Mary Magdalene
All four gospels give Mary Magdalene a unique place among Jesus’ followers. Probably from Magdala by the Sea of Galilee, she is described as having been healed by Jesus before accompanying him during his ministry. Along with other faithful women, she stayed beside the cross during the crucifixion and was the first disciple to discover the empty tomb on Easter morning. She was privileged with the first appearance of the risen Lord, who sent her to take the good news of the resurrection to the other disciples. This commission earned her the title ‘Apostle to the Apostles’ in the early Church. EH
Antiphon 1
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 peo-ple, alleluia, alleluia.
V. 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! 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: Dan Damon ©
Tune: Cedarwolf
1 Woman, weeping in the garden,
who has pushed the stone aside?
Who has taken Jesus’ body,
Jesus Christ the crucified?
2 Woman, waiting in the garden,
after men have come and gone,
after angels give their witness,
silently you watch the dawn.
3 Woman, walking in the garden,
Jesus takes you by surprise;
when the gardener calls you, “Mary!”
faith and joy meet in your eyes.
4 Woman, weeping in the garden,
weep for joy, for you have seen
Jesus, the Messiah, risen;
Christ, of whom the prophets dream.
5 Woman, dancing from the garden,
find the others and proclaim
Christ is risen as he promised;
tell the world he knew your name!
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.
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.
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
O God,
you are light to the lost,
bread to the hungry,
deliverance to the captive,
healing to the sick, eternal vision to the dying,
and harbor to every soul in peril.
Gather the wanderers from every corner of the world
into the community of your mercy and grace,
that we may eternally praise you
for our salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Three days later, Laban found out that Jacob had gone, so Laban took his brothers with him, chased Jacob for seven days, and caught up with him in the mountains of Gilead. That night, God appeared to Laban the Aramean in a dream and said, “Be careful and don’t say anything hastily to Jacob one way or the other.”
Laban reached Jacob after Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountains. So Laban and his brothers also pitched theirs in the mountains of Gilead. Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You have deceived me and taken off with my daughters as if they were prisoners of war. Why did you leave secretly, deceiving me, and not letting me know? I would’ve sent you off with a celebration, with songs and tambourines and harps. You didn’t even let me kiss my sons and my daughters good-bye. Now you’ve acted like a fool, and I have the power to punish you. However, your father’s God told me yesterday, ‘Be careful and don’t say anything hastily to Jacob one way or the other.’ You’ve rushed off now because you missed your father’s household so much, but why did you steal my gods?”
Jacob responded to Laban, “I was afraid and convinced myself that you would take your daughters away from me. Whomever you find with your divine images won’t live. Identify whatever I have that is yours, in front of your brothers, and take it.” Jacob didn’t know that Rachel had stolen them. Laban went into Jacob’s tent, Leah’s tent, and her two servants’ tent and didn’t find them.
So he left Leah’s tent and went into Rachel’s. Now Rachel had taken the divine images and put them into the camel’s saddlebag and sat on them. Laban felt around in the whole tent but couldn’t find them. Rachel said to her father, “Sir, don’t be angry with me because I can’t get up for you; I’m having my period.” He searched but couldn’t find the divine images.
Jacob was angry and complained to Laban, “What have I done wrong and what’s my crime that you’ve tracked me down like this? You’ve now felt through all of my baggage, and what have you found from your household’s belongings? Put it in front of our relatives, and let them decide between us. For these twenty years I’ve been with you, your female sheep and goats haven’t miscarried, and I haven’t eaten your flock’s rams. When animals were killed, I didn’t bring them to you but took the loss myself. You demanded compensation from me for any animals poached during the day or night. The dry heat consumed me during the day, and the frost at night; I couldn’t sleep. I’ve now spent twenty years in your household. I worked for fourteen years for your two daughters and for six years for your flock, and you changed my pay ten times. If the God of my father—the God of Abraham and the awesome one of Isaac—hadn’t been with me, you’d have no doubt sent me away without anything. God saw my harsh treatment and my hard work and reprimanded you yesterday.”
HYMN: Henry Francis Lyte
Tune: Heathlands https://tinyurl.com/bdfw9xtb
1 God of mercy, God of grace,
show the brightness of thy face;
shine upon us, Saviour, shine,
fill thy church with light divine;
and thy saving health extend
unto earth’s remotest end.
2 Let the people praise thee, Lord;
be by all that live adored;
let the nations shout and sing
glory to their Saviour King;
at thy feet their tribute pay,
and thy holy will obey.
3 Let the people praise thee, Lord;
earth shall then her fruits afford;
God to man his blessing give,
man to God devoted live;
all below, and all above,
one in joy and light and love.
Peter said, “Brothers and sisters, I know you acted in ignorance. So did your rulers. But this is how God fulfilled what he foretold through all the prophets: that his Christ would suffer. Change your hearts and lives! Turn back to God so that your sins may be wiped away. Then the Lord will provide a season of relief from the distress of this age and he will send Jesus, whom he handpicked to be your Christ. Jesus must remain in heaven until the restoration of all things, about which God spoke long ago through his holy prophets. Moses said, The Lord your God will raise up from your own people a prophet like me. Listen to whatever he tells you. Whoever doesn’t listen to that prophet will be totally cut off from the people. All the prophets who spoke—from Samuel forward—announced these days. You are the heirs of the prophets and the covenant that God made with your ancestors when he told Abraham, Through your descendants, all the families on earth will be blessed. After God raised his servant, he sent him to you first—to bless you by enabling each of you to turn from your evil ways.”
HYMN: John MacLeod Crum
Tune: Noel Nouvelet https://tinyurl.com/3pz6kzf2
1 Now the green blade riseth, from the buried grain,
Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.
2 In the grave they laid Him, Love who had been slain,
Thinking that He never would awake again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.
3 Forth He came at Easter, like the risen grain,
Jesus who for three days in the grave had lain;
Quick from the dead the risen One is seen:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.
4 When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
Jesus’ touch can call us back to life again,
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.
Early in the morning of the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. She ran to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him.”
Mary stood outside near the tomb, crying. As she cried, she bent down to look into the tomb. She saw two angels dressed in white, seated where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head and one at the foot. The angels asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” She replied, “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they’ve put him.” As soon as she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she didn’t know it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabbouni” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold on to me, for I haven’t yet gone up to my Father. Go to my brothers and sisters and tell them, ‘I’m going up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Mary Magdalene left and announced to the disciples, “I’ve seen the Lord.” Then she told them what he said to her.
CANTICLE Te Deum
(Setting: https://tinyurl.com/y86fwpph)
You are God we praise you,
You are Lord we thank you,
All creation worships you,
Father, ancient of days.
To You all the angels,
All the powers of heaven;
Cherubim and Seraphim,
Sing in endless praise:
You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
Your servants the apostles
Honor you and praise you.
The fellowship of prophets
Your greatness glorifies.
The army of the martyrs
Robed in white adores you.
Throughout the world
Your holy church
Proclaims you to the skies!
Father, glorious, infinite in majesty.
Son, victorious
Spirit, comfort and guide.
You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
Christ, Son of the Father,
King of endless glory
You came among us lowly,
Birth of Mary ‘s womb.
You robbed death of its power,
You opened heaven’s treasure
Now you sit at God’s right hand,
Soon to be our judge
Come Lord Jesus,
Come to help Your people.
Those for whom You shed Your blood
To whom you gave new birth,
You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
THE PRAYERS CW:F
With Mary Magdalene and all holy women,
let us praise our God and call upon him in prayer.
Father, your Son said of the woman who was a sinner,
‘Her many sins are forgiven because she has loved much.’
Forgive the sins of all who love you
and strengthen your Church to show forth your love in today’s world.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Many women ministered to the needs of your Son on his saving journeys.
Open our eyes to see you in those in need or sickness
and hear our prayer for … and all those we hold before you.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Mary Magdalene was the first to greet your risen Son
and carried the news of his triumph over death to the disciples.
Strengthen us to be faithful witnesses to the gospel in the world
and grant your grace to all who preach and teach the faith.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Your Son called those who do your will his brother and sister and mother.
Teach us to live as members of one family, united in faith and love.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Joining in fellowship with Mary Magdalene and all your saints,
we thank you for … recently departed,
and all those who have gone before us in the faith.
Grant that with them we may see your Son face to face in everlasting glory.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
(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.
Lord of the dawn,
whose risen life
began deep in the freshening earth;
you called Mary Magdalene
to see what men could not,
to be the first witness
whose love was stronger than fear:
speak our name, and open our hands
to let your Spirit flow
into all the lightening world;
through Jesus Christ, the Tree of Life. 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.
PIC Prayers for an Inclusive Church, © 2008 Steven Shakespeare, Canterbury Press, Norwich.
DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.
1 Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©
CW:F Common Worship: Festivals, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2008 and published by Church House Publishing.
The scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language version of Psalm 107 is in the version sung by Karl Kohlhase http://www.k4communications.com/karl/index.html.
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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