Oremus for Sunday, January 15, 2023

Antiphon ¹

Ant. Let all the earth worship you and praise you, O God;*
may it sing in praise of your name, O Most High.
V. Cry out with joy to God, all the earth; *
O sing to the glory of his name.
O render him glorious praise. *
Say to God, “How awesome your deeds! Psalm 66

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: Cecil Frances Alexander
Tune: St Andrew https://tinyurl.com/mvpbk86z

1 Jesus calls us o’er the tumult
of our life’s wild, restless sea;
day by day his sweet voice soundeth,
saying “Christian, follow me.”

2 As, of old, apostles heard it
by the Galilean lake,
turned from home and toil and kindred,
leaving all for his dear sake.

3 Jesus calls us from the worship
of the vain world’s golden store,
from each idol that would keep us,
saying “Christian, love me more.”

4 In our joys and in our sorrows,
days of toil and hours of ease,
still he calls, in cares and pleasures,
“Christian, love me more than these.”

5 Jesus calls us; by thy mercies,
Savior, may we hear thy call,
give our hearts to thine obedience,
serve and love thee best of all.

PSALMS

Psalm 75 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/w8cy5dn)
1  Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks *
 yea, unto thee do we give thanks.
2  Thy Name also is so nigh *
 and that do thy wondrous works declare.
3  When I receive the congregation *
 I shall judge according unto right.
4  The earth is weak, and all the inhabiters thereof *
 I bear up the pillars of it.
5  I said unto the fools, Deal not so madly *
 and to the ungodly, Set not up your horn.
6  Set not up your horn on high *
 and speak not with a stiff neck.
7  For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west *
 nor yet from the south.
8  And why? God is the Judge *
 he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
9  For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red *
 it is full mixed, and he poureth out of the same.
10  As for the dregs thereof *
 all the ungodly of the earth shall drink them, and suck them out.
11  But I will talk of the God of Jacob *
 and praise him for ever.
12  All the horns of the ungodly also will I break *
 and the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
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 76 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/r9ym7fd)
1  In Jewry is God known *
 his Name is great in Israel.
2  At Salem is his tabernacle *
 and his dwelling in Sion.
3  There brake he the arrows of the bow *
 the shield, the sword, and the battle.
4  Thou art of more honour and might *
 than the hills of the robbers.
5  The proud are robbed, they have slept their sleep *
 and all the men whose hands were mighty have found nothing.
6  At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob *
 both the chariot and horse are fallen.
7  Thou, even thou art to be feared *
 and who may stand in thy sight when thou art angry?
8  Thou didst cause thy judgement to be heard from heaven *
 the earth trembled, and was still,
9  When God arose to judgement *
 and to help all the meek upon earth.
10  The fierceness of man shall turn to thy praise *
 and the fierceness of them shalt thou refrain.
11  Promise unto the Lord your God, and keep it,
all ye that are round about him *
 bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
12  He shall refrain the spirit of princes *
 and is wonderful among the kings of the earth.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,*
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 77 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/vmyxazc)
1  I will cry unto God with my voice *
 even unto God will I cry with my voice, and he shall hearken unto me.
2  In the time of my trouble I sought the Lord *
 my sore ran, and ceased not in the night-season;
my soul refused comfort.
3  When I am in heaviness, I will think upon God *
 when my heart is vexed, I will complain.
4  Thou holdest mine eyes waking *
 I am so feeble, that I cannot speak.
5  I have considered the days of old *
 and the years that are past.
6  I call to remembrance my song *
 and in the night I commune with mine own heart, and search out my spirits.
7  Will the Lord absent himself for ever *
 and will he be no more intreated?
8  Is his mercy clean gone for ever *
 and is his promise come utterly to an end for evermore?
9  Hath God forgotten to be gracious *
 and will he shut up his loving-kindness in displeasure?
10  And I said, It is mine own infirmity *
 but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most Highest.
11  I will remember the works of the Lord *
 and call to mind thy wonders of old time.
12  I will think also of all thy works *
 and my talking shall be of thy doings.
13  Thy way, O God, is holy *
 who is so great a God as our God?
14  Thou art the God that doeth wonders *
 and hast declared thy power among the people.
15  Thou hast mightily delivered thy people *
 even the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
16  The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee, and were afraid *
 the depths also were troubled.
17  The clouds poured out water, the air thundered *
 and thine arrows went abroad.
18  The voice of thy thunder was heard round about *
 the lightnings shone upon the ground;
the earth was moved, and shook withal.
19  Thy way is in the sea, and thy paths in the great waters *
 and thy footsteps are not known.
20  Thou leddest thy people like sheep *
 by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
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 75 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-75-1.mp3)
1 We give you thanks, O God, we give you thanks, *
calling upon your Name and declaring all your wonderful deeds.
2 “I will appoint a time,” says God; *
“I will judge with equity.
3 Though the earth and all its inhabitants are quaking, *
I will make its pillars fast.
4 I will say to the boasters, ‘Boast no more,’ *
and to the wicked, ‘Do not toss your horns;
5 Do not toss your horns so high, *
nor speak with a proud neck.’”
6 For judgment is neither from the east nor from the west, *
nor yet from the wilderness or the mountains.
7 It is God who judges; *
he puts down one and lifts up another.
8 For in the LORD’S hand there is a cup,
full of spiced and foaming wine, which he pours out, *
and all the wicked of the earth shall drink and drain the dregs.
9 But I will rejoice for ever; *
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10 He shall break off all the horns of the wicked; *
but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

Psalm 76 (Acoustic Psalms; https://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-76.mp3)
In Judah God is known;
    his name is great in Israel.
His abode has been established in Salem,
    his dwelling place in Zion.
There he broke the flashing arrows,
    the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah

Glorious are you, more majestic
    than the mountains full of prey.
The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil;
    they sank into sleep;
all the men of war
    were unable to use their hands.
At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
    both rider and horse lay stunned.

But you, you are to be feared!
    Who can stand before you
    when once your anger is roused?
From the heavens you uttered judgment;
    the earth feared and was still,
when God arose to establish judgment,
    to save all the humble of the earth. Selah

Surely the wrath of man shall praise you;
    the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.
Make your vows to the Lord your God and perform them;
    let all around him bring gifts
    to him who is to be feared,
who cuts off the spirit of princes,
    who is to be feared by the kings of the earth.

Psalm 77 (Karl Kohlhase: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-77-KH.mp3)
My voice rises to God, I will cry aloud;
my voice rises to God, he will hear me.

In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;
in the night my hand stretched without fainting;
My soul refused to be comforted.
Yes, my soul refused to be comforted.
I’m disturbed when I remember God;
when I sigh my spirit faints.
You have held my eyelids open;
so troubled I can’t even speak.
I considered the days of old,
and all those years long ago;
I remember my song in the night;
my heart meditates and spirit ponders:
Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never again show favor?
Has his kindness ceased for all time?
Has his promise come to an end?
Has God forgotten to be gracious,
or in anger withdrawn his compassion?
Then I said, “It is surely my grief,
the right hand of the Most High has changed.”

My voice rises to God, I will cry aloud;
my voice rises to God, he will hear me.

I’ll remember the deeds of the LORD;
I’ll recall your wonders of old.
On all your works I’ll meditate,
and will muse upon your deeds
Your way, O God, is holy;
what god is great like our God?
You are the God of wonders;
your strength is known through the lands.
You save your people with power,
the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
The waters then saw you, O God;
the waters then saw you, O God,
Then they were in anguish;
the depths started to quake.
The clouds then poured down water;
the skies gave forth a sound;

My voice rises to God, I will cry aloud;
my voice rises to God, he will hear me.

Your arrows flashed here and there.
The sound of your thunder in a whirlwind;
your lightnings lit up the world;
the earth then trembled and shook.
Your paths through sea and water;
your footprints may not be known.
Like a flock you led your people forth,
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

My voice rises to God, I will cry aloud;
my voice rises to God, he will hear me. (repeat)

PRAYER

Strength of the weak,
defender of the needy,
rescuer of the poor,
deliver us from the power of wickedness,
that we may rejoice in your justice now and forever;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Isaiah 49:1-7

Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

From Paul, called by God’s will to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, and from Sosthenes our brother. To God’s church that is in Corinth: To those who have been made holy to God in Christ Jesus, who are called to be God’s people. Together with all those who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place—he’s their Lord and ours! Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God always for you, because of God’s grace that was given to you in Christ Jesus. That is, you were made rich through him in everything: in all your communication and every kind of knowledge, in the same way that the testimony about Christ was confirmed with you. The result is that you aren’t missing any spiritual gift while you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also confirm your testimony about Christ until the end so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and you were called by him to partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

HYMN: Thomas O Chisholm
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/bdfmpyxe

1 Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
there is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided.
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

2 Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Refrain]

3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! [Refrain]

Reading: John 1:29-51

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one about whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is really greater than me because he existed before me.’ Even I didn’t recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he might be made known to Israel.” John testified, “I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, and it rested on him. Even I didn’t recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit coming down and resting is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and testified that this one is God’s Son.”

The next day John was standing again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus walking along he said, “Look! The Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard what he said, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he asked, “What are you looking for?” They said, “Rabbi (which is translated Teacher), where are you staying?” He replied, “Come and see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon.

One of the two disciples who heard what John said and followed Jesus was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Christ ). He led him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

The next day Jesus wanted to go into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law and the Prophets: Jesus, Joseph’s son, from Nazareth.” Nathanael responded, “Can anything from Nazareth be good?” Philip said, “Come and see.”

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Here is a genuine Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are God’s Son. You are the king of Israel.” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these! I assure you that you will see heaven open and God’s angels going up to heaven and down to earth on the Human One.”

CANTICLE Exodus 15
(John Schiavone: https://tinyurl.com/ybknobsb)

Ant. I will sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

I will sing to the Lord, for he is gloriously triumphant;
horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
He is my God, I praise him;
the God of my father, I extol him. Ant.

The Lord is a warrior, LORD is his name!
Pharaoh’s chariots and army he hurled into the sea;
the elite of his officers were submerged in the Red Sea. Ant.

The flood waters covered them,
they sank into the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, O Lord, magnificent in power,
your right hand, O Lord, has shattered the enemy. Ant.

You brought in the people you redeemed
and planted them on the mountain of your inheritance—
the place where you made your seat, O Lord,
the sanctuary, Lord, which your hands established.
The Lord shall reign forever and ever. Ant.

THE PRAYERS ^{Joe Milner}

For the Church: that we may be a light to the nations and an instrument of God’s saving message to all who are seeking direction and a deeper meaning for their life

For all disciples:  that we may give testimony that will attract others to Jesus and help them encounter Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life for all the human family

For this Christian community: that we who are called to be holy may allow the grace of God to work in us and form us into the people of God

For catechists and parents: that like John the Baptist, they may introduce and lead the young people in their care to a deeper relationship with Jesus

For the grace of humility: that we may use our gifts in the service of God and be open to the gifts of others so that through all of us, God’s work may be accomplished

For a greater awareness of God’s call in our lives: that we may listen and live out the mission to which God invites us

For Christian unity: that God will remove the walls of misunderstanding, help us co-operate in serving those in need, and bring us to a greater appreciation of the gifts of the Spirit at work in one another’s communities

For the members of Congress: that God will give them wisdom and courage as they address the issues before them so that the common good may be advanced

For all who have turned away from God: that our words and deeds may make God’s love and presence known to them

For an end to racism and the dawn of new cooperation amongst all peoples:  that God will help us recognize the dignity of each person and give us the courage to reach past divisions build a greater society

For all who are worried or anxious:  that God will ease their fear, help them to recognize the God is with them, and give them courage

For all who have suffered from natural disasters: that God will give them hope, protect them from further harm, and touch the hearts of many to assist them

For greater respect of human life: that we may honor and respect all human life which God has formed in the womb and holds in being each day

For all Christians who face persecution: that God will stir up the Spirit within them, ease their suffering, and help them to bear faithful witness to the Gospel

For peace: that God will open dialogue between nations and groups that are in conflict and guide all to new ways to resolve disputes in non-violent ways

(Traditional chant: http://oremus.org/chant/LP-1940.mp3)

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.

You, who teach us a new song,
and train our feet to follow:
meet us in our searching
and turn our eyes and hearts
to the one who gives his life for the world;
through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. 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

---

^BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.

¹ Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©

The intercession is by Joe Milner http://liturgy.slu.edu

^PIC Prayers for An Inclusive Church. Steven Shakespeare © 2008 Canterbury Press.

The Lord’s Prayer is the traditional chant as set in The Hymnal 1940 and sung by Kathryn Mannyng https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsJ2TB9pLbU

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 Psalm 76 is from the English Standard Version in a recording from the Acoustic Psalms YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@acousticpsalms/featured. Psalm 77 is in the version sung by Karl Kohlhase https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpnf6eoqQUh2xZ3_4C7dmiA

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.