Oremus for Monday, January 16, 2023

Charles Gore
Charles Gore was born in 1853 in Wimbledon and educated mainly at Oxford. He was ordained in 1876 and served in positions at Cuddeston and Pusey House, Oxford, both of which were focused upon theological education and the formation of clergy. While at Pusey House, Gore founded the Community of the Resurrection, a community for men that sought to combine the rich traditions of the religious life with a lively concern for the demands of ministry in the modern world. Gore, a prolific writer, was a principal progenitor of liberal Anglo-Catholicism in late nineteenth and early twentieth century Anglicanism. He was concerned to make available to the church the critical scholarship of the age, particularly with respect to the Bible. A second but no less important concern was to prick the conscience of the church and plead for its engagement in the work of social justice for all. Between 1902 and 1919, Gore served successively as bishop of the dioceses of Worcester, Birmingham, and Oxford. ^HWHM

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/9jxj8mak

The Lord is the strength of his people,
a saving refuge for the one he has anointed.
Save your people, Lord, and bless your heritage,
and govern them for ever. Psalm 28

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 S. B. Mansell
Tune: Thornbury https://tinyurl.com/3d5p25xj

1 Light of the world, we hail Thee,
Flushing the eastern skies;
Never shall darkness veil Thee
Again from human eyes;
Too long, alas, witholden,
Now spread from shore to shore;
Thy light, so glad and golden,
Shall set on earth no more.

2 Light of the world, Thy beauty
Steals into every heart,
And glorifies with duty
Life’s poorest, humblest part;
Thou robest in Thy splendor
The simple ways of men,
And helpest them to render
Light back to Thee again.

3 Light of the world, illumine
This darkened land of Thine,
Till everything that’s human
Be filled with what’s divine;
Till every tongue and nation,
From sin’s dominion free,
Rise in the new creation
Which springs from Love and Thee.

PSALMS

Psalm 79 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ssjuezl)
1  O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance *
 thy holy temple have they defiled,
and made Jerusalem an heap of stones.
2  The dead bodies of thy servants have they given
to be meat unto the fowls of the air *
 and the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the land.
3  Their blood have they shed like water on every side of Jerusalem *
 and there was no man to bury them.
4  We are become an open shame to our enemies *
 a very scorn and derision unto them that are round about us.
5  Lord, how long wilt thou be angry *
 shall thy jealousy burn like fire for ever?
6  Pour out thine indignation upon the heathen
that have not known thee *
 and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy Name.
7  For they have devoured Jacob *
 and laid waste his dwelling-place.
8  O remember not our old sins, but have mercy upon us, and that soon *
 for we are come to great misery.
9  Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy Name *
 O deliver us, and be merciful unto our sins, for thy Name’s sake.
10  Wherefore do the heathen say *
 Where is now their God?
11  O let the vengeance of thy servants’ blood that is shed *
 be openly shewed upon the heathen in our sight.
12  O let the sorrowful sighing of the prisoners come before thee *
 according to the greatness of thy power,
preserve thou those that are appointed to die.
13  And for the blasphemy
wherewith our neighbours have blasphemed thee *
 reward thou them, O Lord, seven-fold into their bosom.
14  So we, that are thy people, and sheep of thy pasture,
shall give thee thanks for ever *
 and will alway be shewing forth thy praise from generation to generation.
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 80 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ry2whon)
1  Hear, O thou Shepherd of Israel,
thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep *
 shew thyself also, thou that sittest upon the cherubims.
2  Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasses *
 stir up thy strength, and come, and help us.
3  Turn us again, O God *
 shew the light of thy countenance, and we shall be whole.
4  O Lord God of hosts *
 how long wilt thou be angry with thy people that prayeth?
5  Thou feedest them with the bread of tears *
 and givest them plenteousness of tears to drink.
6  Thou hast made us a very strife unto our neighbours *
 and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7  Turn us again, thou God of hosts *
 shew the light of thy countenance, and we shall be whole.
8  Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt *
 thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.
9  Thou madest room for it *
 and when it had taken root it filled the land.
10  The hills were covered with the shadow of it *
 and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedar-trees.
11  She stretched out her branches unto the sea *
 and her boughs unto the river.
12  Why hast thou then broken down her hedge *
 that all they that go by pluck off her grapes?
13  The wild boar out of the wood doth root it up *
 and the wild beasts of the field devour it.
14  Turn thee again, thou God of hosts, look down from heaven *
 behold, and visit this vine;
15  And the place of the vineyard that thy right hand hath planted *
 and the branch that thou madest so strong for thyself.
16  It is burnt with fire, and cut down *
 and they shall perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
17  Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand *
 and upon the son of man,
whom thou madest so strong for thine own self.
18  And so will not we go back from thee *
 O let us live, and we shall call upon thy Name.
19  Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts *
 shew the light of thy countenance, and we shall be whole.
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 81 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/tl45xkf)
1  Sing we merrily unto God our strength *
 make a cheerful noise unto the God of Jacob.
2  Take the psalm, bring hither the tabret *
 the merry harp with the lute.
3  Blow up the trumpet in the new-moon *
 even in the time appointed, and upon our solemn feast-day.
4  For this was made a statute for Israel *
 and a law of the God of Jacob.
5  This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony *
 when he came out of the land of Egypt, and had heard a strange language.
6  I eased his shoulder from the burden *
 and his hands were delivered from making the pots.
7  Thou calledst upon me in troubles, and I delivered thee *
 and heard thee what time as the storm fell upon thee.
8  I proved thee also *
 at the waters of strife.
9  Hear, O my people, and I will assure thee, O Israel *
 if thou wilt hearken unto me,
10  There shall no strange god be in thee *
 neither shalt thou worship any other god.
11  I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt *
 open thy mouth wide, and I shall fill it.
12  But my people would not hear my voice *
 and Israel would not obey me.
13  So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lusts *
 and let them follow their own imaginations.
14  O that my people would have hearkened unto me *
 for if Israel had walked in my ways,
15  I should soon have put down their enemies *
 and turned my hand against their adversaries.
16  The haters of the Lord should have been found liars *
 but their time should have endured for ever.
17  He should have fed them also with the finest wheat-flour *
 and with honey out of the stony rock should I have satisfied 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 79 (Sons of Korah: https://tinyurl.com/xsyj848h)
O, God the nations have
Invaded your inheritance
Defiled your holy temple
Destroyed your city
As food to wild animals
They were given over
They poured out blood like water
Around Jerusalem

How long? How long?
How long? (How long, how long, O Lord)
How long? (How long, how long, O Lord)

We are objects of reproach
To our neighbors
Scorn and derision
To those around us
Pour upon the enemy
Who will not acknowledge you
Your anger on the kingdom
For they devoured us

How long? (How long, how long, O Lord)
How long? (How long, how long, O Lord)

Do not hold against us
The sins of the fathers
May your mercy quickly come
For we are in need
Help us God our Savior
For the glory of your name
Deliver and forgive us
For your name’s sake
Why should the nations say
‘Where is their God today?’
Before our eyes, make known to them
That you avenge us

How long, O, Lord
Will you be angry?
How long, Lord
Will your jealousy burn?

The groans of the prisoners
May they come before you
By the strength of your arm
Preserve those condemned to die
Pay back our enemies
They’re taunting toward you lord
And lead your flock, who praise you
For every
Every generation

Psalm 80 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-80.mp3)
1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *
stir up your strength and come to help us.
3 Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
4 O LORD God of hosts, *
how long will you be angered
despite the prayers of your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; *
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
8 You have brought a vine out of Egypt; *
you cast out the nations and planted it.
9 You prepared the ground for it; *
it took root and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered by its shadow *
and the towering cedar trees by its boughs.
11 You stretched out its tendrils to the Sea *
and its branches to the River.
12 Why have you broken down its wall, *
so that all who pass by pluck off its grapes?
13 The wild boar of the forest has ravaged it, *
and the beasts of the field have grazed upon it.
14 Turn now, O God of hosts, look down from heaven;
behold and tend this vine; *
preserve what your right hand has planted.
15 They burn it with fire like rubbish; *
at the rebuke of your countenance let them perish.
16 Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, *
and son of man you have made so strong for yourself.
17 And so will we never turn away from you; *
give us life, that we may call upon your Name.
18 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Psalm 81 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-81.mp3)
1 Sing with joy to God our strength *
and raise a loud shout to the God of Jacob.
2 Raise a song and sound the timbrel, *
the merry harp, and the lyre.
3 Blow the ram’s-horn at the new moon, *
and at the full moon, the day of our feast.
4 For this is a statute for Israel, *
a law of the God of Jacob.
5 He laid it as a solemn charge upon Joseph, *
when he came out of the land of Egypt.
6 I heard an unfamiliar voice saying, *
“I eased his shoulder from the burden;
his hands were set free from bearing the load.”
7 You called on me in trouble, and I saved you; *
I answered you from the secret place of thunder
and tested you at the waters of Meribah.
8 Hear, O my people, and I will admonish you: *
O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9 There shall be no strange god among you; *
you shall not worship a foreign god.
10 I am the LORD your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt and said, *
“Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.”
11 And yet my people did not hear my voice, *
and Israel would not obey me.
12 So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their hearts, *
to follow their own devices.
13 Oh, that my people would listen to me! *
that Israel would walk in my ways!
14 I should soon subdue their enemies *
and turn my hand against their foes.
15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, *
and their punishment would last for ever.
16 But Israel would I feed with the finest wheat *
and satisfy him with honey from the rock.

PRAYER

God of the ages,
by signs and wonders you established your ancient covenant,
and through the sacrifice of your Son
you confirmed the new covenant yet more wondrously.
Guide your church to the land of promise,
that there we may celebrate your name with lasting praise
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Haggai 1:1-15a

The Lord’s word came through Haggai the prophet in the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month on the first day of the month, to Judah’s governor Zerubbabel, Shealtiel’s son, and to the high priest Joshua, Jehozadak’s son:

Then the Lord’s word came through Haggai the prophet:

Zerubbabel, Shealtiel’s son, and the high priest Joshua, Jehozadak’s son, along with all who remained among the people, listened to the voice of the Lord God and to the words of Haggai the prophet because the Lord their God sent him. Then the people feared the Lord.

Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave the Lord’s message to the people: I am with you, says the Lord.

The Lord moved the spirit of Judah’s governor Zerubbabel, Shealtiel’s son, and the spirit of the high priest Joshua, Jehozadak’s son, and the spirit of all the rest of the people. Then they came and did work on the house of the Lord of heavenly forces, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month in the second year of Darius the king.

HYMN: Charles Wesley
Tune: Boylston https://tinyurl.com/2p9fw7j4

1. A charge to keep I have,
a God to glorify,
a never-dying soul to save,
and fit it for the sky.

2. To serve the present age,
my calling to fulfill;
O may it all my powers engage
to do my Master’s will!

3. Arm me with jealous care,
as in thy sight to live,
and oh, thy servant, Lord, prepare
a strict account to give!

4. Help me to watch and pray,
and on thyself rely,
assured, if I my trust betray,
I shall forever die.

Reading: Hebrews 4:1-16

Therefore, since the promise that we can enter into rest is still open, let’s be careful so that none of you will appear to miss it. We also had the good news preached to us, just as the Israelites did. However, the message they heard didn’t help them because they weren’t united in faith with the ones who listened to it. We who have faith are entering the rest. As God said,

And yet God’s works were completed at the foundation of the world. Then somewhere he said this about the seventh day of creation: God rested on the seventh day from all his works. But again, in the passage above, God said, They will never enter my rest! Therefore, it’s left open for some to enter it, and the ones who had the good news preached to them before didn’t enter because of disobedience. Just as it says in the passage above, God designates a certain day as “today,” when he says through David much later,

If Joshua gave the Israelites rest, God wouldn’t have spoken about another day later on. So you see that a sabbath rest is left open for God’s people. The one who entered God’s rest also rested from his works, just as God rested from his own.

Therefore, let’s make every effort to enter that rest so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience, because God’s word is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates to the point that it separates the soul from the spirit and the joints from the marrow. It’s able to judge the heart’s thoughts and intentions. No creature is hidden from it, but rather everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of the one to whom we have to give an answer.

Also, let’s hold on to the confession since we have a great high priest who passed through the heavens, who is Jesus, God’s Son; because we don’t have a high priest who can’t sympathize with our weaknesses but instead one who was tempted in every way that we are, except without sin.

Finally, let’s draw near to the throne of favor with confidence so that we can receive mercy and find grace when we need help.

HYMN: v. 1-2 Thomas Moore; v. 3 Thomas Hastings
Tune: Consolatorhttps://tinyurl.com/3xbnkbrf

1 Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish —
Come to the mercy-seat, fervently kneel;
Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish:
Earth has no sorrow that heav’n cannot heal.

2 Joy of the desolate, light of the straying,
Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure!
Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying,
“Earth has no sorrow that heav’n cannot cure.”

3 Here see the Bread of Life, see waters flowing
Forth from the throne of God, pure from above:
Come to the feast of love — come ever knowing
Earth has no sorrow but heav’n can remove.

Reading: John 3:22-36

After this Jesus and his disciples went into Judea, where he spent some time with them and was baptizing. John was baptizing at Aenon near Salem because there was a lot of water there, and people were coming to him and being baptized. (John hadn’t yet been thrown into prison.)

A debate started between John’s disciples and a certain Jew about cleansing rituals. They came to John and said, “Rabbi, look! The man who was with you across the Jordan, the one about whom you testified, is baptizing and everyone is flocking to him.”

John replied, “No one can receive anything unless it is given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I’m not the Christ but that I’m the one sent before him. The groom is the one who is getting married. The friend of the groom stands close by and, when he hears him, is overjoyed at the groom’s voice. Therefore, my joy is now complete. He must increase and I must decrease. The one who comes from above is above all things. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all things. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever accepts his testimony confirms that God is true. The one whom God sent speaks God’s words because God gives the Spirit generously. The Father loves the Son and gives everything into his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever doesn’t believe in the Son won’t see life, but the angry judgment of God remains on them.”

(Plainsong Mode 2: https://tinyurl.com/yctqq8cf)^DL

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.

O God, our heavenly Father,
who raised up your faithful servant Charles Gore
to work for the renewal of community life in your Church
and to feed your flock:
Grant that we, following his example,
may call for perennial renewal in your Church
through conscious union with Christ,
witnessing to the social justice
that marks the reign of our Savior Jesus,
who is the light of the world;
and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen. ^{HWHM, alt.}

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 © Church Publishing, Inc.

The scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.

The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language versions of Psalms 80 and 81 are from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is sung by Ryland Angel. Psalm 79 is by Sons of Korah.

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.