Oremus for Sunday, February 23, 2025

The Outbreak, Käthe Kollwitz, 1906

Antiphon 1

Ant. I will relate all your wondrous deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing to the honor of your name, O Most High.
Ps. But the Lord sits enthroned forever; *
he has set up his throne for judgment.
He will judge the world with justice; *
he will govern the peoples with equity. Psalm 9

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: Olive W Spannaus ©
Tune: Beatus vir https://tinyurl.com/5n6drjpd

1 Lord of all nations, grant me grace
To love all people, ev’ry race,
And in each person help me view
My kindred, loved, redeemed by you.

2 Break down the wall that would divide
Your children, Lord, on ev’ry side.
My neighbors’ good let me pursue;
Bind them to me and all to you.

3 Forgive me, Lord, where I have erred
By loveless act and thoughtless word.
Make me to see the wrong I do
Will hurt my neighbor, Lord, and you.

4 Give me your courage, Lord, to speak
Whenever strong oppress the weak.
And should I be a victim, too,
Help me forgive, rememb’ring you.

5 With your own love may I be filled
And by your Holy Spirit willed,
That all I touch, whate’er I do,
May be divinely touched by you.

PSALMS

Psalm 114 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/tbxne5c)
1  When Israel came out of Egypt *
 and the house of Jacob from among the strange people,
2  Judah was his sanctuary *
 and Israel his dominion.
3  The sea saw that, and fled *
 Jordan was driven back.
4  The mountains skipped like rams *
 and the little hills like young sheep.
5  What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest *
 and thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?
6  Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams *
 and ye little hills, like young sheep?
7  Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord *
 at the presence of the God of Jacob;
8  Who turned the hard rock into a standing water *
 and the flint-stone into a springing well.
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 115 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yaw43w93)
1  Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name give the praise *
 for thy loving mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.
2  Wherefore shall the heathen say *
 Where is now their God?
3  As for our God, he is in heaven *
 he hath done whatsoever pleased him.
4  Their idols are silver and gold *
 even the work of men’s hands.
5  They have mouths, and speak not *
 eyes have they, and see not.
6  They have ears, and hear not *
 noses have they, and smell not.
7  They have hands, and handle not; feet have they, and walk not *
 neither speak they through their throat.
8  They that make them are like unto them *
 and so are all such as put their trust in them.
9  But thou, house of Israel, trust thou in the Lord *
 he is their succour and defence.
10  Ye house of Aaron, put your trust in the Lord *
 he is their helper and defender.
11  Ye that fear the Lord, put your trust in the Lord *
 he is their helper and defender.
12  The Lord hath been mindful of us, and he shall bless us *
 even he shall bless the house of Israel,
he shall bless the house of Aaron.
13  He shall bless them that fear the Lord *
 both small and great.
14  The Lord shall increase you more and more *
 you and your children.
15  Ye are the blessed of the Lord *
 who made heaven and earth.
16  All the whole heavens are the Lord’s *
 the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17  The dead praise not thee, O Lord *
 neither all they that go down into silence.
18  But we will praise the Lord *
 from this time forth for evermore. Praise 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 114 (LSB Tone G: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-114-LSB.mp3)
1 When Israel went out from Egypt,*
 the house of Jacob from a people of strange language,
2 Judah became his sanctuary,*
 Israel his dominion.
3 The sea looked and fled;*
 Jordan turned back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams,*
 the hills like lambs.
5 What ails you, O sea, that you flee?*
 O Jordan, that you turn back?
6 O mountains, that you skip like rams?*
 O hills, like lambs?
7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,*
 at the presence of the God of Jacob,
8 who turns the rock into a pool of water,*
 the flint into a spring of water.
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 115 (LSB Tone G: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-115-LSB.mp3)
1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory,*
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
2 Why should the nations say,*
“Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens;*
he does all that he pleases.
4 Their idols are silver and gold,*
the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak;*
eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear;*
noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk;*
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
8 Those who make them be-come like them;*
so do all who trust in them.
9 O Israel, trust in the LORD!*
He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD!*
He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD!*
He is their help and their shield.
12 The LORD has remembered us; he will bless us;*
he will bless the house of Israel;
he will bless the house of Aaron;
13 he will bless those who fear the LORD,*
both the small and the great.
14 May the LORD give you increase,*
you and your children!
15 May you be blessed by the LORD,*
who made heaven and earth!
16 The heavens are the LORD’s heavens,*
but the earth he has given to the children of man.
17 The dead do not praise the LORD,*
nor do any who go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the LORD*
from this time forth and forevermore. Praise 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 will be forever. Amen.

PRAYER

Gracious God,
in whom all hearts are glad
and all souls rejoice:
Show us the path of your presence,
that we may follow it in hope
and be filled with resurrection joy;
through Jesus Christ, our risen Savior. Amen. BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Don’t remember the prior things;
    don’t ponder ancient history.
Look! I’m doing a new thing;
    now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it?
I’m making a way in the desert,
    paths in the wilderness.
The beasts of the field,
        the jackals and ostriches, will honor me,
    because I have put water in the desert
    and streams in the wilderness
    to give water to my people,
    my chosen ones,
    this people whom I formed for myself,
        who will recount my praise.

But you didn’t call out to me, Jacob;
    you were tired of me, Israel.
You didn’t bring me lambs for your entirely burned offering;
    you didn’t honor me with your sacrifices.
I didn’t make you worship with offerings;
    I didn’t weary you with frankincense.
You didn’t buy spices for me with your money,
    or satisfy me with the fat of your sacrifices.
Instead, you have burdened me with your sins
    and wearied me with your evil actions.
I, I am the one who wipes out your rebellious behavior for my sake. I won’t remember your sin.

HYMN: Ramon and Sario Oliano; para. James Minchin; trans. Delbert Rice ©
Tune: Gayom ni higami

1 Lord, your hands have formed this world,
every part is shaped by you —
Water tumbling over rocks,
air and sunlight: each day’s signs
that you make all things new.

2 Yours the soil that holds the seed,
you give warmth and moisture too —
sprouting blossoms, crops and buds,
trees and plants: the season’s signs
that you make all things new.

3 Like a mat you roll out land —
space to build, for us and you,
earthly homes and, better still,
homes for Christ: the truest sign
that you make all things new.

Bless people who harass you—bless and don’t curse them. Be happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying. Consider everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so smart. Don’t pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good.

If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people. Don’t try to get revenge for yourselves, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. It is written, Revenge belongs to me; I will pay it back, says the Lord. Instead, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. By doing this, you will pile burning coals of fire upon his head. Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good.

HYMN: Brian Wren ©
Tune: Whitfield https://tinyurl.com/2s44n7yc

1 We are your people, Spirit of grace;
you dare to make us to all our neighbors
Christ’s living voice, hands, and face;
Christ’s living voice, hands, and face.

2 Joined in community, treasured and fed,
may we discover gifts in each other,
willing to lead and be led;
willing to lead and be led.

3 Rich in diversity, help us to live
closer than neighbors, open to strangers,
able to clash and forgive;
able to clash and forgive.

4 Glad of tradition, help us to see
in all life’s changing where you are leading,
where our best efforts should be;
where our best efforts should be.

5 Give, as we venture, justice and care
(peaceful, resisting, waiting, or risking)
wisdom to know when and where;
wisdom to know when and where.

6 Spirit, unite us; make us, by grace,
willing and ready, Christ’s living body,
loving the whole human race;
loving the whole human race.

Jesus said, “But I say to you who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on the cheek, offer the other one as well. If someone takes your coat, don’t withhold your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks and don’t demand your things back from those who take them. Treat people in the same way that you want them to treat you.

“If you love those who love you, why should you be commended? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, why should you be commended? Even sinners do that. If you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, why should you be commended? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to be paid back in full. Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend expecting nothing in return. If you do, you will have a great reward. You will be acting the way children of the Most High act, for he is kind to ungrateful and wicked people. Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate.

“Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good portion—packed down, firmly shaken, and overflowing—will fall into your lap. The portion you give will determine the portion you receive in return.”

CANTICLE Revelation 11:17-18; 12:10b-12a
(Chant by John Michael Talbot: https://tinyurl.com/ycrn2d4f)

Ant. The Father has given Christ all power, honor, and kingship,
All people will obey him.
We praise you, the Lord God Almighty,
who is and who was.
You have assumed your great power,
you have begun your reign.
the nations have raged in anger,
but then came your day of wrath
and the moment to judge the dead:
the time to reward your servants the prophets
and the holy ones who revere you,
the great and the small alike.
Now have salvation and power come,
the reign of our god and the authority
of his anointed one,
for the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who night and day accused them before God.
They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
So rejoice, you heavens,
and you that dwell therein!
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 Joe Milner

For the Church: that we may be instruments of God’s mercy and compassion by sharing what the forgiveness that we have received with others

For forgiveness and healing in the Church:  that God will heal the wounds that have weakened the Body of Christ and renew our spirits to further the mission of Jesus

For the grace to forgive: that God will help us to forgive those who have injured us and to pray for them and their needs

For conversion of our hearts: that God’s covenant love will empower us to be instruments of non-violence and learn to turn the other cheek when we are injured

For freedom of heart: that the Spirit will free us from returning evil for evil and instead guide us in confronting evil with love and mercy

For all who have been our enemies, whether politically, economically, or personally: that we may let go of hurts and grudges, and seek a new understanding of them

For all who suffer violence on city streets or in their homes: that they may rise above their wounds and be sources of hope and encouragement for others

For new eyes and hearts: that the Spirit will help us to recognize those in need as our sisters and brothers and give us the courage to respond to them as friends

For freedom of spirit: that we may share our resources generously with those who are in need even as God has freely shared with us

For all who have never experienced forgiveness: that they may encounter the free and healing gift of forgiveness through someone who loves as Jesus taught

For healing of racial and ethnic hatreds: that all people may see the value and dignity of each person as a child of God

For all who are alienated from the church: that God will heal their hurts and help them to find welcome and acceptance in our communities

For all who have experienced abuse: that God will heal their memories, their emotions, and their physical wounds so that they may be free to love and share life with others

For all who are suffering: that God will free those unjustly held, bring justice to the oppressed, hope to those who are grieving, and healing to the sick

For Peace: that God will guide world leaders to end nuclear weapon proliferation and use their resources to end famine, disease, and oppression

(Plainsong Mode 2: https://tinyurl.com/yctqq8cf)DL

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.

Holy God, you gather the whole universe
into your radiant presence
and continually reveal your Son as our Savior.
Bring healing to all wounds,
make whole all that is broken,
speak truth to all illusion,
and shed light in every darkness,
that all creation will see your glory and know your Christ. 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.

DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.

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 main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.

The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language versions of Psalms 114 and 115 are in the version used in Lutheran Service Book: Pew Edition Concordia Publishing House, and are from the Next to the Word of God YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkVRYL-MRebncw584Ql2xfg.

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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