Oremus for Saturday, July 5, 2025

Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh, The Golden Haggadah, c. 1320, Northern Spain, probably Barcelona

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/5kz2zshn

Everyone who lives and believes in me
will not die for ever, says the Lord. John 11

God of all creation,
open our hearts
that Christ, the King of glory,
may enter and rule our lives.
Give us clean hands and pure hearts,
that we may stand in your presence
and receive your blessing
through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. 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: Herbert O’Driscoll ©
Tune: Ebenezer https://tinyurl.com/eauvkwx7

1 “From the slave pens of the Delta,
from the ghettos on the Nile,
let my people seek their freedom
in the wilderness awhile”:
so God spoke from out of Sinai,
so God spoke and it was done,
and a people crossed the waters
toward the rising of the sun.

2 “From the aging shrines and structures,
from the cloister and the aisle,
let my people seek their freedom
in the wilderness awhile”:
so the Son of God has spoken,
and the storm clouds are unfurled,
for God’s people must be scattered
to be servants in the world.

3 When we murmur on the mountains
for the old Egyptian plains,
when we miss our ancient bondage
and the hope, the promise, wanes;
then the rock shall yield its water
and the manna fall by night,
and with visions of a future
shall we march toward the light.

4 In the maelstrom of the nations,
in the journeying into space,
in the clash of generations,
in the hungering for grace,
in our agony and glory,
we are called to newer ways
by the Lord of our tomorrows
and the God of earth’s todays.

PSALMS

Psalm 24 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y9wmst8w)
1  The earth is the Lord’s, and all that therein is *
 the compass of the world, and they that dwell therein.
2  For he hath founded it upon the seas *
 and prepared it upon the floods.
3  Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord *
 or who shall rise up in his holy place?
4  Even he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart *
 and that hath not lift up his mind unto vanity,
nor sworn to deceive his neighbour.
5  He shall receive the blessing from the Lord *
 and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6  This is the generation of them that seek him *
 even of them that seek thy face, O Jacob.
7  Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors *
 and the King of glory shall come in.
8  Who is the King of glory *
 it is the Lord strong and mighty, even the Lord mighty in battle.
9  Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors *
 and the King of glory shall come in.
10  Who is the King of glory *
 even the Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.
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 25 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y6uy8tmx)
1  Unto thee, O Lord, will I lift up my soul;
my God, I have put my trust in thee *
 O let me not be confounded, neither let mine enemies triumph over me.
2  For all they that hope in thee shall not be ashamed *
 but such as transgress without a cause shall be put to confusion.
3  Shew me thy ways, O Lord *
 and teach me thy paths.
4  Lead me forth in thy truth, and learn me *
 for thou art the God of my salvation;
in thee hath been my hope all the day long.
5  Call to remembrance, O Lord, thy tender mercies *
 and thy loving-kindnesses, which have been ever of old.
6  O remember not the sins and offences of my youth *
 but according to thy mercy think thou upon me, O Lord, for thy goodness.
7  Gracious and righteous is the Lord *
 therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
8  Them that are meek shall he guide in judgement *
 and such as are gentle, them shall he learn his way.
9  All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth *
 unto such as keep his covenant, and his testimonies.
10  For thy Name’s sake, O Lord *
 be merciful unto my sin, for it is great.
11  What man is he, that feareth the Lord *
 him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
12  His soul shall dwell at ease *
 and his seed shall inherit the land.
13  The secret of the Lord is among them that fear him *
 and he will shew them his covenant.
14  Mine eyes are ever looking unto the Lord *
 for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
15  Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me *
 for I am desolate, and in misery.
16  The sorrows of my heart are enlarged *
 O bring thou me out of my troubles.
17  Look upon my adversity and misery *
 and forgive me all my sin.
18  Consider mine enemies, how many they are *
 and they bear a tyrannous hate against me.
19  O keep my soul, and deliver me *
 let me not be confounded, for I have put my trust in thee.
20  Let perfectness and righteous dealing wait upon me *
 for my hope hath been in thee.
21  Deliver Israel, O God *
 out of all his troubles.
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 26 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y9r5o6yo)
1  Be thou my Judge, O Lord, for I have walked innocently *
 my trust hath been also in the Lord, therefore shall I not fall.
2  Examine me, O Lord, and prove me *
 try out my reins and my heart.
3  For thy loving-kindness is ever before mine eyes *
 and I will walk in thy truth.
4  I have not dwelt with vain persons *
 neither will I have fellowship with the deceitful.
5  I have hated the congregation of the wicked *
 and will not sit among the ungodly.
6  I will wash my hands in innocency, O Lord *
 and so will I go to thine altar;
7  That I may shew the voice of thanksgiving *
 and tell of all thy wondrous works.
8  Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house *
 and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
9  O shut not up my soul with the sinners *
 nor my life with the blood-thirsty;
10  In whose hands is wickedness *
 and their right hand is full of gifts,
11  But as for me, I will walk innocently *
 O deliver me, and be merciful unto me.
12  My foot standeth right *
 I will praise the Lord in the congregations.
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 24 (Joseph Barnby; https://tinyurl.com/45m649j3)
1 The earth is the Lord’s and all that fills it,
the compass of the world and all who dwell therein.
2 For he has founded it upon the seas
and set it firm upon the rivers of the deep.
3 ‘Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord,
or who can rise up in his holy place?’
4 ‘Those who have clean hands and a pure heart,
who have not lifted up their soul to an idol,
nor sworn an oath to a lie;
5 ‘They shall receive a blessing from the Lord,
a just reward from the God of their salvation.’
6 Such is the company of those who seek him,
of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
7 Lift up your heads, O gates;
be lifted up, you everlasting doors;
and the King of glory shall come in.
8 ‘Who is the King of glory?’
‘The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord who is mighty in battle.’
9 Lift up your heads, O gates;
be lifted up, you everlasting doors;
and the King of glory shall come in.
10  ‘Who is this King of glory?’
‘The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory.’
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

Psalm 25 (Gregorian Tone V.1)

1 Unto you, O Lord, will I lift up my soul;
my God, I have put my trust in you; *
O let me not be ashamed,
neither let my enemies triumph over me.
2 For all those who hope in you shall not be ashamed, *
but those who deal untruly shall be put to confusion.
3 Show me your ways, O Lord, *
and teach me your paths.
4 Lead me forth in your truth and teach me, *
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you has been my hope all the day long.
5 Call to remembrance, O Lord, your tender mercies, *
and your loving-kindnesses, which have been from of old.
6 O remember not the sins and offenses of my youth, *
but according to your mercy
think on me, O Lord, in your goodness.
7 Gracious and righteous is the Lord; *
therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
8 Those who are meek shall he guide in judgment, *
and those who are gentle shall he teach his way.
9 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth *
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
10 For your Name’s sake, O Lord, *
forgive my sin, for it is great.
11 Who is the one who fears the Lord? *
He shall teach him in the way that he shall choose.
12 He shall dwell at ease, *
and his seed shall inherit the land.
13 The Lord reveals his secret counsel to those who fear him, *
and he will show them his covenant.
14 My eyes are ever looking to the Lord, *
for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
15 Turn to me, and have mercy on me, *
for I am desolate and in misery.
16 The sorrows of my heart are enlarged; *
O bring me out of my troubles.
17 Look upon my adversity and misery *
and forgive me all my sin.
18 Consider my enemies, how many they are, *
and how they bear a tyrannous hate against me.
19 O keep my soul and deliver me; *
let me not be ashamed, for I have put my trust in you.
20 Let integrity and righteous dealing preserve me, *
for my hope has been in you.
21 Deliver Israel, O God, *
out of all his troubles.
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 26 (Gregorian Tone V.1)

1 Be my judge, O Lord, for I have walked innocently; *
my trust has been in the Lord; therefore I shall not fall.
2 Test me, O Lord, and prove me; *
examine my heart and my mind.
3 For your loving-kindness is ever before my eyes, *
and I will walk in your truth.
4 I have not dwelt with evildoers, *
neither will I have fellowship with the deceitful.
5 I have hated the company of the wicked, *
and will not sit among the ungodly.
6 I will wash my hands in innocence, O Lord, *
and so will I go to your altar,
7 That I may lift up the voice of thanksgiving *
and tell of all your wondrous works.
8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of your house *
and the place where your honor dwells.
9 O take not away my soul with the sinners, *
nor my life with the bloodthirsty,
10 Whose hands are full of wickedness, *
and their right hand full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I will walk innocently; *
O deliver me, and be merciful unto me.
12 My foot stands firm; *
I will praise the Lord in the congregations.
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

Merciful God,
you continually show us your ways
of forgiveness and steadfast love.
Remember not our sins,
but recall your compassion to your children,
satisfy the longing of your people,
and fulfill all our hopes for eternal peace
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. BCW2018

THE WORD OF GOD

So the people’s slave masters and supervisors came out and spoke to the people, “This is what Pharaoh says, ‘I’m not giving you straw anymore. Go and get the straw on your own, wherever you can find it. But your work won’t be reduced at all.’” So the people spread out all through the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. The slave masters drove them hard and said, “Make sure you make the same daily quota as when you had the straw.” The Israelite supervisors, whom Pharaoh’s slave masters had set over them, were also beaten and asked, “Why didn’t you produce the same number of bricks yesterday and today as you did before?”

Then the Israelite supervisors came and pleaded to Pharaoh, “Why do you treat your servants like this? No straw is supplied to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ Look at how your servants are being beaten! Your own people are to blame!”

Pharaoh replied, “You are lazy bums, nothing but lazy bums. That’s why you say, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifices to the Lord.’ Go and get back to work! No straw will be given to you, but you still need to make the same number of bricks.”

The Israelite supervisors saw how impossible their situation was when they were commanded, “Don’t reduce your daily quota of bricks.” When they left Pharaoh, they met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them. The supervisors said to them, “Let the Lord see and judge what you’ve done! You’ve made us stink in the opinion of Pharaoh and his servants. You’ve given them a reason to kill us.”

Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, “My Lord, why have you abused this people? Why did you send me for this? Ever since I first came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has abused this people. And you’ve done absolutely nothing to rescue your people.” The Lord replied to Moses, “Now you will see what I’ll do to Pharaoh. In fact, he’ll be so eager to let them go that he’ll drive them out of his land by force.”

HYMN: Spiritual
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/3z37ymsd

1 When Israel was in Egypt’s land,
let my people go;
oppressed so hard they could not stand,
let my people go.

Refrain:
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt’s land;
tell ole Pharaoh to let my people go.

2 The Lord told Moses what to do,
let my people go;
to lead the children of Israel through,
let my people go. [Refrain]

3 They journeyed on at his command,
let my people go;
and came at length to Canaan’s land,
let my people go. [Refrain]

4 Oh, let us all from bondage flee,
let my people go;
and let us all in Christ be free,
let my people go. [Refrain]

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus. He had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul visited with them. Because they practiced the same trade, he stayed and worked with them. They all worked with leather. Every Sabbath he interacted with people in the synagogue, trying to convince both Jews and Greeks. Once Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. When they opposed and slandered him, he shook the dust from his clothes in protest and said to them, “You are responsible for your own fates! I’m innocent! From now on I’ll go to the Gentiles!” He left the synagogue and went next door to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile God-worshipper. Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household came to believe in the Lord. Many Corinthians believed and were baptized after listening to Paul.

One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, “Don’t be afraid. Continue speaking. Don’t be silent. I’m with you and no one who attacks you will harm you, for I have many people in this city.” So he stayed there for eighteen months, teaching God’s word among them.

HYMN: John Calvin; trans. Elizabeth Lee Smith
Tune: Toulon https://tinyurl.com/5yas8bay

1 I greet Thee, who my sure Redeemer art,
my only trust and Savior of my heart,
who pain didst undergo for my poor sake;
I pray Thee from our hearts all cares to take.

2 Thou art the King of mercy and of grace,
reigning omnipotent in every place:
so come, O King, and our whole being sway;
shine on us with the light of thy pure day.

3 Thou art the Life, by which alone we live,
and all our substance and our strength receive;
O comfort us in death’s approaching hour,
strong-hearted then to face it by Thy pow’r.

4 Thou hast the true and perfect gentleness,
no harshness hast Thou and no bitterness:
make us to taste the sweet grace found in Thee
and ever stay in Thy sweet unity.

5 Our hope is in no other save in Thee;
our faith is built upon Thy promise free;
O grant to us such stronger hope and sure
that we can boldly conquer and endure.

Jesus knew what they intended to do, so he went away from there. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them all. But he ordered them not to spread the word about him, so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:

Look, my Servant whom I chose,
        the one I love, in whom I find great pleasure.
I’ll put my Spirit upon him,
        and he’ll announce judgment to the Gentiles.
He won’t argue or shout,
        and nobody will hear his voice in the streets.
He won’t break a bent stalk,
        and he won’t snuff out a smoldering wick,
            until he makes justice win.
And the Gentiles will put their hope in his name.

CANTICLE Ezekiel 36.24-26,28b
(Nils Greenhow, https://tinyurl.com/mw4f7n7d)
All   The Spirit of God fills the whole world.
1    I will take you from the nations,  
and gather you from all the countries.
2    I will sprinkle clean water upon you,  
and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses.
3    A new heart I will give you,  
and put a new spirit within you,
4    And I will remove from your body the heart of stone  
and give you a heart of flesh.
5    You shall be my people,  
and I will be your God.
All   Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
All   The Spirit of God fills the whole world.


THE PRAYERS BCW
We praise you, God our creator,
for your handiwork in shaping
and sustaining your wondrous creation.
Especially we thank you for
the miracle of life and the wonder of living . . .
particular blessings coming to us in this day . . .
the resources of the earth . . .
gifts of creative vision and skillful craft . . .
the treasure stored in every human life. . . .

We dare to pray for others, God our Savior, claiming your love in Jesus Christ for the whole world, committing ourselves to care for those around us in his name. Especially we pray for
those who work for the benefit of others . . .
those who cannot work today . . .
those who teach and those who learn . . .
people who are poor . . .
the church in Europe. . . .

(Plainsong: https://tinyurl.com/ahnrtv59)ELW

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,
light of the minds that know you,
life of the souls that love you,
strength of the thoughts that seek you:
Help us so to know you
that we may truly love you,
so to love you
that we may fully serve you,
whose service is perfect freedom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen. BCW

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.

ELW The Lord’s Prayer is from Setting Five in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.

BCW2018 Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 2018

The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.

The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). Psalm 24 is from Common Worship and comes from the RSCM album The Gift of This New Day. Psalms 25 and 26 are from Book of Common Prayer 2019 and come from the St. Bernard Breviary https://www.bernardbreviary.com/chant-helps.

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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