James
James, often called ‘the Great’, was a Galilean fisherman who, with his brother John, was one of the first apostles called by Jesus to follow him. The two brothers were with Jesus at his Transfiguration and with him again in the garden of Gethsemane. They annoyed the other followers of Jesus by asking to sit one on his left and the other on his right when he came into his glory and they were present for the appearances of Christ after the resurrection. James was put to death by the sword on the order of Herod Agrippa, who hoped in vain that, by disposing of the Christian leaders, he could stem the flow of those hearing the good news and becoming followers in the Way. James’ martyrdom is believed to have taken place in the year 44. EH
Antiphon1
Ant. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God;
blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God;
blessed are those who suffer persecution for the sake of justice,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Ps. When the Lord brought back the exiles of Sion, *
we thought we were dreaming.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter; *
on our tongues, songs of joy. Matthew 5; Psalm 126
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
O Lord, open my lips.
And my mouth will declare your praise.
Make haste, O God, to deliver me;
make haste to help me, O Lord.
Glory be 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.
Praise to you, O Christ, Alleluia!
HYMN: Cecil Frances Alexander, alt.
Tune: Dunlap’s Creek https://tinyurl.com/9mxm96mn
1. For thy blest saints, a noble throng,
who fell by fire and sword,
or early died or flourished long,
we praise thy Name, 0 Lord;
2. For James who left his father’s side,
not lingering by the sea:
he heard what could not be denied,
thy summons, “Follow me;”
3. he stood with thee beside the dead;
he climbed the mount with thee,
and saw the glory round thy head,
one of thy chosen three;
4. he knelt beneath the olive shade,
he drank thy cup of pain,
and slain by Herod’s flashing blade
he saw thy face again.
5. Lord, may we learn to drink thy cup,
and meek and firm be found,
when thou shalt come to take us up
where thine elect are crowned.
PSALMS
Psalm 119:33-72 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/uzj6wj2)
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes *
and I shall keep it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law *
yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart.
35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments *
for therein is my desire.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies *
and not to covetousness.
37 O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity *
and quicken thou me in thy way.
38 O stablish thy word in thy servant *
that I may fear thee.
39 Take away the rebuke that I am afraid of *
for thy judgements are good.
40 Behold, my delight is in thy commandments *
O quicken me in thy righteousness.
41 Let thy loving mercy come also unto me, O Lord *
even thy salvation, according unto thy word.
42 So shall I make answer unto my blasphemers *
for my trust is in thy word.
43 O take not the word of thy truth utterly out of my mouth *
for my hope is in thy judgements.
44 So shall I alway keep thy law *
yea, for ever and ever.
45 And I will walk at liberty *
for I seek thy commandments.
46 I will speak of thy testimonies also, even before kings *
and will not be ashamed.
47 And my delight shall be in thy commandments *
which I have loved.
48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved *
and my study shall be in thy statutes.
49 O think upon thy servant, as concerning thy word *
wherein thou hast caused me to put my trust.
50 The same is my comfort in my trouble *
for thy word hath quickened me.
51 The proud have had me exceedingly in derision *
yet have I not shrinked from thy law.
52 For I remembered thine everlasting judgements, O Lord *
and received comfort.
53 I am horribly afraid *
for the ungodly that forsake thy law.
54 Thy statutes have been my songs *
in the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I have thought upon thy Name, O Lord, in the night-season *
and have kept thy law.
56 This I had *
because I kept thy commandments.
57 Thou art my portion, O Lord *
I have promised to keep thy law.
58 I made my humble petition in thy presence with my whole heart *
O be merciful unto me, according to thy word.
59 I called mine own ways to remembrance *
and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
60 I made haste, and prolonged not the time *
to keep thy commandments.
61 The congregations of the ungodly have robbed me *
but I have not forgotten thy law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee *
because of thy righteous judgements.
63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee *
and keep thy commandments.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy *
O teach me thy statutes.
65 O Lord, thou hast dealt graciously with thy servant *
according unto thy word.
66 O learn me true understanding and knowledge *
for I have believed thy commandments.
67 Before I was troubled, I went wrong *
but now have I kept thy word.
68 Thou art good and gracious *
O teach me thy statutes.
69 The proud have imagined a lie against me *
but I will keep thy commandments with my whole heart.
70 Their heart is as fat as brawn *
but my delight hath been in thy law.
71 It is good for me that I have been in trouble *
that I may learn thy statutes.
72 The law of thy mouth is dearer unto me *
than thousands of gold and silver.
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 119:33-40 (http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-119e.mp3)
Refrain: Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees;
then I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding, and I will keep your law
and I’ll obey with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your com-mands,
for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word. [Refrain]
Fulfill your pro-mise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
How I long for your precepts!
Preserve my life in your righteousness. [Refrain]
Psalm 119:41-48 (http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-119f.mp3)
May your unfailing love come to me, O Lord,
your salvation according to your promise;
then I will answer the one who taunts me,
for I trust in your Word.
Do not take the word of truth from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in your laws.
Refrain:
I will always obey your law,
forever and forever.
I will walk about in your freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
I will talk about your statutes before kings
and I will not be put to shame.
For I delight in your commands, O Lord,
because I love them.
I lift up my hands to your commands,
which I love, and I meditate
and I meditate, meditate on your decrees. [Refrain]
Psalm 119:49-56 (http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-119g.mp3)
Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
My comfort in my suffering is this:
your promise has given me life.
The arrogant mock me without restraint,
but I do not turn from your law.
I remember your ancient laws, O Lord,
and I find comfort in them.
Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
who have forsaken your law.
Your decrees are the theme of my song
wherever, wherever I lodge.
In the night I remember your name, O Lord,
and I will keep your law.
This has been my practice
This has been my way:
I obey your precepts. I obey your precepts.
Psalm 119:57-64 (http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-119h.mp3)
You are my portion, O Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.
You are my portion, O Lord;
I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
you are my portion, O Lord;
I have considered my ways
and I have turned my steps toward your statutes.
I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.
Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law.
At midnight I will arise
to give you thanks for your righteous laws.
I am a friend to all who fear you,
to all who follow your precepts.
The earth is filled with your love,
O Lord; teach me your decrees.
Psalm 119: 65-72 (http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-119i.mp3)
Do good to your servant
according to your word, O Lord.
Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I believe in your commands.
Before I was afflicted, I went astray,
but now I obey your word.
You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.
Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart.
Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but I delight in your law.
It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.
The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and of gold.
You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.
The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and of gold.
PRAYER
Guide us, O God,
by your Word and Spirit,
that in your light we may see light,
in your truth find freedom,
and in your will discover your peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Reading: Jeremiah 45:1-5
The word that the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Baruch son of Neriah, when he wrote these words in a scroll at the dictation of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of King Jehoiakim son of Josiah of Judah: Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: You said, ‘Woe is me! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest.’ Thus you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: I am going to break down what I have built, and pluck up what I have planted—that is, the whole land. And you, do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for I am going to bring disaster upon all flesh, says the Lord; but I will give you your life as a prize of war in every place to which you may go.’
HYMN: Psalm 7; para. Marie J Post
Tune: So giebst du nun https://tinyurl.com/2rz9jcy3
1 O LORD my God, from you alone comes aid.
Save me from those who make me sore afraid,
who, a lion, stalk and drag me off,
while no one comes to save me or to help.
What have I done, O LORD, I cry,
that I should die?
2 If I have been unfair to friends or foes,
if on my hands the soil of malice shows,
if there are wrongs that still must be undone,
then let those foes who stalk my steps come near
to trample me until I lie
in dust to die.
3 Against my furious foes in anger rise,
and show yourself as judge before all eyes.
O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts,
try me according to my righteousness.
Defend, LORD, my integrity
with your decree.
4 The LORD, my judge, will surely come to save,
while stubborn hearts will know his righteous wrath.
His sharpened sword is quick; his arrows flame
and threaten those conceiving, spawning sin,
who in the traps they have prepared
themselves are snared.
5 Because the LORD in every time and place
brings his salvation, justice, mercy, grace,
I will in every thought and deed and word
give thanks and praise to God, the righteous LORD.
No other gift can satisfy the LORD Most High.
Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
HYMN: Charlotte Elliott
Tune: Woodworth https://tinyurl.com/nshebafe
1 Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
2 Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
3 Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
4 Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Reading: Matthew 20:20-28
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favour of him. And he said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to him, ‘Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.’ But Jesus answered, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We are able.’ He said to them, ‘You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.’
When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’
CANTICLE: Te Deum
(Chant by Joe Cox: https://tinyurl.com/ybzyundx)
We praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud,
the Heavens and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory.
The glorious company of the apostles praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee.
The noble army of martyrs praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world
doth acknowledge thee,
the Father, of an infinite majesty,
thine adorable, true, and only Son,
also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.
Thou art the King of glory, O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man,
thou didst humble thyself to be born of a Virgin.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death,
thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come to be our judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants,
whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy saints,
in glory everlasting.
THE PRAYERS Joe Milner
For the Church: that we may be open to God’s generous love and be filled with gratitude for all the ways God has provided for us
For a spirit of generosity: that we may be free to share the blessings, the wisdom, and the hope God has given us with all who hunger and thirst for a fuller life
For the grace to rely upon God’s providence: that we may entrust to God all our needs, large and small, and rely upon God’s abundant loving care for us
For the grace to bear with one another: that God will give us patience and gentleness to bear with one another through our differences and limits so that we can help one another follow God’s call
For unity amongst all believers: that the Spirit of God who has brought us into the one body through baptism will draw us into common prayer and service of God’s reign
For a deeper awareness of the hungers of our hearts: that God will help us to recognize our deepest desires that God has planted within us and guide us in bringing them to fulfillment
For the courage to serve others: that we may be open to opportunities to meet the needs of others and to generously respond to them even if our gifts or time seem too limited
For all who are on service trips this summer: that their efforts may enrich the lives of those they meet and that they may learn from those with whom they work
For all who bring food to our table each day: that God will bless abundantly those who farm, transport, stock the shelves, and cook the food we eat and provide for them and their families
For all who hunger for freedom: that God will free those imprisoned unjustly, caught in human trafficking, or who live under oppression, heal their pain, and give them hope
For all who are traveling: that God will guide their way and bring them safely to their destination
For all who endure hunger each day, particularly orphans, refugees, and the marginalized: that God will open avenues for food to reach them and help our hearts to be more sensitive to their needs and more aware of our abundance
For an end to the Covid pandemic: that God will curtail the virus, heal those with it, and give strength and courage to all who care for the sick
For all who are suffering: that God will send rain to end the drought, guide those fighting wildfires, and give strength to those recovering from disasters
For all who are entrapped by poverty: that God will open abundant opportunities for them to use the gifts and skills to provide for their families
(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.
Servant Lord,
who came to re-draw the lines
between love and power;
you denied James the seduction of lordship
and gave him a martyr’s crown:
may we drink from your cup,
the sun’s heedless burning
reborn as grape and wine,
the potency of love
poured out upon the earth;
through Jesus Christ, our Ransom and Reward. Amen. PIC
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
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BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
EH Exciting Holiness, Ed. Brother Tristram SSF © European Province of the Society of Saint Francis, 1997
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 intercession is by Joe Milner http://liturgy.slu.edu
PIC Prayers for an Inclusive Church, Steven Shakespeare, as altered in GS2016 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 traditional version of the psalms is from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern versions of Psalm 119 are © 2007-2019 Tom Quinlan. http://www.zcpress.org/music/psalm-119/
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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