Elizabeth
Elizabeth was born in 1207, the daughter of a king of Hungary, and was given in marriage to Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia, with whom she had three children. Theirs was a happy, if short, marriage but her husband of four years died of the plague. Elizabeth was driven from the court and she settled in Marburg. There she had a confessor, Conrad of Marburg, whose domineering and almost sadistic ways exemplified one who had himself been a successful inquisitor of heretics. She suffered mental and physical abuse from him, in the name of religious austerity, but bore it all humbly. Elizabeth became a member of the Franciscan Third Order, which reflected her life of caring for the poor, even cooking and cleaning for them. Due to the severe regime under which she lived, her weakened body gave way under the pressure and she died on this day, just twenty-four years old, in the year 1231. EH
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/y4dwv48e
We have come to know and to believe
in the love that God has for us. 1 John 4
O God,
you clothe the sky with light
and the ocean depths with darkness.
You work your mighty wonders among us.
Give us new and honest hearts,
that we may hate evil and love justice;
and let us see the dawn of your glory
in the face of your only-begotten Son,
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: Fanny Crosby
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/3f29b4ht
1 Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
tell them of Jesus the mighty to save.
Refrain:
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
2 Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
waiting the penitent child to receive;
plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe. [Refrain]
3 Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
cords that are broken will vibrate once more. [Refrain]
4 Rescue the perishing, duty demands it—
strength for your labor the Lord will provide;
back to the narrow way patiently win them,
tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died. [Refrain]
PSALMS
Psalm 95 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yx5ywz8t)
1 O come, let us sing unto the Lord *
let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
and shew ourselves glad in him with psalms.
3 For the Lord is a great God *
and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are all the corners of the earth *
and the strength of the hills is his also.
5 The sea is his, and he made it *
and his hands prepared the dry land.
6 O come, let us worship and fall down *
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7 For he is the Lord our God *
and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
8 To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts *
as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness;
9 When your fathers tempted me *
proved me, and saw my works.
10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said *
It is a people that do err in their hearts,
for they have not known my ways;
11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath *
that they should not enter into my rest.
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 96 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/u9ylore)
1 O sing unto the Lord a new song *
sing unto the Lord, all the whole earth.
2 Sing unto the Lord, and praise his Name *
be telling of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his honour unto the heathen *
and his wonders unto all people.
4 For the Lord is great, and cannot worthily be praised *
he is more to be feared than all gods.
5 As for all the gods of the heathen, they are but idols *
but it is the Lord that made the heavens.
6 Glory and worship are before him *
power and honour are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people *
ascribe unto the Lord worship and power.
8 Ascribe unto the Lord the honour due unto his Name *
bring presents, and come into his courts.
9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness *
let the whole earth stand in awe of him.
10 Tell it out among the heathen that the Lord is King *
and that it is he who hath made the round world
so fast that it cannot be moved;
and how that he shall judge the people righteously.
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad *
let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is.
12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it *
then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord.
13 For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth *
and with righteousness to judge the world,
and the people with his truth.
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 97 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/qm79zby)
1 The Lord is King, the earth may be glad thereof *
yea, the multitude of the isles may be glad thereof.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him *
righteousness and judgement are the habitation of his seat.
3 There shall go a fire before him *
and burn up his enemies on every side.
4 His lightnings gave shine unto the world *
the earth saw it, and was afraid.
5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord *
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens have declared his righteousness *
and all the people have seen his glory.
7 Confounded be all they that worship carved images,
and that delight in vain gods *
worship him, all ye gods.
8 Sion heard of it, and rejoiced *
and the daughters of Judah were glad, because of thy judgements, O Lord.
9 For thou, Lord, art higher than all that are in the earth *
thou art exalted far above all gods.
10 O ye that love the Lord, see that ye hate the thing which is evil *
the Lord preserveth the souls of his saints;
he shall deliver them from the hand of the ungodly.
11 There is sprung up a light for the righteous *
and joyful gladness for such as are true-hearted.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous *
and give thanks for a remembrance of his holiness.
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 95 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-95.mp3)
1 Come, let us sing to the LORD; *
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
3 For the LORD is a great God, *
and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *
and the heights of the hills are his also.
5 The sea is his, for he made it, *
and his hands have molded the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *
and kneel before the LORD our Maker.
7 For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *
Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
8 Harden not your hearts,
as your forebears did in the wilderness, *
at Meribah, and on that day at Massah,
when they tempted me.
9 They put me to the test, *
though they had seen my works.
10 Forty years long I detested that generation and said, *
“This people are wayward in their hearts;
they do not know my ways.”
11 So I swore in my wrath, *
“They shall not enter into my rest.”
Psalm 96 (LSB Tone K: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-96-LSB.mp3)
1 Oh sing to the LORD a new song;*
sing to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name;*
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,*
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;*
he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,*
but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;*
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,*
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;*
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;*
tremble before him, all the earth!
10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;*
he will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;*
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the LORD, for he comes,*
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,*
and the peoples in his faithfulness.
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.
Psalm 97 (LSB Tone H: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-97-LSB.mp3)
1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;*
let the many coast lands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;*
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him*
and burns up his adversaries all around.
4 His lightnings light up the world;*
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,*
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,*
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;*
worship him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and is glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoice,*
because of your judgments, O LORD.
9 For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth;*
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 O you who love the LORD, hate evil!*
He preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous,*
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous,*
and give thanks to his holy name!
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.
PRAYER
Ever-living God,
the heavens were glad and the earth rejoiced
when you sent your Son, the incarnate Word, to dwell with us.
Help us to proclaim your glory to those who do not know you,
until the whole earth sings a new song to you,
with your Son and the Holy Spirit one God, now and forever. Amen. BCW2018
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: Jeremiah 38:1-13
Shephatiah, Mattan’s son; Gedaliah, Pashhur’s son; Jucal, Shelemiah’s son; and Pashhur, Malchiah’s son heard what Jeremiah had been telling the people: The Lord proclaims: Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine, and disease. But whoever surrenders to the Babylonians will live; yes, their lives will be spared. The Lord proclaims: This city will certainly be handed over to the army of Babylon’s king, who will capture it.
Then the officials said to the king: “This man must be put to death! By saying such things, he is discouraging the few remaining troops left in the city, as well as all the people. This man doesn’t seek their welfare but their ruin!”
“He’s in your hands,” King Zedekiah said, “for the king can do nothing to stop you.” So they seized Jeremiah, threw him into the cistern of the royal prince Malchiah, within the prison quarters, and lowered him down by ropes. Now there wasn’t any water in the cistern, only mud, and Jeremiah began to sink into the mud.
Ebed-melech the Cushite, a court official in the royal palace, got word that they had thrown Jeremiah into the cistern. Since the king was sitting at the Benjamin Gate, Ebed-melech left the palace and said to the king: “My master the king, these men have made a terrible mistake in treating the prophet Jeremiah the way they have; they have thrown him into the cistern where he will die of starvation, for there’s no bread left in the city.”
Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Cushite, “Take thirty men from here and take Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.” So Ebed-melech took the men and returned to the palace, to an underground supply room, where he found some old rags and scraps of clothing.
Ebed-melech lowered them down the cistern by the ropes and called to Jeremiah, “Put these old rags and scraps of clothing under your arms and hold on to the ropes.” When Jeremiah did this, they pulled him up by the ropes and got him out of the cistern. After that Jeremiah remained in the prison quarters.
HYMN: from Psalm 60, para. The Scottish Psalter, 1929
Tune: Stracathro https://tinyurl.com/nhk9zm9v
1 I waited for the Lord my God,
and patiently did bear;
at length to me he did incline
my voice and cry to hear.
2 He took me from a fearful pit,
and from the miry clay,
and on a rock he set my feet,
establishing my way.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
our God to magnify:
many shall see it, and shall fear,
and on the Lord rely.
4 To do thy will I take delight,
O thou my God that art;
yea, that most holy law of thine
I have within my heart.
5 In thee let all be glad, and joy,
who seeking thee abide;
who thy salvation love, say still,
the Lord be magnified.
READING: Titus 2:1-10
But you should talk in a way that is consistent with sound teaching. Tell the older men to be sober, dignified, sensible, and healthy in respect to their faith, love, and patience.
Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in their behavior, teaching what is good, rather than being gossips or addicted to heavy drinking. That way they can mentor young women to love their husbands and children, and to be sensible, morally pure, working at home, kind and submissive to their own husbands, so that God’s word won’t be ridiculed. Likewise, encourage the younger men to be sensible in every way. Offer yourself as a role model of good actions. Show integrity, seriousness, and a sound message that is above criticism when you teach, so that any opponent will be ashamed because they won’t find anything bad to say about us.
Tell slaves to submit to their own masters and please them in everything they do. They shouldn’t talk back or steal. Instead, they should show that they are completely reliable in everything so that they might make the teaching about God our savior attractive in every way.
HYMN: Edward H Plumptre
Tune: Marion https://tinyurl.com/3s5jfyt7
1 Rejoice, ye pure in heart,
Rejoice, give thanks and sing;
Your festal banner wave on high,
The cross of Christ your King.
Refrain:
Rejoice, rejoice,
Rejoice, give thanks and sing.
2 Bright youth and snow-crowned age,
All those for truth do seek;
Raise high your free, exulting song,
God’s wondrous praises speak. [Refrain]
3 Yes, on through life’s long path,
Still chanting as ye go;
From youth to age, by night and day,
In gladness and in woe. [Refrain]
4 Then on, ye pure in heart,
Rejoice, give thanks and sing;
Your glorious banner wave on high,
The cross of Christ your King. [Refrain]
READING: Luke 19:1-10
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through town. A man there named Zacchaeus, a ruler among tax collectors, was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but, being a short man, he couldn’t because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When Jesus came to that spot, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down at once. I must stay in your home today.” So Zacchaeus came down at once, happy to welcome Jesus. Everyone who saw this grumbled, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
Zacchaeus stopped and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my possessions to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone, I repay them four times as much.” Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this household because he too is a son of Abraham. The Human One came to seek and save the lost.”
CANTICLE Isaiah 26:1-4, 7-9, 12
A strong city have we;
he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.
Open up the gates
to let in a nation that is just,
one that keeps faith.
A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace;
in peace, for its trust in you.
Trust in the Lord forever!
For the Lord is an eternal Rock.
The way of the just is smooth;
the path of the just you make level.
Yes, for your way and your judgments, O Lord,
we look to you;
your name and your title
are the desire of our souls.
My soul yearns for you in the night,
yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you;
when your judgment dawns upon the earth,
the world’s inhabitants learn justice.
O Lord, you mete out peace to us,
for it is you who have accomplished all we have done.
THE PRAYERS BCW
Merciful God,
we praise you that you give strength for every weakness,
forgiveness for our failures,
and new beginnings in Jesus Christ.
Especially we thank you for
the guidance of your spirit through this day . . .
signs of new life and hope . . .
people who have helped us . . .
those who struggle for justice . . .
expressions of love unexpected or undeserved. . . .
Almighty God,
you know all needs before we speak our prayers,
yet you welcome our concerns for others in Jesus Christ.
Especially we pray for
those who keep watch over the sick and dying . . .
those who weep with the grieving . . .
those who are without faith and cannot accept your love . . .
the aged who are lonely, distressed or weak . . .
(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.
Everloving God,
the comforter of the suffering and the hope of the poor,
you gave Elizabeth strength and love
to minister to those in need;
give us grace to seek out those in trouble or in want,
and to serve you faithfully by our compassion for others;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. FATS
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
ELW The Lord’s Prayer is from Setting Five in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
EH Exciting Holiness Edited by Brother Tristam SSF, © European Province of the Society of Saint Francis, 1997
FATS For All the Saints, © The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, 2014
The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language version of Psalm 95 is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is sung by Ryland Angel. Psalms 96 and 97 are from Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, and are from the Next to the Word of God YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkVRYL-MRebncw584Ql2xfg. The canticle is from Liturgy of the Hours as recorded for the Sing the Hours YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/SingtheHours.
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 