Nicolaus Copernicus
Born in 1473, Nicolaus Copernicus first studied law and medicine before serving as a cleric under the direction of his uncle, the Bishop of Warmia (in northeastern Poland). Copernicus first set forth his heliocentric theory of astronomy in a small work called the Commentariolus, which was not published until 1878. His argument that the sun, rather than the earth, was the center of the universe around which the planets rotated was developed fully in his 1543 opus De Revolutionibus Orbium Caelestium. The initial ecclesiastical reaction to his revolutionary theory was somewhat muted, but when his thought was further developed by Galileo, the religious debate was intensified, and De Revolutionibus was placed on the index of banned books. Copernicus had originally dedicated his work to the Pope, and he saw no conflict between his theory and the authority of Scripture. He died on May 24, 1543. HWHM
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/s8xhjts8
Within your will, O Lord, all things are established,
and there is none that can resist your will.
For you have made all things, the heaven and the earth,
and all that is held within the circle of heaven;
you are the Lord of all. Esther 4:17
Empowering God,
we pray that you will send your Holy Spirit
to move us to understanding;
to help us to believe the gospel;
to give us strength and wisdom to live by it. Amen. WS2
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: John W Chadwick
Tune: Song 1 https://tinyurl.com/4a9e7afu
1 Eternal Ruler of the ceaseless round
of circling planets singing on their way;
guide of the nations from the night profound
into the glory of the perfect day;
rule in our hearts, that we may ever be
guided and strengthened and upheld by thee.
2 We are of thee, the children of thy love,
the brothers of thy well-belovèd Son;
descend, O Holy Spirit, like a dove,
into our hearts, that we may be as one:
as one with thee, to whom we ever tend;
as one with him, our Brother and our Friend.
3 We would be one in hatred of all wrong,
one in our love of all things sweet and fair,
one with the joy that breaketh into song,
one with the grief that trembles into prayer,
one in the power that makes thy children free
to follow truth, and thus to follow thee.
4 O clothe us with thy heavenly armour, Lord,
thy trusty shield, thy sword of love divine;
our inspiration be thy constant word;
we ask no victories that are not thine:
give or withhold, let pain or pleasure be;
enough to know that we are serving thee.
PSALMS
Psalm 110 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wo7aol8)
1 The Lord said unto my Lord *
Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2 The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion *
be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine enemies.
3 In the day of thy power shall the people offer thee
free-will offerings with an holy worship *
the dew of thy birth is of the womb of the morning.
4 The Lord sware, and will not repent *
Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech.
5 The Lord upon thy right hand *
shall wound even kings in the day of his wrath.
6 He shall judge among the heathen; he shall fill the places with the dead bodies *
and smite in sunder the heads over divers countries.
7 He shall drink of the brook in the way *
therefore shall he lift up his head.
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 111 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/vddmean)
1 I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart *
secretly among the faithful, and in the congregation.
2 The works of the Lord are great *
sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3 His work is worthy to be praised, and had in honour *
and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 The merciful and gracious Lord hath so done his marvellous works *
that they ought to be had in remembrance.
5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him *
he shall ever be mindful of his covenant.
6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works *
that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7 The works of his hands are verity and judgement *
all his commandments are true.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever *
and are done in truth and equity.
9 He sent redemption unto his people *
he hath commanded his covenant for ever; holy and reverend is his Name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom *
a good understanding have all they that do thereafter;
the praise of it 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 112 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yxyhobau)
1 Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord *
he hath great delight in his commandments.
2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth *
the generation of the faithful shall be blessed.
3 Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house *
and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness *
he is merciful, loving, and righteous.
5 A good man is merciful, and lendeth *
and will guide his words with discretion.
6 For he shall never be moved *
and the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.
7 He will not be afraid of any evil tidings *
for his heart standeth fast, and believeth in the Lord.
8 His heart is established, and will not shrink *
until he see his desire upon his enemies.
9 He hath dispersed abroad, and given to the poor *
and his righteousness remaineth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
10 The ungodly shall see it, and it shall grieve him *
he shall gnash with his teeth, and consume away;
the desire of the ungodly shall perish.
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 113 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/s3ye4cx)
1 Praise the Lord, ye servants *
O praise the Name of the Lord.
2 Blessed be the Name of the Lord *
from this time forth for evermore.
3 The Lord’s Name is praised *
from the rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same.
4 The Lord is high above all heathen *
and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like unto the Lord our God that hath his dwelling so high *
and yet humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and earth?
6 He taketh up the simple out of the dust *
and lifteth the poor out of the mire;
7 That he may set him with the princes *
even with the princes of his people.
8 He maketh the barren woman to keep house *
and to be a joyful mother of children.
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 110 (Gregorian Tone V.1)
1 The Lord said unto my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, *
until I make your enemies your footstool.”
2 The Lord shall send the scepter of your power out of Zion: *
“Rule in the midst of your enemies.”
3 In the day of your power the people, in holy raiment, shall
offer you freewill offerings; *
from the womb of the morning,
the dew of your youth belongs to you.
4 The Lord has sworn and will not recant: *
“You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
5 The Lord at your right hand *
shall smite kings in the day of his wrath.
6 He shall judge the nations; *
he shall fill the lands with dead bodies,
and strike down heads over many countries.
7 He shall drink from the brook by the way; *
therefore shall he lift up his head.
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.
Psalm 111 (Gregorian Tone V.I)
1 Praise the Lord.
I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart, *
in the company of the upright, and among the congregation.
2 The works of the Lord are great, *
sought out by all who have pleasure in them.
3 His work is worthy to be praised and held in honor, *
and his righteousness endures for ever.
4 He has made his marvelous works to be had in remembrance; *
The Lord is gracious and merciful.
5 He has given food to those who fear him; *
he shall ever be mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, *
that he may give them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithfulness and justice; *
all his commandments are true.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever, *
and are done in truth and equity.
9 He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant for ever; *
holy and awesome is his Name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; *
a good understanding have all those who live accordingly;
his praise endures for ever.
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.
Psalm 112 (Gregorian Tone V.1)
1 Praise the Lord! Blessèd is the one who fears the Lord, *
who has great delight in his commandments.
2 His seed shall be mighty in the land; *
the generation of the faithful shall be blessed.
3 Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house, *
and his righteousness shall endure for ever.
4 For the upright, there rises light in the darkness; *
he is merciful, loving, and righteous.
5 It is good for him to be generous in lending *
and to guide his words with discretion.
6 For he shall never be moved, *
and the righteous shall be kept in everlasting remembrance.
7 He will not be afraid of any evil tidings, *
for his heart is steadfast and trusts in the Lord.
8 His heart is established, and will not fear; *
at the last he shall see his desire upon his enemies.
9 He has given freely to the poor, *
and his righteousness endures for ever;
his horn shall be exalted with honor.
10 The ungodly shall see it, and shall be angry; *
he shall gnash his teeth, and waste away;
the desire of the ungodly shall perish.
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.
Psalm 113 (Gregorian Tone V.1)
1 Praise the Lord. Sing praises, you servants of the Lord; *
O praise the Name of the Lord.
2 Blessèd be the Name of the Lord, *
from this time forth for evermore.
3 The Lord’s Name be praised *
from the rising up of the sun to the going down of the same.
4 The Lord is high above all nations, *
and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like the Lord our God, who has his dwelling so high, *
and yet humbles himself to behold the things that
are in heaven and earth?
6 He takes up the lowly out of the dust, *
and lifts the poor out of the ashes,
7 That he may set them with the princes, *
even with the princes of his people.
8 He gives the barren woman a home to dwell in, *
and makes her to be a joyful mother of children.Praise the Lord.
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.
PRAYER
Eternal God,
you have given righteousness, justice, peace, and love
for the enlightenment of all people.
Keep us always in that light,
so that throughout our lives we may show forth your glory
as revealed in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. BCW2018, alt.
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: Joel 2:18-19, 21-28
Then the Lord became jealous for his land
and had pity on his people.
In response to his people the Lord said:
“I am sending you
grain, wine, and oil,
and you will be satisfied;
and I will no more make you
a mockery among the nations.
Do not fear, O soil;
be glad and rejoice,
for the Lord has done great things!
Do not fear, you animals of the field,
for the pastures of the wilderness are green;
the tree bears its fruit;
the fig tree and vine give their full yield.
O children of Zion, be glad,
and rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given the early rain for your vindication;
he has poured down for you abundant rain,
the early and the later rain, as before.
The threshing floors shall be full of grain;
the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
I will repay you for the years
that the swarming locust has eaten,
the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter,
my great army that I sent against you.
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied
and praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has dealt wondrously with you.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.
You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel
and that I, the Lord, am your God and there is no other.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.
Then afterward
I will pour out my spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
HYMN: James Montgomery
Tune: Melcombe https://tinyurl.com/m4f9kmup
1 O Spirit of the living God,
in all the fullness of thy grace,
wherever human feet hath trod,
descend on our rebellious race.
2 Give tongues of fire and hearts of love
to preach the reconciling word;
give power and unction from above
whene’er the joyful sound is heard.
3 Be darkness, at thy coming, light;
confusion, order in thy path;
souls without strength inspire with might;
bid mercy triumph over wrath.
4 O Spirit of the Lord, prepare
the whole round earth her God to meet;
breathe thou abroad like morning air,
till hearts of stone begin to beat.
5 Baptize the nations; far and nigh
the triumphs of the cross record;
the name of Jesus glorify
till every kindred call him Lord.
READING: Acts 1:12-26
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
In those days Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, “Brothers and sisters, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus, for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle, and all his bowels gushed out. This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his house become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it’; and ‘Let another take his position of overseer.’
“So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.” So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was added to the eleven apostles.
HYMN: Michael Schirmer; trans. Catherine Winkworth
Tune: Wie schön leuchtet https://tinyurl.com/38b6c2w4
1 O Holy Spirit, enter in,
Within our hearts Thy work begin,
Thy temple deign to make us.
Thou Sun of joy, Thou Light divine,
O let Thy radiance in us shine;
To constant gladness wake us.
To us ever,
Light of heaven,
Strength be given,
We implore Thee,
As in prayer we come before Thee.
2 Without Thy help we go astray,
O lead us in the narrow way,
With wisest counsel guide us;
Vouch-safe to us Thy grace that we
May ever faithful prove to Thee
Tho’ direst woes betide us.
Heal thou gently
Hearts now broken,
Give some token
Thou art near us,
With Thy precious gifts to cheer us.
3 O mighty Rock, O Source of life,
Thy blessed Word ‘mid doubt and strife
Keep so within us burning
That we in fervent love remain
And thro’ Thy teachings wisdom gain
To calm the soul’s deep yearning.
All thy graces
On us shower;
By Thy power
Christ confessing,
Let us win His grace and blessing.
4 O let our days, while life shall last,
In purest holiness be passed;
Our minds so rule and strengthen
That we may shun all sinful mirth,
All hopes and joys that here have birth,
And if our course Thou lengthen,
Keep Thou pure now
From offenses
Heart and senses;
Blessed Spirit,
May we heaven thus inherit.
READING: John 17:20-26
Jesus said, “I ask not only on behalf of these but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
“Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them and I in them.”
CANTICLE Song of the Three Young Men 35-65
(New Camaldoli chant: https://tinyurl.com/yawzzmsx)
All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Heavens and waters above the heavens, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
Powers of the Lord, God be praised and exalted above all forever!
Sun and moon, bless the Lord!
All you stars of heaven, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
All rain and dew, bless the Lord!
And let every wind, bless the Lord!
Fire and heat, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
Cold and warmth, bless the Lord!
Dew and snowstorm, bless the Lord!
Frost and cold, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
Ice and snow, bless the Lord!
Nights and days, bless the Lord!
Light and darkness, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
Lightning and clouds, bless the Lord!
Let the whole earth bless the Lord!
Mountains and hills, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
Every plant that grows, bless the Lord!
Springs of water, bless the Lord!
Seas and rivers, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
Everything that moves in the waters, bless the Lord!
And let every kind of bird bless the Lord!
All you beasts wild and tame, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
Let the whole human race, bless the Lord!
O Israel, bless the Lord!
Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
All you the Lord’s servants, bless the Lord!
Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord!
Humble-hearted people, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
God has freed us from the underworld,
saved us from the hand of death
and drawn us from the heart of the flame:
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
Give thanks to the Lord who is so good!
Bless the God of gods, all you who fear him.
Praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
THE PRAYERS WS2
Holy Spirit, Creator,
at the beginning you hovered over the waters;
you breathe life into all creatures.
Come into us, Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, Comforter,
by you we are born again as children of God;
you make us living temples of your presence;
you pray within us with prayers too deep for words.
Come into us, Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, Lord and giver of life,
you are light, you bring us light;
you are goodness and the source of all goodness.
Come into us, Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, breath of life,
you sanctify and breathe life into the whole body of the church;
you dwell in each one of its members,
and you will one day give new life to our mortal bodies.
Come into us, Holy Spirit. Amen.
(Traditional chant: http://oremus.org/chant/LP-1940.mp3)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
As the heavens declare your glory, O God, and the firmament shows your handiwork, we bless your Name for the gifts of knowledge and insight you bestowed upon Nicolaus Copernicus; and we pray that you would continue to advance our understanding of your cosmos, for our good and for your glory; through Jesus Christ, the firstborn of all creation, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. HWHM
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
HWHM Holy Women, Holy Men © 2010 The Church Pension Fund.
WS2 The Worship Sourcebook, 2nd edition, © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources
The Lord’s Prayer is the traditional chant as set in The Hymnal 1940 and sung by Kathryn Mannyng https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsJ2TB9pLbU
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 contemporary versions of the psalms are from Book of Common Prayer (2019) as recorded for the St Bernard Breviary https://www.bernardbreviary.com/chant-helps.
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 