Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson was born in 1709 and is best known as a writer of dictionaries and a literary editor. Yet in his lifetime he was renowned for his religious beliefs and as a firm supporter of the practice and order of the Church of England. He had been converted to Christianity as young man after reading William Law’s A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, and his support of the High Church party was unstinting. Amongst his other writings, his essays entitled the Rambler, which appeared twice-weekly between 1750 and 1752, earned him the nickname ‘The Great Moralist’, then a term of affection and honour. He died on this day in 1784. EH
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/3btp7jbr
To be near God is my happiness,
to place my hope in God the Lord. Psalm 73
Speak to us this day, O Lord.
Visit us with your wisdom,
overshadow us with your Spirit,
and let it be with us
according to your Word:
Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. CWC
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: Philip Doddridge
Tune: Narenza https://tinyurl.com/y2p4mpv8
1 Ye servants of the Lord,
each in his office wait,
observant of his heavenly word,
and watchful at his gate.
2 Let all your lamps be bright,
and trim the golden flame;
gird up your loins as in his sight,
for aweful is his name.
3 Watch! ’tis your Lord’s command,
and while we speak, he’s near;
mark the first signal of his hand,
and ready all appear.
4 O happy servant he
in such a posture found!
he shall his Lord with rapture see,
and be with honour crowned.
5 Christ shall the banquet spread
with his own royal hand,
and raise that faithful servant’s head
amid the angelic band.
PSALMS
Psalm 69 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ybbl2s4j)
1 Save me, O God *
for the waters are come in, even unto my soul.
2 I stick fast in the deep mire, where no ground is *
I am come into deep waters, so that the floods run over me.
3 I am weary of crying; my throat is dry *
my sight faileth me for waiting so long upon my God.
4 They that hate me without a cause
are more than the hairs of my head *
they that are mine enemies, and would destroy me guiltless, are mighty.
5 I paid them the things that I never took *
God, thou knowest my simpleness, and my faults are not hid from thee.
6 Let not them that trust in thee, O Lord God of hosts,
be ashamed for my cause *
let not those that seek thee be confounded through me,
O Lord God of Israel.
7 And why? for thy sake have I suffered reproof *
shame hath covered my face.
8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren *
even an alien unto my mother’s children.
9 For the zeal of thine house hath even eaten me *
and the rebukes of them that rebuked thee are fallen upon me.
10 I wept, and chastened myself with fasting *
and that was turned to my reproof.
11 I put on sackcloth also *
and they jested upon me.
12 They that sit in the gate speak against me *
and the drunkards make songs upon me.
13 But, Lord, I make my prayer unto thee *
in an acceptable time.
14 Hear me, O God, in the multitude of thy mercy *
even in the truth of thy salvation.
15 Take me out of the mire, that I sink not *
O let me be delivered from them that hate me,
and out of the deep waters.
16 Let not the water-flood drown me,
neither let the deep swallow me up *
and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
17 Hear me, O Lord, for thy loving-kindness is comfortable *
turn thee unto me according to the multitude of thy mercies.
18 And hide not thy face from thy servant, for I am in trouble *
O haste thee, and hear me.
19 Draw nigh unto my soul, and save it *
O deliver me, because of mine enemies.
20 Thou hast known my reproof, my shame, and my dishonour *
mine adversaries are all in thy sight.
21 Thy rebuke hath broken my heart; I am full of heaviness *
I looked for some to have pity on me, but there was no man,
neither found I any to comfort me.
22 They gave me gall to eat *
and when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.
23 Let their table be made a snare to take themselves withal *
and let the things that should have been for their wealth
be unto them an occasion of falling.
24 Let their eyes be blinded, that they see not *
and ever bow thou down their backs.
25 Pour out thine indignation upon them *
and let thy wrathful displeasure take hold of them.
26 Let their habitation be void *
and no man to dwell in their tents.
27 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten *
and they talk how they may vex them whom thou hast wounded.
28 Let them fall from one wickedness to another *
and not come into thy righteousness.
29 Let them be wiped out of the book of the living *
and not be written among the righteous.
30 As for me, when I am poor and in heaviness *
thy help, O God, shall lift me up.
31 I will praise the Name of God with a song *
and magnify it with thanksgiving.
32 This also shall please the Lord *
better than a bullock that hath horns and hoofs.
33 The humble shall consider this, and be glad *
seek ye after God, and your soul shall live.
34 For the Lord heareth the poor *
and despiseth not his prisoners.
35 Let heaven and earth praise him *
the sea, and all that moveth therein.
36 For God will save Sion, and build the cities of Judah *
that men may dwell there, and have it in possession.
37 The posterity also of his servants shall inherit it *
and they that love his Name shall dwell therein.
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 70 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ybjtdo2u)
1 Haste thee, O God, to deliver me *
make haste to help me, O Lord.
2 Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul *
let them be turned backward and put to confusion that wish me evil.
3 Let them for their reward be soon brought to shame *
that cry over me, There, there.
4 But let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad in thee *
and let all such as delight in thy salvation say alway, The Lord be praised.
5 As for me, I am poor and in misery *
haste thee unto me, O God.
6 Thou art my helper, and my redeemer *
O Lord, make no long tarrying.
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 69 (Karl Kohlhase: https://tinyurl.com/avzank29)
Save me, O God,
rising waters have reached my soul.
I sink in the mire, without a foothold;
deep waters like an overwhelming flood.
I am weary with my crying, and my throat is parched;
my eyes fail while I wait for my God.
Those who hate me without a cause
are more than the hairs on my head;
They are strong who would destroy me, attacking me with their lies
What I did not steal, must I now restore?
O God, you know my folly, my wrongs I cannot hide.
May those who wait for you not be ashamed
through me, O Lord GOD of hosts;
May those who seek you not be dismayed
through me, O God of Israel,
For you I bear reproach;
dishonor covers my face;
estranged to my brothers,
foreign to my mother’s sons.
For zeal for your house has consumed me,
the reproaches aimed at you fall on me.
When I fast and weep,
I am dishonored;
when I wear sackcloth
I become like a byword.
In the city gate they sit and talk about me;
I’ve become the mocking song of the drunkards.
But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD,
in the time of your favor;
O God, in the greatness of your love,
answer me with your saving truth.
Deliver from the mire, do not let me sink;
save me from my foes and deep waters.
May the flood not sweep over me
Nor the deep swallow me whole,
Nor the pit shut its mouth upon me.
O save me, save me, save me; O save me, save me, save me
Answer me, O LORD, for your love is good;
in the depths of your compassion turn to me
Do not hide your face from your servant,
see my distress and quickly answer me.
Draw near to my soul and redeem me;
and ransom me from my enemies!
You know my reproach, my shame and dishonor;
all my enemies are set before You.
Reproach breaks my heart and I am sickened;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
and for comforters, but I found no one;
they give me gall for my food
and vinegar for my thirst
Let their table become a snare to them;
and their welfare become their own trap.
May their eyes grow dim
so that they cannot see;
may their loins always fail them
Pour on them your indignation and fierce anger;
may their camp be barren,
no one dwelling in their tents.
For they persecute him whom you have smitten,
and they relish the pain of your wounded.
Add guilt to their guilt,
who miss your righteousness.
May they be blotted from the book of life
I am afflicted and in pain, O God;
may your salvation set me safely on high.
I will praise the name of God with a song
and magnify Him with thanksgiving.
It will please the LORD
better than an ox or a young bull with horns and hoofs.
The humble shall see this and be glad;
you who seek God, let your hearts revive.
For the LORD hears the needy ones,
he will not neglect all those in prison.
O let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and all that moves therein.
For God will save Zion and build up Judah,
that they may dwell there and possess it.
The descendants of his servants will inherit it,
and those who love his name will dwell there.
Yes those who love his name will dwell there
Yes those who love his name will dwell there
Psalm 70 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-70.mp3)
1 Be pleased, O God, to deliver me; *
O LORD, make haste to help me.
2 Let those who seek my life be ashamed
and altogether dismayed; *
let those who take pleasure in my misfortune
draw back and be disgraced.
3 Let those who say to me “Aha!” and gloat over me turn back, *
because they are ashamed.
4 Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; *
let those who love your salvation say for ever,
“Great is the LORD!”
5 But as for me, I am poor and needy; *
come to me speedily, O God.
6 You are my helper and my deliverer; *
O LORD, do not tarry.
PRAYER
Blessed are you, God of hope;
you restore the fallen
and rebuild the broken walls.
Teach us the song of thanksgiving,
for you are the strength of your people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill my gracious promise with the people of Israel and Judah. In those days and at that time, I will raise up a righteous branch from David’s line, who will do what is just and right in the land. In those days, Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is what he will be called: The Lord Is Our Righteousness. The Lord proclaims: David will always have one of his descendants sit on the throne of the house of Israel. And the levitical priests will always have someone in my presence to make entirely burned offerings and grain offerings, and to present sacrifices.
Then the Lord’s word came to Jeremiah: This is what the Lord says: If one could break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night so that they wouldn’t come at their proper time, only then could my covenant with my servant David and my covenant with the levitical priests who minister before me be broken; only then would David no longer have a descendant to rule on his throne. And just as the stars in the sky can’t be numbered and the sand on the shore can’t be counted, so I will increase the descendants of my servant David and the Levites who minister before me.
HYMN: Henry Burton
Tune: Christchurch https://tinyurl.com/mrrkv77d
1 Break, day of God, O break!
The night has lingered long,
our hearts with sighing wake;
we weep for sin and wrong:
O bright and Morning star, draw near;
O Sun of Righteousness, appear.
2 Break, day of God, O break!
The earth with strife is worn;
the hills with thunder shake,
hearts of the people mourn:
break, day of God, sweet day of peace,
and bid the shout of warriors cease.
3 Break, day of God, O break,
like to the days above!
Let purity awake,
and faith, and hope, and love.
But lo! We see the brightening sky;
the golden morn is drawing nigh.
But we always must thank God for you, brothers and sisters who are loved by God. This is because he chose you from the beginning to be the first crop of the harvest. This brought salvation, through your dedication to God by the Spirit and through your belief in the truth. God called all of you through our good news so you could possess the honor of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions we taught you, whether we taught you in person or through our letter. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and a good hope. May he encourage your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do or say.
Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us so that the Lord’s message will spread quickly and be honored, just like it happened with you. Pray too that we will be rescued from inappropriate and evil people since everyone that we meet won’t respond with faith. But the Lord is faithful and will give you strength and protect you from the evil one. We are confident about you in the Lord—that you are doing and will keep doing what we tell you to do. May the Lord lead your hearts to express God’s love and Christ’s endurance.
HYMN: Jane Laurie Borthwick
Tune: Lancashire https://tinyurl.com/2up4czkv
1 Rejoice! rejoice, believers,
and let your lights appear!
The evening is advancing,
and darker night is near.
The Bridegroom is arising,
and soon he will draw nigh;
up, watch with expectation!
at the midnight comes the cry.
2 See that your lamps are burning,
replenish them with oil;
look now for your salvation,
the end of sin and toil.
The marriage-feast is waiting,
the gates wide open stand;
rise up, ye heirs of glory,
the Bridegroom is at hand!
3 Our hope and expectation,
O Jesus, now appear;
arise, thou Sun so longed for,
above this darkened sphere!
With hearts and hands uplifted,
we plead, O Lord, to see
the day of earth’s redemption,
and ever be with thee!
Jesus said, “Who then are the faithful and wise servants whom their master puts in charge of giving food at the right time to those who live in his house? Happy are those servants whom the master finds fulfilling their responsibilities when he comes. I assure you that he will put them in charge of all his possessions. But suppose those bad servants should say to themselves, My master won’t come until later. And suppose they began to beat their fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunks? The master of those servants will come on a day when they are not expecting him, at a time they couldn’t predict. He will cut them in pieces and put them in a place with the hypocrites. People there will be weeping and grinding their teeth.”
CANTICLE Rory Cooney; based on Luke 1:46-55
(Performed by The Gentle Wolves https://tinyurl.com/ybox4ctg)
1. My soul cries out with a joyful shout
that the God of my heart is great,
And my spirit sings of the wondrous things
that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight,
and my weakness you did not spurn,
So from east to west shall my name be blest.
Could the world be about to turn?
2. Though I am small, my God, my all,
you work great things in me,
And your mercy will last from the depths of the past
to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame,
and to those who would for you yearn,
You will show your might, put the strong to flight,
for the world is about to turn.
3. From the halls of power to the fortress tower,
not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears
ev’ry tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
There are tables spread, ev’ry mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn.
4. Though the nations rage from age to age,
we remember who holds us fast:
God’s mercy must deliver us
from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard
is the promise which holds us bound,
‘Til the spear and rod can be crushed by God,
who is turning the world around.
PRAYERS CWC
Compassionate God,
you see our pain and still choose to come close.
Stir up within us a deep awareness
of how we might live and serve with your compassion,
even in a world that entices us toward despair.
Come close, dwell among us, and receive our prayer.
We pray for our neighborhoods . . .
that our alienation might be healed
and torn social fabrics might be mended.
Help us to reach out, make connections,
and extend your gracious hospitality,
remembering that you work alongside us.
For our towns and cities . . .
that we might pay attention to the rhetoric
that shapes our collective social imaginations.
Help us to be voices of your grace
and agents of your restorative justice.
For our nation and world . . .
that we might see what you see
in one another and in the broader world
that you are seeking to cultivate.
Let us not become cynical or withdrawn,
but follow your lead and incline our ears
to those who suffer under oppression and injustice.
God who not only sees and listens but also acts:
We long for your restorative work within and around us.
Help us to remember that
as we wait with Advent hope,
this an active waiting.
Grant us your power—
rooted in deep love,
fueled by gospel courage,
and sustained with prophetic joy,
living in the world that is
even as we watch and work for the world to come;
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Traditional chant: https://tinyurl.com/ydzx5jdp)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
[For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.]
Almighty and most merciful Father, Creator and Preserver of mankind, look down with pity upon my troubles and maladies. Heal my body, strengthen my mind, compose my distraction, calm my inquietude, and relieve my terrors, that if it please thee, I may run the race that is set before me with peace, patience, constancy, and confidence. Grant this, O Lord, and take not from me thy Holy Spirit, but pardon and bless me for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Samuel Johnson
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.
CWC Connections Worship Companion, ed. David Gambrell © Westminster John Knox Press
The main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). Psalm 69 is in the version sung by Karl Kohlhase http://www.k4communications.com/karl/index.html. Psalm 70 is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is chanted 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 © 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.
Oremus 