Galileo Galilei
Galileo Galilei was born on 15 February 1564 near Pisa, the son of a musician. He began to study medicine at the University of Pisa but changed to philosophy and mathematics. In 1589, he became professor of mathematics at Pisa. In 1592, he moved to become mathematics professor at the University of Padua, a position he held until 1610. During this time he worked on a variety of experiments, including the speed at which different objects fall, mechanics and pendulums.
In 1609, Galileo heard about the invention of the telescope in Holland. Without having seen an example, he constructed a superior version and made many astronomical discoveries. These included mountains and valleys on the surface of the moon, sunspots, the four largest moons of the planet Jupiter and the phases of the planet Venus. His work on astronomy made him famous and he was appointed court mathematician in Florence.
In 1614, Galileo was accused of heresy for his support of the Copernican theory that the sun was at the centre of the solar system. This was revolutionary at a time when most people believed the Earth was in this central position. In 1616, he was forbidden by the church from teaching or advocating these theories.
In 1632, he was again condemned for heresy after his book ‘Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems’ was published. This set out the arguments for and against the Copernican theory in the form of a discussion between two men. Galileo was summoned to appear before the Inquisition in Rome. He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, later reduced to permanent house arrest at his villa in Arcetri, south of Florence. He was also forced to publicly withdraw his support for Copernican theory. Although he was now going blind he continued to write. In 1638, his ‘Discourses Concerning Two New Sciences’ was published with Galileo’s ideas on the laws of motion and the principles of mechanics. Galileo died in Arcetri on 8 January 1642. 1
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/4a5jdna4
As for me, in justice I shall behold your face;
I shall be filled with the vision of your glory. Psalm 17
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: Fred Kaan ©
Tune: Little Cornard https://tinyurl.com/4ps2t3m5
1 God is unique and one:
Maker, Sustainer, Lord!
Patterns of life were spun
by that creative word.
Of God’s intention, love and care
we are with growing trust aware.
2 Love came to earth in Christ,
our common life to share,
choosing to be the least,
willing a cross to bear.
He died, he rose, that we might live
and all our love, responding, give.
3 The Holy Spirit moves
people to trace God’s plan;
such inspiration proves
more than the mind can span.
Each listening heart is led to find
the will of God for humankind.
4 God shall forever reign,
ruler of time and space;
there, in the midst of life,
seen in the human face.
We give expression to our creed
by love in thought, in word and deed.
PSALMS
Psalm 38 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y8u2a6mz)
1 Put me not to rebuke, O Lord, in thine anger *
neither chasten me in thy heavy displeasure.
2 For thine arrows stick fast in me *
and thy hand presseth me sore.
3 There is no health in my flesh, because of thy displeasure *
neither is there any rest in my bones, by reason of my sin.
4 For my wickednesses are gone over my head *
and are like a sore burden, too heavy for me to bear.
5 My wounds stink, and are corrupt *
through my foolishness.
6 I am brought into so great trouble and misery *
that I go mourning all the day long.
7 For my loins are filled with a sore disease *
and there is no whole part in my body.
8 I am feeble, and sore smitten *
I have roared for the very disquietness of my heart.
9 Lord, thou knowest all my desire *
and my groaning is not hid from thee.
10 My heart panteth, my strength hath failed me *
and the sight of mine eyes is gone from me.
11 My lovers and my neighbours did stand looking upon my trouble *
and my kinsmen stood afar off.
12 They also that sought after my life laid snares for me *
and they that went about to do me evil talked of wickedness,
and imagined deceit all the day long.
13 As for me, I was like a deaf man, and heard not *
and as one that is dumb, who doth not open his mouth.
14 I became even as a man that heareth not *
and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
15 For in thee, O Lord, have I put my trust *
thou shalt answer for me, O Lord my God.
16 I have required that they, even mine enemies,
should not triumph over me *
for when my foot slipped, they rejoiced greatly against me.
17 And I, truly, am set in the plague *
and my heaviness is ever in my sight.
18 For I will confess my wickedness *
and be sorry for my sin.
19 But mine enemies live, and are mighty *
and they that hate me wrongfully are many in number.
20 They also that reward evil for good are against me *
because I follow the thing that good is.
21 Forsake me not, O Lord my God *
be not thou far from me.
22 Haste thee to help me *
O Lord God of my salvation.
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 38 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-38-MH.mp3)
2 O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger;
do not punish me, Lord, in your rage.
3 Your arrows have sunk deep in me;
your hand has come down upon me.
4 Through your anger all my body is sick:
through my sin, there is no health in my limbs.
5 My guilt towers higher than my head;
it is a weight too heavy to bear.
6 My wounds are foul and festering,
the result of my own folly.
7 I am bowed and brought to my knees.
I go mourning all the day long.
8 All my frame burns with fever;
all my body is sick.
9 Spent and utterly crushed,
I cry aloud in anguish of heart.
10 O Lord, you know all my longing:
my groans are not hidden from you.
11 My heart throbs, my strength is spent;
the very light has gone from my eyes.
12 My friends avoid me like a leper;
those closest to me stand afar off.
13 Those who plot against my life lay snares;
those who seek my ruin speak of harm,
planning treachery all the day long.
14 But I am like the deaf who cannot hear,
like the dumb unable to speak.
15 I am like a man who hears nothing
in whose mouth is no defense.
16 I count on you, O Lord:
it is you, Lord God, who will answer.
17 I pray: “Do not let them mock me,
those who triumph if my foot should slip.”
18 For I am on the point of falling
and my pain is always before me.
19 I confess that I am guilty
and my sin fills me with dismay.
20 My wanton enemies are numberless
and my lying foes are many.
21 They repay me evil for good
and attack me for seeking what is right.
22 O Lord, do not forsake me!
My God, do not stay afar off!
23 Make haste and come to my help,
O Lord, my God, my savior!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Spiritt;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 39 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y9dmgm3b)
1 I said, I will take heed to my ways *
that I offend not in my tongue.
2 I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle *
while the ungodly is in my sight.
3 I held my tongue, and spake nothing *
I kept silence, yea, even from good words;
but it was pain and grief to me.
4 My heart was hot within me,
and while I was thus musing the fire kindled *
and at the last I spake with my tongue;
5 Lord, let me know mine end, and the number of my days *
that I may be certified how long I have to live.
6 Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span long *
and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee;
and verily every man living is altogether vanity.
7 For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain *
he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.
8 And now, Lord, what is my hope *
truly my hope is even in thee.
9 Deliver me from all mine offences *
and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish.
10 I became dumb, and opened not my mouth *
for it was thy doing.
11 Take thy plague away from me *
I am even consumed by the means of thy heavy hand.
12 When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin,
thou makest his beauty to consume away,
like as it were a moth fretting a garment *
every man therefore is but vanity.
13 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears consider my calling *
hold not thy peace at my tears.
14 For I am a stranger with thee *
and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
15 O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength *
before I go hence, and be no more seen.
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 39 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-39-MH.mp3)
2 I said: “I will be watchful of my ways
for fear I should sin with my tongue.
I will put a curb on my lips
when the wicked man stands before me.”
3 I was dumb, silent and still.
His prosperity stirred my grief.
4 My heart was burning within me.
At the thought of it, the fire blazed up
and my tongue burst into speech:
5 “O Lord, you have shown me my end,
how short is the length of my days.
Now I know how fleeting is my life.
6 You have given me a short span of days;
my life is as nothing in your sight.
A mere breath, the man who stood so firm,
7 a mere shadow, the man passing by;
a mere breath the riches he hoards,
not knowing who will have them.”
8 And now, Lord, what is there to wait for?
In you rests all my hope.
9 Set me free from all my sins,
do not make me the taunt of the fool.
10 I was silent, not opening my lips,
because this was all your doing.
11 Take away your scourge from me.
I am crushed by the blows of your hand.
12 You punish man’s sins and correct him;
like the moth you devour all he treasures.
Mortal man is no more than a breath;
13 O Lord, hear my prayer.
O Lord, turn your ear to my cry.
Do not be deaf to my tears.
In your house I am a passing guest,
a pilgrim, like all my fathers.
14 Look away that I may breathe again
before I depart to be no more.
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.
Psalm 40 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ybregq8q)
1 I waited patiently for the Lord *
and he inclined unto me, and heard my calling.
2 He brought me also out of the horrible pit, out of the mire and clay *
and set my feet upon the rock, and ordered my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth *
even a thanksgiving unto our God.
4 Many shall see it, and fear *
and shall put their trust in the Lord.
5 Blessed is the man that hath set his hope in the Lord *
and turned not unto the proud, and to such as go about with lies.
6 O Lord my God, great are the wondrous works which thou hast done,
like as be also thy thoughts which are to us-ward *
and yet there is no man that ordereth them unto thee.
7 If I should declare them, and speak of them *
they should be more than I am able to express.
8 Sacrifice, and meat-offering, thou wouldest not *
but mine ears hast thou opened.
9 Burnt-offerings, and sacrifice for sin, hast thou not required *
then said I, Lo, I come,
10 In the volume of the book it is written of me, that I should fulfil thy will, O my God *
I am content to do it; yea, thy law is within my heart.
11 I have declared thy righteousness in the great congregation *
lo, I will not refrain my lips, O Lord, and that thou knowest.
12 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart *
my talk hath been of thy truth, and of thy salvation.
13 I have not kept back thy loving mercy and truth *
from the great congregation.
14 Withdraw not thou thy mercy from me, O Lord *
let thy loving-kindness and thy truth alway preserve me.
15 For innumerable troubles are come about me;
my sins have taken such hold upon me that I am not able to look up *
yea, they are more in number than the hairs of my head,
and my heart hath failed me.
16 O Lord, let it be thy pleasure to deliver me *
make haste, O Lord, to help me.
17 Let them be ashamed, and confounded together,
that seek after my soul to destroy it *
let them be driven backward, and put to rebuke, that wish me evil.
18 Let them be desolate, and rewarded with shame *
that say unto me, Fie upon thee, fie upon thee.
19 Let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad in thee *
and let such as love thy salvation say alway, The Lord be praised.
20 As for me, I am poor and needy *
but the Lord careth for me.
21 Thou art my helper and redeemer *
make no long tarrying, O my God.
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 40 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-40.mp3)
1 I waited patiently upon the LORD; *
he stooped to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; *
he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God; *
many shall see, and stand in awe,
and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Happy are they who trust in the LORD! *
they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods.
5 Great things are they that you have done, O LORD my God!
how great your wonders and your plans for us! *
there is none who can be compared with you.
6 Oh, that I could make them known and tell them! *
but they are more than I can count.
7 In sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure *
(you have given me ears to hear you);
8 Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required, *
and so I said, “Behold, I come.
9 In the roll of the book it is written concerning me: *
‘I love to do your will, O my God;
your law is deep in my heart.'”
10 I proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation; *
behold, I did not restrain my lips;
and that, O LORD, you know.
11 Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance; *
I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from the
great congregation.
12 You are the LORD;
do not withhold your compassion from me; *
let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever,
13 For innumerable troubles have crowded upon me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see; *
they are more in number than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails me.
14 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; *
O LORD, make haste to help me.
15 Let them be ashamed and altogether dismayed
who seek after my life to destroy it; *
let them draw back and be disgraced
who take pleasure in my misfortune.
16 Let those who say “Aha!” and gloat over me be confounded, *
because they are ashamed.
17 Let all who seek you rejoice in you and be glad; *
let those who love your salvation continually say,
Great is the LORD!”
18 Though I am poor and afflicted, *
the Lord will have regard for me.
19 You are my helper and my deliverer; *
do not tarry, O my God.
PRAYER
O God,
none can compare with you,
for your wondrous deeds for our salvation are without number.
Make us bold witnesses to your faithfulness
that all the earth may rejoice in your love toward us
in Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover, he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil. I know that whatever God does endures for ever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this, so that all should stand in awe before him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already is; and God seeks out what has gone by.
HYMN: Pete Seeger ©
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/7z6d6cav
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it’s not too late
Reading: Galatians 3:23-29, 4:4-7
Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
HYMN: John L Bell and Graham Maule ©
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/2p86trs3
1 Jesus calls us here to meet him
as, through word and song and prayer,
we affirm God’s promised presence
where Christ’s people live and care.
Praise the God who keeps each promise;
praise the Son who calls us friends;
praise the Spirit who, among us,
to our hopes and fears attends.
2 Jesus calls us to confess him
Word of Life and Lord of all,
sharer of our flesh and frailness
saving all who fail or fall.
Tell his holy human story;
tell his tales that all may hear;
tell the world that Christ in glory
came to earth to meet us here.
3 Jesus calls us to each other;
vastly diff’rent though we are;
race and color, class and gender
neither limit nor debar.
Join the hand of friend and stranger;
join the hands of age and youth;
join the faithful and the doubter
in their common search for truth.
Reading: John 1:19-28
This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ He said,
‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
“Make straight the way of the Lord” ’,
as the prophet Isaiah said.
Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
CANTICLE Isaiah 60
(Uptown Worship Band: https://tinyurl.com/yb6c8bhv)
Arise and shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.
For behold, darkness covers the land;
and deep gloom enshrouds the people.
But over you the Lord will rise,
and his glory will appear upon you.
Nations will stream to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawning.
Your gates will always be open;
by day or night they’ll never be closed.
They will call you the City of the Lord,
the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
And violence will be no more,
no need for the sun or the moonlight,
the Lord will be your light,
and your God will be your glory.
Glory to the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
THE PRAYERS
Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given.
Let us offer our prayers for the needs of the world.
Wonderful Counselor,
give your wisdom to the rulers of the nations…
We pray especially for the people of Palestine.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
Mighty God,
make the whole world know
that the government is on your shoulders…
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
Everlasting Father,
establish your reign of justice and righteousness for ever…
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
Prince of Peace,
bring in the endless kingdom of your peace…
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
Lord of the Church,
hear our prayer,
and make us one in heart and mind
to serve you with joy for ever.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
(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.
God of grace and glory, you create and sustain the universe in majesty and beauty: We thank you for Galileo Galilei and all in whom you have planted the desire to know your creation and to explore your work and wisdom. Lead us, like them, to understand better the wonder and mystery of creation; through Christ your eternal Word, through whom all things were made. 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
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BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
1 https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/galilei_galileo.shtml
The intercession has been used in Oremus for more than 20 years and I no longer recall the source.
HWHM Holy Women, Holy Men © 2010 The Church Pension Fund.
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 reading from John is © 2012 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language versions of Psalm 38 and 39 are from The Grail Psalter and are from the Manual Hopper YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/manualhopper/featured. Psalm 40 is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is sung by Ryland Angel.
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 © 2022 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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