Matthew
Matthew appears in the list of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to the gospel written under his name, was a tax collector. Mark and Luke called the tax collector Levi, and it has been assumed that they are one and the same. This occupation was despised by his fellow Jews as a betrayal to the occupying Roman force but Christ showed that judging by outward appearance was not what he was about. He ate with Matthew and with his friends, scandalising those around him. Matthew affirmed that his life would now change because of following Jesus, and that he would make amends for any former wrongdoing. This was enough for Jesus, for he had drawn someone back to God. He was forgiven, therefore he was acceptable, therefore he was received.EH
Antiphon1
Ant. Unto you, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul; *
O my God, I trust in you, let me not be put to shame;
do not allow my en-emies to laugh at me;
for none of those who are awaiting you will be disappointed.
Ps. Guide me in your truth, and teach me; †
for you are the God of my salvation. *
I have hoped in you all day long. Psalm 25
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: Herman G Stuempfle
Tune: Llangloffan https://tinyurl.com/xucna4un
1 How shocking were the people
Who gathered there to eat:
The tax collectors, harlots
And outcasts from the street!
And Jesus sat among them,
A guest, and yet their Host,
His arms outstretched, embracing
The lonely and the lost.
2 The pious scorned their comp’ny
And counted them impure.
They would not risk contagion
By ent’ring such a door!
When Jesus heard their grumbling,
He spoke while at the meal,
“The sick, and not the healthy,
Are those I’ve come to heal!”
3 O Christ, we gather round you
As did those folk of old.
We come, our lives unworthy,
Our hearts estranged and cold.
And still you stand among us,
A guest, and yet our Host,
And welcome to the Table
The lonely and the lost.
4 All praise to you for mercy
That covers sin and shame;
For love that sees our secrets,
Yet calls us each by name;
For bread and wine that feed us;
For words of peace that heal;
For sharing still with sinners
This holy, joyous meal!
PSALMS
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.
Psalm 105 (Karl Kohlhase: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-105-KH.mp3)
O give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
make known all his ways to the nations.
O sing to him, sing praise, and of his wonders speak;
shine in his holy name, all hearts who seek the LORD.
Seek him and his strength, his face continually.
Remember all his signs, and judgments of his mouth
His servant, Abra-am’s seed, his chosen Jacob’s sons,
he is the LORD our God; he rules though all the earth.
Remembering his word, unto the thousandth age,
his covenant with Abram, the oath to Isaac made.
O give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
make known all his ways to the nations.
Confirmed his word to Jacob, his oath to Israel:
“I’ll give the land of Canaan, as your inheritance,”
When they were few in number, so few, and strangers there.
They wandered land to land, one kingdom to and fro.
Permitting none to hurt them, reproving kings for them:
“Don’t touch whom I anoint, My prophets do not harm.”
He brought their land a famine; he broke their staff of bread.
Then sent a man before them, had Joseph sold a slave.
They bound his feet with fetters, when he was laid in irons;
until his word came true, the LORD’s word tested him.
The king then set him free, the one who ruled the world.
Made him lord of his house, to manage all he owned
O give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
make known all his ways to the nations.
To jail his chiefs at will, to make his elders wise.
Then Israel came to Egypt; and Jacob unto Ham.
He made his people fruitful, made stronger than their foes.
Hearts turned to hate his tribes, conspiring against them.
He sent his servant, Moses, and Aaron, whom he chose.
Performing signs for them, throughout the land of Ham.
Sent darkness to make dark, refusing not his word.
Turned water into blood, and caused their fish to die.
Their land was filled with frogs, their royal chambers too.
he spoke a swarm of flies, and gnats through all the land
Gave hail instead of rain, their land a blazing fire.
Struck down their vines and figs, broke trees through all the land
He spoke and locusts came, their young were beyond count,
Devouring all the land, the fruit of all their soil.
Their firstborn he struck down, first fruits of all their strength.
Led out with gold and silver, his tribes had none who fell.
O give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
make known all his ways to the nations.
Once gone Egypt was glad, they were in dread of them.
he spread a cloud to hide, a fire to shine by night.
When asked, he brought forth quail, filled with the bread of heav’n.
Split rock so water flowed; in deserts like a stream.
Recalled his holy word, to Abraham his servant;
he led them out with joy, his chosen with glad shouts.
He gave the nation’s lands, the fruit of others’ toil,
So they might keep his words, and laws, Alleluia!
O give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
make known all his ways to the nations. (x3)
PRAYER
God our strong fortress,
do not desert us in old age.
Help us to follow your will
through all our years
and under all circumstances,
that forever we may praise your faithfulness;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Reading: Habakkuk 3:1-6, 16a
A prayer of the prophet Habakkuk according to Shigionoth.
O Lord, I have heard of your renown,
and I stand in awe, O Lord, of your work.
In our own time revive it;
in our own time make it known;
in wrath may you remember mercy.
God came from Teman,
the Holy One from Mount Paran.
Selah
His glory covered the heavens,
and the earth was full of his praise.
The brightness was like the sun;
rays came forth from his hand,
where his power lay hidden.
Before him went pestilence,
and plague followed close behind.
He stopped and shook the earth;
he looked and made the nations tremble.
The eternal mountains were shattered;
along his ancient pathways
the everlasting hills sank low.
I hear, and I tremble within;
my lips quiver at the sound.
HYMN: Graham Kendrick
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/2f6e5y63
1 Restore, O Lord, the honour of your name!
In works of sovereign power
come shake the earth again,
that all may see, and come with reverent fear
to the living God,
whose kingdom shall outlast the years.
2 Restore, O Lord, in all the earth your fame,
and in our time revive
the church that bears your name,
and in your anger, Lord, remember mercy,
O living God,
whose mercy shall outlast the years.
3 Bend us, O Lord, where we are hard and cold,
in your refiner’s fire;
come purify the gold:
though suffering comes, and evil crouches near,
still our living God
is reigning, he is reigning here.
4 Restore, O Lord, the honour of your name!
In works of sovereign power
come shake the earth again,
that all may see, and come with reverent fear
to the living God,
whose kingdom shall outlast the years.
Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labour among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.
May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
Beloved, pray for us.
Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all of them.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
HYMN: Joseph Addison
Tune: Contemplation https://tinyurl.com/7pz7vcjs
1 When all thy mercies, O my God,
my rising soul surveys,
transported with the view, I’m lost
in wonder, love, and praise.
2 Unnumbered comforts to my soul
thy tender care bestowed,
before my infant heart conceived
from whom those comforts flowed.
3 When in the slippery paths of youth
with heedless steps I ran,
thine arm unseen conveyed me safe,
and led me up to man.
4 Ten thousand thousand precious gifts
my daily thanks employ,
and not the least a cheerful heart
which tastes those gifts with joy.
5 Through every period of my life
thy goodness I’ll pursue,
and after death in distant worlds
the glorious theme renew.
6 Through all eternity to thee,
a joyful song I’ll raise;
for O, eternity’s too short
to utter all thy praise.
Reading: Matthew 9:9-13
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’
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.
PRAYERS
Let us pray to God,
whose word was entrusted to the Apostles
and has spread to all the world.
Empower your Church
to proclaim the saving message of Jesus Christ.
Lord of mercy,
spread your word.
Give us courage and strength
to spread the Gospel in places
where it has not been preached.
Lord of mercy,
spread your word.
Bless us in our personal lives
that we may live fully according to Jesus’ example.
Lord of mercy,
spread your word.
Open our eyes to your Word in the Holy Scriptures
that we find new paths of understanding.
Lord of mercy,
spread your word.
Remember, in your mercy, those who have gone before
marked with the sign of faith and led by the Gospel.
Lord of mercy,
spread your word.
Setting by Eric Wyse:2
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.
God of mercy,
you take your place
with the compromised and unclean:
we ask for the strength to follow Matthew
from the emptiness of extortion
to the fullness of feasting;
and for the vision to create
economies of justice and mercy;
through Jesus Christ, the Physician. 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
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
PIC Prayers for An Inclusive Church. Steven Shakespeare © 2008 Canterbury Press.
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 traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern versions of Psalms 71 and 72 are 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.
Oremus 