Antiphon1
Ant. Lord, I will be mindful of your justice alone; *
you have taught me, O God, from my youth; and so,
unto old age and gray hairs, O God, forsake me not.
V. In you, O Lord, I take refuge; *
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice, rescue me, free me; *
incline your ear to me and save me. Psalm 71
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: Adam M.L. Tice ©
Tune: Loch Lomond
1 We dream of a turning from ages of wrong,
earth to Eden restored, and our pardon.
Like Eve and Adam, join in a story and a song
as we wander with God through the garden.
Refrain:
Where true peace is shining as hate rolls away,
see, God’s bright new creation is gleaming.
The morning rays that dawn on our weary, waking day
bring a hope far beyond all our dreaming.
2 We dream of a feast where there’s no one outside,
turned away due to diff’rence or label,
when all the weapons forged to destroy or to divide
turn to rust far from God’s holy table. [Refrain]
3 We dream of a mountain where no harm is done,
where the wolf and the lamb lie together.
A little child shall dance, leading all the creatures on,
as we join hand to hoof, claw, and feather! [Refrain]
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 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 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 136 (LSB Tone J: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-136-LSB.mp3
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 (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 (LSB Tone C https://tinyurl.com/8ca427za)
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: Ecclesiasticus 10:12-18
Human arrogance begins when people rebel against the Lord,
and their hearts rebel
against the one who made them.
The beginning of arrogance is sin,
and those who cling to it
will pour out blasphemy.
For this reason
the Lord brings calamities upon them,
and he ruins them completely.
The Lord destroyed the thrones of rulers,
and he raised up the gentle
in their place.
The Lord plucked up the roots of nations,
and he planted the humble
in their place.
The Lord ruined the lands of the nations,
and he leveled them
to their very foundations.
He removed some people
and destroyed them,
and he erased their memory
from the earth.
Humans were not created to be arrogant,
nor were those born of women
made to indulge in anger.
HYMN: Psalm 112; para. Psalter, 1912, alt.
Tune: Melcombe https://tinyurl.com/y47xkxck
1 How blest are those who fear the LORD
and greatly love God’s holy will.
Their children share their great reward,
and blessings all their days shall fill.
2 Abounding wealth shall bless their home,
their righteousness fore’er endure.
To them shall light arise in gloom,
for they are merciful and pure.
3 The people who befriend the weak
in justice shall their cause maintain.
True peace shall their whole life attend,
and long their memory shall remain.
4 By evil tidings not dismayed,
the righteous trust in God alone.
Their heart is steadfast, unafraid,
for they shall see their foes o’erthrown.
5 Dispersing gifts among the poor,
the righteous for their needs provide.
Their righteousness shall thus endure;
their strength in honor shall abide.
6 The wicked will be brought to shame,
while righteous ones will see the LORD.
Unrighteous hopes will not see gain,
for sin will find its due reward.
Reading: Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Keep loving each other like family. Don’t neglect to open up your homes to guests, because by doing this some have been hosts to angels without knowing it. Remember prisoners as if you were in prison with them, and people who are mistreated as if you were in their place. Marriage must be honored in every respect, with no cheating on the relationship, because God will judge the sexually immoral person and the person who commits adultery. Your way of life should be free from the love of money, and you should be content with what you have. After all, he has said, I will never leave you or abandon you. This is why we can confidently say,
The Lord is my helper,
and I won’t be afraid.
What can people do to me?
Remember your leaders who spoke God’s word to you. Imitate their faith as you consider the way their lives turned out. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
When Jesus noticed how the guests sought out the best seats at the table, he told them a parable. “When someone invites you to a wedding celebration, don’t take your seat in the place of honor. Someone more highly regarded than you could have been invited by your host. The host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give your seat to this other person.’ Embarrassed, you will take your seat in the least important place. Instead, when you receive an invitation, go and sit in the least important place. When your host approaches you, he will say, ‘Friend, move up here to a better seat.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. All who lift themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be lifted up.”
Then Jesus said to the person who had invited him, “When you host a lunch or dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers and sisters, your relatives, or rich neighbors. If you do, they will invite you in return and that will be your reward. Instead, when you give a banquet, invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind. And you will be blessed because they can’t repay you. Instead, you will be repaid when the just are resurrected.”
HYMN: Edward Caswall
Tune: Laudes Domini https://tinyurl.com/3u6ruav8
1 When morning gilds the sky,
our hearts awaking cry:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
in all our work and prayer
we ask his loving care:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
2 To God, the Word on high,
the hosts of angels cry:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let mortals too upraise
their voices in hymns of praise:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
3 Let earth’s wide circle round
in joyful notes resound:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let air and sea and sky
from depth to height reply:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
4 Be this, when day is past,
of all our thoughts the last:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The night becomes as day
when from the heart we say:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
5 Then let us join to sing
to Christ, our loving King:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this the eternal song
through all the ages long:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Reading: Luke 14:1, 7-14
One Sabbath, when Jesus went to share a meal in the home of one of the leaders of the Pharisees, they were watching him closely.
When Jesus noticed how the guests sought out the best seats at the table, he told them a parable. “When someone invites you to a wedding celebration, don’t take your seat in the place of honor. Someone more highly regarded than you could have been invited by your host. The host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give your seat to this other person.’ Embarrassed, you will take your seat in the least important place. Instead, when you receive an invitation, go and sit in the least important place. When your host approaches you, he will say, ‘Friend, move up here to a better seat.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. All who lift themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be lifted up.”
Then Jesus said to the person who had invited him, “When you host a lunch or dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers and sisters, your relatives, or rich neighbors. If you do, they will invite you in return and that will be your reward. Instead, when you give a banquet, invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind. And you will be blessed because they can’t repay you. Instead, you will be repaid when the just are resurrected.”
CANTICLE Revelation 15:3-4
(Chant by Joe Cox: https://tinyurl.com/yb3kd863)
Ant. All nations will draw near and fall down before you, *
because your just and holy works have been revealed.
O ruler of the universe, Lord God,
great deeds are they that you have done, *
surpassing human understanding.
Your ways are ways of righteousness and truth, *
O King of all the ages.
Who can fail to do you homage, Lord,
and sing the praises of your Name? *
for you only are the Holy One.
All nations will draw near and fall down before you, *
because your just and holy works have been revealed.
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. Ant.
THE PRAYERS Joe Milner
For the Church: that we may recognize the many ways God is present and active in our lives so that we may cooperate with God more fully
For openness to God’s invitations: that we may respond to God’s call to eternal life and recognize that salvation comes not from our efforts but as a gift from God
For the grace of humility: that we may come to a deeper understanding and ownership of our gifts and acknowledge our need for God amidst all our weaknesses
For deeper intimacy with God: that we may experience the tenderness of the Good Shepherd who cares for us as we draw closer to God in prayer and service
For the grace to be more inclusive: that we may be open to all the gifts that different cultural, ethnic, economic, educational, and age groups bring to our community and work to include these gifts in our ministries and activities
For all who exercise authority: that they may follow in the footsteps of Christ in being servants to others and attentive to those in greatest need
For those who reach out to the poor and the marginalized: that they may recognize Christ in all whom they serve, honor the dignity of each person, and be sincere in their care and compassion
For transformation of our hearts: that we may reach out to those who can never repay us and thereby allow the reign of God to be experienced in our time
For all who have experienced abuse: that God’s healing love may touch them, heal their deepest selves, and restore them to the fullness of life
For healing for all who have experienced violence, particularly for parents who have lost children: that God will comfort all who are grieving, heal all who have been injured, and inspire many to accompany those who are hurting
For all recovering from natural disasters: that God will give them strength and patience as they face the challenges of each day and speed the resources which they need to them
For Christian Communities facing suffering and persecution, particularly the church in Nicaragua: that God will protect them from harm, help them to be faithful witnesses to the Gospel, and empower them to show forgiveness to their persecutors
For the protection of the earth: that God will guide us in being good stewards of God’s creation so that all people may experience the blessings that earth brings forth
For all who are ill: that God’s love will bring healing and renewal to them, an end to the pandemics, and strength to all who care for the sick
For all dioceses and parishes which are reorganizing: that the Holy Spirit will guide the process of transforming structures so that they may accomplish the mission of Christ more fully.
(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.
Inviting God,
laying open your table
to the deviant and deranged,
setting a place
for the foreign and unwanted:
overturn our tables of power
and teach us to receive bread
from strange and wounded hands;
through Jesus Christ, the One given for all. Amen. PIC
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.
PIC Prayers for An Inclusive Church. Steven Shakespeare © 2008 Canterbury Press.
ELW The Lord’s Prayer is from Setting Five in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
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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