The Martyrs of Japan
In 1597 twenty-six Christians (some priests or monks, but mostly lay folk, including three altar boys) were put to death near Nagasaki as part of a persecution aimed at wiping out Christianity in Japan. Sub-sequently, many more Christian converts were put to death. The teaching of Christianity was proscribed until the middle of the nine-teenth century. But when missionaries were allowed into Japan in the 1850s, they discovered that there were several thousand Chris-tians, who, though without priests and teachers for over two hun-dred years, had preserved and practised the faith in secret. FATS
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/y4eddx4h
Arise, Jerusalem, and look to the East
and see your children gathered from the rising to the setting of the sun. Baruch 5
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: Albert Midlane
Tune: Dennis https://tinyurl.com/yzk5jy2c
1 Revive thy work, O Lord,
thy mighty arm make bare;
speak with the voice that wakes the dead,
and make thy people hear.
2 Revive thy work, O Lord,
disturb this sleep of death;
quicken the smould’ring embers now
by thine almighty breath.
3 Revive thy work, O Lord,
create soul-thirst for thee;
and hung’ring for the Bread of Life
O may our spirits be.
4 Revive thy work, O Lord,
exalt thy precious name;
and, by the Holy Ghost, our love
for thee and thine inflame.
5 Revive thy work, O Lord,
give Pentecostal show’rs;
the glory shall be all thine own,
the blessing, Lord, be ours.
PSALMS
Psalm 27 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/tlahhq6)
1 The Lord is my light, and my salvation; whom then shall I fear *
the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies, and my foes,
came upon me to eat up my flesh *
they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host of men were laid against me,
yet shall not my heart be afraid *
and though there rose up war against me, yet will I put my trust in him.
4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, which I will require *
even that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and to visit his temple.
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his tabernacle *
yea, in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me,
and set me up upon a rock of stone.
6 And now shall he lift up mine head *
above mine enemies round about me.
7 Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation with great gladness *
I will sing, and speak praises unto the Lord.
8 Hearken unto my voice, O Lord, when I cry unto thee *
have mercy upon me, and hear me.
9 My heart hath talked of thee, Seek ye my face *
Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
10 O hide not thou thy face from me *
nor cast thy servant away in displeasure.
11 Thou hast been my succour *
leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
12 When my father and my mother forsake me *
the Lord taketh me up.
13 Teach me thy way, O Lord *
and lead me in the right way, because of mine enemies.
14 Deliver me not over into the will of mine adversaries *
for there are false witnesses risen up against me,
and such as speak wrong.
15 I should utterly have fainted *
but that I believe verily to see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
16 O tarry thou the Lord’s leisure *
be strong, and he shall comfort thine heart; and put thou thy 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 28 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/uxqzzoa)
1 Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my strength *
think no scorn of me; lest, if thou make as though thou hearest not,
I become like them that go down into the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my humble petitions, when I cry unto thee *
when I hold up my hands towards the mercy-seat of thy holy temple.
3 O pluck me not away, neither destroy me
with the ungodly and wicked doers *
which speak friendly to their neighbours,
but imagine mischief in their hearts.
4 Reward them according to their deeds *
and according to the wickedness of their own inventions.
5 Recompense them after the work of their hands *
pay them that they have deserved.
6 For they regard not in their mind the works of the Lord,
nor the operation of his hands *
therefore shall he break them down, and not build them up.
7 Praised be the Lord *
for he hath heard the voice of my humble petitions.
8 The Lord is my strength, and my shield;
my heart hath trusted in him, and I am helped *
therefore my heart danceth for joy, and in my song will I praise him.
9 The Lord is my strength *
and he is the wholesome defence of his Anointed.
10 O save thy people, and give thy blessing unto thine inheritance *
feed them, and set them up 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 29 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/rxm2ar6)
1 Bring unto the Lord, O ye mighty,
bring young rams unto the Lord *
ascribe unto the Lord worship and strength.
2 Give the Lord the honour due unto his Name *
worship the Lord with holy worship.
3 It is the Lord, that commandeth the waters *
it is the glorious God, that maketh the thunder.
4 It is the Lord, that ruleth the sea;
the voice of the Lord is mighty in operation *
the voice of the Lord is a glorious voice.
5 The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedar-trees *
yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Libanus.
6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf *
Libanus also, and Sirion, like a young unicorn.
7 The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire;
the voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness *
yea, the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Cades.
8 The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to bring forth young,
and discovereth the thick bushes *
in his temple doth every man speak of his honour.
9 The Lord sitteth above the water-flood *
and the Lord remaineth a King for ever.
10 The Lord shall give strength unto his people *
the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
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 27 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-27.mp3)
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? *
the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *
it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army should encamp against me, *
yet my heart shall not be afraid;
4 And though war should rise up against me, *
yet will I put my trust in him.
5 One thing have I asked of the LORD; one thing I seek; *
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life;
6 To behold the fair beauty of the LORD *
and to seek him in his temple.
7 For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; *
he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling
and set me high upon a rock.
8 Even now he lifts up my head *
above my enemies round about me.
9 Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation
with sounds of great gladness; *
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
10 Hearken to my voice, O LORD, when I call; *
have mercy on me and answer me.
11 You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” *
Your face, LORD, will I seek.
12 Hide not your face from me, *
nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
13 You have been my helper; cast me not away; *
do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
14 Though my father and my mother forsake me, *
the LORD will sustain me.
15 Show me your way, O LORD; *
lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.
16 Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *
for false witnesses have risen up against me,
and also those who speak malice.
17 What if I had not believed
that I should see the goodness of the LORD *
in the land of the living!
18 O tarry and await the LORD’S pleasure;
be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *
wait patiently for the LORD.
Psalm 28 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-28.mp3)
1 O LORD, I call to you;
my Rock, do not be deaf to my cry; *
lest, if you do not hear me,
I become like those who go down to the Pit.
2 Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you, *
when I lift up my hands to your holy of holies.
3 Do not snatch me away with the wicked or with the evildoers, *
who speak peaceably with their neighbors,
while strife is in their hearts.
4 Repay them according to their deeds, *
and according to the wickedness of their actions.
5 According to the work of their hands repay them, *
and give them their just deserts.
6 They have no understanding of the LORD’S doings,
nor of the works of his hands; *
therefore he will break them down and not build them up.
7 Blessed is the LORD! *
for he has heard the voice of my prayer.
8 The LORD is my strength and my shield; *
my heart trusts in him, and I have been helped;
9 Therefore my heart dances for joy, *
and in my song will I praise him.
10 The LORD is the strength of his people, *
a safe refuge for his anointed.
11 Save your people and bless your inheritance; *
shepherd them and carry them for ever.
Psalm 29 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-29.mp3)
1 Ascribe to the LORD, you gods, *
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his Name; *
worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders; *
the LORD is upon the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is a powerful voice; *
the voice of the LORD is a voice of splendor.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedar trees; *
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, *
and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD splits the flames of fire;
the voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; *
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
8 The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees writhe *
and strips the forests bare.
9 And in the temple of the LORD *
all are crying, “Glory!”
10 The LORD sits enthroned above the flood; *
the LORD sits enthroned as King for evermore.
11 The LORD shall give strength to his people; *
the LORD shall give his people the blessing of peace.
PRAYER
Graciously hear us, Lord, for you alone we seek.
Quiet us with the peace which passes understanding,
and make us radiant with the knowledge of your goodness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
The two messengers entered Sodom in the evening. Lot, who was sitting at the gate of Sodom, saw them, got up to greet them, and bowed low. He said, “Come to your servant’s house, spend the night, and wash your feet. Then you can get up early and go on your way.”
But they said, “No, we will spend the night in the town square.” He pleaded earnestly with them, so they went with him and entered his house. He made a big meal for them, even baking unleavened bread, and they ate.
Before they went to bed, the men of the city of Sodom—everyone from the youngest to the oldest—surrounded the house and called to Lot, “Where are the men who arrived tonight? Bring them out to us so that we may have sex with them.”
Lot went out toward the entrance, closed the door behind him, and said, “My brothers, don’t do such an evil thing. I’ve got two daughters who are virgins. Let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them whatever you wish. But don’t do anything to these men because they are now under the protection of my roof.”
They said, “Get out of the way!” And they continued, “Does this immigrant want to judge us? Now we will hurt you more than we will hurt them.” They pushed Lot back and came close to breaking down the door. The men inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house with them and slammed the door. Then the messengers blinded the men near the entrance of the house, from the youngest to the oldest, so that they groped around trying to find the entrance.
The men said to Lot, “Who’s still with you here? Take away from this place your sons-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and everyone else you have in the city because we are about to destroy this place. The Lord has found the cries of injustice so serious that the Lord sent us to destroy it.”
Lot went to speak to his sons-in-law, married to his daughters, and said, “Get up and get out of this place because the Lord is about to destroy the city.” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.
When dawn broke, the messengers urged Lot, “Get up and take your wife and your two daughters who are here so that you are not swept away because of the evil in this city.” He hesitated, but because the Lord intended to save him, the men grabbed him, his wife, and two daughters by the hand, took him out, and left him outside the city.
After getting them out, the men said, “Save your lives! Don’t look back! And don’t stay in the valley. Escape to the mountains so that you are not swept away.”
HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: Old 113th https://tinyurl.com/2ayau4wy
1 I’ll praise my Maker with my breath,
and when my voice is lost in death,
praise shall employ my noblest pow’rs;
my days of praise shall ne’er be past,
while life, and thought, and being last,
or immortality endures.
2 Why should I make a man my trust?
Princes must die and turn to dust;
vain is the help of flesh and blood:
their breath departs, their pomp and pow’r,
and thoughts all vanish in an hour,
nor can they make their promise good.
3 Happy the man whose hopes rely
on Israel’s God; He made the sky,
and earth and seas, with all their train;
His truth for ever stands secure;
He saves th’oppressed, He feeds the poor,
and none shall find His promise vain.
4 The LORD hath eyes to give the blind;
the LORD supports the sinking mind;
He sends the lab’ring conscience peace,
He helps the stranger in distress,
the widow and the fatherless,
and grants the pris’ner glad release.
5 He loves His saints, He knows them well,
but turns the wicked down to hell;
thy God, O Zion, ever reigns;
let every tongue, let every age,
in this exalted work engage;
praise Him in everlasting strains.
6 I’ll praise Him while He lends me breath;
and when my voice is lost in death,
praise shall employ my noblest pow’rs;
my days of praise shall ne’er be past,
while life and thought and being last,
or immortality endures.
So what’s the advantage of being a Jew? Or what’s the benefit of circumcision? Plenty in every way. First of all, the Jews were trusted with God’s revelations. What does it matter, then, if some weren’t faithful? Their lack of faith won’t cancel God’s faithfulness, will it? Absolutely not! God must be true, even if every human being is a liar, as it is written:
So that it can show that you are right in your words;
and you will triumph when you are judged.
But if our lack of righteousness confirms God’s justice, what will we say? That God, who brings wrath upon us, isn’t just (I’m speaking rhetorically)? Absolutely not! If God weren’t just, how could he judge the world? But if God’s truth is demonstrated by my lie and it increases his glory, why am I still judged as a sinner? Why not say, “Let’s do evil things so that good things will come out of it”? (Some people who slander us accuse us of saying that, but these people deserve criticism.)
So what are we saying? Are we better off? Not at all. We have already stated the charge: both Jews and Greeks are all under the power of sin. As it is written,
There is no righteous person, not even one.
There is no one who understands.
There is no one who looks for God.
They all turned away.
They have become worthless together.
There is no one who shows kindness.
There is not even one.
Their throat is a grave that has been opened.
They are deceitful with their tongues,
and the poison of vipers is under their lips.
Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.
Their feet are quick to shed blood;
destruction and misery are in their ways;
and they don’t know the way of peace.
There is no fear of God in their view of the world.
Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, in order to shut every mouth and make it so the whole world has to answer to God. It follows that no human being will be treated as righteous in his presence by doing what the Law says, because the knowledge of sin comes through the Law.
HYMN: Philip Doddridge
Tune: Cranbrook https://tinyurl.com/2hmmkcxs
1 Grace! ’tis a charming sound
Harmonious to my ear;
Heaven with the echo shall resound,
And all the earth shall hear.
2 Grace first contrived the way
To save rebellious man;
And all the steps that grace display
Which drew the wondrous plan.
3 Grace taught my wandering feet
To tread the heavenly road;
And new supplies each hour I meet,
While pressing on to God.
4 Grace all the works shall crown,
Through everlasting days;
It lays in heaven the topmost stone,
And well deserves the praise.
While Jesus was still speaking with her, messengers came from the synagogue leader’s house, saying to Jairus, “Your daughter has died. Why bother the teacher any longer?” But Jesus overheard their report and said to the synagogue leader, “Don’t be afraid; just keep trusting.” He didn’t allow anyone to follow him except Peter, James, and John, James’ brother. They came to the synagogue leader’s house, and he saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “What’s all this commotion and crying about? The child isn’t dead. She’s only sleeping.” They laughed at him, but he threw them all out. Then, taking the child’s parents and his disciples with him, he went to the room where the child was. Taking her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Young woman, get up.” Suddenly the young woman got up and began to walk around. She was 12 years old. They were shocked! He gave them strict orders that no one should know what had happened. Then he told them to give her something to eat.
CANTICLE Revelation 4:11, 5:9-10, 13
(Chant by Joe Cox: https://tinyurl.com/y499lmmp)
Ant. Splendor and honor and kingly power *
are yours by right, O Lord our God,
For you created everything that is, *
and by your will they were created and have their being;
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, *
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
From every family, language, people, and nation, *
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
And so, to him who sits upon the throne, *
and to Christ the Lamb,
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor, *
for ever and for evermore. Ant.
THE PRAYERS PWC
God who restores us, may your people be true and faithful servants of Christ.
Source of life, hear our prayer.
Bring those who are drawing near to the light of faith to true knowledge of you.
Source of life, hear our prayer.
Give our families and friends joy and satisfaction in all that they do.
Source of life, hear our prayer.
Comfort and sustain those who are lonely, sick, hungry, persecuted or ignored.
Source of life, hear our prayer.
Help us to contribute to the true growth and well-being of our country.
Source of life, hear our prayer.
Empower the whole human family to live together in justice and peace.
Source of life, hear our prayer.
(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.]
Everloving God,
the source of strength for all your saints,
you upheld the martyrs of Japan in the way of the cross;
grant that, encouraged by their example,
we may hold fast the faith we profess,
even to death itself;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. FATS
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.
FATS For All the Saints, © The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, 2014
PWC PRAY WITHOUT CEASING: Morning and Evening Prayer for the Seasons of the Church Year Prepared by The Rev’d Dr Richard Geoffrey Leggett on behalf of The Liturgy Task Force of the Anglican Church of Canada, May 2016.
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 version of the psalms is from The Grail Psalter and the recordings are linked to 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 © 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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