Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/48bst233
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5
Merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you
with our whole heart and mind and strength.
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be,
so that we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your holy name. Amen. BCW
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: Moir A.J. Waters ©
Tune: New Malden https://tinyurl.com/3dds5pt6
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 102 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/tru8yxv)
1 Hear my prayer, O Lord *
and let my crying come unto thee.
2 Hide not thy face from me in the time of my trouble *
incline thine ear unto me when I call; O hear me, and that right soon.
3 For my days are consumed away like smoke *
and my bones are burnt up as it were a fire-brand.
4 My heart is smitten down, and withered like grass *
so that I forget to eat my bread.
5 For the voice of my groaning *
my bones will scarce cleave to my flesh.
6 I am become like a pelican in the wilderness *
and like an owl that is in the desert.
7 I have watched, and am even as it were a sparrow *
that sitteth alone upon the house-top.
8 Mine enemies revile me all the day long *
and they that are mad upon me are sworn together against me.
9 For I have eaten ashes as it were bread *
and mingled my drink with weeping;
10 And that because of thine indignation and wrath *
for thou hast taken me up, and cast me down.
11 My days are gone like a shadow *
and I am withered like grass.
12 But, thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever *
and thy remembrance throughout all generations.
13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Sion *
for it is time that thou have mercy upon her, yea, the time is come.
14 And why? thy servants think upon her stones *
and it pitieth them to see her in the dust.
15 The heathen shall fear thy Name, O Lord *
and all the kings of the earth thy Majesty;
16 When the Lord shall build up Sion *
and when his glory shall appear;
17 When he turneth him unto the prayer of the poor destitute *
and despiseth not their desire.
18 This shall be written for those that come after *
and the people which shall be born shall praise the Lord.
19 For he hath looked down from his sanctuary *
out of the heaven did the Lord behold the earth;
20 That he might hear the mournings of such as are in captivity *
and deliver the children appointed unto death;
21 That they may declare the Name of the Lord in Sion *
and his worship at Jerusalem;
22 When the people are gathered together *
and the kingdoms also, to serve the Lord.
23 He brought down my strength in my journey *
and shortened my days.
24 But I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of mine age *
as for thy years, they endure throughout all generations.
25 Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth *
and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure *
they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
27 And as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed *
but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
28 The children of thy servants shall continue *
and their seed shall stand fast in thy sight.
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 103 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wclpdz5)
1 Praise the Lord, O my soul *
and all that is within me praise his holy Name.
2 Praise the Lord, O my soul *
and forget not all his benefits;
3 Who forgiveth all thy sin *
and healeth all thine infirmities;
4 Who saveth thy life from destruction *
and crowneth thee with mercy and loving-kindness;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things *
making thee young and lusty as an eagle.
6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgement *
for all them that are oppressed with wrong.
7 He shewed his ways unto Moses *
his works unto the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is full of compassion and mercy *
long-suffering, and of great goodness.
9 He will not alway be chiding *
neither keepeth he his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins *
nor rewarded us according to our wickednesses.
11 For look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth *
so great is his mercy also toward them that fear him.
12 Look how wide also the east is from the west *
so far hath he set our sins from us.
13 Yea, like as a father pitieth his own children *
even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth whereof we are made *
he remembereth that we are but dust.
15 The days of man are but as grass *
for he flourisheth as a flower of the field.
16 For as soon as the wind goeth over it, it is gone *
and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the merciful goodness of the Lord
endureth for ever and ever upon them that fear him *
and his righteousness upon children’s children;
18 Even upon such as keep his covenant *
and think upon his commandments to do them.
19 The Lord hath prepared his seat in heaven *
and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20 O praise the Lord, ye angels of his, ye that excel in strength *
ye that fulfil his commandment, and hearken unto the voice of his words.
21 O praise the Lord, all ye his hosts *
ye servants of his that do his pleasure.
22 O speak good of the Lord, all ye works of his,
in all places of his dominion *
praise thou the Lord, O my soul.
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 102 (LSB Tone I: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-102-LSB.mp3)
1 Hear my prayer, O LORD;*
let my cry come to you!
2 Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress!*
Incline your ear to me;
answer me speedily in the day when I call!
3 For my days pass away like smoke,*
and my bones burn like a furnace.
4 My heart is struck down like grass and has withered;*
I forget to eat my bread.
5 Because of my loud groaning*
my bones cling to my flesh.
6 I am like a desert owl of the wilderness,*
like an owl of the waste places;
7 I lie awake;*
I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.
8 All the day my enemies taunt me;*
those who deride me use my name for a curse.
9 For I eat ashes like bread*
and mingle tears with my drink,
10 because of your indignation and anger;*
for you have taken me up and thrown me down.
11 My days are like an evening shadow;*
I wither away like grass.
12 But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever;*
you are remembered throughout all generations.
13 You will arise and have pity on Zion;*
it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come.
14 For your servants hold her stones dear*
and have pity on her dust.
15 Nations will fear the name of the LORD,*
and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.
16 For the LORD builds up Zion;*
he appears in his glory;
17 he regards the prayer of the destitute*
and does not despise their prayer.
18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come,*
so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD:
19 that he looked down from his holy height;*
from heaven the LORD looked at the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners,*
to set free those who were doomed to die,
21 that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD,*
and in Jerusalem his praise,
22 when peoples gather together,*
and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.
23 He has broken my strength in midcourse;*
he has shortened my days.
24 “O my God,” I say, “take me not away in the midst of my days—*
you whose years endure throughout all generations!”
25 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth,*
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you will remain;*
they will all wear out like a garment.
You will change them like a robe,
and they will pass away,*
27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.
28 The children of your servants shall dwell secure;*
their offspring shall be established before you.
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 103 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-103.mp3)
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, *
and all that is within me, bless his holy Name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, *
and forget not all his benefits.
3 He forgives all your sins *
and heals all your infirmities;
4 He redeems your life from the grave *
and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness;
5 He satisfies you with good things, *
and your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.
6 The LORD executes righteousness *
and judgment for all who are oppressed.
7 He made his ways known to Moses *
and his works to the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is full of compassion and mercy, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.
9 He will not always accuse us, *
nor will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, *
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, *
so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, *
so far has he removed our sins from us.
13 As a father cares for his children, *
so does the LORD care for those who fear him.
14 For he himself knows whereof we are made; *
he remembers that we are but dust.
15 Our days are like the grass; *
we flourish like a flower of the field;
16 When the wind goes over it, it is gone, *
and its place shall know it no more.
17 But the merciful goodness of the LORD endures for ever
on those who fear him, *
and his righteousness on children’s children;
18 On those who keep his covenant *
and remember his commandments and do them.
19 The LORD has set his throne in heaven, *
and his kingship has dominion over all.
20 Bless the LORD, you angels of his,
you mighty ones who do his bidding, *
and hearken to the voice of his word.
21 Bless the LORD, all you his hosts, *
you ministers of his who do his will.
22 Bless the LORD, all you works of his,
in all places of his dominion; *
bless the LORD, O my soul.
PRAYER
Great God, you are one God,
and you bring together what is scattered
and mend what is broken.
Unite us with the scattered peoples of the earth
that we may be one family of your children.
Bind up all our wounds,
and heal us in spirit,
that we may be renewed as disciples
of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. BCW2018
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: Jeremiah 25:30-38
You, therefore, shall prophesy to them all these words and say to them:
The Lord will roar from on high
and from his holy habitation utter his voice;
he will roar mightily against his fold
and shout like those who tread grapes
against all the inhabitants of the earth.
The clamor will resound to the ends of the earth,
for the Lord has an indictment against the nations;
he is entering into judgment with all flesh,
and the guilty he will put to the sword,
says the Lord.
Thus says the Lord of hosts:
See, disaster is spreading
from nation to nation,
and a great tempest is stirring
from the farthest parts of the earth!
Those slain by the Lord on that day shall extend from one end of the earth to the other. They shall not be lamented or gathered or buried; they shall become dung on the surface of the ground.
Wail, you shepherds, and cry out;
roll in ashes, you lords of the flock,
for the days of your slaughter have come—and your dispersions,
and you shall fall like a choice vessel.
Flight shall fail the shepherds,
and there shall be no escape for the lords of the flock.
Listen! The cry of the shepherds
and the wail of the lords of the flock!
For the Lord is despoiling their pasture,
and the peaceful folds are devastated
because of the fierce anger of the Lord.
Like a lion he has left his den,
for their land has become a waste
because of the cruel anger
and because of his fierce anger.
HYMN: Philip Melanchthon; German trans. Paul Eber;
trans. Emmanuel Cronenwett
Tune: Fortunatus New https://tinyurl.com/5m4cc6mu
1 Lord God, we all give praise to Thee
And sing Thy love most gratefully
For the angelic beings bright,
Who hover round Thy throne of light.
2 They slumber not nor rest their feet;
It is their aim and joy most sweet
To be Thy host, Thou mighty Rock,
And guardians o’er Thy little flock.
3 No rest the wicked foe e’er knows;
As roaring lion ’round he goes,
Or lies in wait with desp’rate snare
To bring the Christian to despair.
4 But watchful is the angel-band
That follows Christ on ev’ry hand
And guards Thy holy Christendom
From harm that may from Satan come.
5 For this, now and eternally,
Our praise shall rise, O God, to Thee,
Whom also angel hosts adore
With joy, now and for evermore.
6 We yet would pray Thee to defend
By them, unto the latter end.
Thy fold, that little flock, O Lord,
That holds in honor Thy blest Word!
READING: Hebrews 11:1-16
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain’s. Through this he received approval as righteous, God himself giving approval to his gifts; he died, but through his faith he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death, and “he was not found, because God had taken him.” For it was attested before he was taken away that “he had pleased God.” And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would approach God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance, and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith, with Sarah’s involvement, he received power of procreation, even though he was too old, because he considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”
All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better homeland, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.
HYMN: Mary Dana Shindler
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/mr5hj94c
1 I’m a pilgrim, and I’m a stranger;
I can tarry, I can tarry but a night;
Do not detain me, for I am going
To where the fountains are ever flowing.
Refrain
I’m a pilgrim, and I’m a stranger;
I can tarry, I can tarry but a night.
2 There the glory is ever shining!
O, my longing heart, my longing heart is there;
Here in this country so dark and dreary,
I long have wandered forlorn and weary. [Refrain]
3 There’s the city to which I journey;
My Redeemer, my Redeemer is its light!
There is no sorrow, nor any sighing,
Nor any tears there, or any dying. [Refrain]
READING: Mark 13:14-27
Jesus said, “But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; the one on the housetop must not go down or enter to take anything from the house; the one in the field must not turn back to get a coat. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that it may not be in winter. For in those days there will be suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now and never will be. And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved, but for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he has cut short those days. And if anyone says to you at that time, ‘Look! Here is the Messiah!’ or ‘Look! There he is!’—do not believe it. False messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be alert; I have already told you everything.
“But in those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
“Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels and gather the elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.”
CANTICLE Prayer of Manasseh
(Setting by Joe Cox https://tinyurl.com/4hqmx4jh)
Ant. Your merciful promise is beyond all measure; *
it surpasses all that our minds can fathom.
O Lord and Ruler of the hosts of heaven, *
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
and of all their righteous offspring:
You made the heavens and the earth, *
with all their vast array.
All things quake with fear at your presence; *
they tremble because of your power.
But your merciful promise is beyond all measure; *
it surpasses all that our minds can fathom.
O Lord, you are full of compassion, *
long-suffering, and abounding in mercy.
You hold back your hand; *
you do not punish as we deserve.
In your great goodness, Lord,
you have promised forgiveness to sinners, *
that they may repent of their sin and be saved.
And now, O Lord, I bend the knee of my heart, *
and make my appeal, sure of your gracious goodness.
I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, *
and I know my wickedness only too well.
Therefore I make this prayer to you: *
Forgive me, Lord, forgive me.
Do not let me perish in my sin, *
nor condemn me to the depths of the earth.
For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent, *
and in me you will show forth your goodness.
Unworthy as I am, you will save me,
in accordance with your great mercy, *
and I will praise you without ceasing all the days of my life.
For all the powers of heaven sing your praises, *
and yours is the glory to ages of ages. Amen.
THE PRAYERS WS2
God of our salvation,
we praise you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ,
to suffer for our sins so we may be redeemed.
We are thankful for the reminders of that redemption visible in creation . . .
the nations of the world when they . . .
our nation and those who govern as they . . .
our own community as it . . .
the church universal as it seeks to . . .
our local church as it . . .
the lives of those near to us . . .
our own life as we experience your saving grace . . .
We also ask that
as the source of the world’s hope and redemption
you hear our prayers on behalf of
all creation . . .
the nations of the world . . .
our nation and those in authority . . .
the community and those who govern . . .
the church universal, its mission, and those who minister . . .
our church and its ministry . . .
those with particular needs . . .
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 justice and peace,
from the heavens you rain down mercy and kindness,
that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder
before your marvelous deeds.
Raise our heads in expectation,
that we may yearn for the coming day of the Lord
and stand without blame before your Son, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. RCLP
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
WS2 The Worship Sourcebook, 2nd edition, © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources
RCLP Revised Common Lectionary Prayers. © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.
The main scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language version of Psalm 102 is from Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, and is from the Next to the Word of God YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkVRYL-MRebncw584Ql2xfg. Psalm 103 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 © 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 