Thomas More
Born in London in 1478, Thomas More studied classics and then the law, being called to the Bar at twenty-three years old. His clear honesty and integrity impressed Henry VIII and he appointed Thomas as his Chancellor. He supported the king in his efforts to reform the clergy but disagreed over Henry’s disputes with the papacy, caused by the king’s desire to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon and to find another queen who might provide him with a male heir. Henry could stand no such act of defiance and imprisoned his chancellor in the hope that he would renege. Thomas refused to take the Oath on the Act of Succession, which declared the king to be the only protector and supreme head of the Church in England, and was executed for treason on this day in 1535, declaring that he died the king’s good servant but God’s first. EH
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/t2kdk9ck
I am the true vine and you are the branches, says the Lord.
Whoever remains in me, and I in them, bears fruit in plenty, alleluia.
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: attr. John Calvin; trans. Elizabeth Lee Scott
Tune: Toulon https://tinyurl.com/2uw486wr
1 I greet Thee, who my sure Redeemer art,
my only trust and Savior of my heart,
who pain didst undergo for my poor sake;
I pray Thee from our hearts all cares to take.
2 Thou art the King of mercy and of grace,
reigning omnipotent in every place:
so come, O King, and our whole being sway;
shine on us with the light of thy pure day.
3 Thou art the Life, by which alone we live,
and all our substance and our strength receive;
O comfort us in death’s approaching hour,
strong-hearted then to face it by Thy pow’r.
4 Thou hast the true and perfect gentleness,
no harshness hast Thou and no bitterness:
make us to taste the sweet grace found in Thee
and ever stay in Thy sweet unity.
5 Our hope is in no other save in Thee;
our faith is built upon Thy promise free;
O grant to us such stronger hope and sure
that we can boldly conquer and endure.
PSALMS
Psalm 30 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yce59yvo)
1 I will magnify thee, O Lord, for thou hast set me up *
and not made my foes to triumph over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried unto thee *
and thou hast healed me.
3 Thou, Lord, hast brought my soul out of hell *
thou hast kept my life from them that go down to the pit.
4 Sing praises unto the Lord, O ye saints of his *
and give thanks unto him for a remembrance of his holiness.
5 For his wrath endureth but the twinkling of an eye,
and in his pleasure is life *
heaviness may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
6 And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be removed *
thou, Lord, of thy goodness hast made my hill so strong.
7 Thou didst turn thy face from me *
and I was troubled.
8 Then cried I unto thee, O Lord *
and gat me to my Lord right humbly.
9 What profit is there in my blood *
when I go down to the pit?
10 Shall the dust give thanks unto thee *
or shall it declare thy truth?
11 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me *
Lord, be thou my helper.
12 Thou hast turned my heaviness into joy *
thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness.
13 Therefore shall every good man sing of thy praise without ceasing *
O my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
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 31 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y869qwtz)
1 In thee, O Lord, have I put my trust *
let me never be put to confusion, deliver me in thy righteousness.
2 Bow down thine ear to me *
make haste to deliver me.
3 And be thou my strong rock, and house of defence *
that thou mayest save me.
4 For thou art my strong rock, and my castle *
be thou also my guide, and lead me for thy Name’s sake.
5 Draw me out of the net, that they have laid privily for me *
for thou art my strength.
6 Into thy hands I commend my spirit *
for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth.
7 I have hated them that hold of superstitious vanities *
and my trust hath been in the Lord.
8 I will be glad, and rejoice in thy mercy *
for thou hast considered my trouble,
and hast known my soul in adversities.
9 Thou hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy *
but hast set my feet in a large room.
10 Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble *
and mine eye is consumed for very heaviness;
yea, my soul and my body.
11 For my life is waxen old with heaviness *
and my years with mourning.
12 My strength faileth me, because of mine iniquity *
and my bones are consumed.
13 I became a reproof among all mine enemies,
but especially among my neighbours *
and they of mine acquaintance were afraid of me;
and they that did see me without conveyed themselves from me.
14 I am clean forgotten, as a dead man out of mind *
I am become like a broken vessel.
15 For I have heard the blasphemy of the multitude *
and fear is on every side, while they conspire together against me,
and take their counsel to take away my life.
16 But my hope hath been in thee, O Lord *
I have said, Thou art my God.
17 My time is in thy hand; deliver me from the hand of mine enemies *
and from them that persecute me.
18 Shew thy servant the light of thy countenance *
and save me for thy mercy’s sake.
19 Let me not be confounded, O Lord, for I have called upon thee *
let the ungodly be put to confusion, and be put to silence in the grave.
20 Let the lying lips be put to silence *
which cruelly, disdainfully, and despitefully, speak against the righteous.
21 O how plentiful is thy goodness,
which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee *
and that thou hast prepared for them that put their trust in thee,
even before the sons of men!
22 Thou shalt hide them privily by thine own presence
from the provoking of all men *
thou shalt keep them secretly in thy tabernacle
from the strife of tongues.
23 Thanks be to the Lord *
for he hath shewed me marvellous great kindness in a strong city.
24 And when I made haste, I said *
I am cast out of the sight of thine eyes.
25 Nevertheless, thou heardest the voice of my prayer *
when I cried unto thee.
26 O love the Lord, all ye his saints *
for the Lord preserveth them that are faithful,
and plenteously rewardeth the proud doer.
27 Be strong, and he shall establish your heart *
all ye that put your trust in 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 30 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm_30.mp3)
1 I will exalt you, O LORD,
because you have lifted me up *
and have not let my enemies triumph over me.
2 O LORD my God, I cried out to you, *
and you restored me to health.
3 You brought me up, O LORD, from the dead; *
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.
4 Sing to the LORD, you servants of his; *
give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.
5 For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, *
his favor for a lifetime.
6 Weeping may spend the night, *
but joy comes in the morning.
7 While I felt secure, I said,
I shall never be disturbed. *
You, LORD, with your favor, made me as strong as
the mountains.”
8 Then you hid your face, *
and I was filled with fear.
9 I cried to you, O LORD; *
I pleaded with the Lord, saying,
10 “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? *
will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
11 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me; *
O LORD, be my helper.”
12 You have turned my wailing into dancing; *
you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.
13 Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks for ever.
Psalm 31 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-31-MH.mp3)
2 In you, O Lord, I take refuge.
Let me never be put to shame. In your justice, set me free,
3 hear me and speedily rescue me.
Be a rock of refuge for me, a mighty stronghold to save me,
4 for you are my rock, my stronghold.
For your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.
5 Release me from the snares they have hidden
for you are my refuge, Lord.
6 Into your hands I commend my spirit.
It is you who will redeem me, Lord.
7 O God of truth, you detest
those who worship false and empty gods.
8 As for me, I trust in the Lord:
let me be glad and rejoice in your love.
You who have seen my affliction
and taken heed of my soul’s distress,
9 have not handed me over to the enemy,
but set my feet at large.
10 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in distress.
Tears have wasted my eyes, my throat and my heart.
11 For my life is spent with sorrow and my years with sighs.
Affliction has broken down my strength
and my bones waste away.
12 In the face of all my foes I am a reproach,
an object of scorn to my neighbors
and of fear to my friends.
Those who see me in the street run far away from me.
13 I am like a dead man, forgotten,
like a thing thrown away.
14 I have heard the slander of the crowd,
fear is all around me,
as they plot together against me,
as they plan to take my life.
15 But as for me, I trust in you, Lord;
I say: “You are my God.
16 My life is in your hands, deliver me
from the hands of those who hate me.
17 Let your face shine on your servant.
Save me in your love.
18 Let me not be put to shame for I call you,
let the wicked be shamed!
Let them be silenced in the grave,
19 let lying lips be dumb,
that speak haughtily against the just
with pride and contempt.”
20 How great is the goodness, Lord,
that you keep for those who fear you,
that you show to those who trust you
in the sight of men.
21 You hide them in the shelter of your presence
from the plotting of men;
you keep them safe within your tent
from disputing tongues.
22 Blessed be the Lord who has shown me
the wonders of his love
in a fortified city.
23 “I am far removed from your sight”
I said in my alarm.
Yet you heard the voice of my plea
when I cried for help.
24 Love the Lord, all you saints.
He guards his faithful
but the Lord will repay to the full
those who act with pride.
25 Be strong, let your heart take courage,
all who hope in the Lord.
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
Loving God,
glorious in giving and restoring life,
do not hide your face from your people overcome with loneliness and fear.
Turn our weeping into dancing,
our despair into joy,
and raise us up with Christ,
that we may rejoice in your presence forever. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
So the people’s slave masters and supervisors came out and spoke to the people, “This is what Pharaoh says, ‘I’m not giving you straw anymore. Go and get the straw on your own, wherever you can find it. But your work won’t be reduced at all.’” So the people spread out all through the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. The slave masters drove them hard and said, “Make sure you make the same daily quota as when you had the straw.” The Israelite supervisors, whom Pharaoh’s slave masters had set over them, were also beaten and asked, “Why didn’t you produce the same number of bricks yesterday and today as you did before?”
Then the Israelite supervisors came and pleaded to Pharaoh, “Why do you treat your servants like this? No straw is supplied to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ Look at how your servants are being beaten! Your own people are to blame!”
Pharaoh replied, “You are lazy bums, nothing but lazy bums. That’s why you say, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifices to the Lord.’ Go and get back to work! No straw will be given to you, but you still need to make the same number of bricks.”
The Israelite supervisors saw how impossible their situation was when they were commanded, “Don’t reduce your daily quota of bricks.” When they left Pharaoh, they met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them. The supervisors said to them, “Let the Lord see and judge what you’ve done! You’ve made us stink in the opinion of Pharaoh and his servants. You’ve given them a reason to kill us.”
Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, “My Lord, why have you abused this people? Why did you send me for this? Ever since I first came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has abused this people. And you’ve done absolutely nothing to rescue your people.”
HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: St Anne https://tinyurl.com/4b67e8fn
1 O God, our Help in ages past,
our Hope for years to come,
our Shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal Home.
2 Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is Thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.
3 Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received its frame,
from everlasting Thou art God,
to endless years the same.
4 A thousand ages in Thy sight
are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.
5 Time, like an ever-rolling stream
bears all its sons away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the op’ning day.
6 O God, our Help in ages past,
our Hope for years to come,
be Thou our Guard while life shall last,
and our eternal Home!
READING: Acts 13:44-52
On the next Sabbath, almost everyone in the city gathered to hear the Lord’s word. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were overcome with jealousy. They argued against what Paul was saying by slandering him. Speaking courageously, Paul and Barnabas said, “We had to speak God’s word to you first. Since you reject it and show that you are unworthy to receive eternal life, we will turn to the Gentiles. This is what the Lord commanded us:
I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
so that you could bring salvation to the end of the earth.”
When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and honored the Lord’s word. Everyone who was appointed for eternal life believed, and the Lord’s word was broadcast throughout the entire region. However, the Jews provoked the prominent women among the Gentile God-worshippers, as well as the city’s leaders. They instigated others to harass Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their district. Paul and Barnabas shook the dust from their feet and went to Iconium. Because of the abundant presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives, the disciples were overflowing with happiness.
HYMN: Carl P Daw ©
Tune: Wareham https://tinyurl.com/wtbvpykt
1 As stars adorn the night-veiled sky,
Arrayed like jewels rare and bright,
So shine God’s saints in ev’ry age
To give the world new hope, new light.
2 The light saints bear is not their own
But shines through them as gift and sign:
To show how God can use and bless
Frail human means for ends divine.
3 Through saints we glimpse the light of Christ,
The Morning Star that crowns the night,
Whose rising heralds God’s new day,
The promised dawn of life and light.
4 That light is ours to claim and share,
Not merely praise or gaze upon:
For all who are baptized become
Light-bearers through the Risen One.
5 The saints inspire and challenge us
Our holy calling to embrace:
To bear Christ’s light in our own day,
To be the vessels of God’s grace.
Jesus knew what they intended to do, so he went away from there. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them all. But he ordered them not to spread the word about him, so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:
Look, my Servant whom I chose,
the one I love, in whom I find great pleasure.
I’ll put my Spirit upon him,
and he’ll announce judgment to the Gentiles.
He won’t argue or shout,
and nobody will hear his voice in the streets.
He won’t break a bent stalk,
and he won’t snuff out a smoldering wick,
until he makes justice win.
And the Gentiles will put their hope in his name.
CANTICLE Isaiah 12:2-6
(Uptown Worship Band: https://tinyurl.com/y8q877og)
Refrain:
Surely, it is God who saves;
I will and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my sure defense,
and he will be my Savior.
Therefore you shall draw water
and rejoice from the salvation spring.
On that day you shall say,
give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name. Refrain
Make his deeds known among the people;
they remember his Name on high.
Sing praise to the Lord, for he has done great things,
and this is known in all the world. Refrain
Cry aloud, O Zion, ring out your joy,
for the great one in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
THE PRAYERS BCW
Eternal God, we thank you for being with us today, and for every sign of your
truth and love in Jesus Christ. Especially we thank you for
the gift of peace in Christ . . .
reconciliation in our relationships . . .
each new insight into your love . . .
energy and courage to share your love . . .
the ministries of the church. . . .
Gracious God, we remember in our own hearts the needs of others, that we may
reach up to claim your love for them, and reach out to give your love in the name
of Christ. Especially we pray for
racial harmony and justice . . .
those imprisoned . . .
strangers we have met today . . .
friends who are bereaved . . .
Orthodox and Coptic churches. . . .
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.
Almighty God,
who strengthened Thomas More
to be in office a king’s good servant
but in conscience your servant first,
grant us in all our doubts and uncertainties
to feel the grasp of your holy hand
and to live by faith in your promise
that you shall not let us be lost;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen. FAS
https://tinyurl.com/rkxkpmc
Go in peace, alleluia, alleluia!
Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia!
Glory to God whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine:
Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church,
and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21
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BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
EH Exciting Holiness Edited by Brother Tristam SSF, © European Province of the Society of Saint Francis, 1997
FAS For All the Saints, Revised Ed. © Anglican Church of Canada
2 Eric Wyse, Lord’s Prayer, ©; audio from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_a40ME7aVk
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 30 is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is sung by Ryland Angel. Psalm 31 is 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 © 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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