Oremus for Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Within your will, O Lord, all things are established,
and there is none that can resist your will.
For you have made all things, the heaven and the earth,
and all that is held within the circle of heaven;
you are the Lord of all. Esther 4

Gracious God,
our sins are too heavy to carry,
too real to hide,
and too deep to undo.
Forgive what our lips tremble to name,
what our hearts can no longer bear,
and what has become for us
a consuming fire of judgment.
Set us free from a past that we cannot change;
open to us a future in which we can be changed;
and grant us grace
to grow more and more in your likeness and image;
through Jesus Christ, the light of the world. 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: Marty Haugen ©
Tune: St Andrew https://tinyurl.com/4s6235cy

1 Christ, you lead and we shall follow,
Stumbling though our steps may be,
One with you in joy and sorrow,
We the river, you the sea,
We the river, you the sea.

2 From the dawning of creation,
You have loved us as your own;
Stay with us through all temptation,
Make us turn to you alone,
Make us turn to you alone.

3 In our call to be a blessing,
May we be a blessing true;
May we live and die confessing
Christ as Lord of all we do,
Christ as Lord of all we do.

4 Living Water of salvation,
Be the fountain of each soul;
Springing up in new creation,
Flow in us and make us whole,
Flow in us and make us whole.

5 Give us eyes to see you clearly,
Make us children of your light;
Give us hearts to live more nearly
As your gospel shining bright,
As your gospel shining bright.

PSALMS

Psalm 38 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y8u2a6mz)
1  Put me not to rebuke, O Lord, in thine anger *
neither chasten me in thy heavy displeasure.
2  For thine arrows stick fast in me *
and thy hand presseth me sore.
3  There is no health in my flesh, because of thy displeasure *
neither is there any rest in my bones, by reason of my sin.
4  For my wickednesses are gone over my head *
and are like a sore burden, too heavy for me to bear.
5  My wounds stink, and are corrupt *
through my foolishness.
6  I am brought into so great trouble and misery *
that I go mourning all the day long.
7  For my loins are filled with a sore disease *
and there is no whole part in my body.
8  I am feeble, and sore smitten *
I have roared for the very disquietness of my heart.
9  Lord, thou knowest all my desire *
and my groaning is not hid from thee.
10  My heart panteth, my strength hath failed me *
and the sight of mine eyes is gone from me.
11  My lovers and my neighbours did stand looking upon my trouble *
and my kinsmen stood afar off.
12  They also that sought after my life laid snares for me *
and they that went about to do me evil talked of wickedness,
and imagined deceit all the day long.
13  As for me, I was like a deaf man, and heard not *
and as one that is dumb, who doth not open his mouth.
14  I became even as a man that heareth not *
and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
15  For in thee, O Lord, have I put my trust *
thou shalt answer for me, O Lord my God.
16  I have required that they, even mine enemies,
should not triumph over me *
for when my foot slipped, they rejoiced greatly against me.
17  And I, truly, am set in the plague *
and my heaviness is ever in my sight.
18  For I will confess my wickedness *
and be sorry for my sin.
19  But mine enemies live, and are mighty *
and they that hate me wrongfully are many in number.
20  They also that reward evil for good are against me *
because I follow the thing that good is.
21  Forsake me not, O Lord my God *
be not thou far from me.
22  Haste thee to help me *
O Lord God of my salvation.
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 39 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y9dmgm3b)
1  I said, I will take heed to my ways *
that I offend not in my tongue.
2  I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle *
while the ungodly is in my sight.
3  I held my tongue, and spake nothing *
I kept silence, yea, even from good words;
but it was pain and grief to me.
4  My heart was hot within me,
and while I was thus musing the fire kindled *
and at the last I spake with my tongue;
5  Lord, let me know mine end, and the number of my days *
that I may be certified how long I have to live.
6  Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span long *
and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee;
and verily every man living is altogether vanity.
7  For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain *
he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.
8  And now, Lord, what is my hope *
truly my hope is even in thee.
9  Deliver me from all mine offences *
and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish.
10  I became dumb, and opened not my mouth *
for it was thy doing.
11  Take thy plague away from me *
I am even consumed by the means of thy heavy hand.
12  When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin,
thou makest his beauty to consume away,
like as it were a moth fretting a garment *
every man therefore is but vanity.
13  Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears consider my calling *
hold not thy peace at my tears.
14  For I am a stranger with thee *
and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
15  O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength *
before I go hence, and be no more seen.
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 40 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ybregq8q)
1  I waited patiently for the Lord *
and he inclined unto me, and heard my calling.
2  He brought me also out of the horrible pit, out of the mire and clay *
and set my feet upon the rock, and ordered my goings.
3  And he hath put a new song in my mouth *
even a thanksgiving unto our God.
4  Many shall see it, and fear *
and shall put their trust in the Lord.
5  Blessed is the man that hath set his hope in the Lord *
and turned not unto the proud, and to such as go about with lies.
6  O Lord my God, great are the wondrous works which thou hast done,
like as be also thy thoughts which are to us-ward *
and yet there is no man that ordereth them unto thee.
7  If I should declare them, and speak of them *
they should be more than I am able to express.
8  Sacrifice, and meat-offering, thou wouldest not *
but mine ears hast thou opened.
9  Burnt-offerings, and sacrifice for sin, hast thou not required *
then said I, Lo, I come,
10  In the volume of the book it is written of me, that I should fulfil thy will, O my God *
I am content to do it; yea, thy law is within my heart.
11  I have declared thy righteousness in the great congregation *
lo, I will not refrain my lips, O Lord, and that thou knowest.
12  I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart *
my talk hath been of thy truth, and of thy salvation.
13  I have not kept back thy loving mercy and truth *
from the great congregation.
14  Withdraw not thou thy mercy from me, O Lord *
let thy loving-kindness and thy truth alway preserve me.
15  For innumerable troubles are come about me;
my sins have taken such hold upon me that I am not able to look up *
yea, they are more in number than the hairs of my head,
and my heart hath failed me.
16  O Lord, let it be thy pleasure to deliver me *
make haste, O Lord, to help me.
17  Let them be ashamed, and confounded together,
that seek after my soul to destroy it *
let them be driven backward, and put to rebuke, that wish me evil.
18  Let them be desolate, and rewarded with shame *
that say unto me, Fie upon thee, fie upon thee.
19  Let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad in thee *
and let such as love thy salvation say alway, The Lord be praised.
20  As for me, I am poor and needy *
but the Lord careth for me.
21  Thou art my helper and redeemer *
make no long tarrying, O my God.
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 38 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-38-MH.mp3)
2 O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger;
do not punish me, Lord, in your rage.
3 Your arrows have sunk deep in me;
your hand has come down upon me.
4 Through your anger all my body is sick:
through my sin, there is no health in my limbs.
5 My guilt towers higher than my head;
it is a weight too heavy to bear.
6 My wounds are foul and festering,
the result of my own folly.
7 I am bowed and brought to my knees.
I go mourning all the day long.
8 All my frame burns with fever;
all my body is sick.
9 Spent and utterly crushed,
I cry aloud in anguish of heart.
10 O Lord, you know all my longing:
my groans are not hidden from you.
11 My heart throbs, my strength is spent;
the very light has gone from my eyes.
12 My friends avoid me like a leper;
those closest to me stand afar off.
13 Those who plot against my life lay snares;
those who seek my ruin speak of harm,
planning treachery all the day long.
14 But I am like the deaf who cannot hear,
like the dumb unable to speak.
15 I am like a man who hears nothing
in whose mouth is no defense.
16 I count on you, O Lord:
it is you, Lord God, who will answer.
17 I pray: “Do not let them mock me,
those who triumph if my foot should slip.”
18 For I am on the point of falling
and my pain is always before me.
19 I confess that I am guilty
and my sin fills me with dismay.
20 My wanton enemies are numberless
and my lying foes are many.
21 They repay me evil for good
and attack me for seeking what is right.
22 O Lord, do not forsake me!
My God, do not stay afar off!
23 Make haste and come to my help,
O Lord, my God, my savior!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Spiritt;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.

Psalm 39 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-39-MH.mp3)
2 I said: “I will be watchful of my ways
for fear I should sin with my tongue.
I will put a curb on my lips
when the wicked man stands before me.”
3 I was dumb, silent and still.
His prosperity stirred my grief.
4 My heart was burning within me.
At the thought of it, the fire blazed up
and my tongue burst into speech:
5 “O Lord, you have shown me my end,
how short is the length of my days.
Now I know how fleeting is my life.
6 You have given me a short span of days;
my life is as nothing in your sight.
A mere breath, the man who stood so firm,
7 a mere shadow, the man passing by;
a mere breath the riches he hoards,
not knowing who will have them.”
8 And now, Lord, what is there to wait for?
In you rests all my hope.
9 Set me free from all my sins,
do not make me the taunt of the fool.
10 I was silent, not opening my lips,
because this was all your doing.
11 Take away your scourge from me.
I am crushed by the blows of your hand.
12 You punish man’s sins and correct him;
like the moth you devour all he treasures.
Mortal man is no more than a breath;
13 O Lord, hear my prayer.
O Lord, turn your ear to my cry.
Do not be deaf to my tears.
In your house I am a passing guest,
a pilgrim, like all my fathers.
14 Look away that I may breathe again
before I depart to be no more.
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 40 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-40.mp3)
1 I waited patiently upon the LORD; *
he stooped to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; *
he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God; *
many shall see, and stand in awe,
and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Happy are they who trust in the LORD! *
they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods.
5 Great things are they that you have done, O LORD my God!
how great your wonders and your plans for us! *
there is none who can be compared with you.
6 Oh, that I could make them known and tell them! *
but they are more than I can count.
7 In sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure *
(you have given me ears to hear you);
8 Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required, *
and so I said, “Behold, I come.
9 In the roll of the book it is written concerning me: *
‘I love to do your will, O my God;
your law is deep in my heart.’”
10 I proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation; *
behold, I did not restrain my lips;
and that, O LORD, you know.
11 Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance; *
I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from the
great congregation.
12 You are the LORD;
do not withhold your compassion from me; *
let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever,
13 For innumerable troubles have crowded upon me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see; *
they are more in number than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails me.
14 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; *
O LORD, make haste to help me.
15 Let them be ashamed and altogether dismayed
who seek after my life to destroy it; *
let them draw back and be disgraced
who take pleasure in my misfortune.
16 Let those who say “Aha!” and gloat over me be confounded, *
because they are ashamed.
17 Let all who seek you rejoice in you and be glad; *
let those who love your salvation continually say,
Great is the LORD!”
18 Though I am poor and afflicted, *
the Lord will have regard for me.
19 You are my helper and my deliverer; *
do not tarry, O my God.

PRAYER

Strength of the weak,
defender of the needy,
rescuer of the poor,
deliver us from the power of wickedness,
that we may rejoice in your justice now and forever;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Job 9:1-15,32-35

Job responded:

I know for certain that this is so;
    and how can anyone be innocent before God?
If one wants to contend with him,
    he won’t answer one in a thousand.
He is wise and powerful;
    who can resist him and prosper?
Who removes mountains, and they are unaware;
    who overthrows them in anger?
Who shakes the earth from its place,
    and its pillars shudder?
Who commands the sun, and it does not rise,
    even seals up the stars;
    stretched out the heavens alone
    and trod on the waves of the Sea;
    made the Bear and Orion, Pleiades
    and the southern constellations;
    does great and unsearchable things,
    wonders beyond number?

If God goes by me, I can’t see him;
    he glides past, and I can’t perceive him.
If he seizes, who can bring back?
    Who can say to him, “What are you doing?”
God won’t retract his anger;
    the helpers of Rahab bow beneath him.
Yet I myself will answer him;
    I’ll choose my words in a contest with him.
Even if I’m innocent, I can’t answer;
    I must plead for justice.

God is not a man like me—someone I could answer—
    so that we could come together in court.
Oh, that there were a mediator between us;
    he would lay his hand on both of us,
    remove his rod from me,
        so his fury wouldn’t frighten me.
Then I would speak—unafraid—
    for I’m not that way.

HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: St Nicholas https://tinyurl.com/3mewmnpp

1 How should the sons of Adam’s race
be pure before their God?
If he contends in righteousness,
we sink beneath his rod.

2 If he should mark my words and thoughts
with strict enquiring eyes,
could I for one of thousand faults
the least excuse devise?

3 Strong in his arm, his heart is wise;
who dares with him contend?
Or who, that tries th’ unequal strife,
shall prosper in the end?

4 He makes the mountains feel his wrath,
and their old seats forsake;
the trembling earth deserts her place,
and all her pillars shake.

5 He bids the sun forbear to rise;
th’ obedient sun forbears:
his hand with sackcloth spreads the skies,
and seals up all the stars.

6 He walks upon the raging sea;
flies on the stormy wind:
none can explore his wondrous way,
or his dark footsteps find.

Reading: 1 Corinthians 5:9-6:8

I wrote to you in my earlier letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. But I wasn’t talking about the sexually immoral people in the outside world by any means—or the greedy, or the swindlers, or people who worship false gods—otherwise, you would have to leave the world entirely! But now I’m writing to you not to associate with anyone who calls themselves “brother” or “sister” who is sexually immoral, greedy, someone who worships false gods, an abusive person, a drunk, or a swindler. Don’t even eat with anyone like this. What do I care about judging outsiders? Isn’t it your job to judge insiders? God will judge outsiders. Expel the evil one from among you!

When someone in your assembly has a legal case against another member, do they dare to take it to court to be judged by people who aren’t just, instead of by God’s people? Or don’t you know that God’s people will judge the world? If the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to judge trivial cases? Don’t you know that we will judge angels? Why not ordinary things? So then if you have ordinary lawsuits, do you appoint people as judges who aren’t respected by the church? I’m saying this because you should be ashamed of yourselves! Isn’t there one person among you who is wise enough to pass judgment between believers? But instead, does a brother or sister have a lawsuit against another brother or sister, and do they do this in front of unbelievers? The fact that you have lawsuits against each other means that you’ve already lost your case. Why not be wronged instead? Why not be cheated? But instead you are doing wrong and cheating—and you’re doing it to your own brothers and sisters.

HYMN: Dietrich Bonhoeffer; trans. Walter Farqhuarson
Tune: Sursum corda https://tinyurl.com/ccmpuzpc

1 All go to God when they are sorely placed:
they plead to him for help, for peace, for bread,
for mercy, for them sinning, sick or dead.
We all do so in faith or unbelief.

2 We go to God when we are sorely placed,
find him poor, scorned, unsheltered, without bread,
whelmed under weight of evil, weak or dead.
We stand by God then, in his hour of grief.

3 God comes to us when we are sorely placed,
body and spirit feeds he with his bread.
For everyone, he as a man hangs dead:
forgiven life he gives men through his death.

Reading: John 9:24-41

Therefore, they called a second time for the man who had been born blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know this man is a sinner.” The man answered, “I don’t know whether he’s a sinner. Here’s what I do know: I was blind and now I see.” They questioned him: “What did he do to you? How did he heal your eyes?” He replied, “I already told you, and you didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”

They insulted him: “You are his disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses, but we don’t know where this man is from.” The man answered, “This is incredible! You don’t know where he is from, yet he healed my eyes! We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners. God listens to anyone who is devout and does God’s will. No one has ever heard of a healing of the eyes of someone born blind. If this man wasn’t from God, he couldn’t do this.” They responded, “You were born completely in sin! How is it that you dare to teach us?” Then they expelled him.

Jesus heard they had expelled the man born blind. Finding him, Jesus said, “Do you believe in the Human One?” He answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.” Jesus said, “You have seen him. In fact, he is the one speaking with you.” The man said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshipped Jesus. Jesus said, “I have come into the world to exercise judgment so that those who don’t see can see and those who see will become blind.”

Some Pharisees who were with him heard what he said and asked, “Surely we aren’t blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you wouldn’t have any sin, but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.

CANTICLE Isaiah 12:2-6
(Uptown Worship Band: https://tinyurl.com/y8q877og)

Refrain:
Surely, it is God who saves;
I will and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my sure defense,
and he will be my Savior.

Therefore you shall draw water
and rejoice from the salvation spring.
On that day you shall say,
give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name. Refrain

Make his deeds known among the people;
they remember his Name on high.
Sing praise to the Lord, for he has done great things,
and this is known in all the world. Refrain

Cry aloud, O Zion, ring out your joy,
for the great one in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

LITANY OF CONFESSION ^CW:TS

We pray to the Lord for courage to give up other things
and to give ourselves to him this Lent.

Give your Church the courage
to give up her preoccupation with herself
and to give more time to your mission in the world.