Oremus for Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Lydia
Lydia was Paul’s first European convert. She was a Gentile woman in Philippi who, like many others, was attracted to Judaism. As what the Jewish community called a “God-fearer” she was undoubtedly accorded respect by the Jewish community, but still would have been marginalized. Paul encountered her on a riverbank where she and a group of women had gathered for Sabbath prayers. Undoubtedly Paul preached his gospel of inclusiveness to them and Lydia “opened her heart” and, together with the whole household of which she was head, was baptized. Lydia was a prosperous cloth-merchant and a person of means. She was able to lodge Paul, Timothy, and other of his companions in her house, which Paul used as a local base of operations (Acts 16:11-40). HWHM

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/555e7rrf

How great is the goodness, Lord,
that you keep for those who fear you. Psalm 31

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: John Newton
Tune: St Peter https://tinyurl.com/3887u6yn

1 How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
in a believer’s ear!
It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds,
and drives away our fear.

2 It makes the wounded spirit whole
and calms the troubled breast;
’tis manna to the hungry soul,
and to the weary, rest.

3 O Jesus, shepherd, guardian, friend,
my Prophet, Priest, and King,
my Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
accept the praise I bring.

4 How weak the effort of my heart,
how cold my warmest thought;
but when I see you as you are,
I’ll praise you as I ought.

5 Till then I would your love proclaim
with every fleeting breath;
and may the music of your name
refresh my soul in death.

PSALMS

Psalm 12 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/sjldexv)
1  Help me, Lord, for there is not one godly man left *
 for the faithful are minished from among the children of men.
2  They talk of vanity every one with his neighbour *
 they do but flatter with their lips, and dissemble in their double heart.
3  The Lord shall root out all deceitful lips *
 and the tongue that speaketh proud things;
4  Which have said, With our tongue will we prevail *
 we are they that ought to speak, who is lord over us?
5  Now for the comfortless troubles’ sake of the needy *
 and because of the deep sighing of the poor,
6  I will up, saith the Lord *
 and will help every one from him that swelleth against him,
and will set him at rest.
7  The words of the Lord are pure words *
 even as the silver, which from the earth is tried,
and purified seven times in the fire.
8  Thou shalt keep them, O Lord *
 thou shalt preserve him from this generation for ever.
9  The ungodly walk on every side *
 when they are exalted, the children of men are put to rebuke.
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 13 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/qpwp7bw)
1  How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord, for ever *
 how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2  How long shall I seek counsel in my soul,
and be so vexed in my heart *
 how long shall mine enemies triumph over me?
3  Consider, and hear me, O Lord my God *
 lighten mine eyes, that I sleep not in death.
4  Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him *
 for if I be cast down, they that trouble me will rejoice at it.
5  But my trust is in thy mercy *
 and my heart is joyful in thy salvation.
6  I will sing of the Lord, because he hath dealt so lovingly with me *
 yea, I will praise the Name of the Lord most Highest.
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 14 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/sgyfvnc)
1  The fool hath said in his heart *
 There is no God.
2  They are corrupt, and become abominable in their doings *
 there is none that doeth good, no not one.
3  The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men *
 to see if there were any that would understand, and seek after God.
4  But they are all gone out of the way,
they are altogether become abominable *
 there is none that doeth good, no not one.
5  Their throat is an open sepulchre,
with their tongues have they deceived *
 the poison of asps is under their lips.
6  Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness *
 their feet are swift to shed blood.
7  Destruction and unhappiness is in their ways,
and the way of peace have they not known *
 there is no fear of God before their eyes.
8  Have they no knowledge, that they are all such workers of mischief *
 eating up my people as it were bread, and call not upon the Lord?
9  There were they brought in great fear, even where no fear was *
 for God is in the generation of the righteous.
10  As for you, ye have made a mock at the counsel of the poor *
 because he putteth his trust in the Lord.
11  Who shall give salvation unto Israel out of Sion?
When the Lord turneth the captivity of his people *
 then shall Jacob rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
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 12 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-12-1.mp3)
1 Help me, LORD, for there is no godly one left; *
the faithful have vanished from among us.
2 Everyone speaks falsely with his neighbor; *
with a smooth tongue they speak from a double heart.
3 Oh, that the LORD would cut off all smooth tongues, *
and close the lips that utter proud boasts!
4 Those who say, “With our tongue will we prevail; *
our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”
5 “Because the needy are oppressed,
and the poor cry out in misery, *
I will rise up,” says the LORD,
“and give them the help they long for.”
6 The words of the LORD are pure words, *
like silver refined from ore
and purified seven times in the fire.
7 O LORD, watch over us *
and save us from this generation for ever.
8 The wicked prowl on every side, *
and that which is worthless is highly prized by everyone.

Psalm 13 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-13.mp3)
1 How long, O LORD?
will you forget me for ever? *
how long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long shall I have perplexity in my mind,
and grief in my heart, day after day? *
how long shall my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look upon me and answer me, O LORD my God; *
give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;
4 Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” *
and my foes rejoice that I have fallen.
5 But I put my trust in your mercy; *
my heart is joyful because of your saving help.
6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has dealt with me richly; *
I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 14 (Plainsong:
http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-14-version-II-1.mp3)
1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” *
All are corrupt and commit abominable acts;
there is none who does any good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven upon us all, *
to see if there is any who is wise,
if there is one who seeks after God.
3 Every one has proved faithless;
all alike have turned bad; *
there is none who does good; no, not one.
4 Have they no knowledge, all those evildoers *
who eat up my people like bread
and do not call upon the LORD?
5 See how they tremble with fear, *
because God is in the company of the righteous.
6 Their aim is to confound the plans of the afflicted, *
but the LORD is their refuge.
7 Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come out of Zion! *
when the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,
Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad.

PRAYER

God of justice, in Jesus Christ you championed the weak
and befriended outcasts.
Through the shining light of his goodness
you expose hypocrisy.
Give us courage to follow his example,
that we may be faithful disciples
of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Hosea 11:12-12:6

Reading: Acts 16:11-15

We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. A certain woman named Lydia, a worshipper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.’ And she prevailed upon us.

HYMN: Ruth C Duck ©
Tune: Wild Mountain Thyme  https://tinyurl.com/6j4acxem

Refrain:
Spirit, open my heart
to the joy and pain of living.
As you love, may I love,
in receiving and in giving;
Spirit, open my heart.

1 God, replace my stony heart
with a heart that’s kind and tender.
All my coldness and fear
to your grace I now surrender. [Refrain]

2 Write your love upon my heart
as my law, my goal, my story.
In each thought, word, and deed,
may my living bring you glory. [Refrain]

3 May I weep with those who weep,
share the joy of friend and neighbor.
As I live from day to day,
love will be my finest labor. [Refrain]

Reading: John 17:14-19

Jesus said, “I gave your word to them and the world hated them, because they don’t belong to this world, just as I don’t belong to this world. I’m not asking that you take them out of this world but that you keep them safe from the evil one. They don’t belong to this world, just as I don’t belong to this world. Make them holy in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. I made myself holy on their behalf so that they also would be made holy in the truth.”

CANTICLE Luke 1:68-79
(Steve Angrisano: https://tinyurl.com/y7w6y7qh)

Through his holy prophets,
he promised from of old
to save us from who would harm us.
His mercy he would show,
rememb’ring his holy word.
Refrain:
Blessed be the Lord,
for he has raised up for us a mighty savior.
Our God has set us free,
fulfilling the promise to save his people.

You, my child,
have been chosen a prophet of the Lord,
proclaiming his forgiveness,
salvation to make known,
preparing the way of God. Refrain

In his tender compassion,
the dawn now breaks on high
to shine on those in the darkness:
a light unto our feet
into the way of peace. Refrain

THE PRAYERS ^BCW

We rejoice in your generous goodness, O God, and celebrate your lavish gifts to
us this day, for you have shown your love in giving Jesus Christ for the salvation
of the world. Especially we give thanks for
the labors of those who have served us today . . .
friends with whom we have shared . . .
those whom we love and have loved us . . .
opportunities for our work to help others . . .
all beauty that delights us. . . .

Gracious God, we know you are close to all in need, and by our prayers for others
we come closer to you. We are bold to claim for others your promises of new
life in Jesus Christ, as we claim them for ourselves. Especially we pray for
those in dangerous occupations . . .
physicians and nurses . . .
those who are ill or confined to nursing homes . . .
those who mourn . . .
the Roman Catholic Church. . . .

(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.

Filled with your Holy Spirit, gracious God, your earliest disciples served you with the gifts each had been given. Inspire us today that, like Lydia, we may build up your Church with our gifts in hospitality, charity and bold witness to the Gospel of Christ; who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. ^{HWHM, alt.}

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.

^HWHM Holy Women, Holy Men © 2010 The Church Pension Fund.

The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible

The traditional version of the psalms is from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern version of the psalms is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and are 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.