George Fox
George Fox was born at Fenny Drayton in Leicestershire in 1624, the son of a weaver, and was himself apprenticed to a shoe-maker. He became something of a wayfarer from 1643 for about three years, loosening all ties with his family and friends. The ‘Inner Light of the Living Christ’ became his watchword in 1646 and he began to preach that the truth could only be found through the Inner Voice speaking directly to each soul. His society of ‘The Friends of Truth’ was formed at about this time, clearly a protest against the authoritarianism of the Presbyterian system, and many believers joined. Because of welcoming God into the soul often whilst in a state of trance, which caused much body movement, Gervase Bennet nicknamed them the Quakers in 1650; although meant as a term of abuse, it quickly became a name they themselves adopted. Fox spent several spells in gaol because of his determination to preach where he would and what he willed; he also made many missionary journeys around England, on the continent and to North America and the West Indies. He had a charismatic personality combined with excellent organisational abilities, which proved a solid foundation for ensuring the continuance of his beliefs and practices. He died on January 13, 1691. EH
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/kstdbwh2
Look toward the Lord and be radiant;
let your faces not be abashed. Psalm 34
Grant us, O Lord, the blessing of those whose minds are stayed on you, so that we may be kept in perfect peace: a peace which cannot be broken. Let not our minds rest upon any creature; but only in the Creator; not upon goods, things, houses, lands, inventions of vanities or foolish fashions, lest, our peace being broken, we become cross and brittle and given over to envy. From all such deliver us, O God, and grant us your peace. Amen. George Fox
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: George Fox
Chant: Paulette Meyer https://tinyurl.com/5jz6zker
Sing and rejoice, ye children of the day and of the Light,
for the Lord is at work
in this thick night of darkness that can be felt.
And the truth doth flourish as the rose,
and the lilies grow among the thorns,
and the plants atop the hills,
above them the lambs do skip and play,
and never heed the tempests nor the storms, floods nor rains,
for the seed Christ is over all and doth reign.
PSALMS
Psalm 71 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ybx8s3ew)
1 In thee, O Lord, have I put my trust,
let me never be put to confusion *
but rid me, and deliver me, in thy righteousness;
incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
2 Be thou my strong hold, whereunto I may alway resort *
thou hast promised to help me,
for thou art my house of defence, and my castle.
3 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the ungodly *
out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
4 For thou, O Lord God, art the thing that I long for *
thou art my hope, even from my youth.
5 Through thee have I been holden up ever since I was born *
thou art he that took me out of my mother’s womb;
my praise shall be always of thee.
6 I am become as it were a monster unto many *
but my sure trust is in thee.
7 O let my mouth be filled with thy praise *
that I may sing of thy glory and honour all the day long.
8 Cast me not away in the time of age *
forsake me not when my strength faileth me.
9 For mine enemies speak against me,
and they that lay wait for my soul take their counsel together, saying *
God hath forsaken him; persecute him, and take him,
for there is none to deliver him.
10 Go not far from me, O God *
my God, haste thee to help me.
11 Let them be confounded and perish that are against my soul *
let them be covered with shame and dishonour that seek to do me evil.
12 As for me, I will patiently abide alway *
and will praise thee more and more.
13 My mouth shall daily speak of thy righteousness and salvation *
for I know no end thereof.
14 I will go forth in the strength of the Lord God *
and will make mention of thy righteousness only.
15 Thou, O God, hast taught me from my youth up until now *
therefore will I tell of thy wondrous works.
16 Forsake me not, O God, in mine old age, when I am gray-headed *
until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation,
and thy power to all them that are yet for to come.
17 Thy righteousness, O God, is very high *
and great things are they that thou hast done;
O God, who is like unto thee?
18 O what great troubles and adversities hast thou shewed me!
and yet didst thou turn and refresh me *
yea, and broughtest me from the deep of the earth again.
19 Thou hast brought me to great honour *
and comforted me on every side.
20 Therefore will I praise thee and thy faithfulness, O God,
playing upon an instrument of musick *
unto thee will I sing upon the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
21 My lips will be fain when I sing unto thee *
and so will my soul whom thou hast delivered.
22 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long *
for they are confounded and brought unto shame
that seek to do me evil.
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 72 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ya9qaxre)
1 Give the King thy judgements, O God *
and thy righteousness unto the King’s son.
2 Then shall he judge thy people according unto right *
and defend the poor.
3 The mountains also shall bring peace *
and the little hills righteousness unto the people.
4 He shall keep the simple folk by their right *
defend the children of the poor, and punish the wrong doer.
5 They shall fear thee, as long as the sun and moon endureth *
from one generation to another.
6 He shall come down like the rain into a fleece of wool *
even as the drops that water the earth.
7 In his time shall the righteous flourish *
yea, and abundance of peace, so long as the moon endureth.
8 His dominion shall be also from the one sea to the other *
and from the flood unto the world’s end.
9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall kneel before him *
his enemies shall lick the dust.
10 The kings of Tharsis and of the isles shall give presents *
the kings of Arabia and Saba shall bring gifts.
11 All kings shall fall down before him *
all nations shall do him service.
12 For he shall deliver the poor when he crieth *
the needy also, and him that hath no helper.
13 He shall be favourable to the simple and needy *
and shall preserve the souls of the poor.
14 He shall deliver their souls from falsehood and wrong *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.
15 He shall live, and unto him shall be given of the gold of Arabia *
prayer shall be made ever unto him, and daily shall he be praised.
16 There shall be an heap of corn in the earth, high upon the hills *
his fruit shall shake like Libanus,
and shall be green in the city like grass upon the earth.
17 His Name shall endure for ever;
his Name shall remain under the sun among the posterities *
which shall be blessed through him; and all the heathen shall praise him.
18 Blessed be the Lord God, even the God of Israel *
which only doeth wondrous things ;
19 And blessed be the Name of his Majesty for ever *
and all the earth shall be filled with his Majesty. Amen, Amen.
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 71 (Gregorian Tone V.1)
1 In you, O Lord, have I put my trust; *
let me never be put to shame.
2 Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; *
incline your ear to me and save me.
3 Be my rock and my refuge, where I may always return; *
you have promised to help me,
for you are my stronghold and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the ungodly, *
out of the hand of the unrighteous and the cruel.
5 For you, O Lord God, are the one I long for; *
you are my hope, even from my youth.
6 Through you have I been upheld ever since I was born; *
you took me out of my mother’s womb;
my praise shall be always of you.
7 I have become a portent to many; *
but you are my refuge and my strength.
8 O let my mouth be filled with your praise, *
that I may sing of your glory all the day long.
9 Cast me not away in the time of old age; *
forsake me not when my strength fails me.
10 For my enemies speak against me,
and those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together. *
They say, “God has forsaken him;
pursue him and take him, for there is none to deliver him.”
11 Go not far from me, O God; *
my God, make haste to help me.
12 Let those who are my adversaries be confounded and perish; *
let those who seek to do me evil be covered with
shame and dishonor.
13 As for me, I will always patiently abide, *
and will praise you more and more.
14 My mouth shall speak daily
of your righteousness and salvation, *
for I know not the end of them.
15 I will go forth in the strength of the Lord God, *
and will make mention of your righteousness, yours alone.
16 You, O God, have taught me from my youth; *
even to this day I am telling of your wondrous works.
17 Forsake me not, O God,
in my old age, when I am gray-headed, *
until I have proclaimed your strength to this generation,
and your power to all those who are yet to come.
18 Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens; *
you have done great things. Who is like you, O God?
19 Oh, what great troubles and adversities you have shown me!
And yet you have turned and refreshed me; *
indeed, you have brought me again
from the depths of the earth.
20 You have brought me to great honor *
and comforted me on every side;
21 Therefore will I praise you and your faithfulness, O God,
playing on a stringed instrument; *
to you will I sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.
22 My lips will rejoice when I sing to you, *
and so will my soul, which you have delivered.
23 My tongue also shall speak of your righteousness all the day long, *
for they are confounded and brought to shame
who seek to do me evil.
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 72 (Gregorian Tone V.1)
1 Give the King your judgments, O God, *
and your righteousness to the King’s son.
2 Then shall he judge your people with righteousness *
and defend the poor with justice.
3 The mountains also shall bring peace, *
and the little hills righteousness to the people.
4 He shall vindicate the poor among the people, *
defend the children of the poor, and punish the wrongdoer.
5 They shall fear you as long as the sun and moon endure, *
from one generation to another.
6 He shall come down like the rain upon the mown grass, *
even as showers that water the earth.
7 In his time shall the righteous flourish, *
even an abundance of peace, so long as the moon endures.
8 His dominion shall be also from one sea to the other, *
and from the river unto the world’s end.
9 Those who dwell in the wilderness shall kneel before him; *
his enemies shall lick the dust.
10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall give presents; *
the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring gifts.
11 All kings shall fall down before him; *
all nations shall do him service.
12 For he shall deliver the poor when he cries, *
the needy also, and the one that has no helper.
13 He shall be favorable to the lowly and needy, *
and shall preserve the lives of the poor.
14 He shall deliver them from falsehood and wrong, *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.
15 Long may he live! And unto him shall be given the gold of Arabia; *
prayer shall ever be made unto him,
and daily shall he be blessed.
16 There shall be an abundance of grain on the earth,
thick upon the hilltops; *
its fruit shall flourish like Lebanon,
its grain like the grass upon the earth.
17 His Name shall endure for ever;
his Name shall remain as long as the sun. *
All the nations shall be blessed through him
and shall call him blessèd.
18 Blessèd be the Lord God, even the God of Israel, *
who alone does wondrous things;
19 And blessèd be the Name of his majesty for ever; *
and all the earth shall be filled with his majesty. Amen, Amen.
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
God our strong fortress,
do not forsake us in youth or old age.
Help us to follow your will
through all our years and under all circumstances,
that forever we may praise your faithfulness;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. BCW2018
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: Genesis 3:1-15
The snake was the most intelligent of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say that you shouldn’t eat from any tree in the garden?”
The woman said to the snake, “We may eat the fruit of the garden’s trees but not the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden. God said, ‘Don’t eat from it, and don’t touch it, or you will die.’”
The snake said to the woman, “You won’t die! God knows that on the day you eat from it, you will see clearly and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” The woman saw that the tree was beautiful with delicious food and that the tree would provide wisdom, so she took some of its fruit and ate it, and also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then they both saw clearly and knew that they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together and made garments for themselves.
During that day’s cool evening breeze, they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden; and the man and his wife hid themselves from the Lord God in the middle of the garden’s trees. The Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” The man replied, “I heard your sound in the garden; I was afraid because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree, which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman you gave me, she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate.” The Lord God said to the woman, “What have you done?!” And the woman said, “The snake tricked me, and I ate.”
The Lord God said to the snake,
“Because you did this,
you are the one cursed
out of all the farm animals,
out of all the wild animals.
On your belly you will crawl,
and dust you will eat
every day of your life.
I will put contempt between you and the woman,
between your offspring and hers.
They will strike your head,
but you will strike at their heels.”
HYMN: John Henry Newman
Tune: Gerontius https://tinyurl.com/yckbb977
1 Praise to the Holiest in the height,
and in the depth be praise:
in all his words most wonderful,
most sure in all his ways.
2 O loving wisdom of our God!
When all was sin and shame,
a second Adam to the fight
and to the rescue came.
3 O wisest love! that flesh and blood,
which did in Adam fail,
should strive afresh against the foe,
should strive and should prevail;
4 And that a higher gift than grace
should flesh and blood refine,
God’s presence and his very self,
and essence all-divine.
5 O generous love! that he, who smote
in Man for man the foe,
the double agony in Man
for man should undergo;
6 And in the garden secretly,
and on the cross on high,
should teach his brethren, and inspire
to suffer and to die.
7 Praise to the Holiest in the height,
and in the depth be praise:
in all his words most wonderful,
most sure in all his ways.
READING: Galatians 2:1-10
Then after fourteen years I went up to Jerusalem again with Barnabas, and I took Titus along also. I went there because of a revelation, and I laid out the gospel that I preach to the Gentiles for them. But I did it privately with the influential leaders to make sure that I wouldn’t be working or that I hadn’t worked for nothing. However, not even Titus, who was with me and who was a Greek, was required to be circumcised. But false brothers and sisters, who were brought in secretly, slipped in to spy on our freedom, which we have in Christ Jesus, and to make us slaves. We didn’t give in and submit to them for a single moment, so that the truth of the gospel would continue to be with you.
The influential leaders didn’t add anything to what I was preaching—and whatever they were makes no difference to me, because God doesn’t show favoritism. But on the contrary, they saw that I had been given the responsibility to preach the gospel to the people who aren’t circumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. The one who empowered Peter to become an apostle to the circumcised empowered me also to be one to the Gentiles. James, Cephas, and John, who are considered to be key leaders, shook hands with me and Barnabas as equals when they recognized the grace that was given to me. So it was agreed that we would go to the Gentiles, while they continue to go to the people who were circumcised. They asked only that we would remember the poor, which was certainly something I was willing to do.
HYMN: Charles Wesley
Tune: St Crispin https://tinyurl.com/atrcnvan
1 Brethren in Christ, and well-belov’d,
To Jesus and His servants dear,
Enter and show yourselves approved;
Enter, and find that God is here.
2 Welcome from earth: lo, the right hand
Of fellowship to you we give!
With open hearts and hands we stand,
And you in Jesu’s name receive.
3 Say, are your hearts resolved as ours?
Then let them burn with sacred love;
Then let them taste the heavenly powers,
Partakers of the joys above.
4 Jesu, attend, Thyself reveal!
Are we not met in Thy great name?
Thee in the midst we wait to feel,
We wait to catch the spreading flame.
5 Thou God that answerest by fire,
The Spirit of burning now impart;
And let the flames of pure desire
Rise from the altar of our heart.
6 Truly our fellowship below
With Thee and with the Father is;
In Thee eternal life we know,
And Heaven’s unutterable bliss.
7 In part we only know Thee here,
But wait Thy coming from above;
And we shall then behold Thee near,
And we shall all be lost in love.
READING: John 1:35-42
The next day John was standing again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus walking along he said, “Look! The Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard what he said, and they followed Jesus.
When Jesus turned and saw them following, he asked, “What are you looking for?” They said, “Rabbi (which is translated Teacher), where are you staying?” He replied, “Come and see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon.
One of the two disciples who heard what John said and followed Jesus was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Christ ). He led him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).
CANTICLE Revelation 11:17-18; 12:10b-12a
(Chant by John Michael Talbot: https://tinyurl.com/ycrn2d4f)
Ant. The Father has given Christ all power, honor, and kingship,
All people will obey him.
We praise you, the Lord God Almighty,
who is and who was.
You have assumed your great power,
you have begun your reign.
the nations have raged in anger,
but then came your day of wrath
and the moment to judge the dead:
the time to reward your servants the prophets
and the holy ones who revere you,
the great and the small alike.
Now have salvation and power come,
the reign of our god and the authority
of his anointed one,
for the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who night and day accused them before God.
They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
So rejoice, you heavens,
and you that dwell therein!
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 BCW2018
We lift our voices in prayer and praise, holy God,
for you have lifted us to new life in Jesus Christ,
and your blessings come in generous measure.
Especially we thank you for
the good news of Jesus Christ for all . . .
the wonder and beauty of creation . . .
the love of family and friends . . .
opportunities for faithful service . . .
particular blessings of this day . . .
We hold up before you human needs, God of compassion,
for you have come to us in Jesus Christ and shared our life
so that we may share his resurrection.
Especially we pray for
the one holy catholic and apostolic church . . .
peace and justice in the world . . .
those in whom we see Christ’s suffering . . .
those who offer Christ’s compassion . . .
particular concerns of this day . . .
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.
God of compassion, you have reconciled us in Jesus Christ, who is our peace: Enable us to live as Jesus lived, breaking down walls of hostility and healing enmity. Give us grace to make peace with those from whom we are divided, that forgiven and forgiving, we may ever be one in Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns for ever, one holy and undivided Trinity. Amen. GCW
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.
EH Exciting Holiness, Ed. Brother Tristram SSF © European Province of the Society of Saint Francis, 1997
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.
AAPB An Australian Prayer Book, © 1978 Anglican Church of Australia
GCW Great Cloud of Witnesses © 2016 The Episcopal Church
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 of Psalms 71 and 72 are from Book of Common Prayer (2019) as recorded for the St Bernard Breviary https://www.bernardbreviary.com/chant-helps.
Compilation © 2026 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 