Martin Luther
Martin Luther was born in 1483 and became an Augustinian Hermit. His personal discovery that salvation rests solely on the grace of God led him to oppose the church’s medieval system that gave the church significant control over the assurance of salvation. He sought a debate by posting his ninety-five theses on the church door in Wittenberg in 1517. He rested his case on the authority of Scripture alone. Luther’s work let loose a wide-ranging movement of reform in the church, that was carried on by others in many cities in Europe. Luther died in 1546. FATS
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/bd9d9jv9
Be my protector, O God,
a mighty stronghold to save me.
For you are my rock, my stronghold!
Lead me, guide me, for the sake of your name. Psalm 31
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: Martin Luther; trans. W.G. Pollack ©
Tune: All Ehr und Lob https://tinyurl.com/yjwf5psh
1 All glory be to God alone,
forevermore the highest One,
who did our sinful race befriend
and grace and peace to us extend.
Among mankind may his good will
all hearts with deep thanksgiving fill.
2 We praise you, God, and you we bless;
we worship you in humbleness.
From day to day we glorify
the everlasting God on high.
Of your great glory do we sing,
and to your throne our thanks we bring.
3 Lord God, our King on heaven’s throne,
our Father, the Almighty One.
O Lord, the sole-begotten One,
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son,
true God from all eternity,
O Lamb of God, to you we flee.
4 You take the whole world’s sin away;
have mercy on us, Lord, we pray.
You take the whole world’s sin away;
O listen to the prayer we say.
You sit at God’s right hand each day;
have mercy on us, Lord, we pray.
5 You only are the Holy One;
o’er all things you are Lord alone.
O Jesus Christ, we glorify
you and the Spirit, Lord Most High;
with him you evermore shall be
one in the Father’s majesty.
PSALMS
Psalm 93 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y7tg5urb)
1 The Lord is King, and hath put on glorious apparel *
the Lord hath put on his apparel, and girded himself with strength.
2 He hath made the round world so sure *
that it cannot be moved.
3 Ever since the world began hath thy seat been prepared *
thou art from everlasting.
4 The floods are risen, O Lord, the floods have lift up their voice *
the floods lift up their waves.
5 The waves of the sea are mighty, and rage horribly *
but yet the Lord, who dwelleth on high, is mightier.
6 Thy testimonies, O Lord, are very sure *
holiness becometh thine house 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 94 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y8otscow)
1 O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth *
thou God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
2 Arise, thou Judge of the world *
and reward the proud after their deserving.
3 Lord, how long shall the ungodly *
how long shall the ungodly triumph?
4 How long shall all wicked doers speak so disdainfully *
and make such proud boasting?
5 They smite down thy people, O Lord *
and trouble thine heritage.
6 They murder the widow, and the stranger *
and put the fatherless to death.
7 And yet they say, Tush, the Lord shall not see *
neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
8 Take heed, ye unwise among the people *
O ye fools, when will ye understand?
9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear *
or he that made the eye, shall he not see?
10 Or he that nurtureth the heathen *
it is he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he punish?
11 The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man *
that they are but vain.
12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord *
and teachest him in thy law;
13 That thou mayest give him patience in time of adversity *
until the pit be digged up for the ungodly.
14 For the Lord will not fail his people *
neither will he forsake his inheritance;
15 Until righteousness turn again unto judgement *
all such as are true in heart shall follow it.
16 Who will rise up with me against the wicked *
or who will take my part against the evil-doers?
17 If the Lord had not helped me *
it had not failed but my soul had been put to silence.
18 But when I said, My foot hath slipt *
thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.
19 In the multitude of the sorrows that I had in my heart *
thy comforts have refreshed my soul.
20 Wilt thou have any thing to do with the stool of wickedness *
which imagineth mischief as a law?
21 They gather them together against the soul of the righteous *
and condemn the innocent blood.
22 But the Lord is my refuge *
and my God is the strength of my confidence.
23 He shall recompense them their wickedness, and destroy them in their own malice *
yea, the Lord our God shall destroy them.
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 93 (LSB Tone A: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-93-LSB.mp3)
The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty;
the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.
Yes, the world is established;
it shall never be moved.
Your throne is established from of old;
you are from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice;
the floods lift up their roaring.
Mightier than the thunders of many waters,
mightier than the waves of the sea,
the Lord on high is mighty.
Your decrees are very trustworthy;
holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore.
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.
Psalm 94 (Karl Kohlhase: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-94-KH.mp3)
O LORD, God of vengeance, God of vengeance, shine forth!
Rise up, O Judge of the earth,
give recompense to the proud.
How long shall the wicked, O LORD,
how long shall the wicked exult?
They pour forth words speaking proudly;
and all who do evil boast.
They crush your people, O LORD,
and afflict your inheritance.
O LORD, God of vengeance, God of vengeance, shine forth!
They slay the widow and stranger,
and even murder orphans.
They say, “The LORD does not see us,
nor does Jacob’s God pay heed.”
Pay heed, all fools of the nations;
when will you fools understand?
He who planted the ear, does he not hear?
he who formed the eye, not see?
O LORD, God of vengeance, God of vengeance, shine forth!
Will he not rebuke who strikes nations,
the One who teaches man knowledge?
The thoughts of man the LORD knows,
that they are merely a breath.
LORD, blessed is the man whom you chasten,
and whom you teach from Your law;
Relieved from days of trouble,
while a pit is dug for the wicked.
O LORD, God of vengeance, God of vengeance, shine forth!
For the LORD won’t abandon his people,
nor will he leave his inheritance.
For judgment will turn for the righteous,
all the upright in heart will follow.
Who will stand with me against evil?
With me against the wicked?
If the LORD had not been my help,
then my soul would soon become mute.
O LORD, God of vengeance, God of vengeance, shine forth!
If I say, “My foot is slipping,”
your love, O LORD, holds me up.
When alarming thoughts grow within me,
then your comfort delights my soul.
Can a throne of ruin be united,
which makes its laws out of mischief?
Set against the life of the righteous,
and condemning the pure to death.
O LORD, God of vengeance, God of vengeance, shine forth!
But the LORD has been my stronghold,
my God the rock of my refuge.
He returns their evil upon them,
they’re destroyed by their own wickedness
The LORD our God. will destroy them!
PRAYER
Omnipotent God,
your glory is incomprehensible,
your majesty infinite,
and your power incomparable.
Found us on the certainty of your promises,
that no matter what happens,
we may be firm in faith
and live uprightly in your church,
bought by the blood of Jesus Christ. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, he opened her womb; but Rachel was unable to have children. Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben because she said, “The Lord saw my harsh treatment, and now my husband will love me.” She became pregnant again and gave birth to a son. She said, “The Lord heard that I was unloved, so he gave me this son too,” and she named him Simeon. She became pregnant again and gave birth to a son. She said, “Now, this time my husband will embrace me, since I have given birth to three sons for him.” So she named him Levi. She became pregnant again and gave birth to a son. She said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah. Then she stopped bearing children.
When Rachel realized that she could bear Jacob no children, Rachel became jealous of her sister and said to Jacob, “Give me children! If you don’t, I may as well be dead.” Jacob was angry at Rachel and said, “Do you think I’m God? God alone has kept you from giving birth!”
She said, “Here’s my servant Bilhah. Sleep with her, and she will give birth for me. Because of her, I will also have children.” So Rachel gave her servant Bilhah to Jacob as his wife, and he slept with her. Bilhah became pregnant and gave birth to a son for Jacob. Rachel said, “God has judged in my favor, heard my voice, and given me a son.” So she named him Dan. Rachel’s servant Bilhah became pregnant again and gave birth to a second son for Jacob. Rachel said, “I’ve competed fiercely with my sister, and now I’ve won.” So she named him Naphtali.
When Leah realized that she had stopped bearing children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as his wife. Leah’s servant Zilpah gave birth to a son for Jacob, and Leah said, “What good luck!” So she named him Gad. Leah’s servant Zilpah gave birth to a second son for Jacob, and Leah said, “I’m happy now because women call me happy.” So she named him Asher.
During the wheat harvest, Reuben found some erotic herbs in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. Rachel said to Leah, “Give me your son’s erotic herbs.” Leah replied, “Isn’t it enough that you’ve taken my husband? Now you want to take my son’s erotic herbs too?” Rachel said, “For your son’s erotic herbs, Jacob may sleep with you tonight.”
When Jacob came back from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must sleep with me because I’ve paid for you with my son’s erotic herbs.” So he slept with her that night.
God responded to Leah. She became pregnant and gave birth to a fifth son for Jacob. Leah said, “God gave me what I paid for, what I deserved for giving my servant to my husband.” So she named him Issachar. Leah became pregnant again and gave birth to a sixth son for Jacob, and she said, “God has given me a wonderful gift. Now my husband will honor me since I’ve borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun. After this, she gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah.
Then God remembered Rachel, responded to her, and let her conceive. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said, “God has taken away my shame.” She named him Joseph, saying to herself, May the Lord give me another son.
HYMN: Martin Luther; trans. Richard Massie
Tune: Nun freut euch https://tinyurl.com/2fx2p87m
1 Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice,
with exultation springing,
and, with united heart and voice
and holy rapture singing,
proclaim the wonders God has done,
proclaim the vict’ry God has won,
how precious was our ransom!
2 Fast bound in Satan’s chains I lay,
death brooded fiercely o’er me,
sin was my torment night and day;
in sin my mother bore me.
My own good works all came to naught
free will against God’s judgment fought,
so firmly sin possessed me.
3 O God, you saw my deep distress
before the world’s foundation,
and, with your mercy measureless,
you planned for my salvation.
You turned to me a father’s heart;
you did not choose the easy part,
but gave your dearest treasure.
4 You said to your beloved Son:
“‘Tis time to have compassion.
Then go, bright jewel of my crown,
and bring to all salvation;
from sin and sorrow set them free;
slay bitter death for them that they
may live with you forever.”
5 The Son obeyed your gracious will,
was born of virgin mother;
and, your good pleasure to fulfill,
he came to be my brother.
His royal pow’r disguised he bore,
a servant’s form, like mine, he wore,
to lead the devil captive.
6 To me he said: “Stay close to me,
I am your rock and castle.
Your ransom I myself will be;
for you I strive and wrestle.
The foe will shed my precious blood;
all this I suffer for your good;
my life o’er death will triumph.
7 “Now to My Father I depart,
from earth to heav’n ascending,
and, gracious wisdom to impart,
the Holy Spirit sending,
who will in trouble comfort you,
will teach you well, your faith renew,
and in all truth will guide you.
8 “What I on earth have done and taught
guide all your life and teaching;
so shall the glorious reign of God
increase, the whole world reaching.
Let none the gospel gift impede;
I make you free; be free indeed!
This final word I leave you.”
All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters. You didn’t receive a spirit of slavery to lead you back again into fear, but you received a Spirit that shows you are adopted as his children. With this Spirit, we cry, “Abba, Father.” The same Spirit agrees with our spirit, that we are God’s children. But if we are children, we are also heirs. We are God’s heirs and fellow heirs with Christ, if we really suffer with him so that we can also be glorified with him.
I believe that the present suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory that is going to be revealed to us. The whole creation waits breathless with anticipation for the revelation of God’s sons and daughters. Creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice—it was the choice of the one who subjected it—but in the hope that the creation itself will be set free from slavery to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of God’s children. We know that the whole creation is groaning together and suffering labor pains up until now. And it’s not only the creation. We ourselves who have the Spirit as the first crop of the harvest also groan inside as we wait to be adopted and for our bodies to be set free. We were saved in hope. If we see what we hope for, that isn’t hope. Who hopes for what they already see? But if we hope for what we don’t see, we wait for it with patience.
In the same way, the Spirit comes to help our weakness. We don’t know what we should pray, but the Spirit himself pleads our case with unexpressed groans. The one who searches hearts knows how the Spirit thinks, because he pleads for the saints, consistent with God’s will.
HYMN: Martin Luther; trans. Richard Massie
Tune: Gott der Vater wohn uns bei https://tinyurl.com/mea5hpsk
1 God the Father, be our Stay;
O let us perish never!
Cleanse us from our sins, we pray,
And grant us life forever.
Keep us from the evil one;
Uphold our faith most holy.
And let us trust Thee solely
With humble hearts and lowly.
Let us put God’s armor on,
With all true Christian running
Our heav’nly race and shunning
The devil’s wiles and cunning.
Amen, amen! This be done;
So sing we, “Alleluia!”
2 Jesus Christ, be Thou our stay;
O let us perish never!
Cleanse us from our sins, we pray,
And grant us life forever.
Keep us from the evil one;
Uphold our faith most holy.
And let us trust Thee solely
With humble hearts and lowly.
Let us put God’s armor on,
With all true Christian running
Our heav’nly race and shunning
The devil’s wiles and cunning.
Amen, amen! This be done;
So sing we, “Alleluia!”
3 Holy Spirit, be our Stay,
O let us perish never!
Cleanse us from our sins, we pray,
And grant us life forever.
Keep us from the evil one;
Uphold our faith most holy.
And let us trust Thee solely
With humble hearts and lowly.
Let us put God’s armor on,
With all true Christian running
Our heav’nly race and shunning
The devil’s wiles and cunning.
Amen, amen! This be done;
So sing we, “Alleluia!”
READING: John 1:29-34
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one about whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is really greater than me because he existed before me.’ Even I didn’t recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he might be made known to Israel.” John testified, “I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, and it rested on him. Even I didn’t recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit coming down and resting is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and testified that this one is God’s Son.”
CANTICLE Philippians 2:6-11
(Chant by John Michael Talbot: https://tinyurl.com/y8ljx8y7)
Though he was in the form of God,
Jesus did not deem equality with God
something to be grasped at.
Rather, he emptied himself
and took the form of a slave,
being born in the likeness of men.
He was known to be of human estate
and it was thus that he humbled himself,
obediently accepting even death,
death on a cross!
Because of this,
God highly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
above every other name,
So that at Jesus’ name
every knee must bend
in the heavens, on the earth,
and under the earth,
and every tongue proclaim
to the glory of God the Father:
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
THE PRAYERS CO
God of all kindness,
you gave your only Son,
because you loved the world so much.
We pray for the peace of the world.
Move among us by your Spirit,
break down barriers
of fear, suspicion, and hatred.
Heal the human family of its divisions
and unite it in the bonds of justice and peace.
We pray for our country.
Enrich our common life;
strengthen the forces of truth and goodness;
teach us to share prosperity,
that those whose lives are impoverished
may pass from need and despair
to dignity and joy.
We pray for those who suffer.
Surround them with your love,
support them with your strength,
console them with your comfort,
and give them hope
and courage beyond themselves.
We pray for our families,
for those whom we love.
Protect them at home;
support them in times of difficulty and anxiety,
that they may grow together
in mutual love and understanding,
and rest content in one another.
We pray for the Church.
Keep us true to the gospel
and responsive to the gifts and needs of all.
Make known your saving power in Jesus Christ,
by the witness of our faith, our worship, and our life. Amen.
(Traditional chant: http://oremus.org/chant/LP-1940.mp3)
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 God,
you called Martin Luther and others to reform your church
and to teach that we should trust in you alone;
give us boldness to proclaim the faith in our day,
and keep your church true to you at all times;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 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
CO Common Order © 1994 Church of Scotland
The Lord’s Prayer is the traditional chant as set in The Hymnal 1940 and sung by Kathryn Mannyng https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsJ2TB9pLbU
The three main scripture readings are © Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). Psalm 93 is in the version from Lutheran Service Book © Concordia Publishing House. Sung to LSB Tone A and sourced from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doYQAH0xA6k. Psalms 94 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 © 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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