Oremus for Thursday, February 18, 2021

Martin Luther
Martin Luther, (born November 10, 1483, Eisleben, Saxony [Germany]—died February 18, 1546, Eisleben), German theologian and religious reformer who was the catalyst of the 16th-century Protestant Reformation. Through his words and actions, Luther precipitated a movement that reformulated certain basic tenets of Christian belief and resulted in the division of Western Christendom between Roman Catholicism and the new Protestant traditions, mainly Lutheranism, Calvinism, the Anglican Communion, the Anabaptists, and the Antitrinitarians. He is one of the most influential figures in the history of Christianity. ^{britannica.com}

Antiphon¹

Ant. The Lord has become my protector; *
he has brought me forth into free and open spaces;
he delivered me because he was well pleased with me.
V. I love you, Lord, my strength; *
O Lord, my rock, my fortress, my savior;
my God, my rock where I take refuge; *
my shield, my saving strength, my stronghold.
I cry out, “Praised be the Lord!” *
and see, I am saved from my foes. Psalm 18

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/ufxekitx

God, come to my assistance.
Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory 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.

HYMN: Martin Luther; trans. Evangelical Lutheran Worship ©
Tune: Vater Unser https://tinyurl.com/nyaa6mzg

1 Our Father, God in heav’n above, 
we pray, united in your love:
Your name be hallowed. Help us, Lord,
in faithfulness to keep your word.
Your kingdom come; your will be done
on earth as there before your throne.

2 Give us today our daily bread;
let ev’ryone be clothed and fed.
Forgive our sins, as we forgive
when others hurt us as we live.
Help us to dwell in harmony
and serve each other willingly.

3 In time of trial, rescue us.
Let your word give success to us
when, on our left and on our right,
temptations challenge us to fight.
Deliver us from evil’s pow’r
and comfort us in life’s last hour.

4 Amen. Yes, yes, it shall be so!
Build up our faith and make it grow;
beset by doubt, help us believe
what here we ask we shall receive.
So, by your promise, in your name,
with loud Amen your Yes we claim!

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

Psalm 93 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y7tg5urb)

1  The Lord is King, and hath put on glorious apparel *
 the Lord hath put on his apparel, and girded himself with strength.
2  He hath made the round world so sure *
 that it cannot be moved.
3  Ever since the world began hath thy seat been prepared *
 thou art from everlasting.
4  The floods are risen, O Lord, the floods have lift up their voice *
 the floods lift up their waves.
5  The waves of the sea are mighty, and rage horribly *
 but yet the Lord, who dwelleth on high, is mightier.
6  Thy testimonies, O Lord, are very sure *
 holiness becometh thine house for ever.
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 94 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y8otscow)

1  O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth *
 thou God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
2  Arise, thou Judge of the world *
 and reward the proud after their deserving.
3  Lord, how long shall the ungodly *
 how long shall the ungodly triumph?
4  How long shall all wicked doers speak so disdainfully *
 and make such proud boasting?
5  They smite down thy people, O Lord *
 and trouble thine heritage.
6  They murder the widow, and the stranger *
 and put the fatherless to death.
7  And yet they say, Tush, the Lord shall not see *
 neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
8  Take heed, ye unwise among the people *
 O ye fools, when will ye understand?
9  He that planted the ear, shall he not hear *
 or he that made the eye, shall he not see?
10  Or he that nurtureth the heathen *
 it is he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he punish?
11  The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man *
 that they are but vain.
12  Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord *
 and teachest him in thy law;
13  That thou mayest give him patience in time of adversity *
 until the pit be digged up for the ungodly.
14  For the Lord will not fail his people *
 neither will he forsake his inheritance;
15  Until righteousness turn again unto judgement *
 all such as are true in heart shall follow it.
16  Who will rise up with me against the wicked *
 or who will take my part against the evil-doers?
17  If the Lord had not helped me *
 it had not failed but my soul had been put to silence.
18  But when I said, My foot hath slipt *
 thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.
19  In the multitude of the sorrows that I had in my heart *
 thy comforts have refreshed my soul.
20  Wilt thou have any thing to do with the stool of wickedness *
 which imagineth mischief as a law?
21  They gather them together against the soul of the righteous *
 and condemn the innocent blood.
22  But the Lord is my refuge *
 and my God is the strength of my confidence.
23  He shall recompense them their wickedness, and destroy them in their own malice *
 yea, the Lord our God shall destroy 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.

PRAYER

Omnipotent God,
your glory is incomprehensible,
your majesty infinite,
and your power incomparable.
Found us on the certainty of your promises,
that no matter what happens,
we may be firm in faith
and live uprightly in your church,
bought by the blood of Jesus Christ. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Leviticus 1:1-13

The Lord summoned Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying: Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: When any of you bring an offering of livestock to the Lord, you shall bring your offering from the herd or from the flock.

If the offering is a burnt-offering from the herd, you shall offer a male without blemish; you shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, for acceptance in your behalf before the Lord. You shall lay your hand on the head of the burnt-offering, and it shall be acceptable in your behalf as atonement for you. The bull shall be slaughtered before the Lord; and Aaron’s sons the priests shall offer the blood, dashing the blood against all sides of the altar that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting. The burnt-offering shall be flayed and cut up into its parts. The sons of the priest Aaron shall put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. Aaron’s sons the priests shall arrange the parts, with the head and the suet, on the wood that is on the fire on the altar; but its entrails and its legs shall be washed with water. Then the priest shall turn the whole into smoke on the altar as a burnt-offering, an offering by fire of pleasing odour to the Lord.

If your gift for a burnt-offering is from the flock, from the sheep or goats, your offering shall be a male without blemish. It shall be slaughtered on the north side of the altar before the Lord, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall dash its blood against all sides of the altar. It shall be cut up into its parts, with its head and its suet, and the priest shall arrange them on the wood that is on the fire on the altar; but the entrails and the legs shall be washed with water. Then the priest shall offer the whole and turn it into smoke on the altar; it is a burnt-offering, an offering by fire of pleasing odour to the Lord.

HYMN: Psalm 51; para. Isaac Watts
Tune: Supplication

1 A broken heart, my God, my King,
is all the sacrifice I bring;
the God of grace will ne’er despise
a broken heart for sacrifice.

2 My soul lies humbled in the dust,
and owns thy dreadful sentence just:
look down, O Lord, with pitying eye,
and save the soul condemned to die.

3 Then will I teach the world thy ways;
sinners shall learn thy sov’reign grace;
I’ll lead them to my Savior’s blood,
and they shall praise a pard’ning God.

Reading: Hebrews 1:1-14

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

For to which of the angels did God ever say,
‘You are my Son;
   today I have begotten you’?
Or again,
‘I will be his Father,
   and he will be my Son’?
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’
Of the angels he says,
‘He makes his angels winds,
   and his servants flames of fire.’
But of the Son he says,
‘Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever,
   and the righteous sceptre is the sceptre of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
   with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.’
And,
‘In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth,
   and the heavens are the work of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain;
   they will all wear out like clothing;
like a cloak you will roll them up,
   and like clothing they will be changed.
But you are the same,
   and your years will never end.’
But to which of the angels has he ever said,
‘Sit at my right hand
   until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’?
Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

HYMN: Graham Kendrick ©
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/yng5j5qp

1 Meekness and majesty, manhood and Deity 
in perfect harmony, the Man who is God. 
Lord of eternity dwells in humanity, 
kneels in humility, and washes our feet.

Refrain:
Oh, what a mystery meekness and majesty; 
bow down and worship, 
for this is your God.

2 Father’s pure radiance, perfect in innocence, 
yet learns obedience to death on a cross, 
suffering to give us life, conquering through sacrifice, 
and, as they crucify, prays, “Father, forgive.” [Refrain]

3 Wisdom unsearchable, God the invisible, 
Love indestructible in frailty appears. 
Lord of infinity, stooping so tenderly, 
lifts our humanity to the heights of his throne. [Refrain]

Reading: Matthew 17:1-13

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’ And the disciples asked him, ‘Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ He replied, ‘Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.’ Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

CANTICLE Prayer of Manasseh
(Setting by Joe Cox https://tinyurl.com/4hqmx4jh)

Ant. Your merciful promise is beyond all measure; *
    it surpasses all that our minds can fathom.
O Lord and Ruler of the hosts of heaven, *
    God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
    and of all their righteous offspring:
You made the heavens and the earth, *
    with all their vast array.
All things quake with fear at your presence; *
    they tremble because of your power.
But your merciful promise is beyond all measure; *
    it surpasses all that our minds can fathom.
O Lord, you are full of compassion, *
    long-suffering, and abounding in mercy.
You hold back your hand; *
    you do not punish as we deserve.
In your great goodness, Lord,
you have promised forgiveness to sinners, *
    that they may repent of their sin and be saved.
And now, O Lord, I bend the knee of my heart, *
    and make my appeal, sure of your gracious goodness.
I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, *
    and I know my wickedness only too well.
Therefore I make this prayer to you: *
    Forgive me, Lord, forgive me.
Do not let me perish in my sin, *
    nor condemn me to the depths of the earth.
For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent, *
    and in me you will show forth your goodness.
Unworthy as I am, you will save me,
in accordance with your great mercy, *
    and I will praise you without ceasing all the days of my life.
For all the powers of heaven sing your praises, *
    and yours is the glory to ages of ages. Amen.

THE PRAYERS ^WS2

God of new birth,
we praise you for being the giver of life and the victor over death,
for the evidence of new life we see in creation . . .
for our baptism, a sign of our union with Christ
in his death and resurrection . . .
for the promise of the coming kingdom . . .

God of new birth,
we acknowledge that all of life is sustained by you, so we pray
for creation and its care . . .
for the nations of the world, especially . . .
for our nation and those in authority . . .
for this community and its leaders . . .
for the church universal, its mission, and those who minister . . .
for our local church and its ministry . . .
for persons with particular needs . . .
We pray all these things in the name of the triune God,
the giver and sustainer of life. Amen.

Setting by Eric Wyse:²

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread;
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,
by the gospel of your Son
you stirred the hearts of many reformers
to seek afresh the knowledge of your grace
and to renew the ways of godliness.
Pour healing upon your Church, we pray,
and bind up the wounds
which prejudice inflicted and pride keeps sore,
that we with patience may seek
that unity of mind, speech and love
which is the reflection of your eternal life,
O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
whom we worship and confess,
one God, now and for ever. Amen. ^FAS

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.

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

^WS2 The Worship Sourcebook, 2nd edition, © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources

^FAS For All the Saints, Revised Ed. © Anglican Church of Canada

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.