Oremus for Sunday, June 22, 2025

*Jesus, the Gerasene, and the Unclean Spirits*, Ottheinrich Bible, ca. 1425-30

Antiphon ¹

Ant. The Lord is the strength of his people, *
and the guardian of salvation for his anointed.
Save your people, O Lord,
and bless your inheritance;
be their guide for ever.
V. To you, O Lord, I call; *
my rock, be not deaf to me.
I shall go down to those in the pit, *
if you are silent to me. Psalm 28

Teach us, good Lord,
to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek for rest;
to labor and not to ask for any reward,
save that of knowing that we do your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen. ^BCW2018

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: Mary Louise Bringle ©
Tune: Bangor https://tinyurl.com/2wt6c4vp

1 Cast out, O Christ, cast far away
the demons that destroy:
the haunting dreads that choke our souls,
the hates that stifle joy.

2 Our raging griefs, our jealous fears
are Legion in their name.
Our shackled hearts implore your grace
to loose our binding shame.

3 Once long ago, from Galilee,
you sailed to storm tossed shores.
And still, in pow’r, you brave new paths
to breach our bolted doors.

4 Your Word breathes life and health and hope
that break through evil’s thrall.
You send us, strengthened, home in peace
to live your gospel call.

PSALMS

Psalm 108 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y9us7zs5)
1  O God, my heart is ready, my heart is ready *
I will sing and give praise with the best member that I have.
2  Awake, thou lute, and harp *
I myself will awake right early.
3  I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the people *
I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
4  For thy mercy is greater than the heavens *
and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
5  Set up thyself, O God, above the heavens *
and thy glory above all the earth.
6  That thy beloved may be delivered *
let thy right hand save them, and hear thou me.
7  God hath spoken in his holiness *
I will rejoice therefore, and divide Sichem,
and mete out the valley of Succoth.
8  Gilead is mine, and Manasses is mine *
Ephraim also is the strength of my head.
9  Judah is my law-giver, Moab is my wash-pot *
over Edom will I cast out my shoe; upon Philistia will I triumph.
10  Who will lead me into the strong city *
and who will bring me into Edom?
11  Hast not thou forsaken us, O God *
and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?
12  O help us against the enemy *
for vain is the help of man.
13  Through God we shall do great acts *
and it is he that shall tread down our enemies.
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 109 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y9dslk3v)
1  Hold not thy tongue, O God of my praise *
for the mouth of the ungodly, yea,
the mouth of the deceitful is opened upon me.
2  And they have spoken against me with false tongues *
they compassed me about also with words of hatred,
and fought against me without a cause.
3  For the love that I had unto them, lo, they take now my contrary part *
but I give myself unto prayer.
4  Thus have they rewarded me evil for good *
and hatred for my good will.
5  Set thou an ungodly man to be ruler over him *
and let Satan stand at his right hand.
6  When sentence is given upon him, let him be condemned *
and let his prayer be turned into sin.
7  Let his days be few *
and let another take his office.
8  Let his children be fatherless *
and his wife a widow.
9  Let his children be vagabonds, and beg their bread *
let them seek it also out of desolate places.
10  Let the extortioner consume all that he hath *
and let the stranger spoil his labour.
11  Let there be no man to pity him *
nor to have compassion upon his fatherless children.
12  Let his posterity be destroyed *
and in the next generation let his name be clean put out.
13  Let the wickedness of his fathers be had
in remembrance in the sight of the Lord *
and let not the sin of his mother be done away.
14  Let them alway be before the Lord *
that he may root out the memorial of them from off the earth;
15  And that, because his mind was not to do good *
but persecuted the poor helpless man,
that he might slay him that was vexed at the heart.
16  His delight was in cursing, and it shall happen unto him *
he loved not blessing, therefore shall it be far from him.
17  He clothed himself with cursing, like as with a raiment *
and it shall come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.
18  Let it be unto him as the cloke that he hath upon him *
and as the girdle that he is alway girded withal.
19  Let it thus happen from the Lord unto mine enemies *
and to those that speak evil against my soul.
20  But deal thou with me, O Lord God, according unto thy Name *
for sweet is thy mercy.
21  O deliver me, for I am helpless and poor *
and my heart is wounded within me.
22  I go hence like the shadow that departeth *
and am driven away as the grasshopper.
23  My knees are weak through fasting *
my flesh is dried up for want of fatness.
24  I became also a reproach unto them *
they that looked upon me shaked their heads.
25  Help me, O Lord my God *
O save me according to thy mercy;
26  And they shall know, how that this is thy hand *
and that thou, Lord, hast done it.
27  Though they curse, yet bless thou *
and let them be confounded that rise up against me;
but let thy servant rejoice.
28  Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame *
and let them cover themselves with their own confusion,
as with a cloke.
29  As for me, I will give great thanks unto the Lord with my mouth *
and praise him among the multitude;
30  For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor *
to save his soul from unrighteous judges.
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 108 (St Bernard Breviary)

1 O God, my heart is fixed, my heart is firmly fixed; *
I will sing and give praise with the best that I have.
2 Awake, my soul; awake, lute and harp; *
I myself will awaken the dawn.
3 I will give thanks unto you, O Lord, among the peoples, *
and I will sing praises unto you among the nations,
4 For the greatness of your mercy reaches to the heavens, *
and your faithfulness to the clouds.
5 Exalt yourself, O God, above the heavens; *
let your glory be over all the earth.
6 That your beloved may be delivered, *
save me by your right hand, and answer me.
7 God has spoken in his holiness: *
“I will rejoice and divide Shechem,
and parcel out the valley of Succoth.
8 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; *
Ephraim also is the helmet for my head;
Judah is my scepter.
9 Moab is my wash-pot; over Edom will I cast my shoe; *
over Philistia will I triumph.”
10 Who will lead me into the strong city, *
and who will bring me into Edom?
11 Have you not forsaken us, O God? *
And will you not, O God, go forth with our hosts?
12 O help us against the enemy, *
for vain is the help of man.
13 Through God we shall do great acts, *
for it is he who shall tread down our enemies.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.

Psalm 109 (St Bernard Breviary)

1 Hold not your tongue, O God of my praise, *
for the mouth of the ungodly,
the mouth of the deceitful is opened upon me.
2 They have spoken against me with false tongues; *
they encompassed me with words of hatred,
and fought against me without a cause.
3 In return for the love that I had for them, they have become my adversaries; *
but I give myself to prayer.
4 Thus have they rewarded me evil for good, *
and hatred for my love.
5 Set an ungodly man to be ruler over him, *
and let an accuser stand at his right hand.
6 When judgment is given, let him be condemned, *
and let sentence be passed on him for guilt.
7 Let his days be few, *
and let another take his office.
8 Let his children be fatherless *
and his wife a widow.
9 Let his children be vagabonds and beg their bread; *
let them be driven out, even from desolate places.
10 Let the creditor consume all that he has, *
and let strangers take his labor for spoil.
11 Let there be no one to pity him, *
nor to have compassion upon his fatherless children.
12 Let his posterity be destroyed, *
and in the next generation let his name be blotted out.
13 Let the wickedness of his fathers be held in remembrance in
the sight of the Lord, *
and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
14 Let them be always before the Lord, *
that he may root out the memorial of them from the earth,
15 Because he was not minded to do good, *
but persecuted to death the poor and needy,
and those who were brokenhearted.
16 His delight was in cursing;
let curses come upon him; *
he loved not blessing;
therefore let it be far from him.
17 He clothed himself with cursing as with a garment, *
so let it soak into his body like water,
and like oil into his bones.
18 Let it be to him as the cloak that he has on *
and as the belt that he always wears.
19 Let this be the recompense from the Lord to my enemies, *
and to those who speak evil against my soul.
20 But deal with me, O Lord God, according to your Name; *
for sweet is your mercy.
21 O deliver me, for I am helpless and poor, *
and my heart is wounded within me.
22 I disappear like the shadow that lengthens, *
and am shaken off like a grasshopper.
23 My knees are weak through fasting; *
my flesh is grown lean for want of nourishment.
24 I have become a reproach to them; *
when they look on me, they shake their heads.
25 Help me, O Lord my God; *
save me according to your mercy;
26 And they shall know that this is your hand, *
and that you, O Lord, have done it.
27 Though they curse, yet you bless; *
let them be confounded who rise up against me,
but let your servant rejoice.
28 Let my adversaries be clothed with shame, *
and let them cover themselves with their
own disgrace as with a cloak.
29 As for me,
I will give great thanks unto the Lord with my mouth, *
and praise him among the multitude,
30 For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, *
to save their souls from the unrighteous judges.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.

PRAYER

O God,
your love is wider than all the universe
and your mercy greater than the heights of heaven.
When we are tempted to break faith with you,
put a new song of love on our lips,
that we may sing your praises to all nations on earth,
through your Son, our only hope and defense. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Bring out the blind people who have eyes,
    the deaf ones who have ears.
All the nations are gathered together;
    the peoples are assembled.
Which of them announced this?
    Who predicted to us the past events?
Let them bring their witnesses as a defense;
    let them hear and say, “It’s true!”
You are my witnesses, says the Lord,
    my servant, whom I chose,
    so that you would know and believe me
    and understand that I am the one.
Before me no god was formed;
    after me there has been no other.
I, I am the Lord,
    and there is no savior besides me.
I announced, I saved, I proclaimed,
not some stranger among you.
You are my witnesses, says the Lord,
    and I am God.
From the dawn of time, I am the one.
    No one can escape my power.
    I act, and who can undo it?

HYMN: Gerhardt Tersteegen; trans. Frederick Foster; John Miller
Tune: Arnsberg (Wunderbarer König) https://tinyurl.com/3r622j4k

1. God himself is present;
Let us now adore him
And with awe appear before him.
God is in his temple;
All within keep silence;
Humbly kneel in deepest rev’rence.
He alone
On his throne
Is our God and Savior;
Praise his name forever!

2. God himself is present;
Hear the harps resounding;
See the hosts the throne surrounding,
Holy, holy, holy!
Hear the hymn ascending,
Songs of saints and angels blending.
Bow your ear
To us here;
Hear, O Christ, the praises
That your Church now raises.

3. Fount of ev’ry blessing,
Purify my spirit,
Trusting only in your merit.
Like the holy angels,
Worshiping before you,
May I ceaselessly adore you.
Let your will
Ever still
Rule your Church terrestrial
As the hosts celestial.

I’m grateful to God, whom I serve with a good conscience as my ancestors did. I constantly remember you in my prayers day and night. When I remember your tears, I long to see you so that I can be filled with happiness. I’m reminded of your authentic faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I’m sure that this faith is also inside you. Because of this, I’m reminding you to revive God’s gift that is in you through the laying on of my hands. God didn’t give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled.

So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about the Lord or of me, his prisoner. Instead, share the suffering for the good news, depending on God’s power. God is the one who saved and called us with a holy calling. This wasn’t based on what we have done, but it was based on his own purpose and grace that he gave us in Christ Jesus before time began. Now his grace is revealed through the appearance of our savior, Christ Jesus. He destroyed death and brought life and immortality into clear focus through the good news.

HYMN: Charles Wesley
Tune: Mainzer https://tinyurl.com/j988knyn

1 Author of faith, eternal Word,
whose Spirit breathes the active flame;
faith, like its finisher and Lord,
today as yesterday the same:

2 To thee our humble hearts aspire,
and ask the gift unspeakable;
increase in us the kindled fire,
in us the work of faith fulfil.

3 By faith we know thee strong to save –
save us, a present Saviour thou!
Whate’er we hope, by faith we have,
future and past subsisting now.

4 The things unknown to feeble sense,
unseen by reason’s glimmering ray,
with strong, commanding evidence,
their heav’nly origin display.

5 Faith lends its realizing light,
the clouds disperse, the shadows fly;
the Invisible appears in sight,
and God is seen by mortal eye.

Jesus and his disciples sailed to the Gerasenes’ land, which is across the lake from Galilee. As soon as Jesus got out of the boat, a certain man met him. The man was from the city and was possessed by demons. For a long time, he had lived among the tombs, naked and homeless. When he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down before him. Then he shouted, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” He said this because Jesus had already commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had taken possession of him, so he would be bound with leg irons and chains and placed under guard. But he would break his restraints, and the demon would force him into the wilderness.

Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had entered him. They pleaded with him not to order them to go back into the abyss. A large herd of pigs was feeding on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs. Jesus gave them permission, and the demons left the man and entered the pigs. The herd rushed down the cliff into the lake and drowned.

When those who tended the pigs saw what happened, they ran away and told the story in the city and in the countryside. People came to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully dressed and completely sane. They were filled with awe. Those people who had actually seen what had happened told them how the demon-possessed man had been delivered. Then everyone gathered from the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave their area because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and returned across the lake. The man from whom the demons had gone begged to come along with Jesus as one of his disciples. Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell the story of what God has done for you.” So he went throughout the city proclaiming what Jesus had done for him.

CANTICLE Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55)
(Setting in Lutheran Service Book: https://tinyurl.com/ybb7ajjj)

Refrain:
My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior;
my soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.

1. For he has regarded
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from this day
all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One has done great things to me,
and holy is his name;
And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation. Refrain

2. He has shown strength with his arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy
as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.
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. Refrain

PRAYERS ^{Cathy Crook}

Let us pray to our Heavenly Father, who promises through his Son, to hear us when we pray in faith.

Almighty God, we pray for the worldwide church and ask for your blessing and anointing on all involved in mission and outreach. May the Church be a powerful witness in the world, proclaiming the good news of Jesus. We pray for the Church in this country, that it may rediscover its origins in the Holy Spirit and be a beacon of hope and love in the world. We pray for all those who are called to leadership in the Church, that they may be filled with wisdom and discernment, and that they may lead with courage and compassion. We pray for all Christians, that they may be bold witnesses to the Gospel, sharing God’s love with those around them.