Alcuin
Alcuin was descended from a noble Northumbrian family. Although the date and place of his birth are not known, he was probably born in the year 735 in or near York. He entered the cathedral school there as a child, continued as a Scholar and became Master. In 781, he went to Aachen as adviser to Charlemagne on religious and educational matters and as Master of the Palace School, where he established an important library. Although not a monk and in deacon’s orders, in 796 he became Abbot of Tours, where he died in the year 804. Alcuin wrote poetry, revised the lectionary, compiled a sacramentary and was involved in other significant liturgical work. EH
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/589h5dmw
With the Lord there is mercy;
in him is plentiful redemption. Psalm 130
O eternal Light, shine into our hearts.
O eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil.
O eternal Power, be our support.
Eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance.
Eternal Pity, have mercy on us.
Grant that with all our hearts, and minds, and strength,
we may always seek your face.
In your infinite mercy, bring us into your holy presence.
Strengthen our weakness
that we follow in the footsteps of your blessed Son,
obtain your mercy,
and enter your promised joy. Amen. Alcuin
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: Alcuin of York; para. Christopher Idle ©
Tune: Herongate https://tinyurl.com/bdhpnby5
1 Eternal light, shine in my heart;
eternal hope, lift up my eyes:
eternal power, be my support;
eternal wisdom, make me wise.
2 Eternal life, raise me from death;
eternal brightness, make me see:
eternal Spirit, give me breath;
eternal Saviour, come to me:
3 Until by your most costly grace,
invited by your holy word,
at last I come before your face
to know you, my eternal God.
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: Ezekiel 34:1-8
The word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: To the shepherds—thus says the Lord God: Woe, you shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat; you clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatted calves, but you do not feed the sheep. You have not strengthened the weak; you have not healed the sick; you have not bound up the injured; you have not brought back the strays; you have not sought the lost, but with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and scattered they became food for all the wild animals. My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill; my sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with no one to search or seek for them.
Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As I live, says the Lord God, because my sheep have become a prey and my sheep have become food for all the wild animals, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves and have not fed my sheep.
HYMN: Mary Ann Thomson
Tune: Tidings https://tinyurl.com/29rwwxs5
1 O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling,
to tell to all the world that God is Light;
that He who made all nations is not willing
one soul should perish, lost in shades of night.
Refrain:
Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace;
tidings of Jesus, redemption, and release.
2 Behold, how many thousands still are lying,
bound in the darksome prison-house of sin,
with none to tell them of the Savior’s dying,
or of the life He died for them to win. [Refrain]
3 Proclaim to ev’ry people, tongue, and nation
that God, in whom they live and move, is love;
tell how He stooped to save His lost creation,
and died on earth that we might live above. [Refrain]
4 Give of thy sons to bear the message glorious;
give of thy wealth to speed them on their way;
pour out thy soul for them in prayer victorious;
O Zion, haste to bring the brighter day. [Refrain]
READING: 1 Corinthians 12:24b-31
But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work powerful deeds? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
HYMN: Rusty Edwards ©
Tune: Nyland https://tinyurl.com/4n9r2zuz
1 We all are one in mission;
we all are one in call,
our varied gifts united
by Christ, the Lord of all.
A single, great commission
compels us from above
to plan and work together
that all may know Christ’s love.
2 We all are called for service
to witness in God’s name.
Our ministries are different;
our purpose is the same:
to touch the lives of others
by God’s surprising grace,
so every folk and nation
may feel God’s warm embrace.
3 Now let us be united
and let our song be heard.
Now let us be a vessel
for God’s redeeming word.
We all are one in mission;
we all are one in call,
our varied gifts united
by Christ, the Lord of all.
READING: John 17:1-6
After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.”
CANTICLE Revelation 19:1-7
(Mount St. Mary’s Seminary https://tinyurl.com/57f9sztd)
Ant. Praise God, all you who serve him,
both great and small, alleluia.
Alleluia.
Salvation, glory, and power to our God: alleluia.
his judgments are honest and true.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Alleluia.
Sing praise to our God, all you his servants, alleluia.
all who worship him reverently, great and small.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Alleluia.
The Lord our all-powerful God is King; alleluia.
Let us rejoice, sing praise, and give him glory.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Alleluia.
The wedding feast of the Lamb has begun, alleluia.
and his bride is prepared to welcome him.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, alleluia.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Ant. Praise God, all you who serve him,
both great and small, alleluia.
THE PRAYERS Church of Scotland
Loving God,
We ask for the gift of your Holy Spirit
to help us pray as we ought.
Holy Spirit, help us.
We ask for the energy and vision of your Spirit
for those who are tiring in the battle against injustice and oppression:
for those exhausted by the struggle with poverty and hunger.
Holy Spirit, help us.
We ask for the hope and comfort of your Spirit
for those whose lives are overshadowed by illness or pain;
for those whose lives are darkened by sorrow or bereavement.
Holy Spirit, help us.
We ask for the peace and joy of your Spirit
for those living in the shadow of war and violence;
for those eaten up by guilt and anxiety
and whose Christian life has become hard and dry.
Holy Spirit, help us.
We ask for the guidance and strength of your Spirit
for those uncertain how to use their time, talents and gifts;
for those tempted to do what is wrong.
Holy Spirit, help us.
We ask for the love and courage of your Spirit
for those reaching out to comfort the distressed;
for those reaching out to others with the Good News of Christ.
Holy Spirit, help us.
Loving God,
We ask for the assurance of your Spirit
to know your presence with us in our daily lives:
in our relationships;
in our work and service;
in our worship;
in our times of joy and pain.
Holy Spirit, help us.
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 Wisdom, Eternal Light,
who shone in the heart of your servant Alcuin,
revealing to him your power and pity:
scatter the darkness of our ignorance
that, with all our heart and mind and strength,
we may seek your face
and be brought with all your saints
to your holy presence;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen. EH
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
EH Exciting Holiness Edited by Brother Tristam SSF, © European Province of the Society of Saint Francis, 1997
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 