Oremus for Sunday, March 21, 2021

The Fifth Sunday in Lent
For another form of worship in the home based on today’s lessons in the Revised Common Lectionary, go to https://blogs.elca.org/worship/3505/

Antiphon¹

Ant. If a man would serve me, let him follow me;
wherever I am, my servant will be there too.
V. O Lord, hear a cause that is just; *
pay heed to my cry.
Turn your ear to my prayer: *
no deceit is on my lips.
From you may my justice come forth. *
Your eyes discern what is upright. John 12; Psalm 17

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: Marty Haugen ©
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/553r37m6

Refrain:
Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,
it will remain a single grain,
but if it dies, new life will grow, and bring forth fruit,
the fruit of love for the life of the world.

1 Jesus Christ, lifted up, 
You draw all people to yourself;
Teach us to offer up our lives
And bear rich fruit in you. [Refrain]

2 Jesus Christ, Seed that dies,
You promise us abundant life;
Teach us to die to self each day
And rise again in you. [Refrain]

3 Jesus Christ, Bread of Life,
You give yourself to feed our hearts;
From many grains make us one loaf,
Your Body in the world. [Refrain]

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

Psalm 105 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/s2yts33)

1  Give thanks unto the Lord, and call upon his Name *
 tell the people what things he hath done.
2  O let your songs be of him, and praise him *
 and let your talking be of all his wondrous works.
3  Rejoice in his holy Name *
 let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
4  Seek the Lord and his strength *
 seek his face evermore.
5  Remember the marvellous works that he hath done *
 his wonders, and the judgements of his mouth,
6  O ye seed of Abraham his servant *
 ye children of Jacob his chosen.
7  He is the Lord our God *
 his judgements are in all the world.
8  He hath been alway mindful of his covenant and promise *
 that he made to a thousand generations;
9  Even the covenant that he made with Abraham *
 and the oath that he sware unto Isaac;
10  And appointed the same unto Jacob for a law *
 and to Israel for an everlasting testament;
11  Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan *
 the lot of your inheritance;
12  When there were yet but a few of them *
 and they strangers in the land;
13  What time as they went from one nation to another *
 from one kingdom to another people;
14  He suffered no man to do them wrong *
 but reproved even kings for their sakes;
15  Touch not mine Anointed *
 and do my prophets no harm.
16  Moreover, he called for a dearth upon the land *
 and destroyed all the provision of bread.
17  But he had sent a man before them *
 even Joseph, who was sold to be a bond-servant;
18  Whose feet they hurt in the stocks *
 the iron entered into his soul;
19  Until the time came that his cause was known *
 the word of the Lord tried him.
20  The king sent, and delivered him *
 the prince of the people let him go free.
21  He made him lord also of his house *
 and ruler of all his substance;
22  That he might inform his princes after his will *
 and teach his senators wisdom.
23  Israel also came into Egypt *
 and Jacob was a stranger in the land of Ham.
24  And he increased his people exceedingly *
 and made them stronger than their enemies;
25  Whose heart turned so, that they hated his people *
 and dealt untruly with his servants.
26  Then sent he Moses his servant *
 and Aaron whom he had chosen.
27  And these shewed his tokens among them *
 and wonders in the land of Ham.
28  He sent darkness, and it was dark *
 and they were not obedient unto his word.
29  He turned their waters into blood *
 and slew their fish.
30  Their land brought forth frogs *
 yea, even in their kings’ chambers.
31  He spake the word, and there came all manner of flies *
 and lice in all their quarters.
32  He gave them hail-stones for rain *
 and flames of fire in their land.
33  He smote their vines also and fig-trees *
 and destroyed the trees that were in their coasts.
34  He spake the word, and the grass hoppers came, and caterpillars innumerable *
 and did eat up all the grass in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.
35  He smote all the first-born in their land *
 even the chief of all their strength.
36  He brought them forth also with silver and gold *
 there was not one feeble person among their tribes.
37  Egypt was glad at their departing *
 for they were afraid of them.
38  He spread out a cloud to be a covering *
 and fire to give light in the night-season.
39  At their desire he brought quails *
 and he filled them with the bread of heaven.
40  He opened the rock of stone, and the waters flowed out *
 so that rivers ran in the dry places.
41  For why? he remembered his holy promise *
 and Abraham his servant.
42  And he brought forth his people with joy *
 and his chosen with gladness;
43  And gave them the lands of the heathen *
 and they took the labours of the people in possession;
44  That they might keep his statutes *
 and observe his laws.
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 our salvation,
through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,
you have fulfilled your promise to our ancestors in the faith
to redeem the world from slavery
and to lead us into the promised land.
Grant us living water from the rock
and bread from heaven,
that we may survive our desert pilgrimage
and praise you forever;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

HYMN: Psalm 40, para. The Scottish Psalter, 1929
Tune: Stracathro https://tinyurl.com/29camuwb

1 I waited for the Lord my God,
and patiently did bear;
at length to me he did incline
my voice and cry to hear.

2 He took me from a fearful pit,
and from the miry clay,
and on a rock he set my feet,
establishing my way.

3 He put a new song in my mouth,
our God to magnify:
many shall see it, and shall fear,
and on the Lord rely.

4 To do thy will I take delight,
O thou my God that art;
yea, that most holy law of thine
I have within my heart.

5 In thee let all be glad, and joy,
who seeking thee abide;
who thy salvation love, say still,
the Lord be magnified.

Reading: Hebrews 5:5-10

Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, ‘You are my Son,  today I have begotten you’; as he says also in another place, ‘You are a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

HYMN: Michael Saward ©
Tune: Guiting Power https://tinyurl.com/jet7ny4y

1 Christ triumphant, ever reigning,
Saviour, Master, King!
Lord of heaven, our lives sustaining,
hear us as we sing:

Refrain:
Yours the glory and the crown,
the high renown, the eternal name.

2 Word incarnate, truth revealing,
Son of Man on earth!
power and majesty concealing
by your humble birth: [Refrain]

3 Suffering servant, scorned, ill-treated,
victim crucified!
death is through the cross defeated,
sinners justified: [Refrain]

4 Priestly king, enthroned for ever
high in heaven above!
sin and death and hell shall never
stifle hymns of love: [Refrain]

5 So, our hearts and voices raising
through the ages long,
ceaselessly upon you gazing,
this shall be our song: [Refrain]

Reading: John 12:20-33

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.

‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.

CANTICLE Ephesians 1:3-10
(John Michael Talbot https://tinyurl.com/ya8y3kqs)

Ant. God chose us in his Son to be his beloved children.
Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, *
who bestowed on us in Christ every spiritual blessing in the heavens.

God chose us in him before the world began, *
to be holy and blameless in his sight.
He predestined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ, *
such was his will and pleasure,
that all might praise the glorious favor
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.

In him and through his blood, we have been redeemed, *
and our sins forgiven, so immeasurably generous is God’s favor to us.
God has given us the wisdom to understand fully the mystery, *
the plan he was pleased to decree in Christ.

A plan to be carried out in Christ, in the fullness of time, *
to bring all things into one in him, in the heavens and on the earth
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 ^{Joe Milner}

For the Church: that God’s covenant, which is written upon our hearts, may help us know the Lord more deeply and guide us in serving God each day

For the grace of surrender: that we may let go of control, entrust our lives to God, and allow God to raise new life within us

For all who are facing little deaths through loss, betrayal, or impairment: that they will surrender these wounds to God and allow God to bring forth new life in them

For the grace to be for others: that God will guide us in laying down our lives in loving service and sharing our gifts to help others along life’s journey

For healing and freedom: that we may be drawn to the life shared of the new covenant that Jesus offers

For all who desire to see Jesus: that they may come to know and develop a relationship with Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life

For a spirit of repentance: that God will free us from our false attachments and sinful actions, move our hearts to celebrate the sacrament of penance, and open us to the power of forgiveness

For all who lay down their lives for others: that God will guide and strengthen parents, caregivers of the sick, and those who assist the marginalized to be instruments of God’s love and compassion

For all who are approaching death: that they may surrender themselves into God’s loving care and enter into the fullness of life with Christ

For all who are recovering from storms and natural disasters: that God will protect them from further danger, give them strength, and speed the assistance which they need

For all who suffer each day: that God will give strength to those with chronic illnesses, hope and courage to those who have been abused, and open new resources for those who live on the streets

For those who are sick: that God will send healing and strength to all who are ill or recovering from surgery and fill their hearts with hope and courage

For successful administration of the Coronavirus vaccine: that God will guide the distribution and administration of the vaccine and protect all the human family from the virus

For immigrants and refugees: that God will guide them in their search for a new homeland, protect the children at the border between the United States and Mexico, and speed their connection to their families

For all searching for employment: that God will help them to recognize all the gifts that they possess, open new opportunities to use them, and give them confidence in presenting themselves to employers

(Traditional chant: https://tinyurl.com/ydzx5jdp)

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
[For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.]

God of glory,
your revelation through Jesus Christ
calls into your covenant of love.
Enable us now to reflect your love,
so that barriers erected by sin may be broken down,
and all people may be drawn to you;
through him who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever. Amen. ^FWM

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.

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

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

^FWM FWM Proposed Prayers, as alt. in GS 2016 Trial Use Collects, Anglican Church of Canada.

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.