Oremus for February 28, 2026

Martin Bucer
Martin Bucer (11 November 1491 – 28 February 1551) was a German Protestant reformer based in Strasbourg who influenced Lutheran, Calvinist, and Anglican doctrines and practices. Bucer was originally a member of the Dominican Order, but after meeting and being influenced by Martin Luther in 1518 he arranged for his monastic vows to be annulled. He then began to work for the Reformation. Bucer believed that the Catholics in the Holy Roman Empire could be convinced to join the Reformation. Through a series of conferences organised by Charles V, he tried to unite Protestants and Catholics to create a German national church separate from Rome. He did not achieve this, as political events led to the Schmalkaldic War and the retreat of Protestantism within the Empire. In 1548, Bucer was persuaded, under duress, to sign the Augsburg Interim, which imposed certain forms of Catholic worship. However, he continued to promote reforms until the city of Strasbourg accepted the Interim, and forced him to leave. In 1549, Bucer was exiled to England, where, under the guidance of Thomas Cranmer, he was able to influence the second revision of the Book of Common Prayer. He died in Cambridge, England, at the age of 59. Although his ministry did not lead to the formation of a new denomination, many Protestant denominations have claimed him as one of their own. He is remembered as an early pioneer of ecumenism. ^Wikipedia

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/2p95hm74

Of you my heart has spoken: Seek his face.
It is your face, O Lord, that I seek;
hide not your face from me. Psalm 27

Almighty, gracious Father, forasmuch as our whole salvation depends upon our true understanding of your holy Word, grant to all of us that our hearts, being freed from worldly affairs, may hear and apprehend your holy Word with all diligence and faith, that we may rightly understand your gracious will, cherish it, and live by it with all earnestness, to your praise and honor; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. ^Bucer

Music: https://tinyurl.com/ufxekitx

God, come to my assistance.
Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory 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.

HYMN: Fred Pratt Green ©
Tune: Dunedin https://tinyurl.com/czhre3m8

1 The church of Christ, in ev’ry age
beset by change but Spirit-led,
must claim and test its heritage,
and keep on rising from the dead.

2 Then let the servant church arise,
a caring church that longs to be
a partner in Christ’s sacrifice,
and clothed in Christ’s humanity.

3 We have no mission but to serve
in full obedience to our Lord,
to care for all, without reserve,
and spread his liberating word.

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: Jeremiah 5:1-9
Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem,
look around and take note!
Search its squares and see
if you can find one person
who acts justly
and seeks truth—
so that I may pardon Jerusalem.
Although they say, “As the Lord lives,”
yet they swear falsely.
O Lord, do your eyes not look for truth?
You have struck them,
but they felt no anguish;
you have consumed them,
but they refused to take correction.
They have made their faces harder than rock;
they have refused to turn back.

Then I said, “These are only the poor;
they have no sense,
for they do not know the way of the Lord,
the law of their God.
Let me go to the rich
and speak to them;
surely they know the way of the Lord,
the law of their God.”
But they all alike had broken the yoke;
they had burst the bonds.

Therefore a lion from the forest shall kill them;
a wolf from the desert shall destroy them.
A leopard is watching against their cities;
everyone who goes out of them shall be torn in pieces,
because their transgressions are many;
their faithlessness is great.

How can I pardon you?
Your children have forsaken me
and have sworn by those who are no gods.
When I fed them to the full,
they committed adultery
and trooped to the houses of prostitutes.
They were well-fed lusty stallions,
each neighing for his neighbor’s wife.
Shall I not punish them for these things?
says the Lord,
and shall I not bring retribution
on a nation such as this?

HYMN: Psalm 53; para. vv. 1-4, 6 Sing Psalms, alt.;
v. 5 Book of Psalms for Worship
Tune: Southwell https://tinyurl.com/yc2hvj9e

1 The fools speak in their hearts;
“There is no God,” they say.
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
none walk in God’s own way.

2 The LORD looks down from heaven
upon the human race
to see if any understand,
if any seek God’s face.

3 They all have turned aside;
corrupt they have become.
Not one of them does any good—
no, not a single one.

4 Will sinners never learn?
My people they’ve devoured
as if they were consuming bread;
they never seek the LORD.

5 Once fearless, now they fear;
God scatters all their bones;
and you will put your foes to shame
as God’s rejected ones.

6 May help from Zion come!
The LORD his captives bring!
And then let Jacob’s tribes be glad;
for joy let Israel sing!

READING: James 4:1-12
Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it, so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it, so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures. Adulterers! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you suppose that the scripture speaks to no purpose? Does the spirit that God caused to dwell in us desire envy? But God gives all the more grace; therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters. Whoever speaks evil against another or judges another speaks evil against the law and judges the law, but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. So who, then, are you to judge your neighbor?

HYMN: Lelia Morris
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/4wc8nkme

1 Nearer, still nearer— close to Thy heart,
draw me, my Savior, so precious Thou art;
fold me, O fold me close to Thy breast;
shelter me safe in that Haven of Rest,
shelter me safe in that Haven of Rest.

2 Nearer, still nearer— nothing I bring,
naught as an off’ring to Jesus, my King–
only my sinful, now contrite heart;
grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart,
grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.

3 Nearer, still nearer— Lord, to be Thine,
sin with its follies I gladly resign–
all of its pleasures, pomp and its pride;
give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified,
give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified.

4 Nearer, still nearer— while life shall last,
till safe in glory my anchor is cast;
through endless ages, ever to be
nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee,
nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee.

READING: Mark 9:30-37
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it, for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.

Then they came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them, and taking it in his arms he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

CANTICLE Isaiah 12:2-6

Surely, it is God who saves me; *
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, *
and he will be my Savior.
Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing *
from the springs of salvation.
And on that day you shall say, *
Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name;
Make his deeds known among the peoples; *
see that they remember that his Name is exalted.
Sing the praises of the Lord, for he has done great things, *
and this is known in all the world.
Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy, *
for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.
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.

LITANY OF CONFESSION ^CW:TS

We pray to the Lord for courage to give up other things
and to give ourselves to him this Lent.

Give your Church the courage
to give up her preoccupation with herself
and to give more time to your mission in the world.