Oremus for Sunday, April 2, 2023

Antiphon¹

Ant. Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
V. Give praise to the Lord, for he is good; *
his mercy endures forever. Matthew 21; Psalm 118

Merciful God,
as we enter Holy Week and gather at your house of prayer,
turn our hearts again to Jerusalem,
to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ,
that united with Christ and all the faithful
we may one day enter in triumph
the city not made by human hands,
the new Jerusalem, eternal in the heavens,
where with you and the Holy Spirit,
Christ lives in glory forever. 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: James Montgomery
Tune: Crüger https://tinyurl.com/4vb57t3h

1 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed,
great David’s greater Son!
hail, in the time appointed,
his reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
to set the captive free,
to take away transgression,
and rule in equity.

2 He comes with succour speedy
to those who suffer wrong;
to help the poor and needy,
and bid the weak be strong;
to give them songs for sighing,
their darkness turn to light,
whose souls, condemned and dying,
were precious in his sight.

3 He shall come down like showers
upon the fruitful earth,
and love, joy, hope, like flowers,
spring in his path to birth:
before him on the mountains
shall peace, the herald, go;
and righteousness in fountains
from hill to valley flow.

4 Kings shall bow down before him,
and gold and incense bring;
all nations shall adore him,
his praise all people sing:
to him shall prayer unceasing
and daily vows ascend;
his kingdom still increasing,
a kingdom without end.

5 O’er every foe victorious,
he on his throne shall rest;
from age to age more glorious,
all-blessing and all-blest:
the tide of time shall never
his covenant remove;
his name shall stand for ever,
his changeless name of love.

PSALMS

Psalm 12 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/sjldexv)
1  Help me, Lord, for there is not one godly man left *
 for the faithful are minished from among the children of men.
2  They talk of vanity every one with his neighbour *
 they do but flatter with their lips, and dissemble in their double heart.
3  The Lord shall root out all deceitful lips *
 and the tongue that speaketh proud things;
4  Which have said, With our tongue will we prevail *
 we are they that ought to speak, who is lord over us?
5  Now for the comfortless troubles’ sake of the needy *
 and because of the deep sighing of the poor,
6  I will up, saith the Lord *
 and will help every one from him that swelleth against him,
and will set him at rest.
7  The words of the Lord are pure words *
 even as the silver, which from the earth is tried,
and purified seven times in the fire.
8  Thou shalt keep them, O Lord *
 thou shalt preserve him from this generation for ever.
9  The ungodly walk on every side *
 when they are exalted, the children of men are put to rebuke.
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 13 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/qpwp7bw)
1  How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord, for ever *
 how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2  How long shall I seek counsel in my soul,
and be so vexed in my heart *
 how long shall mine enemies triumph over me?
3  Consider, and hear me, O Lord my God *
 lighten mine eyes, that I sleep not in death.
4  Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him *
 for if I be cast down, they that trouble me will rejoice at it.
5  But my trust is in thy mercy *
 and my heart is joyful in thy salvation.
6  I will sing of the Lord, because he hath dealt so lovingly with me *
 yea, I will praise the Name of the Lord most Highest.
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 14 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/sgyfvnc)
1  The fool hath said in his heart *
 There is no God.
2  They are corrupt, and become abominable in their doings *
 there is none that doeth good, no not one.
3  The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men *
 to see if there were any that would understand, and seek after God.
4  But they are all gone out of the way,
they are altogether become abominable *
 there is none that doeth good, no not one.
5  Their throat is an open sepulchre,
with their tongues have they deceived *
 the poison of asps is under their lips.
6  Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness *
 their feet are swift to shed blood.
7  Destruction and unhappiness is in their ways,
and the way of peace have they not known *
 there is no fear of God before their eyes.
8  Have they no knowledge, that they are all such workers of mischief *
 eating up my people as it were bread, and call not upon the Lord?
9  There were they brought in great fear, even where no fear was *
 for God is in the generation of the righteous.
10  As for you, ye have made a mock at the counsel of the poor *
 because he putteth his trust in the Lord.
11  Who shall give salvation unto Israel out of Sion?
When the Lord turneth the captivity of his people *
 then shall Jacob rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
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 12 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-12-1.mp3)
1 Help me, LORD, for there is no godly one left; *
the faithful have vanished from among us.
2 Everyone speaks falsely with his neighbor; *
with a smooth tongue they speak from a double heart.
3 Oh, that the LORD would cut off all smooth tongues, *
and close the lips that utter proud boasts!
4 Those who say, “With our tongue will we prevail; *
our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”
5 “Because the needy are oppressed,
and the poor cry out in misery, *
I will rise up,” says the LORD,
“and give them the help they long for.”
6 The words of the LORD are pure words, *
like silver refined from ore
and purified seven times in the fire.
7 O LORD, watch over us *
and save us from this generation for ever.
8 The wicked prowl on every side, *
and that which is worthless is highly prized by everyone.

Psalm 13 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-13.mp3)
1 How long, O LORD?
will you forget me for ever? *
how long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long shall I have perplexity in my mind,
and grief in my heart, day after day? *
how long shall my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look upon me and answer me, O LORD my God; *
give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;
4 Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” *
and my foes rejoice that I have fallen.
5 But I put my trust in your mercy; *
my heart is joyful because of your saving help.
6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has dealt with me richly; *
I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 14 (Plainsong:
http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-14-version-II-1.mp3)
1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” *
All are corrupt and commit abominable acts;
there is none who does any good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven upon us all, *
to see if there is any who is wise,
if there is one who seeks after God.
3 Every one has proved faithless;
all alike have turned bad; *
there is none who does good; no, not one.
4 Have they no knowledge, all those evildoers *
who eat up my people like bread
and do not call upon the LORD?
5 See how they tremble with fear, *
because God is in the company of the righteous.
6 Their aim is to confound the plans of the afflicted, *
but the LORD is their refuge.
7 Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come out of Zion! *
when the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,
Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad.

PRAYER

God our helper, hear our prayer
and uphold your church in times of testing.
Deliver us from evil,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
we may offer you our sacrifice of praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a

The Lord God gave me an educated tongue
    to know how to respond to the weary
    with a word that will awaken them in the morning.
    God awakens my ear in the morning to listen,
    as educated people do.
The Lord God opened my ear;
    I didn’t rebel; I didn’t turn my back.
Instead, I gave my body to attackers,
    and my cheeks to beard pluckers.
I didn’t hide my face
    from insults and spitting.
The Lord God will help me;
    therefore, I haven’t been insulted.
Therefore, I set my face like flint,
    and knew I wouldn’t be ashamed.
The one who will declare me innocent is near.
    Who will argue with me?
Let’s stand up together.
    Who will bring judgment against me?
    Let him approach me.
Look! The Lord God will help me.
    Who will condemn me?

HYMN: Michael Saward ©
Tune: Guiting Power https://tinyurl.com/3da2h9dc

1 Christ triumphant, ever reigning,
Saviour, Master, King!
Lord of heaven, our lives sustaining,
hear us as we sing:

Refrain:
Yours the glory and the crown,
the high renown, the eternal name.

2 Word incarnate, truth revealing,
Son of Man on earth!
power and majesty concealing
by your humble birth: [Refrain]

3 Suffering servant, scorned, ill-treated,
victim crucified!
death is through the cross defeated,
sinners justified: [Refrain]

4 Priestly king, enthroned for ever
high in heaven above!
sin and death and hell shall never
stifle hymns of love: [Refrain]

5 So, our hearts and voices raising
through the ages long,
ceaselessly upon you gazing,
this shall be our song: [Refrain]

Reading: Colossians 1:18-23

Once you were alienated from God and you were enemies with him in your minds, which was shown by your evil actions. But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through death, to present you before God as a people who are holy, faultless, and without blame. But you need to remain well established and rooted in faith and not shift away from the hope given in the good news that you heard. This message has been preached throughout all creation under heaven. And I, Paul, became a servant of this good news.

HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: Hamburg https://tinyurl.com/3x6awcf4

1 When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.

3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

Reading: Matthew 21:1-11

When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus gave two disciples a task. He said to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter, you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that their master needs them.” He sent them off right away. Now this happened to fulfill what the prophet said, Say to Daughter Zion, “Look, your king is coming to you, humble and riding on a donkey, and on a colt the donkey’s offspring.” The disciples went and did just as Jesus had ordered them. They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their clothes on them. Then he sat on them.

Now a large crowd spread their clothes on the road. Others cut palm branches off the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds in front of him and behind him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!Hosanna in the highest!” And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. “Who is this?” they asked. The crowds answered, “It’s the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

CANTICLE Revelation 4:11, 5:9-10, 13
(Chant by Joe Cox: https://tinyurl.com/y499lmmp)

Ant. Splendor and honor and kingly power *
are yours by right, O Lord our God,
For you created everything that is, *
and by your will they were created and have their being;
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, *
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
From every family, language, people, and nation, *
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
And so, to him who sits upon the throne, *
and to Christ the Lamb,
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor, *
for ever and for evermore. Ant.

THE PRAYERS ^{Joe Milner}

For the Church: that we may strive to have the same mind as Christ as we offer our lives in loving service to others

For courage: that God’s love will sustain us in times of suffering and rejection, and help us to trust in God’s providence each day

For all Christians: that God will fill us with life and raise us up as we surrender ourselves to God and seek to do God’s will

For all who are suffering because of the Gospel: that God will sustain them, help them to give faithful witness to the Gospel, and make fruitful their witness in the hearts of others

For all Christians: that we may enter more deeply into the mystery of God’s unconditional love through the celebrations of Holy Week

For all who have been condemned to death: that the Spirit of God will lead them to conversion and into a new life

For all who have experienced abandonment, betrayal, or rejection: that God’s Spirit will comfort them, help them to hold fast to the truth, and guide them to new communities

For leaders of government and business: that through the example of Jesus, they may recognize how to be servant leaders and never forget the needs of the most vulnerable

For all who work in the legal system, for judges, attorneys, and juries: that they may always respect the dignity of both the injured and accused parties and work diligently to find the truth

For greater respect for human life: that every heart may honor the mystery of human life at all stages along life’s journey

For all who are grieving: that God will comfort them, bring supportive people to accompany them, and fill their hearts with peace

For the grace to forgive: that we may have the courage to forgive freely all who injure us just as God has forgiven us

For all who believe in the one God: that Christians, Jews, and Muslims may work together to end hunger, poverty, and abuse to that the one God may be honored by our care for one another

For peace: that God will open new awareness among all conflicting groups to the dignity of each person, inspire leaders with new ways to settle disputes, and protect the children and elderly from harm

For all who have died: that they may be united with Christ and live forever in the peace and joy of God’s presence

(Plainsong Mode 2: https://tinyurl.com/yctqq8cf)^DL

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.

Eternal God,
whose word silences the shouts of the mighty:
Quiet within us every voice but your own.
Speak to us through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ
that by the power of your Holy Spirit
we may receive grace to show Christ’s love
in lives given to your service. Amen. ^BCW

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.

^DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.

¹ Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©

The intercessions are by Joe Milner, http://liturgy.slu.edu

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

The traditional version of the psalms is from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern version of the psalms 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.