Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson was born in 1709 and is best known as a writer of dictionaries and a literary editor. Yet in his lifetime he was renowned for his religious beliefs and as a firm supporter of the practice and order of the Church of England. He had been converted to Christianity as young man after reading William Law’s A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, and his support of the High Church party was unstinting. Amongst his other writings, his essays entitled the Rambler, which appeared twice-weekly between 1750 and 1752, earned him the nickname ‘The Great Moralist’, then a term of affection and honour. He died on this day in 1784. EH
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/3btp7jbr
To be near God is my happiness,
to place my hope in God the Lord. Psalm 73
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: Samuel Johnson
Tune: Song 4 https://tinyurl.com/4eefe9n9
1 O Thou whose power o’er moving worlds presides,
whose voice created, and whose wisdom guides,
on darkened souls in pure effulgence shine,
and cheer the clouded mind with light divine.
2 ‘Tis thine alone to calm the pious breast
with silent confidence and holy rest.
From thee, great God, we spring, to thee we tend —
path, motive, guide, original, and end.
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: Ezekiel 47:1-12
When he brought me back to the temple’s entrance, I noticed that water was flowing toward the east from under the temple’s threshold (the temple faced east). The water was going out from under the temple’s facade toward the south, south of the altar. He led me out through the north gate and around the outside to the outer east gate, where the water flowed out under the facade on the south side. With the line in his hand, the man went out toward the east. When he measured off fifteen hundred feet, he made me cross the water; it was ankle-deep. He measured off another fifteen hundred feet and made me cross the water; it was knee-deep. He measured off another fifteen hundred feet and made me cross the water, and it was waist-high. When he measured off another fifteen hundred feet, it had become a river that I couldn’t cross. The water was high, deep enough for swimming but too high to cross. He said to me, “Human one, do you see?” Then he led me back to the edge of the river. When I went back, I saw very many trees on both banks of the river. He said to me, “These waters go out to the eastern region, flow down the steep slopes, and go into the Dead Sea. When the flowing waters enter the sea, its water becomes fresh. Wherever the river flows, every living thing that moves will thrive. There will be great schools of fish, because when these waters enter the sea, it will be fresh. Wherever the river flows, everything will live. People will stand fishing beside it, from En-gedi to En-eglayim, and it will become a place for spreading nets. It will be like the Mediterranean Sea, having all kinds of fish in it. Its marshes and swamps won’t be made fresh (they are left for salt), but on both banks of the river will grow up all kinds of fruit-bearing trees. Their leaves won’t wither, and their fruitfulness won’t wane. They will produce fruit in every month, because their water comes from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for eating, their leaves for healing.”
HYMN: Fran Minkoff ©
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/3k2vub5e
1 O healing river, send down your waters,
send down your waters upon this land.
O healing river, send down your waters,
and wash the blood from off the sand.
2 This land is parching, this land is burning,
no seed is growing in the barren ground.
O healing river, send down your waters,
O healing river, send your waters down.
3 Let the seed of freedom awake and flourish,
let the deep roots nourish, let the tall stalks rise.
O healing river, send down your waters,
O healing river, from out of the skies.
Reading: Revelation 3:14-22
“Write this to the angel of the church in Laodicea: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler 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 hot nor cold, I’m about to spit you out of my mouth. After all, you say, ‘I’m rich, and I’ve grown wealthy, and I don’t need a thing.’ You don’t realize that you are miserable, pathetic, poor, blind, and naked. My advice is that you buy gold from me that has been purified by fire so that you may be rich, and white clothing to wear so that your nakedness won’t be shamefully exposed, and ointment to put on your eyes so that you may see. I correct and discipline those whom I love. So be earnest and change your hearts and lives. Look! I’m standing at the door and knocking. If any hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to be with them, and will have dinner with them, and they will have dinner with me. As for those who emerge victorious, I will allow them to sit with me on my throne, just as I emerged victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”
HYMN: J. Grigg
Tune: Bera https://tinyurl.com/2s3bnave
1 Behold a Stranger at the door!
He gently knocks, has knocked before,
Has waited long, is waiting still:
You treat no other friend so ill.
2 O lovely attitude! He stands
With melting heart and laden hands:
O matchless kindness! and He shows
This matchless kindness to His foes.
3 But will He prove a friend indeed?
He will; the very friend you need;
The Friend of sinners–yea, ’tis He,
With garments dyed on Calvary.
4 Rise, touched with gratitude divine;
Turn out His enemy and thine,
That soul-destroying monster, sin,
And let the heavenly Stranger in.
Reading: Matthew 24:45-51
Jesus said, “Who then are the faithful and wise servants whom their master puts in charge of giving food at the right time to those who live in his house? Happy are those servants whom the master finds fulfilling their responsibilities when he comes. I assure you that he will put them in charge of all his possessions. But suppose those bad servants should say to themselves, My master won’t come until later. And suppose they began to beat their fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunks? The master of those servants will come on a day when they are not expecting him, at a time they couldn’t predict. He will cut them in pieces and put them in a place with the hypocrites. People there will be weeping and grinding their teeth.”
CANTICLE Isaiah 9; Isaiah 40:1-9; 1 John 1
(Dan Schutte: https://tinyurl.com/ybrvb259)
Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep!
A new day is dawning for all those who weep
The people in darkness have seen a great light
The Lord of our longing has conquered the night
Refrain:
Let us build the city of God
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love
Has turned the night into day!
We are sons of the morning; we are daughters of day
The One who has loved us has brightened our way. Refrain
God is light; in him there is no darkness
Let us walk in his light, his children, one and all. Refrain
O comfort my people; make gentle your words
Proclaim to my city the day of her birth. Refrain
PRAYER Sacredise
Where there seems to be no way
to end the conflict and violence in our time,
we pray that you would teach us, O Christ,
to prepare the way;
Come, Lord Jesus!
Where we can see no way
to provide for the needs of all people,
we pray that you would show us, O Christ,
how to prepare the way;
Come, Lord Jesus!
Where can find no way
to work together for justice,
we pray that you would change us, O Christ,
until we prepare the way;
Come, Lord Jesus!
Where we are unable to believe in a way
to live simply, responsibly and mindfully,
we pray that you would inspire us, O Christ,
to faith that prepares the way;
Come, Lord Jesus!
In a world where we are tempted
to see so many of our challenges as dead-ends,
we pray for a new vision, a new heart and a new commitment
to prepare the way for your reign,
your grace, your shalom
and for the liberation, justice and peace that you bring. Amen.
(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.]
Almighty and most merciful Father, Creator and Preserver of mankind, look down with pity upon my troubles and maladies. Heal my body, strengthen my mind, compose my distraction, calm my inquietude, and relieve my terrors, that if it please thee, I may run the race that is set before me with peace, patience, constancy, and confidence. Grant this, O Lord, and take not from me thy Holy Spirit, but pardon and bless me for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Samuel Johnson
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.
Sacredise https://sacredise.com/preparing-the-way/
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.
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.
Oremus 