Oremus for Thursday, October 13, 2022

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/58h3zd8t

Amen, Amen I say to you: Unless a grain of wheat
falls to the ground and dies, it remains a single grain.
But if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24

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: Henry Williams Baker
Tune: Ravenshaw https://tinyurl.com/mur7a4ev

1 Lord, thy word abideth,
and our footsteps guideth;
who its truth believeth
light and joy receiveth.

2 When our foes are near us,
then thy word doth cheer us,
word of consolation,
message of salvation.

3 When the storms are o’er us,
and dark clouds before us,
then its light directeth,
and our way protecteth.

4 Who can tell the pleasure,
who recount the treasure
by thy word imparted
to the simple-hearted?

5 Word of mercy, giving
succour to the living;
word oflife, supplying
comfort to the dying.

6 O that we discerning
its most holy learning,
Lord, may love and fear thee,
evermore be near thee!

PSALMS

Psalm 69 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ybbl2s4j)
1  Save me, O God *
 for the waters are come in, even unto my soul.
2  I stick fast in the deep mire, where no ground is *
 I am come into deep waters, so that the floods run over me.
3  I am weary of crying; my throat is dry *
 my sight faileth me for waiting so long upon my God.
4  They that hate me without a cause
are more than the hairs of my head *
 they that are mine enemies, and would destroy me guiltless, are mighty.
5  I paid them the things that I never took *
 God, thou knowest my simpleness, and my faults are not hid from thee.
6  Let not them that trust in thee, O Lord God of hosts,
be ashamed for my cause *
 let not those that seek thee be confounded through me,
O Lord God of Israel.
7  And why? for thy sake have I suffered reproof *
 shame hath covered my face.
8  I am become a stranger unto my brethren *
 even an alien unto my mother’s children.
9  For the zeal of thine house hath even eaten me *
 and the rebukes of them that rebuked thee are fallen upon me.
10  I wept, and chastened myself with fasting *
 and that was turned to my reproof.
11  I put on sackcloth also *
 and they jested upon me.
12  They that sit in the gate speak against me *
 and the drunkards make songs upon me.
13  But, Lord, I make my prayer unto thee *
 in an acceptable time.
14  Hear me, O God, in the multitude of thy mercy *
 even in the truth of thy salvation.
15  Take me out of the mire, that I sink not *
 O let me be delivered from them that hate me,
and out of the deep waters.
16  Let not the water-flood drown me,
neither let the deep swallow me up *
 and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
17  Hear me, O Lord, for thy loving-kindness is comfortable *
 turn thee unto me according to the multitude of thy mercies.
18  And hide not thy face from thy servant, for I am in trouble *
 O haste thee, and hear me.
19  Draw nigh unto my soul, and save it *
 O deliver me, because of mine enemies.
20  Thou hast known my reproof, my shame, and my dishonour *
 mine adversaries are all in thy sight.
21  Thy rebuke hath broken my heart; I am full of heaviness *
 I looked for some to have pity on me, but there was no man,
neither found I any to comfort me.
22  They gave me gall to eat *
 and when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.
23  Let their table be made a snare to take themselves withal *
 and let the things that should have been for their wealth
be unto them an occasion of falling.
24  Let their eyes be blinded, that they see not *
 and ever bow thou down their backs.
25  Pour out thine indignation upon them *
 and let thy wrathful displeasure take hold of them.
26  Let their habitation be void *
 and no man to dwell in their tents.
27  For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten *
 and they talk how they may vex them whom thou hast wounded.
28  Let them fall from one wickedness to another *
 and not come into thy righteousness.
29  Let them be wiped out of the book of the living *
 and not be written among the righteous.
30  As for me, when I am poor and in heaviness *
 thy help, O God, shall lift me up.
31  I will praise the Name of God with a song *
 and magnify it with thanksgiving.
32  This also shall please the Lord *
 better than a bullock that hath horns and hoofs.
33  The humble shall consider this, and be glad *
 seek ye after God, and your soul shall live.
34  For the Lord heareth the poor *
 and despiseth not his prisoners.
35  Let heaven and earth praise him *
 the sea, and all that moveth therein.
36  For God will save Sion, and build the cities of Judah *
 that men may dwell there, and have it in possession.
37  The posterity also of his servants shall inherit it *
 and they that love his Name shall dwell therein.
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 70 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ybjtdo2u)
1  Haste thee, O God, to deliver me *
 make haste to help me, O Lord.
2  Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul *
 let them be turned backward and put to confusion that wish me evil.
3  Let them for their reward be soon brought to shame *
 that cry over me, There, there.
4  But let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad in thee *
 and let all such as delight in thy salvation say alway, The Lord be praised.
5  As for me, I am poor and in misery *
 haste thee unto me, O God.
6  Thou art my helper, and my redeemer *
 O Lord, make no long tarrying.
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 69 (Karl Kohlhase: https://tinyurl.com/avzank29)
Save me, O God,
rising waters have reached my soul.
I sink in the mire, without a foothold;
deep waters like an overwhelming flood.
I am weary with my crying, and my throat is parched;
my eyes fail while I wait for my God.
Those who hate me without a cause
are more than the hairs on my head;
They are strong who would destroy me, attacking me with their lies
What I did not steal, must I now restore?
O God, you know my folly, my wrongs I cannot hide.
May those who wait for you not be ashamed
through me, O Lord GOD of hosts;
May those who seek you not be dismayed
through me, O God of Israel,
For you I bear reproach;
dishonor covers my face;
estranged to my brothers,
foreign to my mother’s sons.
For zeal for your house has consumed me,
the reproaches aimed at you fall on me.
When I fast and weep,
I am dishonored;
when I wear sackcloth
I become like a byword.
In the city gate they sit and talk about me;
I’ve become the mocking song of the drunkards.
But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD,
in the time of your favor;
O God, in the greatness of your love,
answer me with your saving truth.
Deliver from the mire, do not let me sink;
save me from my foes and deep waters.
May the flood not sweep over me
Nor the deep swallow me whole,
Nor the pit shut its mouth upon me.
O save me, save me, save me; O save me, save me, save me
Answer me, O LORD, for your love is good;
in the depths of your compassion turn to me
Do not hide your face from your servant,
see my distress and quickly answer me.
Draw near to my soul and redeem me;
and ransom me from my enemies!
You know my reproach, my shame and dishonor;
all my enemies are set before You.
Reproach breaks my heart and I am sickened;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
and for comforters, but I found no one;
they give me gall for my food
and vinegar for my thirst
Let their table become a snare to them;
and their welfare become their own trap.
May their eyes grow dim
so that they cannot see;
may their loins always fail them
Pour on them your indignation and fierce anger;
may their camp be barren,
no one dwelling in their tents.
For they persecute him whom you have smitten,
and they relish the pain of your wounded.
Add guilt to their guilt,
who miss your righteousness.
May they be blotted from the book of life
I am afflicted and in pain, O God;
may your salvation set me safely on high.
I will praise the name of God with a song
and magnify Him with thanksgiving.
It will please the LORD
better than an ox or a young bull with horns and hoofs.
The humble shall see this and be glad;
you who seek God, let your hearts revive.
For the LORD hears the needy ones,
he will not neglect all those in prison.
O let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and all that moves therein.
For God will save Zion and build up Judah,
that they may dwell there and possess it.
The descendants of his servants will inherit it,
and those who love his name will dwell there.
Yes those who love his name will dwell there
Yes those who love his name will dwell there

Psalm 70 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-70.mp3)
1 Be pleased, O God, to deliver me; *
O LORD, make haste to help me.
2 Let those who seek my life be ashamed
and altogether dismayed; *
let those who take pleasure in my misfortune
draw back and be disgraced.
3 Let those who say to me “Aha!” and gloat over me turn back, *
because they are ashamed.
4 Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; *
let those who love your salvation say for ever,
“Great is the LORD!”
5 But as for me, I am poor and needy; *
come to me speedily, O God.
6 You are my helper and my deliverer; *
O LORD, do not tarry.

PRAYER

Blessed are you, God of hope;
you restore the fallen
and rebuild the broken walls.
Teach us the song of thanksgiving,
for you are the strength of your people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Daniel 2:31-49

Daniel said, “Your Majesty, you were looking, and there, rising before you, was a single, massive statue. This statue was huge, shining with dazzling light, and was awesome to see. The statue’s head was made of pure gold; its chest and arms were made from silver; its abdomen and hips were made of bronze. Its legs were of iron, and its feet were a mixture of iron and clay. You observed this until a stone was cut, but not by hands; and it smashed the statue’s feet of iron and clay and shattered them. Then all the parts shattered simultaneously—iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold. They became like chaff, left on summer threshing floors. The wind lifted them away until no trace of them remained. But the stone that smashed the statue became a mighty mountain, and it filled the entire earth.

“This was the dream. Now we will tell the king its meaning: You, Your Majesty, are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given kingship, power, might, and glory to you! God has delivered into your care human beings, wild creatures, and birds in the sky—wherever they live—and has made you ruler of all of them. You are the gold head. But in your place, another kingdom will arise, one inferior to yours, and then a third, bronze kingdom will rule over all the earth. Then will come a fourth kingdom, mighty like iron. Just as iron shatters and crushes everything; so like an iron that smashes, it will shatter and crush all these others. As for the feet and toes that you saw, which were a mixture of potter’s clay and iron, that signifies a divided kingdom; but it will possess some of the unyielding strength of iron. Even so, you saw the iron mixed with earthy clay so that the toes were made from a mixture of iron and clay. Part of the kingdom will be mighty, but part of it will be fragile. Just as you saw the iron mixed with earthy clay, they will join together by intermarrying, but they will not bond to each other, just as iron does not fuse with clay.

“But in the days of those kings, the God of heaven will raise up an everlasting kingdom that will be indestructible. Its rule will never pass to another people. It will shatter other kingdoms. It will put an end to all of them. It will stand firm forever, just like you saw when the stone, which was cut from the mountain, but not by hands, shattered the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold. A great God has revealed to the king what will happen in the future. The dream is certain. Its meaning can be trusted.”

Then King Nebuchadnezzar bowed low and honored Daniel. The king ordered that grain and incense offerings be made to Daniel. The king declared to Daniel, “No doubt about it: your God is God of gods, Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries because you were able to reveal this mystery!” Then the king exalted Daniel and lavished gifts on him, making him ruler over all the province of Babylon and chief minister over all Babylon’s sages. At Daniel’s urging, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to administer the province of Babylon, but Daniel himself remained at the royal court.

HYMN: James Montgomery
Tune: St George’s Windsor https://tinyurl.com/5n6j72nc

1 Hark, the song of jubilee
loud as mighty thunders roar,
or the fullness of the sea
when it breaks upon the shore;
Alleluia! for the Lord
God omnipotent shall reign!
Alleluia! let the word
sound from city, hill, and plain.

2 Alleluia! hark, the sound
from the depths unto the skies,
wakes above, beneath, around
all creation’s harmonies;
see the Victor’s banner furled;
sheathed his sword, he speak–“Tis done!”–
and the kingdoms of this world
are the kingdom of his Son.

3 He shall reign from pole to pole
with illimitable sway;
he shall reign when, like a scroll,
yonder heav’ns have passed away;
then the end: beneath his rod
his last enemy shall fall;
Alleuia! Christ in God,
God in Christ, is all in all.

Reading: Hebrews 6:9-20

But we are convinced of better things in your case, brothers and sisters, even though we are talking this way—things that go together with salvation. God isn’t unjust so that he forgets your efforts and the love you have shown for his name’s sake when you served and continue to serve God’s holy people. But we desperately want each of you to show the same effort to make your hope sure until the end. This is so you won’t be lazy but follow the example of the ones who inherit the promises through faith and patience.

When God gave Abraham his promise, he swore by himself since he couldn’t swear by anyone greater. He said, I will certainly bless you and multiply your descendants. So Abraham obtained the promise by showing patience. People pledge by something greater than themselves. A solemn pledge guarantees what they say and shuts down any argument. When God wanted to further demonstrate to the heirs of the promise that his purpose doesn’t change, he guaranteed it with a solemn pledge. So these are two things that don’t change, because it’s impossible for God to lie. He did this so that we, who have taken refuge in him, can be encouraged to grasp the hope that is lying in front of us. This hope, which is a safe and secure anchor for our whole being, enters the sanctuary behind the curtain. That’s where Jesus went in advance and entered for us, since he became a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

HYMN: Priscilla J Owens
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/bddd9fps

1 Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
when the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
will your anchor drift, or firm remain?

Refrain:
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love!

2 Will your anchor hold in the straits of fear,
when the breakers roar and the reef is near?
While the surges rage, and the wild winds blow,
shall the angry waves then your bark o’erflow? [Refrain]

3 Will your anchor hold in the floods of death,
when the waters cold chill your latest breath?
On the rising tide you can never fail,
while your anchor holds within the veil. [Refrain]

4 Will your eyes behold through the morning light
the city of gold and the harbour bright?
Will you anchor safe by the heavenly shore,
when life’s storms are past for evermore? [Refrain]

Reading: Matthew 13:24-30

Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like someone who planted good seed in his field. While people were sleeping, an enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat and went away. When the stalks sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared.

“The servants of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Master, didn’t you plant good seed in your field? Then how is it that it has weeds?’ 

“‘An enemy has done this,’ he answered. 

“The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them?’ “But the landowner said, ‘No, because if you gather the weeds, you’ll pull up the wheat along with them. Let both grow side by side until the harvest. And at harvesttime I’ll say to the harvesters, “First gather the weeds and tie them together in bundles to be burned. But bring the wheat into my barn.”’”

CANTICLE: Luke 1:68-79
(Consiglio: https://tinyurl.com/ya8y3kqs)

Ant. Blest be the Lord God of Israel; *
who has come to his people and set them free.

God has raiséd up a Savior strong and proud,
born of his servant David.
And through holy prophets God has promised from of old,
to save us from all our foes, from the hands of all who hate us. Ant.

God promised to show mercy to our ancestors
to remember the covenant.
This was the oath sworn to father Abraham,
to set us free from our enemies’ hands,
free to worship God without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. Ant.

You, little child, are the prophet of the Lord,
you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
To give the people knowledge of salvation
by forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high breaks upon us,
to shine on us who dwell in the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet on the way of peace. Ant.

THE PRAYERS ^PWC

Liberator of the peoples, fill all who confess the name of Christ
with the power your Holy Spirit.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.
Be the joy and the strength of all
whose lives are bound in mutual love
and for those who live in celibacy.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.
Grant your salvation to all who are far from home,
prisoners, exiles and victims of oppression.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.
Show your kindness and mercy to all who are facing trials and difficulties,
to those who are sick and to those who are dying.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.
Forgive our sins and set us free from all hardship,
distress, want, war and injustice.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.
Guide us into new and just ways of sharing the goods of the earth,
so that we may live by the abundance of your mercies.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.
Strengthen us in our struggle
against exploitation, greed and lack of concern,
so that we may find joy together.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.
Unite us in love and service,
so that we may live in communion with all Christ’s saints.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.

(Traditional chant: https://tinyurl.com/ydzx5jdp)

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
[For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.]

Steadfast God,
teach us your way and your truth.
Root us in you alone,
help us to grow in grace and love,
that we may fulfill our role and our work
in the reign of Jesus Christ. Amen. ^RCLP

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.

^PWC PRAY WITHOUT CEASING: Morning and Evening Prayer for the Seasons of the Church Year Prepared by The Rev’d Dr Richard Geoffrey Leggett on behalf of The Liturgy Task Force of the Anglican Church of Canada, May 2016.

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

The main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.

The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). Psalm 69 is in the version sung by Karl Kohlhase http://www.k4communications.com/karl/index.html. Psalm 70 is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is chanted 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.