Oremus for Saturday, March 20, 2021

The New Jerusalem, Armenian manuscript by Malnazar and Aghap’ir in New Julfa bible, 1645

Antiphon1

Ant. Out of the depths have I cried to you O Lord, *
Lord hear my prayer;
out of the depths have I cried to you, O Lord.
V. O let your ears be attentive *
to the sound of my pleadings.

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: John Brownlie
Tune: Morning Song https://tinyurl.com/2475wst9

1 The King shall come when morning dawns 
and light triumphant breaks,
when beauty gilds the eastern hills, 
and life to joy awakes. 

2 Not as of old a little child 
to bear, and fight, and die, 
but crowned with glory like the sun 
that lights the morning sky. 

3 O brighter than the rising morn 
when He, victorious, rose 
and left the lonesome place of death, 
despite the rage of foes.

4 O brighter than that glorious morn 
shall this fair morning be, 
when Christ, our King, in beauty comes, 
and we His face shall see. 

5 The King shall come when morning dawns, 
and earth’s dark night is past; 
O haste the rising of that morn, 
the day that aye shall last. 

6 And let the endless bliss begin, 
by weary saints foretold, 
when right shall triumph over wrong, 
and truth shall be extolled. 

7 The King shall come when morning dawns, 
and light and beauty brings; 
“Hail, Christ the Lord!” Thy people pray, 
come quickly, King of kings!

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

Psalm 102 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/tru8yxv)

1  Hear my prayer, O Lord *
 and let my crying come unto thee.
2  Hide not thy face from me in the time of my trouble *
 incline thine ear unto me when I call; O hear me, and that right soon.
3  For my days are consumed away like smoke *
 and my bones are burnt up as it were a fire-brand.
4  My heart is smitten down, and withered like grass *
 so that I forget to eat my bread.
5  For the voice of my groaning *
 my bones will scarce cleave to my flesh.
6  I am become like a pelican in the wilderness *
 and like an owl that is in the desert.
7  I have watched, and am even as it were a sparrow *
 that sitteth alone upon the house-top.
8  Mine enemies revile me all the day long *
 and they that are mad upon me are sworn together against me.
9  For I have eaten ashes as it were bread *
 and mingled my drink with weeping;
10  And that because of thine indignation and wrath *
 for thou hast taken me up, and cast me down.
11  My days are gone like a shadow *
 and I am withered like grass.
12  But, thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever *
 and thy remembrance throughout all generations.
13  Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Sion *
 for it is time that thou have mercy upon her, yea, the time is come.
14  And why? thy servants think upon her stones *
 and it pitieth them to see her in the dust.
15  The heathen shall fear thy Name, O Lord *
 and all the kings of the earth thy Majesty;
16  When the Lord shall build up Sion *
 and when his glory shall appear;
17  When he turneth him unto the prayer of the poor destitute *
 and despiseth not their desire.
18  This shall be written for those that come after *
 and the people which shall be born shall praise the Lord.
19  For he hath looked down from his sanctuary *
 out of the heaven did the Lord behold the earth;
20  That he might hear the mournings of such as are in captivity *
 and deliver the children appointed unto death;
21  That they may declare the Name of the Lord in Sion *
 and his worship at Jerusalem;
22  When the people are gathered together *
 and the kingdoms also, to serve the Lord.
23  He brought down my strength in my journey *
 and shortened my days.
24  But I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of mine age *
 as for thy years, they endure throughout all generations.
25  Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth *
 and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
26  They shall perish, but thou shalt endure *
 they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
27  And as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed *
 but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
28  The children of thy servants shall continue *
 and their seed shall stand fast in thy sight.
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 103 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wclpdz5)

1  Praise the Lord, O my soul *
 and all that is within me praise his holy Name.
2  Praise the Lord, O my soul *
 and forget not all his benefits;
3  Who forgiveth all thy sin *
 and healeth all thine infirmities;
4  Who saveth thy life from destruction *
 and crowneth thee with mercy and loving-kindness;
5  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things *
 making thee young and lusty as an eagle.
6  The Lord executeth righteousness and judgement *
 for all them that are oppressed with wrong.
7  He shewed his ways unto Moses *
 his works unto the children of Israel.
8  The Lord is full of compassion and mercy *
 long-suffering, and of great goodness.
9  He will not alway be chiding *
 neither keepeth he his anger for ever.
10  He hath not dealt with us after our sins *
 nor rewarded us according to our wickednesses.
11  For look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth *
 so great is his mercy also toward them that fear him.
12  Look how wide also the east is from the west *
 so far hath he set our sins from us.
13  Yea, like as a father pitieth his own children *
 even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him.
14  For he knoweth whereof we are made *
 he remembereth that we are but dust.
15  The days of man are but as grass *
 for he flourisheth as a flower of the field.
16  For as soon as the wind goeth over it, it is gone *
 and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17  But the merciful goodness of the Lord
endureth for ever and ever upon them that fear him *
 and his righteousness upon children’s children;
18  Even upon such as keep his covenant *
 and think upon his commandments to do them.
19  The Lord hath prepared his seat in heaven *
 and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20  O praise the Lord, ye angels of his, ye that excel in strength *
 ye that fulfil his commandment, and hearken unto the voice of his words.
21  O praise the Lord, all ye his hosts *
 ye servants of his that do his pleasure.
22  O speak good of the Lord, all ye works of his,
in all places of his dominion *
 praise thou the Lord, O my soul.
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 might and mercy,
you bring us to new life each day,
and nurture us in your tender love.
Keep us far from all sinfulness,
that our lives may be a blessing to you;
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Habakkuk 3:2-13a

O Lord, I have heard of your renown,
   and I stand in awe, O Lord, of your work.
In our own time revive it;
   in our own time make it known;
   in wrath may you remember mercy.
God came from Teman,
   the Holy One from Mount Paran.

His glory covered the heavens,
   and the earth was full of his praise.
The brightness was like the sun;
   rays came forth from his hand,
   where his power lay hidden.
Before him went pestilence,
   and plague followed close behind.
He stopped and shook the earth;
   he looked and made the nations tremble.
The eternal mountains were shattered;
   along his ancient pathways
   the everlasting hills sank low.
I saw the tents of Cushan under affliction;
   the tent-curtains of the land of Midian trembled.
Was your wrath against the rivers, O Lord?
   Or your anger against the rivers,
   or your rage against the sea,
when you drove your horses,
   your chariots to victory?
You brandished your naked bow,
   sated were the arrows at your command.

   You split the earth with rivers.
The mountains saw you, and writhed;
   a torrent of water swept by;
the deep gave forth its voice.
   The sun raised high its hands;
the moon stood still in its exalted place,
   at the light of your arrows speeding by,
   at the gleam of your flashing spear.
In fury you trod the earth,
   in anger you trampled nations.
You came forth to save your people,
   to save your anointed.

HYMN: Graham Kendrick ©
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/34n8dynx

1 Restore, O Lord, the honour of your name!
In works of sovereign power
come shake the earth again,
that all may see, and come with reverent fear
to the living God,
whose kingdom shall outlast the years.

2 Restore, O Lord, in all the earth your fame,
and in our time revive
the church that bears your name,
and in your anger, Lord, remember mercy,
O living God,
whose mercy shall outlast the years.

3 Bend us, O Lord, where we are hard and cold,
in your refiner’s fire;
come purify the gold:
though suffering comes, and evil crouches near,
still our living God
is reigning, he is reigning here.

4 Restore, O Lord, the honour of your name!
In works of sovereign power
come shake the earth again,
that all may see, and come with reverent fear
to the living God,
whose kingdom shall outlast the years.

Reading: Hebrews 4:14—5:4

Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honour, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

HYMN: attr. Michael Bruce
Tune: Melcombe https://tinyurl.com/2syky94h

1 Where high the heavenly temple stands,
the house of God not made with hands,
a great High Priest our nature wears,
Jesus, the Son of God, appears.

2 He who for us our surety stood,
and poured on earth his precious blood,
pursues in heaven his mighty plan,
eternal God and Son of Man.

3 Though now ascended up on high,
he bends on earth a brother’s eye;
partaker of the human name,
he knows the frailty of our frame.

4 Our fellow-sufferer yet retains
a fellow-feeling of our pains;
and still remembers in the skies
his tears, his agonies and cries.

5 With boldness, therefore, at the throne,
let us make all our sorrows known;
and ask the aid of heavenly power
to help us in the evil hour.

Reading: Matthew 24:1-14

As Jesus came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. Then he asked them, ‘You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Messiah!” and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

‘Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But anyone who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.’

CANTICLE Jonah 2:2-9
(Patrick Schlabs: https://tinyurl.com/yy9zwfv6)

You cast me out into the deep
And there your floods surround
I sank beneath the raging sea
As billows crashed around
I was thrown out from your sight
And I was driven away
I know I will see with my eyes
Again your holy place
Refrain:
I called to God in my distress
He has heard my voice
I cried to him out of the depths
He answered my call, he answered my call

The waters closed in over me
They came to bring me death
I was covered up by the deep
Weeds choked out my breath
I sank down to the mountain roots
The earth had locked me in
Just as the grave sealed up its gates
You saved me from the pit Refrain

As my life fainted away
I remembered you my God
All those who hope in idols vain
Forsake their hope of loveI called to God in my distress
He has heard my voice
I cried to him out of the depths
He answered my call

So with my voice I will give thanks
A sacrifice to you
What I have vowed I now will pay
Salvation comes from you
Salvation comes from you
Salvation comes from you

THE PRAYERS CCP

Send forth your strength, O God,
Establish what you have wrought in us.

Uphold all those who fall
And raise up those who are bowed down.

Open the eyes of the blind
And set the prisoners free.

Sustain the orphan and widow
And give food to those who hunger.

Grant them the joy of your help again
And sustain them with your Spirit.

O Lord, judge the peoples
And take all nations for your own.

(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.

Timeless One,
you create all the moments of our lives,
giving each its meaning and purpose.
Strengthen us to witness continually
to the love of Jesus Christ,
that we may hold fast in times of trial,
even to the end of the ages. Amen. RCLP

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


Donation to Support This Ministry

Since 1993, Oremus has been done on a volunteer basis. If you are able, please consider supporting this work at the PayPal link below. For software reasons, I’ve set the value at $10.00, but feel free to change it. Thank you.

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BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.

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

DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.

CCP Celebrating Common Prayer, © The European Province of the Society of Saint Francis 1992

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.

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