Antiphon1
Ant. Guide my footsteps, O Lord, according to your word,*
so that no iniquity may ever gain the upper hand, O Lord.
V. Blessed are those whose way is blameless, *
who walk in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who keep his decrees! *
With all their hearts they seek him.
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: Philipp Nicolai; trans. Catherine Winkworth
Tune: Wachet auf https://tinyurl.com/yvsxd8r6
1 Wake, awake, for night is flying,
the watchmen on the heights are crying;
awake, Jerusalem, at last.
Midnight hears the welcome voices,
and at the thrilling cry rejoices:
“Come forth, you maidens! Night is past.
The Bridegroom comes! Awake;
your lamps with gladness take!”
Alleluia!
Prepare yourselves to meet the Lord,
whose light has stirred the waiting guard.
2 Zion hears the watchmen singing,
and in her heart new joy is springing.
She wakes, she rises from her gloom,
for her Lord comes down all-glorious,
and strong in grace, in truth victorious.
Her star is ris’n; her light is come.
O, come, you Blessed One,
Lord Jesus, God’s own Son.
Sing hosanna!
We go until the halls we view
where You have bid us dine with You.
3 Now let all the heav’ns adore You,
and saints and angels sing before You.
The harps and cymbals all unite.
Of one pearl each shining portal,
where, dwelling with the choir immortal,
we gather ’round Your dazzling light.
No eye has seen, no ear
has yet been trained to hear
what joy is ours!
Crescendos rise; Your halls resound;
hosannas blend in cosmic sound.
PSALMS
Psalm 62 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y9slywgl)
1 My soul truly waiteth still upon God *
for of him cometh my salvation.
2 He verily is my strength and my salvation *
he is my defence, so that I shall not greatly fall.
3 How long will ye imagine mischief against every man *
ye shall be slain all the sort of you;
yea, as a tottering wall shall ye be, and like a broken hedge.
4 Their device is only how to put him out whom God will exalt *
their delight is in lies; they give good words with their mouth,
but curse with their heart.
5 Nevertheless, my soul, wait thou still upon God *
for my hope is in him.
6 He truly is my strength and my salvation *
he is my defence, so that I shall not fall.
7 In God is my health, and my glory *
the rock of my might, and in God is my trust.
8 O put your trust in him alway, ye people *
pour out your hearts before him, for God is our hope.
9 As for the children of men, they are but vanity *
the children of men are deceitful upon the weights,
they are altogether lighter than vanity itself.
10 O trust not in wrong and robbery, give not yourselves unto vanity *
if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
11 God spake once, and twice I have also heard the same *
that power belongeth unto God;
12 And that thou, Lord, art merciful *
for thou rewardest every man according to his work.
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 63 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y7dmyzy2)
1 O God, thou art my God *
early will I seek thee.
2 My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh also longeth after thee *
in a barren and dry land where no water is.
3 Thus have I looked for thee in holiness *
that I might behold thy power and glory.
4 For thy loving-kindness is better than the life itself *
my lips shall praise thee.
5 As long as I live will I magnify thee on this manner *
and lift up my hands in thy Name.
6 My soul shall be satisfied, even as it were with marrow and fatness *
when my mouth praiseth thee with joyful lips.
7 Have I not remembered thee in my bed *
and thought upon thee when I was waking?
8 Because thou hast been my helper *
therefore under the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
9 My soul hangeth upon thee *
thy right hand hath upholden me.
10 These also that seek the hurt of my soul *
they shall go under the earth.
11 Let them fall upon the edge of the sword *
that they may be a portion for foxes.
12 But the King shall rejoice in God;
all they also that swear by him shall be commended *
for the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
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 64 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ydc4zq6h)
1 Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer *
preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the gathering together of the froward *
and from the insurrection of wicked doers;
3 Who have whet their tongue like a sword *
and shoot out their arrows, even bitter words;
4 That they may privily shoot at him that is perfect *
suddenly do they hit him, and fear not.
5 They encourage themselves in mischief *
and commune among themselves how they may lay snares,
and say, that no man shall see them.
6 They imagine wickedness, and practise it *
that they keep secret among themselves,
every man in the deep of his heart.
7 But God shall suddenly shoot at them with a swift arrow *
that they shall be wounded.
8 Yea, their own tongues shall make them fall *
insomuch that whoso seeth them shall laugh them to scorn.
9 And all men that see it shall say, This hath God done *
for they shall perceive that it is his work.
10 The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord, and put his trust in him *
and all they that are true of heart shall be glad.
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 62 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-62.mp3)
1 For God alone my soul in silence waits; *
from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, *
my stronghold, so that I shall not be greatly shaken.
3 How long will you assail me to crush me,
all of you together, *
as if you were a leaning fence, a toppling wall?
4 They seek only to bring me down from my place of honor; *
lies are their chief delight.
5 They bless with their lips, *
but in their hearts they curse.
6 For God alone my soul in silence waits; *
truly, my hope is in him.
7 He alone is my rock and my salvation, *
my stronghold, so that I shall not be shaken.
8 In God is my safety and my honor; *
God is my strong rock and my refuge.
9 Put your trust in him always, O people, *
pour out your hearts before him, for God is our refuge.
10 Those of high degree are but a fleeting breath, *
even those of low estate cannot be trusted.
11 On the scales they are lighter than a breath, *
all of them together.
12 Put no trust in extortion;
in robbery take no empty pride; *
though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.
13 God has spoken once, twice have I heard it, *
that power belongs to God.
14 Steadfast love is yours, O Lord, *
for you repay everyone according to his deeds.
Psalm 63 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-63-MH.mp3)
2 O God, you are my God, for you I long;
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you
like a dry, weary land without water.
3 So I gaze on you in the sanctuary
to see your strength and your glory.
4 For your love is better than life,
my lips will speak your praise.
5 So I will bless you all my life,
in your name I will lift up my hands.
6 My soul shall be filled as with a banquet,
my mouth shall praise you with joy.
7 On my bed I remember you.
On you I muse through the night
8 for your have been my help;
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
9 My soul clings to you;
your right hand holds me fast.
10 Those who seek to destroy my life
shall go down to the depths of the earth.
11 They shall be put into the power of the sword
and left as the prey of the jackals.
12 But the king shall rejoice in God;
(all that swear by him shall be blessed,)
for the mouth of liars shall be silenced.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 64 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-64-MH.mp3)
2 Hear my voice, O God, as I complain,
guard my life from dread of the foe.
3 Hide me from the band of the wicked,
from the throng of those who do evil.
4 They sharpen their tongues like swords;
they aim bitter words like arrows
5 to shoot at the innocent from ambush,
shooting suddenly and recklessly.
6 They scheme their evil course;
they conspire to lay secret snares.
They say: “Who will see us?
7 Who can search out our crimes?”
He will search who searches the mind
and knows the depths of the heart.
8 God has shot them with his arrow
and dealt them sudden wounds.
9 Their own tongue has brought them to ruin
and all who see them mock.
10 Then will all men fear;
they will tell what God has done.
They will understand God’s deeds.
11 The just will rejoice in the Lord
and fly to him for refuge.
All the upright hearts will glory.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
PRAYER
Lord God,
in a threatening world we look to you as our rock of hope.
Hear us as we pour out our hearts to you,
and give us your grace and protection;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Wisdom is bright and unfading. She readily appears to those who love her. She’s found by those who keep seeking after her. She makes herself known even in advance to those who desire her with all their hearts. Someone who awakens before dawn to look for her will find her already sitting at the door. Taking wisdom to heart is the way to bring your thinking to maturity. The one who can’t sleep at night because he’s consumed with thinking about her will soon be free from worry.
She herself goes about looking for those who are worthy of her. She graciously makes herself known to them as they travel. She comes to them in each of the ideas that they think. The real beginning of wisdom is to desire instruction with all your heart. Love for instruction expresses itself in careful reflection. If you love Wisdom, you will keep her laws. If you are attentive to her laws, you can be assured that you will live forever. If you live forever, you will be near to God. If you desire wisdom with all your heart, you will know what good leadership is.
HYMN: Carl P Daw, Jr. ©
Tune: Ebenezer https://tinyurl.com/yckj5b68
1 Hear the turmoil of the nations!
How earth’s peoples sigh and groan!
Voices call for revolution;
factions thrive, and threats are thrown.
Few take time to seek God’s blessing,
which some others falsely claim.
God, whose will alone is sov’reign,
soon will turn their pride to shame.
2 God once set a model monarch
firmly on a royal throne,
there to reign with might and wisdom
bearing witness to God’s own.
When the heirs of all that greatness
took for granted what God gave,
God fulfilled the dormant promise
in the One who came to save.
3 Listen, all who govern nations!
Rulers of the earth, take heed!
Trust no human scheme or system
to determine how you lead.
Turn to God for strength and courage
when your fears and doubts increase;
in that longed-for place of refuge,
find in God your source of peace.
Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about people who have died so that you won’t mourn like others who don’t have any hope. Since we believe that Jesus died and rose, so we also believe that God will bring with him those who have died in Jesus. What we are saying is a message from the Lord: we who are alive and still around at the Lord’s coming definitely won’t go ahead of those who have died. This is because the Lord himself will come down from heaven with the signal of a shout by the head angel and a blast on God’s trumpet. First, those who are dead in Christ will rise. Then, we who are living and still around will be taken up together with them in the clouds to meet with the Lord in the air. That way we will always be with the Lord. So encourage each other with these words.
HYMN: James M Black
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/yaj69jpc
1 When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Refrain:
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
2 On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of his resurrection share;
When his chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. [Refrain]
3 Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun;
Let us talk of all his wondrous love and care.
Then when all of life is over and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. [Refrain]
Jesus said, “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten young bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. Now five of them were wise, and the other five were foolish. The foolish ones took their lamps but didn’t bring oil for them. But the wise ones took their lamps and also brought containers of oil.
“When the groom was late in coming, they all became drowsy and went to sleep. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Look, the groom! Come out to meet him.’
“Then all those bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. But the foolish bridesmaids said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps have gone out.’
“But the wise bridesmaids replied, ‘No, because if we share with you, there won’t be enough for our lamps and yours. We have a better idea. You go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were gone to buy oil, the groom came. Those who were ready went with him into the wedding. Then the door was shut.
“Later the other bridesmaids came and said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us.’
“But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’
“Therefore, keep alert, because you don’t know the day or the hour.”
CANTICLE 1 Peter 2:21-24
(Chant by John Michael Talbot: https://tinyurl.com/y94v9fvt)
Ant. If we share fully in the sufferings of Christ,
through Christ we shall know the fullness of his consolation.
Christ suffered for you,
and left you an example
to have you follow in his footsteps.
He did no wrong;
no deceit was found in his mouth.
When he was insulted,
he returned no insult.
When he was made to suffer,
he did not counter with threats.
Instead he delivered himself up
to the One who judges justly.
In his own body
he brought your sins to the cross,
so that all of us, dead to sin,
could live in accord with God’s will.
By his wounds you were healed.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
THE PRAYERS Joe Milner
For the Church: that having taken the Word of God to heart, we may have a spirit of readiness so that we can respond to God’s presence and invitations at any moment
For the gift of Wisdom: that God will give us insight and understanding through our daily experiences so that we may value and nurture those things that will sustain us into eternal life
For the grace of fidelity: that we may faithfully follow Christ each day of our life, acting justly, loving tenderly, and walking humbly before God, and thus keep our light burning until Christ comes
For the grace to live in the here and now: that we may not be consumed by the endless things that need to be done tomorrow, nor trapped by the events of yesterday, and thus forget the gift of today
For all newly elected officials: that they may fulfill their duties with integrity and work untiringly to address the crucial issues of our society
For all who are recovering from natural disasters: that God will give them strength, help them to have patience, and speed the assistance that they need to rebuild their lives
For all who have served our nation: that they may enjoy rest and be blest with health and peace
For all who are suffering financially: that God will ease their burden, provide food for the malnourished, and open new opportunities for employment so that they may provide for their families
For all who feel trapped by fear or anxiety: that God will free their hearts and help them live in the assurance of God’s abiding love
For healing of our nation: that God will heal the wounded relationships and mistrust amongst people, and help us to work together for the common good
For all who have experienced abuse: that God will heal their memories, give them the courage to move forward, and help them find a supportive community
For all with a terminal illness: that, those who are waiting to meet the Lord in death, may have an awareness of God’s presence with them now and confident hope in God’s love for them
For all who are grieving the death of a loved one: that God will wipe away their tears, heal the pain of separation in their hearts, and give them peace
For all who have died, particularly those who have served our nation or our faith communities: that God will welcome them to the eternal banquet to live in God’s presence forever
(Plainsong: https://tinyurl.com/ahnrtv59)ELW
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.
Ever-living God,
you inscribe our names in your book of life
so that we may share in the firstfruits of salvation.
Grant that we may acknowledge Christ as our redeemer
and, trusting in him,
be confident that none of your own will be lost or forgotten.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen. RCLP
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.
ELW The Lord’s Prayer is from Setting Five in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
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 three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern version of Psalm 62 is from Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is sung by Ryland Angel. Psalms 63 and 64 are from The Grail Psalter and are from the Manual Hopper YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/manualhopper/featured.
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.
Oremus 