Oremus for April 28, 2026

Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery, Guercino, 1621

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/fuads5xa

I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord.
Should they cry to me in any distress,
I will hear them, and I will be their Lord for ever.

God of all who worship you,
make us one with all your saints
and with any who are in need.
Teach us to befriend the weak,
and welcome the outcast,
that we may serve the Lord Jesus Christ
and live to offer him glory.
In his holy name we pray. Amen. BCW2018

Music: https://tinyurl.com/mb6h9xfa

O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise.
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.
Alleluia, alleluia!

HYMN: Charles Wesley
Tune: St Chrysostom https://tinyurl.com/3f72m7pw

1 O JESUS, full of truth and grace,
More full of grace than I of sin,
Yet once again I seek Thy face;
Open Thine arms and take me in,
And freely my backslidings heal,
And love the faithless sinner still.

2 Thou know’st the way to bring me back,
My fallen spirit to restore:
O, for Thy Truth and mercy’s sake,
Forgive, and bid me sin no more;
The ruins of my soul repair,
And make my heart a house of prayer.

3 The stone to flesh do Thou convert,
The trait of sinfulness remove;
O speak into my wayward heart,
And melt it down by dying love;
This rebel heart, O now subdue,
And make it tender, form it new.

4 O give me, Lord, the tender heart
That trembles at the approach of sin;
A godly fear of sin impart,
Implant, and root it deep within,
That I may dread Thy gracious power,
And never dare offend Thee more.

PSALMS

Psalm 136 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y7f3bagv)
1  O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious *
 and his mercy endureth for ever.
2  O give thanks unto the God of all gods *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
3  O thank the Lord of all lords *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
4  Who only doeth great wonders *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
5  Who by his excellent wisdom made the heavens *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
6  Who laid out the earth above the waters *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
7  Who hath made great lights *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
8  The sun to rule the day *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
9  The moon and the stars to govern the night *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
10  Who smote Egypt with their first-born *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
11  And brought out Israel from among them *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
12  With a mighty hand, and stretched out arm *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
13  Who divided the Red sea in two parts *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
14  And made Israel to go through the midst of it *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
15  But as for Pharaoh and his host, he overthrew them in the Red sea *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
16  Who led his people through the wilderness *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
17  Who smote great kings *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
18  Yea, and slew mighty kings *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
19  Sehon king of the Amorites *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
20  And Og the king of Basan *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
21  And gave away their land for an heritage *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
22  Even for an heritage unto Israel his servant *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
23  Who remembered us when we were in trouble *
 for his mercy endureth for ever;
24  And hath delivered us from our enemies *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
25  Who giveth food to all flesh *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
26  O give thanks unto the God of heaven *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
27  O give thanks unto the Lord of lords *
 for his mercy endureth for ever.
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 137 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yd8m98dk)
1  By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept *
 when we remembered thee, O Sion.
2  As for our harps, we hanged them up *
 upon the trees that are therein.
3  For they that led us away captive required of us then a song, and melody, in our heaviness *
 Sing us one of the songs of Sion.
4  How shall we sing the Lord’s song *
 in a strange land?
5  If I forget thee, O Jerusalem *
 let my right hand forget her cunning.
6  If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth *
 yea if I prefer not Jerusalem in my mirth.
7  Remember the children of Edom, O Lord, in the day of Jerusalem *
 how they said, Down with it, down with it, even to the ground.
8  O daughter of Babylon, wasted with misery *
 yea, happy shall he be that rewardeth thee, as thou hast served us.
9  Blessed shall he be that taketh thy children *
 and throweth them against the stones.
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 138 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y85o6fdm)
1  I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, with my whole heart *
 even before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2  I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy Name,
because of thy loving-kindness and truth *
 for thou hast magnified thy Name, and thy Word, above all things.
3  When I called upon thee, thou heardest me *
 and enduedst my soul with much strength.
4  All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord *
 for they have heard the words of thy mouth.
5  Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord *
 that great is the glory of the Lord.
6  For though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly *
 as for the proud, he beholdeth them afar off.
7  Though I walk in the midst of trouble, yet shalt thou refresh me *
 thou shalt stretch forth thy hand upon the furiousness of mine enemies,
and thy right hand shall save me.
8  The Lord shall make good his loving-kindness toward me *
 yea, thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever;
despise not then the works of thine own hands.
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 136 (LSB Tone J: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-136-LSB.mp3
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 to him who alone does great wonders,*
for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
17 to him who struck down great kings,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever.
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,*
 for his steadfast love endures forever.
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 137 (Babylon’s Streams https://tinyurl.com/3fcrz2n4)

1 By flowing streams in Babylon,
when we remembered Zion there,
we sat down and we wept in grief;
2 on willows there we hung our lyres.

3 For there our captors called for songs,
our cruel tormentors asked for mirth.
They called for us to sing to them:
“Come, sing us one of Zion’s songs!”

4 But how can we the LORD’s song sing,
when we are in a foreign land?
5 If I forget Jerusalem,
let my right hand forget its skill!

6 O let my tongue to my palate cleave
if I do not remember you,
if I set not Jerusalem
above my greatest, highest joy.

7 Remember Edom’s sons, O LORD,
who uttered in Jerus’lem’s day.
“O lay it bare, O lay it bare!
Destroy down to the ground its base.”

8 O Bab’lon’s daughter, doomed to die,
blest be the one repaying you.
Blest they who take your little ones
and dash them cruelly ’gainst the rock!

Psalm 138 (LSB Tone C https://tinyurl.com/8ca427za)
1 I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;*
 before the gods I sing your praise
2 I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name
for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,*
 for you have exalted above all things
 your name and your word.
3 On the day I called, you answered me;*
 my strength of soul you increased.
4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD,*
 for they have heard the words of your mouth,
5 and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD,*
 for great is the glory of the LORD.
6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly,*
 but the haughty he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;*
 you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;*
 your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
 Do not forsake the work of your hands.
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

Compassionate God,
you look with favor upon the lowly.
Keep us safe in the midst of trouble,
make known your love in our words and deeds,
and bring us to new life
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. BCW2018

THE WORD OF GOD
READING: Isaiah 49:8-13
Thus says the Lord:
In a time of favor I have answered you;
on a day of salvation I have helped you;
I have kept you and given you
as a covenant to the people,
to establish the land,
to apportion the desolate heritages,
saying to the prisoners, “Come out,”
to those who are in darkness, “Show yourselves.”
They shall feed along the ways;
on all the bare heights shall be their pasture;
they shall not hunger or thirst,
neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them down,
for he who has pity on them will lead them
and by springs of water will guide them.
And I will turn all my mountains into a road,
and my highways shall be raised up.
Look, some shall come from far away,
some from the north and from the west,
and some from the land of Syene.

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;
break forth, O mountains, into singing!
For the Lord has comforted his people
and will have compassion on his suffering ones.

HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: Africa

1 Now shall my inward joys arise,
And burst into a song,
Almighty love inspires my heart
And pleasure tunes my tongue.

2 Oh shine on this benighted heart,
With beams of mercy shine,
And let the healing voice impart
A taste of joys divine.

3 Oh for this love let rocks and hills
Their lasting silence break,
And all harmonious human tongues
The Savior’s praises speak.

4 Angels assist our mighty joys,
Strike all your harps of gold,
And when you raise your highest notes,
This love shall e’er be told.

5 The generous fruits that never fail
On trees immortal grow;
There rocks and hills and brooks and vales
With milk and honey flow.

READING: Colossians 2:16-3:4
Therefore, do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food or drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or Sabbaths. These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the body belongs to Christ. Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, initiatory visions, puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and tendons, grows with a growth that is from God.

If with Christ you died to the elemental principles of the world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? All these regulations refer to things that perish with use; they are simply human commands and teachings. These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence.

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

HYMN: Bert Polman ©
Tune: Arirang

1 Christ, you are the fullness of God,
firstborn of everything.
For by you all things were made;
you hold them up.
You are the head of the church,
which is your body.
Firstborn from the dead,
you in all things are supreme!

2 Since we have been raised with you,
Lord, help keep our hearts and minds
pure and set on things that build
your rule o’er all the earth.
All our life is now hidden
with you in God.
When you come again,
we will share your glory.

3 Help us live in peace
as true members of your body.
Let your word dwell richly in us
as we teach and sing.
Thanks and praise be to God
through you, Lord Jesus.
In whate’er we do let your name
receive the praise!

READING: John 8:1-11
Then each of them went home,while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and, making her stand before all of them, they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”

CANTICLE Revelation 4:11, 5:9-10, 13
(Chant by Joe Cox: https://tinyurl.com/y499lmmp)

Ant. Splendor and honor and kingly power *
are yours by right, O Lord our God,
For you created everything that is, *
and by your will they were created and have their being;
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, *
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
From every family, language, people, and nation, *
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
And so, to him who sits upon the throne, *
and to Christ the Lamb,
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor, *
for ever and for evermore. Ant.

THE PRAYERS PWC

May we live as those who believe in the triumph of the cross.
Redeemer of Israel, hear our prayer.
May all people receive the good news of Christ’s victory.
Redeemer of Israel, hear our prayer.
May those born to new life in the waters of baptism
know the power of Christ’s resurrection.
Redeemer of Israel, hear our prayer.
May those who suffer pain and anguish
find healing and peace in the compassion of Christ.
Redeemer of Israel, hear our prayer.
May we be united in Christ’s undying love
with all who have passed through the gates of death.
Redeemer of Israel, hear our prayer.

(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.

God of all power,
you called from death our Lord Jesus,
the great shepherd of the sheep.
Send us as shepherds to rescue the lost,
to heal the injured,
and to feed one another
with knowledge and understanding;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen. BCW

https://tinyurl.com/rkxkpmc
Go in peace, alleluia, alleluia!
Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia!

Glory to God whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine:
Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church,
and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.    Ephesians 3:20,21


BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.

BCW2018 Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 2018

PWC PRAY WITHOUT CEASING: Morning and Evening Prayer for the Seasons of the Church Year Prepared by The Rev’d Dr Richard Geoffrey Leggett on behalf of The Liturgy Task Force of the Anglican Church of Canada, May 2016.

ELW The Lord’s Prayer is from Setting Five in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.

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 versions of Psalms 136 and 138 are in the version used in Lutheran Service Book: Pew Edition Concordia Publishing House, and are from the Next to the Word of God YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkVRYL-MRebncw584Ql2xfg. Psalm 137 is adapted from Trinity Psalter Hymnal.

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.

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