Mary Magdalene
All four gospels give Mary Magdalene a unique place among Jesus’ followers. Probably from Magdala by the Sea of Galilee, she is described as having been healed by Jesus before accompanying him during his ministry. Along with other faithful women, she stayed beside the cross during the crucifixion and was the first disciple to discover the empty tomb on Easter morning. She was privileged with the first appearance of the risen Lord, who sent her to take the good news of the resurrection to the other disciples. This commission earned her the title ‘Apostle to the Apostles’ in the early Church. EH
Antiphon
Ant. The Angel of the Lord came down from heaven *
and said to the women “The One whom you seek has
risen, as he said he would”, alleluia.
V. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, *
“He has been raised from the dead,
and he is going before you to Galilee; *
there you will see him.”
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/ycn4djk5
HYMN: Brian A Wren ©
Tune: How can I keep from singing? https://tinyurl.com/mbnuxymw
1 A prophet-woman broke a jar,
by Love’s divine appointing.
With rare perfume she filled the room,
presiding and anointing.
A prophet-woman broke a jar,
the sneers of scorn defying.
With rare perfume she filled the room,
preparing Christ for dying.
2 A faithful woman left a tomb
by Love’s divine commission.
She saw; she heard; she preached the Word,
arising from submission.
A faithful woman left a tomb,
with resurrection gospel.
She saw; she heard; she preached the Word,
apostle to apostles.
3 Though woman-wisdom, woman-truth,
for centuries were hidden,
unsung, unwritten, and unheard,
derided and forbidden,
the Spirit’s breath, the Spirit’s fire,
on free and slave descending,
can tumble our dividing walls,
our shame and sadness mending.
4 The Spirit knows; the Spirit calls,
by Love’s divine ordaining,
the friends we need, to serve and lead,
their powers and gifts unchaining.
The Spirit knows; the Spirit calls,
from women, men, and children,
the friends we need, to serve and lead.
Rejoice, and make them welcome!
PSALMS
Psalm 107 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/sp6nct3)
1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious *
and his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let them give thanks whom the Lord hath redeemed *
and delivered from the hand of the enemy;
3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west *
from the north, and from the south.
4 They went astray in the wilderness out of the way *
and found no city to dwell in;
5 Hungry and thirsty *
their soul fainted in them.
6 So they cried unto the Lord in their trouble *
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them forth by the right way *
that they might go to the city where they dwelt.
8 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness *
and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!
9 For he satisfieth the empty soul *
and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
10 Such as sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death *
being fast bound in misery and iron;
11 Because they rebelled against the words of the Lord *
and lightly regarded the counsel of the most Highest;
12 He also brought down their heart through heaviness *
they fell down, and there was none to help them.
13 So when they cried unto the Lord in their trouble *
he delivered them out of their distress.
14 For he brought them out of darkness,
and out of the shadow of death *
and brake their bonds in sunder.
15 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness *
and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men !
16 For he hath broken the gates of brass *
and smitten the bars of iron in sunder.
17 Foolish men are plagued for their offence *
and because of their wickedness.
18 Their soul abhorred all manner of meat *
and they were even hard at death’s door.
19 So when they cried unto the Lord in their trouble *
he delivered them out of their distress.
20 He sent his word, and healed them *
and they were saved from their destruction.
21 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness *
and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!
22 That they would offer unto him the sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and tell out his works with gladness!
23 They that go down to the sea in ships *
and occupy their business in great waters;
24 These men see the works of the Lord *
and his wonders in the deep.
25 For at his word the stormy wind ariseth *
which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26 They are carried up to the heaven, and down again to the deep *
their soul melteth away because of the trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man *
and are at their wit’s end.
28 So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble *
he delivereth them out of their distress.
29 For he maketh the storm to cease *
so that the waves thereof are still.
30 Then are they glad, because they are at rest *
and so he bringeth them unto the haven where they would be.
31 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness *
and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!
32 That they would exalt him also in the congregation of the people *
and praise him in the seat of the elders!
33 Who turneth the floods into a wilderness *
and drieth up the water-springs.
34 A fruitful land maketh he barren *
for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
35 Again, he maketh the wilderness a standing water *
and water-springs of a dry ground.
36 And there he setteth the hungry *
that they may build them a city to dwell in;
37 That they may sow their land, and plant vineyards *
to yield them fruits of increase.
38 He blesseth them, so that they multiply exceedingly *
and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
39 And again, when they are minished, and brought low *
through oppression, through any plague, or trouble;
40 Though he suffer them to be evil intreated through tyrants *
and let them wander out of the way in the wilderness;
41 Yet helpeth he the poor out of misery *
and maketh him households like a flock of sheep.
42 The righteous will consider this, and rejoice *
and the mouth of all wickedness shall be stopped.
43 Whoso is wise will ponder these things *
and they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord.
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 107 (Kohlhase: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-107-KH.mp3)
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
his love is everlasting.
O let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
redeemed from the hand of their foe
Gathered from lands of east and west,
and from the north and south.
They roamed through the wild and desert lands;
without a place called home.
There they were hungry and full of thirst;
their soul then fainted within.
They cried to the LORD in their distress,
who saved them from their trials.
He also led them by straight paths,
to find a place called home.
Give thanks to the LORD for his great love,
unto the sons of men!
For he satisfies the thirsty soul,
the hungry soul with good.
Some dwelt in the dark, and shades of death,
those bound in anguish and chains,
For they had rebelled against God’s words,
and spurned the Most High’s voice.
He humbled their heart with weariness;
they stumbled with none to help.
They cried to the LORD in their distress,
who saved them from their trials.
Led out of the dark and the shades of death,
and broke their bands apart.
Give thanks to the LORD for his great love,
unto the sons of men!
For he’s broken down the gates of bronze,
and cut the bars of iron.
The fools, set on their rebellious ways,
were humbled for their sins.
Their soul abhorring all kinds of food,
approached the gates of death.
They cried to the LORD in their distress,
who saved them from their trials.
He sent out his word to heal them,
and saved them from their ruin.
Give thanks to the LORD for his great love,
unto the sons of men!
As sacrifice bring thanksgiving,
and tell his works in song.
Of those in ships gone to the sea,
whose work is on great waters;
they’ve seen the works done by the LORD,
his wonders in the deep.
He spoke then to raise a stormy wind,
to lift the waves of the sea.
They rose up to heav’n, sank to the depths;
their soul in sadness sank.
They reeled and they rocked like drunken men,
and were at their wits’ end.
They cried to the LORD in their distress,
who saved them from their trials.
He caused the storm to become still,
the ocean’s waves were hushed.
Then they were glad when it was calm;
led to a pleasant harbor.
Give thanks to the LORD for his great love,
unto the sons of men!
Exalt in the congregation,
praise him in his home of old.
He makes of the streams a wilderness,
the springs a thirsty ground;
makes fruit-bearing land a waste of salt,
when evil dwells therein.
The desert he turns into a lake,
dry land to springs of water;
and there he will make the hungry dwell,
to build a place called home.
Give thanks to the LORD,
for he is good, his love is everlasting.
O let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
redeemed from the hand of their foe
Gathered from lands of east and west,
and from the north and south.
They roamed through the wild and desert lands;
without a place called home.
There they were hungry and full of thirst;
their soul then fainted within.
They cried to the LORD in their distress,
who saved them from their trials.
He also led them by straight paths,
to find a place called home.
Give thanks to the LORD for his great love,
unto the sons of men!
For he satisfies the thirsty soul,
the hungry soul with good.
Some dwelt in the dark, and shades of death,
those bound in anguish and chains,
For they had rebelled against God’s words,
and spurned the Most High’s voice.
He humbled their heart with weariness;
they stumbled with none to help.
They cried to the LORD in their distress,
who saved them from their trials.
Led out of the dark and the shades of death,
and broke their bands apart.
Give thanks to the LORD for his great love,
unto the sons of men!
For he’s broken down the gates of bronze,
and cut the bars of iron.
The fools, set on their rebellious ways,
were humbled for their sins.
Their soul abhorring all kinds of food,
approached the gates of death.
They cried to the LORD in their distress,
who saved them from their trials.
He sent out his word to heal them,
and saved them from their ruin.
Give thanks to the LORD for his great love,
unto the sons of men!
As sacrifice bring thanksgiving,
and tell his works in song.
Of those in ships gone to the sea,
whose work is on great waters;
they’ve seen the works done by the LORD,
his wonders in the deep.
He spoke then to raise a stormy wind,
to lift the waves of the sea.
They rose up to heav’n, sank to the depths;
their soul in sadness sank.
They reeled and they rocked like drunken men,
and were at their wits’ end.
They cried to the LORD in their distress,
who saved them from their trials.
He caused the storm to become still,
the ocean’s waves were hushed.
Then they were glad when it was calm;
led to a pleasant harbor.
Give thanks to the LORD for his great love,
unto the sons of men!
Exalt in the congregation,
praise him in his home of old.
He makes of the streams a wilderness,
the springs a thirsty ground;
makes fruit-bearing land a waste of salt,
when evil dwells therein.
The desert he turns into a lake,
dry land to springs of water;
and there he will make the hungry dwell,
to build a place called home.
To sow their fields and vineyards plant,
to bring a fruitful yield.
He blesses them so they increase,
their herds will never fail.
When they’re diminished and bowed down,
when hurt, oppressed or grieved,
he pours contempt on the princes,
who roam a pathless waste.
But he sets the poor secure on high,
away from all their pains,
his tribes shall become just like a flock;
the just shall see and be glad;
But unrighteousness will shut its mouth.
Now where is the one who’s wise?
Now let him give heed and understand
the kindness of the LORD.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
his love is everlasting.
O let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
who found a place called home
O let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
who found a place called home
PRAYER
O God,
you are light to the lost,
bread to the hungry,
deliverance to the captive,
healing to the sick, eternal vision to the dying,
and harbor to every soul in peril.
Gather the wanderers from every corner of the world
into the community of your mercy and grace,
that we may eternally praise you
for our salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Reading: 2 Samuel 7:18-29
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and said, ‘Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord God; you have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come. May this be instruction for the people, O Lord God! And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord God! Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have wrought all this greatness, so that your servant may know it. Therefore you are great, O Lord God; for there is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. Who is like your people, like Israel? Is there another nation on earth whose God went to redeem it as a people, and to make a name for himself, doing great and awesome things for them, by driving out before his people nations and their gods? And you established your people Israel for yourself to be your people for ever; and you, O Lord, became their God. And now, O Lord God, as for the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, confirm it for ever; do as you have promised. Thus your name will be magnified for ever in the saying, “The Lord of hosts is God over Israel”; and the house of your servant David will be established before you. For you, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, “I will build you a house”; therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant; now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue for ever before you; for you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed for ever.’
HYMN: Carl Gustav Boberg; trans. Stuart K Hine ©
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/ac66phn4
1 O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hands hath made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed;
Refrain:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art, how great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art, how great thou art!
2 When through the woods and forest glades I wander,
I hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze; [Refrain]
3 But when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin; [Refrain]
4 When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, “My God, how great thou art!” [Refrain]
Reading: Colossians 1:9-14
For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
HYMN: William Cowper
Tune: Caithness https://tinyurl.com/9x3wvr
1 O for a closer walk with God,
a calm and heavenly frame,
a light to shine upon the road
that leads me to the Lamb!
2 Return, O holy Dove, return,
sweet messenger of rest!
I hate the sins that made thee mourn
and drove thee from my breast.
3 The dearest idol I have known,
whate’er that idol be,
help me to tear it from thy throne,
and worship only thee.
4 So shall my walk be close with God,
calm and serene my frame;
so purer light shall mark the road
that leads me to the Lamb.
Reading: John 20.1–2,11–18
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” ’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
CANTICLE Te Deum
(Setting: https://tinyurl.com/y86fwpph)
You are God we praise you,
You are Lord we thank you,
All creation worships you,
Father, ancient of days.
To You all the angels,
All the powers of heaven;
Cherubim and Seraphim,
Sing in endless praise:
You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
Your servants the apostles
Honor you and praise you.
The fellowship of prophets
Your greatness glorifies.
The army of the martyrs
Robed in white adores you.
Throughout the world
Your holy church
Proclaims you to the skies!
Father, glorious, infinite in majesty.
Son, victorious
Spirit, comfort and guide.
You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
Christ, Son of the Father,
King of endless glory
You came among us lowly,
Birth of Mary ‘s womb.
You robbed death of its power,
You opened heaven’s treasure
Now you sit at God’s right hand,
Soon to be our judge
Come Lord Jesus,
Come to help Your people.
Those for whom You shed Your blood
To whom you gave new birth,
You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
THE PRAYERS CW:F
With Mary Magdalene and all holy women,
let us praise our God and call upon him in prayer.
Father, your Son said of the woman who was a sinner,
‘Her many sins are forgiven because she has loved much.’
Forgive the sins of all who love you
and strengthen your Church to show forth your love in today’s world.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Many women ministered to the needs of your Son on his saving journeys.
Open our eyes to see you in those in need or sickness
and hear our prayer for … and all those we hold before you.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Mary Magdalene was the first to greet your risen Son
and carried the news of his triumph over death to the disciples.
Strengthen us to be faithful witnesses to the gospel in the world
and grant your grace to all who preach and teach the faith.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Your Son called those who do your will his brother and sister and mother.
Teach us to live as members of one family, united in faith and love.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Joining in fellowship with Mary Magdalene and all your saints,
we thank you for … recently departed,
and all those who have gone before us in the faith.
Grant that with them we may see your Son face to face in everlasting glory.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
(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 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.
Lord of the dawn,
whose risen life
began deep in the freshening earth;
you called Mary Magdalene
to see what men could not,
to be the first witness
whose love was stronger than fear:
speak our name, and open our hands
to let your Spirit flow
into all the lightening world;
through Jesus Christ, the Tree of Life. Amen. PIC
Music: https://tinyurl.com/y9efvwm5
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
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BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
PIC Prayers for an Inclusive Church, © 2008 Steven Shakespeare, Canterbury Press, Norwich.
DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.
1 Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©
CW:F Common Worship: Festivals, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2008 and published by Church House Publishing.
The 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 traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language version of Psalm 107 is in the version sung by Karl Kohlhase http://www.k4communications.com/karl/index.html.
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 © 2021 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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