Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/yc5u5mp9
The merciful love of the Lord fills the earth;
by the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia. Psalm 33
Gracious and holy God,
feed us at the table of holy wisdom,
that we may honor, love, and obey you as your children.
May we remember your wonders and ponder your works,
so that we delight to do what you ask of us,
by the power given to us in Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord. Amen. BCW2018
Music: https://tinyurl.com/ycn4djk5
O Lord, open my lips.
And my mouth will declare your praise.
Make haste, O God, to deliver me;
make haste to help me, O Lord.
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.
Praise to you, O Christ, Alleluia!
HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend https://tinyurl.com/2wxn2uy6
1 My spirit sinks with me, Lord,
But I will call thy name to mind,
And times of past distress record,
When I have found my God was kind.
2 Huge troubles with tumult’ous noise
Swell like a sea, and round me spread;
The rising waves drown all my joys,
And roll tremend’ous o’er my head.
3 Yet will the Lord command his love,
When I address his throne by day,
Nor in the night his grace remove;
The night shall hear me sing and pray.
4 My God, my most exceeding joy.
Thy light and truth shall guide me still,
Thy word shall my best thoughts employ,
And lead me to thine heav’nly hill.
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: Exodus 17:1-13
From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” But the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do for this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” The Lord said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”
Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some men for us and go out; fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’s hands grew heavy, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on either side, so his hands were steady until the sun set. And Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the sword.
HYMN: Charles Wesley
Tune: Hamburg https://tinyurl.com/zhefxba9
1 Ho! ev’ryone that thirsts, draw nigh;
’tis God invites the fallen race;
mercy and free salvation buy,
buy wine and milk and gospel grace.
2 In search of empty joys below,
ye toil with unavailing strife;
wither, ah, wither would you go?
I have the words of endless life,
3 Come to the living waters, come!
Sinners, obey your Maker’s call;
return, ye weary wand’rers, home,
and find His grace is free for all.
4 See from the Rock a fountain rise!
For you in healing streams it rolls;
money ye need not bring, nor price,
ye lab’ring, burdened, sin-sick souls.
5 Nothing ye in exchange shall give,
leave all you have and are behind;
frankly the gift of God receive,
pardon and peace in Jesus find.
READING: 1 John 2:18-29
Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not belong to us, for if they had belonged to us they would have remained with us. But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and you know that no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he has promised us, eternal life.
I write these things to you concerning those who would deceive you. As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you, so you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, abide in him.
And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he is revealed we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his coming.
If you perceive that he is righteous, you also know that everyone who does right has been born of him.
HYMN: Thomas Binney
Tune: Newcastle https://tinyurl.com/hyhn78np
1 Eternal Light! Eternal Light!
How pure the soul must be,
when, placed within your searching sight,
it shrinks not, but with calm delight
can face such majesty.
2 The spirits that surround your throne
may bear the burning bliss;
but that is surely theirs alone,
since they have never, never known
a fallen world like this.
3 O how shall I, whose dwelling here
is dark, whose mind is dim,
before the face of God appear
and on my human spirit bear
the uncreated beam?
4 There is a way for man to rise
to that sublime abode:
an offering and a sacrifice,
a Holy Spirit’s energies,
an advocate with God.
5 Such grace prepares us for the sight
of holiness above:
those once in ignorance and night
can dwell in the eternal Light,
through the eternal Love.
READING: Matthew 14:1-12
At that time Herod the ruler heard reports about Jesus, and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Though Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod so much that he promised on oath to grant her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” The king was grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he commanded it to be given; he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who brought it to her mother. His disciples came and took the body and buried him; then they went and told Jesus.
CANTICLE Judith 16.13-16 (Lucy Walker: https://tinyurl.com/3j5ekpvz)
Refrain:
All You sent forth your Spirit, O God,
and you continue to show mercy to all.
1 I will sing a new song to my God,
for you are great and glorious,
truly strong and invincible.
2 May your whole creation serve you,
for you spoke and all things came to be.
3 You sent forth your Spirit and they were formed,
for no one can resist your voice.
4 Mountains and seas are stirred to their depths;
at your presence rocks shall melt like wax.
5 But to those who fear you,
you continue to show mercy.
6 No sacrifice, however fragrant, can please you,
but whoever fears the Lord
shall stand in your sight for ever.
All Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
All You sent forth your Spirit, O God,
and you continue to show mercy to all.
THE PRAYERS AAPB
Holy Father,
you have reconciled us to yourself in Christ;
and by your Holy Spirit you enable us to be your children:
We give thanks
for Christ your obedient son
for his bearing of the sin of the world in his own body on the cross
for his victory over evil and suffering and death . . .
for the joy and wonder of human love and friendship
for the lives to which our own are bound
for the gift of peace with you and with one another . . .
for the communities in whose life we share
for all human relationships in which reconciliation is experienced
. . .
We pray for our families and friends
home and family life. . .
children who have no home. . .
friends and relations. . .
neighbors. . .
those we meet in our daily life and work. . .
those from whom we are estranged. . .
Help us to share in the obedience of your Son,
that we may love and serve one another in your peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
is one with you for ever. 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.
Enduring Presence,
goal and guide,
you go before and await our coming.
Only our thirst compels us
beyond complaint to conversation,
beyond rejection to relationship.
Pour your love into our hearts,
that, refreshed and renewed,
we may invite others to the living water
given to us in Jesus Christ our Lord. 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
AAPB An Australian Prayer Book, © 1978 Anglican Church of Australia
RCLP Revised Common Lectionary Prayers. © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.
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 