Antiphon 1
Ant. Sing to the Lord a new song, alleluia; *
for the Lord has accomplished wondrous deeds, alleluia;
he has revealed his just-ice in the sight of the Gentiles,
alleluia, alleluia.
Ps. His right hand and his holy arm *
have brought salvation.
He has remembered his merciful love *
and his truth for the house of Israel. Psalm 98
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/mb6h9xfa
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise.
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.
Alleluia, alleluia!
HYMN: Nigel Weaver ©
Tune: Song 24 https://tinyurl.com/44kb8ypw
1 The risen Christ, who walks on wounded feet
from garden tomb through darkened city street,
unlocks the door of grief, despair, and fear,
and speaks a word of peace to all who hear.
2 The risen Christ, who stands with wounded side,
breathes out his Spirit on them to abide
whose faith still wavers, who dare not believe,
new grace, new strength, new purpose they receive.
3 The risen Christ, who breaks with wounded hand
the bread for those who fail to understand,
reveals himself, despite their ling’ring tears,
enflames their hearts, then quickly disappears.
4 May we, Christ’s body, walk and serve and stand
with the oppressed in this and every land,
till all are blessed and can a blessing be,
restored in Christ to true humanity.
PSALMS
Psalm 82 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/razmhgg)
1 God standeth in the congregation of princes *
he is a Judge among gods.
2 How long will ye give wrong judgement *
and accept the persons of the ungodly?
3 Defend the poor and fatherless *
see that such as are in need and necessity have right.
4 Deliver the out-cast and poor *
save them from the hand of the ungodly.
5 They will not be learned nor understand, but walk on still in darkness *
all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
6 I have said, Ye are gods *
and ye are all the children of the most Highest.
7 But ye shall die like men *
and fall like one of the princes.
8 Arise, O God, and judge thou the earth *
for thou shalt take all heathen to thine inheritance.
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 83 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/vofvsch)
1 Hold not thy tongue, O God, keep not still silence *
refrain not thyself, O God.
2 For lo, thine enemies make a murmuring *
and they that hate thee have lift up their head.
3 They have imagined craftily against thy people *
and taken counsel against thy secret ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us root them out,
that they be no more a people *
and that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5 For they have cast their heads together with one consent *
and are confederate against thee;
6 The tabernacles of the Edomites, and the Ismaelites *
the Moabites, and Hagarens;
7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek *
the Philistines, with them that dwell at Tyre.
8 Assur also is joined with them *
and have holpen the children of Lot.
9 But do thou to them as unto the Madianites *
unto Sisera, and unto Jabin at the brook of Kison;
10 Who perished at Endor *
and became as the dung of the earth.
11 Make them and their princes like Oreb and Zeb *
yea, make all their princes like as Zeba and Salmana;
12 Who say, Let us take to ourselves *
the houses of God in possession.
13 O my God, make them like unto a wheel *
and as the stubble before the wind;
14 Like as the fire that burneth up the wood *
and as the flame that consumeth the mountains.
15 Persecute them even so with thy tempest *
and make them afraid with thy storm.
16 Make their faces ashamed, O Lord *
that they may seek thy Name.
17 Let them be confounded and vexed ever more and more *
let them be put to shame, and perish.
18 And they shall know that thou, whose Name is Jehovah *
art only the most Highest over all the 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 84 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/qtssfwx)
1 O how amiable are thy dwellings *
thou Lord of hosts!
2 My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord *
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
3 Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house,
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young *
even thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house *
they will be alway praising thee.
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee *
in whose heart are thy ways.
6 Who going through the vale of misery use it for a well *
and the pools are filled with water.
7 They will go from strength to strength *
and unto the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Sion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer *
hearken, O God of Jacob.
9 Behold, O God our defender *
and look upon the face of thine Anointed.
10 For one day in thy courts *
is better than a thousand.
11 I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God *
than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness.
12 For the Lord God is a light and defence *
the Lord will give grace and worship,
and no good thing shall he withhold from them that live a godly life.
13 O Lord God of hosts *
blessed is the man that putteth his trust in thee.
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 85 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wzy6e5z)
1 Lord, thou art become gracious unto thy land *
thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.
2 Thou hast forgiven the offence of thy people *
and covered all their sins.
3 Thou hast taken away all thy displeasure *
and turned thyself from thy wrathful indignation.
4 Turn us then, O God our Saviour *
and let thine anger cease from us.
5 Wilt thou be displeased at us for ever *
and wilt thou stretch out thy wrath from one generation to another?
6 Wilt thou not turn again, and quicken us *
that thy people may rejoice in thee?
7 Shew us thy mercy, O Lord *
and grant us thy salvation.
8 I will hearken what the Lord God will say concerning me *
for he shall speak peace unto his people,
and to his saints, that they turn not again.
9 For his salvation is nigh them that fear him *
that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth are met together *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall flourish out of the earth *
and righteousness hath looked down from heaven.
12 Yea, the Lord shall shew loving-kindness *
and our land shall give her increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him *
and he shall direct his going in the way.
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 82 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-82.mp3)
1 God takes his stand in the council of heaven; *
he gives judgment in the midst of the gods:
2 “How long will you judge unjustly, *
and show favor to the wicked?
3 Save the weak and the orphan; *
defend the humble and needy;
4 Rescue the weak and the poor; *
deliver them from the power of the wicked.
5 They do not know, neither do they understand;
they go about in darkness; *
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 Now I say to you, ‘You are gods, *
and all of you children of the Most High;
7 Nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, *
and fall like any prince.’”
8 Arise, O God, and rule the earth, *
for you shall take all nations for your own.
Psalm 83 (Jason Silver: https://tinyurl.com/snww3bp6]
Refrain:
O God, do not keep silence;
Do not hold your peace or be still,
O God! Even now your enemies are roaring;
Those who hate you, rearing up their heads. (x2)
They lay crafty plans against your people;
They consult together against those you protect.
They say, ”˜Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;
”Let the name of Israel be remembered no more.”
They conspire with one accord against you.
Make a covenant with the tents of Edom and Moab
Ishmaelites, and Hagrites, Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia, Tyre; Assyria: they’re the strong arm of Lot. [Refrain]
Do to them as you did to Midian,
As to Sisera and Jabin at Wadi Kishon,
Who perished at En-dor, who became dung for the ground.
Make their nobles like Oreb, like Oreb and like Zeeb,
All their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
Who said, ”˜Let us take the land of God for our own.”
O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff to wind.
As the fire burns the forest, so pursue with your storms.
Fill their faces with shame,
So then they may seek your name, O Lord.
Let them ever be dismayed;
Let them perish in disgrace.
Let them know that you alone,
Whose name is Lord,
Are the Most High over all the earth. [Refrain x 2]
Psalm 83 (Coptic Chant: https://tinyurl.com/pbrzs4pf)
How beloved are Your dwellings,
O Lord, God of hosts!
My soul longs, and faints for the courts of the Lord:
my heart and my flesh have exulted in the living God.
For, the sparrow has found for himself a home,
and the turtledove for herself a nest,
where she may lay her young;
your altars, O Lord, God of hosts, my King, and my God.
Blessed are all who dwell in your house:
they will praise you forever and ever.
Blessed is the man whose help is from you, O Lord;
he sets paths upward in his heart in the valley of weeping,
in the place which he has appointed,
for there the Law‑Giver will grant blessings.
They shall go from strength to strength:
the God of gods shall be revealed in Zion.
O Lord, God of hosts, hear my prayer:
hearken, O God of Jacob.
Behold, O God our defender,
and look upon the face of your anointed.
For one day in your courts
is better than thousands.
I chose to throw myself down in the house of God,
more than to dwell in the tents of the sinners.
For the Lord God loves mercy and truth;
he shall give grace and glory:
the Lord shall not withhold good things
from those who walk in innocence.
O Lord God of hosts,
blessed is the man who hopes in You. ALLELUIA.
Psalm 85 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-85.mp3)
1 You have been gracious to your land, O LORD, *
you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.
2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people *
and blotted out all their sins.
3 You have withdrawn all your fury *
and turned yourself from your wrathful indignation.
4 Restore us then, O God our Savior; *
let your anger depart from us.
5 Will you be displeased with us for ever? *
will you prolong your anger from age to age?
6 Will you not give us life again, *
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your mercy, O LORD, *
and grant us your salvation.
8 I will listen to what the LORD God is saying, *
for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.
9 Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, *
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring up from the earth, *
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 The LORD will indeed grant prosperity, *
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him, *
and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.
PRAYER
Holy God,
you are just in all your ways
and your commandments are the greatest of treasures.
Give us understanding of your law
and direct us according to your will
that we may be faithful in serving you
for the sake of Jesus our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Reading: Daniel 6.1-23
Darius decided to appoint one hundred twenty chief administrators throughout the kingdom, and to set over them three main officers to whom they would report so that the king wouldn’t have to be bothered with too much. One of these main officers was Daniel. Because of his extraordinary spirit, Daniel soon surpassed the other officers and the chief administrators—so much so that the king had plans to set him over the entire kingdom. As a result, the other officers and the chief administrators tried to find some problem with Daniel’s work for the kingdom. But they couldn’t find any problem or corruption at all because Daniel was trustworthy. He wasn’t guilty of any negligence or corruption. So these men said, “We won’t find any fault in Daniel, unless we can find something to use against him from his religious practice.”
So these officers and chief administrators ganged together and went to the king. They said to him, “Long live King Darius! All the officers of the kingdom, the ministers, the chief administrators, the royal associates, and the governors advise the king to issue an edict and enforce a law, that for thirty days anyone who says prayers to any god or human being except you, Your Majesty, will be thrown into a pit of lions. Now, Your Majesty, issue the law and sign the document so that it cannot be changed, as per the law of Media and Persia, which cannot be annulled.” Because of this, King Darius signed the document containing the law.
When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went to his house. Now his upper room had open windows that faced Jerusalem. Daniel knelt down, prayed, and praised his God three times that day, just like he always did. Just then these men, all ganged together, came upon Daniel praying and seeking mercy from his God. They then went and talked to the king about the law: “Your Majesty! Didn’t you sign a law, that for thirty days any person who prays to any god or human being besides you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into a pit of lions?” The king replied, “The decision is absolutely firm in accordance with the law of Media and Persia, which cannot be annulled.”
So they said to the king, “One of the Judean exiles, Daniel, has ignored you, Your Majesty, as well as the law you signed. He says his prayers three times a day!” When the king heard this report, he was very unhappy. He decided to rescue Daniel and did everything he could do to save Daniel before the sun went down. But these men, all ganged together, came and said to the king, “You must realize, Your Majesty, that the law of Media and Persia, including every law and edict the king has issued, cannot be changed.”
So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and hurled him into the pit of lions. The king said to Daniel: “Your God—the one you serve so consistently—will rescue you.” A single stone was brought and placed over the entrance to the pit. The king sealed it with his own ring and with those of his princes so that Daniel’s situation couldn’t be changed. The king then went home to his palace and fasted through the night. No pleasures were brought to him, and he couldn’t sleep. At dawn, at the first sign of light, the king rose and rushed to the lions’ pit.
As he approached it, he called out to Daniel, worried: “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God—the one you serve so consistently—able to rescue you from the lions?” Then Daniel answered the king: “Long live the king! My God sent his messenger, who shut the lions’ mouths. They haven’t touched me because I was judged innocent before my God. I haven’t done anything wrong to you either, Your Majesty.” The king was thrilled. He commanded that Daniel be brought up out of the pit, and Daniel was lifted out. Not a scratch was found on him, because he trusted in his God.
HYMN: Richard Chenevix Trench
Tune: Ffigysbren https://tinyurl.com/mwytkdtj
1 Lord, what a change within us one short hour
Spent in Thy presence will prevail to make;
What heavy burdens from our bosoms take,
What parched fields refresh as with a shower.
2 We kneel, and all around us seems to lower;
We rise, and all, the distant and the near,
Stands forth in sunny outline, brave and clear;
We kneel how weak; we rise how full of power!
3 Why should we ever weak or heartless be,
Why are we ever overborne with care,
Anxious or troubled, when with us is prayer,
And joy, and strength, and courage are with Thee?
Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9
May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed! On account of his vast mercy, he has given us new birth. You have been born anew into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. You have a pure and enduring inheritance that cannot perish—an inheritance that is presently kept safe in heaven for you. Through his faithfulness, you are guarded by God’s power so that you can receive the salvation he is ready to reveal in the last time.
You now rejoice in this hope, even if it’s necessary for you to be distressed for a short time by various trials. This is necessary so that your faith may be found genuine. (Your faith is more valuable than gold, which will be destroyed even though it is itself tested by fire.) Your genuine faith will result in praise, glory, and honor for you when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you’ve never seen him, you love him. Even though you don’t see him now, you trust him and so rejoice with a glorious joy that is too much for words. You are receiving the goal of your faith: your salvation.
HYMN: Ray Palmer
Tune: Nun danket all https://tinyurl.com/2audx4nu
1 Jesus, these eyes have never seen
that radiant form of thine;
the veil of sense hangs dark between
thy blessèd face and mine.
2 I see thee not, I hear thee not,
yet art thou oft with me;
and earth hath ne’er so dear a spot
as where I meet with thee.
3 Yet, though I have not seen, and still
must rest in faith alone,
I love thee, dearest Lord, and will,
unseen, but not unknown.
4 When death these mortal eyes shall seal,
and still this throbbing heart,
the rending veil shall thee reveal
all glorious as thou art.
Reading: John 20:19-31
It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you don’t forgive them, they aren’t forgiven.”
Thomas, the one called Didymus, one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.”
After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!” Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.”
Then Jesus did many other miraculous signs in his disciples’ presence, signs that aren’t recorded in this scroll. But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name.
CANTICLE Revelation 5:12-14 (LBW)
(Richard Hillert setting: https://tinyurl.com/25ev5pcd)
Refrain:
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
1 Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
whose blood set us free to be people of God. [Refrain]
2 Power, riches, wisdom, and strength,
and honor, blessing, and glory are his. [Refrain]
3 Sing with all the people of God,
and join in the hymn of all creation. [Refrain]
4 Blessing, honor, glory, and might
be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen. [Refrain]
5 For the Lamb who was slain
has begun his reign. Alleluia. [Refrain]
THE PRAYERS Joe Milner
For the Church: that we may learn to listen together to the promptings of the Spirit so that we may offer a convincing witness to all who are seeking a direction in life
For youth: that as we worship, study, and serve the needs of others, young people may witness the new life that Easter offers and encounter Christ, who is life for them
For a spirit of reverence: that as we break the bread and share the cup, we may recognize more fully the Risen Lord in our midst
For all Christians: that we, who have received the Spirit, may continue the mission of healing and forgiveness which Christ entrusted to the Church
For freedom: that the Spirit will free us from the selfishness promoted by society and help us to promote the common good for the good of all the human family
For Christian unity: that by devoting ourselves to listening to the Scriptures and growing in prayer, we may promote greater unity and cooperation in the Body of Christ
For all who struggle with faith: that the Word of God may liberate their hearts, open them to a relationship with God, and enlighten their path to a fuller life
For the grace to forgive: that having experienced God’s forgiveness, we may forgive those who have misjudged or wronged us
For all confessors: that God will give them the wisdom to encourage penitents in a new direction and help penitents to experience God’s love and mercy through them
For all who are bound by sinfulness: that God may break their bonds and open a new path of life that reveals love, kindness, and mercy to them
For all who are ill: that the Risen Lord will bring newness of life to them and give them hope, strength, and healing
For all who are frightened: that they may find Christ present with them in their fear and darkness
For a greater appreciation of creation: that as we experience the creator of all that exists, we may treat all of creation with greater reverence as God’s gift to us
For an end to violence: that the Risen Lord will teach us how to protect the innocent from gun violence, end domestic violence, and deal with our anger in positive ways
For peace: that Christ’s gift of peace may settle in the hearts of all the human family and guide us away from violence and revenge
(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.
Alpha and Omega,
our beginning and our end,
you break through the locks
of gated communities
and hardened hearts:
accept our doubts,
heal our desire for certainty
and, by your Spirit’s gentle touch,
make us a people
forgiven and forgiving;
through Jesus Christ, the Giver of Peace. Amen. PIC
https://tinyurl.com/rkxkpmc
Go in peace, alleluia, alleluia!
Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia!
Glory to God whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine:
Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church,
and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21
Donation to Support This Ministry
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BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
PIC Prayers for An Inclusive Church. Steven Shakespeare © 2008 Canterbury Press.
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 scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language versions of Psalms 82 and 85 are from the The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is sung by Ryland Angel. Psalm 83 is the version sung by Jason Silver, while Psalm 84 is the Coptic chant in the version used in the Agpeya, the Coptic office book.
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.
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