Antiphon1
Ant. Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice; *
seek the Lord and be strengthened;
seek his face for evermore.
V. Give thanks to the Lord; proclaim his name. *
Make known his deeds among the peoples. Psalm 105
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: Philip Doddridge
Tune: Bristol https://tinyurl.com/yv8v6re3
1 Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes,
the Saviour promised long:
let every heart prepare a throne,
and every voice a song.
2 He comes, the prisoners to release
in Satan’s bondage held;
the gates of brass before him burst,
the iron fetters yield.
3 He comes, the broken heart to bind,
the bleeding soul to cure,
and with the treasures of his grace
to enrich the humble poor.
4 Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
thy welcome shall proclaim;
and heaven’s eternal arches ring
with thy belovèd name.
PSALMS
Psalm 119:105-144 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/v825pov)
105 Thy word is a lantern unto my feet *
and a light unto my paths.
106 I have sworn, and am stedfastly purposed *
to keep thy righteous judgements.
107 I am troubled above measure *
quicken me, O Lord, according to thy word.
108 Let the free-will offerings of my mouth please thee, O Lord *
and teach me thy judgements.
109 My soul is alway in my hand *
yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The ungodly have laid a snare for me *
but yet I swerved not from thy commandments.
111 Thy testimonies have I claimed as mine heritage for ever *
and why? they are the very joy of my heart.
112 I have applied my heart to fulfil thy statutes alway *
even unto the end.
113 I hate them that imagine evil things *
but thy law do I love.
114 Thou art my defence and shield *
and my trust is in thy word.
115 Away from me, ye wicked *
I will keep the commandments of my God.
116 O stablish me according to thy word, that I may live *
and let me not be disappointed of my hope.
117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe *
yea, my delight shall be ever in thy statutes.
118 Thou hast trodden down all them that depart from thy statutes *
for they imagine but deceit.
119 Thou puttest away all the ungodly of the earth like dross *
therefore I love thy testimonies.
120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee *
and I am afraid of thy judgements.
121 I deal with the thing that is lawful and right *
O give me not over unto mine oppressors.
122 Make thou thy servant to delight in that which is good *
that the proud do me no wrong.
123 Mine eyes are wasted away with looking for thy health *
and for the word of thy righteousness.
124 O deal with thy servant according unto thy loving mercy *
and teach me thy statutes.
125 I am thy servant, O grant me understanding *
that I may know thy testimonies.
126 It is time for thee, Lord, to lay to thine hand *
for they have destroyed thy law.
127 For I love thy commandments *
above gold and precious stone.
128 Therefore hold I straight all thy commandments *
and all false ways I utterly abhor.
129 Thy testimonies are wonderful *
therefore doth my soul keep them.
130 When thy word goeth forth *
it giveth light and understanding unto the simple.
131 I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath *
for my delight was in thy commandments.
132 O look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me *
as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name.
133 Order my steps in thy word *
and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me.
134 O deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men *
and so shall I keep thy commandments.
135 Shew the light of thy countenance upon thy servant *
and teach me thy statutes.
136 Mine eyes gush out with water *
because men keep not thy law.
137 Righteous art thou, O Lord *
and true is thy judgement.
138 The testimonies that thou hast commanded *
are exceeding righteous and true.
139 My zeal hath even consumed me *
because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
140 Thy word is tried to the uttermost *
and thy servant loveth it.
141 I am small, and of no reputation *
yet do I not forget thy commandments.
142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness *
and thy law is the truth.
143 Trouble and heaviness have taken hold upon me *
yet is my delight in thy commandments.
144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting *
O grant me understanding, and I shall live.
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 119:105-112 (http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-119n.mp3)
Your word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my pathway.
I have taken an oath and I’ve confirmed it,
that I will keep your righteous laws.
I have suffered much; preserve my life, O Lord,
according to your Word.
Accept, O Lord, the willing praises of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
I’ve inclined my heart to do your statutes,
forever, even to the end.
Your word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my pathway.
Psalm 109:113-120 (http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-119o.mp3)
I hate the thoughts of doubleminded men,
but I love your law.
You are my refuge and you are my shield;
I’ve put my hope in your Word.
Away from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commands of my God!
Sustain me according to your promise, and I’ll live;
don’t let my hopes be dashed.
Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
I’ll always have regard for your decrees.
You reject all who stray from your decrees,
for their deceitfulness is in vain.
All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
therefore I love your testimonies.
My flesh trembles in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your laws.
Psalm 119:121-128 (http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-119p.mp3)
I have done what is righteous and just;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
Ensure your servant’s wellbeing;
let not the arrogant oppress me.
My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking for your righteous promise.
Deal with your servant according to your love
and teach me your decrees.
I’m your servant; give me discernment
that I may understand your testimonies.
It is time for you to act, O Lord;
your law is being broken.
Because I love your commands more than gold,
more than pure gold,
and because I consider all your precepts right,
I hate every wrong path.
Psalm 119:129-136 (http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-119q.mp3)
Your testimonies are wonderful;
therefore my soul has obeyed them.
The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
I open my mouth and pant,
longing for your commands.
Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as you always do to those who love your name.
Direct my footsteps according to your Word;
let no sin rule over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of men,
that I may keep your precepts.
Make your face shine upon your servant
and teach me your decrees.
Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
for your law, for your law is not obeyed.
Psalm 119:137-144 (http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-119r.mp3)
Righteous are you, O Lord,
and your laws are right.
The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
fully worthy of trust.
My zeal wears me out
for my foes ignore your words.
your promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them.
Though I am small and despised,
I do not forget your precepts.
Your righteousness is everlasting
and your law is true.
Trouble and distress have come upon me,
yet your commands delight me.
Your statutes are forever right;
give me understanding,
give me understanding that I may live.
PRAYER
Holy God,
you are just in all your ways
and your commandments are the greatest of treasures.
Give us understanding of your law
and direct us according to your will
that we may be faithful in serving you
for the sake of Jesus our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
The Lord God’s spirit is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me.
He has sent me
to bring good news to the poor,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim release for captives,
and liberation for prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and a day of vindication for our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
to provide for Zion’s mourners,
to give them a crown in place of ashes,
oil of joy in place of mourning,
a mantle of praise in place of discouragement.
They will be called Oaks of Righteousness,
planted by the Lord to glorify himself.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins;
they will restore formerly deserted places;
they will renew ruined cities,
places deserted in generations past.
Foreigners will stay and shepherd your sheep,
and strangers will be your farmers and vinedressers.
You will be called The Priests of the Lord;
Ministers of Our God, they will say about you.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and fatten yourself on their riches.
HYMN: Graham Kendrick ©
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/2a474yt6
1 Beauty for brokenness, hope for despair—
Lord, in the suffering world, this is our prayer.
Bread for the children, justice, joy, peace,
sunrise to sunset, your kingdom increase.
Refrain:
God of the poor, friend of the weak,
give us compassion, we pray.
Melt our cold hearts, let tears fall like rain.
Come, change our love from a spark to a flame.
2 Shelter for fragile lives, cures for their ills,
work for the artisans, trade for their skills.
Land for the dispossessed, rights for the weak,
voices to plead the cause of those who can’t speak. [Refrain]
3 Refuge from cruel wars, havens from fear,
cities for sanctuary, freedoms to share.
Peace to the killing fields, scorched earth to green,
Christ for the bitterness, his cross for the pain. [Refrain]
4 Rest for the ravaged earth, oceans, and streams,
plundered and poisoned, our future, our dreams.
Lord, end our madness, carelessness, greed;
make us content with the things that we need. [Refrain]
5 Lighten our darkness, breathe on this flame
until your justice burns brightly again;
until the nations learn of your ways,
seek your salvation, and bring you their praise. [Refrain]
After their release, Peter and John returned to the brothers and sisters and reported everything the chief priests and elders had said. They listened, then lifted their voices in unison to God, “Master, you are the one who created the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. You are the one who spoke by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:
Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth took their stand
and the rulers gathered together as one
against the Lord and against his Christ.
Indeed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with Gentiles and Israelites, did gather in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and plan had already determined would happen. Now, Lord, take note of their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with complete confidence. Stretch out your hand to bring healing and enable signs and wonders to be performed through the name of Jesus, your holy servant.” After they prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking God’s word with confidence.
HYMN: Harry Emerson Fosdick
Tune: Cwm Rhonnda https://tinyurl.com/mpdzpe6n
1 God of grace and God of glory,
on thy people pour thy power;
now fulfil thy church’s story;
bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the facing of this hour.
2 Lo, the hosts of evil round us
scorn thy Christ, assail his ways;
from the fears that long have bound us
free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the living of these days.
3 Cure thy children’s warring madness,
bend our pride to thy control;
shame our wanton selfish gladness,
rich in goods and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal.
4 Set our feet on lofty places,
gird our lives that they may be
armoured with all Christlike graces
in the fight till all be free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
that we fail not earth nor thee.
Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. On the Sabbath he went to the synagogue as he normally did and stood up to read. The synagogue assistant gave him the scroll from the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me.
He has sent me to preach good news to the poor,
to proclaim release to the prisoners
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to liberate the oppressed,
and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the synagogue assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the synagogue was fixed on him. He began to explain to them, “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled just as you heard it.”
Everyone was raving about Jesus, so impressed were they by the gracious words flowing from his lips. They said, “This is Joseph’s son, isn’t it?”
Then Jesus said to them, “Undoubtedly, you will quote this saying to me: ‘Doctor, heal yourself. Do here in your hometown what we’ve heard you did in Capernaum.’” He said, “I assure you that no prophet is welcome in the prophet’s hometown. And I can assure you that there were many widows in Israel during Elijah’s time, when it didn’t rain for three and a half years and there was a great food shortage in the land. Yet Elijah was sent to none of them but only to a widow in the city of Zarephath in the region of Sidon. There were also many persons with skin diseases in Israel during the time of the prophet Elisha, but none of them were cleansed. Instead, Naaman the Syrian was cleansed.”
When they heard this, everyone in the synagogue was filled with anger. They rose up and ran him out of town. They led him to the crest of the hill on which their town had been built so that they could throw him off the cliff. But he passed through the crowd and went on his way.
CANTICLE Song of the Three Young Men 29-34
(Setting by Timothy R. Smith: https://tinyurl.com/ycrdhlqc)
Refrain:
Glory and praise, glory and praise, glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
and blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all ages. Refrain
Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. Refrain
Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. Refrain
Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. Refrain
THE PRAYERS Joe Milner
For the Church: that we may recognize our identity as members of the Body of Christ and manifest the Good News in our lives, our families, and our workplaces.
For openness to the Holy Spirit: that we may nurture and develop the gifts that the Spirit has given us and use them to build up the Body of Christ and in service of others
For the gift of discernment: that leaders and every member of the Christian community will listen for God’s invitations and further the mission of Jesus in all the ways which the human family needs healing and enlightenment
For teachers and preachers: that God will inspire them with words that will renew the faith of those who hear them and encourage them to greater trust in God’s providence
For greater openness to God’s Word: that we may allow God’s Word to enter our deepest selves, enlighten the darkness of our hearts, and free us to live as daughters and sons of God
For all who are discerning their vocation: that God will lead them to people and experiences which will help them recognize how God is calling them to use their lives and gifts in the service of others
For the members of Congress: that the Spirit will move them to greater cooperation, guide them in addressing the greatest issues in people’s lives, and inspire them with ways promote the common good
For all who steward earth’s resources: that we may recognize all of creation as God’s gift to us and grow in awareness of our responsibility to care for the earth
For all who struggle with emotional and mental illness: that they may come to know a time of God’s favor and receive peace and relief from their struggles
For all who are dying: that they may be reconciled with those who are important to them and peacefully commend themselves to God’s healing embrace
For healing within churches: that God will free us from rivalries and past wounds so that we can work together in serving Christ who brought forgiveness to all
For families experiencing divorce: that God will guide them through difficult times, help them to respect one another, and to care for their children
For all who are ill: that the healing mission of Jesus will continue through our care for the sick, and may they experience support and assistance from their faith community
For greater attention to God’s Word: that we may recognize the words of scripture as sources of Spirit and Life that will help us live more fully and faithfully each day
For peace and a reduction in international tensions: that God will give all leaders a bigger vision, remove fear from their hearts, and pull back troops in Eastern Europe
Setting: Sanford Dole https://tinyurl.com/y7ldq7h5
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 all the prophets,
you knew us and chose us
before you formed us in the womb.
Fill us with faith that speaks your word,
hope that does not disappoint,
and love that bears all things for your sake,
until that day when we shall know you fully,
even as we are known by you. 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.
1 Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©
The intercession is by Joe Milner http://liturgy.slu.edu
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 version of the psalms is from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern versions of Psalm 119 are © 2007-2019 Tom Quinlan. http://www.zcpress.org/music/psalm-119/
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 © 2025 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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