Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/w94vju7
Remember your word to your servant, O Lord,
by which you have given me hope.
This is my comfort when I am brought low. Psalm 119
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: Moir A. J. Waters ©
Tune: Unser Herrscher https://tinyurl.com/mr44j6km
1 Herald, sound the note of judgment,
Warning us of right and wrong,
Turning us from sin and sadness
Till once more we sing the song.
Refrain:
Sound the trumpet! Tell the message:
Christ, the Savior King, is come!
2 Herald, sound the note of gladness;
Tell the news that Christ is here;
Make a pathway through the desert
For the one who brings God near. [Refrain]
3 Herald, sound the note of pardon–
Those repenting are forgiv’n;
God receives his wayward children,
And to them new life is giv’n. [Refrain]
4 Herald, sound the note of triumph;
Christ has come to share our life,
Bringing God’s own love and power,
Granting vict’ry in our strife. [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: Genesis 7:1-12
The Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark with your whole household, because among this generation I’ve seen that you are a moral man. From every clean animal, take seven pairs, a male and his mate; and from every unclean animal, take one pair, a male and his mate; and from the birds in the sky as well, take seven pairs, male and female, so that their offspring will survive throughout the earth. In seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights. I will wipe off from the fertile land every living thing that I have made.”
Noah did everything the Lord commanded him.
Noah was 600 years old when the floodwaters arrived on earth. Noah, his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives with him entered the ark to escape the floodwaters. From the clean and unclean animals, from the birds and everything crawling on the ground, two of each, male and female, went into the ark with Noah, just as God commanded Noah. After seven days, the floodwaters arrived on the earth. In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day—on that day all the springs of the deep sea erupted, and the windows in the skies opened. It rained on the earth forty days and forty nights.
HYMN: Mary Louise Bringle ©
Tune: Bryn Calfaria https://tinyurl.com/bdhx5bsw
1 As the waters rise around us,
and the winds rage overhead;
as destruction’s wake confounds us
with its mounting toll of dead:
Refrain:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Hear your people’s yearning cry.
Hear your people’s yearning cry.
2 Numb with grief, our hearts are heavy,
seeking courage to endure
as the harshest cost is levied
on the poorest of the poor. [Refrain]
3 Homes and city streets are ravaged,
many lost beyond repair.
Brooding Spirit, help us salvage
signs of life from such despair. [Refrain]
4 Gracious God, your strong compassion
stilled the storm and parted seas.
Free and lead us till we fashion
worlds of justice, hope, and peace. [Refrain]
READING: Galatians 4:1-20
I’m saying that as long as the heirs are minors, they are no different from slaves, though they really are the owners of everything. However, they are placed under trustees and guardians until the date set by the parents. In the same way, when we were minors, we were also enslaved by this world’s system. But when the fulfillment of the time came, God sent his Son, born through a woman, and born under the Law. This was so he could redeem those under the Law so that we could be adopted. Because you are sons and daughters, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son or daughter, and if you are his child, then you are also an heir through God.
At the time, when you didn’t know God, you were enslaved by things that aren’t gods by nature. But now, after knowing God (or rather, being known by God), how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless world system? Do you want to be slaves to it again? You observe religious days and months and seasons and years. I’m afraid for you! Perhaps my hard work for you has been for nothing.
I beg you to be like me, brothers and sisters, because I have become like you! You haven’t wronged me. You know that I first preached the gospel to you because of an illness. Though my poor health burdened you, you didn’t look down on me or reject me, but you welcomed me as if I were an angel from God, or as if I were Christ Jesus! Where then is the great attitude that you had? I swear that, if possible, you would have dug out your eyes and given them to me. So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? They are so concerned about you, though not with good intentions. Rather, they want to shut you out so that you would run after them. However, it’s always good to have people concerned about you with good intentions, and not just when I’m there with you. My little children, I’m going through labor pains again until Christ is formed in you. But I wish I could be with you now and change how I sound, because I’m at a loss about you.
HYMN: Shirley Erena Murray ©
Tune: Omni die https://tinyurl.com/yw9exjws
1 Loving Spirit, loving Spirit,
you have chosen me to be;
you have drawn me to your wonder,
you have set your sign on me.
2 Like a mother you enfold me,
hold my life within your own,
feed me with your very body,
form me of your flesh and bone.
3 Like a father you protect me,
teach me the discerning eye,
hoist me up upon your shoulder,
let me see the world from high.
4 Friend and lover, in your closeness
I am known and held and blest:
in your promise is my comfort,
in your presence I may rest.
5 Loving Spirit, loving Spirit,
you have chosen me to be;
you have drawn me to your wonder,
you have set your sign on me.
READING: Matthew 3:1-12
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the desert of Judea announcing, “Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!” He was the one of whom Isaiah the prophet spoke when he said:
The voice of one shouting in the wilderness,
“Prepare the way for the Lord;
make his paths straight.”
John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.
People from Jerusalem, throughout Judea, and all around the Jordan River came to him. As they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. Many Pharisees and Sadducees came to be baptized by John. He said to them, “You children of snakes! Who warned you to escape from the angry judgment that is coming soon? Produce fruit that shows you have changed your hearts and lives. And don’t even think about saying to yourselves, Abraham is our father. I tell you that God is able to raise up Abraham’s children from these stones. The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be chopped down and tossed into the fire. I baptize with water those of you who have changed your hearts and lives. The one who is coming after me is stronger than I am. I’m not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. The shovel he uses to sift the wheat from the husks is in his hands. He will clean out his threshing area and bring the wheat into his barn. But he will burn the husks with a fire that can’t be put out.”
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.
Lord of light,
who sent the Baptist
to offer hope and face the world’s scorn:
open our ears to hear
the cries from the margins,
exposing our fears,
inciting our vision
and calling us to a step of faith;
through Jesus Christ, the one who is to come. Amen. PIC
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.
PIC Prayers for An Inclusive Church, Steven Shakespeare
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 © 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 