Søren Aabye Kierkegaard
Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, on May 5, 1813, Kierkegaard became more influential after his lifetime than he was during it. He inherited his father’s melancholy, guilt-ridden disposition. Initially planning to seek ordination in the state church of Denmark, Kierkegaard studied theology at the University of Copenhagen from 1830 to 1840. Although he never lost his faith in God, Kierkegaard came to condemn the state church as a mockery of Christianity that made being a Christian too easy. Kierkegaard felt that challenges were inherent in the Christian pilgrimage of faith. Kierkegaard believed that proof negated faith. For exampIe, if one could prove the Incarnation, the existence of God, and the truth of Christianity, one would negate faith and replace it with evidence. A leap of faith was necessary. Absolute knowledge was neither rational nor possible. Kierkegaard also believed that both truth and the ability to understand it come solely from God. 1
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/823z9syw
We have come to know and to believe
in the love that God has for us. 1 John 4
Great Companion, You have loved us first.
May we never forget that You are love,
So that this sure conviction might triumph in our hearts
Over the whirling of the world,
Over the inquietude of the soul,
Over the anxiety for the future,
Over the fright of the past,
Over the distress of the moment.
May this conviction discipline our soul
So that our hearts might remain faithful and sincere
In the love which we bear to all those we love as ourselves. Amen. Kierkegaard
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: Mary Ann Kidder
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/mwyzcnw2
1 Ere you left your room this morning,
Did you think to pray?
In the name of Christ our Savior,
Did you sue for loving favor,
As a shield today?
Chorus:
O how praying rests the weary!
Prayer will change the night to day;
So when life seems dark and dreary,
Don’t forget to pray.
2 When you met with great temptation,
Did you think to pray?
By His dying love and merit,
Did you claim the Holy Spirit
As your guide and stay? (Chorus)
3 When your heart was filled with anger,
Did you think to pray?
Did you plead for grace, my brother,
That you might forgive another
Who had crossed your way? (Chorus)
4 When sore trials came upon you,
Did you think to pray?
When your soul was bowed in sorrow,
Balm of Gilead did you borrow
At the gates of day? (Chorus)
PSALMS
Psalm 62 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y9slywgl)
1 My soul truly waiteth still upon God *
for of him cometh my salvation.
2 He verily is my strength and my salvation *
he is my defence, so that I shall not greatly fall.
3 How long will ye imagine mischief against every man *
ye shall be slain all the sort of you;
yea, as a tottering wall shall ye be, and like a broken hedge.
4 Their device is only how to put him out whom God will exalt *
their delight is in lies; they give good words with their mouth,
but curse with their heart.
5 Nevertheless, my soul, wait thou still upon God *
for my hope is in him.
6 He truly is my strength and my salvation *
he is my defence, so that I shall not fall.
7 In God is my health, and my glory *
the rock of my might, and in God is my trust.
8 O put your trust in him alway, ye people *
pour out your hearts before him, for God is our hope.
9 As for the children of men, they are but vanity *
the children of men are deceitful upon the weights,
they are altogether lighter than vanity itself.
10 O trust not in wrong and robbery, give not yourselves unto vanity *
if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
11 God spake once, and twice I have also heard the same *
that power belongeth unto God;
12 And that thou, Lord, art merciful *
for thou rewardest every man according to his work.
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 63 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y7dmyzy2)
1 O God, thou art my God *
early will I seek thee.
2 My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh also longeth after thee *
in a barren and dry land where no water is.
3 Thus have I looked for thee in holiness *
that I might behold thy power and glory.
4 For thy loving-kindness is better than the life itself *
my lips shall praise thee.
5 As long as I live will I magnify thee on this manner *
and lift up my hands in thy Name.
6 My soul shall be satisfied, even as it were with marrow and fatness *
when my mouth praiseth thee with joyful lips.
7 Have I not remembered thee in my bed *
and thought upon thee when I was waking?
8 Because thou hast been my helper *
therefore under the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
9 My soul hangeth upon thee *
thy right hand hath upholden me.
10 These also that seek the hurt of my soul *
they shall go under the earth.
11 Let them fall upon the edge of the sword *
that they may be a portion for foxes.
12 But the King shall rejoice in God;
all they also that swear by him shall be commended *
for the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
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 64 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ydc4zq6h)
1 Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer *
preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the gathering together of the froward *
and from the insurrection of wicked doers;
3 Who have whet their tongue like a sword *
and shoot out their arrows, even bitter words;
4 That they may privily shoot at him that is perfect *
suddenly do they hit him, and fear not.
5 They encourage themselves in mischief *
and commune among themselves how they may lay snares,
and say, that no man shall see them.
6 They imagine wickedness, and practise it *
that they keep secret among themselves,
every man in the deep of his heart.
7 But God shall suddenly shoot at them with a swift arrow *
that they shall be wounded.
8 Yea, their own tongues shall make them fall *
insomuch that whoso seeth them shall laugh them to scorn.
9 And all men that see it shall say, This hath God done *
for they shall perceive that it is his work.
10 The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord, and put his trust in him *
and all they that are true of heart shall be glad.
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 62 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-62.mp3)
1 For God alone my soul in silence waits; *
from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, *
my stronghold, so that I shall not be greatly shaken.
3 How long will you assail me to crush me,
all of you together, *
as if you were a leaning fence, a toppling wall?
4 They seek only to bring me down from my place of honor; *
lies are their chief delight.
5 They bless with their lips, *
but in their hearts they curse.
6 For God alone my soul in silence waits; *
truly, my hope is in him.
7 He alone is my rock and my salvation, *
my stronghold, so that I shall not be shaken.
8 In God is my safety and my honor; *
God is my strong rock and my refuge.
9 Put your trust in him always, O people, *
pour out your hearts before him, for God is our refuge.
10 Those of high degree are but a fleeting breath, *
even those of low estate cannot be trusted.
11 On the scales they are lighter than a breath, *
all of them together.
12 Put no trust in extortion;
in robbery take no empty pride; *
though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.
13 God has spoken once, twice have I heard it, *
that power belongs to God.
14 Steadfast love is yours, O Lord, *
for you repay everyone according to his deeds.
Psalm 63 (Gregorian Tone III.4)
1 O God, you are my God; *
early will I seek you.
2 My soul thirsts for you, my flesh also longs after you, *
in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
3 Thus I have looked upon you in your holy place, *
that I might behold your power and glory.
4 For your loving-kindness is better than life itself; *
my lips shall praise you.
5 As long as I live I will magnify you, *
and lift up my hands in your Name.
6 My soul shall be satisfied, as with marrow and fatness, *
when my mouth praises you with joyful lips.
7 When I remember you on my bed, *
I meditate on you in the watches of the night.
8 Because you have been my helper, *
therefore under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.
9 My soul clings to you; *
your right hand has upheld me.
10 Those who seek to destroy my life *
shall go down into the earth.
11 Let them fall upon the edge of the sword, *
that they may be a portion for jackals.
12 But the King shall rejoice in God;
all those who swear by him shall be commended, *
for the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.
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 64 (Gregorian Tone III.4)
1 Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer; *
preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the gathering together of the wicked, *
and from the tumult of evildoers,
3 Who have whet their tongue like a sword, *
and shoot out their arrows, even bitter words,
4 That they may secretly shoot at the one who is blameless; *
suddenly do they shoot him, and fear not.
5 They hold fast to their evil purpose, *
and discuss among themselves how they may lay snares,
and say that no one shall see them.
6 They imagine wickedness, and practice a cunning plot; *
for the human heart and mind are very deep.
7 But God shall suddenly shoot at them with a swift arrow, *
and they shall be wounded.
8 Indeed, their own tongues shall make them fall, *
so that all who see them shall laugh them to scorn.
9 And all shall fear and tell what God has done, *
for they shall perceive that it is his work.
10 The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord and put their trust in him, *
and all who are true of heart shall be glad.
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 unfailing light,
deep within our hearts we long for your presence.
Give us the light of your steadfast love,
that our lives may proclaim your goodness,
our work give you honor,
and our voices bless you forever;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. BCW2018
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: Jeremiah 31:10-17
Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
and declare it in the coastlands far away;
say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him
and will keep him as a shepherd does a flock.”
For the Lord has ransomed Jacob
and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.
They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,
and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall become like a watered garden,
and they shall never languish again.
Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy;
I will comfort them and give them gladness for sorrow.
I will give the priests their fill of fatness,
and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty,
says the Lord.
Thus says the Lord:
A voice is heard in Ramah,
lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
she refuses to be comforted for her children,
because they are no more.
Thus says the Lord:
Keep your voice from weeping
and your eyes from tears,
for there is a reward for your work,
says the Lord:
they shall come back from the land of the enemy;
there is hope for your future,
says the Lord:
your children shall come back to their own country.
HYMN: Hilary Jolly
Tune: Yn y Glyn https://tinyurl.com/3x9cy92c
1 Through the darkness of the ages,
through the sorrows of the days,
strength of weary generations,
lifting hearts in hope and praise,
light in darkness, joy in sorrow,
presence to allay all fears,
Jesus, you have kept your promise,
faithful through two thousand years.
2 Bounty of two thousand harvests,
beauty of two thousand springs;
He who framed the times and seasons
has vouchsafed us greater things.
Word of God who spoke creation
speaks forgiveness, speaks to save,
gathers still his ransomed people
in the life he freely gave.
3 Countless flowers have bloomed and withered,
countless noons are sealed in night,
shattered thrones and fallen empires,
realms and riches lost from sight.
Christ, your kingdom still increases
as the centuries unfold.
Grain that fell to earth and perished
has brought forth ten thousand-fold.
4 Master, we shall sing your praises,
man of sorrows, God of power,
for the measured march of seasons
shall at last bring in the hour
when, as lightning leaps the heavens,
you return to lead us home.
You have promised, “I am coming.”
Swiftly, our Lord Jesus, come.
READING: Revelation 4
After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! And the one seated there looks like jasper and carnelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald. Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads. Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God, and in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal.
Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and back: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with a face like a human, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing,
“Holy, holy, holy,
the Lord God the Almighty,
who was and is and is to come.”
And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing,
“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”
HYMN: Henry Chorley
Tune: Russian Hymn https://tinyurl.com/4cxzzjwf
1 God the all-terrible! King, who ordainest
great winds thy clarions, lightnings thy sword,
show forth thy pity on high where thou reignest;
give to us peace in our time, O Lord.
2 God the omnipotent! Mighty avenger,
watching invisible, judging unheard,
save us in mercy, O save us from danger;
give to us peace in our time, O Lord.
3 God the all-merciful! Earth hath forsaken
thy ways of blessedness, slighted thy Word;
bid not thy wrath in its terrors awaken;
give to us peace in our time, O Lord.
4 God the all-righteous One! Man hath defied thee;
yet to eternity standeth thy Word;
falsehood and wrong shall not tarry beside thee;
give to us peace in our time, O Lord.
5 God the all-wise! By the fire of thy chast’ning,
earth shall to freedom and truth be restored;
through the thick darkness thy kingdom is hast’ning;
thou wilt give peace in thy time, O Lord.
READING: Luke 17:26-37
Jesus said, “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so, too, it will be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot, they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day that Lot left Sodom it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed all of them; it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away, and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left.” Then they asked him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the eagles will gather.”
CANTICLE Philippians 2:6-11
(Chant by John Michael Talbot: https://tinyurl.com/y8ljx8y7)
Though he was in the form of God,
Jesus did not deem equality with God
something to be grasped at.
Rather, he emptied himself
and took the form of a slave,
being born in the likeness of men.
He was known to be of human estate
and it was thus that he humbled himself,
obediently accepting even death,
death on a cross!
Because of this,
God highly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
above every other name,
So that at Jesus’ name
every knee must bend
in the heavens, on the earth,
and under the earth,
and every tongue proclaim
to the glory of God the Father:
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
THE PRAYERS WS
Let us pray for those who suffer from illness,
from the pain of memory,
from torture, from victimization,
especially those hurt by the church or its members . . .
Let us pray for those who are outcast,
or imprisoned, or oppressed . . .
Let us pray for those who are hungry, or homeless, or poor,
and for those who are unemployed or exploited . . .
Let us pray for the coming of justice in the world,
offering what we have and receiving what we need
of the earth’s beauty . . .
Let us pray for peace that is a just reconciliation . . .
Let us pray for the earth on which we walk
and to which we will one day return . . .
And let us offer our own petitions,
trusting in God’s wisdom and compassion . . .
God hears the prayers of the faithful,
and in his arms we find safe harbor and understanding. Amen.
(Plainsong: https://tinyurl.com/ahnrtv59)ELW
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.
Heavenly Father,
help us to remember that you are always with us,
even when we walk through the valley of the shadow,
that, with your philosopher Søren Kierkegaard,
we may believe what we have not seen
and trust that which we cannot test,
and thus come at length to the eternal joy
prepared for those who love you;
through Jesus Christ our Savior,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, in glory everlasting. 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
ELW The Lord’s Prayer is from Setting Five in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
WS Worship Sourcebook © Faith Alive Christian Resources
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 version of Psalm 62 is from Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is sung by Ryland Angel. Psalms 63 and 64 are from Book of Common Prayer (2019) and 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.
