John Wycliffe
John Wycliffe (1320s – 31 December 1384) was an English scholastic philosopher, theologian, biblical translator, reformer, priest, and a seminary professor at the University of Oxford. He became an influential dissident within the Roman Catholic priesthood during the 14th century and is considered an important predecessor to Protestantism. Wycliffe questioned the privileged status of the clergy which had bolstered their powerful role in England and the luxury and pomp of local parishes and their ceremonies.
Wycliffe’s later followers, derogatorily called Lollards by their orthodox contemporaries in the 15th and 16th centuries, adopted many of the beliefs attributed to Wycliffe such as theological virtues, predestination, iconoclasm, and the notion of caesaropapism, while questioning the veneration of saints, the sacraments, requiem masses, transubstantiation, monasticism, and the legitimacy of the Papacy. Like the Waldensians, the Lollard movement is sometimes regarded as a precursor to the Protestant Reformation, though the movement was unknown to Martin Luther until after its commencement. Wycliffe was accordingly characterised as the “evening star” of scholasticism and as the morning star or stella matutina of the English Reformation, an epithet first accorded to the theologian by the 16th century historian and controversialist John Bale in his Illustrium maioris britanniae scriptorum (Wesel, 1548). Wikipedia
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/uhctaxua
Turn your ear, O Lord, and answer me;
save the servant who trusts in you, my God.
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I cry to you all the day long. Psalm 86
All-powerful and unseen God,
the coming of your light into our world
has brightened weary hearts with peace.
Teach us to proclaim the birth of your Son Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. 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: William Cowper
Tune: St Fulbert https://tinyurl.com/yc4jt39p
1 THE Spirit breathes upon the Word,
And brings the truth to sight;
Precepts and promises afford,
A sanctifying light.
2 A glory gilds the sacred page,
Majestic, like the sun:
It gives a light to every age,
It gives, but borrows none.
3 The Hand that gave it still supplies
The gracious light and heat;
fts truths upon the nations rise—
They rise, but never set.
4 Let everlasting thanks be Thine
For such a bright display,
As makes a world of darkness shine
With beams of heavenly day.
5 My soul rejoices to pursue
The steps of Him I love,
Till glory breaks upon my view
In brighter worlds above.
PSALMS
Psalm 147 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/w8ysftd)
1 Praise the Lord, for it is a good thing to sing praises unto our God *
yea, a joyful and pleasant thing it is to be thankful.
2 The Lord doth build up Jerusalem *
and gather together the out-casts of Israel.
3 He healeth those that are broken in heart *
and giveth medicine to heal their sickness.
4 He telleth the number of the stars *
and calleth them all by their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and great is his power *
yea, and his wisdom is infinite.
6 The Lord setteth up the meek *
and bringeth the ungodly down to the ground.
7 O sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving *
sing praises upon the harp unto our God;
8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds,
and prepareth rain for the earth *
and maketh the grass to grow upon the mountains,
and herb for the use of men;
9 Who giveth fodder unto the cattle *
and feedeth the young ravens that call upon him.
10 He hath no pleasure in the strength of an horse *
neither delighteth he in any man’s legs.
11 But the Lord’s delight is in them that fear him *
and put their trust in his mercy.
12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem *
praise thy God, O Sion.
13 For he hath made fast the bars of thy gates *
and hath blessed thy children within thee.
14 He maketh peace in thy borders *
and filleth thee with the flour of wheat.
15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth *
and his word runneth very swiftly.
16 He giveth snow like wool *
and scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.
17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels *
who is able to abide his frost?
18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them *
he bloweth with his wind, and the waters flow.
19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob *
his statutes and ordinances unto Israel.
20 He hath not dealt so with any nation *
neither have the heathen knowledge of his laws.
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 148 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/vjv42mh)
1 O praise the Lord of heaven *
praise him in the height.
2 Praise him, all ye angels of his *
praise him, all his host.
3 Praise him, sun and moon *
praise him, all ye stars and light.
4 Praise him, all ye heavens *
and ye waters that are above the heavens.
5 Let them praise the Name of the Lord *
for he spake the word, and they were made;
he commanded, and they were created.
6 He hath made them fast for ever and ever *
he hath given them a law which shall not be broken.
7 Praise the Lord upon earth *
ye dragons, and all deeps;
8 Fire and hail, snow and vapours *
wind and storm, fulfilling his word;
9 Mountains and all hills *
fruitful trees and all cedars;
10 Beasts and all cattle *
worms and feathered fowls;
11 Kings of the earth and all people *
princes and all judges of the world;
12 Young men and maidens, old men and children,
praise the Name of the Lord *
for his Name only is excellent,
and his praise above heaven and earth.
13 He shall exalt the horn of his people;
all his saints shall praise him *
even the children of Israel,
even the people that serveth him.
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 149 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/rpojt8q)
1 O sing unto the Lord a new song *
let the congregation of saints praise him.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him *
and let the children of Sion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise his Name in the dance *
let them sing praises unto him with tabret and harp.
4 For the Lord hath pleasure in his people *
and helpeth the meek-hearted.
5 Let the saints be joyful with glory *
let them rejoice in their beds.
6 Let the praises of God be in their mouth *
and a two-edged sword in their hands;
7 To be avenged of the heathen *
and to rebuke the people;
8 To bind their kings in chains *
and their nobles with links of iron.
9 That they may be avenged of them, as it is written *
Such honour have all his saints.
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 150 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/vm5vf4z)
1 O praise God in his holiness *
praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him in his noble acts *
praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him in the sound of the trumpet *
praise him upon the lute and harp.
4 Praise him in the cymbals and dances *
praise him upon the strings and pipe.
5 Praise him upon the well-tuned cymbals *
praise him upon the loud cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath *
praise the Lord.
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 147 (BCW Tone: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-147-BCW.mp3)
1 Hallelujah!
How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!
2 The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem; *
he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted *
and binds up their wounds.
4 He counts the number of the stars *
and calls them all by their names.
5 Great is our LORD and mighty in power; *
there is no limit to his wisdom.
6 The LORD lifts up the lowly, *
but casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; *
make music to our God upon the harp.
8 He covers the heavens with clouds *
and prepares rain for the earth;
9 He makes grass to grow upon the mountains *
and green plants to serve mankind.
10 He provides food for flocks and herds *
and for the young ravens when they cry.
11 He is not impressed by the might of a horse; *
he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;
12 But the LORD has pleasure in those who fear him, *
in those who await his gracious favor.
13 Worship the LORD, O Jerusalem; *
praise your God, O Zion;
14 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; *
he has blessed your children within you.
15 He has established peace on your borders; *
he satisfies you with the finest wheat.
16 He sends out his command to the earth, *
and his word runs very swiftly.
17 He gives snow like wool; *
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
18 He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; *
who can stand against his cold?
19 He sends forth his word and melts them; *
he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.
20 He declares his word to Jacob, *
his statutes and his judgments to Israel.
21 He has not done so to any other nation; *
to them he has not revealed his judgments.
Hallelujah!
Psalm 148 (BCW Tone: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-148-BCW.mp3)
1 Hallelujah!
Praise the LORD from the heavens; *
praise him in the heights.
2 Praise him, all you angels of his; *
praise him, all his host.
3 Praise him, sun and moon; *
praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, heaven of heavens, *
and you waters above the heavens.
5 Let them praise the Name of the LORD; *
for he commanded, and they were created.
6 He made them stand fast for ever and ever; *
he gave them a law which shall not pass away.
7 Praise the LORD from the earth, *
you sea-monsters and all deeps;
8 Fire and hail, snow and fog, *
tempestuous wind, doing his will;
9 Mountains and all hills, *
fruit trees and all cedars;
10 Wild beasts and all cattle, *
creeping things and wingèd birds;
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, *
princes and all rulers of the world;
12 Young men and maidens, *
old and young together.
13 Let them praise the Name of the LORD, *
for his Name only is exalted,
his splendor is over earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up strength for his people
and praise for all his loyal servants, *
the children of Israel, a people who are near him.
Hallelujah!
Psalm 149 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-149.mp3)
1 Hallelujah!
Sing to the LORD a new song; *
sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful.
2 Let Israel rejoice in his Maker; *
let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise his Name in the dance; *
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people *
and adorns the poor with victory.
5 Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; *
let them be joyful on their beds.
6 Let the praises of God be in their throat *
and a two-edged sword in their hand;
7 To wreak vengeance on the nations *
and punishment on the peoples;
8 To bind their kings in chains *
and their nobles with links of iron;
9 To inflict on them the judgment decreed; *
this is glory for all his faithful people.
Hallelujah!
Psalm 150 (BCW Tone: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-150-BCW.mp3)
1 Hallelujah!
Praise God in his holy temple; *
praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts; *
praise him for his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the blast of the ram’s-horn; *
praise him with lyre and harp.
4 Praise him with timbrel and dance; *
praise him with strings and pipe.
5 Praise him with resounding cymbals; *
praise him with loud-clanging cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath *
praise the Lord.
Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Loving God,
great builder of the heavenly Jerusalem,
you know the number of the stars and call them by name.
Heal hearts that are broken,
gather those who have been scattered,
and enrich us all from the fullness of your eternal wisdom,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. BCW2018
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
There’s a season for everything
and a time for every matter under the heavens:
a time for giving birth and a time for dying,
a time for planting and a time for uprooting what was planted,
a time for killing and a time for healing,
a time for tearing down and a time for building up,
a time for crying and a time for laughing,
a time for mourning and a time for dancing,
a time for throwing stones and a time for gathering stones,
a time for embracing and a time for avoiding embraces,
a time for searching and a time for losing,
a time for keeping and a time for throwing away,
a time for tearing and a time for repairing,
a time for keeping silent and a time for speaking,
a time for loving and a time for hating,
a time for war and a time for peace.
What do workers gain from all their hard work? I have observed the task that God has given human beings. God has made everything fitting in its time, but has also placed eternity in their hearts, without enabling them to discover what God has done from beginning to end.
I know that there’s nothing better for them but to enjoy themselves and do what’s good while they live. Moreover, this is the gift of God: that all people should eat, drink, and enjoy the results of their hard work.
HYMN: Frances Ridley Havergal
Tune: Christus, der ist mein Leben https://tinyurl.com/djy95rd7
1. Another year is dawning!
Dear Master, let it be,
In working or in waiting,
Another year with thee.
Another year of leaning
Upon thy loving breast,
Of ever deeper trusting,
Of Quiet, happy rest.
2. Another year of mercies,
Of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness
Enlightened by thy face.
Another year of progress,
Another year of praise,
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days.
3. Another year of service,
Of witness for thy love;
Another year of training
For holier work above.
Another year is dawning!
Dear Master, let it be,
On Earth or else in Heaven,
Another year for thee!
READING: 3 John 9-15
I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, doesn’t welcome us. Because of this, if I come, I will bring up what he has done—making unjustified and wicked accusations against us. And as if that were not enough, he not only refuses to welcome the brothers and sisters but stops those who want to do so and even throws them out of the church! Dear friend, don’t imitate what is bad but what is good. Whoever practices what is good belongs to God. Whoever practices what is bad has not seen God.
Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, even the truth itself. We also speak highly of him, and you know that what we say is true.
I have a lot to say to you, but I don’t want to use pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face-to-face. Peace be with you. Your friends here greet you. Greet our friends there by name.
HYMN: Charles Wesley
Tune: Amsterdam https://tinyurl.com/yck3axsv
1 Glory be to God on high,
and peace on earth descend;
God comes down, he bows the sky,
and shows himself our friend!
God the invisible appears,
God the blest, the great I AM,
sojourns in this vale of tears,
and Jesus is his name.
2 Him the angels all adored,
their maker and their king:
tidings of their humbled Lord
they now to mortals bring:
emptied of his majesty,
of his dazzling glories shorn,
being’s source begins to be,
and God himself is born!
3 See the eternal Son of God
a mortal son of man,
dwelling in an earthly clod
whom heaven cannot contain!
Stand amazed ye heavens at this!
See the Lord of earth and skies
humbled to the dust he is,
and in a manger lies!
4 We earth’s children now rejoice,
the Prince of peace proclaim,
with heaven’s host lift up our voice,
and shout Emmanuel’s name;
knees and hearts to him we bow;
of our flesh, and of our bone,
Jesus is our brother now,
and God is all our own!
READING: John 1:16-18
From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace;
as the Law was given through Moses,
so grace and truth came into being through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
God the only Son,
who is at the Father’s side,
has made God known.
CANTICLE Philippians 2:6-11
(Chant by John Michael Talbot: https://tinyurl.com/y8ljx8y7)
Though he was in the form of God,
Jesus did not deem equality with God
something to be grasped at.
Rather, he emptied himself
and took the form of a slave,
being born in the likeness of men.
He was known to be of human estate
and it was thus that he humbled himself,
obediently accepting even death,
death on a cross!
Because of this,
God highly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
above every other name,
So that at Jesus’ name
every knee must bend
in the heavens, on the earth,
and under the earth,
and every tongue proclaim
to the glory of God the Father:
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
THE PRAYERS WS2
We praise and thank you, O Lord,
that you have fed us with your Word and at your table.
Grateful for your gifts and mindful of the communion of your saints,
we offer to you our prayers for all people.
God of compassion,
we remember before you
the poor and the afflicted,
the sick and the dying,
prisoners and all who are lonely,
the victims of war, injustice, and inhumanity,
and all others who suffer from whatever their sufferings may be called.
O Lord of providence
holding the destiny of the nations in your hand,
we pray for our country.
Inspire the hearts and minds of our leaders
that they, together with all our nation,
may first seek your kingdom and righteousness
so that order, liberty, and peace may dwell with your people.
O God the Creator,
we pray for all nations and peoples.
Take away the mistrust and lack of understanding
that divide your creatures;
increase in us the recognition that we are all your children.
O Savior God,
look upon your church in its struggle upon the earth.
Have mercy on its weakness,
bring to an end its unhappy divisions,
and scatter its fears.
Look also upon the ministry of your church.
Increase its courage, strengthen its faith,
and inspire its witness to all people,
even to the ends of the earth.
Author of grace and God of love,
send your Holy Spirit’s blessing to your children here present.
Keep our hearts and thoughts in Jesus Christ, your Son, our only Savior. Amen.
Setting by Eric Wyse:2
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.
Everliving God,
you raised up your servant John Wycliffe
to be a herald of renewal in the church;
give us ears to hear the voice of the prophet,
wisdom to discern the true from the false,
and zeal in your service;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.
FATS For All the Saints, © The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, 2014
WS2 The Worship Sourcebook, 2nd edition, © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources
The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). Psalms 147, 148, and 150 are set to tones in Book of Common Worship and are from the PCUSA website https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/worship/service-lords-day/service-lords-day-psalm/chant-psalms/. Psalm 149 is chanted 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 