Oremus for Friday, January 20, 2023

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/n8f3hdcf

All that you have done to us, O Lord,
you have done with true judgment,
for we have sinned against you
and not obeyed your commandments.
But give glory to your name
and deal with us according to the bounty of your mercy. Daniel 3

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: Ye Banks and Braes https://tinyurl.com/yc4wfp7j

1 We cannot measure how You heal
or answer every sufferer’s prayer,
yet we believe your grace responds
where faith and doubt unite to care.
Your hands, though bloodied on the cross,
survive to hold and heal and warn,
to carry all through death to life
and cradle children yet unborn.

2 The pain that will not go away,
the guilt that clings from things long past,
the fear of what the future holds,
are present as if meant to last.
But present too is love which tends
the hurt we never hoped to find,
the private agonies inside,
the memories that haunt the mind.

3 So some have come who need Your help
and some have come to make amends,
as hands which shaped and saved the world
are present in the touch of friends.
Lord, let Your Spirit meet us here
to mend the body, mind and soul,
to disentangle peace from pain
and make Your broken people whole.

PSALMS

Psalm 102 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/tru8yxv)
1  Hear my prayer, O Lord *
 and let my crying come unto thee.
2  Hide not thy face from me in the time of my trouble *
 incline thine ear unto me when I call; O hear me, and that right soon.
3  For my days are consumed away like smoke *
 and my bones are burnt up as it were a fire-brand.
4  My heart is smitten down, and withered like grass *
 so that I forget to eat my bread.
5  For the voice of my groaning *
 my bones will scarce cleave to my flesh.
6  I am become like a pelican in the wilderness *
 and like an owl that is in the desert.
7  I have watched, and am even as it were a sparrow *
 that sitteth alone upon the house-top.
8  Mine enemies revile me all the day long *
 and they that are mad upon me are sworn together against me.
9  For I have eaten ashes as it were bread *
 and mingled my drink with weeping;
10  And that because of thine indignation and wrath *
 for thou hast taken me up, and cast me down.
11  My days are gone like a shadow *
 and I am withered like grass.
12  But, thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever *
 and thy remembrance throughout all generations.
13  Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Sion *
 for it is time that thou have mercy upon her, yea, the time is come.
14  And why? thy servants think upon her stones *
 and it pitieth them to see her in the dust.
15  The heathen shall fear thy Name, O Lord *
 and all the kings of the earth thy Majesty;
16  When the Lord shall build up Sion *
 and when his glory shall appear;
17  When he turneth him unto the prayer of the poor destitute *
 and despiseth not their desire.
18  This shall be written for those that come after *
 and the people which shall be born shall praise the Lord.
19  For he hath looked down from his sanctuary *
 out of the heaven did the Lord behold the earth;
20  That he might hear the mournings of such as are in captivity *
 and deliver the children appointed unto death;
21  That they may declare the Name of the Lord in Sion *
 and his worship at Jerusalem;
22  When the people are gathered together *
 and the kingdoms also, to serve the Lord.
23  He brought down my strength in my journey *
 and shortened my days.
24  But I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of mine age *
 as for thy years, they endure throughout all generations.
25  Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth *
 and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
26  They shall perish, but thou shalt endure *
 they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
27  And as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed *
 but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
28  The children of thy servants shall continue *
 and their seed shall stand fast in thy sight.
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 103 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wclpdz5)
1  Praise the Lord, O my soul *
 and all that is within me praise his holy Name.
2  Praise the Lord, O my soul *
 and forget not all his benefits;
3  Who forgiveth all thy sin *
 and healeth all thine infirmities;
4  Who saveth thy life from destruction *
 and crowneth thee with mercy and loving-kindness;
5  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things *
 making thee young and lusty as an eagle.
6  The Lord executeth righteousness and judgement *
 for all them that are oppressed with wrong.
7  He shewed his ways unto Moses *
 his works unto the children of Israel.
8  The Lord is full of compassion and mercy *
 long-suffering, and of great goodness.
9  He will not alway be chiding *
 neither keepeth he his anger for ever.
10  He hath not dealt with us after our sins *
 nor rewarded us according to our wickednesses.
11  For look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth *
 so great is his mercy also toward them that fear him.
12  Look how wide also the east is from the west *
 so far hath he set our sins from us.
13  Yea, like as a father pitieth his own children *
 even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him.
14  For he knoweth whereof we are made *
 he remembereth that we are but dust.
15  The days of man are but as grass *
 for he flourisheth as a flower of the field.
16  For as soon as the wind goeth over it, it is gone *
 and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17  But the merciful goodness of the Lord
endureth for ever and ever upon them that fear him *
 and his righteousness upon children’s children;
18  Even upon such as keep his covenant *
 and think upon his commandments to do them.
19  The Lord hath prepared his seat in heaven *
 and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20  O praise the Lord, ye angels of his, ye that excel in strength *
 ye that fulfil his commandment, and hearken unto the voice of his words.
21  O praise the Lord, all ye his hosts *
 ye servants of his that do his pleasure.
22  O speak good of the Lord, all ye works of his,
in all places of his dominion *
 praise thou the Lord, O my soul.
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 102 (LSB Tone I: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-102-LSB.mp3)
1 Hear my prayer, O LORD;*
 let my cry come to you!
2 Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress!*
 Incline your ear to me;
 answer me speedily in the day when I call!
3 For my days pass away like smoke,*
 and my bones burn like a furnace.
4 My heart is struck down like grass and has withered;*
 I forget to eat my bread.
5 Because of my loud groaning*
 my bones cling to my flesh.
6 I am like a desert owl of the wilderness,*
 like an owl of the waste places;
7 I lie awake;*
 I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.
8 All the day my enemies taunt me;*
 those who deride me use my name for a curse.
9 For I eat ashes like bread*
 and mingle tears with my drink,
10 because of your indignation and anger;*
 for you have taken me up and thrown me down.
11 My days are like an evening shadow;*
 I wither away like grass.
12 But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever;*
 you are remembered throughout all generations.
13 You will arise and have pity on Zion;*
 it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come.
14 For your servants hold her stones dear*
 and have pity on her dust.
15 Nations will fear the name of the LORD,*
 and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.
16 For the LORD builds up Zion;*
 he appears in his glory;
17 he regards the prayer of the destitute*
 and does not despise their prayer.
18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come,*
 so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD:
19 that he looked down from his holy height;*
 from heaven the LORD looked at the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners,*
 to set free those who were doomed to die,
21 that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD,*
 and in Jerusalem his praise,
22 when peoples gather together,*
 and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.
23 He has broken my strength in midcourse;*
 he has shortened my days.
24 “O my God,” I say, “take me not away in the midst of my days—*
 you whose years endure throughout all generations!”
25 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth,*
 and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you will remain;*
 they will all wear out like a garment.
You will change them like a robe,
and they will pass away,*
27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.
28 The children of your servants shall dwell secure;*
 their offspring shall be established before you.
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 103 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-103.mp3)
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, *
and all that is within me, bless his holy Name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, *
and forget not all his benefits.
3 He forgives all your sins *
and heals all your infirmities;
4 He redeems your life from the grave *
and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness;
5 He satisfies you with good things, *
and your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.
6 The LORD executes righteousness *
and judgment for all who are oppressed.
7 He made his ways known to Moses *
and his works to the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is full of compassion and mercy, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.
9 He will not always accuse us, *
nor will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, *
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, *
so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, *
so far has he removed our sins from us.
13 As a father cares for his children, *
so does the LORD care for those who fear him.
14 For he himself knows whereof we are made; *
he remembers that we are but dust.
15 Our days are like the grass; *
we flourish like a flower of the field;
16 When the wind goes over it, it is gone, *
and its place shall know it no more.
17 But the merciful goodness of the LORD endures for ever
 on those who fear him, *
and his righteousness on children’s children;
18 On those who keep his covenant *
and remember his commandments and do them.
19 The LORD has set his throne in heaven, *
and his kingship has dominion over all.
20 Bless the LORD, you angels of his,
you mighty ones who do his bidding, *
and hearken to the voice of his word.
21 Bless the LORD, all you his hosts, *
you ministers of his who do his will.
22 Bless the LORD, all you works of his,
in all places of his dominion; *
bless the LORD, O my soul.

PRAYER

God of might and mercy,
you bring us to new life each day,
and nurture us in your tender love.
Keep us far from all sinfulness,
that our lives may be a blessing to you;
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Zechariah 8:1-17

I care passionately about Zion; I burn with passion for her. The Lord proclaims: I have returned to Zion; I will settle in Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be called the city of truth; the mountain of the Lord of heavenly forces will be the holy mountain.

Old men and old women will again dwell in the plazas of Jerusalem. Each of them will have a staff in their hand because of their great age. The city will be full of boys and girls playing in its plazas.

Even though it may seem to be a miracle for the few remaining among this people in these days, should it seem to be a miracle for me? says the Lord of heavenly forces.

I’m about to deliver my people from the land of the east and the land of the west. I’ll bring them back so they will dwell in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be their God—in truth and in righteousness.

The Lord of heavenly forces proclaims: 

Be strong, you who are now hearing these words from the mouths of the prophets spoken on the day when the foundations for the house of the Lord of heavenly forces were laid. Before this time, there were no wages for people or animals; there was no relief from distress about going out or coming in, because I set everyone against their own neighbor. But now, unlike those earlier days, I’ll be with the few remaining among this people, says the Lord of heavenly forces.

Just as I planned evil against you when your ancestors angered me, says the Lord of heavenly forces, and did not relent, so now I have changed course and again plan to do good to Jerusalem and the house of Judah. Don’t be afraid.

These are the things you should do: Speak the truth to each other; make truthful, just, and peaceable decisions within your gates. Don’t plan evil for each other. Don’t adore swearing falsely, for all of these are things that I hate, says the Lord.

HYMN: Timothy Dudley-Smith ©
Tune: Liverpool https://tinyurl.com/3v7m4ud2

1 We bring you, Lord, our prayer and praise
that every child of earth
should live and grow in freedom’s ways,
in dignity and worth.

2 We praise for such a task begun
to serve each other’s need,
for every cause of justice won,
for every fetter freed.

3 Our prayers are for a world in pain
where force and fear prevail,
the plough becomes the sword again,
and hope and harvests fail.

4 Alike our prayer and praise express
the wants of humankind,
that those in bondage and distress
their larger freedoms find.

5 So may we still maintain the fight
till earth’s oppressions cease
before the universal right
to liberty and peace.

6 In Christ we learn to love and care
and spread his truth abroad;
and in his Name we lift our prayer:
‘Your kingdom come, O Lord.’

Reading: Hebrews 7:1-10

This Melchizedek, who was king of Salem and priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he returned from the defeat of the kings, and Melchizedek blessed him. Abraham gave a tenth of everything to him. His name means first “king of righteousness,” and then “king of Salem,” that is, “king of peace.” He is without father or mother or any family. He has no beginning or end of life, but he’s like God’s Son and remains a priest for all time.

See how great Melchizedek was! Abraham, the father of the people, gave him a tenth of everything he captured. The descendants of Levi who receive the office of priest have a commandment under the Law to collect a tenth of everything from the people who are their brothers and sisters, though they also are descended from Abraham. But Melchizedek, who isn’t related to them, received a tenth of everything from Abraham and blessed the one who had received the promises. Without question, the less important person is blessed by the more important person. In addition, in one case a tenth is received by people who die, and in the other case, the tenth is received by someone who continues to live, according to the record. It could be said that Levi, who received a tenth, paid a tenth through Abraham because he was still in his ancestor’s body when Abraham paid the tenth to Melchizedek.

HYMN: Fanny Crosby
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/yd9p4f4s

1 I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

2 Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine. [Refrain]

3 Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend! [Refrain]

4 There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee. [Refrain]

Reading: John 5:1-9

After this there was a Jewish festival, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate in the north city wall is a pool with the Aramaic name Bethsaida. It had five covered porches, and a crowd of people who were sick, blind, lame, and paralyzed sat there. A certain man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, knowing that he had already been there a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

The sick man answered him, “Sir, I don’t have anyone who can put me in the water when it is stirred up. When I’m trying to get to it, someone else has gotten in ahead of me.”

Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” Immediately the man was well, and he picked up his mat and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath.

CANTICLE Deuteronomy 32:1-12
(Luke Brawner https://tinyurl.com/ybe98e62)

Give ear, O Heaven, and I will speak
Let the earth hear the words of my mouth
May my song fall soft like gentle rains
Upon the tender grass

Refrain:
(I will) proclaim the name of the Lord
(I will) ascribe greatness to our God
(I will) proclaim the name of the Lord
(I will) ascribe greatness to our God, greatness to our God

His work is perfect, his ways are just
without iniquity.
The Rock, a God of faithfulness
upright and just is he. Refrain
Rejoice with him, O heavens
Bow down to him, all gods
for he alone is worthy of your praise.
Rejoice with him, O heavens
Bow down to him, all gods
for he alone is worthy of your praise
for he alone is worthy of your praise.

Proclaim the name of the Lord.
O ascribe greatness to our God.
Proclaim the name of the Lord.
Ascribe greatness to our God, greatness to our God.

THE PRAYERS ^BCW

We give you our praise and thanks, O God, for all gifts of love we have received
from you, and for your persistent mercy in Jesus Christ.
Especially we thank you for
work we have accomplished pleasing to you . . .
the faithful witness of Christian people . . .
the example of righteousness we see in parents and teachers . . .
the innocence and openness we see in children . . .
all works of Christian compassion. . . .

We give you our cares and concerns, O God, because we know you are kind and
care for your children in every circumstance. Especially we pray for
those who struggle with doubt and despair . . .
people afflicted with disease . . .
those called to special ministries . . .
people neglected or abused . . .
Baptist, Disciples of Christ, and other free churches. . . .

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.

Birthing God,
whose Spirit’s wings
stir the waters of creation:
hear our stories
of paralysis and exclusion;
accept our desire
for welcome and acceptance;
and lead us to find
our dignity in your gift;
through Jesus Christ, the healer. Amen.
prayers for an inclusive church. 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.

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

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 102 is from Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, and is from the Next to the Word of God YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkVRYL-MRebncw584Ql2xfg. Psalm 103 is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and are sung by Ryland Angel.

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.