Oremus for Thursday, December 15, 2022

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/yv8p7hny

Drop down dew from above, you heavens,
and let the clouds rain down the Just One;
let the earth be opened and bring forth a Savior. Isaiah 45

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 L Bell and Graham Maule ©
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/yhtwmdhv

1 Take this moment, sign and space;
take my friends around;
here among us make the place
where your love is found.

2 Take the time to call my name,
take the time to mend
who I am and what I’ve been,
all I’ve failed to tend.

3 Take the tiredness of my days,
take my past regret,
letting your forgiveness touch
all I can’t forget.

4 Take the little child in me
scared of growing old;
help me here to find my worth
made in Christ’s own mould.

5 Take my talents, take my skills,
take what’s yet to be;
let my life be yours, and yet
let it still be me.

PSALMS

Psalm 78 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/uq2kpk3)
1  Hear my law, O my people *
 incline your ears unto the words of my mouth.
2  I will open my mouth in a parable *
 I will declare hard sentences of old;
3  Which we have heard and known *
 and such as our fathers have told us;
4  That we should not hide them
from the children of the generations to come *
but to shew the honour of the Lord,
his mighty and wonderful works that he hath done.
5  He made a covenant with Jacob, and gave Israel a law *
 which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children;
6  That their posterity might know it *
 and the children which were yet unborn;
7  To the intent that when they came up *
 they might shew their children the same;
8  That they might put their trust in God *
 and not to forget the works of God, but to keep his commandments;
9  And not to be as their forefathers,
a faithless and stubborn generation *
 a generation that set not their heart aright,
and whose spirit cleaveth not stedfastly unto God;
10  Like as the children of Ephraim *
 who being harnessed, and carrying bows,
turned themselves back in the day of battle.
11  They kept not the covenant of God *
 and would not walk in his law;
12  But forgat what he had done *
 and the wonderful works that he had shewed for them.
13  Marvellous things did he in the sight of our forefathers,
in the land of Egypt *
 even in the field of Zoan.
14  He divided the sea, and let them go through *
 he made the waters to stand on an heap.
15  In the day-time also he led them with a cloud *
 and all the night through with a light of fire.
16  He clave the hard rocks in the wilderness *
 and gave them drink thereof, as it had been out of the great depth.
17  He brought waters out of the stony rock *
 so that it gushed out like the rivers.
18  Yet for all this they sinned more against him *
 and provoked the most Highest in the wilderness.
19  They tempted God in their hearts *
 and required meat for their lust.
20  They spake against God also, saying *
 Shall God prepare a table in the wilderness?
21  He smote the stony rock indeed,
that the water gushed out, and the streams flowed withal *
 but can he give bread also, or provide flesh for his people?
22  When the Lord heard this, he was wroth *
 so the fire was kindled in Jacob,
and there came up heavy displeasure against Israel;
23  Because they believed not in God *
 and put not their trust in his help.
24  So he commanded the clouds above *
 and opened the doors of heaven.
25  He rained down manna also upon them for to eat *
 and gave them food from heaven.
26  So man did eat angels’ food *
 for he sent them meat enough.
27  He caused the east-wind to blow under heaven *
 and through his power he brought in the south-west-wind.
28  He rained flesh upon them as thick as dust *
 and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea.
29  He let it fall among their tents *
 even round about their habitation.
30  So they did eat, and were well filled;
for he gave them their own desire *
 they were not disappointed of their lust.
31  But while the meat was yet in their mouths,
the heavy wrath of God came upon them,
and slew the wealthiest of them *
 yea, and smote down the chosen men that were in Israel.
32  But for all this they sinned yet more *
 and believed not his wondrous works.
33  Therefore their days did he consume in vanity *
 and their years in trouble.
34  When he slew them, they sought him *
 and turned them early, and enquired after God.
35  And they remembered that God was their strength *
 and that the high God was their redeemer.
36  Nevertheless, they did but flatter him with their mouth *
 and dissembled with him in their tongue.
37  For their heart was not whole with him *
 neither continued they stedfast in his covenant.
38  But he was so merciful, that he forgave their misdeeds *
 and destroyed them not.
39  Yea, many a time turned he his wrath away *
 and would not suffer his whole displeasure to arise.
40  For he considered that they were but flesh *
 and that they were even a wind that passeth away,
and cometh not again.
41  Many a time did they provoke him in the wilderness *
 and grieved him in the desert.
42  They turned back, and tempted God *
 and moved the Holy One in Israel.
43  They thought not of his hand *
 and of the day when he delivered them from the hand of the enemy;
44  How he had wrought his miracles in Egypt *
 and his wonders in the field of Zoan.
45  He turned their waters into blood *
 so that they might not drink of the rivers.
46  He sent lice among them, and devoured them up *
 and frogs to destroy them.
47  He gave their fruit unto the caterpillar *
 and their labour unto the grasshopper.
48  He destroyed their vines with hail-stones *
 and their mulberry-trees with the frost.
49  He smote their cattle also with hail-stones *
 and their flocks with hot thunderbolts.
50  He cast upon them the furiousness of his wrath,
anger, displeasure, and trouble *
 and sent evil angels among them.
51  He made a way to his indignation,
and spared not their soul from death *
 but gave their life over to the pestilence;
52  And smote all the first-born in Egypt *
 the most principal and mightiest in the dwellings of Ham.
53  But as for his own people, he led them forth like sheep *
 and carried them in the wilderness like a flock.
54  He brought them out safely, that they should not fear *
 and overwhelmed their enemies with the sea.
55  And brought them within the borders of his sanctuary *
 even to his mountain which he purchased with his right hand.
56  He cast out the heathen also before them *
 caused their land to be divided among them for an heritage,
and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
57  So they tempted, and displeased the most high God *
 and kept not his testimonies;
58  But turned their backs, and fell away like their forefathers *
 starting aside like a broken bow.
59  For they grieved him with their hill altars *
 and provoked him to displeasure with their images.
60  When God heard this, he was wroth *
 and took sore displeasure at Israel.
61  So that he forsook the tabernacle in Silo *
 even the tent that he had pitched among men.
62  He delivered their power into captivity *
 and their beauty into the enemy’s hand.
63  He gave his people over also unto the sword *
 and was wroth with his inheritance.
64  The fire consumed their young men *
 and their maidens were not given to marriage.
65  Their priests were slain with the sword *
 and there were no widows to make lamentation.
66  So the Lord awaked as one out of sleep *
 and like a giant refreshed with wine.
67  He smote his enemies in the hinder parts *
 and put them to a perpetual shame.
68  He refused the tabernacle of Joseph *
 and chose not the tribe of Ephraim;
69  But chose the tribe of Judah *
 even the hill of Sion which he loved.
70  And there he built his temple on high *
 and laid the foundation of it like the ground
which he hath made continually.
71  He chose David also his servant *
 and took him away from the sheep-folds.
72  As he was following the ewes great with young ones he took him *
 that he might feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
73  So he fed them with a faithful and true heart *
 and ruled them prudently with all his power.
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 78 (Karl Kohlhase: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-78-KH.mp3)
Listen, listen, listen, O my people

Listen, my people, to instruction;
give ear to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable,
and utter dark sayings of old,
Which we have heard and known,
our fathers passed on to us.
Not hiding them from their children,
but telling generations to come
The praise of the LORD and his strength,
the wonderful works he has done.
He established a witness in Jacob,
and appointed a law in Israel,
Which he commanded our fathers,
to teach them to their children,
that ages to come might know,
even children yet to be born,

Listen, listen, listen, O my people

They’d rise to tell their children,
to fix their hearts upon God
And not to forget the works of God,
but keep all his commands,
And not be like their fathers,
a stubborn rebellious age,
who would not prepare its heart,
with spirits unfaithful to God.
Ephraim’s sons were archers with bows,
but left in the day of battle.
Not keeping God’s covenant,
refusing to walk in his law;
forgetting about his deeds,
his miracles that he showed them.
His wonders before their fathers,
in Egypt and Zoan’s field.

Listen, listen, listen, O My people

Dividing the sea so they passed through,
making the waters stand in a heap.
Leading with cloud by day,
with a light of fire by night.
He split the rocks in the wilderness,
gave drink in full like the ocean depths.
He brought a stream from the rock,
made waters run down like rivers.
Yet they persisted in sin in the desert
against the Most high.
In their heart putting God to the test,
by asking for food they desired.
Against their God they grumbled,
in deserts will God set table?
He struck the rock so that waters,
gushed forth in flowing streams.

Listen, listen, listen, O My people

PRAYER

God of pilgrims,
strengthen our faith, we pray.
Guide us through the uncertainties of our journey,
and hold before us the vision of your eternal kingdom,
made known to us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-17

When the king was settled in his palace, and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, the king said to the prophet Nathan, “Look! I’m living in a cedar palace, but God’s chest is housed in a tent!”

Nathan said to the king, “Go ahead and do whatever you are thinking, because the Lord is with you.”

But that very night the Lord’s word came to Nathan: Go to my servant David and tell him: This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build the temple for me to live in. In fact, I haven’t lived in a temple from the day I brought Israel out of Egypt until now. Instead, I have been traveling around in a tent and in a dwelling. Throughout my traveling around with the Israelites, did I ever ask any of Israel’s tribal leaders I appointed to shepherd my people: Why haven’t you built me a cedar temple?

So then, say this to my servant David: This is what the Lord of heavenly forces says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be leader over my people Israel. I’ve been with you wherever you’ve gone, and I’ve eliminated all your enemies before you. Now I will make your name great—like the name of the greatest people on earth. I’m going to provide a place for my people Israel, and plant them so that they may live there and no longer be disturbed. Cruel people will no longer trouble them, as they had been earlier, when I appointed leaders over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies.

And the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make a dynasty for you. When the time comes for you to die and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your descendant—one of your very own children—to succeed you, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a temple for my name, and I will establish his royal throne forever. I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to me. Whenever he does wrong, I will discipline him with a human rod, with blows from human beings. But I will never take my faithful love away from him like I took it away from Saul, whom I set aside in favor of you. Your dynasty and your kingdom will be secured forever before me. Your throne will be established forever.

Nathan reported all of these words and this entire vision to David.

HYMN: F Richard Garland ©
Tune: St Denio https://tinyurl.com/3f79ypcp

1 Would you build a home in which God could reside?
Would you welcome god and invite Love inside?
Then open your heart and prepare to receive
a great affirmation of what you believe.

2 “The Lord will be with you, Fear not what will come.
The spirit will grace you that you may become
the mother of Jesus, the Savior and Lord,
the Light of the Nations, for ever adored.

3 The spirit rejoices and God’s magnified,
the common-place blessed and life’s sanctified;
the rich and the haughty, dismissed with a wave;
the poor and the hungry, God comes now to save.

4 So welcome the gospel and humbly profess
the prophet’s great wisdom, the faith you confess.
For love is embodied and born in this child
and all you who seek him will be reconciled.

Reading: Revelation 4:9-5:5

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one seated on the throne, who lives forever and always, the twenty-four elders fall before the one seated on the throne. They worship the one who lives forever and always. They throw down their crowns before the throne and say,

Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one seated on the throne. It had writing on the front and the back, and it was sealed with seven seals. I saw a powerful angel, who proclaimed in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or look inside it. So I began to weep and weep, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look inside it. Then one of the elders said to me, “Don’t weep. Look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has emerged victorious so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

HYMN: Liturgy of St James; para. Gerard Moultrie
Tune: Picardy https://tinyurl.com/4c5xdbn9

1 Let all mortal flesh keep silence
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded,
for with blessing in his hand
Christ, our God, to earth descending,
comes our homage to command.

2 King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords in human likeness,
in the body and the blood
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heav’nly food.

3 Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way
as the Light from Light, descending
from the realms of endless day,
comes the pow’rs of hell to vanquish
as the darkness clears away.

4 At his feet the six-winged seraph,
cherubim with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the presence
as with ceaseless voice they cry:
“Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, Lord Most High!”

Reading: Matthew 25:14-30

“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who was leaving on a trip. He called his servants and handed his possessions over to them. To one he gave five valuable coins, and to another he gave two, and to another he gave one. He gave to each servant according to that servant’s ability. Then he left on his journey.

“After the man left, the servant who had five valuable coins took them and went to work doing business with them. He gained five more. In the same way, the one who had two valuable coins gained two more. But the servant who had received the one valuable coin dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money.

“Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five valuable coins came forward with five additional coins. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five valuable coins. Look, I’ve gained five more.’

“His master replied, ‘Excellent! You are a good and faithful servant! You’ve been faithful over a little. I’ll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.’

“The second servant also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two valuable coins. Look, I’ve gained two more.’

“His master replied, ‘Well done! You are a good and faithful servant. You’ve been faithful over a little. I’ll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.’

“Now the one who had received one valuable coin came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man. You harvest grain where you haven’t sown. You gather crops where you haven’t spread seed. So I was afraid. And I hid my valuable coin in the ground. Here, you have what’s yours.’

“His master replied, ‘You evil and lazy servant! You knew that I harvest grain where I haven’t sown and that I gather crops where I haven’t spread seed? In that case, you should have turned my money over to the bankers so that when I returned, you could give me what belonged to me with interest. Therefore, take from him the valuable coin and give it to the one who has ten coins. Those who have much will receive more, and they will have more than they need. But as for those who don’t have much, even the little bit they have will be taken away from them. Now take the worthless servant and throw him out into the farthest darkness.’ People there will be weeping and grinding their teeth.”

CANTICLE Isaiah 12:1-6
(Stephen Wozny https://tinyurl.com/y8lfq94d)

You will say on that day:
I will give thanks to the Lord,
Though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away,
and you comforted me
Refrain:
So give thanks to the Lord, and call on his name,
Shout, and sing for joy, all you daughters of Zion,
He is with you now, the Son of God!
He is with you now, the Son of God.

Behold, my God is salvation; I will not be afraid;
The Lord, my God, is my song; I will sing of all he’s done,
and make everything known Refrain

I will sing his name! I will sing his name!
I will sing his name for all the world and everyone!
Sing his name! I will sing his name!
I will sing his name for all the world and everyone!
Sing his name! I will sing his name!
I will sing his name for all the world and everyone!
He is with you now, the Son of God.

THE PRAYERS ^WS2

God, our hope,
we rejoice that you became flesh and made your dwelling among us,
even as we long for your return.
As we wait, our hearts overflow with gratitude:
for the beauty of creation . . .
for your work in the world . . .
for signs of peace and reconciliation . . .
for our community and its leaders . . .
for your work accomplished through your church, especially for . . .

For all these reasons and so much more we give you praise.
As we celebrate the first coming of your Son as a helpless child,
we also yearn for his return,
for the day in which there will be no more sorrow, pain, or death.
Today we remember in prayer:
the nations of the world . . .
those in authority . . .
the needs of the community . . .
the church universal, its mission, and those who minister . . .
the local congregation and its ministry, especially . . .
those with particular needs . . .

We offer these prayers in the name Jesus Christ, our source of hope. Amen.

Setting by Eric Wyse:²

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 justice and peace,
from the heavens you rain down mercy and kindness,
that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder
before your marvelous deeds.
Raise our heads in expectation,
that we may yearn for the coming day of the Lord
and stand without blame before your Son, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. 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.

^WS2 The Worship Sourcebook, 2nd edition, © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources

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

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 version of Psalm 78 is in the version sung by Karl Kohlhase http://www.k4communications.com/karl/index.html.

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.