Peter and Paul
Peter has often been called the ‘Prince of the Apostles’ because of the words of Jesus re-naming him, from Simon to Cephas. This was the Aramaic form of the Greek word Peter, which means ‘rock’. Jesus said that on this rock he would build his Church. But both Peter and Paul came to be seen as having different rôles to play within the leadership of the Church: Peter in witnessing to the Lordship of Christ and Paul in developing an understanding of its meaning for Christ’s followers. Peter and Paul have been remembered jointly on this day since the very early days of the Church, it being regarded as the anniversary of their martyrdom in Rome in about the year 64.EH
Antiphon1
Ant. Spread the news with a voice of joy; * let it be heard, alleluia;
speak it out to the very ends of the earth;
the Lord has liberated his people, alleluia, alleluia.
Ps. Cry out with joy to God, all the earth; *
O sing to the glory of his name.
O render him glorious praise. *
Say to God, “How awesome your deeds! cf. Isaiah 48; Psalm 66
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/ycn4djk5
O Lord, open my lips.
And my mouth will declare your praise.
Make haste, O God, to deliver me;
make haste to help me, O Lord.
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.
Praise to you, O Christ, Alleluia!
HYMN: Anne K. LeCroy ©
Tune: Ellacombe https://tinyurl.com/yclqb5sp
1 Two noble saints both rooted
In faith and holy love,
By hope of God united
They reach to heav’n above.
One on a cross is martyred,
One by the sword is slain;
Both triumph in their dying,
Both glorious sainthood gain.
2 The words of Paul assure us
Of Christ’s redeeming word;
The works of Peter show us
How we may serve the Lord.
So praise we the Creator,
And praise we Christ the Son,
Who with the Holy Spirit,
Now reign, blest Three in One.
PSALMS
Psalm 142 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ya9l4yc4)
1 I cried unto the Lord with my voice *
yea, even unto the Lord did I make my supplication.
2 I poured out my complaints before him *
and shewed him of my trouble.
3 When my spirit was in heaviness thou knewest my path *
in the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
4 I looked also upon my right hand *
and saw there was no man that would know me.
5 I had no place to flee unto *
and no man cared for my soul.
6 I cried unto thee, O Lord, and said *
Thou art my hope, and my portion in the land of the living.
7 Consider my complaint *
for I am brought very low.
8 O deliver me from my persecutors *
for they are too strong for me.
9 Bring my soul out of prison,
that I may give thanks unto thy Name *
which thing if thou wilt grant me,
then shall the righteous resort unto my company.
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 143 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y76nm8vs)
1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and consider my desire *
hearken unto me for thy truth and righteousness’ sake.
2 And enter not into judgement with thy servant *
for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul;
he hath smitten my life down to the ground *
he hath laid me in the darkness, as the men that have been long dead.
4 Therefore is my spirit vexed within me *
and my heart within me is desolate.
5 Yet do I remember the time past; I muse upon all thy works *
yea, I exercise myself in the works of thy hands.
6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee *
my soul gaspeth unto thee as a thirsty land.
7 Hear me, O Lord, and that soon, for my spirit waxeth faint *
hide not thy face from me,
lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
8 O let me hear thy loving-kindness betimes in the morning,
for in thee is my trust *
shew thou me the way that I should walk in,
for I lift up my soul unto thee.
9 Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies *
for I flee unto thee to hide me.
10 Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee, for thou art my God *
let thy loving Spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness.
11 Quicken me, O Lord, for thy Name’s sake *
and for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And of thy goodness slay mine enemies *
and destroy all them that vex my soul; for I am thy servant.
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 142 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-142-1.mp3)
1 I cry to the LORD with my voice; *
to the LORD I make loud supplication.
2 I pour out my complaint before him *
and tell him all my trouble.
3 When my spirit languishes within me, you know my path; *
in the way wherein I walk they have hidden a trap for me.
4 I look to my right hand and find no one who knows me; *
I have no place to flee to, and no one cares for me.
5 I cry out to you, O LORD; *
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
6 Listen to my cry for help, for I have been brought very low; *
save me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.
7 Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your Name; *
when you have dealt bountifully with me,
the righteous will gather around me.
Psalm 143 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-143.mp3)
1 LORD, hear my prayer,
and in your faithfulness heed my supplications; *
answer me in your righteousness.
2 Enter not into judgment with your servant, *
for in your sight shall no one living be justified.
3 For my enemy has sought my life;
he has crushed me to the ground; *
he has made me live in dark places like those who are long dead.
4 My spirit faints within me; *
my heart within me is desolate.
5 I remember the time past; I muse upon all your deeds; *
I consider the works of your hands.
6 I spread out my hands to you; *
my soul gasps to you like a thirsty land.
7 O LORD, make haste to answer me; my spirit fails me; *
do not hide your face from me
or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.
8 Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning,
for I put my trust in you; *
show me the road that I must walk, for I lift up my soul to you.
9 Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD, *
for I flee to you for refuge.
10 Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God; *
let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
11 Revive me, O LORD, for your Name’s sake; *
for your righteousness’ sake, bring me out of trouble.
12 Of your goodness, destroy my enemies
and bring all my foes to naught, *
for truly I am your servant.
PRAYER
God our refuge,
when all friends have forsaken us
and enemies line all our paths,
come quickly to our aid.
Lead us out from captivity
into the light of your freedom,
secured for us in the sacrifice
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
The messenger speaking with me returned and woke me like one who awakens someone who is asleep.
Then he said to me, “What do you see?”
I said, “I see a lampstand
made entirely of gold.
It has a bowl on top.
The bowl has seven lamps on top
and seven metal pipes for those lamps.
It has two olive trees beside the lampstand,
one to the right of its bowl and one to the left.”
I responded to the messenger speaking with me,
“What are these, sir?”
The messenger responded to me:
“Don’t you know what these are?”
I said, “No, sir. I don’t.”
He answered me:
“This is the Lord’s word to Zerubbabel:
Neither by power, nor by strength,
but by my spirit, says the Lord of heavenly forces.”
Those who despise a time of little things will rejoice when they see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.
These are the seven eyes of the Lord, surveying the entire earth.
I responded to him,
“What are these two olive trees on the right and left sides of the lampstand?”
Then I responded a second time, “What are these two olive branches that empty out golden oil through the two gold pipes?” He said to me, “Don’t you know what these are?” I said, “No, sir.” He said, “These are the two anointed ones standing beside the Lord of all the earth.”
HYMN: Psalm 133; para. Bert Polman ©
Tune: Genevan 133 https://tinyurl.com/5anmu44w
1 Behold, how good, how pleasant is the union
when brothers, sisters live in sweet communion
and serve the LORD in cheerfulness.
It is like precious oil on Aaron’s head,
which on his beard and priestly robe would spread,
anointing him to holiness.
2 It is as if refreshing dew from Hermon
were falling like a rain upon Mount Zion,
when God his benediction sends.
The LORD his bounteous blessings will release
on those who live in unity and peace;
God gives them life that never ends.
The apostles and the brothers and sisters throughout Judea heard that even the Gentiles had welcomed God’s word. When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him. They accused him, “You went into the home of the uncircumcised and ate with them!”
Step-by-step, Peter explained what had happened. “I was in the city of Joppa praying when I had a visionary experience. In my vision, I saw something like a large linen sheet being lowered from heaven by its four corners. It came all the way down to me. As I stared at it, wondering what it was, I saw four-legged animals—including wild beasts—as well as reptiles and wild birds. I heard a voice say, ‘Get up, Peter! Kill and eat!’ I responded, ‘Absolutely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ The voice from heaven spoke a second time, ‘Never consider unclean what God has made pure.’ This happened three times, then everything was pulled back into heaven. At that moment three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were staying. The Spirit told me to go with them even though they were Gentiles. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered that man’s house. He reported to us how he had seen an angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is known as Peter. He will tell you how you and your entire household can be saved.’ When I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as the Spirit fell on us in the beginning. I remembered the Lord’s words: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, then who am I? Could I stand in God’s way?”
Once the apostles and other believers heard this, they calmed down. They praised God and concluded, “So then God has enabled Gentiles to change their hearts and lives so that they might have new life.”
HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: Venice https://tinyurl.com/3b9xs66v
1 How beauteous are their feet,
who stand on Sion’s hill,
who bring salvation on their tongues
and words of peace reveal!
2 How happy are our ears
that hear this happy sound,
which kings and prophets waited for,
and sought, but never found!
3 How blessèd are our eyes
that see this heavenly light,
prophets and kings desired it long,
but died without the sight!
4 The Lord makes bare his arm
through all the earth abroad:
Let every nation now behold
their Saviour and their God.
Now when Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Human One is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” He said, “And what about you? Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Then Jesus replied, “Happy are you, Simon son of Jonah, because no human has shown this to you. Rather my Father who is in heaven has shown you. I tell you that you are Peter. And I’ll build my church on this rock. The gates of the underworld won’t be able to stand against it. I’ll give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Anything you fasten on earth will be fastened in heaven. Anything you loosen on earth will be loosened in heaven.”
CANTICLE Te Deum
(Chant by Joe Cox: https://tinyurl.com/y6ud7vva)
We praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud,
the Heavens and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory.
The glorious company of the apostles praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee.
The noble army of martyrs praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee,
the Father, of an infinite majesty,
thine adorable, true, and only Son,
also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.
Thou art the King of glory, O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man,
thou didst humble thyself to be born of a Virgin.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death,
thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come to be our judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants,
whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy saints,
in glory everlasting.
THE PRAYERS WS2
God of our salvation,
we rejoice that in you there is no Jew or Greek, slave or free,
male or female, for we all belong as one in Christ Jesus.
We praise you for the evidence of that unity in
the church of past generations . . .
the church of all places . . .
the cooperation between missionaries . . .
the corporate work of the churches in this community . . .
our baptisms, which make us a part of your body, the church . . .
As one body we lift our common prayers
for creation and its care . . .
for the nations of the world . . .
for our nation and its leaders . . .
for this community and those in authority . . .
for the church universal as it works on your behalf . . .
for this local church in its ministry . . .
for persons with particular needs . . .
We pray this in the name of the one God and Father of all,
who is above all and through all and in all. Amen.
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.
Almighty God,
whose blessèd apostles Peter and Paul
glorified you in their death as in their life:
grant that your Church,
inspired by their teaching and example,
and made one by your Spirit,
may ever stand firm upon the one foundation,
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.EH
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
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BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
2 Eric Wyse, Lord’s Prayer, ©; audio from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_a40ME7aVk
EH Exciting Holiness, Ed. Brother Tristram SSF © European Province of the Society of Saint Francis, 1997
WS2 Worship Sourcebook, 2nd Edition, © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources
The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language versions are 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.
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