Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/352rkh56
Your merciful love, O God,
we have received in the midst of your temple.
Your praise, O God, like your name,
reaches the ends of the earth;
your right hand is filled with saving justice. Psalm 48
Almighty God,
you love us, but we have not loved you.
You call, but we have not listened.
We walk away from neighbors in need,
wrapped in our own concerns.
We condone evil, prejudice, warfare, and greed.
God of grace, help us to admit our sin,
so that as you come to us in mercy,
we may repent, turn to you, and receive forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. BCW
Music: https://tinyurl.com/ufxekitx
God, come to my assistance.
Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory 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.
HYMN: William Whiting
Tune: Melita http://tinyurl.com/2mk5chnx
1 Eternal Father, strong to save,
whose arm doth bind the restless wave,
who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep
its own appointed limits keep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.
2 O Saviour whose almighty word
the winds and waves submissive heard,
who walkedst on the foaming deep,
and calm amid its rage didst sleep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.
3 O sacred Spirit, who didst brood
upon the chaos dark and rude,
who bad’st its angry tumult cease,
and gavest light and life and peace:
O hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.
4 O Trinity of love and power,
our brethren shield in danger’s hour;
from rock and tempest, fire and foe,
protect them whereso’ er they go:
and ever let there rise to thee
glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
PSALMS
Psalm 78 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/uq2kpk3)
1 Hear my law, O my people *
incline your ears unto the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable *
I will declare hard sentences of old;
3 Which we have heard and known *
and such as our fathers have told us;
4 That we should not hide them
from the children of the generations to come *
but to shew the honour of the Lord,
his mighty and wonderful works that he hath done.
5 He made a covenant with Jacob, and gave Israel a law *
which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children;
6 That their posterity might know it *
and the children which were yet unborn;
7 To the intent that when they came up *
they might shew their children the same;
8 That they might put their trust in God *
and not to forget the works of God, but to keep his commandments;
9 And not to be as their forefathers,
a faithless and stubborn generation *
a generation that set not their heart aright,
and whose spirit cleaveth not stedfastly unto God;
10 Like as the children of Ephraim *
who being harnessed, and carrying bows,
turned themselves back in the day of battle.
11 They kept not the covenant of God *
and would not walk in his law;
12 But forgat what he had done *
and the wonderful works that he had shewed for them.
13 Marvellous things did he in the sight of our forefathers,
in the land of Egypt *
even in the field of Zoan.
14 He divided the sea, and let them go through *
he made the waters to stand on an heap.
15 In the day-time also he led them with a cloud *
and all the night through with a light of fire.
16 He clave the hard rocks in the wilderness *
and gave them drink thereof, as it had been out of the great depth.
17 He brought waters out of the stony rock *
so that it gushed out like the rivers.
18 Yet for all this they sinned more against him *
and provoked the most Highest in the wilderness.
19 They tempted God in their hearts *
and required meat for their lust.
20 They spake against God also, saying *
Shall God prepare a table in the wilderness?
21 He smote the stony rock indeed,
that the water gushed out, and the streams flowed withal *
but can he give bread also, or provide flesh for his people?
22 When the Lord heard this, he was wroth *
so the fire was kindled in Jacob,
and there came up heavy displeasure against Israel;
23 Because they believed not in God *
and put not their trust in his help.
24 So he commanded the clouds above *
and opened the doors of heaven.
25 He rained down manna also upon them for to eat *
and gave them food from heaven.
26 So man did eat angels’ food *
for he sent them meat enough.
27 He caused the east-wind to blow under heaven *
and through his power he brought in the south-west-wind.
28 He rained flesh upon them as thick as dust *
and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea.
29 He let it fall among their tents *
even round about their habitation.
30 So they did eat, and were well filled;
for he gave them their own desire *
they were not disappointed of their lust.
31 But while the meat was yet in their mouths,
the heavy wrath of God came upon them,
and slew the wealthiest of them *
yea, and smote down the chosen men that were in Israel.
32 But for all this they sinned yet more *
and believed not his wondrous works.
33 Therefore their days did he consume in vanity *
and their years in trouble.
34 When he slew them, they sought him *
and turned them early, and enquired after God.
35 And they remembered that God was their strength *
and that the high God was their redeemer.
36 Nevertheless, they did but flatter him with their mouth *
and dissembled with him in their tongue.
37 For their heart was not whole with him *
neither continued they stedfast in his covenant.
38 But he was so merciful, that he forgave their misdeeds *
and destroyed them not.
39 Yea, many a time turned he his wrath away *
and would not suffer his whole displeasure to arise.
40 For he considered that they were but flesh *
and that they were even a wind that passeth away,
and cometh not again.
41 Many a time did they provoke him in the wilderness *
and grieved him in the desert.
42 They turned back, and tempted God *
and moved the Holy One in Israel.
43 They thought not of his hand *
and of the day when he delivered them from the hand of the enemy;
44 How he had wrought his miracles in Egypt *
and his wonders in the field of Zoan.
45 He turned their waters into blood *
so that they might not drink of the rivers.
46 He sent lice among them, and devoured them up *
and frogs to destroy them.
47 He gave their fruit unto the caterpillar *
and their labour unto the grasshopper.
48 He destroyed their vines with hail-stones *
and their mulberry-trees with the frost.
49 He smote their cattle also with hail-stones *
and their flocks with hot thunderbolts.
50 He cast upon them the furiousness of his wrath,
anger, displeasure, and trouble *
and sent evil angels among them.
51 He made a way to his indignation,
and spared not their soul from death *
but gave their life over to the pestilence;
52 And smote all the first-born in Egypt *
the most principal and mightiest in the dwellings of Ham.
53 But as for his own people, he led them forth like sheep *
and carried them in the wilderness like a flock.
54 He brought them out safely, that they should not fear *
and overwhelmed their enemies with the sea.
55 And brought them within the borders of his sanctuary *
even to his mountain which he purchased with his right hand.
56 He cast out the heathen also before them *
caused their land to be divided among them for an heritage,
and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
57 So they tempted, and displeased the most high God *
and kept not his testimonies;
58 But turned their backs, and fell away like their forefathers *
starting aside like a broken bow.
59 For they grieved him with their hill altars *
and provoked him to displeasure with their images.
60 When God heard this, he was wroth *
and took sore displeasure at Israel.
61 So that he forsook the tabernacle in Silo *
even the tent that he had pitched among men.
62 He delivered their power into captivity *
and their beauty into the enemy’s hand.
63 He gave his people over also unto the sword *
and was wroth with his inheritance.
64 The fire consumed their young men *
and their maidens were not given to marriage.
65 Their priests were slain with the sword *
and there were no widows to make lamentation.
66 So the Lord awaked as one out of sleep *
and like a giant refreshed with wine.
67 He smote his enemies in the hinder parts *
and put them to a perpetual shame.
68 He refused the tabernacle of Joseph *
and chose not the tribe of Ephraim;
69 But chose the tribe of Judah *
even the hill of Sion which he loved.
70 And there he built his temple on high *
and laid the foundation of it like the ground
which he hath made continually.
71 He chose David also his servant *
and took him away from the sheep-folds.
72 As he was following the ewes great with young ones he took him *
that he might feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
73 So he fed them with a faithful and true heart *
and ruled them prudently with all his power.
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 78 (Karl Kohlhase: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-78-KH.mp3)
Listen, listen, listen, O my people
Listen, my people, to instruction;
give ear to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable,
and utter dark sayings of old,
Which we have heard and known,
our fathers passed on to us.
Not hiding them from their children,
but telling generations to come
The praise of the LORD and his strength,
the wonderful works he has done.
He established a witness in Jacob,
and appointed a law in Israel,
Which he commanded our fathers,
to teach them to their children,
that ages to come might know,
even children yet to be born,
Listen, listen, listen, O my people
They’d rise to tell their children,
to fix their hearts upon God
And not to forget the works of God,
but keep all his commands,
And not be like their fathers,
a stubborn rebellious age,
who would not prepare its heart,
with spirits unfaithful to God.
Ephraim’s sons were archers with bows,
but left in the day of battle.
Not keeping God’s covenant,
refusing to walk in his law;
forgetting about his deeds,
his miracles that he showed them.
His wonders before their fathers,
in Egypt and Zoan’s field.
Listen, listen, listen, O My people
Dividing the sea so they passed through,
making the waters stand in a heap.
Leading with cloud by day,
with a light of fire by night.
He split the rocks in the wilderness,
gave drink in full like the ocean depths.
He brought a stream from the rock,
made waters run down like rivers.
Yet they persisted in sin in the desert
against the Most high.
In their heart putting God to the test,
by asking for food they desired.
Against their God they grumbled,
in deserts will God set table?
He struck the rock so that waters,
gushed forth in flowing streams.
Listen, listen, listen, O My people
PRAYER
God of pilgrims,
strengthen our faith, we pray.
Guide us through the uncertainties of our journey,
and hold before us the vision of your eternal kingdom,
made known to us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
The Lord’s word came to Jonah, Amittai’s son: “Get up and go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it, for their evil has come to my attention.”
So Jonah got up—to flee to Tarshish from the Lord! He went down to Joppa and found a ship headed for Tarshish. He paid the fare and went aboard to go with them to Tarshish, away from the Lord. But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, so that there was a great storm on the sea; the ship looked like it might be broken to pieces. The sailors were terrified, and each one cried out to his god. They hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to make it lighter.
Now Jonah had gone down into the hold of the vessel to lie down and was deep in sleep. The ship’s officer came and said to him, “How can you possibly be sleeping so deeply? Get up! Call on your god! Perhaps the god will give some thought to us so that we won’t perish.”
Meanwhile, the sailors said to each other, “Come on, let’s cast lots so that we might learn who is to blame for this evil that’s happening to us.” They cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. So they said to him, “Tell us, since you’re the cause of this evil happening to us: What do you do and where are you from? What’s your country and of what people are you?”
He said to them, “I’m a Hebrew. I worship the Lord, the God of heaven—who made the sea and the dry land.”
Then the men were terrified and said to him, “What have you done?” (The men knew that Jonah was fleeing from the Lord, because he had told them.)
They said to him, “What will we do about you so that the sea will become calm around us?” (The sea was continuing to rage.)
He said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea! Then the sea will become calm around you. I know it’s my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”
The men rowed to reach dry land, but they couldn’t manage it because the sea continued to rage against them. So they called on the Lord, saying, “Please, Lord, don’t let us perish on account of this man’s life, and don’t blame us for innocent blood! You are the Lord: whatever you want, you can do.” Then they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased its raging. The men worshipped the Lord with a profound reverence; they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made solemn promises.
Meanwhile, the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights.
HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: Brockham http://tinyurl.com/2p9226np
1 Lord, thou hast seen my soul sincere,
Hast made thy truth and love appear;
Before mine eyes I set thy laws,
And Thou hast own’d my righteous cause.
2 Since I have learn’d thy holy ways,
I’ve walk’d upright before thy face:
Or if my feet did e’er depart,
Thy love reclaim’d my wand’ring heart.
3 What sore temptations broke my rest!
What wars and strugglings in my breast!
But through thy grace that reigns within,
I guard against my darling sin.
4 That sin which close besets me still,
That works and strives against my will:
When shall thy spirit’s sovereign pow’r
Destroy it, that it rise no more.
5 With an impartial hand, the Lord
Deals out to mortals their reward;
The kind and faithful souls shall find
A God as faithful and as kind.
6 And men that love revenge shall know,
God hath an arm of vengeance too:
The just and pure, shall ever say,
Thou art more pure, more just than they.
In the past, God spoke through the prophets to our ancestors in many times and many ways. In these final days, though, he spoke to us through a Son. God made his Son the heir of everything and created the world through him. The Son is the light of God’s glory and the imprint of God’s being. He maintains everything with his powerful message. After he carried out the cleansing of people from their sins, he sat down at the right side of the highest majesty. And the Son became so much greater than the other messengers, such as angels, that he received a more important title than theirs.
After all, when did God ever say to any of the angels:
You are my Son.
Today I have become your Father?
Or, even,
I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son?
But then, when he brought his firstborn into the world, he said,
All of God’s angels must worship him.
He talks about the angels:
He’s the one who uses the spirits for his messengers
and who uses flames of fire as ministers.
But he says to his Son,
God, your throne is forever
and your kingdom’s scepter is a rod of justice.
You loved righteousness and hated lawless behavior.
That is why God, your God,
has anointed you more than your companions with the oil of joy.
And he says,
You, Lord, laid the earth’s foundations in the beginning,
and the heavens are made by your hands.
They will pass away,
but you remain.
They will all wear out like old clothes.
You will fold them up like a coat.
They will be changed like a person changes clothes,
but you stay the same,
and the years of your life won’t come to an end.
When has he ever said to any of the angels,
Sit at my right side
until I put your enemies under your feet like a footstool?
Aren’t all the angels ministering spirits who are sent to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?
HYMN: Michael A. Perry ©
Tune:
1 The brightness of God’s glory
and the image of God’s being,
the heir of richest majesty,
the arm of regal might;
creator of the universe
all-knowing and all-seeing
is Christ who brings forgiveness
and the lifting of our night.
2 Far greater than the angels
is the author of salvation,
begotten of his Father’s love
before all time began;
our offerings of righteousness,
our refuge from temptation,
one hope in all our sufferings
is Christ, the Son of Man.
3 How awesome is his perfect life
unending and unbroken,
how faultless are his judgements
and how faithful is his Word!
Then hear, repent and worship him,
obey, for God has spoken,
receive his Holy Spirit
and acknowledge Christ as Lord!
Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them to the top of a very high mountain. He was transformed in front of them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.
Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. Peter reacted to all of this by saying to Jesus, “Lord, it’s good that we’re here. If you want, I’ll make three shrines: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, look, a bright cloud overshadowed them. A voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son whom I dearly love. I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!” Hearing this, the disciples fell on their faces, filled with awe.
But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anybody about the vision until the Human One is raised from the dead.”
The disciples asked, “Then why do the legal experts say that Elijah must first come?” Jesus responded, “Elijah does come first and will restore all things. In fact, I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they didn’t know him. But they did to him whatever they wanted. In the same way the Human One is also going to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples realized he was telling them about John the Baptist.
CANTICLE Prayer of Manasseh
(Setting by Joe Cox https://tinyurl.com/4hqmx4jh)
Ant. Your merciful promise is beyond all measure; *
it surpasses all that our minds can fathom.
O Lord and Ruler of the hosts of heaven, *
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
and of all their righteous offspring:
You made the heavens and the earth, *
with all their vast array.
All things quake with fear at your presence; *
they tremble because of your power.
But your merciful promise is beyond all measure; *
it surpasses all that our minds can fathom.
O Lord, you are full of compassion, *
long-suffering, and abounding in mercy.
You hold back your hand; *
you do not punish as we deserve.
In your great goodness, Lord,
you have promised forgiveness to sinners, *
that they may repent of their sin and be saved.
And now, O Lord, I bend the knee of my heart, *
and make my appeal, sure of your gracious goodness.
I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, *
and I know my wickedness only too well.
Therefore I make this prayer to you: *
Forgive me, Lord, forgive me.
Do not let me perish in my sin, *
nor condemn me to the depths of the earth.
For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent, *
and in me you will show forth your goodness.
Unworthy as I am, you will save me,
in accordance with your great mercy, *
and I will praise you without ceasing all the days of my life.
For all the powers of heaven sing your praises, *
and yours is the glory to ages of ages. Amen.
THE PRAYERS WS2
God of new birth,
we praise you for being the giver of life and the victor over death,
for the evidence of new life we see in creation . . .
for our baptism, a sign of our union with Christ
in his death and resurrection . . .
for the promise of the coming kingdom . . .
God of new birth,
we acknowledge that all of life is sustained by you, so we pray
for creation and its care . . .
for the nations of the world, especially . . .
for our nation and those in authority . . .
for this community and its leaders . . .
for the church universal, its mission, and those who minister . . .
for our local church and its ministry . . .
for persons with particular needs . . .
We pray all these things in the name of the triune God,
the giver and sustainer of life. 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.
O God of the exiles and the lost,
you promise restoration and wholeness
through the power of Jesus Christ.
Give us faith to live joyfully,
sustained by your promises
as we eagerly await the day when they will be fulfilled
for all the world to see,
through the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ. 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.
RCLP Revised Common Lectionary Prayers. © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.
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 version of Psalm 78 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 © 2024 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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