Oremus for Thursday, April 28, 2022

Gathering of the Manna, unknown Netherlandish painter, 1460s

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/2rd5kjp3

I am the bread of life, says the Lord;
whoever comes to me will not hunger
and whoever believes in me will not thirst. John 6

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/mb6h9xfa

O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise.
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.
Alleluia, alleluia!

HYMN: Andrew Donaldson ©
Tune: Belmont https://tinyurl.com/5f5hzwrz

1 You thirsty ones, come to the spring!
Have you no money? Come,
buy wine and milk; come, buy and eat
without a price or sum.

2 Why do you work and earn and spend
on that which is not bread?
O listen now and come to me;
eat what is good instead.

3 This food delights and satisfies,
the food your God can give;
incline your ear and come to me;
O hear that you may live.

4 Return while God may still be found,
and call while God will hear;
now let the wicked quit their ways
while yet the Lord is near.

5 My word like heaven’s snow descends;
it falls like heaven’s rain;
it waters all the thirsty earth
and shall not go in vain.

PSALMS

Psalm 136 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y7f3bagv)
1  O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious *
 and his mercy endureth for ever.
2  O give thanks unto the God of all gods *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
3  O thank the Lord of all lords *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
4  Who only doeth great wonders *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
5  Who by his excellent wisdom made the heavens *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
6  Who laid out the earth above the waters *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
7  Who hath made great lights *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
8  The sun to rule the day *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
9  The moon and the stars to govern the night *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
10  Who smote Egypt with their first-born *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
11  And brought out Israel from among them *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
12  With a mighty hand, and stretched out arm *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
13  Who divided the Red sea in two parts *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
14  And made Israel to go through the midst of it *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
15  But as for Pharaoh and his host, he overthrew them in the Red sea *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
16  Who led his people through the wilderness *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
17  Who smote great kings *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
18  Yea, and slew mighty kings *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
19  Sehon king of the Amorites *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
20  And Og the king of Basan *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
21  And gave away their land for an heritage *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
22  Even for an heritage unto Israel his servant *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
23  Who remembered us when we were in trouble *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
24  And hath delivered us from our enemies *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
25  Who giveth food to all flesh *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
26  O give thanks unto the God of heaven *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
27  O give thanks unto the Lord of lords *
 for his mercy 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 136 (LSB Tone J:
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 to him who alone does great wonders,*
for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
17 to him who struck down great kings,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever.
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,*
 for his steadfast love 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 137 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yd8m98dk)
1  By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept *
 when we remembered thee, O Sion.
2  As for our harps, we hanged them up *
 upon the trees that are therein.
3  For they that led us away captive required of us then a song, and melody, in our heaviness *
 Sing us one of the songs of Sion.
4  How shall we sing the Lord’s song *
 in a strange land?
5  If I forget thee, O Jerusalem *
 let my right hand forget her cunning.
6  If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth *
 yea if I prefer not Jerusalem in my mirth.
7  Remember the children of Edom, O Lord, in the day of Jerusalem *
 how they said, Down with it, down with it, even to the ground.
8  O daughter of Babylon, wasted with misery *
 yea, happy shall he be that rewardeth thee, as thou hast served us.
9  Blessed shall he be that taketh thy children *
 and throweth them against the stones.
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 137 (Liturgical Folk: https://tinyurl.com/2884yvfs)
1 By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept, *
when we remembered you, O Zion.
2 As for our harps, we hung them up *
on the trees in the midst of that land.
3 For those who led us away captive asked us for a song,
and our oppressors called for mirth: *
“Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”
4 How shall we sing the LORD’S song *
upon an alien soil?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, *
let my right hand forget its skill.
6 Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth
if I do not remember you, *
if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy.
7 Remember the day of Jerusalem, O LORD,
against the people of Edom, *
who said, “Down with it! down with it!
even to the ground!”
8 O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, *
happy the one who pays you back
for what you have done to us!
9 Happy shall he be who takes your little ones, *
and dashes them against the rock!

Psalm 138 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y85o6fdm)
1  I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, with my whole heart *
 even before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2  I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy Name,
because of thy loving-kindness and truth *
 for thou hast magnified thy Name, and thy Word, above all things.
3  When I called upon thee, thou heardest me *
 and enduedst my soul with much strength.
4  All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord *
 for they have heard the words of thy mouth.
5  Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord *
 that great is the glory of the Lord.
6  For though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly *
 as for the proud, he beholdeth them afar off.
7  Though I walk in the midst of trouble, yet shalt thou refresh me *
 thou shalt stretch forth thy hand upon the furiousness of mine enemies,
and thy right hand shall save me.
8  The Lord shall make good his loving-kindness toward me *
 yea, thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever;
despise not then the works of thine own hands.
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 138 (LSB Tone C:
1 I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;*
 before the gods I sing your praise
2 I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name
for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,*
 for you have exalted above all things
 your name and your word.
3 On the day I called, you answered me;*
 my strength of soul you increased.
4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD,*
 for they have heard the words of your mouth,
5 and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD,*
 for great is the glory of the LORD.
6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly,*
 but the haughty he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;*
 you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;*
 your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
 Do not forsake the work of your hands.
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

God of everlasting love,
through your Word you made all things
in heaven and on earth;
you have opened to us the path from death to life.
Listen to the song of the universe,
the hymn of resurrection sung by your church,
and give us your blessing;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Exodus 16:1-21

The whole congregation of the Israelites set out from Elim; and Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’

Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.’ So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, ‘In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?’ And Moses said, ‘When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord.’

Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, “Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.” ’ And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked towards the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.” 

In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded: “Gather as much of it as each of you needs, an omer to a person according to the number of persons, all providing for those in their own tents.” ’ The Israelites did so, some gathering more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, those who gathered much had nothing over, and those who gathered little had no shortage; they gathered as much as each of them needed. And Moses said to them, ‘Let no one leave any of it over until morning.’ But they did not listen to Moses; some left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and became foul. And Moses was angry with them. Morning by morning they gathered it, as much as each needed; but when the sun grew hot, it melted.

HYMN: Phil Campbell-Enns ©
Tune: Fill us with your feast

1 Weary and tempted we enter the desert,
desp’rately seeking your face—
lives that are thirsty and hearts that are lonely,
we will seek your embrace.

Refrain:
Find us empty and wandering:
we, the lost and the least.
Find us in the wilderness
then fill us with your feast.

2 Deep in our darkness you enter in stillness,
offering comfort so bright.
Gathered together within your safe shelter,
darkness welcomes the light. [Refrain]

3 Seeking and trusting, we turn from destruction,
wondering what you will bring.
God of the present, the past and the future,
come and do a new thing. [Refrain]

Reading: Revelation 3:14-22

‘And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God’s creation:

‘I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.” You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.’

HYMN: Eleanor Farjeon ©
Tune: Besançon https://tinyurl.com/2p9hff5v

1 People, look East. The time is near
Of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able.
Trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look East, and sing today:
Love, the Guest, is on the way.

2 Furrows, be glad, though earth is bare.
One more seed is planted there;
Give up your strength the seed to nourish,
That in course the flow’r may flourish.
People, look East, and sing today:
Love, the Rose, is on the way.

3 Stars, keep the watch when night is dim.
One more light the bowl shall brim.
Shining beyond the frosty weather,
Bright as sun and moon together.
People, look East, and sing today:
Love, the Star, is on the way.

4 Angels, announce on this great feast:
Him who cometh from the East.
Set ev’ry peak and valley humming
With the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look East, and sing today:
Love, the Lord, is on the way.

Reading: Luke 5:12-16

Once, when Jesus was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, ‘I do choose. Be made clean.’ Immediately the leprosy left him. And he ordered him to tell no one. ‘Go’, he said, ‘and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.’ But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.

CANTICLE Revelation 5:12-14 (LBW)
(John Ylsivaker ELW Setting 8: https://tinyurl.com/r4t5bzze)

Refrain:
This is the feast of victory for our God,
for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia.
1 Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power, riches, wisdom, and strength,
and honor, blessing, and glory are his. [Refrain]
2 Sing with all the people of God,
and join in the hymn of all creation.
Blessing, honor, glory, and might
be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen. [Refrain]

THE PRAYERS BCW

O Christ, in your resurrection,
the heavens and the earth rejoice.
Alleluia!
By your resurrection you broke open the gates of hell,
and destroyed sin and death.
Keep us victorious over sin.
By your resurrection you raised the dead,
and brought us from death to life.
Guide us in the way of eternal life.
By your resurrection you confounded your guards and executioners,
and filled the disciples with joy.
Give us joy in your service.
By your resurrection you proclaimed good news to the women and apostles,
and brought salvation to the whole world.
Direct our lives as your new creation.

(Plainsong: https://tinyurl.com/ahnrtv59)ELW

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 hope,
when your hungry people longed for the slave food of Egypt,
you opened the doors of heaven and rained down manna.
Feed us with the bread of life at your table,
that we may taste the freedom of eternal life
and lead lives worthy of our calling,
through Christ our head. Amen. RCLP

https://tinyurl.com/rkxkpmc
Go in peace, alleluia, alleluia!
Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia!

Glory to God whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine:
Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church,
and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.    Ephesians 3:20,21


Donation to Support This Ministry

Since 1993, Oremus has been done on a volunteer basis. If you are able, please consider supporting this work at the PayPal link below. For software reasons, I’ve set the value at $10.00, but feel free to change it. Thank you.

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BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.

RCLP Revised Common Lectionary Prayers. © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.

ELW The Lord’s Prayer is from Setting Five in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.

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 versions of Psalms 136 and 138 are in the version used in Lutheran Service Book: Pew Edition Concordia Publishing House, and are from the Next to the Word of God YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkVRYL-MRebncw584Ql2xfg. Psalm 137 is in the version from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is performed by Liturgical Folk https://www.liturgicalfolk.com/.

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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