Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/5t7vysmf
The glory of the Lord will be revealed,
and all flesh will see the salvation of our God. Isaiah 40
O God,
none can compare with you;
your wondrous deeds for our salvation are without number.
Make us bold witnesses to your faithfulness,
that all the earth may rejoice in your love toward us
in 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: Laurence Housman
Tune: Old 124th https://tinyurl.com/yh5rsmt9
1 Father eternal, Ruler of creation,
Spirit of life, which moved ere form was made,
Through the thick darkness covering every nation,
Light to man’s blindness, O be Thou our aid:
Thy kingdom come, O Lord, Thy will be done.
2 Races and peoples, lo! we stand divided,
And sharing not our griefs, no joy can share;
By wars and tumults love is mocked, derided,
His conquering cross no kingdom wills to bear:
Thy kingdom come, O Lord, Thy will be done.
3 Envious of heart, blind-eyed, with tongues confounded,
Nation by nation still goes unforgiv’n,
In wrath and fear, by jealousies surrounded,
Building proud tow’rs which shall not reach to heav’n:
Thy kingdom come, O Lord, Thy will be done.
4 How shall we love Thee, holy, hidden Being,
If we love not the world which Thou hast made?
O give us brother-love for better seeing
Thy Word made flesh, and in a manger laid:
Thy kingdom come, O Lord, Thy will be done.T
PSALMS
Psalm 38 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y8u2a6mz)
1 Put me not to rebuke, O Lord, in thine anger *
neither chasten me in thy heavy displeasure.
2 For thine arrows stick fast in me *
and thy hand presseth me sore.
3 There is no health in my flesh, because of thy displeasure *
neither is there any rest in my bones, by reason of my sin.
4 For my wickednesses are gone over my head *
and are like a sore burden, too heavy for me to bear.
5 My wounds stink, and are corrupt *
through my foolishness.
6 I am brought into so great trouble and misery *
that I go mourning all the day long.
7 For my loins are filled with a sore disease *
and there is no whole part in my body.
8 I am feeble, and sore smitten *
I have roared for the very disquietness of my heart.
9 Lord, thou knowest all my desire *
and my groaning is not hid from thee.
10 My heart panteth, my strength hath failed me *
and the sight of mine eyes is gone from me.
11 My lovers and my neighbours did stand looking upon my trouble *
and my kinsmen stood afar off.
12 They also that sought after my life laid snares for me *
and they that went about to do me evil talked of wickedness,
and imagined deceit all the day long.
13 As for me, I was like a deaf man, and heard not *
and as one that is dumb, who doth not open his mouth.
14 I became even as a man that heareth not *
and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
15 For in thee, O Lord, have I put my trust *
thou shalt answer for me, O Lord my God.
16 I have required that they, even mine enemies,
should not triumph over me *
for when my foot slipped, they rejoiced greatly against me.
17 And I, truly, am set in the plague *
and my heaviness is ever in my sight.
18 For I will confess my wickedness *
and be sorry for my sin.
19 But mine enemies live, and are mighty *
and they that hate me wrongfully are many in number.
20 They also that reward evil for good are against me *
because I follow the thing that good is.
21 Forsake me not, O Lord my God *
be not thou far from me.
22 Haste thee to help me *
O Lord God of my salvation.
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 39 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y9dmgm3b)
1 I said, I will take heed to my ways *
that I offend not in my tongue.
2 I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle *
while the ungodly is in my sight.
3 I held my tongue, and spake nothing *
I kept silence, yea, even from good words;
but it was pain and grief to me.
4 My heart was hot within me,
and while I was thus musing the fire kindled *
and at the last I spake with my tongue;
5 Lord, let me know mine end, and the number of my days *
that I may be certified how long I have to live.
6 Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span long *
and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee;
and verily every man living is altogether vanity.
7 For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain *
he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.
8 And now, Lord, what is my hope *
truly my hope is even in thee.
9 Deliver me from all mine offences *
and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish.
10 I became dumb, and opened not my mouth *
for it was thy doing.
11 Take thy plague away from me *
I am even consumed by the means of thy heavy hand.
12 When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin,
thou makest his beauty to consume away,
like as it were a moth fretting a garment *
every man therefore is but vanity.
13 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears consider my calling *
hold not thy peace at my tears.
14 For I am a stranger with thee *
and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
15 O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength *
before I go hence, and be no more seen.
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 40 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ybregq8q)
1 I waited patiently for the Lord *
and he inclined unto me, and heard my calling.
2 He brought me also out of the horrible pit, out of the mire and clay *
and set my feet upon the rock, and ordered my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth *
even a thanksgiving unto our God.
4 Many shall see it, and fear *
and shall put their trust in the Lord.
5 Blessed is the man that hath set his hope in the Lord *
and turned not unto the proud, and to such as go about with lies.
6 O Lord my God, great are the wondrous works which thou hast done,
like as be also thy thoughts which are to us-ward *
and yet there is no man that ordereth them unto thee.
7 If I should declare them, and speak of them *
they should be more than I am able to express.
8 Sacrifice, and meat-offering, thou wouldest not *
but mine ears hast thou opened.
9 Burnt-offerings, and sacrifice for sin, hast thou not required *
then said I, Lo, I come,
10 In the volume of the book it is written of me, that I should fulfil thy will, O my God *
I am content to do it; yea, thy law is within my heart.
11 I have declared thy righteousness in the great congregation *
lo, I will not refrain my lips, O Lord, and that thou knowest.
12 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart *
my talk hath been of thy truth, and of thy salvation.
13 I have not kept back thy loving mercy and truth *
from the great congregation.
14 Withdraw not thou thy mercy from me, O Lord *
let thy loving-kindness and thy truth alway preserve me.
15 For innumerable troubles are come about me;
my sins have taken such hold upon me that I am not able to look up *
yea, they are more in number than the hairs of my head,
and my heart hath failed me.
16 O Lord, let it be thy pleasure to deliver me *
make haste, O Lord, to help me.
17 Let them be ashamed, and confounded together,
that seek after my soul to destroy it *
let them be driven backward, and put to rebuke, that wish me evil.
18 Let them be desolate, and rewarded with shame *
that say unto me, Fie upon thee, fie upon thee.
19 Let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad in thee *
and let such as love thy salvation say alway, The Lord be praised.
20 As for me, I am poor and needy *
but the Lord careth for me.
21 Thou art my helper and redeemer *
make no long tarrying, O my God.
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 38 (Gregorian Tone VIII.1)
1 Rebuke me not, O Lord, in your anger, *
neither chasten me in your weighty displeasure.
2 For your arrows stick fast in me, *
and your hand presses me hard.
3 There is no health in my flesh, because of your displeasure; *
neither is there any rest in my bones, by reason of my sin.
4 For my iniquities have gone over my head *
and are like a heavy burden, too much for me to bear.
5 My wounds stink and fester, *
by reason of my foolishness.
6 I am brought into such great trouble and misery *
that I go about mourning all the day long.
7 For my loins are filled with burning, *
and there is no wholeness in my body.
8 I am feeble and sorely smitten; *
I have roared because of the tumult of my heart.
9 Lord, you know all my desire, *
and my groaning is not hidden from you.
10 My heart is panting, my strength has failed me, *
and the sight of my eyes is gone from me.
11 My friends and my neighbors turn away from my trouble, *
and my kinsmen stand afar off.
12 Those also who seek after my life lay snares for me, *
and those who go about to do me evil
talk of wickedness and imagine deceit all the day long.
13 As for me, I am like the deaf who do not hear, *
and as one who is mute, who does not open his mouth.
14 I have become like a man who hears not, *
and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
15 For in you, O Lord, have I put my trust; *
you shall answer for me, O Lord my God.
16 I have said, “Let not my enemies triumph over me,” *
for when my foot slipped, they rejoiced greatly over me.
17 Truly, I am about to fall, *
and my pain is ever with me.
18 For I will confess my wickedness, *
and be sorry for my sin.
19 But my enemies live, and are mighty, *
and those who hate me wrongfully are many in number.
20 Those also who repay evil for good are against me, *
because I follow that which is good.
21 Forsake me not, O Lord my God; *
O be not far from me.
22 Make haste to help me, *
O Lord God of my salvation.
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 39 (Gregorian Tone VIII.1)
I said, “I will take heed to my ways, *
that I may not offend with my tongue.
2 I will keep my mouth as with a bridle *
while the ungodly are in my sight.”
3 I held my tongue and spoke nothing; *
I kept silence, even from good words;
but it was pain and grief to me.
4 My heart was hot within me,
and while I was thus pondering the fire kindled, *
and at the last I spoke with my tongue:
5 “Lord, let me know my end and the number of my days, *
that I may learn how short my life is.
6 Behold, you have made my days as a span in length, *
and my age is even as nothing before you;
and truly, everyone living is but a breath.
7 For everyone walks about as a shadow,
and disquiets himself in vain; *
he heaps up riches and cannot tell who shall gather them.
8 And now, Lord, what is my hope? *
Truly, my hope is in you.
9 Deliver me from all my offenses, *
and make me not a taunt of the foolish.
10 I became mute and opened not my mouth, *
for it was you that brought it to pass.
11 Take your affliction from me; *
I am consumed by the blows of your heavy hand.
12 When you, with rebukes, chasten someone for sin,
you consume what is dear to him,
like a moth eating a garment; *
everyone therefore is but vanity.
13 Hear my prayer, O Lord,
and with your ears consider my cry; *
hold not your peace at my tears.
14 For I am a stranger with you, *
and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
15 O turn your gaze from me, that I may again be glad, *
before I go away to be seen no more.”
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 40 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-40.mp3)
1 I waited patiently upon the LORD; *
he stooped to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; *
he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God; *
many shall see, and stand in awe,
and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Happy are they who trust in the LORD! *
they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods.
5 Great things are they that you have done, O LORD my God!
how great your wonders and your plans for us! *
there is none who can be compared with you.
6 Oh, that I could make them known and tell them! *
but they are more than I can count.
7 In sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure *
(you have given me ears to hear you);
8 Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required, *
and so I said, “Behold, I come.
9 In the roll of the book it is written concerning me: *
‘I love to do your will, O my God;
your law is deep in my heart.'”
10 I proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation; *
behold, I did not restrain my lips;
and that, O LORD, you know.
11 Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance; *
I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from the
great congregation.
12 You are the LORD;
do not withhold your compassion from me; *
let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever,
13 For innumerable troubles have crowded upon me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see; *
they are more in number than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails me.
14 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; *
O LORD, make haste to help me.
15 Let them be ashamed and altogether dismayed
who seek after my life to destroy it; *
let them draw back and be disgraced
who take pleasure in my misfortune.
16 Let those who say “Aha!” and gloat over me be confounded, *
because they are ashamed.
17 Let all who seek you rejoice in you and be glad; *
let those who love your salvation continually say,
Great is the LORD!”
18 Though I am poor and afflicted, *
the Lord will have regard for me.
19 You are my helper and my deliverer; *
do not tarry, O my God.
PRAYER
Everlasting God,
through your Son you taught us
not to fear tomorrow
but to commit our lives to your care.
Take not your Spirit from us,
but help us find a life of peace amid days of trouble;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. BCW2018
THE WORD OF GOD
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Do one of your amazing acts,’ then say to Aaron, ‘Take your shepherd’s rod and throw it down in front of Pharaoh, and it will turn into a cobra.’”
So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron threw down his shepherd’s rod in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it turned into a cobra. Then Pharaoh called together his wise men and wizards, and Egypt’s religious experts did the same thing by using their secret knowledge. Each one threw down his rod, and they turned into cobras. But then Aaron’s rod swallowed up each of their rods. However, Pharaoh remained stubborn. He wouldn’t listen to them, just as the Lord had said.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh is stubborn. He still refuses to let the people go. Go to Pharaoh in the morning. As he is going out to the water, make sure you stand at the bank of the Nile River so you will run into him. Bring along the shepherd’s rod that turned into a snake. Say to him, The Lord, the Hebrews’ God, has sent me to you with this message: Let my people go so that they can worship me in the desert. Up to now you still haven’t listened. This is what the Lord says: By this you will know that I am the Lord. I’m now going to hit the water of the Nile River with this rod in my hand, and it will turn into blood. The fish in the Nile are going to die, the Nile will stink, and the Egyptians won’t be able to drink water from the Nile.” The Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Take your shepherd’s rod and stretch out your hand over Egypt’s waters—over their rivers, their canals, their marshes, and all their bodies of water—so that they turn into blood. There will be blood all over the land of Egypt, even in wooden and stone containers.’”
Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded. He raised the shepherd’s rod and hit the water in the Nile in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and all the water in the Nile turned into blood. The fish in the Nile died, and the Nile began to stink so that the Egyptians couldn’t drink water from the Nile. There was blood all over the land of Egypt.
HYMN: Psalm 91; para. cento
Tune: Geneva https://tinyurl.com/3xpfyesf
1 Whoever lives beside the Lord,
sheltering in the Almighty’s shade,
2 you will say to God, “My God,
my fortress, my refuge, my aid.”
3 From the fowler’s snare he’ll save you,
from the deadly pestilence;
4 cover you with outspread pinions,
make his wings your confidence.
God’s truth is your shield and buckler;
5 you will fear no ill by night,
nor the shafts in daylight flying,
6 nor disease that shuns the light,
nor the plague that wastes at noonday.
7 At your side ten thousand fall;
8 you will only see the judgment
which the wicked will befall.
9 If you make the LORD your refuge,
if you dwell in God alone,
10 nothing evil will befall you;
harm will not come near your home.
11 He will have his angels keep you,
guard you well in all your ways.
12 In their hands they will uphold you
lest your foot a stone should graze.
13 You shall trample serpents, lions,
tread on all your deadly foes.
14 “Since they love me, I will save them,
keep them, for my name they know.
15 When they call me I will answer,
rescue them and lift them high;
16 I will show them my salvation,
with long life will satisfy.”
Meanwhile, a certain Jew named Apollos arrived in Ephesus. He was a native of Alexandria and was well-educated and effective in his use of the scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and spoke as one stirred up by the Spirit. He taught accurately the things about Jesus, even though he was aware only of the baptism John proclaimed and practiced. He began speaking with confidence in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they received him into their circle of friends and explained to him God’s way more accurately. When he wanted to travel to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples so they would open their homes to him. Once he arrived, he was of great help to those who had come to believe through grace. He would vigorously defeat Jewish arguments in public debate, using the scriptures to prove that Jesus was the Christ.
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul took a route through the interior and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you came to believe?” They replied, “We’ve not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Then he said, “What baptism did you receive, then?” They answered, “John’s baptism.”
Paul explained, “John baptized with a baptism by which people showed they were changing their hearts and lives. It was a baptism that told people about the one who was coming after him. This is the one in whom they were to believe. This one is Jesus.” After they listened to Paul, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in other languages and prophesying. Altogether, there were about twelve people.
HYMN: Michael Saward ©
Tune: Bunessan https://tinyurl.com/r366sxfe
1 Baptized in water,
Sealed by the Spirit,
Cleansed by the blood of Christ our King:
Heirs of salvation,
Trusting his promise,
Faithfully now God’s praise we sing.
2 Baptized in water,
Sealed by the Spirit,
Dead in the tomb with Christ our King:
One with his rising,
Freed and forgiven,
Thankfully now God’s praise we sing.
3 Baptized in water,
Sealed by the Spirit,
Marked with the sign of Christ our King:
Born of one Father,
We are his children,
Joyfully now God’s praise we sing.
Jesus said, “Therefore, I tell you that people will be forgiven for every sin and insult to God. But insulting the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Human One will be forgiven. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven, not in this age or in the age that is coming.”
CANTICLE Isaiah 2:3-5
(Sarah Montgomery, https://tinyurl.com/y357ttbb)
All Spirit of God, teach us your ways,
that we may walk in the paths of peace.
1 Come, let us go up to the mountain of God,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
2 That God may teach us his ways,
and that we may walk in his paths.
3 For the law shall go out from Zion,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 God shall judge between the nations,
and shall mediate for many peoples.
5 They shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks.
6 Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
7 O people of Jacob, come:
let us walk in the light of the Lord.
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 Spirit of God, teach us your ways,
that we may walk in the paths of peace.
THE PRAYERS BCW
Great and wonderful God,
we praise and thank you for the gift of renewal in Jesus Christ.
Especially we thank you for
opportunities for rest and recreation . . .
the regenerating gifts of the Holy Spirit . . .
activities shared by young and old . . .
fun and laughter . . .
every service that proclaims your love. . . .
You make all things new, O God, and we offer our prayers for the renewal of the
world and the healing of its wounds. Especially we pray for
those who have no leisure . . .
people enslaved by addictions . . .
those who entertain and enlighten . . .
those confronted with temptation . . .
the church in North America. . . .
(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.
Open the heavens, O God,
and pour out your Spirit upon us,
that all who have been raised to new life
with Christ in baptism
may, by word and deed,
show forth the risen life of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW2018
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.
BCW2018 Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 2018
The scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language versions of Psalm 38 and 39 are from Book of Common Prayer (2019) and are sung by Ben Jefferies https://www.bernardbreviary.com/chant-helps. Psalm 40 is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is sung by Ryland Angel. The canticle is from the RSCM album The Gift of This New Day.
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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