Oremus for Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Elizabeth Ann Seton
Elizabeth Ann Bayley was born in New York in 1774. She endured a turbulent childhood and suffered severe bouts of depression. She survived by immersing herself in poetry, piano lessons, and devoted participation in the Episcopal Church.
In 1795 she married William Seton. In 1801, the family business failed and the Setons lost everything. Her husband showed the symptoms of tuberculosis and in 1803, they set sail for Italy in the hopes that the warm climate would cure his disease. The Italian authorities fearing Yellow Fever quarantined them in a cold stone hospital for the dying. William soon
died and left Elizabeth Ann a young widow with five children and few resources. It was in Italy that she discovered Roman Catholicism.
Returning to New York, she encountered bitter opposition to her new religious leanings. With five children to support, she felt alone and estranged. She turned to Roman Catholic clergy for support and in 1805 she formally converted to Roman Catholicism.
In 1806, she met Father Louis Dubourg, S.S. who wanted to start a congregation of women religious, patterned after the French Daughters of Charity. In 1809 Elizabeth Ann took vows and became “Mother Seton” to a small community of seven women dedicated to teaching. The sisters were given land in rural Maryland and in 1810 they opened St. Joseph’s Free School to educate needy girls. The Sisters intertwined social ministry, education and religious formation in all their varied works. Mother Seton dispatched sisters to operate orphanages in Philadelphia and New York. Elizabeth Ann Seton remained the Mother of the Sisters of Charity until her death on January 4, 1821. ^{HWHM, abridged}

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/r5j8et73

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.
Indeed, the Lord is near.

Almighty God,
you have poured upon us
the new light of your incarnate Word:
Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts,
may shine forth in our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. 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: Charles Wesley
Tune: Paderborn https://tinyurl.com/5n8zyw7a

1 Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,
and publish abroad his wonderful name;
the name all-victorious of Jesus extol:
his kingdom is glorious, and rules over all.

2 God ruleth on high, almighty to save;
and still he is nigh, his presence we have;
the great congregation his triumph shall sing,
ascribing salvation to Jesus our King.

3 Salvation to God who sits on the throne!
Let all cry aloud, and honour the Son.
The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,
fall down on their faces, and worship the Lamb.

4 Then let us adore, and give him his right:
all glory and power, all wisdom and might,
and honour and blessing, with angels above,
and thanks never-ceasing, and infinite love

PSALMS

Psalm 19 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yd7jfjmy)
1  The heavens declare the glory of God *
 and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2  One day telleth another *
 and one night certifieth another.
3  There is neither speech nor language *
 but their voices are heard among them.
4  Their sound is gone out into all lands *
 and their words into the ends of the world.
5  In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun *
 which cometh forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber,
and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course.
6  It goeth forth from the uttermost part of the heaven,
and runneth about unto the end of it again *
 and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7  The law of the Lord is an undefiled law, converting the soul *
 the testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisdom unto the simple.
8  The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoice the heart *
 the commandment of the Lord is pure, and giveth light unto the eyes.
9  The fear of the Lord is clean, and endureth for ever *
 the judgements of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
10  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold *
 sweeter also than honey, and the honey-comb.
11  Moreover, by them is thy servant taught *
 and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12  Who can tell how oft he offendeth *
 O cleanse thou me from my secret faults.
13  Keep thy servant also from presumptuous sins,
lest they get the dominion over me *
 so shall I be undefiled, and innocent from the great offence.
14  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart *
 be alway acceptable in thy sight,
15  O Lord *
 my strength, and my redeemer.
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 20 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ydbb8hr9)
1  The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble *
 the Name of the God of Jacob defend thee ;
2  Send thee help from the sanctuary *
 and strengthen thee out of Sion;
3  Remember all thy offerings *
 and accept thy burnt-sacrifice;
4  Grant thee thy heart’s desire *
 and fulfil all thy mind.
5  We will rejoice in thy salvation,
and triumph in the Name of the Lord our God *
 the Lord perform all thy petitions.
6  Now know I, that the Lord helpeth his Anointed,
and will hear him from his holy heaven *
 even with the wholesome strength of his right hand.
7  Some put their trust in chariots, and some in horses *
 but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God.
8  They are brought down, and fallen *
 but we are risen, and stand upright.
9  Save, Lord, and hear us, O King of heaven *
 when we call upon thee.
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 21 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yccrfx9l)
1  The King shall rejoice in thy strength, O Lord *
 exceeding glad shall he be of thy salvation.
2  Thou hast given him his heart’s desire *
 and hast not denied him the request of his lips.
3  For thou shalt prevent him with the blessings of goodness *
 and shalt set a crown of pure gold upon his head.
4  He asked life of thee, and thou gavest him a long life *
 even for ever and ever.
5  His honour is great in thy salvation *
 glory and great worship shalt thou lay upon him.
6  For thou shalt give him everlasting felicity *
 and make him glad with the joy of thy countenance.
7  And why? because the King putteth his trust in the Lord *
 and in the mercy of the most Highest he shall not miscarry.
8  All thine enemies shall feel thine hand *
 thy right hand shall find out them that hate thee.
9  Thou shalt make them like a fiery oven in time of thy wrath *
 the Lord shall destroy them in his displeasure,
and the fire shall consume them.
10  Their fruit shalt thou root out of the earth *
 and their seed from among the children of men.
11  For they intended mischief against thee *
 and imagined such a device as they are not able to perform.
12  Therefore shalt thou put them to flight *
 and the strings of thy bow shalt thou make ready
against the face of them.
13  Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength *
 so will we sing, and praise thy 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 19 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-19.mp3)
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament shows his handiwork.
2 One day tells its tale to another, *
and one night imparts knowledge to another.
3 Although they have no words or language, *
and their voices are not heard,
4 Their sound has gone out into all lands, *
and their message to the ends of the world.
5 In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; *
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
6 It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens
and runs about to the end of it again; *
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect  and revives the soul; *
the testimony of the LORD is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent.
8 The statutes of the LORD are just  and rejoice the heart; *
the commandment of the LORD is clear and gives light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean and endures for ever; *
the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
 more than much fine gold, *
 sweeter far than honey,  than honey in the comb.
11 By them also is your servant enlightened, *
and in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can tell how often he offends? *
cleanse me from my secret faults.
13 Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
let them not get dominion over me; *
then shall I be whole and sound, and innocent of a great offense.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
 heart be acceptable in your sight, *
O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.

Psalm 20 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-20.mp3)
1 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble, *
the Name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2 Send you help from his holy place *
and strengthen you out of Zion;
3 Remember all your offerings *
and accept your burnt sacrifice;
4 Grant you your heart’s desire *
and prosper all your plans.
5 We will shout for joy at your victory
and triumph in the Name of our God; *
may the LORD grant all your requests.
6 Now I know that the LORD gives victory to his anointed; *
he will answer him out of his holy heaven,
with the victorious strength of his right hand.
7 Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, *
but we will call upon the Name of the LORD our God.
8 They collapse and fall down, *
but we will arise and stand upright.
9 O LORD, give victory to the king *
and answer us when we call.

Psalm 21 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-21-MH.mp3)
2 O Lord, your strength gives joy to the King; how your saving help makes him glad!
3 You have granted him his heart’s desire;
you have not refused the prayer of his lips.
4 You came to meet him with the blessings of success,
you have set on his head a crown of pure gold.
5 He asked you for life and this you have given,
days that will last from age to age.
6 Your saving help has given him glory.
You have laid upon him majesty and splendor,
7 you have granted your blessings to him forever.
You have made him rejoice with the joy of your presence.
8 The king has put his trust in the Lord:
through the mercy of the Most High he shall stand firm.
9 His hand will seek and find all his foes,
his right hand find out those that hate him.
10 You will burn them like a blazing furnace
on the day when you appear.
And the Lord will destroy them in his anger;
fire will swallow them up.
11 You will wipe out their race from the earth
and their children from the sons of men.
12 Though they plan evil against you,
though they plot, they shall not prevail.
13 For you will force them to retreat;
at them you will aim with your bow.
14 O Lord, arise in your strength;
we shall sing and praise your power.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, gentle and humble of heart,
you promised your kingdom to those who are like children.
Never let pride reign in our hearts.
In compassion embrace all who willingly bear your gentle yoke
now and forever. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Deuteronomy 30:11-14

This commandment that I’m giving you right now is definitely not too difficult for you. It isn’t unreachable. It isn’t up in heaven somewhere so that you have to ask, “Who will go up for us to heaven and get it for us that we can hear it and do it?” Nor is it across the ocean somewhere so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the ocean for us and get it for us that we can hear it and do it?” Not at all! The word is very close to you. It’s in your mouth and in your heart, waiting for you to do it.

HYMN: George Bradford Caird ©
Tune: Cornwall https://tinyurl.com/3f6rkjru

1 Not far beyond the sea, nor high
above the heavens, but very nigh
thy voice, O God, is heard.
For each new step of faith we take
thou hast more truth and light to break
forth from thy holy word.

2 Rooted and grounded in thy love,
with saints on earth and saints above
we join in full accord,
to grasp the breadth, length, depth, and height,
the crucified and risen might
of Christ, the Incarnate Word.

3 Help us to press toward that mark,
and, though our vision now is dark,
to live by what we see.
So, when we see thee face to face,
thy truth and light our dwelling-place
for evermore shall be.

Reading: 1 John 3:7-10

Little children, make sure no one deceives you. The person who practices righteousness is righteous, in the same way that Jesus is righteous. The person who practices sin belongs to the devil, because the devil has been sinning since the beginning. God’s Son appeared for this purpose: to destroy the works of the devil. Those born from God don’t practice sin because God’s DNA remains in them. They can’t sin because they are born from God. This is how God’s children and the devil’s children are apparent: everyone who doesn’t practice righteousness is not from God, including the person who doesn’t love a brother or sister.

HYMN: Ronald S Cole-Turner
Tune: Shipston https://tinyurl.com/4e62mmru

1 Child of blessing, child of promise,
love’s creation, loved indeed!
Fresh from God, refresh our spirits;
into joy and laughter lead.

2 Child of joy, our dearest treasure,
God’s you are, from God you came.
Back to God we humbly give you,
blessing you in Jesus’ name.

3 Child of God, your loving Parent,
learn to listen for God’s call.
Grow to laugh and sing and worship,
trust and love God more than all.

Reading: Luke 2:39-40

When Mary and Joseph had completed everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their hometown, Nazareth in Galilee. The child grew up and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

CANTICLE Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55)
(Andrew Rottner: https://tinyurl.com/ybqv7yxk)

He who is mighty, has shown great strength to me
And his mercy is for those who fear his holy name
And he has shown strength with his arm and his law
And he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He who is mighty has brought the wicked shame
And his anger is for those who curse his holy name
And he has shown rage with the mighty in their thrones
And he has lifted the low into his glorious home

O my soul magnifies the Lord,
Yes my soul magnifies the Lord.

He who is mighty has not forgotten me
And his helping is for those to serve his holy name
He has shown remembrance with his servant Israel
And he spoke the promise from which all my doubts dispel

O my soul magnifies the Lord,
Yes my soul magnifies the Lord.
O my soul magnifies the Lord,
Yes my soul magnifies the Lord.

THE PRAYERS ^WS2

Incarnate God,
with the angels we sing and glorify your name,
thankful for all that you have given us:
for your presence in the world . . .
for our nation . . .
for our community and its leaders . . .
for the witness of your church celebrating around the world . . .
But today we are especially grateful for the gift of your Son, who gave up his heavenly
home for a manger and a cross so that we might experience redemption, a gift
that neither spoils nor fades.

With the angels we also desire peace on earth, a peace that is broader and deeper
than the end of war. We pray for the restoration of this world, for the growth of
your kingdom, for reconciliation, healing, and renewal. We bring before you our
prayers for
the nations of the world, especially . . .
our nation and those in authority . . .
our community and those who govern it . . .
the church universal, its mission, and those who minister . . .
the local congregation and its ministry, especially . . .
those with particular needs on this holy day . . .
Make your incarnate presence known in each situation, and may we as your servants
be vessels of your peace. We pray this in the name of the one who became flesh and dwelt among us, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

(Karin Simmons: https://tinyurl.com/y7vwp7dd)

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.
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.

Holy God, you blessed Elizabeth Seton with your grace as wife, mother, educator and founder, that she might spend her life in service to your people: Help us, by her example, to express our love for you in love of others; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. ^HWHM

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.

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

The 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 Psalm 19 and 20 are from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and are sung by Ryland Angel. Psalm 21 is from The Grail Psalter and is from the Manual Hopper YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/manualhopper/featured

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 © 2023 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.