Margery Kempe
Margery Kempe, who wrote the book bearing her name, and from which we attain most of our knowledge of her, was a mystic who experienced intense visions followed by a period of emotional disturbance, subsequent to which she went on pilgrimage to Canterbury. She later made pilgrimages to the Holy Land and to Santiago de Compostela and was encouraged in her efforts by Julian of Norwich. She describes these travels as well as her mystical experiences in the Book of Margery Kempe. In it, she describes long periods of consciousness of and communion with Jesus, experiences that developed in her deep compassion of the sins of humanity. HWHM
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/4s87yty8
Remember your word to your servant, O Lord,
by which you have given me hope.
This is my comfort when I am brought low. Psalm 119
Be to us at all times, O Lord, our unending joy,
our eternal bliss and our enduring comfort.
Be to us light in the darkness,
strength in temptation
and refreshment in the desert. Amen. Margery Kempe
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: Anna Barbaud
Tune: St Bees https://tinyurl.com/dcaybbeh
1 Come, said Jesus’ sacred voice,
Come, and make My paths your choice;
I will guide you to your home;
Weary pilgrim, hither come.
2 Thou who, homeless, sole, forlorn,
Long hast borne the proud world’s scorn,
Long hast roamed the barren waste,
Weary pilgrim, hither haste.
3 Ye who, tossed on beds of pain,
Seek for ease, but seek in vain;
Ye, by fiercer anguish torn,
In remorse for guilt who mourn;
4 Hither come, for here is found
Balm that flows for every wound,
Peace that ever shall endure,
Rest eternal, sacred, sure.
PSALMS
Psalm 132 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/tv4ygfu)
1 Lord, remember David *
and all his trouble;
2 How he sware unto the Lord *
and vowed a vow unto the Almighty God of Jacob;
3 I will not come within the tabernacle of mine house *
nor climb up into my bed;
4 I will not suffer mine eyes to sleep, nor mine eye-lids to slumber *
neither the temples of my head to take any rest;
5 Until I find out a place for the temple of the Lord *
an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
6 Lo, we heard of the same at Ephrata *
and found it in the wood.
7 We will go into his tabernacle *
and fall low on our knees before his footstool.
8 Arise, O Lord, into thy resting-place *
thou, and the ark of thy strength.
9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness *
and let thy saints sing with joyfulness.
10 For thy servant David’s sake *
turn not away the presence of thine Anointed.
11 The Lord hath made a faithful oath unto David *
and he shall not shrink from it;
12 Of the fruit of thy body *
shall I set upon thy seat.
13 If thy children will keep my covenant,
and my testimonies that I shall learn them *
their children also shall sit upon thy seat for evermore.
14 For the Lord hath chosen Sion to be an habitation for himself *
he hath longed for her.
15 This shall be my rest for ever *
here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein.
16 I will bless her victuals with increase *
and will satisfy her poor with bread.
17 I will deck her priests with health *
and her saints shall rejoice and sing.
18 There shall I make the horn of David to flourish *
I have ordained a lantern for mine Anointed.
19 As for his enemies, I shall clothe them with shame *
but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
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 133 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/tlrm8lu)
1 Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is *
brethren, to dwell together in unity !
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head,
that ran down unto the beard *
even unto Aaron’s beard, and went down to the skirts of his clothing.
3 Like as the dew of Hermon *
which fell upon the hill of Sion.
4 For there the Lord promised his blessing *
and life 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 134 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/v5kga57)
1 Behold now, praise the Lord *
all ye servants of the Lord;
2 Ye that by night stand in the house of the Lord *
even in the courts of the house of our God.
3 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary *
and praise the Lord.
4 The Lord that made heaven and earth *
give thee blessing out of Sion.
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 135 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/w3blm5w)
1 O praise the Lord, laud ye the Name of the Lord *
praise it, O ye servants of the Lord;
2 Ye that stand in the house of the Lord *
in the courts of the house of our God.
3 O praise the Lord, for the Lord is gracious *
O sing praises unto his Name, for it is lovely.
4 For why? the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself *
and Israel for his own possession.
5 For I know that the Lord is great *
and that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth *
and in the sea, and in all deep places.
7 He bringeth forth the clouds from the ends of the world *
and sendeth forth lightnings with the rain,
bringing the winds out of his treasures.
8 He smote the first-born of Egypt *
both of man and beast.
9 He hath sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee,
O thou land of Egypt *
upon Pharaoh, and all his servants.
10 He smote divers nations *
and slew mighty kings;
11 Sehon king of the Amorites, and Og the king of Basan *
and all the kingdoms of Canaan;
12 And gave their land to be an heritage *
even an heritage unto Israel his people.
13 Thy Name, O Lord, endureth for ever *
so doth thy memorial, O Lord, from one generation to another.
14 For the Lord will avenge his people *
and be gracious unto his servants.
15 As for the images of the heathen, they are but silver and gold *
the work of men’s hands.
16 They have mouths, and speak not *
eyes have they, but they see not.
17 They have ears, and yet they hear not *
neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18 They that make them are like unto them *
and so are all they that put their trust in them.
19 Praise the Lord, ye house of Israel *
praise the Lord, ye house of Aaron.
20 Praise the Lord, ye house of Levi *
ye that fear the Lord, praise the Lord.
21 Praised be the Lord out of Sion *
who dwelleth at Jerusalem.
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 132 (LSB Tone G: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-132-LSB.mp3)
1 Remember, O LORD, in David’s favor,*
all the hardships he endured,
2 how he swore to the LORD*
and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,
3 “I will not enter my house*
or get into my bed,
4 I will not give sleep to my eyes*
or slumber to my eyelids,
5 until I find a place for the LORD,*
a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;*
we found it in the fields of Jaar.
7 “Let us go to his dwelling place;*
let us worship at his footstool!”
8 Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place,*
you and the ark of your might.
9 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,*
and let your saints shout for joy.
10 For the sake of your servant David,*
do not turn away the face of your anointed one.
11 The LORD swore to David a sure oath
from which he will not turn back:*
“One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them,*
their sons also forever shall sit on your throne.”
13 For the LORD has chosen Zion;*
he has desired it for his dwelling place:
14 “This is my resting place forever;*
here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provisions;*
I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 Her priests I will clothe with salvation,*
and her saints will shout for joy.
17 There I will make a horn to sprout for David;*
I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
18 His enemies I will clothe with shame,*
but on him his crown will shine.”
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 133 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-133.mp3)
1 Oh, how good and pleasant it is, *
when brethren live together in unity!
2 It is like fine oil upon the head *
that runs down upon the beard,
3 Upon the beard of Aaron, *
and runs down upon the collar of his robe.
4 It is like the dew of Hermon *
that falls upon the hills of Zion.
5 For there the LORD has ordained the blessing: *
life for evermore.
Psalm 134 (LSB Tone D: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-134-LSB.mp3)
1 Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD,*
who stand by night in the house of the LORD!
2 Lift up your hands to the holy place*
and bless the LORD!
3 May the LORD bless you from Zion,*
he who made heaven and earth!
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 135 (Gregorian Tone VIII.1)
1 O praise the Lord. Praise the Name of the Lord; *
offer praise, you servants of the Lord,
2 You who stand in the house of the Lord, *
in the courts of the house of our God.
3 O praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; *
sing praises unto his Name, for it is lovely.
4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself *
and Israel for his own possession.
5 For I know that the Lord is great, *
and that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatsoever the Lord pleases he does, in heaven and on earth, *
in the seas and in all the deep places.
7 He brings forth clouds from the ends of the earth *
and sends forth lightning with the rain,
bringing the wind out of his treasuries.
8 It was he who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, *
both of man and beast.
9 He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you,
O land of Egypt, *
against Pharaoh and all his servants.
10 He smote many nations, *
and slew mighty kings:
11 Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og the king of Bashan, *
and all the kingdoms of Canaan.
12 And he gave their land to be an inheritance, *
an inheritance for Israel his people.
13 Your Name, O Lord, endures for ever; *
so does your renown, O Lord, from one generation to another.
14 For the Lord will avenge his people *
and have compassion upon his servants.
15 As for the idols of the nations, they are but silver and gold, *
the work of human hands.
16 They have mouths, but they speak not; *
eyes have they, but they see not;
17 They have ears, and yet they hear not, *
neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them are like them, *
and so are all who put their trust in them.
19 Praise the Lord, O house of Israel; *
praise the Lord, O house of Aaron.
20 Praise the Lord, O house of Levi; *
you who fear the Lord, praise the Lord.
21 Praised be the Lord from Zion, *
who dwells in Jerusalem. 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
Creator of the universe,
from whom all things come,
to whom all things return,
give your people such unity of heart and mind,
that all the world may grow in the life of your eternal kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: 1 Samuel 18:1-16, 20-29
When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as his own soul. Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing and gave it to David and his armor and even his sword and his bow and his belt. David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him; as a result, Saul set him over the army. And all the people, even the servants of Saul, approved.
As they were coming home, when David returned from killing the Philistine, the women came out of all the towns of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. And the women sang to one another as they made merry, “Saul has killed his thousands and David his ten thousands.” Saul was very angry, for this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands; what more can he have but the kingdom?” So Saul eyed David from that day on.
The next day an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand, and Saul threw the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.
Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand, and David marched out and came in, leading the army. David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. When Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in awe of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, for it was he who marched out and came in leading them.
Now Saul’s daughter Michal loved David. Saul was told, and the thing pleased him. Saul thought, “Let me give her to him that she may be a snare for him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David a second time, “You shall now be my son-in-law.” Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David in private and say, ‘See, the king is delighted with you, and all his servants love you; now then, become the king’s son-in-law.’ ” So Saul’s servants reported these words to David in private. And David said, “Does it seem to you a little thing to become the king’s son-in-law, seeing that I am a poor man and of no repute?” The servants of Saul told him, “This is what David said.” Then Saul said, “Thus shall you say to David, ‘The king desires no marriage present except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, that he may be avenged on the king’s enemies.’ ” Now Saul planned to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. When his servants told David these words, David was well pleased to be the king’s son-in-law. Before the time had expired, David rose and went, along with his men, and killed one hundred of the Philistines, and David brought their foreskins, which were given in full number to the king, that he might become the king’s son-in-law. Saul gave him his daughter Michal as a wife. But when Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that Saul’s daughter Michal loved him, Saul was still more afraid of David. So Saul was David’s enemy from that time forward.
HYMN: Psalm 140; para. Psalter, 1912
Tune: Passion Chorale https://tinyurl.com/yc4e5ys9
1 Deliver me from evil,
preserve me, LORD, from wrong;
against the foes that gather
be Thou my Helper strong.
From those who plot to hurt me
and spread their treach’rous snare
preserve me, LORD, and keep me
safeguarded in Thy care.
2 O LORD, I have confessed Thee
to be my God alone;
O hear my supplication
and be Thy mercy shown;
O God the LORD, my Savior,
my Shield amid the strife,
let not the wicked triumph
who plot against my life.
3 Let evil smite the evil
and cause their overthrow;
the needy and afflicted
the LORD will help, I know;
Thy saints, redeemed from evil,
their thanks to Thee shall give;
the righteous and the upright
shall in Thy presence live.
READING: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not regretfully or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, “He scatters abroad; he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us, for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your partnership with them and with all others, while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
HYMN: Charles Wesley
Tune: Abridge https://tinyurl.com/2tnpa4r5
1 What shall I do my God to love,
my loving God to praise?
The length, and breadth, and height to prove,
and depth of sovereign grace?
2 Thy sovereign grace to all extends,
immense and unconfined;
from age to age it never ends,
it reaches all mankind.
3 Throughout the world its breadth is known,
wide as infinity;
so wide it never passed by one,
or it had passed by me.
4 My trespass was grown up to heaven;
but, far above the skies,
in Christ abundantly forgiven,
I see thy mercies rise.
5 The depth of all-redeeming love,
what angel tongue can tell?
O may I to the utmost prove
the gift unspeakable!
6 Come quickly, gracious Lord, and take
possession of your own;
my longing heart vouchsafe to make
thy everlasting throne.
READING: Luke 9:37-45
On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met Jesus. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” While he was being brought forward, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God.
While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning remained concealed from them, so that they could not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
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 COS
Gracious God,
rejoicing in your blessings,
trusting in your loving care for all,
we bring you our prayers for the world.
We pray for the created world:
for those who rebuild
where things have been destroyed;
for those who fight hunger, poverty, and disease;
for those who have power
to bring change for the better and to renew hope.
In the life of our world
your kingdom come, O Lord.
We pray for our country:
for those who frame our laws
and shape our common life;
for those who keep the peace
and administer justice;
for those who teach,
those who heal,
all who serve the community.
In the life of our land
your kingdom come, O Lord.
We pray for people in need:
those for whom life is a bitter struggle;
those whose lives are clouded
by death or loss,
by pain or disability,
by discouragement or fear,
by shame or rejection.
In the lives of those in need
your kingdom come, O Lord.
We pray for those
in the circle of friendship and love around us:
children and parents;
sisters and brothers;
friends and neighbours;
and for those especially in our thoughts today.
In the lives of those we love
your kingdom come, O Lord.
We pray for the Church
in its stand with the poor,
in its love for the outcast and the ashamed,
in its service to the sick and the neglected,
in its proclamation of the Gospel,
in this land, in this place.
In the life of your Church
your kingdom come, O Lord.
Setting: Sanford Dole https://tinyurl.com/y7ldq7h5
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today the bread of life;
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.
Gracious God, we give you thanks for the life and work of Margery Kempe, who, passing through the cloud of unknowing, beheld your glory. Help us, after her example, to see you more clearly and love you more dearly, in the Name of Jesus Christ our Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. HWHM
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
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 three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language versions of Psalms 132 and 134 are in the version used in Lutheran Service Book: Pew Edition Concordia Publishing House, and are from the Next to the Word of God YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkVRYL-MRebncw584Ql2xfg. Psalm 133 is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is sung by Ryland Angel. Psalm 135 is 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.
