Oremus for Thursday, January 19, 2023

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/w94vju7

Remember your word to your servant, O Lord,
by which you have given me hope.
This is my comfort when I am brought low. Psalm 119

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: Unknown
Tune: Dundee https://tinyurl.com/3wj7ymy3

1 When we our gracious Lord entreat,
And on his word rely;
Tho’ disappointments first we meet:
His grace is ever nigh.

2 Should he at first seem to refuse,
Yet he will grant relief;
Tho’ he reproves and doth accuse
Our doubts and unbelief.

3 Our faith and patience must be tried,
To make us search the ground;
Although at first we are denied,
Yet sure relief is found.

4 Then shall we find his promise true,
Then will his pow’r be known,
And we shall know what Christ can do
When we find what is done.

5 That will produce that living faith,
That will effectual prove;
To ground our hope in life and death,
In Jesus and his love.

6 Now since I evidently see,
My Saviour’s grace reveal’d–
I am assur’d he e’er will be,
My life, my guard and shield.

PSALMS

Psalm 95 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yx5ywz8t)
1  O come, let us sing unto the Lord *
 let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
2  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
 and shew ourselves glad in him with psalms.
3  For the Lord is a great God *
 and a great King above all gods.
4  In his hand are all the corners of the earth *
 and the strength of the hills is his also.
5  The sea is his, and he made it *
 and his hands prepared the dry land.
6  O come, let us worship and fall down *
 and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7  For he is the Lord our God *
 and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
8  To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts *
 as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness;
9  When your fathers tempted me *
 proved me, and saw my works.
10  Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said *
 It is a people that do err in their hearts,
for they have not known my ways;
11  Unto whom I sware in my wrath *
 that they should not enter into my rest.
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 96 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/u9ylore)
1  O sing unto the Lord a new song *
 sing unto the Lord, all the whole earth.
2  Sing unto the Lord, and praise his Name *
 be telling of his salvation from day to day.
3  Declare his honour unto the heathen *
 and his wonders unto all people.
4  For the Lord is great, and cannot worthily be praised *
 he is more to be feared than all gods.
5  As for all the gods of the heathen, they are but idols *
 but it is the Lord that made the heavens.
6  Glory and worship are before him *
 power and honour are in his sanctuary.
7  Ascribe unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people *
 ascribe unto the Lord worship and power.
8  Ascribe unto the Lord the honour due unto his Name *
 bring presents, and come into his courts.
9  O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness *
 let the whole earth stand in awe of him.
10  Tell it out among the heathen that the Lord is King *
 and that it is he who hath made the round world
so fast that it cannot be moved;
and how that he shall judge the people righteously.
11  Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad *
 let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is.
12  Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it *
 then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord.
13  For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth *
 and with righteousness to judge the world,
and the people with his truth.
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 97 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/qm79zby)
1  The Lord is King, the earth may be glad thereof *
 yea, the multitude of the isles may be glad thereof.
2  Clouds and darkness are round about him *
 righteousness and judgement are the habitation of his seat.
3  There shall go a fire before him *
 and burn up his enemies on every side.
4  His lightnings gave shine unto the world *
 the earth saw it, and was afraid.
5  The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord *
 at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6  The heavens have declared his righteousness *
 and all the people have seen his glory.
7  Confounded be all they that worship carved images,
and that delight in vain gods *
 worship him, all ye gods.
8  Sion heard of it, and rejoiced *
 and the daughters of Judah were glad, because of thy judgements, O Lord.
9  For thou, Lord, art higher than all that are in the earth *
 thou art exalted far above all gods.
10  O ye that love the Lord, see that ye hate the thing which is evil *
 the Lord preserveth the souls of his saints;
he shall deliver them from the hand of the ungodly.
11  There is sprung up a light for the righteous *
 and joyful gladness for such as are true-hearted.
12  Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous *
 and give thanks for a remembrance of his holiness.
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 95 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-95.mp3)
1 Come, let us sing to the LORD; *
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
3 For the LORD is a great God, *
and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *
and the heights of the hills are his also.
5 The sea is his, for he made it, *
and his hands have molded the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *
and kneel before the LORD our Maker.
7 For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *
Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
8 Harden not your hearts,
as your forebears did in the wilderness, *
at Meribah, and on that day at Massah,
when they tempted me.
9 They put me to the test, *
though they had seen my works.
10 Forty years long I detested that generation and said, *
“This people are wayward in their hearts;
they do not know my ways.”
11 So I swore in my wrath, *
“They shall not enter into my rest.”

Psalm 96 (LSB Tone K: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-96-LSB.mp3)
1 Oh sing to the LORD a new song;*
 sing to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name;*
 tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,*
 his marvelous works among all the peoples!
4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;*
 he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,*
 but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;*
 strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,*
 ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;*
 bring an offering, and come into his courts!
9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;*
 tremble before him, all the earth!
10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;*
 he will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;*
 let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the LORD, for he comes,*
 for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,*
 and the peoples in his faithfulness.
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.

Psalm 97 (LSB Tone H: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-97-LSB.mp3)
1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;*
 let the many coast lands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;*
 righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him*
 and burns up his adversaries all around.
4 His lightnings light up the world;*
 the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,*
 before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,*
 and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;*
 worship him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and is glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoice,*
 because of your judgments, O LORD.
9 For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth;*
 you are exalted far above all gods.
10 O you who love the LORD, hate evil!*
 He preserves the lives of his saints;
 he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous,*
 and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous,*
 and give thanks to his holy name!
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.

PRAYER

O God,
you clothe the sky with light, and ocean depths with darkness.
You work your mighty wonders among us.
Claim us for your purposes,
that we may be among those who see your glory and give you praise,
for you live and reign, now and forever.  Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Haggai 2:20-33

And the Lord’s word came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth of the month, saying:

Reading: Hebrews 6:9-20

But we are convinced of better things in your case, brothers and sisters, even though we are talking this way—things that go together with salvation. God isn’t unjust so that he forgets your efforts and the love you have shown for his name’s sake when you served and continue to serve God’s holy people. But we desperately want each of you to show the same effort to make your hope sure until the end. This is so you won’t be lazy but follow the example of the ones who inherit the promises through faith and patience.

When God gave Abraham his promise, he swore by himself since he couldn’t swear by anyone greater. He said, I will certainly bless you and multiply your descendants. So Abraham obtained the promise by showing patience. People pledge by something greater than themselves. A solemn pledge guarantees what they say and shuts down any argument. When God wanted to further demonstrate to the heirs of the promise that his purpose doesn’t change, he guaranteed it with a solemn pledge. So these are two things that don’t change, because it’s impossible for God to lie. He did this so that we, who have taken refuge in him, can be encouraged to grasp the hope that is lying in front of us. This hope, which is a safe and secure anchor for our whole being, enters the sanctuary behind the curtain. That’s where Jesus went in advance and entered for us, since he became a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

HYMN: George W Briggs ©
Tune: Ebenezer https://tinyurl.com/yckj5b68

1 God has spoken by the prophets,
spoken his unchanging Word,
each from age to age proclaiming
God, the one, the righteous Lord.
In the world’s despair and turmoil
one firm anchor holds us fast:
God is King, his throne eternal,
God the first and God the last.

2 God has spoken by Christ Jesus,
Christ, the everlasting Son,
brightness of the Father’s glory,
with the Father ever one;
spoken by the Word incarnate,
God from God, before time was;
Light from Light, to earth descending,
he reveals our God to us.

3 God is speaking by his Spirit,
speaking to our hearts again,
in the ageless Word declaring
his own message, now as then.
Thro’ the rise and fall of nations
one sure faith is standing fast:
God abides, his Word unchanging,
God the first and God the last.

Reading: John 4:43-54

After two days Jesus left for Galilee. (Jesus himself had testified that prophets have no honor in their own country.) When he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him because they had seen all the things he had done in Jerusalem during the festival, for they also had been at the festival.

He returned to Cana in Galilee where he had turned the water into wine. In Capernaum there was a certain royal official whose son was sick. When he heard that Jesus was coming from Judea to Galilee, he went out to meet him and asked Jesus if he would come and heal his son, for his son was about to die. Jesus said to him, “Unless you see miraculous signs and wonders, you won’t believe.” The royal official said to him, “Lord, come before my son dies.” Jesus replied, “Go home. Your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and set out for his home.

While he was on his way, his servants were already coming to meet him. They said, “Your son lives!” So he asked them at what time his son had started to get better. And they said, “The fever left him yesterday at about one o’clock in the afternoon.” Then the father realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son lives.” And he and his entire household believed in Jesus. This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did while going from Judea to Galilee.

CANTICLE Ephesians 1:3-10
(John Michael Talbot https://tinyurl.com/ya8y3kqs)

Ant. God chose us in his Son to be his beloved children.
Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, *
who bestowed on us in Christ every spiritual blessing in the heavens.

God chose us in him before the world began, *
to be holy and blameless in his sight.
He predestined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ, *
such was his will and pleasure,
that all might praise the glorious favor
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.

In him and through his blood, we have been redeemed, *
and our sins forgiven, so immeasurably generous is God’s favor to us.
God has given us the wisdom to understand fully the mystery, *
the plan he was pleased to decree in Christ.

A plan to be carried out in Christ, in the fullness of time, *
to bring all things into one in him, in the heavens and on the earth
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

THE PRAYERS ^BCW

Give us your peace, O God, that we may rejoice in your goodness to us and to all
your children, and be thankful for your love revealed in Jesus Christ. Especially
we thank you for
people who reveal your truth and righteousness . . .
courage to be bold disciples . . .
those who show hospitality . . .
surprises that have blessed us . . .
the unity of the church of Jesus Christ. . . .

Give us your peace, O God, that we may be confident of your care for us and all
your children, as we remember the needs of others. Especially we pray for
friends and relatives who are far away . . .
neighbors in special need . . .
those who suffer hunger and thirst . . .
those who work at night while others sleep . . .
Episcopal and Methodist churches. . . .

(Plainsong: https://tinyurl.com/ahnrtv59)^ELW

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.

The greatness of your deeds, Lord God,
declares your love for all people
and shows forth the glory of your name.
Teach us to welcome both our neighbor
and the stranger in our midst,
that all may know the healing touch of your Son,
who announces the good news of salvation
in word and deed. 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.

^ELW The Lord’s Prayer is from Setting Five in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.

^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 95 is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is sung by Ryland Angel. Psalms 96 and 97 are from Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, and are from the Next to the Word of God YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkVRYL-MRebncw584Ql2xfg.

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.