The Martyrs of Birmingham
Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley were getting ready for church services when a bomb exploded on this day in 1965 at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, killing all four of the school-age girls. The church had been a center for civil rights meetings and marches.
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/9jxj8mak
The Lord is the strength of his people,
a saving refuge for the one he has anointed.
Save your people, Lord, and bless your heritage,
and govern them for ever. Psalm 28
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: Gracia Grindal ©, alt.
Tune: Leicester https://tinyurl.com/4ymubvry
1 Let flow our tears in grief for this,
our little ones, now gone from us,
who not so long ago were born,
now all that’s left to do is mourn,
but we refuse to be consoled
like Rachel weeping her children.
2 Our voices join with all of those
who weep to hold their children close
but cannot reach beyond their dust
to lines they drew, their little trusts
and they refuse to be consoled
these parents weeping their children.
3 All death and hope are met in one
born long ago who is God’s Son
whose birth provoked the tyrant’s rage
who tramples wanton through our age.
Still we refuse to be consoled
like Rachel weeping her children.
4 For who of us can stop the hand
of brutal demons in the land
whose fury aims to hurt and kill
the innocents whose screams are still
upon the air and unconsoled
with parents weeping their children.
5 All we can do is turn to him
who died in old Jerusalem
and wept abandoned on the cross
disarming demons there for us
so one day we might be consoled
with Rachel weeping our children.
PSALMS
Psalm 75 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/w8cy5dn)
1 Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks *
yea, unto thee do we give thanks.
2 Thy Name also is so nigh *
and that do thy wondrous works declare.
3 When I receive the congregation *
I shall judge according unto right.
4 The earth is weak, and all the inhabiters thereof *
I bear up the pillars of it.
5 I said unto the fools, Deal not so madly *
and to the ungodly, Set not up your horn.
6 Set not up your horn on high *
and speak not with a stiff neck.
7 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west *
nor yet from the south.
8 And why? God is the Judge *
he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
9 For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red *
it is full mixed, and he poureth out of the same.
10 As for the dregs thereof *
all the ungodly of the earth shall drink them, and suck them out.
11 But I will talk of the God of Jacob *
and praise him for ever.
12 All the horns of the ungodly also will I break *
and the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
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 76 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/r9ym7fd)
1 In Jewry is God known *
his Name is great in Israel.
2 At Salem is his tabernacle *
and his dwelling in Sion.
3 There brake he the arrows of the bow *
the shield, the sword, and the battle.
4 Thou art of more honour and might *
than the hills of the robbers.
5 The proud are robbed, they have slept their sleep *
and all the men whose hands were mighty have found nothing.
6 At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob *
both the chariot and horse are fallen.
7 Thou, even thou art to be feared *
and who may stand in thy sight when thou art angry?
8 Thou didst cause thy judgement to be heard from heaven *
the earth trembled, and was still,
9 When God arose to judgement *
and to help all the meek upon earth.
10 The fierceness of man shall turn to thy praise *
and the fierceness of them shalt thou refrain.
11 Promise unto the Lord your God, and keep it,
all ye that are round about him *
bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
12 He shall refrain the spirit of princes *
and is wonderful among the kings of the earth.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,*
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 77 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/vmyxazc)
1 I will cry unto God with my voice *
even unto God will I cry with my voice, and he shall hearken unto me.
2 In the time of my trouble I sought the Lord *
my sore ran, and ceased not in the night-season;
my soul refused comfort.
3 When I am in heaviness, I will think upon God *
when my heart is vexed, I will complain.
4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking *
I am so feeble, that I cannot speak.
5 I have considered the days of old *
and the years that are past.
6 I call to remembrance my song *
and in the night I commune with mine own heart, and search out my spirits.
7 Will the Lord absent himself for ever *
and will he be no more intreated?
8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever *
and is his promise come utterly to an end for evermore?
9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious *
and will he shut up his loving-kindness in displeasure?
10 And I said, It is mine own infirmity *
but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most Highest.
11 I will remember the works of the Lord *
and call to mind thy wonders of old time.
12 I will think also of all thy works *
and my talking shall be of thy doings.
13 Thy way, O God, is holy *
who is so great a God as our God?
14 Thou art the God that doeth wonders *
and hast declared thy power among the people.
15 Thou hast mightily delivered thy people *
even the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
16 The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee, and were afraid *
the depths also were troubled.
17 The clouds poured out water, the air thundered *
and thine arrows went abroad.
18 The voice of thy thunder was heard round about *
the lightnings shone upon the ground;
the earth was moved, and shook withal.
19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy paths in the great waters *
and thy footsteps are not known.
20 Thou leddest thy people like sheep *
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
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 75 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-75-1.mp3)
1 We give you thanks, O God, we give you thanks, *
calling upon your Name and declaring all your wonderful deeds.
2 “I will appoint a time,” says God; *
“I will judge with equity.
3 Though the earth and all its inhabitants are quaking, *
I will make its pillars fast.
4 I will say to the boasters, ‘Boast no more,’ *
and to the wicked, ‘Do not toss your horns;
5 Do not toss your horns so high, *
nor speak with a proud neck.’”
6 For judgment is neither from the east nor from the west, *
nor yet from the wilderness or the mountains.
7 It is God who judges; *
he puts down one and lifts up another.
8 For in the LORD’S hand there is a cup,
full of spiced and foaming wine, which he pours out, *
and all the wicked of the earth shall drink and drain the dregs.
9 But I will rejoice for ever; *
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10 He shall break off all the horns of the wicked; *
but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
Psalm 76 (Karl Kohlhase: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-76-KH.mp3)
God is known in Judah;
his name is great in Israel.
His tabernacle is in Salem;
his dwelling place in Zion.
There he broke the flaming arrows,
the shield and sword, all weapons of war.
Selah, selah, his tabernacle is in Salem
You are very resplendent,
more than mountains of prey.
Plundered, the strong-willed sank in sleep;
no warrior could use his hands.
At your rebuke, God of Jacob,
horse and rider both sank into sleep.
Selah, selah, his tabernacle is in Salem
You, even you, are feared;
who stands in your presence once angered?
Your judgment was heard from heaven;
the earth then feared and was silenced
When God arose for judgment,
to save the humble on earth.
Selah, selah, his tabernacle is in Salem
The wrath of man shall praise you;
with a remnant of wrath you gird yourself.
To the LORD God vow and fulfill;
all surrounding him bring gifts with fear.
He blocks the spirit of rulers;
he is feared by the kings of the earth.
Selah, selah, his Tabernacle is in Salem
Psalm 77 (Karl Kohlhase: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-77-KH.mp3)
My voice rises to God, I will cry aloud;
my voice rises to God, he will hear me.
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;
in the night my hand stretched without fainting;
My soul refused to be comforted.
Yes, my soul refused to be comforted.
I’m disturbed when I remember God;
when I sigh my spirit faints.
You have held my eyelids open;
so troubled I can’t even speak.
I considered the days of old,
and all those years long ago;
I remember my song in the night;
my heart meditates and spirit ponders:
Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never again show favor?
Has his kindness ceased for all time?
Has his promise come to an end?
Has God forgotten to be gracious,
or in anger withdrawn his compassion?
Then I said, “It is surely my grief,
the right hand of the Most High has changed.”
My voice rises to God, I will cry aloud;
my voice rises to God, he will hear me.
I’ll remember the deeds of the LORD;
I’ll recall your wonders of old.
On all your works I’ll meditate,
and will muse upon your deeds
Your way, O God, is holy;
what god is great like our God?
You are the God of wonders;
your strength is known through the lands.
You save your people with power,
the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
The waters then saw you, O God;
the waters then saw you, O God,
Then they were in anguish;
the depths started to quake.
The clouds then poured down water;
the skies gave forth a sound;
My voice rises to God, I will cry aloud;
my voice rises to God, he will hear me.
Your arrows flashed here and there.
The sound of your thunder in a whirlwind;
your lightnings lit up the world;
the earth then trembled and shook.
Your paths through sea and water;
your footprints may not be known.
Like a flock you led your people forth,
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
My voice rises to God, I will cry aloud;
my voice rises to God, he will hear me. (repeat)
PRAYER
God of the ages,
by signs and wonders you established your ancient covenant,
and through the sacrifice of your Son
you confirmed the new covenant yet more wondrously.
Guide your church to the land of promise,
that there we may celebrate your name with lasting praise
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
The Israelite people called it manna. It was like coriander seed, white, and tasted like honey wafers. Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Let an omer of it be kept safe for future generations so that they can see the food that I used to feed you in the desert when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’”
Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar, and put one full omer of manna in it. Then set it in the Lord’s presence, where it should be kept safe for future generations.” Aaron did as the Lord commanded Moses, and he put it in front of the covenant document for safekeeping. The Israelites ate manna for forty years, until they came to a livable land. They ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.
HYMN: Russell Kelso Carter
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/2ajzpa65
1 Standing on the promises of Christ, my King,
Through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail.
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
3 Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord,
Bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
4 Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List’ning ev’ry moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
Since we work together with him, we are also begging you not to receive the grace of God in vain. He says, I listened to you at the right time, and I helped you on the day of salvation. Look, now is the right time! Look, now is the day of salvation!
We don’t give anyone any reason to be offended about anything so that our ministry won’t be criticized. Instead, we commend ourselves as ministers of God in every way. We did this with our great endurance through problems, disasters, and stressful situations. We went through beatings, imprisonments, and riots. We experienced hard work, sleepless nights, and hunger. We displayed purity, knowledge, patience, and generosity. We served with the Holy Spirit, genuine love, telling the truth, and God’s power. We carried the weapons of righteousness in our right hand and our left hand. We were treated with honor and dishonor and with verbal abuse and good evaluation. We were seen as both fake and real, as unknown and well known, as dying—and look, we are alive! We were seen as punished but not killed, as going through pain but always happy, as poor but making many rich, and as having nothing but owning everything.
Corinthians, we have spoken openly to you, and our hearts are wide open. There are no limits to the affection that we feel for you. You are the ones who placed boundaries on your affection for us. But as a fair trade—I’m talking to you like you are children—open your hearts wide too.
Don’t be tied up as equal partners with people who don’t believe. What does righteousness share with that which is outside the Law? What relationship does light have with darkness? What harmony does Christ have with Satan? What does a believer have in common with someone who doesn’t believe? What agreement can there be between God’s temple and idols? Because we are the temple of the living God. Just as God said, I live with them, and I will move among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among them and be separated, says the Lord. Don’t touch what is unclean. Then I will welcome you. I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. My dear friends, since we have these promises, let’s cleanse ourselves from anything that contaminates our body or spirit so that we make our holiness complete in the fear of God.
Make room in your hearts for us. We didn’t do anything wrong to anyone. We didn’t ruin anyone. We didn’t take advantage of anyone. I’m not saying this to make you feel guilty. I’ve already said that you are in our hearts so that we die and live together with you. I have every confidence in you. I’m terribly proud of you. I’m filled with encouragement. I’m overwhelmed with happiness while in the middle of our problems.
HYMN: Charles Wesley
Tune: Ombersley https://tinyurl.com/drbny6tu
1 God of all power, and truth, and grace,
which shall from age to age endure,
whose word, when heaven and earth shall pass,
remains and stands for ever sure;
2 that I your mercy may proclaim,
that all the world your truth may see,
hallow your great and glorious name,
and perfect holiness in me.
3 Purge me from every evil blot;
my idols all be cast aside:
cleanse me from every sinful thought,
from all the stain of self and pride.
4 Give me a new, a perfect heart,
from sorrow free, and doubt and fear;
the mind which was in Christ impart,
and let my spirit know you near.
5 O that I now, from sin released,
your word may to the utmost prove,
enter into the promised rest,
the Canaan of your perfect love!
As Jesus came to the city and observed it, he wept over it. He said, “If only you knew on this of all days the things that lead to peace. But now they are hidden from your eyes. The time will come when your enemies will build fortifications around you, encircle you, and attack you from all sides. They will crush you completely, you and the people within you. They won’t leave one stone on top of another within you, because you didn’t recognize the time of your gracious visit from God.”
When Jesus entered the temple, he threw out those who were selling things there. He said to them, “It’s written, My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a hideout for crooks.”
Jesus was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests, the legal experts, and the foremost leaders among the people were seeking to kill him. However, they couldn’t find a way to do it because all the people were enthralled with what they heard.
CANTICLE: Luke 1:68-79
(Consiglio: https://tinyurl.com/ya8y3kqs)
Ant. Blest be the Lord God of Israel; *
who has come to his people and set them free.
God has raiséd up a Savior strong and proud,
born of his servant David.
And through holy prophets God has promised from of old,
to save us from all our foes, from the hands of all who hate us. Ant.
God promised to show mercy to our ancestors
to remember the covenant.
This was the oath sworn to father Abraham,
to set us free from our enemies’ hands,
free to worship God without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. Ant.
You, little child, are the prophet of the Lord,
you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
To give the people knowledge of salvation
by forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high breaks upon us,
to shine on us who dwell in the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet on the way of peace. Ant.
THE PRAYERS PWC
Liberator of the peoples, fill all who confess the name of Christ
with the power your Holy Spirit.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.
Be the joy and the strength of all
whose lives are bound in mutual love
and for those who live in celibacy.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.
Grant your salvation to all who are far from home,
prisoners, exiles and victims of oppression.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.
Show your kindness and mercy to all who are facing trials and difficulties,
to those who are sick and to those who are dying.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.
Forgive our sins and set us free from all hardship,
distress, want, war and injustice.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.
Guide us into new and just ways of sharing the goods of the earth,
so that we may live by the abundance of your mercies.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.
Strengthen us in our struggle
against exploitation, greed and lack of concern,
so that we may find joy together.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.
Unite us in love and service,
so that we may live in communion with all Christ’s saints.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.
(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.
We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the innocent in the struggle for human rights, especially in the United States. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of oppressive systems and in their place establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. HWHM, alt.
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.
PWC PRAY WITHOUT CEASING: Morning and Evening Prayer for the Seasons of the Church Year Prepared by The Rev’d Dr Richard Geoffrey Leggett on behalf of The Liturgy Task Force of the Anglican Church of Canada, May 2016.
HWHM Holy Women, Holy Men © 2010 The Church Pension Fund.
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 Psalm 38 and 39 are from The Grail Psalter and are from the Manual Hopper YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/manualhopper/featured. Psalm 40 is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is 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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