Antiphon
Ant. I shall meditate upon your commandments which I greatly love;
I will extend my hands towards your commandments which I love.
V. I have said, “O Lord, my portion *
is to obey your words.”
With all my heart I implore your favor; *
as with your promise, have mercy. Psalm 119
Merciful God,
you pardon all who truly repent and turn to you.
We humbly confess our sins and ask your mercy.
We have not loved you with a pure heart,
nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves.
We have not done justice, loved kindness,
or walked humbly with you, our God.
Have mercy on us, O God, in your loving-kindness.
In your great compassion,
cleanse us from our sin.
Create in us a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within us.
Do not cast us from your presence,
or take your Holy Spirit from us.
Restore to us the joy of your salvation
and sustain us with your bountiful Spirit. Amen. BCW
Music: https://tinyurl.com/ufxekitx
God, come to my assistance.
Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory 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.
HYMN: Timothy Dudley-Smith ©
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/358fxfk3
1 The stars declare his glory;
The vault of heaven springs
Mute witness of the Master’s hand
In all created things,
And through the silences of space
Their soundless music sings.
2 The dawn returns in splendor,
The heavens burn and blaze,
The rising sun renews the race
That measures all our days,
And writes in fire across the skies
God’s majesty and praise.
3 So shine the Lord’s commandments
To make the simple wise;
More sweet than honey to the taste,
More rich than any prize,
A law of love within our hearts,
A light before our eyes.
4 So order too this life of mine,
Direct it all my days;
The meditations of my heart
Be innocence and praise,
My Rock and my redeeming Lord,
In all my words and ways.
PSALMS
Psalm 68 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ybgjjxjc)
1 Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered *
let them also that hate him flee before him.
2 Like as the smoke vanisheth, so shalt thou drive them away *
and like as wax melteth at the fire,
so let the ungodly perish at the presence of God.
3 But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God *
let them also be merry and joyful.
4 O sing unto God, and sing praises unto his Name *
magnify him that rideth upon the heavens, as it were upon an horse;
praise him in his Name JAH, and rejoice before him.
5 He is a Father of the fatherless,
and defendeth the cause of the widows *
even God in his holy habitation.
6 He is the God that maketh men to be of one mind in an house,
and bringeth the prisoners out of captivity *
but letteth the runagates continue in scarceness.
7 O God, when thou wentest forth before the people *
when thou wentest through the wilderness,
8 The earth shook, and the heavens dropped at the presence of God *
even as Sinai also was moved at the presence of God,
who is the God of Israel.
9 Thou, O God, sentest a gracious rain upon thine inheritance *
and refreshedst it when it was weary.
10 Thy congregation shall dwell therein *
for thou, O God, hast of thy goodness prepared for the poor.
11 The Lord gave the word *
great was the company of the preachers.
12 Kings with their armies did flee, and were discomfited *
and they of the household divided the spoil.
13 Though ye have lien among the pots,
yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove *
that is covered with silver wings, and her feathers like gold.
14 When the Almighty scattered kings for their sake *
then were they as white as snow in Salmon.
15 As the hill of Basan, so is God’s hill *
even an high hill, as the hill of Basan.
16 Why hop ye so, ye high hills? this is God’s hill,
in the which it pleaseth him to dwell *
yea, the Lord will abide in it for ever.
17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels *
and the Lord is among them, as in the holy place of Sinai.
18 Thou art gone up on high, thou hast led captivity captive,
and received gifts for men *
yea, even for thine enemies,
that the Lord God might dwell among them.
19 Praised be the Lord daily *
even the God who helpeth us, and poureth his benefits upon us.
20 He is our God, even the God of whom cometh salvation *
God is the Lord, by whom we escape death.
21 God shall wound the head of his enemies *
and the hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his wickedness.
22 The Lord hath said,
I will bring my people again, as I did from Basan *
mine own will I bring again, as I did sometime from the deep of the sea.
23 That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies *
and that the tongue of thy dogs may be red through the same.
24 It is well seen, O God, how thou goest *
how thou, my God and King, goest in the sanctuary.
25 The singers go before, the minstrels follow after *
in the midst are the damsels playing with the timbrels.
26 Give thanks, O Israel, unto God the Lord in the congregations *
from the ground of the heart.
27 There is little Benjamin their ruler,
and the princes of Judah their counsel *
the princes of Zabulon, and the princes of Nephthali.
28 Thy God hath sent forth strength for thee *
stablish the thing, O God, that thou hast wrought in us,
29 For thy temple’s sake at Jerusalem *
so shall kings bring presents unto thee.
30 When the company of the spear-men,
and multitude of the mighty are scattered abroad
among the beasts of the people,
so that they humbly bring pieces of silver *
and when he hath scattered the people that delight in war;
31 Then shall the princes come out of Egypt *
the Morians’ land shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.
32 Sing unto God, O ye kingdoms of the earth *
O sing praises unto the Lord;
33 Who sitteth in the heavens over all from the beginning *
lo, he doth send out his voice, yea, and that a mighty voice.
34 Ascribe ye the power to God over Israel *
his worship, and strength is in the clouds.
35 O God, wonderful art thou in thy holy places *
even the God of Israel;
he will give strength and power unto his people;
blessed be 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 68 (LSB Tone K: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-68-LSB.mp3)
1 God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered;*
and those who hate him shall flee before him!
2 As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away;*
as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God!
3 But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God;*
they shall be jubilant with joy!
4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name;*
lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;
his name is the LORD; exult before him!
5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows*
is God in his holy habitation.
6 God settles the solitary in a home;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,*
but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
7 O God, when you went out before your people,*
when you marched through the wilderness,
8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,*
before God, the God of Israel.
9 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;*
you restored your inheritance as it languished;
10 your flock found a dwelling in it;*
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.
11 The Lord gives the word;*
the women who announce the news are a great host:
12 “The kings of the armies— they flee, they flee!”*
The women at home divide the spoil—
13 though you men lie among the sheepfolds—*
the wings of a dove covered with silver,
its pinions with shimmering gold.
14 When the Almighty scatters kings there,*
let snow fall on Zalmon.
15 O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan;*
O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!
16 Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain,*
at the mount that God desired for his abode,
yes, where the LORD will dwell forever?
17 The chariots of God are twice ten thousand,
thousands upon thousands;*
the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary.
18 You ascended on high,
leading a host of captives in your train
and receiving gifts among men,*
even among the rebellious,
that the LORD God may dwell there.
19 Blessèd be the Lord, who daily bears us up;*
God is our salvation.
20 Our God is a God of salvation,*
and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.
21 But God will strike the heads of his enemies,*
the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.
22 The Lord said, “I will bring them back from Bashan,*
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
23 that you may strike your feet in their blood,*
that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe.”
24 Your procession is seen, O God,*
the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—
25 the singers in front, the musicians last,*
between them virgins playing tambourines:
26 “Bless God in the great congregation,*
the LORD, O you who are of Israel’s fountain!”
27 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead,
the princes of Judah in their throng,*
the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
28 Summon your power, O God,*
the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.
29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem*
kings shall bear gifts to you.
30 Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds,
the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples.*
Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute;
scatter the peoples who delight in war.
31 Nobles shall come from Egypt;*
Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.
32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;*
sing praises to the Lord,
33 to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;*
behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power to God,*
whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies.
35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary;*
the God of Israel—
he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessèd be God!
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.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
you came to us in our bondage,
and led us to freedom by the cross and resurrection.
May our lives praise you,
and our lips proclaim your mighty power to all people
that they may find their hope in you,
and live to your honor and glory,
now and forever. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Reading: Genesis 15:1-21
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ But Abram said, ‘O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ And Abram said, ‘You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.’ But the word of the Lord came to him, ‘This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.’ He brought him outside and said, ‘Look towards heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.
Then he said to him, ‘I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.’ But he said, ‘O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?’ He said to him, ‘Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon.’ He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him. Then the Lord said to Abram, ‘Know this for certain, that your offspring shall be aliens in a land that is not theirs, and shall be slaves there, and they shall be oppressed for four hundred years; but I will bring judgement on the nation that they serve, and afterwards they shall come out with great possessions. As for yourself, you shall go to your ancestors in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. And they shall come back here in the fourth generation; for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.’
When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire-pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, ‘To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.’
HYMN: Psalm 27; para. Marie J Post
Tune: Genevan 27 https://tinyurl.com/2s3j2mjk
1 The LORD God is my light and my salvation
whom shall I fear? He is my sheltering wall.
When enemies arise and turn against me,
they stumble on their slippery paths and fall.
I will not fear though enemies assault;
my confidence in God erases doubt.
Though battles rage, the LORD will keep me near;
I trust in him and I shall never fear.
2 One thing I ask my loving LORD to grant me:
that I may dwell forever in his house,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD God,
to seek him in his holy dwelling place.
For in the day of trouble and of strife,
God in his shelter will preserve my life.
High on a rock I’ll lift my voice and sing;
with shouts of joy my praises I will bring.
3 Hear me, O LORD, when I in desperation
cry out for help; be merciful to me.
LORD, hear my cry and heed my supplication;
O answer, gracious LORD, this urgent plea.
The LORD to me has spoken, “Seek my face.”
My heart says, “Yes, LORD, I will seek your face.”
Remember me, your servant; do not hide.
Do not be angry, LORD; stay at my side.
4 Do not desert me, LORD of my salvation,
although my mother and my father do.
Teach me your way of truth, O LORD, and lead me
to walk the level paths I long to know.
False witnesses arise to block my ways,
but I am confident and trust your grace,
that I will see the goodness of the LORD.
Hope in the LORD! Be strong and trust his word.
Reading: Philippians 3:17—4:1
Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation so that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
HYMN: Johann Andreas Rothe; trans. Gottlob Frederick Krotel
Tune: O dass ich tausend Zungen hätte https://tinyurl.com/ve2ydwdw
1 Now I have found the firm foundation
Which holds my life forever sure;
‘Twas laid before the world’s creation
In Christ my Savior’s wounds secure,
Foundation which unmoved shall stay
When heav’n and earth will pass away.
2 It is that mercy never ending,
Which human wisdom far transcends,
Of him who, loving arms extending,
To wretched sinners condescends.
His heart with pity still will break
Whether we seek him or forsake.
3 Our ruin God has not intended;
For our salvation he has yearned.
For this his Son to earth descended
And then again to heav’n returned;
For this so patient evermore
He’s knocking at our heart’s closed door.
4 O depth of love, to me revealing
The sea where my sins disappear!
In Christ my wounds find perfect healing;
There is no condemnation here!
For Jesus’ blood through earth and skies
Forever “Mercy! Mercy!” cries.
5 Let mercy cause me to be willing
To bear my lot and not to fret.
While he my restless heart is stilling,
May I this mercy not forget!
Whatever comes my heart to test,
His mercy is my only rest.
6 Lord, I will stand on this foundation
As long as I on earth remain;
This will engage my meditation
While I the breath of life retain.
And then, when face to face with you,
I’ll sing your mercy great and true.
Reading: Luke 13:31-35
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to Jesus, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’
CANTICLE Revelation 11:17-18; 12:10b-12a
(Chant by John Michael Talbot: https://tinyurl.com/ycrn2d4f)
Ant. The Father has given Christ all power, honor, and kingship,
All people will obey him.
We praise you, the Lord God Almighty,
who is and who was.
You have assumed your great power,
you have begun your reign.
the nations have raged in anger,
but then came your day of wrath
and the moment to judge the dead:
the time to reward your servants the prophets
and the holy ones who revere you,
the great and the small alike.
Now have salvation and power come,
the reign of our god and the authority
of his anointed one,
for the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who night and day accused them before God.
They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
So rejoice, you heavens,
and you that dwell therein!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
THE PRAYERS Joe Milner
For the Church: that we may listen with both our minds and hearts to God’s beloved Son and be transformed by his words
For a spirit of gratitude: that we may look beyond our daily routines and like Abraham see God’s blessings that are as numerous as the stars of the sky
For a deeper understanding of our baptism: that we may grow in our covenant relationship with God and our understanding of our identity as daughters and sons of God
For courage: that we may join Jesus in journeying toward Jerusalem as we live our vocations and use our resources to continue the mission of Jesus
For a deepening of hope: that even though negative and doubting messages abound in our society, we may be confident that God will never abandon us
For all who are on a journey, whether physical or spiritual: that they may know God’s presence each step along the way and rely upon God’s light and truth to guide their steps
For all who live in the Holy Land: that all who draw faith from the witness of Abraham may work to bring forth new cooperation and a season of justice and harmony
For members of Congress: that God will give them insight and courage to explore new ways to work together to effectively address the needs of all people
For all who are searching for meaning, particularly young adults: that God will lead them to a new awareness of their gifts and of the needs that exist around them
For students who are on spring break: that God will watch over them, preserve them from harm, and renew their spirits
For all who are sick: that God’s healing love will restore those recovering from Covid, cancer, or surgery, give good sleep to those who are anxious, and strength to those who are experiencing the weaknesses of advancing age
For all who are grieving: that God will wipe away their tears and give them courage and hope for tomorrow
For refugees from Ukraine: that God will guide them to places of safety, help them to find welcome and new homes, and open the hearts of many to provide the resources that they need
For peace: that God will bring an end to the violence in Ukraine, protect the innocent from harm, open channels for food and medicine, and help peace negotiations to begin
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.
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
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
2 Eric Wyse, Lord’s Prayer, ©; audio from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_a40ME7aVk
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 language version of Psalms 8 and 15 is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and are sung by Ryland Angel. Psalm 21 is from The Grail Psalter and are 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 © 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.
Oremus 
Let us praise the Lord 🙏
The stars declare his glory;
The vault of heaven springs
Mute witness of the Master’s hand
In all created things,
And through the silences of space
Their soundless music sings.
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