Antiphon 1
Ant. The sparrow has found herself a home, *
and the turtle dove a nest in which to lay her young:
at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God!
Blessed are they who dwell in your house,
they shall praise you for ever and e ver.
V. How lovely is your dwelling place, *
O Lord of hosts.
My soul is longing and yearning *
for the courts of the Lord.
My heart and my flesh cry out *
to the living God. Psalm 84
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: James Montgomery
Tune: Boylston https://tinyurl.com/2p9fw7j4
1 Sow in the morn thy seed,
At eve hold not thy hand;
To doubt and fear give thou no heed,
Broadcast it o’er the land.
2 Thou know’st not which may thrive,
The late or early sown,
God keeps his precious seed alive,
When and wherever strown.
3 Thou canst not toil in vain;
Cold, heat, and moist, and dry,
Shall foster and mature the grain
For garners in the sky.
4 Thence, when the glorious end,
The day of God is come,
The angel reapers shall descend,
And heav’n cry “Harvest Home.”
PSALMS
Psalm 79 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ssjuezl)
1 O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance *
thy holy temple have they defiled,
and made Jerusalem an heap of stones.
2 The dead bodies of thy servants have they given
to be meat unto the fowls of the air *
and the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the land.
3 Their blood have they shed like water on every side of Jerusalem *
and there was no man to bury them.
4 We are become an open shame to our enemies *
a very scorn and derision unto them that are round about us.
5 Lord, how long wilt thou be angry *
shall thy jealousy burn like fire for ever?
6 Pour out thine indignation upon the heathen
that have not known thee *
and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy Name.
7 For they have devoured Jacob *
and laid waste his dwelling-place.
8 O remember not our old sins, but have mercy upon us, and that soon *
for we are come to great misery.
9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy Name *
O deliver us, and be merciful unto our sins, for thy Name’s sake.
10 Wherefore do the heathen say *
Where is now their God?
11 O let the vengeance of thy servants’ blood that is shed *
be openly shewed upon the heathen in our sight.
12 O let the sorrowful sighing of the prisoners come before thee *
according to the greatness of thy power,
preserve thou those that are appointed to die.
13 And for the blasphemy
wherewith our neighbours have blasphemed thee *
reward thou them, O Lord, seven-fold into their bosom.
14 So we, that are thy people, and sheep of thy pasture,
shall give thee thanks for ever *
and will alway be shewing forth thy praise from generation to generation.
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 80 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ry2whon)
1 Hear, O thou Shepherd of Israel,
thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep *
shew thyself also, thou that sittest upon the cherubims.
2 Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasses *
stir up thy strength, and come, and help us.
3 Turn us again, O God *
shew the light of thy countenance, and we shall be whole.
4 O Lord God of hosts *
how long wilt thou be angry with thy people that prayeth?
5 Thou feedest them with the bread of tears *
and givest them plenteousness of tears to drink.
6 Thou hast made us a very strife unto our neighbours *
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7 Turn us again, thou God of hosts *
shew the light of thy countenance, and we shall be whole.
8 Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt *
thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.
9 Thou madest room for it *
and when it had taken root it filled the land.
10 The hills were covered with the shadow of it *
and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedar-trees.
11 She stretched out her branches unto the sea *
and her boughs unto the river.
12 Why hast thou then broken down her hedge *
that all they that go by pluck off her grapes?
13 The wild boar out of the wood doth root it up *
and the wild beasts of the field devour it.
14 Turn thee again, thou God of hosts, look down from heaven *
behold, and visit this vine;
15 And the place of the vineyard that thy right hand hath planted *
and the branch that thou madest so strong for thyself.
16 It is burnt with fire, and cut down *
and they shall perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
17 Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand *
and upon the son of man,
whom thou madest so strong for thine own self.
18 And so will not we go back from thee *
O let us live, and we shall call upon thy Name.
19 Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts *
shew the light of thy countenance, and we shall be whole.
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 81 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/tl45xkf)
1 Sing we merrily unto God our strength *
make a cheerful noise unto the God of Jacob.
2 Take the psalm, bring hither the tabret *
the merry harp with the lute.
3 Blow up the trumpet in the new-moon *
even in the time appointed, and upon our solemn feast-day.
4 For this was made a statute for Israel *
and a law of the God of Jacob.
5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony *
when he came out of the land of Egypt, and had heard a strange language.
6 I eased his shoulder from the burden *
and his hands were delivered from making the pots.
7 Thou calledst upon me in troubles, and I delivered thee *
and heard thee what time as the storm fell upon thee.
8 I proved thee also *
at the waters of strife.
9 Hear, O my people, and I will assure thee, O Israel *
if thou wilt hearken unto me,
10 There shall no strange god be in thee *
neither shalt thou worship any other god.
11 I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt *
open thy mouth wide, and I shall fill it.
12 But my people would not hear my voice *
and Israel would not obey me.
13 So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lusts *
and let them follow their own imaginations.
14 O that my people would have hearkened unto me *
for if Israel had walked in my ways,
15 I should soon have put down their enemies *
and turned my hand against their adversaries.
16 The haters of the Lord should have been found liars *
but their time should have endured for ever.
17 He should have fed them also with the finest wheat-flour *
and with honey out of the stony rock should I have satisfied 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 79 (Sons of Korah: https://tinyurl.com/xsyj848h)
O, God the nations have
Invaded your inheritance
Defiled your holy temple
Destroyed your city
As food to wild animals
They were given over
They poured out blood like water
Around Jerusalem
How long? How long?
How long? (How long, how long, O Lord)
How long? (How long, how long, O Lord)
We are objects of reproach
To our neighbors
Scorn and derision
To those around us
Pour upon the enemy
Who will not acknowledge you
Your anger on the kingdom
For they devoured us
How long? (How long, how long, O Lord)
How long? (How long, how long, O Lord)
Do not hold against us
The sins of the fathers
May your mercy quickly come
For we are in need
Help us God our Savior
For the glory of your name
Deliver and forgive us
For your name’s sake
Why should the nations say
‘Where is their God today?’
Before our eyes, make known to them
That you avenge us
How long, O, Lord
Will you be angry?
How long, Lord
Will your jealousy burn?
The groans of the prisoners
May they come before you
By the strength of your arm
Preserve those condemned to die
Pay back our enemies
They’re taunting toward you lord
And lead your flock, who praise you
For every
Every generation
Psalm 80 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-80.mp3)
1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *
stir up your strength and come to help us.
3 Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
4 O LORD God of hosts, *
how long will you be angered
despite the prayers of your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; *
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
8 You have brought a vine out of Egypt; *
you cast out the nations and planted it.
9 You prepared the ground for it; *
it took root and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered by its shadow *
and the towering cedar trees by its boughs.
11 You stretched out its tendrils to the Sea *
and its branches to the River.
12 Why have you broken down its wall, *
so that all who pass by pluck off its grapes?
13 The wild boar of the forest has ravaged it, *
and the beasts of the field have grazed upon it.
14 Turn now, O God of hosts, look down from heaven;
behold and tend this vine; *
preserve what your right hand has planted.
15 They burn it with fire like rubbish; *
at the rebuke of your countenance let them perish.
16 Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, *
and son of man you have made so strong for yourself.
17 And so will we never turn away from you; *
give us life, that we may call upon your Name.
18 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Psalm 81 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-81.mp3)
1 Sing with joy to God our strength *
and raise a loud shout to the God of Jacob.
2 Raise a song and sound the timbrel, *
the merry harp, and the lyre.
3 Blow the ram’s-horn at the new moon, *
and at the full moon, the day of our feast.
4 For this is a statute for Israel, *
a law of the God of Jacob.
5 He laid it as a solemn charge upon Joseph, *
when he came out of the land of Egypt.
6 I heard an unfamiliar voice saying, *
“I eased his shoulder from the burden;
his hands were set free from bearing the load.”
7 You called on me in trouble, and I saved you; *
I answered you from the secret place of thunder
and tested you at the waters of Meribah.
8 Hear, O my people, and I will admonish you: *
O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9 There shall be no strange god among you; *
you shall not worship a foreign god.
10 I am the LORD your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt and said, *
“Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.”
11 And yet my people did not hear my voice, *
and Israel would not obey me.
12 So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their hearts, *
to follow their own devices.
13 Oh, that my people would listen to me! *
that Israel would walk in my ways!
14 I should soon subdue their enemies *
and turn my hand against their foes.
15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, *
and their punishment would last for ever.
16 But Israel would I feed with the finest wheat *
and satisfy him with honey from the rock.
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
Just as the rain and the snow come down from the sky
and don’t return there without watering the earth,
making it conceive and yield plants
and providing seed to the sower and food to the eater,
so is my word that comes from my mouth;
it does not return to me empty.
Instead, it does what I want,
and accomplishes what I intend.
Yes, you will go out with celebration,
and you will be brought back in peace.
Even the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you;
all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
In place of the thorn the cypress will grow;
in place of the nettle the myrtle will grow.
This will attest to the Lord’s stature,
an enduring reminder that won’t be removed.
HYMN: Psalm 65; para. Stanley Wiersma ©
Tune: Genevan 65 https://tinyurl.com/3pjkcy4z
1 Praise is your right, O God, in Zion.
To you we pay our vows.
When we your people pray, you hear us.
All flesh to you will bow.
When our transgressions overwhelm us,
you graciously forgive.
How satisfied your chosen servants;
within your courts they live.
2 Your mighty acts work our salvation.
All earth waits hopefully.
You have the strength to make the mountains,
to calm the stormy sea.
You calm the tumult of the people.
Such awesome signs you do
that earth, from sunrise to the sunset,
for joy cries out to you.
3 You bless the earth with streams and rivers
and with the gentle rain.
You settle ridges, soften furrows,
and bless the sprouting grain.
You crown the year with ample harvest;
a rich abundance springs.
All flocks and grains and hills and meadows
yes, all creation sings.
So now there isn’t any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. God has done what was impossible for the Law, since it was weak because of selfishness. God condemned sin in the body by sending his own Son to deal with sin in the same body as humans, who are controlled by sin. He did this so that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us. Now the way we live is based on the Spirit, not based on selfishness. People whose lives are based on selfishness think about selfish things, but people whose lives are based on the Spirit think about things that are related to the Spirit. The attitude that comes from selfishness leads to death, but the attitude that comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace. So the attitude that comes from selfishness is hostile to God. It doesn’t submit to God’s Law, because it can’t. People who are self-centered aren’t able to please God.
But you aren’t self-centered. Instead you are in the Spirit, if in fact God’s Spirit lives in you. If anyone doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, they don’t belong to him. If Christ is in you, the Spirit is your life because of God’s righteousness, but the body is dead because of sin. If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your human bodies also, through his Spirit that lives in you.
HYMN: Jack Copley Winslow ©
Tune: Slane https://tinyurl.com/3ndkbv2k
1 Lord of creation, to you be all praise!
Most mighty your working, most wondrous your ways!
Your glory and power are beyond us to tell,
and yet in the heart of the humble you dwell.
2 Lord of all power, I give you my will,
in joyful obedience your tasks to fulfil.
Your bondage is freedom; your service is song;
and, held in your keeping, my weakness is strong.
3 Lord of all wisdom, I give you my mind,
rich truth that surpasses our knowledge to find.
What eye has not seen and what ear never heard
is taught by your Spirit and shines from your Word.
4 Lord of all bounty, I give you my heart;
I praise and adore you for all you impart;
your love to inflame me, your counsel to guide,
your presence to shield me, whatever betide..
5 Lord of all being, I give you my all;
if I should disown you, I’d stumble and fall;
but, sworn in your service your word I’ll obey,
and walk in your freedom to the end of the way.
That day Jesus went out of the house and sat down beside the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he climbed into a boat and sat down. The whole crowd was standing on the shore.
He said many things to them in parables: “A farmer went out to scatter seed. As he was scattering seed, some fell on the path, and birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on rocky ground where the soil was shallow. They sprouted immediately because the soil wasn’t deep. But when the sun came up, it scorched the plants, and they dried up because they had no roots. Other seed fell among thorny plants. The thorny plants grew and choked them. Other seed fell on good soil and bore fruit, in one case a yield of one hundred to one, in another case a yield of sixty to one, and in another case a yield of thirty to one. Everyone who has ears should pay attention.”
“Consider then the parable of the farmer. Whenever people hear the word about the kingdom and don’t understand it, the evil one comes and carries off what was planted in their hearts. This is the seed that was sown on the path. As for the seed that was spread on rocky ground, this refers to people who hear the word and immediately receive it joyfully. Because they have no roots, they last for only a little while. When they experience distress or abuse because of the word, they immediately fall away. As for the seed that was spread among thorny plants, this refers to those who hear the word, but the worries of this life and the false appeal of wealth choke the word, and it bears no fruit. As for what was planted on good soil, this refers to those who hear and understand, and bear fruit and produce—in one case a yield of one hundred to one, in another case a yield of sixty to one, and in another case a yield of thirty to one.”
CANTICLE Isaiah 26:9-20
(Katie Tracy and Mark Ribera: https://tinyurl.com/y76wq85c)
In our distress we sought the Lord;
Poured out a whispered prayer
Cried out, seeking deliverance;
His mercy met us there
Empty idols have ruled over us;
These hardened hearts of stone
The Lord has brought salvation, sweet;
We rest in him alone
Refrain:
Trust in the Lord forevermore
He is our fortress strong
Souls, cling to this everlasting rock
to our salvation sure
May the wicked learn your power;
May they believe your truth
For your righteousness and justice;
Bring peace upon the earth Refrain
To you who dwell in dust, awake! Rise up and sing for joy!
The Lord will redeem you at last; And life shall be restored
THE PRAYERS Joe Milner
For the Church: that we may spread the hopeful and exciting message of the Gospel through both our words and deeds so that others may encounter the God who loves them
For a greater love for the Word of God: that we may make space in our busy lives to allow the Word of God to challenge and prune us so that we may bear abundant fruit
For openness of spirit: that our hearts may welcome the Word of God and be fertile soil where the seed will produce an abundant harvest of faith and charity
For all who spread the Word of God, for preachers, teachers, parents, and writers: that they may announce God’s loving compassion faithfully and convincingly so that others may come to know the living God
For the courage to share our faith through stories: that we may offer others the joy of coming to know God’s love through sharing the story of our journey with God
For freedom from all that enslaves our hearts: that we may allow God’s Word to free us from fear, anxiety, and financial worries, enable us to live as God’s children, and empower us to be disciples of Jesus in word and deed
For the created world: that we may be aware of God’s revelation through the created world around us, promote respect for it, and work to protect it for future generations
For a calming of the restlessness in our hearts: that we may find fulfillment of our deepest longings in the embrace of God
For all who have closed their hearts to God’s Word: that God will break through their barriers, move their hearts and spirits, and open them to the Holy Spirit’s presence, and empower them to become active followers of Christ
For all who care for the sick: that God will give them strength and help them to radiate God’s compassion and show deep respect for each person for whom they assist
For conversion of hearts: that God will free us from prejudice and unfair judgments so that each person may be treated with dignity and respect
For refugees and immigrants, particularly children: that they may be welcomed as a brother or sister in the Lord and treated with love and respect
For a new springtime of Justice: that God’s reign of Justice and Peace may develop abundantly in our hearts and in all the structures of our society
For safety at the Olympic games: that God will protect all who will be gathering in Paris from harm and help the athletes to be preserved from injury
For all who have fled their homes: that God will lead those fleeing violence to places of safety, guide and protect those who are recovering from storms and fires to new shelter, and help all who have fled famine and drought to sources of food and water
(Traditional chant: http://oremus.org/chant/LP-1940.mp3)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
God of deep soil
and luxuriant growth;
you call us from
our shallow selves
to find our depth in you:
may we abide in him alone
who can teach us who we are;
through Jesus Christ, the true vine. Amen. PIC
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.
RCLP Revised Common Lectionary Prayers. © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.
The intercession is by Joe Milner http://liturgy.slu.edu
1 Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©
The Lord’s Prayer is the traditional chant as set in The Hymnal 1940 and sung by Kathryn Mannyng https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsJ2TB9pLbU
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 of Psalms 80 and 81 are from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is sung by Ryland Angel. Psalm 79 is by Sons of Korah.
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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