The Martyrs of Birmingham
Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley were getting ready for church services when a bomb exploded on this day in 1965 at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, killing all four of the school-age girls. The church had been a center for civil rights meetings and marches.
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/vm2nse5e
You have given us, O Lord, bread from heaven,
endowed with all delights and sweetness in every taste. Wisdom 16
As you cause the sun to rise, O God,
bring the light of Christ to dawn in our souls
and dispel the shadows of hatred and fear.
Give us grace to reflect Christ’s glory;
and let his love show in our deeds,
his peace shine in our words,
and his healing in our touch,
that all may give him praise, now and forever. 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: Gracia Grindal ©, alt.
Tune: Leicester https://tinyurl.com/4ymubvry
1 Let flow our tears in grief for this,
our little ones, now gone from us,
who not so long ago were born,
now all that’s left to do is mourn,
but we refuse to be consoled
like Rachel weeping her children.
2 Our voices join with all of those
who weep to hold their children close
but cannot reach beyond their dust
to lines they drew, their little trusts
and they refuse to be consoled
these parents weeping their children.
3 All death and hope are met in one
born long ago who is God’s Son
whose birth provoked the tyrant’s rage
who tramples wanton through our age.
Still we refuse to be consoled
like Rachel weeping her children.
4 For who of us can stop the hand
of brutal demons in the land
whose fury aims to hurt and kill
the innocents whose screams are still
upon the air and unconsoled
with parents weeping their children.
5 All we can do is turn to him
who died in old Jerusalem
and wept abandoned on the cross
disarming demons there for us
so one day we might be consoled
with Rachel weeping our children.
PSALMS
Psalm 75 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/w8cy5dn)
1 Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks *
yea, unto thee do we give thanks.
2 Thy Name also is so nigh *
and that do thy wondrous works declare.
3 When I receive the congregation *
I shall judge according unto right.
4 The earth is weak, and all the inhabiters thereof *
I bear up the pillars of it.
5 I said unto the fools, Deal not so madly *
and to the ungodly, Set not up your horn.
6 Set not up your horn on high *
and speak not with a stiff neck.
7 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west *
nor yet from the south.
8 And why? God is the Judge *
he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
9 For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red *
it is full mixed, and he poureth out of the same.
10 As for the dregs thereof *
all the ungodly of the earth shall drink them, and suck them out.
11 But I will talk of the God of Jacob *
and praise him for ever.
12 All the horns of the ungodly also will I break *
and the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
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 76 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/r9ym7fd)
1 In Jewry is God known *
his Name is great in Israel.
2 At Salem is his tabernacle *
and his dwelling in Sion.
3 There brake he the arrows of the bow *
the shield, the sword, and the battle.
4 Thou art of more honour and might *
than the hills of the robbers.
5 The proud are robbed, they have slept their sleep *
and all the men whose hands were mighty have found nothing.
6 At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob *
both the chariot and horse are fallen.
7 Thou, even thou art to be feared *
and who may stand in thy sight when thou art angry?
8 Thou didst cause thy judgement to be heard from heaven *
the earth trembled, and was still,
9 When God arose to judgement *
and to help all the meek upon earth.
10 The fierceness of man shall turn to thy praise *
and the fierceness of them shalt thou refrain.
11 Promise unto the Lord your God, and keep it,
all ye that are round about him *
bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
12 He shall refrain the spirit of princes *
and is wonderful among the kings of the earth.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,*
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 77 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/vmyxazc)
1 I will cry unto God with my voice *
even unto God will I cry with my voice, and he shall hearken unto me.
2 In the time of my trouble I sought the Lord *
my sore ran, and ceased not in the night-season;
my soul refused comfort.
3 When I am in heaviness, I will think upon God *
when my heart is vexed, I will complain.
4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking *
I am so feeble, that I cannot speak.
5 I have considered the days of old *
and the years that are past.
6 I call to remembrance my song *
and in the night I commune with mine own heart, and search out my spirits.
7 Will the Lord absent himself for ever *
and will he be no more intreated?
8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever *
and is his promise come utterly to an end for evermore?
9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious *
and will he shut up his loving-kindness in displeasure?
10 And I said, It is mine own infirmity *
but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most Highest.
11 I will remember the works of the Lord *
and call to mind thy wonders of old time.
12 I will think also of all thy works *
and my talking shall be of thy doings.
13 Thy way, O God, is holy *
who is so great a God as our God?
14 Thou art the God that doeth wonders *
and hast declared thy power among the people.
15 Thou hast mightily delivered thy people *
even the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
16 The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee, and were afraid *
the depths also were troubled.
17 The clouds poured out water, the air thundered *
and thine arrows went abroad.
18 The voice of thy thunder was heard round about *
the lightnings shone upon the ground;
the earth was moved, and shook withal.
19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy paths in the great waters *
and thy footsteps are not known.
20 Thou leddest thy people like sheep *
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
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 75 (Gregorian Tone VI)
1 Unto you, O God, do we give thanks; *
indeed, unto you do we give thanks.
2 Those who call upon your Name *
declare your wondrous works.
3 “Surely at the time which I appoint, *
I, the Lord, will judge according to what is right.
4 The earth shakes with fear, and all that dwell therein; *
but I, even I, have made firm its pillars.
5 I say to the proud, ‘You should not boast!’ *
And to the ungodly, ‘Do not lift up your horn!
6 Do not lift up your horn on high, *
nor speak with a stiff neck.’”
7 For help comes neither from the east nor from the west, *
nor yet from the wilderness or the mountains.
8 For it is God who is the Judge; *
he puts down one and lifts up another.
9 For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup,
and the wine is foaming; *
it is fully mixed, and he pours it out.
10 As for the dregs of it, *
all the ungodly of the earth shall
drink them and drain them out.
11 But I will magnify the God of Jacob *
and praise him for ever and ever.
12 All the horns of the ungodly will I break, *
but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
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 76 (Gregorian Tone VI)
1 In Judah God is known; *
his Name is great in Israel.
2 At Salem is his tabernacle, *
and his dwelling is in Zion.
3 There he broke the arrows of the bow, *
the shield, the sword, and the weapons of battle.
4 You are of more honor and might *
than the everlasting hills.
5 The strong of heart have been despoiled;
they have slept their sleep; *
and all those whose hands were mighty have lost their strength.
6 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, *
both the chariot and horse lie stunned upon the ground.
7 You, even you, are to be feared, *
and who may stand in your sight when you are angry?
8 You caused your judgment to be heard from heaven; *
the earth trembled and was silent,
9 When God arose to judgment *
and to help all the meek upon earth.
10 The wrath of man shall be turned to your praise, *
and the remnant of fierceness you shall restrain.
11 Make a vow unto the Lord your God and keep it,
all you who are round about him; *
bring gifts unto him who is worthy to be feared.
12 He restrains the spirit of princes, *
and is feared among the kings of the earth.
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 77 (Gregorian Tone VI)
1 I will cry unto God with my voice; *
even unto God will I cry with my voice, and he shall
hearken unto me.
2 In the time of my trouble I sought the Lord; *
my hands were stretched out in the night without rest;
my soul refused comfort.
3 When I think upon God, I groan; *
when I ponder, my spirit grows faint.
4 You hold my eyelids open; *
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5 I consider the days of old; *
I call to remembrance the years that are past.
6 In the night I commune with my own heart; *
I meditate and search my spirit.
7 Will the Lord cast me off for ever, *
and will he no more show his favor?
8 Is his mercy gone for ever, *
and has his promise come utterly to an end for evermore?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious, *
and will he withhold his loving-kindness in displeasure?
10 And I said, “Has his right hand become weak? *
Has the hand of the Most High lost its strength?”
11 I will remember the works of the Lord, *
and call to mind your wonders of old time.
12 I will think also of all your works, *
and my talk shall be of your deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy; *
who is so great a God as our God?
14 You are the God who does wonders, *
and have declared your power among the peoples.
15 You have mightily delivered your people, *
even the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
16 The waters saw you, O God;
the waters saw you and were afraid; *
the depths also were troubled.
17 The clouds poured out water, the skies thundered, *
and your arrows flashed on every side.
18 The voice of your thunder was heard in the whirlwind;
the lightning lit up the world; *
the earth was moved and shook.
19 Your way was in the sea,
and your paths in the great waters, *
yet your footsteps were not seen.
20 You led your people like sheep *
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
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
God our shepherd,
you led us and saved us in times of old;
do not forget your people in their troubles,
but raise up your power
to sustain the poor and helpless;
for the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. CW:DP
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: 1 Samuel 6:1-3, 10-13, 19-end; 7:1
The ark of the Lord was in the country of the Philistines seven months. Then the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the Lord? Tell us what we should send with it to its place.” They said, “If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it empty, but by all means return it with a guilt offering. Then you will be healed and forgiven; will not his hand then turn from you?”
The men did so; they took two milch cows and yoked them to the cart and shut up their calves at home. They put the ark of the Lord on the cart and the box with the gold mice and the images of their tumors. The cows went straight in the direction of Beth-shemesh along one highway, lowing as they went; they turned neither to the right nor to the left, and the lords of the Philistines went after them as far as the border of Beth-shemesh.
Now the people of Beth-shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley. When they looked up and saw the ark, they went with rejoicing to meet it. But the descendants of Jeconiah did not rejoice with the people of Beth-shemesh when they greeted the ark of the Lord, and he killed seventy men of them. The people mourned because the Lord had made a great slaughter among the people. Then the people of Beth-shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? To whom shall he go so that we may be rid of him?” So they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim, saying, “The Philistines have returned the ark of the Lord. Come down and take it up to you.” And the people of Kiriath-jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord and brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill. They consecrated his son, Eleazar, to have charge of the ark of the Lord.
HYMN: Psalm 16; para. Stephen Benner ©
Tune: Song 20 https://tinyurl.com/pyuu8k2s
1 Preserve me, O my God;
you are my refuge true.
2 I say, “You are my Lord.
I have no good apart from you.”
3 The godly in the land
are my source of delight.
4 Yet I refuse to speak with those
who on idols rely.
5 O LORD, you are to me
my cup and portion sure;
6 the heritage in which I dwell
is good beyond compare.
7 I praise the LORD above
for his counsel at night.
8 The LORD will not let me be moved
and will stand at my right.
9 My heart is therefore glad;
my tongue with joy will sing.
My body, too, will rest secure
in hope unwavering.
10 You will not leave my soul
to decay in the grave.
11 You will show me the path of life
at your right hand always.
READING: 2 Corinthians 3:1-11
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Surely we do not need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you or from you, do we? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by all, and you show that you are a letter of Christ, prepared by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets that are human hearts.
Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are qualified of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our qualification is from God, who has made us qualified to be ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Now if the ministry of death, chiseled in letters on stone tablets, came in glory so that the people of Israel could not gaze at Moses’s face because of the glory of his face, a glory now set aside, how much more will the ministry of the Spirit come in glory? For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, much more does the ministry of justification abound in glory! Indeed, what once had glory has in this respect lost its glory because of the greater glory, for if what was set aside came through glory, much more has the permanent come in glory!
HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: Duke Street https://tinyurl.com/2wdz8532
1 Now to the Lord a noble song!
Awake, my soul, awake, my tongue,
Hosanna to th’Eternal Name,
And all His boundless love proclaim.
2 See where it shines in Jesus’ face,
The brightest image of His grace;
God, in the person of His Son,
Has all His mightiest works outdone.
3 Grace! ‘tis a sweet, a charming theme;
My thoughts rejoice at Jesus’ name!
Ye angels, dwell upon the sound;
Ye heav’ns, reflect it to the ground.
4 O may I reach the happy place,
Where He unveils His lovely face;
His beauties there may I behold,
And sing His name to harps of gold.
READING: Luke 7:11-23
Soon afterward Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow, and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with compassion for her and said to her, “Do not cry.” Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stopped. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” This word about him spread throughout the whole of Judea and all the surrounding region.
The disciples of John reported all these things to him. So John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to expect someone else?” When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to expect someone else?’ ” Jesus had just then cured many people of diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits and had given sight to many who were blind. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight; the lame walk; those with a skin disease are cleansed; the deaf hear; the dead are raised; the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
CANTICLE Isaiah 60:1-3, 11, 14, 18-19
(BCP 2019/S Wesley)
Arise, shine, for your light has come, *
and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.
For behold, darkness covers the land; *
deep gloom enshrouds the peoples.
But over you the Lord will rise, *
and his glory will appear upon you.
Nations will stream to your light, *
and kings to the brightness of your dawning.
Your gates will always be open; *
by day or night they will never be shut.
They will call you, The City of the Lord, *
the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Violence will no more be heard in your land, *
ruin or destruction within your borders.
You will call your walls, Salvation, *
and all your portals, Praise.
The sun will no more be your light by day; *
by night you will not need the brightness of the moon.
The Lord will be your everlasting light, *
and your God will be your glory.
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.
THE PRAYERS BCW
We rejoice in your generous goodness, O God,
and celebrate your lavish gifts to us this day,
for you have shown your love
in giving Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world.
Especially we give thanks for
the labors of those who have served us today . . .
friends with whom we have shared . . .
those whom we love and have loved us . . .
opportunities for our work to help others . . .
all beauty that delights us. . . .
Gracious God, we know you are close to all in need,
and by our prayers for others we come closer to you.
We are bold to claim for others
your promises of new life in Jesus Christ,
as we claim them for ourselves. Especially we pray for
those in dangerous occupations . . .
physicians and nurses . . .
those who are ill or confined to nursing homes . . .
those who mourn . . .
(Plainsong Mode 2: https://tinyurl.com/yctqq8cf)DL
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.
We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the innocent in the struggle for human rights, especially in the United States. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of oppressive systems and in their place establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. HWHM, alt.
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
CW:DP Common Worship: Daily Prayer, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2005 and published by Church House Publishing
HWHM Holy Women, Holy Men © 2010 The Church Pension Fund.
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 are from Book of Common Prayer (2019) as recorded for the St Bernard Breviary https://www.bernardbreviary.com/chant-helps. The canticle is from the same website.
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 