Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer, Alsatian-German theologian, philosopher, organist, and mission doctor in equatorial Africa, who received the 1952 Nobel Prize for Peace for his efforts in behalf of “the Brotherhood of Nations.” The eldest son of a Lutheran pastor, Schweitzer studied philosophy and theology at the University of Strasbourg, where he took the doctor’s degree in philosophy in 1899. At the same time, he was also a lecturer in philosophy and a preacher at St. Nicholas’ Church, and the following year he received a doctorate in theology. His book The Quest of the Historical Jesus (1906) established him as a world figure in theological studies. In this and other works he stressed the eschatological views (concerned with the consummation of history) of Jesus and St. Paul, asserting that their attitudes were formed by expectation of the imminent end of the world.
During these years Schweitzer also became an accomplished musician, beginning his career as an organist in Strasbourg in 1893. Charles-Marie Widor, his organ teacher in Paris, recognized Schweitzer as a Bach interpreter of unique perception and asked him to write a study of the composer’s life and art. The result was J.S. Bach: le musicien-poète (1905). In this work Schweitzer viewed Bach as a religious mystic and likened his music to the impersonal and cosmic forces of the natural world.
In 1905 Schweitzer announced his intention to become a mission doctor in order to devote himself to philanthropic work, and in 1913 he became a doctor of medicine. With his wife, Hélène Bresslau, who had trained as a nurse in order to assist him, he set out for Lambaréné in the Gabon province of French Equatorial Africa. In 1923, he wrote his Philosophy of Civilization, in which he set forth his personal philosophy of “reverence for life,” an ethical principle involving all living things, which he believed essential to the survival of civilization. Schweitzer returned to Africa in 1924 to rebuild the derelict hospital, which he relocated some two miles up the Ogooué River. A leper colony was added later. By 1963 there were 350 patients with their relatives at the hospital and 150 patients in the leper colony, all served by about 36 white physicians, nurses, and varying numbers of native workers. He died there on this day in 1965. Britannica
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/r5j8et73
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.
Indeed, the Lord is near.
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: Albert Schweitzer; para. F. Richard Garland ©
Tune: Brother James’ Air https://tinyurl.com/2ku8h7y4
1 He comes to us as one Unknown
as once he came of old.
he bids the ones who know him not
to let his love unfold.
The Word he speaks remains the same:
Come, follow after me.
2 He sets before all those who hear
the work they’r called to do:
with love commands obedience,
gives strength to follow through.
The Word he speaks remains the same:
Come, follow after me.
3 He calls the wise, the simple ones:
invites them to obey.
The toils and strife and sufferings
reveal to them The Way.
The Word he speaks remains the same:
Come, follow after me.
4 Thus shall we learn in our own time,
in fellowship with him,
the mystery of gracious love
that we receive from him.
The Word he speaks remains the same:
Come, follow after me.
PSALMS
Psalm 19 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yd7jfjmy)
1 The heavens declare the glory of God *
and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 One day telleth another *
and one night certifieth another.
3 There is neither speech nor language *
but their voices are heard among them.
4 Their sound is gone out into all lands *
and their words into the ends of the world.
5 In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun *
which cometh forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber,
and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course.
6 It goeth forth from the uttermost part of the heaven,
and runneth about unto the end of it again *
and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the Lord is an undefiled law, converting the soul *
the testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisdom unto the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoice the heart *
the commandment of the Lord is pure, and giveth light unto the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, and endureth for ever *
the judgements of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold *
sweeter also than honey, and the honey-comb.
11 Moreover, by them is thy servant taught *
and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can tell how oft he offendeth *
O cleanse thou me from my secret faults.
13 Keep thy servant also from presumptuous sins,
lest they get the dominion over me *
so shall I be undefiled, and innocent from the great offence.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart *
be alway acceptable in thy sight,
15 O Lord *
my strength, and my redeemer.
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 19 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-19.mp3)
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament shows his handiwork.
2 One day tells its tale to another, *
and one night imparts knowledge to another.
3 Although they have no words or language, *
and their voices are not heard,
4 Their sound has gone out into all lands, *
and their message to the ends of the world.
5 In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; *
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
6 It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens
and runs about to the end of it again; *
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect and revives the soul; *
the testimony of the LORD is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent.
8 The statutes of the LORD are just and rejoice the heart; *
the commandment of the LORD is clear and gives light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean and endures for ever; *
the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold, *
sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb.
11 By them also is your servant enlightened, *
and in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can tell how often he offends? *
cleanse me from my secret faults.
13 Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
let them not get dominion over me; *
then shall I be whole and sound, and innocent of a great offense.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in your sight, *
O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.
Psalm 20 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ydbb8hr9)
1 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble *
the Name of the God of Jacob defend thee ;
2 Send thee help from the sanctuary *
and strengthen thee out of Sion;
3 Remember all thy offerings *
and accept thy burnt-sacrifice;
4 Grant thee thy heart’s desire *
and fulfil all thy mind.
5 We will rejoice in thy salvation,
and triumph in the Name of the Lord our God *
the Lord perform all thy petitions.
6 Now know I, that the Lord helpeth his Anointed,
and will hear him from his holy heaven *
even with the wholesome strength of his right hand.
7 Some put their trust in chariots, and some in horses *
but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought down, and fallen *
but we are risen, and stand upright.
9 Save, Lord, and hear us, O King of heaven *
when we call upon thee.
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 20 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-20.mp3)
1 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble, *
the Name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2 Send you help from his holy place *
and strengthen you out of Zion;
3 Remember all your offerings *
and accept your burnt sacrifice;
4 Grant you your heart’s desire *
and prosper all your plans.
5 We will shout for joy at your victory
and triumph in the Name of our God; *
may the LORD grant all your requests.
6 Now I know that the LORD gives victory to his anointed; *
he will answer him out of his holy heaven,
with the victorious strength of his right hand.
7 Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, *
but we will call upon the Name of the LORD our God.
8 They collapse and fall down, *
but we will arise and stand upright.
9 O LORD, give victory to the king *
and answer us when we call.
Psalm 21 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yccrfx9l)
1 The King shall rejoice in thy strength, O Lord *
exceeding glad shall he be of thy salvation.
2 Thou hast given him his heart’s desire *
and hast not denied him the request of his lips.
3 For thou shalt prevent him with the blessings of goodness *
and shalt set a crown of pure gold upon his head.
4 He asked life of thee, and thou gavest him a long life *
even for ever and ever.
5 His honour is great in thy salvation *
glory and great worship shalt thou lay upon him.
6 For thou shalt give him everlasting felicity *
and make him glad with the joy of thy countenance.
7 And why? because the King putteth his trust in the Lord *
and in the mercy of the most Highest he shall not miscarry.
8 All thine enemies shall feel thine hand *
thy right hand shall find out them that hate thee.
9 Thou shalt make them like a fiery oven in time of thy wrath *
the Lord shall destroy them in his displeasure,
and the fire shall consume them.
10 Their fruit shalt thou root out of the earth *
and their seed from among the children of men.
11 For they intended mischief against thee *
and imagined such a device as they are not able to perform.
12 Therefore shalt thou put them to flight *
and the strings of thy bow shalt thou make ready
against the face of them.
13 Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength *
so will we sing, and praise thy power.
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 21 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-21-MH.mp3)
2 O Lord, your strength gives joy to the King; how your saving help makes him glad!
3 You have granted him his heart’s desire;
you have not refused the prayer of his lips.
4 You came to meet him with the blessings of success,
you have set on his head a crown of pure gold.
5 He asked you for life and this you have given,
days that will last from age to age.
6 Your saving help has given him glory.
You have laid upon him majesty and splendor,
7 you have granted your blessings to him forever.
You have made him rejoice with the joy of your presence.
8 The king has put his trust in the Lord:
through the mercy of the Most High he shall stand firm.
9 His hand will seek and find all his foes,
his right hand find out those that hate him.
10 You will burn them like a blazing furnace
on the day when you appear.
And the Lord will destroy them in his anger;
fire will swallow them up.
11 You will wipe out their race from the earth
and their children from the sons of men.
12 Though they plan evil against you,
though they plot, they shall not prevail.
13 For you will force them to retreat;
at them you will aim with your bow.
14 O Lord, arise in your strength;
we shall sing and praise your power.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, gentle and humble of heart,
you promised your kingdom to those who are like children.
Never let pride reign in our hearts.
In compassion embrace all who willingly bear your gentle yoke
now and forever. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Reading: 1 Kings 11:26-43
Jeroboam son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant of Solomon, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow, rebelled against the king. The following was the reason he rebelled against the king. Solomon built the Millo, and closed up the gap in the wall of the city of his father David. The man Jeroboam was very able, and when Solomon saw that the young man was industrious he gave him charge over all the forced labour of the house of Joseph. About that time, when Jeroboam was leaving Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him on the road. Ahijah had clothed himself with a new garment. The two of them were alone in the open country when Ahijah laid hold of the new garment he was wearing and tore it into twelve pieces. He then said to Jeroboam: Take for yourself ten pieces; for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘See, I am about to tear the kingdom from the hand of Solomon, and will give you ten tribes. One tribe will remain his, for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city that I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel. This is because he has forsaken me, worshipped Astarte the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites, and has not walked in my ways, doing what is right in my sight and keeping my statutes and my ordinances, as his father David did. Nevertheless, I will not take the whole kingdom away from him but will make him ruler all the days of his life, for the sake of my servant David whom I chose and who did keep my commandments and my statutes; but I will take the kingdom away from his son and give it to you—that is, the ten tribes. Yet to his son I will give one tribe, so that my servant David may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen to put my name. I will take you, and you shall reign over all that your soul desires; you shall be king over Israel. If you will listen to all that I command you, walk in my ways, and do what is right in my sight by keeping my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did, I will be with you, and will build you an enduring house, as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you. For this reason I will punish the descendants of David, but not for ever.’ Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam; but Jeroboam promptly fled to Egypt, to King Shishak of Egypt, and remained in Egypt until the death of Solomon.
Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, all that he did as well as his wisdom, are they not written in the Book of the Acts of Solomon? The time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. Solomon slept with his ancestors and was buried in the city of his father David; and his son Rehoboam succeeded him.
HYMN: James Montgomery
Tune: St Fulbert https://tinyurl.com/yj45xbsw
1 Almighty God, in humble prayer
To Thee our souls we lift:
Do Thou our waiting minds prepare
For Thy most needful gift.
2 We ask not golden streams of wealth
Along our path to flow;
We ask not undecaying health,
Nor length of years below.
3 We ask not honors, which an hour
May bring or take away;
We ask not pleasure, pomp, and power,
Lest we should go astray.
4 We ask for wisdom:–Lord, impart
The knowledge how to live;
A wise and understanding heart
To all before Thee give.
5 The young remember Thee in youth,
Before the evil day!
The old be guided by Thy truth
In wisdom’s pleasant way!
Reading: Romans 2:17-29
But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relation to God and know his will and determine what is best because you are instructed in the law, and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth, you, then, that teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You that forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You that abhor idols, do you rob temples? You that boast in the law, do you dishonour God by breaking the law? For, as it is written, ‘The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.’
Circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law; but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. So, if those who are uncircumcised keep the requirements of the law, will not their uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Then those who are physically uncircumcised but keep the law will condemn you that have the written code and circumcision but break the law. For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical. Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart—it is spiritual and not literal. Such a person receives praise not from others but from God.
HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: Vox dilecti https://tinyurl.com/488hwmrz
1 Not all the outward forms on earth,
nor rites that God has giv’n,
nor will of man, nor blood, nor birth,
can raise a soul to heav’n.
The sov’reign will of God alone
creates us heirs of grace
born in the image of His Son,
a new, peculiar race.
2 The Spirit, like some heav’nly wind,
blows on the sons of flesh,
new models all the carnal mind,
and forms the man afresh.
Our quickened souls awake, and rise
from the long sleep of death;
on heav’nly things we fix our eyes,
and praise employs our breath.
Reading: Luke 7:31-35
Jesus said, ‘To what then will I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the market-place and calling to one another, “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep.” For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, “He has a demon”; the Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Nevertheless, wisdom is vindicated by all her children.’
CANTICLE Isaiah 9; Isaiah 40:1-9; 1 John 1
(Dan Schutte: https://tinyurl.com/ybrvb259)
Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep!
A new day is dawning for all those who weep
The people in darkness have seen a great light
The Lord of our longing has conquered the night
Refrain:
Let us build the city of God
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love
Has turned the night into day!
We are sons of the morning; we are daughters of day
The One who has loved us has brightened our way. Refrain
God is light; in him there is no darkness
Let us walk in his light, his children, one and all. Refrain
O comfort my people; make gentle your words
Proclaim to my city the day of her birth. Refrain
THE PRAYERS BCW
God of glory, we praise you for your presence in our lives, and for all goodness
that you shower upon your children in Jesus Christ. Especially we thank you for
promises kept and hope for tomorrow . . .
the enjoyment of friends . . .
the wonders of your creation . . .
the love from our parents, our sisters and brothers, our spouses and children . . .
the pleasures of living. . . .
God of grace, we are one with all your children, for we are sisters and brothers
of Jesus Christ, and we offer our prayers for all whom we love.
Especially we pray for
those we too often forget . . .
people who have lost hope . . .
victims of tragedy and disaster . . .
those who suffer mental anguish . . .
ecumenical councils and church agencies. . . .
(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.
Almighty God, whose will it is to be glorified in your saints, and who raised up your servant Albert Schweitzer to be a light in the world: Shine, we pray, in our hearts, that we also in our generation may show forth your praise, who called us out of darkness into your marvelous light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. HWHM
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.
HWHM Holy Women, Holy Men © 2010 The Church Pension Fund.
The 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 language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language versions of Psalm 19 and 20 are from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and are sung by Ryland Angel. Psalm 21 is from The Grail Psalter and is from the Manual Hopper YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/manualhopper/featured
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.
Oremus 