Oremus for Sunday, March 5, 2023

Antiphon

Ant. I shall meditate upon your commandments which I greatly love;
I will extend my hands towards your commandments which I love.
V. I have said, “O Lord, my portion *
is to obey your words.”
With all my heart I implore your favor; *
as with your promise, have mercy. Psalm 119

Merciful God,
you pardon all who truly repent and turn to you.
We humbly confess our sins and ask your mercy.
We have not loved you with a pure heart,
nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves.
We have not done justice, loved kindness,
or walked humbly with you, our God.
Have mercy on us, O God, in your loving-kindness.
In your great compassion,
cleanse us from our sin.
Create in us a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within us.
Do not cast us from your presence,
or take your Holy Spirit from us.
Restore to us the joy of your salvation
and sustain us with your bountiful Spirit. Amen. ^BCW

Music: https://tinyurl.com/ufxekitx

God, come to my assistance.
Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory 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.

HYMN: Chinese; trans. Francis P. Jones
Tune: Coronae https://tinyurl.com/3tyy2nr6

1 Father, long before creation
you had chosen us in love,
and that love so deep, so moving,
draws us close to Christ above.
Still it keeps us
firmly fixed in Christ alone.

2 Though the world may change its fashion,
you will still remain the same;
your compassion and your cov’nant
through all ages will remain.
Your own children
shall forever praise your name.

3 Your compassion is our story,
is our boasting all the day;
mercy free and never failing
moves our will, directs our way.
God so loved us
that he gave his only Son.

4 Loving Father, now before you
we shall ever sing your grace,
and our song will sound forever
when we see you face to face,
giving glory
to the Lamb upon the throne.

PSALMS

Psalm 24 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y9wmst8w)
1  The earth is the Lord’s, and all that therein is *
 the compass of the world, and they that dwell therein.
2  For he hath founded it upon the seas *
 and prepared it upon the floods.
3  Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord *
 or who shall rise up in his holy place?
4  Even he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart *
 and that hath not lift up his mind unto vanity,
nor sworn to deceive his neighbour.
5  He shall receive the blessing from the Lord *
 and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6  This is the generation of them that seek him *
 even of them that seek thy face, O Jacob.
7  Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors *
 and the King of glory shall come in.
8  Who is the King of glory *
 it is the Lord strong and mighty, even the Lord mighty in battle.
9  Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors *
 and the King of glory shall come in.
10  Who is the King of glory *
 even the Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.
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 25 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y6uy8tmx)
1  Unto thee, O Lord, will I lift up my soul;
my God, I have put my trust in thee *
 O let me not be confounded, neither let mine enemies triumph over me.
2  For all they that hope in thee shall not be ashamed *
 but such as transgress without a cause shall be put to confusion.
3  Shew me thy ways, O Lord *
 and teach me thy paths.
4  Lead me forth in thy truth, and learn me *
 for thou art the God of my salvation;
in thee hath been my hope all the day long.
5  Call to remembrance, O Lord, thy tender mercies *
 and thy loving-kindnesses, which have been ever of old.
6  O remember not the sins and offences of my youth *
 but according to thy mercy think thou upon me, O Lord, for thy goodness.
7  Gracious and righteous is the Lord *
 therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
8  Them that are meek shall he guide in judgement *
 and such as are gentle, them shall he learn his way.
9  All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth *
 unto such as keep his covenant, and his testimonies.
10  For thy Name’s sake, O Lord *
 be merciful unto my sin, for it is great.
11  What man is he, that feareth the Lord *
 him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
12  His soul shall dwell at ease *
 and his seed shall inherit the land.
13  The secret of the Lord is among them that fear him *
 and he will shew them his covenant.
14  Mine eyes are ever looking unto the Lord *
 for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
15  Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me *
 for I am desolate, and in misery.
16  The sorrows of my heart are enlarged *
 O bring thou me out of my troubles.
17  Look upon my adversity and misery *
 and forgive me all my sin.
18  Consider mine enemies, how many they are *
 and they bear a tyrannous hate against me.
19  O keep my soul, and deliver me *
 let me not be confounded, for I have put my trust in thee.
20  Let perfectness and righteous dealing wait upon me *
 for my hope hath been in thee.
21  Deliver Israel, O God *
 out of all his troubles.
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 26 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y9r5o6yo)
1  Be thou my Judge, O Lord, for I have walked innocently *
 my trust hath been also in the Lord, therefore shall I not fall.
2  Examine me, O Lord, and prove me *
 try out my reins and my heart.
3  For thy loving-kindness is ever before mine eyes *
 and I will walk in thy truth.
4  I have not dwelt with vain persons *
 neither will I have fellowship with the deceitful.
5  I have hated the congregation of the wicked *
 and will not sit among the ungodly.
6  I will wash my hands in innocency, O Lord *
 and so will I go to thine altar;
7  That I may shew the voice of thanksgiving *
 and tell of all thy wondrous works.
8  Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house *
 and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
9  O shut not up my soul with the sinners *
 nor my life with the blood-thirsty;
10  In whose hands is wickedness *
 and their right hand is full of gifts,
11  But as for me, I will walk innocently *
 O deliver me, and be merciful unto me.
12  My foot standeth right *
 I will praise the Lord in the congregations.
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 24 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-24-MH.mp3)
1 The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness,
the world and all its peoples.
2 It is he who set it on the seas;
on the waters he made it firm.
3 Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who shall stand in his holy place?
4 The man with clean hands and pure heart,
who desires not worthless things,
(who have not sworn so as to deceive their neighbor.)
5 He shall receive blessings from the Lord
and reward from the God who saves him .
6 Such are the men who seek him,
seek the face of the God of Jacob.
7 O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory!
8 Who is the king of glory?
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, the Lord, the valiant in war.
9 O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory!
10 Who is he, the king of glory?
He, the Lord of armies, he is the king of glory.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.

Psalm 25 (LSB Tone I: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-25-LSB.mp3)
1 To you, O LORD,*
 I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame;*
 let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;*
 they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD;*
 teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my sal- vation;*
 for you I wait all the day long.
6 Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love,*
 for they have been from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;*
 according to your steadfast love remember me,
 for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!
8 Good and upright is the LORD;*
 therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,*
 and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,*
 for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For your name’s sake, O LORD,*
 pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 Who is the man who fears the LORD?*
 Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall abide in well-being,*
 and his offspring shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,*
 and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD,*
 for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,*
 for I am lonely and afflicted.
17The troubles of my heart are enlarged;*
 bring me out of my distresses.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,*
 and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider how many are my foes,*
 and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!*
 Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,*
 for I wait for you.
22Redeem Israel, O God,*
 out of all his troubles.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son*
 and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the be ginning,*
 is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Psalm 26 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-26-MH.mp3)
1 Give judgment for me, O Lord:
for I walk the path of perfection.
I trust in the Lord; I have not wavered.
2 Examine me, Lord, and try me;
O test my heart and my mind,
3 for your love is before my eyes
and I walk according to your truth.
4 I never take my place with liars
and with hypocrites I shall not go.
5 I hate the evil-doer’s company:
I will not take my place with the wicked.
6 To prove my innocence I wash my hands
and take my place around your altar,
7 singing a song of thanksgiving,
proclaiming all your wonders.
8 O Lord, I love the house where you dwell,
the place where your glory abides.
9 Do not sweep me away with sinners,
nor my life with bloodthirsty men
10 in whose hands are evil plots,
whose right hands are filled with gold.
11 As for me, I walk the path of perfection.
Redeem me and show me your mercy.
12 My foot stands on level ground:
I will bless the Lord in the assembly.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus,
you came to us in our bondage,
and led us to freedom by the cross and resurrection.
May our lives praise you,
and our lips proclaim your mighty power to all people
that they may find their hope in you,
and live to your honor and glory,
now and forever. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Genesis 12:1-4

The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your land, your family, and your father’s household for the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation and will bless you. I will make your name respected, and you will be a blessing.

Abram left just as the Lord told him, and Lot went with him. Now Abram was 75 years old when he left Haran.

HYMN: Psalm 121; para. Dewey Westra and Calvin Seerveld ©
Tune: Genevan 121 https://tinyurl.com/5vbps8nw

1 I lift my eyes up to the hills
where shall my help arise?
Our LORD alone provides.
God, who created heaven and earth,
will keep your foot from stumbling,
for God will never slumber.

2 The LORD God watches over you
your shade at your right hand;
you shall securely stand.
The moon by night, the sun by day
shall not afflict or smite you,
but with their radiance light you.

3 The LORD will keep you from all harm
he watches over you,
protects your whole life through.
The LORD our God takes care of you,
your coming and your going,
forever grace bestowing.

Reading: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

So what are we going to say? Are we going to find that Abraham is our ancestor on the basis of genealogy? Because if Abraham was made righteous because of his actions, he would have had a reason to brag, but not in front of God. What does the scripture say? Abraham had faith in God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Workers’ salaries aren’t credited to them on the basis of an employer’s grace but rather on the basis of what they deserve. But faith is credited as righteousness to those who don’t work, because they have faith in God who makes the ungodly righteous.

HYMN: Paulus Speratus; trans. J. T. Mueller
Tune: Es ist das Heil https://tinyurl.com/5ch3pt2b

1 Salvation unto us has come
by God’s free grace and favor;
good works cannot avert our doom,
they help and save us never.
Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone,
who did for all the world atone;
he is our one Redeemer.

2 Since Christ has full atonement made
and brought to us salvation,
each Christian therefore may be glad
and build on this foundation.
Your grace alone, dear Lord, I plead
your death is now my life indeed,
for you have paid my ransom.

3 Let me not doubt, but truly see
your Word cannot be broken;
your call rings out, “Come unto me!”
No falsehood have you spoken.
Baptized into your precious name,
my faith cannot be put to shame,
and I shall never perish.

4 Faith clings to Jesus’ cross alone
and rests in him unceasing;
and by its fruits true faith is known,
with love and hope increasing.
For faith alone can justify;
works serve our neighbor and supply
the proof that faith is living.

5 All blessing, honor, thanks, and praise
to Father, Son, and Spirit,
the God who saved us by his grace;
all glory to his merit!
O triune God in heav’n above,
you have revealed your saving love,
your blessèd name be hallowed!

Reading: John 3:1-17

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a Jewish leader. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could do these miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered, “I assure you, unless someone is born anew, it’s not possible to see God’s kingdom.”

Nicodemus asked, “How is it possible for an adult to be born? It’s impossible to enter the mother’s womb for a second time and be born, isn’t it?” Jesus answered, “I assure you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. Don’t be surprised that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’ God’s Spirit blows wherever it wishes. You hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. It’s the same with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus said, “How are these things possible?” “Jesus answered, “You are a teacher of Israel and you don’t know these things? I assure you that we speak about what we know and testify about what we have seen, but you don’t receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Human One. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so must the Human One be lifted up so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life. God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”

CANTICLE Revelation 11:17-18; 12:10b-12a
(Chant by John Michael Talbot: https://tinyurl.com/ycrn2d4f)

Ant. The Father has given Christ all power, honor, and kingship,
All people will obey him.
We praise you, the Lord God Almighty,
who is and who was.
You have assumed your great power,
you have begun your reign.
the nations have raged in anger,
but then came your day of wrath
and the moment to judge the dead:
the time to reward your servants the prophets
and the holy ones who revere you,
the great and the small alike.
Now have salvation and power come,
the reign of our god and the authority
of his anointed one,
for the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who night and day accused them before God.
They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
So rejoice, you heavens,
and you that dwell therein!
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 ^{Joe Milner}

For the Church: that God will lead us to a deeper awareness of the New Life within us and help us to be renewed by their Lenten observance

For the grace to listen: that we may hear the voice of Christ in prayer, events, and relationships so that we may respond more fully to God’s invitation

For freedom from fear: that God will cleanse our hearts and help us to live in the freedom of the Children of God

For courage: that we, like Abraham, may go forth from all that is familiar to new places into which God leads us so that we may be a blessing to others

For all who are facing a crisis, loss, or low points in their lives: that they may experience the transforming grace of God and grow in their trust of God to bring forth a new beginning and an abundant life

For openness of heart: that we may discover God’s unbounded love that desires to forgive and free us

For all who are trying to discern their calling in life: that they may make space in the busyness of life to let God’s Word move their hearts

For all the descendants of Abraham: that Jews, Muslims, and Christians will honor all that we share in common and work together to overcome the evil that ensnares human hearts

For all who share in the sufferings of Christ: that the Spirit of God will fill with courage those who are persecuted for their faith and make fruitful their witness to the Gospel

For all who have experienced violence: that God will heal their pain, comfort those who are grieving, and help them experience God’s presence each day

For a deeper appreciation of God’s gift of creation: that the Glory of God may shine through all that God has created and draw us into a greater stewardship of the earth

For all parishes in transition: that the Spirit will guide the planning process as parishes are merged or closed and open hearts to work together in sharing the Good News of Jesus

For disruption of the drug trade: that God will expose the harm caused by illicit drugs, guide teachers and youth ministers in helping youth address challenges, and guide officials in developing policies to combat the drug trade

For the gift of peace: that God will turn hearts from violence, bring an end to the war in Ukraine, and open new opportunities for dialogue

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.

God of amazing compassion,
lover of our wayward race,
you bring to birth a pilgrim people,
and call us to be a blessing for ourselves and all the world.
We pray for grace to take your generous gift
and step with courage on this holy path,
confident in the radiant life that is your plan for us,
made known and given in Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.

^EH Exciting Holiness, Ed. Brother Tristram SSF © European Province of the Society of Saint Francis, 1997

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

^RCLP Revised Common Lectionary Prayers. © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.

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

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

The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). Psalms 24 and 26 are from The Grail Psalter and are from the Manual Hopper YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/manualhopper/featured. The modern version of Psalms 25 is from Lutheran Service Book and 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.