Oremus for Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Of you my heart has spoken: Seek his face.
It is your face, O Lord, that I seek;
hide not your face from me. Psalm 27

Gracious God,
our sins are too heavy to carry,
too real to hide,
and too deep to undo.
Forgive what our lips tremble to name,
what our hearts can no longer bear,
and what has become for us
a consuming fire of judgment.
Set us free from a past that we cannot change;
open to us a future in which we can be changed;
and grant us grace
to grow more and more in your likeness and image;
through Jesus Christ, the light of the world. 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: B. B. McKinney ©
Tune: Muskogee https://tinyurl.com/2p8p82ph

1 Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely;
He sees and knows all the way you have trod.
Never alone are the least of His children;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Chorus:
Have faith in God, He’s on His throne;
Have faith in God, He watches o’er His own.
He cannot fail, He must prevail;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.

2 Have faith in God when your prayers are unanswered;
Your earnest plea He will never forget.
Wait on the Lord, trust His Word and be patient;
Have faith in God, He’ll answer yet. [Chorus]

3 Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow;
His heart is touched with your grief and despair.
Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him;
And leave them there, oh, leave them there. [Chorus]

4 Have faith in God though all else fail about you;
Have faith in God, He provides for His own.
He cannot fail though all kingdoms shall perish;
He rules, He reigns upon His throne. [Chorus]

PSALMS

Psalm 110 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wo7aol8)
1  The Lord said unto my Lord *
Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2  The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion *
be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine enemies.
3  In the day of thy power shall the people offer thee
free-will offerings with an holy worship *
the dew of thy birth is of the womb of the morning.
4  The Lord sware, and will not repent *
Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech.
5  The Lord upon thy right hand *
shall wound even kings in the day of his wrath.
6  He shall judge among the heathen; he shall fill the places with the dead bodies *
and smite in sunder the heads over divers countries.
7  He shall drink of the brook in the way *
therefore shall he lift up his head.
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 110 (Liturgical Folk https://tinyurl.com/9mtt9js)
1 The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, *
    until I make your enemies your footstool.”
2 The LORD will send the scepter of your power out of Zion, *
    saying, “Rule over your enemies round about you.
3 Princely state has been yours from the day of your birth; *
    in the beauty of holiness have I begotten you,
    like dew from the womb of the morning.”
4 The LORD has sworn and he will not recant: *
    “You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
5 The Lord who is at your right hand will smite kings
    in the day of his wrath he will rule over the nations.
6 He will heap high the corpses; *
    he will smash heads over the wide earth.
7 He will drink from the brook beside the road; *
    therefore he will lift high his head.
The LORD has sworn and he will not recant: *
    “You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” (x2)

Psalm 111 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/vddmean)
1  I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart *
secretly among the faithful, and in the congregation.
2  The works of the Lord are great *
sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3  His work is worthy to be praised, and had in honour *
and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4  The merciful and gracious Lord hath so done his marvellous works *
that they ought to be had in remembrance.
5  He hath given meat unto them that fear him *
he shall ever be mindful of his covenant.
6  He hath shewed his people the power of his works *
that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7  The works of his hands are verity and judgement *
all his commandments are true.
8  They stand fast for ever and ever *
and are done in truth and equity.
9  He sent redemption unto his people *
he hath commanded his covenant for ever; holy and reverend is his Name.
10  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom *
a good understanding have all they that do thereafter;
the praise of it endureth for ever.
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 111 (LSB https://tinyurl.com/m4wu4t4z)
Praise the LORD!
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,*
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the LORD,*
studied by all who delight in them.
Full of splendor and majesty is his work,*
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;*
the LORD is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who | fear him;*
he remembers his covenant forever.
He has shown his people the power of his works*
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;*
all his precepts are trustworthy;
they are established forever and ever,*
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.*
Holy and awesome is his name!
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;*
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
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.

Psalm 112 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yxyhobau)
1  Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord *
he hath great delight in his commandments.
2  His seed shall be mighty upon earth *
the generation of the faithful shall be blessed.
3  Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house *
and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4  Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness *
he is merciful, loving, and righteous.
5  A good man is merciful, and lendeth *
and will guide his words with discretion.
6  For he shall never be moved *
and the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.
7  He will not be afraid of any evil tidings *
for his heart standeth fast, and believeth in the Lord.
8  His heart is established, and will not shrink *
until he see his desire upon his enemies.
9  He hath dispersed abroad, and given to the poor *
and his righteousness remaineth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
10  The ungodly shall see it, and it shall grieve him *
he shall gnash with his teeth, and consume away;
the desire of the ungodly shall perish.
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 112 (Karl Kohlhase: https://tinyurl.com/u8nezcvs)

Hallelujah! How blessed is the man, who fears the LORD,
with great delight in His commandments.
His descendants will be mighty upon the earth;
the generation of the upright are blessed.
Wealth and riches are in his house,
his righteousness lasting forever.

Hallelujah! How blessed is the man, who fears the LORD,
with great delight in His commandments.
Light rises in the dark for the upright;
he is gracious, compassionate and righteous.
It is well with the man who lends graciously;
he will maintain his cause in judgment.

Hallelujah! How blessed is the man, who fears the LORD,
with great delight in His commandments.
For he will never be shaken;
the righteous are remembered forever.
He will not fear evil tidings;
his steadfast heart trusts in the LORD.

Hallelujah! How blessed is the man, who fears the LORD,
with great delight in His commandments.
His heart is upheld, he will not fear,
even when he looks on his enemies.
He’s donated freely unto the poor,
his righteousness lives forever.

Hallelujah! How blessed is the man, who fears the LORD,
with great delight in His commandments.
His horn will be exalted in honor;
the wicked will see and be vexed,
He’ll gnash his teeth and melt away;
the desire of the wicked will perish.

Hallelujah! How blessed is the man, who fears the LORD,
with great delight in His commandments.

Psalm 113 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/s3ye4cx)
1  Praise the Lord, ye servants *
O praise the Name of the Lord.
2  Blessed be the Name of the Lord *
from this time forth for evermore.
3  The Lord’s Name is praised *
from the rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same.
4  The Lord is high above all heathen *
and his glory above the heavens.
5  Who is like unto the Lord our God that hath his dwelling so high *
and yet humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and earth?
6  He taketh up the simple out of the dust *
and lifteth the poor out of the mire;
7  That he may set him with the princes *
even with the princes of his people.
8  He maketh the barren woman to keep house *
and to be a joyful mother of children.
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 113 (Grail https://tinyurl.com/yterk33s)
Ant. Sing praise to our God, all his saints.
Praise, you servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD!
May the name of the LORD be blest
both now and forevermore!
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
praised be the name of the LORD!
High above all nations is the LORD,
above the heavens his glory.
Who is like the LORD, our God,
who has risen on high to his throne,
yet stoops from the heights to look down
to look down upon heaven and earth?
From the dust he lifts up the lowly,
from the dung heap he raises the poor,
to set them in the company of princes,
yes, with the princes of his people.
To the childless wife he gives a home
and gladdens her heart with children.
Ant. Sing praise to our God, all his saints.

PRAYER

Sovereign God,
you subdue the arrogant
and raise the humble;
you feed the hungry
and reveal the poverty of wealth.
Help us to praise your name in all times and places,
that we may be faithful servants
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ^BCW

WORD OF GOD

Reading: Genesis 45:1-28

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, ‘Send everyone away from me.’ So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?’ But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come closer to me.’ And they came closer. He said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither ploughing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, “Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.” And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honoured in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.’ Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.

When the report was heard in Pharaoh’s house, ‘Joseph’s brothers have come’, Pharaoh and his servants were pleased. Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Say to your brothers, “Do this: load your animals and go back to the land of Canaan. Take your father and your households and come to me, so that I may give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you may enjoy the fat of the land.” You are further charged to say, “Do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. Give no thought to your possessions, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.” ’

The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons according to the instruction of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey. To each one of them he gave a set of garments; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five sets of garments. To his father he sent the following: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and provision for his father on the journey. Then he sent his brothers on their way, and as they were leaving he said to them, ‘Do not quarrel along the way.’

So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. And they told him, ‘Joseph is still alive! He is even ruler over all the land of Egypt.’ He was stunned; he could not believe them. But when they told him all the words of Joseph that he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. Israel said, ‘Enough! My son Joseph is still alive. I must go and see him before I die.’

HYMN: Doris Akers ©
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/yr6kw7t9

1 There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place,
And I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord.
There are sweet expressions on each face,
And I know they feel the presence of the Lord.

Refrain:
Sweet Holy Spirit,
Sweet heavenly Dove,
Stay right here with us
Filling us with your love.
And for these blessings
We lift our hearts in praise;
Without a doubt we’ll know
that we have been revived
When we shall leave this place.

2 There are blessings you cannot receive
Till you know him in his fullness and believe.
You’re the one to profit when you say,
“I am going to walk with Jesus all the way.” [Refrain]

Reading: Romans 8:1-11

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

Reading: Daniel Iverson
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/2dy2jjct

Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me,
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me.
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me.

Reading: Mark 11:20-26

In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. Then Peter remembered and said to him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea”, and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

‘Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.’

CANTICLE Isaiah 12:2-6
(Uptown Worship Band: https://tinyurl.com/y8q877og)

Refrain:
Surely, it is God who saves;
I will and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my sure defense,
and he will be my Savior.

Therefore you shall draw water
and rejoice from the salvation spring.
On that day you shall say,
give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name. Refrain

Make his deeds known among the people;
they remember his Name on high.
Sing praise to the Lord, for he has done great things,
and this is known in all the world. Refrain

Cry aloud, O Zion, ring out your joy,
for the great one in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

LITANY OF CONFESSION ^CW:TS

We pray to the Lord for courage to give up other things
and to give ourselves to him this Lent.

Give your Church the courage
to give up her preoccupation with herself
and to give more time to your mission in the world.