Oremus for Friday, January 27, 2023

John Chrysostom
Born in Antioch in 347, John earned his nick-name, “the golden-mouthed” (Chrysostom), for his brilliant preaching. He was much attracted to the ascetic tradition, which became popular in the fourth century, and preached vigorously on the need for a disciplined Christian lifestyle. He was made patriarch of Constantinople in 398 against his will. His crusading moral zeal gained him enemies in church and state, who succeeded in having him exiled to Arme-nia, where he died in 407. ^FATS

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/5fs95sez

O come, let us worship and bow down before Christ.
O Son of God, who art risen from the dead,
save us who sing to thee, Alleluia.

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: Christopher Idle ©
Tune: Ein feste Burg https://tinyurl.com/2p8ax65z

1 Christ’s church shall glory in his pow’r
And grow to his perfection;
He is our rock, our mighty tow’r
Our life, our resurrection:
So by his skillful hand
The church of Christ shall stand;
The master-builder’s plan
He works, as he began,
And soon will crown with splendor.

2 Christ’s people serve his wayward world
To whom he seems a stranger;
He knows its welcome from of old,
He shares our joy, our danger:
So strong, and yet so weak,
The church of Christ shall speak;
His cross our greatest need,
His word the vital seed
That brings a fruitful harvest.

3 Christ’s living lamp shall brightly burn,
And to our earthly city
Forgotten beauty shall return,
And purity and pity:
To give the oppressed their right
The church of Christ shall fight;
And though the years seem long
He is our strength and song,
And he is our salvation.

4 Christ’s body triumphs in his name;
One Father sov’reign giver.
One Spirit, with his love aflame,
One Lord, the same for ever.
To you, O God, our prize
The church of Christ shall rise
Beyond all measured height,
To that eternal light
Where Christ shall reign all-holy.

PSALMS

Psalm 120 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wmagrmt)
1  When I was in trouble I called upon the Lord *
 and he heard me.
2  Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips *
 and from a deceitful tongue.
3  What reward shall be given or done unto thee, thou false tongue *
 even mighty and sharp arrows, with hot burning coals.
4  Woe is me, that I am constrained to dwell with Mesech *
 and to have my habitation among the tents of Kedar.
5  My soul hath long dwelt among them *
 that are enemies unto peace.
6  I labour for peace, but when I speak unto them thereof *
 they make them ready to battle.
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 121 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wlpcmlp)
1  I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills *
 from whence cometh my help.
2  My help cometh even from the Lord *
 who hath made heaven and earth.
3  He will not suffer thy foot to be moved *
 and he that keepeth thee will not sleep.
4  Behold, he that keepeth Israel *
 shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5  The Lord himself is thy keeper *
 the Lord is thy defence upon thy right hand;
6  So that the sun shall not burn thee by day *
 neither the moon by night.
7  The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil *
 yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul.
8  The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in *
 from this time forth for evermore.
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 122 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/uwbt7e3)
1  I was glad when they said unto me *
 We will go into the house of the Lord.
2  Our feet shall stand in thy gates *
 O Jerusalem.
3  Jerusalem is built as a city *
 that is at unity in itself.
4  For thither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord *
 to testify unto Israel, to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord.
5  For there is the seat of judgement *
 even the seat of the house of David.
6  O pray for the peace of Jerusalem *
 they shall prosper that love thee.
7  Peace be within thy walls *
 and plenteousness within thy palaces.
8  For my brethren and companions’ sakes *
 I will wish thee prosperity.
9  Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God *
 I will seek to do thee good.
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 123 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/vqr5s45)
1  Unto thee lift I up mine eyes *
 O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
2  Behold, even as the eyes of servants look
unto the hand of their masters,
and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress *
 even so our eyes wait upon the Lord Our God,
until he have mercy upon us.
3  Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us *
 for we are utterly despised.
4  Our soul is filled with the scornful reproof of the wealthy *
 and with the despitefulness of the proud.
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 124 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/w9ocmm5)
1  If the Lord himself had not been on our side, now may Israel say *
 if the Lord himself had not been on our side,
when men rose up against us;
2  They had swallowed us up quick *
 when they were so wrathfully displeased at us.
3  Yea, the waters had drowned us *
 and the stream had gone over our soul.
4  The deep waters of the proud *
 had gone even over our soul.
5  But praised be the Lord *
 who hath not given us over for a prey unto their teeth.
6  Our soul is escaped even as a bird out of the snare of the fowler *
 the snare is broken, and we are delivered.
7  Our help standeth in the Name of the Lord *
 who hath made heaven and earth.
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 125 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/s7phzdz)
1  They that put their trust in the Lord shall be even as the mount Sion *
 which may not be removed, but standeth fast for ever.
2  The hills stand about Jerusalem *
 even so standeth the Lord round about his people,
from this time forth for evermore.
3  For the rod of the ungodly cometh not into the lot of the righteous *
 lest the righteous put their hand unto wickedness.
4  Do well, O Lord *
 unto those that are good and true of heart.
5  As for such as turn back unto their own wickedness *
 the Lord shall lead them forth with the evil-doers;
but peace shall be upon Israel.
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 120 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-120.mp3)
1 When I was in trouble, I called to the LORD; *
I called to the LORD, and he answered me.
2 Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips *
and from the deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be done to you, and what more besides, *
O you deceitful tongue?
4 The sharpened arrows of a warrior, *
along with hot glowing coals.
5 How hateful it is that I must lodge in Meshech *
and dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I had to live *
among the enemies of peace.
7 I am on the side of peace, *
but when I speak of it, they are for war

Psalm 121 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-121.mp3)
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; *
from where is my help to come?
2 My help comes from the LORD, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved *
and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.
4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep;
5 The LORD himself watches over you; *
the LORD is your shade at your right hand,
6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; *
it is he who shall keep you safe.
8 The LORD shall watch over your going out and
 your coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore.

Psalm 122 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-122.mp3)
1 I was glad when they said to me, *
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
2 Now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built as a city *
that is at unity with itself;
4 To which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD, *
the assembly of Israel,
to praise the Name of the LORD.
5 For there are the thrones of judgment, *
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *
“May they prosper who love you.
7 Peace be within your walls *
and quietness within your towers.
8 For my brethren and companions’ sake, *
I pray for your prosperity.
9 Because of the house of the LORD our God, *
I will seek to do you good.”

Psalm 123 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-123.mp3)
1 To you I lift up my eyes, *
to you enthroned in the heavens.
2 As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, *
and the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
3 So our eyes look to the LORD our God, *
until he show us his mercy.
4 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy, *
for we have had more than enough of contempt,
5 Too much of the scorn of the indolent rich, *
and of the derision of the proud.

Psalm 124 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-124.mp3)
1 If the LORD had not been on our side, *
let Israel now say;
2 If the LORD had not been on our side, *
when enemies rose up against us;
3 Then would they have swallowed us up alive *
in their fierce anger toward us;
4 Then would the waters have overwhelmed us *
and the torrent gone over us;
5 Then would the raging waters *
have gone right over us.
6 Blessed be the LORD! *
he has not given us over to be a prey for their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; *
the snare is broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the Name of the LORD, *
the maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 125 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-125.mp3)
1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, *
which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever.
2 The hills stand about Jerusalem; *
so does the LORD stand round about his people,
from this time forth for evermore.
3 The scepter of the wicked shall not hold sway over the
 land allotted to the just, *
so that the just shall not put their hands to evil.
4 Show your goodness, O LORD, to those who are good *
and to those who are true of heart.
5 As for those who turn aside to crooked ways,
the LORD will lead them away with the evildoers; *
but peace be upon Israel.

PRAYER

God, our helper,
you are strength greater than the mountains;
you look to our needs and watch over us day and night.
Teach us to hold confidently to your grace
that in times of fear and danger
we may know you are near and depend on you,
our sure deliverer. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Nehemiah 4:1-9

When Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he became angry and raged. He mocked the Jews, saying in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria: “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore things themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the piles of rubble, even though they are burned?” Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, added: “If even a fox climbs on whatever they build, their wall of stones will crumble.”

We continued to build the wall. All of it was joined together, and it reached half of its intended height because the people were eager to work. But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people of Ashdod heard that the work on the walls was progressing and the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to create a disturbance in it. So we prayed to our God and set a guard as protection against them day and night.

HYMN: Unknown (last published 1895)
Tune: Aberdeen https://tinyurl.com/5n8ezxxp

1 Scorn not the slightest word or deed,
Nor deem it void of power;
There’s fruit in each wind-wafted seed,
That waits its natal hour.

2 A whispered word may touch the heart,
And call it back to life;
A look of love bid sin depart,
And still unholy strife.

3 No act falls fruitless; none can tell
How vast its power may be,
Nor what results infolded dwell
Within it silently.

4 Work on, despair not, bring thy mite,
Nor care how small it be;
God is with all that serve the right,
The holy, true, and free.

Reading: Hebrews 10:1-10

The Law is a shadow of the good things that are coming, not the real things themselves. It never can perfect the ones who are trying to draw near to God through the same sacrifices that are offered continually every year. Otherwise, wouldn’t they have stopped being offered? If the people carrying out their religious duties had been completely cleansed once, no one would have been aware of sin anymore. Instead, these sacrifices are a reminder of sin every year, because it’s impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Therefore, when he comes into the world he says,

He says above, You didn’t want and you weren’t pleased with a sacrifice or an offering or with entirely burned offerings or a purification offering, which are offered because the Law requires them. Then he said, Look, I’ve come to do your will. He puts an end to the first to establish the second. We have been made holy by God’s will through the offering of Jesus Christ’s body once for all.

HYMN: Philip Doddridge
Tune: Richmond https://tinyurl.com/2745yydp

1 Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes,
the Saviour promised long:
let every heart prepare a throne,
and every voice a song.

2 He comes, the prisoners to release
in Satan’s bondage held;
the gates of brass before him burst,
the iron fetters yield.

3 He comes, the broken heart to bind,
the bleeding soul to cure,
and with the treasures of his grace
to enrich the humble poor.

4 Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
thy welcome shall proclaim;
and heaven’s eternal arches ring
with thy belovèd name.

Reading: John 6:16-21

When evening came, Jesus’ disciples went down to the lake. They got into a boat and were crossing the lake to Capernaum. It was already getting dark and Jesus hadn’t come to them yet. The water was getting rough because a strong wind was blowing. When the wind had driven them out for about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the water. He was approaching the boat and they were afraid. He said to them, “I Am. Don’t be afraid.” Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and just then the boat reached the land where they had been heading.

CANTICLE Revelation 15:3-4
(Setting: Peter La Grand https://tinyurl.com/wvxnqrj)

You alone are holy
You alone are holy
Great and marvelous are your deeds
For you alone are holy

Who will not fear you O Lord?
And bring glory to your name
Just and true are you ways
King of the ages
…
All nations will come and worship you
For you alone are holy
…
All your righteous ways have been seen
For you alone are holy 

THE PRAYERS ^PWC

Send forth your strength, O God;
establish what you have wrought in us.
Uphold all those who fall
and raise up those who are bowed down.
Open the eyes of the blind
and set the prisoners free.
Sustain the orphan and widowed
and give food to those who hunger.
Grant them the joy of your help again
and sustain them with your Spirit.
Giver of peace, judge the peoples
and take all nations for your own.

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.

Gracious God,
you gave to your servant John Chrysostom
eloquence of speech and courage to bear reproach for you;
give us clarity in our proclamation of the gospel
and steadfastness in time of trial;
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. ^FATS

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.

² Eric Wyse, Lord’s Prayer, ©; audio from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_a40ME7aVk

^FATS For All the Saints, © The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, 2014

^PWC PRAY WITHOUT CEASING: Morning and Evening Prayer for the Seasons of the Church Year Prepared by The Rev’d Dr Richard Geoffrey Leggett on behalf of The Liturgy Task Force of the Anglican Church of Canada, May 2016.

The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.

The traditional-language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern versions of the psalms are 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.