The Martyrs of El Salvador
The Salvadoran Civil War was a civil war in El Salvador which was fought between the military-led junta government of El Salvador and the FMLN, a coalition of left-wing groups from 15 October 1979 to 16 January 1992. A coup on October 15, 1979, was followed by killings of anti-coup protesters by the government and of anti-disorder protesters by the guerrillas, and is widely seen as the start of civil war. The full-fledged civil war lasted for more than 12 years and included the deliberate terrorizing and targeting of civilians by US-trained government death squads including prominent clergy from the Catholic Church, the recruitment of child soldiers and other human rights violations, mostly by the military. 3
On Dec. 2, 1980, three nuns (Ita Ford, Maura Clarke, and Dorothy Kazel) and one lay worker (Jean Donovan) were abducted, raped, and murdered by members of the U.S. backed National Guard. The Reagan administration blamed the nuns for their own murder. 1 On 16 November 1989, Salvadoran Army soldiers (backed by the United States) killed six Jesuits and two others. The Jesuits were advocates of a negotiated settlement between the government and the FMLN. 2 An unknown number of people disappeared while the UN reports that the war killed more than 75,000 people between 1979 and 1992. 3
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/3mjx3phc
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life. John 8
God of majesty and power,
amid the clamor of our violence
your Word of truth resounds;
upon a world made dark by sin
the Sun of Justice casts his dawning rays.
Keep your household watchful
and aware of the hour in which we live.
Hasten the advent of that day
when the sounds of war will be for ever stilled,
the darkness of evil scattered,
and all your children gathered into one.
We ask this through him whose coming is certain,
whose day draws near:
your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen. 1998
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: Guillermo Cuéllar; trans. Bret Hesla and William Dexheimer-Pharris
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/5ef3bw6h
Estribillo:
Vamos todos al banquete,
a la mesa de la creación;
cada cual, con su taburete,
tiene un puesto y una misión.
1 Hoy me levanto muy temprano,
ya me espera la comunidad.
Voy subiendo alegre la cuesta,
voy en busca de tu amistad. [Estribillo]
2 Dios invita a todos los pobres
a esta mesa común por la fe,
donde no hay acaparadores,
donde todos puedan comer. [Estribillo]
3 Dios nos manda a hacer de este mundo
una mesa donde haya igualdad;
trabajando y luchando juntos,
compartiendo la propiedad. [Estribillo]
Refrain:
Let us go now to the banquet,
to the feast of the universe.
The table’s set and a place is waiting;
come, ev’ryone, with your gifts to share.
1 I will rise in the early morning.
The community’s waiting for me.
With a spring in my step I’m walking
with my friends and my family. [Refrain]
2 God invites all the poor and hungry
to the banquet of justice and good,
where the harvest will not be hoarded,
so that no one will lack for food. [Refrain]
3 May we build such a place among us
where all people are equal in love.
God has called us to work together
and to share ev’rything we have. [Refrain]
PSALMS
Psalm 12 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/sjldexv)
1 Help me, Lord, for there is not one godly man left *
for the faithful are minished from among the children of men.
2 They talk of vanity every one with his neighbour *
they do but flatter with their lips, and dissemble in their double heart.
3 The Lord shall root out all deceitful lips *
and the tongue that speaketh proud things;
4 Which have said, With our tongue will we prevail *
we are they that ought to speak, who is lord over us?
5 Now for the comfortless troubles’ sake of the needy *
and because of the deep sighing of the poor,
6 I will up, saith the Lord *
and will help every one from him that swelleth against him,
and will set him at rest.
7 The words of the Lord are pure words *
even as the silver, which from the earth is tried,
and purified seven times in the fire.
8 Thou shalt keep them, O Lord *
thou shalt preserve him from this generation for ever.
9 The ungodly walk on every side *
when they are exalted, the children of men are put to rebuke.
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 13 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/qpwp7bw)
1 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord, for ever *
how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2 How long shall I seek counsel in my soul,
and be so vexed in my heart *
how long shall mine enemies triumph over me?
3 Consider, and hear me, O Lord my God *
lighten mine eyes, that I sleep not in death.
4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him *
for if I be cast down, they that trouble me will rejoice at it.
5 But my trust is in thy mercy *
and my heart is joyful in thy salvation.
6 I will sing of the Lord, because he hath dealt so lovingly with me *
yea, I will praise the Name of the Lord most Highest.
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 14 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/sgyfvnc)
1 The fool hath said in his heart *
There is no God.
2 They are corrupt, and become abominable in their doings *
there is none that doeth good, no not one.
3 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men *
to see if there were any that would understand, and seek after God.
4 But they are all gone out of the way,
they are altogether become abominable *
there is none that doeth good, no not one.
5 Their throat is an open sepulchre,
with their tongues have they deceived *
the poison of asps is under their lips.
6 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness *
their feet are swift to shed blood.
7 Destruction and unhappiness is in their ways,
and the way of peace have they not known *
there is no fear of God before their eyes.
8 Have they no knowledge, that they are all such workers of mischief *
eating up my people as it were bread, and call not upon the Lord?
9 There were they brought in great fear, even where no fear was *
for God is in the generation of the righteous.
10 As for you, ye have made a mock at the counsel of the poor *
because he putteth his trust in the Lord.
11 Who shall give salvation unto Israel out of Sion?
When the Lord turneth the captivity of his people *
then shall Jacob rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
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 12 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-12-1.mp3)
1 Help me, LORD, for there is no godly one left; *
the faithful have vanished from among us.
2 Everyone speaks falsely with his neighbor; *
with a smooth tongue they speak from a double heart.
3 Oh, that the LORD would cut off all smooth tongues, *
and close the lips that utter proud boasts!
4 Those who say, “With our tongue will we prevail; *
our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”
5 “Because the needy are oppressed,
and the poor cry out in misery, *
I will rise up,” says the LORD,
“and give them the help they long for.”
6 The words of the LORD are pure words, *
like silver refined from ore
and purified seven times in the fire.
7 O LORD, watch over us *
and save us from this generation for ever.
8 The wicked prowl on every side, *
and that which is worthless is highly prized by everyone.
Psalm 13 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-13.mp3)
1 How long, O LORD?
will you forget me for ever? *
how long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long shall I have perplexity in my mind,
and grief in my heart, day after day? *
how long shall my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look upon me and answer me, O LORD my God; *
give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;
4 Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” *
and my foes rejoice that I have fallen.
5 But I put my trust in your mercy; *
my heart is joyful because of your saving help.
6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has dealt with me richly; *
I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High.
Psalm 14 (Plainsong:
http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-14-version-II-1.mp3)
1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” *
All are corrupt and commit abominable acts;
there is none who does any good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven upon us all, *
to see if there is any who is wise,
if there is one who seeks after God.
3 Every one has proved faithless;
all alike have turned bad; *
there is none who does good; no, not one.
4 Have they no knowledge, all those evildoers *
who eat up my people like bread
and do not call upon the LORD?
5 See how they tremble with fear, *
because God is in the company of the righteous.
6 Their aim is to confound the plans of the afflicted, *
but the LORD is their refuge.
7 Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come out of Zion! *
when the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,
Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad.
PRAYER
God of wisdom and truth,
without you our lives go astray,
and we face corruption within and around us.
Show your mighty presence among us,
that we may joyfully proclaim your deliverance
in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. BCW2018
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: Isaiah 6
In the year of King Uzziah’s death, I saw the Lord sitting on a high and exalted throne, the edges of his robe filling the temple. Winged creatures were stationed around him. Each had six wings: with two they veiled their faces, with two their feet, and with two they flew about. They shouted to each other, saying:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of heavenly forces!
All the earth is filled with God’s glory!”
The doorframe shook at the sound of their shouting, and the house was filled with smoke.
I said, “Mourn for me; I’m ruined! I’m a man with unclean lips, and I live among a people with unclean lips. Yet I’ve seen the king, the Lord of heavenly forces!” Then one of the winged creatures flew to me, holding a glowing coal that he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips. Your guilt has departed, and your sin is removed.”
Then I heard the Lord’s voice saying, “Whom should I send, and who will go for us?” I said, “I’m here; send me.” God said, “Go and say to this people:
Listen intently, but don’t understand;
look carefully, but don’t comprehend.
Make the minds of this people dull.
Make their ears deaf and their eyes blind,
so they can’t see with their eyes
or hear with their ears,
or understand with their minds,
and turn, and be healed.”
I said, “How long, Lord?” And God said, “Until cities lie ruined with no one living in them, until there are houses without people and the land is left devastated.” The Lord will send the people far away, and the land will be completely abandoned. Even if one-tenth remain there, they will be burned again, like a terebinth or an oak, which when it is cut down leaves a stump. Its stump is a holy seed.
HYMN: Daniel L Schutte ©
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/ycx7z4f4
1. I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
my hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
[Refrain:]
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
2. I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send? (Refrain)
3. I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame,
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send? (Refrain)
READING: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
As you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, our visit with you wasn’t a waste of time. On the contrary, we had the courage through God to speak God’s good news in spite of a lot of opposition, although we had already suffered and were publicly insulted in Philippi, as you know. Our appeal isn’t based on false information, the wrong motives, or deception. Rather, we have been examined and approved by God to be trusted with the good news, and that’s exactly how we speak. We aren’t trying to please people, but we are trying to please God, who continues to examine our hearts. As you know, we never used flattery, and God is our witness that we didn’t have greedy motives. We didn’t ask for special treatment from people—not from you or from others— although we could have thrown our weight around as Christ’s apostles. Instead, we were gentle with you like a nursing mother caring for her own children. We were glad to share not only God’s good news with you but also our very lives because we cared for you so much. You remember, brothers and sisters, our efforts and hard work. We preached God’s good news to you, while we worked night and day so we wouldn’t be a burden on any of you. You and God are witnesses of how holy, just, and blameless we were toward you believers. Likewise, you know how we treated each of you like a father treats his own children. We appealed to you, encouraged you, and pleaded with you to live lives worthy of the God who is calling you into his own kingdom and glory.
HYMN: Steven P Mueller ©
Tune: Joyous Light https://tinyurl.com/yum45ujm
1. Lord, you call us, as your people,
out of darkness into light.
You created and redeemed us,
made us precious in your sight.
Give us faith to trust you boldly
and to love you steadfastly.
By your Spirit may we ever
faithful to our callings be.
2. Lord, you call us, as disciples,
walking on your pilgrim way.
Crucified and risen Savior,
you are with us ev’ry day.
Give us wisdom; give us courage
as you teach us patiently.
By your Spirit may we ever
faithful to our callings be.
3. Lord, you send us to the harvest
in your Great Commission’s call,
reaching out to all the nations,
bringing life and hope to all.
Give us boldness and compassion;
bless us with your eyes to see.
By your Spirit may we ever
faithful to our callings be.
4. Lord, you call us to new ventures
by a pathway yet unknown.
Though we cannot see the ending,
we will follow you alone.
Knowing that your hand is guiding
and you love us faithfully,
by your Spirit may we ever
faithful to our callings be.
5. Lord, you call us, as your people,
joined in faith we sing your praise:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Alleluias to you raise.
Hold us in your gracious power,
blessed Holy Trinity,
that rejoicing we will ever
faithful to our callings be.
READING: Matthew 21:23-27
When Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and elders of the people came to him as he was teaching. They asked, “What kind of authority do you have for doing these things? Who gave you this authority?” Jesus replied, “I have a question for you. If you tell me the answer, I’ll tell you what kind of authority I have to do these things. Where did John get his authority to baptize? Did he get it from heaven or from humans?” They argued among themselves, “If we say ‘from heaven,’ he’ll say to us, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But we can’t say ‘from humans’ because we’re afraid of the crowd, since everyone thinks John was a prophet.” Then they replied, “We don’t know.” Jesus also said to them, “Neither will I tell you what kind of authority I have to do these things.
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.
PRAYERS CWC
God of comfort and mercy,
of restoration and forgiveness,
we ask that you accomplish within us
what you alone can do:
Forgive us and liberate us
from the ways that we have fallen short,
that we might know your forgiveness,
be restored to one another,
and be sent for your purposes in the world.
As we discern our next steps,
hear our prayers.
For those struggling with despair, depression, addiction,
and other mental health challenges during this season . . .
For those who are grappling with what it means
to believe that your promises are true,
when so many promises are left unfulfilled . . .
For those moving through this season for the first time
after experiencing loss and grief in their many forms . . .
For those among us who struggle and suffer
with pains that others do not know . . .
We give you thanks, O God,
that you see who we are where we are.
We entrust our longing to you.
Equip us to be people of compassion and grace,
that as we anticipate your coming,
we might already know the joy
of your presence and peace among us;
through Christ our Savior. Amen.
(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.
Almighty God, you give voice to the poor we try to keep voiceless and give life to those we kill for seeking freedom and hope: Grant that we, inspired by the example of the martyrs of El Salvador, may without fear or favor witness to your Word who abides, your Word who is Life, even Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be praise and glory now and for ever. Amen. HWHM, alt.
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.
BAS Book of Alternative Services © 1985, Anglican Church of Canada.
BCW2018 Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 2018
CWC Connections Worship Companion, ed. David Gambrell © Westminster John Knox Press
1 https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/nuns-and-lay-worker-killed-in-el-salvador/
2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_murders_of_Jesuits_in_El_Salvador
3 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvadoran_Civil_War
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 of the psalms is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and are sung by Ryland Angel.
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 