Oremus for Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Thomas Ken
Thomas Ken was born at Berkhampstead in 1637 and educated at New College Oxford. He was ordained priest in 1662 and worked first in a poor parish in the diocese of Winchester and then at Winchester College for ten years. He served as chaplain to King Charles II for two years and was then consecrated Bishop of Bath and Wells. After the king’s death and the accession of the Roman Catholic James II, the new king proposed to rescind the Restoration penal laws, but Thomas and six of his fellow bishops refused to comply with this and were imprisoned on this day in 1688. But such was the integrity of Thomas that, when the king abandoned his throne and fled and the king’s Protestant daughter Mary was offered the throne, together with her husband William of Orange, Thomas felt unable in good conscience to foreswear his still-living, anointed monarch. He was deprived of his See, along with many other non-jurors, as they became known, and for a time there was schism in the Anglican fold. But Thomas spent his final twenty years in quiet retirement, anxious not to make trouble, and renounced his rights to his bishopric. He wrote many hymns, still much used, and died on 19 March 1711. ^EH

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/4yxn6jvw

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will not walk in the darkness,
but will have the light of life. John 8

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: Thomas Ken
Tune: Morning Hymn https://tinyurl.com/yannnx3m

1 Awake, my soul, and with the sun
thy daily stage of duty run;
shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise
to pay thy morning sacrifice.

2 Redeem thy mis-spent time that’s past,
and live this day as if thy last;
improve thy talent with due care;
for the great day thyself prepare.

3 Let all thy converse be sincere,
thy conscience as the noon-day clear;
think how all-seeing God thy ways
and all thy secret thoughts surveys.

4 Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart,
and with the angels bear thy part,
who all night long unwearied sing,
high praise to the eternal King.

5 Glory to thee, who safe hast kept
and hast refreshed me whilst I slept;
grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake,
I may of endless light partake.

6 Lord, I my vows to thee renew;
disperse my sins as morning dew;
guard my first springs of thought and will,
and with thyself my spirit fill.

7 Direct, control, suggest, this day,
all I design or do or say;
that all my powers, with all their might,
in thy sole glory may unite.

8 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
praise him, all creatures here below,
praise him above, angelic host,
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

PSALMS

Psalm 107 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/sp6nct3)
1  O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious *
and his mercy endureth for ever.
2  Let them give thanks whom the Lord hath redeemed *
and delivered from the hand of the enemy;
3  And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west *
from the north, and from the south.
4  They went astray in the wilderness out of the way *
and found no city to dwell in;
5  Hungry and thirsty *
their soul fainted in them.
6  So they cried unto the Lord in their trouble *
and he delivered them from their distress.
7  He led them forth by the right way *
that they might go to the city where they dwelt.
8  O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness *
and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!
9  For he satisfieth the empty soul *
and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
10  Such as sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death *
being fast bound in misery and iron;
11  Because they rebelled against the words of the Lord *
and lightly regarded the counsel of the most Highest;
12  He also brought down their heart through heaviness *
they fell down, and there was none to help them.
13  So when they cried unto the Lord in their trouble *
he delivered them out of their distress.
14  For he brought them out of darkness,
and out of the shadow of death *
and brake their bonds in sunder.
15  O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness *
and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men !
16  For he hath broken the gates of brass *
and smitten the bars of iron in sunder.
17  Foolish men are plagued for their offence *
and because of their wickedness.
18  Their soul abhorred all manner of meat *
and they were even hard at death’s door.
19  So when they cried unto the Lord in their trouble *
he delivered them out of their distress.
20  He sent his word, and healed them *
and they were saved from their destruction.
21  O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness *
and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!
22  That they would offer unto him the sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and tell out his works with gladness!
23  They that go down to the sea in ships *
and occupy their business in great waters;
24  These men see the works of the Lord *
and his wonders in the deep.
25  For at his word the stormy wind ariseth *
which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26  They are carried up to the heaven, and down again to the deep *
their soul melteth away because of the trouble.
27  They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man *
and are at their wit’s end.
28  So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble *
he delivereth them out of their distress.
29  For he maketh the storm to cease *
so that the waves thereof are still.
30  Then are they glad, because they are at rest *
and so he bringeth them unto the haven where they would be.
31  O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness *
and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!
32  That they would exalt him also in the congregation of the people *
and praise him in the seat of the elders!
33  Who turneth the floods into a wilderness *
and drieth up the water-springs.
34  A fruitful land maketh he barren *
for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
35  Again, he maketh the wilderness a standing water *
and water-springs of a dry ground.
36  And there he setteth the hungry *
that they may build them a city to dwell in;
37  That they may sow their land, and plant vineyards *
to yield them fruits of increase.
38  He blesseth them, so that they multiply exceedingly *
and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
39  And again, when they are minished, and brought low *
through oppression, through any plague, or trouble;
40  Though he suffer them to be evil intreated through tyrants *
and let them wander out of the way in the wilderness;
41  Yet helpeth he the poor out of misery *
and maketh him households like a flock of sheep.
42  The righteous will consider this, and rejoice *
and the mouth of all wickedness shall be stopped.
43  Whoso is wise will ponder these things *
and they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord.
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 107 (Kohlhase: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-107-KH.mp3)
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
his love is everlasting.
O let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
redeemed from the hand of their foe
Gathered from lands of east and west,
and from the north and south.
They roamed through the wild and desert lands;
without a place called home.

There they were hungry and full of thirst;
their soul then fainted within.
They cried to the LORD in their distress,
who saved them from their trials.
He also led them by straight paths,
to find a place called home.
Give thanks to the LORD for his great love,
unto the sons of men!

For he satisfies the thirsty soul,
the hungry soul with good.
Some dwelt in the dark, and shades of death,
those bound in anguish and chains,
For they had rebelled against God’s words,
and spurned the Most High’s voice.
He humbled their heart with weariness;
they stumbled with none to help.

They cried to the LORD in their distress,
who saved them from their trials.
Led out of the dark and the shades of death,
and broke their bands apart.
Give thanks to the LORD for his great love,
unto the sons of men!
For he’s broken down the gates of bronze,
and cut the bars of iron.

The fools, set on their rebellious ways,
were humbled for their sins.
Their soul abhorring all kinds of food,
approached the gates of death.
They cried to the LORD in their distress,
who saved them from their trials.
He sent out his word to heal them,
and saved them from their ruin.

Give thanks to the LORD for his great love,
unto the sons of men!
As sacrifice bring thanksgiving,
and tell his works in song.
Of those in ships gone to the sea,
whose work is on great waters;
they’ve seen the works done by the LORD,
his wonders in the deep.

He spoke then to raise a stormy wind,
to lift the waves of the sea.
They rose up to heav’n, sank to the depths;
their soul in sadness sank.
They reeled and they rocked like drunken men,
and were at their wits’ end.
They cried to the LORD in their distress,
who saved them from their trials.

He caused the storm to become still,
the ocean’s waves were hushed.
Then they were glad when it was calm;
led to a pleasant harbor.
Give thanks to the LORD for his great love,
unto the sons of men!
Exalt in the congregation,
praise him in his home of old.

He makes of the streams a wilderness,
the springs a thirsty ground;
makes fruit-bearing land a waste of salt,
when evil dwells therein.
The desert he turns into a lake,
dry land to springs of water;
and there he will make the hungry dwell,
to build a place called home.

Give thanks to the LORD,
for he is good, his love is everlasting.
O let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
redeemed from the hand of their foe
Gathered from lands of east and west,
and from the north and south.
They roamed through the wild and desert lands;
without a place called home.

To sow their fields and vineyards plant,
to bring a fruitful yield.
He blesses them so they increase,
their herds will never fail.
When they’re diminished and bowed down,
when hurt, oppressed or grieved,
he pours contempt on the princes,
who roam a pathless waste.

But he sets the poor secure on high,
away from all their pains,
his tribes shall become just like a flock;
the just shall see and be glad;
But unrighteousness will shut its mouth.
Now where is the one who’s wise?
Now let him give heed and understand
the kindness of the LORD.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
his love is everlasting.
O let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
who found a place called home
O let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
who found a place called home

PRAYER

Blessed are those who put their trust in you, O God,
our sure rock and refuge.
Guard us from giving to any other
the allegiance which belongs only to you.
Shine upon us with the brightness of your light,
that we may love you with a pure heart
and praise you forever;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Job 30:1-2,16-31

Job continued:
But now those younger than I mock me,
whose fathers I refused to put beside my sheepdogs.
Their strength, what’s it to me,
their energy having perished?

Now my life is poured out on me;
    days of misery have seized me.
At night he bores my bones;
    my gnawing pain won’t rest.
With great force he grasps my clothing;
    it binds me like the neck of my shirt.
He hurls me into mud;
    I’m a cliché, like dust and ashes.
I cry to you, and you don’t answer;
    I stand up, but you just look at me.
You are cruel to me,
    attack me with the strength of your hand.
You lift me to the wind and make me ride;
    you melt me in its roar.
I know you will return me to death,
    the house appointed for all the living.

Surely he won’t strike someone in ruins
        if in distress he cries out to him,
    if I didn’t weep for those who have a difficult day
        or my soul grieve for the needy;
    for I awaited good, but evil came;
        I expected light, but gloom arrived.
My insides, churning, are never quiet;
    days of affliction confront me.
I walk in the dark, lacking sunshine;
    I rise in the assembly and cry out.
I have become a brother to jackals,
    a companion to young ostriches.
My skin is charred;
    my bones are scorched by the heat.
My lyre is for mourning,
    my flute, a weeping sound.

HYMN: Thomas Ken
Tune: Tallis’ Canon1 Glory to thee, who safe hast kept
And hast refreshed me whilst I slept;
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake
I may of endless light partake.

2 Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart,
And with the angels bear thy part,
Who all night long unwearied sing
High praise to the eternal King.

3 Lord, I my vows to thee renew;
Scatter my sins as morning dew;
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with thyself my spirit fill.

4 Direct, control, suggest, this day
All I design, or do, or say;
That all my powers, with all their might,
In thy sole glory may unite.

5 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise him all creatures here below,
Praise him above, y heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

HYMN: Cecil Frances Alexander
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/2f5tdjnt

1 When wounded sore, the stricken soul
Lies bleeding and unbound,
One only hand, a pierced hand,
Can salve the sinner’s wound.

2 When sorrow swells the laden breast,
And tears of anguish flow,
One only heart, a broken heart,
Can feel the sinner’s woe.

3 When penitence has wept in vain
Because of some dark spot,
One only stream, a stream of blood,
Can wash away the blot.

4 ’T is Jesus’ blood that washes white,
This hand that brings relief;
This heart that’s touched with all our joys,
And feeleth for our grief,
And feeleth for our grief.

5 Lift up thy bleeding hand, O Lord,
Unseal that cleansing tide;
We have no shelter from our sin
But in thy wounded side.

Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Brothers and sisters, I don’t want you to be ignorant about spiritual gifts. You know that when you were Gentiles you were often misled by false gods that can’t even speak. So I want to make it clear to you that no one says, “Jesus is cursed!” when speaking by God’s Spirit, and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; and there are different ministries and the same Lord; and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good. A word of wisdom is given by the Spirit to one person, a word of knowledge to another according to the same Spirit, faith to still another by the same Spirit, gifts of healing to another in the one Spirit, performance of miracles to another, prophecy to another, the ability to tell spirits apart to another, different kinds of tongues to another, and the interpretation of the tongues to another. All these things are produced by the one and same Spirit who gives what he wants to each person.

HYMN: Charles Wesley
Tune: St Stephen https://tinyurl.com/yrce5jrt

1 All praise to our redeeming Lord,
who joins us by his grace,
and bids us, each to each restored,
together seek his face.

2 He bids us build each other up;
and, gathered into one,
to our high calling’s glorious hope
we hand in hand go on.

3 The gift which he on one bestows,
we all delight to prove,
the grace through every vessel flows
in purest streams of love.

4 E’en now we think and speak the same,
and cordially agree,
concentered all, through Jesus’ name,
in perfect harmony.

5 We all partake the joy of one;
the common peace we feel,
a peace to sensual minds unknown,
a joy unspeakable.

6 And if our fellowship below
in Jesus be so sweet,
what height of rapture shall we know
when round his throne we meet!

Reading: John 13:1-15

Before the Festival of Passover, Jesus knew that his time had come to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them fully.

Jesus and his disciples were sharing the evening meal. The devil had already provoked Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew the Father had given everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was returning to God. So he got up from the table and took off his robes. Picking up a linen towel, he tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he was wearing. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand what I’m doing now, but you will understand later.” “No!” Peter said. “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t have a place with me.” Simon Peter said, “Lord, not only my feet but also my hands and my head!”

Jesus responded, “Those who have bathed need only to have their feet washed, because they are completely clean. You disciples are clean, but not every one of you.” He knew who would betray him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you is clean.”

After he washed the disciples’ feet, he put on his robes and returned to his place at the table. He said to them, “Do you know what I’ve done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you speak correctly, because I am. If I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you too must wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do.

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.