Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/4nsdks7h
O sing a new song to the Lord,
for he has worked wonders;
in the sight of the nations
he has shown his deliverance, alleluia. Psalm 98
Christ our King,
you put on the apparel of our nature
and raised us to your glory;
reign from your royal throne
above the chaos of this world,
that all may see the victory you have won
and trust in your salvation;
for your glory’s sake. Amen. CW:DP
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/3pyy2jyj
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 unforgiven;
In wrath and fear, by jealousies surrounded,
Building proud towers which shall not reach to heaven:
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.
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 (Plainsong Tone V.1)
1 The Lord is King and has put on glorious apparel; *
the Lord has put on his apparel
and girded himself with strength.
2 He has made the round world so sure *
that it cannot be moved.
3 Ever since the world began,
your throne has been established; *
you are from everlasting.
The floods have risen, O Lord;
the floods have lifted up their voice; *
the floods have lifted up their waves.
5 Mightier than the sound of many waters,
mightier than the waves of the sea, *
the Lord who dwells on high is mightier.
6 Your testimonies, O Lord, are very sure; *
holiness adorns your house for ever.
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 94 (Plainsong Tone V.1)
1 O Lord God to whom vengeance belongs, *
O God to whom vengeance belongs, show yourself.
2 Arise, O Judge of the world, *
and reward the proud according to their deserving.
3 O Lord, how long shall the ungodly, *
how long shall the ungodly triumph?
4 How long shall all evildoers speak so disdainfully *
and make such proud boasting?
5 They smite down your people, O Lord, *
and trouble your heritage.
6 They murder the widow and the stranger, *
and put the fatherless to death.
7 And yet they say, “The Lord shall not see, *
neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.”
8 Take heed, you unwise among the people; *
O you fools, when will you understand?
9 He who planted the ear, shall he not hear? *
Or he who made the eye, shall he not see?
10 Or he who nurtures the nations, *
he who teaches humanity knowledge, shall he not punish?
11 The Lord knows the thoughts of man, *
that they are but vain.
12 Blessèd is the one whom you chasten, O Lord, *
and whom you teach your law,
13 That you may give him patience in time of adversity, *
until a pit is dug for the ungodly.
14 For the Lord will not fail his people, *
neither will he forsake his inheritance,
15 But righteousness shall return to the place of judgment, *
and all those who are true of heart shall follow it.
16 Who will rise up with me against the wicked, *
or who will take my part against the evildoers?
17 If the Lord had not helped me, *
my soul would soon have dwelt in the land of silence.
18 But when I said, “My foot has slipped,” *
your mercy, O Lord, held me up.
19 In the multitude of the sorrows that I had in my heart, *
your comforts refreshed my soul.
20 Will you have anything to do with the council of wickedness, *
which turns evil into law?
21 They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous *
and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the Lord is my refuge, *
and my God is the rock of my confidence.
23 He shall recompense them for their wickedness,
and destroy them in their own malice; *
indeed, the Lord our God shall destroy them.
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
Lord God,
in raising Jesus from the grave you established a dominion
that can never be shaken or destroyed by death.
May your will be done on earth as in heaven,
and make firm our faith in the certainty of your promises;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. BCW2018
THE WORD OF GOD
Moses continued: Now once you heard the voice from the darkness while the mountain was blazing with fire, you came to me—more specifically, all the chiefs of your tribes and your elders came— and you said: “Look here! The Lord our God has shown us his glory and greatness. We’ve heard his voice come out of the very fire itself. We’ve seen firsthand that God can speak to a human being and they can survive! But why should we die? Surely this massive fire will consume us! If we hear any more of the Lord our God’s voice, we will die. Is there anyone who has heard the living God’s voice speaking out of the very fire itself, like we have, and survived? You go and listen to all that the Lord our God says. Then tell us all that the Lord our God speaks to you. We’ll listen and we’ll do it.”
The Lord heard what you said, when you said this to me. The Lord then told me: I heard what the people said when they spoke with you. Everything they suggest is good. If only their minds were like this: always fearing me and keeping all my commandments so that things would go well for them and their children forever! Go and tell them: You may go back to your tents. But you, Moses, must stay here with me. I will tell you all the commandments, the regulations, and the case laws that you must teach the Israelites to do in the land that I am giving them to possess.
So you must carefully do exactly what the Lord your God commands you. Don’t deviate even a bit! You must walk the precise path that the Lord your God indicates for you so that you will live, and so that things will go well for you, and so you will extend your time on the land that you will possess.
HYMN: Psalm 19; para. Sing Psalms, alt.
Tune: Darwall’s 148th https://tinyurl.com/2j9b875u
1 The heav’ns above declare
the glory of our God;
and what his hands have made
the skies proclaim abroad.
2 For day by day they pour forth speech,
and night by night their knowledge teach.
3 No language do they use
nor any spoken word;
no sound is made by them
and yet their voice is heard.
4 Throughout the world their voice resounds,
their words to earth’s remotest bounds.
God set a tent in heav’n,
a dwelling for the sun,
5 which, with an athlete’s joy,
it thrills its race to run.
6 Its course from east to west complete—
there’s nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The perfect law of God
will make the soul revive;
his statutes sure and true
will make the simple wise.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right
and fill the heart with great delight.
The Lord’s command is clear,
enlightening eyes to see.
9 The fear of God is pure
and lasts eternally.
The precepts of the LORD express
his perfect truth and righteousness.
10 They’re more to be desired
than stores of finest gold;
like honey from the comb
much sweetness do they hold.
11 They warn the servant of the LORD;
in keeping them is great reward.
12 Who can discern their faults?
Forgive my hidden sin.
13 Keep me from willful deeds;
may they not rule within.
And then I shall be free from blame
and guiltless of transgression’s shame.
14 LORD, let the words I speak
be pleasing in your sight,
and may my inmost thoughts
be in your judgment right.
O LORD, you are a rock to me;
you have redeemed and set me free.
READING: 1 Corinthians 7:17-31
Nevertheless, each person should live the kind of life that the Lord assigned when he called each one. This is what I teach in all the churches. If someone was circumcised when called, he shouldn’t try to reverse it. If someone wasn’t circumcised when he was called, he shouldn’t be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing; not being circumcised is nothing. What matters is keeping God’s commandments. Each person should stay in the situation they were in when they were called. If you were a slave when you were called, don’t let it bother you. But if you are actually able to be free, take advantage of the opportunity. Anyone who was a slave when they were called by the Lord has the status of being the Lord’s free person. In the same way, anyone who was a free person when they were called is Christ’s slave. You were bought and paid for. Don’t become slaves of people. So then, brothers and sisters, each of you should stay with God in the situation you were in when you were called.
I don’t have a command from the Lord about people who have never been married, but I’ll give you my opinion as someone you can trust because of the Lord’s mercy. So I think this advice is good because of the present crisis: Stay as you are. If you are married, don’t get a divorce. If you are divorced, don’t try to find a spouse. But if you do marry, you haven’t sinned; and if someone who hasn’t been married gets married, they haven’t sinned. But married people will have a hard time, and I’m trying to spare you that. This is what I’m saying, brothers and sisters: The time has drawn short. From now on, those who have wives should be like people who don’t have them. Those who are sad should be like people who aren’t crying. Those who are happy should be like people who aren’t happy. Those who buy something should be like people who don’t have possessions. Those who use the world should be like people who aren’t preoccupied with it, because this world in its present form is passing away.
HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: St Anne https://tinyurl.com/yc82vbce
1 O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home;
2 Under the shadow of thy throne
thy saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defence is sure.
3 Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting thou art God,
to endless years the same.
4 A thousand ages in thy sight
are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.
5 Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
bears all its sons away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.
6 O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
be thou our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home.
READING: Matthew 18:15-20
Jesus said, “If your brother or sister sins against you, go and correct them when you are alone together. If they listen to you, then you’ve won over your brother or sister. But if they won’t listen, take with you one or two others so that every word may be established by the mouth of two or three witnesses. But if they still won’t pay attention, report it to the church. If they won’t pay attention even to the church, treat them as you would a Gentile and tax collector. I assure you that whatever you fasten on earth will be fastened in heaven. And whatever you loosen on earth will be loosened in heaven. Again I assure you that if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, then my Father who is in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there with them.”
CANTICLE Revelation 15:3-4
(BCP 2019/St Bernard Breviary)
O ruler of the universe, Lord God,
great deeds are they that you have done, *
surpassing human understanding.
Your ways are ways of righteousness and truth, *
O King of all the ages.
Who can fail to do you homage, Lord,
and sing the praises of your Name? *
For you only are the Holy One.
All nations will draw near and fall down before you, *
because your just and holy works have been revealed.
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.
THE PRAYERS BCW
We give you our praise and thanks, O God,
for all gifts of love we have received from you,
and for your persistent mercy in Jesus Christ.
Especially we thank you for
work we have accomplished pleasing to you . . .
the faithful witness of Christian people . . .
the example of righteousness we see in parents and teachers . . .
the innocence and openness we see in children . . .
all works of Christian compassion. . . .
We give you our cares and concerns, O God,
because we know you are kind
and care for your children in every circumstance.
Especially we pray for
those who struggle with doubt and despair . . .
people afflicted with disease . . .
those called to special ministries . . .
people neglected or abused . . .
(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 gave the law to guide our lives.
May we never shrink from your commandments,
but, as we are taught by your Son Jesus,
fulfill the law in perfect love;
through Christ our Lord and Master,
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.
BCW2018 Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 2018
CW:DP Common Worship: Daily Prayer, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2005 and published by Church House Publishing
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 © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern versions are from Book of Common Prayer (2019) as recorded for the St Bernard Breviary https://www.bernardbreviary.com/chant-helps. The canticle comes from the same site.
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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