Oremus for Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Antiphon¹

Ant. O God, my God, from daybreak
do I watch for you;
and in invocation of your name
will I lift up my hands.
V. O God, you are my God; at dawn I seek you; *
for you my soul is thirsting.
For you my flesh is pining, *
like a dry, weary land without water.
I have come before you in the sanctuary, *
to behold your strength and your glory. Psalm 63

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: Augustus Toplady
Tune: Mynydd Du https://tinyurl.com/tefb25we

1 Prepare me, gracious God,
To stand before thy face;
Thy spirit must the work perform,
For it is all of grace.

2 In Christ’s obedience clothe,
And wash me in his blood:
So shall I lift my head with joy,
Among the sons of God.

3 Do thou my sins subdue,
Thy sovereign love make known;
The spirit of my mind renew,
And save me in thy son.

4 Let me attest thy power
Let me thy goodness prove,
‘Till my full soul can hold no more
Of everlasting love.

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

Psalm 110 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wo7aol8)

1  The Lord said unto my Lord *
 Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2  The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion *
 be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine enemies.
3  In the day of thy power shall the people offer thee
free-will offerings with an holy worship *
 the dew of thy birth is of the womb of the morning.
4  The Lord sware, and will not repent *
 Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech.
5  The Lord upon thy right hand *
 shall wound even kings in the day of his wrath.
6  He shall judge among the heathen; he shall fill the places with the dead bodies *
 and smite in sunder the heads over divers countries.
7  He shall drink of the brook in the way *
 therefore shall he lift up his head.
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 111 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/vddmean)

1  I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart *
 secretly among the faithful, and in the congregation.
2  The works of the Lord are great *
 sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3  His work is worthy to be praised, and had in honour *
 and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4  The merciful and gracious Lord hath so done his marvellous works *
 that they ought to be had in remembrance.
5  He hath given meat unto them that fear him *
 he shall ever be mindful of his covenant.
6  He hath shewed his people the power of his works *
 that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7  The works of his hands are verity and judgement *
 all his commandments are true.
8  They stand fast for ever and ever *
 and are done in truth and equity.
9  He sent redemption unto his people *
 he hath commanded his covenant for ever; holy and reverend is his Name.
10  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom *
 a good understanding have all they that do thereafter;
the praise of it endureth 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 112 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yxyhobau)

1  Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord *
 he hath great delight in his commandments.
2  His seed shall be mighty upon earth *
 the generation of the faithful shall be blessed.
3  Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house *
 and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4  Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness *
 he is merciful, loving, and righteous.
5  A good man is merciful, and lendeth *
 and will guide his words with discretion.
6  For he shall never be moved *
 and the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.
7  He will not be afraid of any evil tidings *
 for his heart standeth fast, and believeth in the Lord.
8  His heart is established, and will not shrink *
 until he see his desire upon his enemies.
9  He hath dispersed abroad, and given to the poor *
 and his righteousness remaineth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
10  The ungodly shall see it, and it shall grieve him *
 he shall gnash with his teeth, and consume away;
the desire 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 113 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/s3ye4cx)

1  Praise the Lord, ye servants *
 O praise the Name of the Lord.
2  Blessed be the Name of the Lord *
 from this time forth for evermore.
3  The Lord’s Name is praised *
 from the rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same.
4  The Lord is high above all heathen *
 and his glory above the heavens.
5  Who is like unto the Lord our God that hath his dwelling so high *
 and yet humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and earth?
6  He taketh up the simple out of the dust *
 and lifteth the poor out of the mire;
7  That he may set him with the princes *
 even with the princes of his people.
8  He maketh the barren woman to keep house *
 and to be a joyful mother of children.
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

Sovereign God,
you subdue the arrogant
and raise the humble;
you feed the hungry
and reveal the poverty of wealth.
Help us to praise your name in all times and places,
that we may be faithful servants
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Isaiah 44:1-8

But now hear, O Jacob my servant,
   Israel whom I have chosen!
Thus says the Lord who made you,
   who formed you in the womb and will help you:
Do not fear, O Jacob my servant,
   Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
   and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour my spirit upon your descendants,
   and my blessing on your offspring.
They shall spring up like a green tamarisk,
   like willows by flowing streams.
This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s’,
   another will be called by the name of Jacob,
yet another will write on the hand, ‘The Lord’s’,
   and adopt the name of Israel.

Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel
   and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
I am the first and I am the last;
   besides me there is no god.
Who is like me? Let them proclaim it,
   let them declare and set it forth before me.
Who has announced from of old the things to come?
   Let them tell us what is yet to be.
Do not fear, or be afraid;
   have I not told you from of old and declared it?
   You are my witnesses!
Is there any god besides me?
   There is no other rock; I know not one.

HYMN: Gracia Grindal ©
Tune: Bryn Hywel https://tinyurl.com/hecfepcs

1 We sing to you, O God,
the Rock who gave us birth.
Let our rejoicing sing
your name in all the earth.
To you, O God, let songs be raised,
in joyful hymns, our feast of praise.

2 We wandered far from home,
out in a desert land.
You shielded with your love
our fearful pilgrim band.
You kept us safe within your arms,
and sheltered us against the storm.

3 You bear us through the world,
an eagle to her young,
who rises on her wings
and bears us toward the sun.
We ride the vaults of light and air,
and trust in your unfailing care.

4 O God, eternal God,
we hide within your wings,
the everlasting arms
to whom our praises ring.
Your word is true, your way is just,
you are the God in whom we trust.

Reading: Acts 2:14-24

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
“In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
   and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
   and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
   in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
     and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
   and signs on the earth below,
     blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
   and the moon to blood,
     before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

‘You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.’

HYMN: Thomas Kelly
Music: St Magnus https://tinyurl.com/vr9s7mj4

1 The head that once was crowned with thorns
is crowned with glory now;
a royal diadem adorns
the mighty Victor’s brow.

2 The highest place that heav’n affords
is his, is his by right,
the King of kings and Lord of lords,
and heav’n’s eternal Light:

3 The joy of all who dwell above,
the joy of all below,
to whom he manifests his love,
and grants his name to know.

4 To them the cross, with all its shame,
with all its grace, is giv’n;
their name an everlasting name,
their joy the joy of heav’n.

5 They suffer with the Lord below,
they reign with him above;
their profit and their joy to know
the myst’ry of his love.

6 The cross he bore is life and health,
though shame and death to him;
his people’s hope, his people’s wealth,
their everlasting theme.

Reading: Matthew 24:37-44

Jesus continued, ‘For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.’

CANTICLE: Isaiah 26:9-20
(Katie Tracy & Mark Ribera: https://tinyurl.com/y76wq85c)

In our distress we sought the Lord;
Poured out a whispered prayer
Cried out, seeking deliverance;
His mercy met us there
Empty idols have ruled over us;
These hardened hearts of stone
The Lord has brought salvation, sweet;
We rest in him alone
Refrain:
Trust in the Lord forevermore
He is our fortress strong
Souls, cling to this everlasting rock
to our salvation sure

May the wicked learn your power;
May they believe your truth
For your righteousness and justice;
Bring peace upon the earth Refrain

To you who dwell in dust, awake! Rise up and sing for joy!
The Lord will redeem you at last; And life shall be restored

THE PRAYERS ^WS2

God of our salvation,
we praise you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ,
to suffer for our sins so we may be redeemed.
We are thankful for the reminders of that redemption visible in creation . . .
the nations of the world when they . . .
our nation and those who govern as they . . .
our own community as it . . .
the church universal as it seeks to . . .
our local church as it . . .
the lives of those near to us . . .
our own life as we experience your saving grace . . .

We also ask that
as the source of the world’s hope and redemption
you hear our prayers on behalf of
all creation . . .
the nations of the world . . .
our nation and those in authority . . .
the community and those who govern . . .
the church universal, its mission, and those who minister . . .
our church and its ministry . . .
those with particular needs . . .

(Karin Simmons: https://tinyurl.com/y7vwp7dd)

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.
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.

Unexpected God,
your advent alarms us.
Wake us from drowsy worship,
from the sleep that neglects love,
and the sedative of misdirected frenzy.
Awaken us now to your coming,
and bend our angers into your peace. 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

---

^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

^EH Exciting Holiness, Ed. Brother Tristram SSF © European Province of the Society of Saint Francis, 1997

^HWHM Holy Women, Holy Men © Church Publishing, Inc.

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.