Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/2yy584sc
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
Gracious God,
your Son blessed the peacemakers
and called them your children.
Give us that peace which the world cannot give,
so that, freed from the schemes of the arrogant
and devoted to works of peace,
we may go forward joyfully to meet you;
through 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: Thomas Dorsey ©
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/bdf7ua7k
1 Precious Lord, take my hand,
lead me on, help me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.
Through the storm, through the night,
lead me on to the light.
Take my hand, precious Lord;
lead me home.
2 When my way grows drear,
precious Lord, linger near,
when my life is almost gone,
hear my cry, hear my call,
hold my hand lest I fall.
Take my hand, precious Lord;
lead me home.
3 When the darkness appears
and the night draws near
and the day is almost gone,
at the river I stand,
guide my feet, hold my hand.
Take my hand, precious Lord;
lead me home.
PSALMS
Psalm 120 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wmagrmt)
1 When I was in trouble I called upon the Lord *
and he heard me.
2 Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips *
and from a deceitful tongue.
3 What reward shall be given or done unto thee, thou false tongue *
even mighty and sharp arrows, with hot burning coals.
4 Woe is me, that I am constrained to dwell with Mesech *
and to have my habitation among the tents of Kedar.
5 My soul hath long dwelt among them *
that are enemies unto peace.
6 I labour for peace, but when I speak unto them thereof *
they make them ready to battle.
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 121 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wlpcmlp)
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills *
from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh even from the Lord *
who hath made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved *
and he that keepeth thee will not sleep.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord himself is thy keeper *
the Lord is thy defence upon thy right hand;
6 So that the sun shall not burn thee by day *
neither the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil *
yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in *
from this time forth for evermore.
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 122 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/uwbt7e3)
1 I was glad when they said unto me *
We will go into the house of the Lord.
2 Our feet shall stand in thy gates *
O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built as a city *
that is at unity in itself.
4 For thither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord *
to testify unto Israel, to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord.
5 For there is the seat of judgement *
even the seat of the house of David.
6 O pray for the peace of Jerusalem *
they shall prosper that love thee.
7 Peace be within thy walls *
and plenteousness within thy palaces.
8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes *
I will wish thee prosperity.
9 Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God *
I will seek to do thee good.
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 123 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/vqr5s45)
1 Unto thee lift I up mine eyes *
O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
2 Behold, even as the eyes of servants look
unto the hand of their masters,
and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress *
even so our eyes wait upon the Lord Our God,
until he have mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us *
for we are utterly despised.
4 Our soul is filled with the scornful reproof of the wealthy *
and with the despitefulness of the proud.
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 124 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/w9ocmm5)
1 If the Lord himself had not been on our side, now may Israel say *
if the Lord himself had not been on our side,
when men rose up against us;
2 They had swallowed us up quick *
when they were so wrathfully displeased at us.
3 Yea, the waters had drowned us *
and the stream had gone over our soul.
4 The deep waters of the proud *
had gone even over our soul.
5 But praised be the Lord *
who hath not given us over for a prey unto their teeth.
6 Our soul is escaped even as a bird out of the snare of the fowler *
the snare is broken, and we are delivered.
7 Our help standeth in the Name of the Lord *
who hath made heaven and earth.
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 125 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/s7phzdz)
1 They that put their trust in the Lord shall be even as the mount Sion *
which may not be removed, but standeth fast for ever.
2 The hills stand about Jerusalem *
even so standeth the Lord round about his people,
from this time forth for evermore.
3 For the rod of the ungodly cometh not into the lot of the righteous *
lest the righteous put their hand unto wickedness.
4 Do well, O Lord *
unto those that are good and true of heart.
5 As for such as turn back unto their own wickedness *
the Lord shall lead them forth with the evil-doers;
but peace shall be upon Israel.
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 120 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-120.mp3)
1 When I was in trouble, I called to the LORD; *
I called to the LORD, and he answered me.
2 Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips *
and from the deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be done to you, and what more besides, *
O you deceitful tongue?
4 The sharpened arrows of a warrior, *
along with hot glowing coals.
5 How hateful it is that I must lodge in Meshech *
and dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I had to live *
among the enemies of peace.
7 I am on the side of peace, *
but when I speak of it, they are for war
Psalm 121 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-121.mp3)
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; *
from where is my help to come?
2 My help comes from the LORD, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved *
and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.
4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep;
5 The LORD himself watches over you; *
the LORD is your shade at your right hand,
6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; *
it is he who shall keep you safe.
8 The LORD shall watch over your going out and
your coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore.
Psalm 122 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-122.mp3)
1 I was glad when they said to me, *
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
2 Now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built as a city *
that is at unity with itself;
4 To which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD, *
the assembly of Israel,
to praise the Name of the LORD.
5 For there are the thrones of judgment, *
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *
“May they prosper who love you.
7 Peace be within your walls *
and quietness within your towers.
8 For my brethren and companions’ sake, *
I pray for your prosperity.
9 Because of the house of the LORD our God, *
I will seek to do you good.”
Psalm 123 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-123.mp3)
1 To you I lift up my eyes, *
to you enthroned in the heavens.
2 As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, *
and the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
3 So our eyes look to the LORD our God, *
until he show us his mercy.
4 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy, *
for we have had more than enough of contempt,
5 Too much of the scorn of the indolent rich, *
and of the derision of the proud.
Psalm 124 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-124.mp3)
1 If the LORD had not been on our side, *
let Israel now say;
2 If the LORD had not been on our side, *
when enemies rose up against us;
3 Then would they have swallowed us up alive *
in their fierce anger toward us;
4 Then would the waters have overwhelmed us *
and the torrent gone over us;
5 Then would the raging waters *
have gone right over us.
6 Blessed be the LORD! *
he has not given us over to be a prey for their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; *
the snare is broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the Name of the LORD, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 125 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-125.mp3)
1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, *
which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever.
2 The hills stand about Jerusalem; *
so does the LORD stand round about his people,
from this time forth for evermore.
3 The scepter of the wicked shall not hold sway over the
land allotted to the just, *
so that the just shall not put their hands to evil.
4 Show your goodness, O LORD, to those who are good *
and to those who are true of heart.
5 As for those who turn aside to crooked ways,
the LORD will lead them away with the evildoers; *
but peace be upon Israel.
PRAYER
God, our helper,
you are strength greater than the mountains;
you look to our needs and watch over us day and night.
Teach us to hold confidently to your grace
that in times of fear and danger
we may know you are near and depend on you,
our sure deliverer. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: Exodus 19:14-25
So Moses went down from the mountain to the people. He consecrated the people, and they washed their clothes. And he said to the people, “Prepare for the third day; do not go near a woman.”
On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, as well as a thick cloud on the mountain and a blast of a trumpet so loud that all the people who were in the camp trembled. Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God. They took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Now all of Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, because the Lord had descended upon it in fire; the smoke went up like the smoke of a kiln, while the whole mountain shook violently. As the blast of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses would speak and God would answer him in thunder. When the Lord descended upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, the Lord summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the Lord; otherwise many of them will perish. Even the priests who approach the Lord must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out against them.” Moses said to the Lord, “The people are not permitted to come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, ‘Set limits around the mountain and keep it holy.’ ” The Lord said to him, “Go down, then come back up and bring Aaron with you, but do not let either the priests or the people break through to come up to the Lord; otherwise he will break out against them.” So Moses went down to the people and told them.
HYMN: John Keble
Tune: Winchester Old https://tinyurl.com/2mptbws2
1 When God of old came down from heaven,
in power and wrath he came;
before his feet the clouds were riven,
half darkness and half flame:
2 but, when he came the second time,
he came in power and love;
softer than gale at morning prime
hovered his Holy Dove.
3 The fires, that rushed on Sinai down
in sudden torrents dread,
now gently light, a glorious crown,
on every sainted head.
4 And as on Israel’s awe-struck ear
the voice exceeding loud,
the trump, that angels quake to hear,
thrilled from the deep, dark cloud;
5 so, when the Spirit of our God
came down his flock to find,
a voice from heaven was heard abroad,
a rushing, mighty wind.
6 It fills the church of God; it fills
the sinful world around;
only in stubborn hearts and wills
no place for it is found.
7 Come Lord, come wisdom, love, and power,
open our ears to hear;
let us not miss the accepted hour;
save, Lord, by love or fear.
READING: 1 John 3:11-17
For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We must not be like Cain, who was from the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be astonished, brothers and sisters, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brothers and sisters. Whoever does not love abides in death. All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them. We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers and sisters. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?
HYMN: George Matheson
Tune: St Margaret https://tinyurl.com/ms8rrwdj
1 O love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
that in thine ocean depths its flow
may richer, fuller be.
2 O light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to thee;
my heart restores its borrowed ray,
that in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
may brighter, fairer be.
3 O joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
and feel the promise is not vain,
that morn shall tearless be.
4 O cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
and from the ground there blossoms red
life that shall endless be.
READING: Matthew 14:22-36
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word to that whole surrounding region, and people brought all who were sick to him and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
CANTICLE Isaiah 42:10-16
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise from the end of the earth:
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the coastlands, and those who dwell in them.
Let the steppe and its cities cry out,
the villages where Kedar dwells;
Let the inhabitants of Sela exult,
and shout from the top of the mountains.
Let them give glory to the Lord,
and utter his praise in the coastlands.
The Lord goes forth like a hero,
like a warrior he stirs up his ardor;
he shouts out his battle cry,
against his enemies he shows his might:
I have looked away, and kept silence,
I have said nothing, holding myself in;
but now, I cry out as a woman in labor,
gasping and panting.
I will lay waste mountains and hills,
all their herbage I will dry up;
I will turn the rivers into marshes,
and the marshes I will dry up.
I will lead the blind on their journey;
by paths unknown I will guide them.
I will turn darkness into light before them,
and make crooked ways straight.
THE PRAYERS COS, alt.
Loving God,
you care for all your children;
you know each one and hear each prayer,
you know each house and see each need.
Give peace and love to those who call upon you,
and receive us into the kingdom of your light.
Bless your Church, here and everywhere.
Confirm your people in the faith of the Gospel,
inspire them with love for your house,
zeal in your service,
and joy in the well-being of your kingdom.
Bless the whole world with peace.
Kindle in the hearts of all people
the true love of peace,
and guide with your wisdom
the leaders of the nations,
that your kingdom may advance
until the earth be filled
with the knowledge of your love.
Bless with your comfort
all who are in trouble or pain.
Heal those who are sick;
support those who are dying;
console those who mourn;
supply the wants of those who are in need.
Bless our homes,
that love and joy may dwell there;
and keep those who are absent from us
within the protection of your love.
Bless those who have kept the faith on earth
and have entered into the joy
of your heavenly presence.
Inspire us by their example,
encourage us by their fellowship,
and bring us with them at the last
to glory everlasting.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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.
Through the storms of life, O God,
you are with your people
in the person of Jesus your Son.
Calm our fears and strengthen our faith
that we may never doubt his presence among us
but proclaim that he is your Son,
risen from the dead,
living 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
RCLP Revised Common Lectionary Prayers. © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.
COS Common Order, © 1994 Church of Scotland
2 Eric Wyse, Lord’s Prayer, ©; audio from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_a40ME7aVk
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 versions of the psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and are sung by Ryland Angel. The canticle is from Liturgy of the Hours as recorded for the Sing the Hours YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SingtheHours
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 