Luke the Evangelist
Luke was a dear friend of the apostle Paul, and is mentioned by him three times in his Letters. Paul describes him as ‘the belovèd physician’ and, in his second Letter to Timothy, as his only companion in prison. He is believed to be the author of two books of the New Testament, firstly the gospel which stands in his name and also the Acts of the Apostles. Luke’s narrative of the life of Christ has a pictorial quality and shows the sequential pattern from the nativity through to the death and resurrection. The developed sense of theology that comes over in Paul’s writings is virtually unknown in those of Luke but, as a Gentile, Luke makes clear that the good news of salvation is for all, regardless of sex, social position or nationality. Traditionally, Luke wrote his gospel in Greece and died in Boeotia at the age of eighty-four. EH
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: William Dalyrmple Maclagan
Tune: Deus tuorum militum https://tinyurl.com/hw6aahb9
1 What thanks and praise to Thee we owe,
O Priest and Sacrifice divine,
For Thy dear saint thro’ whom we know
So many a gracious word of Thine;
2 Whom Thou didst choose to tell the tale
Of all Thy manhood’s toils and tears,
And for a moment lift the veil
That hides Thy boyhood’s spotless years.
3 And still the Church through all her days
Uplifts the strains that never cease,
The blessèd Virgin’s hymn of praise,
The aged Simeon’s words of peace.
4 O happy saint! whose sacred page,
So rich in words of truth and love,
Pours on the Church from age to age
This healing unction from above;
5 The witness of the Saviour’s life,
The great apostle’s chosen friend
Through weary years of toil and strife,
And still found faithful to the end.
6 So grant us, Lord, like him to live,
Beloved by man, approved by Thee,
Till Thou at last the summons give,
And we, with him, Thy face shall see.
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
READING: 1 Kings 2:1-11
David’s time was coming to an end. So he commanded Solomon his son, “I’m following the path that the whole earth takes. Be strong and be a man. Guard what is owed to the Lord your God, walking in his ways and observing his laws, his commands, his judgments, and his testimonies, just as it is written in the Instruction from Moses. In this way you will succeed in whatever you do and wherever you go. So also the Lord will confirm the word he spoke to me: ‘If your children will take care to walk before me faithfully, with all their heart and all their being, then one of your own children will never fail to be on the throne of Israel.’ You should know what Joab, Zeruiah’s son, has done to me and what he did to the two generals of Israel, Abner, Ner’s son, and Amasa, Jether’s son. He murdered them, spilling blood at peacetime and putting the blood of war on the belt around his waist and on the sandals on his feet. So act wisely: Don’t allow him to die a peaceful death. As for Barzillai’s sons from Gilead, show them kindness. Let them eat with you. When I was running away from your brother Absalom, they came to me. Now as for this Shimei, Gera’s son—a Benjaminite from Bahurim—who is with you, he cursed me viciously when I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord, ‘Surely I won’t execute you with the sword.’ But you don’t need to excuse him. You are wise and know what to do to him. Give him a violent death.”
Then David lay down with his ancestors and was buried in David’s City. He ruled over Israel forty years—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
HYMN: Charles Wesley
Tune: Boylston https://tinyurl.com/2s37ebam
1 A charge to keep I have,
a God to glorify,
a never-dying soul to save,
and fit it for the sky.
2 To serve the present age,
my calling to fulfill,
O may it all my pow’rs engage
to do my Master’s will!
3 Arm me with watchful care
as in Thy sight to live,
and now Thy servant, Lord, prepare
a strict account to give!
4 Help me to watch and pray,
and still on Thee rely,
O let me not my trust betray,
but press to realms on high.
READING: Colossians 4:7-18
Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will inform you about everything that has happened to me. This is why I sent him to you, so that you’ll know all about us and so he can encourage your hearts. I sent him with Onesimus, our faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will let you know about everything here.
Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, says hello to you. So does Mark, Barnabas’ cousin (you received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him). Jesus, called Justus, also says hello. These are my only fellow workers for God’s kingdom who are Jewish converts. They have been an encouragement to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, says hello. He’s a slave of Christ Jesus who always wrestles for you in prayers so that you will stand firm and be fully mature and complete in the entire will of God. I can vouch for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas say hello.
Say hello to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, along with Nympha and the church that meets in her house. After this letter has been read to you publicly, make sure that the church in Laodicea reads it and that you read the one from Laodicea. And tell Archippus, “See to it that you complete the ministry that you received in the Lord.”
I, Paul, am writing this greeting personally. Remember that I’m in prison. Grace be with you.
HYMN: Christopher M Idle ©
Tune: Eccles https://tinyurl.com/4tyjbjmt
1 Now let us learn of Christ:
he speaks, and we shall find
he lightens our dark mind,
so let us learn of Christ.
2 Now let us love in Christ
as he has first loved us;
as he endured the cross,
so let us love in Christ.
3 Now let us grow in Christ
and look to things above,
and speak the truth in love;
so let us grow in Christ.
4 Now let us stand in Christ
in every trial we meet,
in all his strength complete;
so let us stand in Christ.
READING: Luke 1:1-4
Many people have already applied themselves to the task of compiling an account of the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used what the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed down to us. Now, after having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, I have also decided to write a carefully ordered account for you, most honorable Theophilus. I want you to have confidence in the soundness of the instruction you have received.
CANTICLE Te Deum
(Chant by Joe Cox: https://tinyurl.com/ybzyundx)
We praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud,
the Heavens and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory.
The glorious company of the apostles praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee.
The noble army of martyrs praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world
doth acknowledge thee,
the Father, of an infinite majesty,
thine adorable, true, and only Son,
also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.
Thou art the King of glory, O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man,
thou didst humble thyself to be born of a Virgin.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death,
thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come to be our judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants,
whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy saints,
in glory everlasting.
PRAYER (Rick Morley, alt.)
Our souls proclaim the greatness of you, O Lord, and we rejoice; for you have looked with favor on us, your servants; and you hear our prayers.
We rejoice for the church, and for all your ministers; for you always come to our help, and you always remember your promise of mercy.
The Almighty has done great things for us, and holy is his Name.
We rejoice for our nation, and for all the nations of the earth; for you fill the hungry with good things and lift up the lowly.
The Almighty has done great things for us, and holy is his Name.
We pray for the sick and the suffering (especially), and we pray for the fearful and the poor, that you would show the strength of your arm and scatter every bond which hold your people down.
The Almighty has done great things for us, and holy is his Name.
We rejoice for those who have been granted the fullness of the promise you have made to our ancestors, and who now dwell with you in your heavenly kingdom. (Especially…)
The Almighty has done great things for us, and holy is his Name.
O Lord, you do great things for your us; you hear our prayers, you bring us your salvation, you give us the gift of your son, and holy is your Name now and forevermore. Amen.
(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.
God of the gathering storm,
calling us to announce
the nearness of your rule:
we praise you for the good news of Luke,
for stories of searching love
and grace found in the foreigner;
of women of strength and rebellion
and men called from the margins;
may we be bearers of that word
to a world hungry for you;
through Jesus Christ, who feasted with sinners. Amen. PIC
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
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
PIC Prayers for An Inclusive Church. Steven Shakespeare © 2008 Canterbury Press.
The intercession is based on the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) and is by Rick Morley, http://www.rickmorley.com/archives/2170
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.
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.
Oremus 