Sojourner Truth
Isabella (Sojourner Truth) was the next-to-youngest child of several born to James and Elizabeth, slaves owned by a wealthy Dutchman in New York. For the first 28 years of her life she was a slave, sold from household to household. She fled slavery with the help of Quaker friends, first living in Philadelphia, then New York, where she joined the Mother Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church when African-Americans were being denied the right to worship with white members of St. George’s Church in Philadelphia.
Belle (as Isabella was called) became a street-corner evangelist in poverty-stricken areas of New York City, but quickly realized people needed food, housing and warm clothing. She focused her work on a homeless shelter for women.
When she was about 46, Belle believed she heard God say to her, “Go east.” So, she set out east for Long Island and Connecticut. Stopping at a Quaker farm for a drink of water, she was asked her name. “My name is Sojourner,” Belle said. “What is your last name?” the woman asked. Belle thought of all her masters’ names she had carried through life. Then the thought came: “The only master I have now is God, and His name is Truth.”
Sojourner became a traveling preacher, approaching white religious meetings and campgrounds and asking to speak. Fascinated by her charismatic presence, her wit, wisdom, and imposing six-foot height, they found her hard to refuse. She never learned to read or write, but quoted extensive Bible passages from memory in her sermons. She ended by singing a “home-made” hymn and addressing the crowd on the evils of slavery. Her reputation grew and she became part of the abolitionist and women’s rights speakers’ network. During a women’s rights convention in Ohio, Sojourner gave the speech for which she is best remembered: “Ain’t I a Woman.” She died on this day in 1883. HWHM
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/ymc85778
By this we came to know the love of God:
that Christ laid down his life for us;
so we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 1 John 3
Guide us, O God,
by your Word and Spirit,
that in your light we may see light,
in your truth find freedom,
and in your will discover your peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
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: John Core ©
Tune: Wer nur den lieben Gott https://tinyurl.com/4wp7t7nv
1 Scribes in long robes, expecting deference,
parading through the public squares,
giving themselves the seats of preference,
making long, loud but empty prayers,
now meet together and contrive
to take what some need to survive.
2 Now see among the temple donors,
one widow comes in poverty:
she wears no grand clothes, takes no honors,
but in a spirit full and free,
this woman, richer than she knows,
drops in her two last coins and goes.
3 See both amid the temple’s masses,
what telling truth, what paradox –
rich men of power, the upper classes;
poor woman by the great alms box.
While scribes make offerings, small and slight,
one widow gives all with her mite.
PSALMS
Psalm 119:105-144 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/v825pov)
105 Thy word is a lantern unto my feet *
and a light unto my paths.
106 I have sworn, and am stedfastly purposed *
to keep thy righteous judgements.
107 I am troubled above measure *
quicken me, O Lord, according to thy word.
108 Let the free-will offerings of my mouth please thee, O Lord *
and teach me thy judgements.
109 My soul is alway in my hand *
yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The ungodly have laid a snare for me *
but yet I swerved not from thy commandments.
111 Thy testimonies have I claimed as mine heritage for ever *
and why? they are the very joy of my heart.
112 I have applied my heart to fulfil thy statutes alway *
even unto the end.
113 I hate them that imagine evil things *
but thy law do I love.
114 Thou art my defence and shield *
and my trust is in thy word.
115 Away from me, ye wicked *
I will keep the commandments of my God.
116 O stablish me according to thy word, that I may live *
and let me not be disappointed of my hope.
117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe *
yea, my delight shall be ever in thy statutes.
118 Thou hast trodden down all them that depart from thy statutes *
for they imagine but deceit.
119 Thou puttest away all the ungodly of the earth like dross *
therefore I love thy testimonies.
120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee *
and I am afraid of thy judgements.
121 I deal with the thing that is lawful and right *
O give me not over unto mine oppressors.
122 Make thou thy servant to delight in that which is good *
that the proud do me no wrong.
123 Mine eyes are wasted away with looking for thy health *
and for the word of thy righteousness.
124 O deal with thy servant according unto thy loving mercy *
and teach me thy statutes.
125 I am thy servant, O grant me understanding *
that I may know thy testimonies.
126 It is time for thee, Lord, to lay to thine hand *
for they have destroyed thy law.
127 For I love thy commandments *
above gold and precious stone.
128 Therefore hold I straight all thy commandments *
and all false ways I utterly abhor.
129 Thy testimonies are wonderful *
therefore doth my soul keep them.
130 When thy word goeth forth *
it giveth light and understanding unto the simple.
131 I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath *
for my delight was in thy commandments.
132 O look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me *
as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name.
133 Order my steps in thy word *
and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me.
134 O deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men *
and so shall I keep thy commandments.
135 Shew the light of thy countenance upon thy servant *
and teach me thy statutes.
136 Mine eyes gush out with water *
because men keep not thy law.
137 Righteous art thou, O Lord *
and true is thy judgement.
138 The testimonies that thou hast commanded *
are exceeding righteous and true.
139 My zeal hath even consumed me *
because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
140 Thy word is tried to the uttermost *
and thy servant loveth it.
141 I am small, and of no reputation *
yet do I not forget thy commandments.
142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness *
and thy law is the truth.
143 Trouble and heaviness have taken hold upon me *
yet is my delight in thy commandments.
144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting *
O grant me understanding, and I shall live.
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 119:105-144 (Gregorian Tone VI)
105 Your word is a lantern to my feet *
and a light upon my path.
106 I have sworn and am steadfastly purposed *
to keep your righteous judgments.
107 I am troubled above measure; *
revive me, O Lord, according to your word.
108 Let the freewill offerings of my mouth please you, O Lord; *
and teach me your judgments.
109 My life is always in my hand, *
yet I do not forget your law.
110 The ungodly have laid a snare for me, *
yet I have not strayed from your commandments.
111 Your testimonies have I claimed as my heritage for ever, *
and why? They are the very joy of my heart.
112 I have applied my heart to fulfill your statutes always, *
even unto the end.
113 I hate those who are double-minded, *
but your law do I love.
114 You are my defense and shield, *
and my trust is in your word.
115 Away from me, you wicked. *
I will keep the commandments of my God.
116 Establish me according to your word, that I may live, *
and let me not be disappointed in my hope.
117 Hold me up, and I shall be safe; *
indeed, my delight shall be ever in your statutes.
118 You have trodden down all those who depart from your statutes, *
for they only imagine deceit.
119 You put away all the ungodly of the earth like dross; *
therefore I love your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of you, *
and I am afraid of your judgments.
121 I have done that which is lawful and right; *
O give me not over to my oppressors.
122 Be surety for your servant’s good; *
O let not the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes have wasted away with looking for your salvation, *
and for the word of your righteousness.
124 O deal with your servant according to your loving mercy, *
and teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant; O grant me understanding, *
that I may know your testimonies.
126 It is time for you, O Lord, to act, *
for they have broken your law.
127 For I love your commandments above all things, *
more than gold and precious stones.
128 Therefore I hold all your commandments to be right, *
and all false ways I utterly abhor.
129 Your testimonies are wonderful; *
therefore does my soul keep them.
130 When your word goes forth it gives light *
and understanding to the simple.
131 I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath, *
for my delight was in your commandments.
132 O look upon me, and be merciful unto me, *
as you always do for those who love your Name.
133 Order my steps according to your word, *
and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me.
134 O deliver me from those who deal wrongfully, *
and so shall I keep your commandments.
135 Show the light of your countenance upon your servant, *
and teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes gush out water *
because of those who do not keep your law.
137 Righteous are you, O Lord, *
and true are your judgments.
138 The testimonies that you have commanded *
are exceedingly righteous and true.
139 My zeal has even consumed me, *
because my enemies have forgotten your words.
140 Your word is tested to the uttermost, *
and therefore your servant loves it.
141 I am small, and of no reputation, *
yet I do not forget your commandments.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, *
and your law is the truth.
143 Trouble and heaviness have taken hold of me, *
yet my delight is in your commandments.
144 The righteousness of your testimonies is everlasting; *
O grant me understanding, and I shall live.
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
Holy God,
you are just in all your ways
and your commandments are the greatest of treasures.
Give us understanding of your law
and direct us according to your will
that we may be faithful in serving you
for the sake of Jesus our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: Daniel 2:24-49
So Daniel went to Arioch, the man the king had appointed to wipe out Babylon’s sages. Daniel said to him, “Don’t wipe out the sages of Babylon! Bring me before the king, and I will explain the dream’s meaning to him.” Wasting no time, Arioch brought Daniel before the king, telling him, “I have found someone from the Judean exiles who will tell the dream’s meaning to the king.”
In reply the king said to Daniel (whose name was Belteshazzar), “Can you really tell me the dream that I saw, as well as its meaning?”
Daniel answered the king, “Sages, enchanters, dream interpreters, and diviners can’t explain to the king the mystery he seeks. But there is a God in heaven, a revealer of mysteries, who has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the days to come! Now this was your dream—this was the vision in your head as you lay in your bed:
“As you lay in bed, Your Majesty, your thoughts turned to what will happen in the future. The revealer of mysteries has revealed to you what will happen. Now this mystery was revealed to me, not because I have more wisdom than any other living person but so that the dream’s meaning might be made known to the king, and so that you might know the thoughts of your own mind.
“Your Majesty, you were looking, and there, rising before you, was a single, massive statue. This statue was huge, shining with dazzling light, and was awesome to see. The statue’s head was made of pure gold; its chest and arms were made from silver; its abdomen and hips were made of bronze. Its legs were of iron, and its feet were a mixture of iron and clay. You observed this until a stone was cut, but not by hands; and it smashed the statue’s feet of iron and clay and shattered them. Then all the parts shattered simultaneously—iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold. They became like chaff, left on summer threshing floors. The wind lifted them away until no trace of them remained. But the stone that smashed the statue became a mighty mountain, and it filled the entire earth.
“This was the dream. Now we will tell the king its meaning: You, Your Majesty, are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given kingship, power, might, and glory to you! God has delivered into your care human beings, wild creatures, and birds in the sky—wherever they live—and has made you ruler of all of them. You are the gold head. But in your place, another kingdom will arise, one inferior to yours, and then a third, bronze kingdom will rule over all the earth. Then will come a fourth kingdom, mighty like iron. Just as iron shatters and crushes everything; so like an iron that smashes, it will shatter and crush all these others. As for the feet and toes that you saw, which were a mixture of potter’s clay and iron, that signifies a divided kingdom; but it will possess some of the unyielding strength of iron. Even so, you saw the iron mixed with earthy clay so that the toes were made from a mixture of iron and clay. Part of the kingdom will be mighty, but part of it will be fragile. Just as you saw the iron mixed with earthy clay, they will join together by intermarrying, but they will not bond to each other, just as iron does not fuse with clay.
“But in the days of those kings, the God of heaven will raise up an everlasting kingdom that will be indestructible. Its rule will never pass to another people. It will shatter other kingdoms. It will put an end to all of them. It will stand firm forever, just like you saw when the stone, which was cut from the mountain, but not by hands, shattered the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold. A great God has revealed to the king what will happen in the future. The dream is certain. Its meaning can be trusted.”
Then King Nebuchadnezzar bowed low and honored Daniel. The king ordered that grain and incense offerings be made to Daniel. The king declared to Daniel, “No doubt about it: your God is God of gods, Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries because you were able to reveal this mystery!” Then the king exalted Daniel and lavished gifts on him, making him ruler over all the province of Babylon and chief minister over all Babylon’s sages. At Daniel’s urging, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to administer the province of Babylon, but Daniel himself remained at the royal court.
HYMN: James Montgomery
Tune: Es flog ein kleins Waldvöglein https://tinyurl.com/4cf7as6m
1 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed,
great David’s greater Son!
hail, in the time appointed,
his reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
to set the captive free,
to take away transgression,
and rule in equity.
2 He comes with succour speedy
to those who suffer wrong;
to help the poor and needy,
and bid the weak be strong;
to give them songs for sighing,
their darkness turn to light,
whose souls, condemned and dying,
were precious in his sight.
3 He shall come down like showers
upon the fruitful earth,
and love, joy, hope, like flowers,
spring in his path to birth:
before him on the mountains
shall peace, the herald, go;
and righteousness in fountains
from hill to valley flow.
4 Kings shall bow down before him,
and gold and incense bring;
all nations shall adore him,
his praise all people sing:
to him shall prayer unceasing
and daily vows ascend;
his kingdom still increasing,
a kingdom without end.
5 O’er every foe victorious,
he on his throne shall rest;
from age to age more glorious,
all-blessing and all-blest:
the tide of time shall never
his covenant remove;
his name shall stand for ever,
his changeless name of love.
READING: 2 Timothy 2:15-26
Make an effort to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker, who doesn’t need to be ashamed but is one who interprets the message of truth correctly. Avoid their godless discussions, because they will lead many people into ungodly behavior, and their ideas will spread like an infection. This includes Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have deviated from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already happened. This has undermined some people’s faith.
God’s solid foundation is still standing with this sign: The Lord knows the people who belong to him, and Everyone who confesses the Lord’s name must avoid wickedness. In a mansion, there aren’t just gold and silver bowls but also some bowls that are made of wood and clay. Some are meant for special uses, some for garbage. So if anyone washes filth off themselves, they will be set apart as a “special bowl.” They will be useful to the owner of the mansion for every sort of good work.
Run away from adolescent cravings. Instead, pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace together with those who confess the Lord with a clean heart. Avoid foolish and thoughtless discussions, since you know that they produce conflicts. God’s slave shouldn’t be argumentative but should be kind toward all people, able to teach, patient, and should correct opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will change their mind and give them a knowledge of the truth. They may come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap that holds them captive to do his will.
HYMN: Jeremy Young ©
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/y2u2aj8d
1 Come to me, all you weary,
with your burdens and pain.
Take my yoke on your shoulders and learn from me:
I am gentle and humble, and your soul will find rest,
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Refrain:
We shall rise again on the last day
with the faithful, rich and poor.
Coming to the house of Lord Jesus,
we will find an open door there,
we will find an open door.
2 Though we walk through the darkness,
evil we do not fear.
You are walking beside us with your rod and your staff.
Only goodness and kindness follow us all our lives.
We shall dwell in the Lord’s house
for so many years to come! [Refrain]
3 We depend on God’s mercy,
mercy which never fades.
We remember our covenant and the promise Jesus made:
If we die with Christ Jesus, we shall live with him,
And if we are faithful,
we shall reign with him! [Refrain]
4 Do not fear death’s dominion,
look beyond earth and grave.
See the brightness of Jesus shining out to light our way.
Loving Father and Spirit, loving Jesus the Son,
All God’s people together,
we shall live on as one! [Refrain]
5 At the door there to greet us,
martyrs, angels, and saints,
And our fam’ly and loved ones, ev’ry one freed from their chains.
We shall feel their acceptance, and the joy of new life.
We shall join in the gathering,
reunited in God’s love! [Refrain]
READING: Luke 20:45-21:4
In the presence of all the people, Jesus said to his disciples, “Watch out for the legal experts. They like to walk around in long robes. They love being greeted with honor in the markets. They long for the places of honor in the synagogues and at banquets. They are the ones who cheat widows out of their homes, and to show off they say long prayers. They will be judged most harshly.”
Looking up, Jesus saw rich people throwing their gifts into the collection box for the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow throw in two small copper coins worth a penny. He said, “I assure you that this poor widow has put in more than them all. All of them are giving out of their spare change. But she from her hopeless poverty has given everything she had to live on.”
CANTICLE Isaiah 61.10,11; 62.1-3
(Hildegard of Bingen https://tinyurl.com/26ehzcxk)
Refrain:
All God makes righteousness and praise
blossom before all the nations.
1 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
my soul shall exult in my God;
2 Who has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
and has covered me with the cloak of integrity,
3 As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
4 For as the earth puts forth her blossom,
and as seeds in the garden spring up,
5 So shall God make righteousness and praise
blossom before all the nations.
6 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
7 Until her deliverance shines out like the dawn,
and her salvation as a burning torch.
8 The nations shall see your deliverance,
and all rulers shall see your glory;
9 Then you shall be called by a new name
which the mouth of God will give.
10 You shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord,
a royal diadem in the hand of 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 God makes righteousness and praise
blossom before all the nations.
THE PRAYERS AAPB
Eternal God,
who declared in Christ Jesus
the completion of all your purposes of love;
We give thanks
for the triumphs of the gospel that herald your salvation
for the signs of renewal that declare the coming of your kingdom
for the revelation of the work of your grace in human lives . . .
for the unceasing praise of the company of heaven
for the promise to those who mourn that all tears will be wiped away
for the pledge of death destroyed and victory won . . .
for our foretaste of eternal life through baptism and the holy communion
for our hope in the Spirit
for the communion of saints
for all who rest in Christ . . .
We pray for the sick
those in pain . . .
the handicapped, the aged . . .
those who are tempted and despairing . . .
those who minister to them and care for them . . .
those who mourn . . .
May we live by faith, walk in hope, and be renewed in love,
until the whole world reflects your glory,
and you are all in all.
Even so, come Lord Jesus. Amen.
Setting: Sanford Dole https://tinyurl.com/y7ldq7h5
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, whose Spirit guides us into all truth and makes us free: Strengthen and sustain us as you did your servant Sojourner. Give us vision and courage to stand against oppression and injustice and all that works against the glorious liberty to which you call all your children; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. HWHM
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.
HWHM Holy Women, Holy Men © Church Publishing, Inc.
AAPB An Australian Prayer Book, © 1978 Anglican Church of Australia
The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional version of the psalms is from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern version is 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 