, by thy grace,
grant me a humble servant’s place.

5 Thy grace, O Father, give,
I humbly thee implore;
and let thy mercy bless
thy servant more and more.
All grace and glory be to thee,
from age to age eternally.

Reading: Colossians 2:1-5

For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me face to face. I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I am saying this so that no one may deceive you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, and I rejoice to see your morale and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

HYMN: Fanny Crosby
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/yaf8jrvm

1 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

2 Perfect communion, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight.
Angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love. [Refrain]

3 Perfect submission, all is at rest.
I in my Savior am happy and bless’d,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love. [Refrain]

Reading: John 10:11-15

Jesus said, ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.’

CANTICLE Isaiah 60
(Uptown Worship Band: https://tinyurl.com/yb6c8bhv)

Arise and shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.
For behold, darkness covers the land;
and deep gloom enshrouds the people.
But over you the Lord will rise,
and his glory will appear upon you.
Nations will stream to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawning.
Your gates will always be open;
by day or night they’ll never be closed.
They will call you the City of the Lord,
the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
And violence will be no more,
no need for the sun or the moonlight,
the Lord will be your light,
and your God will be your glory.
Glory to the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

THE PRAYERS 

Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given.
Let us offer our prayers for the needs of the world.

Wonderful Counselor,
give your wisdom to the rulers of the nations…
We pray especially for the people of Palestine.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

Mighty God,
make the whole world know
that the government is on your shoulders…
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

Everlasting Father,
establish your reign of justice and righteousness for ever…
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

Prince of Peace,
bring in the endless kingdom of your peace…
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

Lord of the Church,
hear our prayer,
and make us one in heart and mind
to serve you with joy for ever.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

(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.

Lord God,
whose servants Basil and Gregory
proclaimed the mystery of your Word made flesh,
to build up your Church in wisdom and strength:
grant that we may rejoice in his presence among us,
and so be brought with them to know
the power of your unending love;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
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

^RCLP Revised Common Lectionary Prayers. © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.

^DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.

The intercession has been used in Oremus for more than 20 years and I no longer recall the source.

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.