Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) was a Roman Catholic nun who devoted her life to serving the poor and destitute around the world. She spent many years in Calcutta, India where she founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation devoted to helping those in great need. In 1979, Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and became a symbol of charitable, selfless work.
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/r5j8et73
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.
Indeed, the Lord is near.
Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires, known,
and from whom no secrets are hid:
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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: Mother Teresa
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/3c9pmupd
Refrain:
We can do no great things,
we can do no great things,
we can do no great things;
only small things with great love.
1 Use us as instruments, simple vessels of your peace.
Inspire in us pure hearts of understanding,
to know that, in your warm embrace,
our beings will find rest. [Refrain]
2 Lord, make us instruments, quiet vessels of your love.
Create in us clean hearts of contemplation
to see your face in those we serve,
in all who search for you. [Refrain]
3 Choose us as instruments, sacred vessels of your will.
Transform in us new hearts of God’s compassion
to live true lives of readiness:
We listen for your call. [Refrain]
PSALMS
Psalm 24 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y9wmst8w)
1 The earth is the Lord’s, and all that therein is *
the compass of the world, and they that dwell therein.
2 For he hath founded it upon the seas *
and prepared it upon the floods.
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord *
or who shall rise up in his holy place?
4 Even he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart *
and that hath not lift up his mind unto vanity,
nor sworn to deceive his neighbour.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord *
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of them that seek him *
even of them that seek thy face, O Jacob.
7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors *
and the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is the King of glory *
it is the Lord strong and mighty, even the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors *
and the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is the King of glory *
even the Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.
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 25 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y6uy8tmx)
1 Unto thee, O Lord, will I lift up my soul;
my God, I have put my trust in thee *
O let me not be confounded, neither let mine enemies triumph over me.
2 For all they that hope in thee shall not be ashamed *
but such as transgress without a cause shall be put to confusion.
3 Shew me thy ways, O Lord *
and teach me thy paths.
4 Lead me forth in thy truth, and learn me *
for thou art the God of my salvation;
in thee hath been my hope all the day long.
5 Call to remembrance, O Lord, thy tender mercies *
and thy loving-kindnesses, which have been ever of old.
6 O remember not the sins and offences of my youth *
but according to thy mercy think thou upon me, O Lord, for thy goodness.
7 Gracious and righteous is the Lord *
therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
8 Them that are meek shall he guide in judgement *
and such as are gentle, them shall he learn his way.
9 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth *
unto such as keep his covenant, and his testimonies.
10 For thy Name’s sake, O Lord *
be merciful unto my sin, for it is great.
11 What man is he, that feareth the Lord *
him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
12 His soul shall dwell at ease *
and his seed shall inherit the land.
13 The secret of the Lord is among them that fear him *
and he will shew them his covenant.
14 Mine eyes are ever looking unto the Lord *
for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
15 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me *
for I am desolate, and in misery.
16 The sorrows of my heart are enlarged *
O bring thou me out of my troubles.
17 Look upon my adversity and misery *
and forgive me all my sin.
18 Consider mine enemies, how many they are *
and they bear a tyrannous hate against me.
19 O keep my soul, and deliver me *
let me not be confounded, for I have put my trust in thee.
20 Let perfectness and righteous dealing wait upon me *
for my hope hath been in thee.
21 Deliver Israel, O God *
out of all his troubles.
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 26 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y9r5o6yo)
1 Be thou my Judge, O Lord, for I have walked innocently *
my trust hath been also in the Lord, therefore shall I not fall.
2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me *
try out my reins and my heart.
3 For thy loving-kindness is ever before mine eyes *
and I will walk in thy truth.
4 I have not dwelt with vain persons *
neither will I have fellowship with the deceitful.
5 I have hated the congregation of the wicked *
and will not sit among the ungodly.
6 I will wash my hands in innocency, O Lord *
and so will I go to thine altar;
7 That I may shew the voice of thanksgiving *
and tell of all thy wondrous works.
8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house *
and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
9 O shut not up my soul with the sinners *
nor my life with the blood-thirsty;
10 In whose hands is wickedness *
and their right hand is full of gifts,
11 But as for me, I will walk innocently *
O deliver me, and be merciful unto me.
12 My foot standeth right *
I will praise the Lord in the congregations.
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 24 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-24-MH.mp3)
1 The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness,
the world and all its peoples.
2 It is he who set it on the seas;
on the waters he made it firm.
3 Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who shall stand in his holy place?
4 The man with clean hands and pure heart,
who desires not worthless things,
(who have not sworn so as to deceive their neighbor.)
5 He shall receive blessings from the Lord
and reward from the God who saves him .
6 Such are the men who seek him,
seek the face of the God of Jacob.
7 O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory!
8 Who is the king of glory?
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, the Lord, the valiant in war.
9 O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory!
10 Who is he, the king of glory?
He, the Lord of armies, he is the king of 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.
Psalm 25 (LSB Tone I: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-25-LSB.mp3)
1 To you, O LORD,*
I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame;*
let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;*
they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD;*
teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my sal- vation;*
for you I wait all the day long.
6 Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love,*
for they have been from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;*
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!
8 Good and upright is the LORD;*
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,*
and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,*
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For your name’s sake, O LORD,*
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 Who is the man who fears the LORD?*
Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall abide in well-being,*
and his offspring shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,*
and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD,*
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,*
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17The troubles of my heart are enlarged;*
bring me out of my distresses.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,*
and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider how many are my foes,*
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!*
Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,*
for I wait for you.
22Redeem Israel, O God,*
out of all his troubles.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son*
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the be ginning,*
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Psalm 26 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-26-MH.mp3)
1 Give judgment for me, O Lord:
for I walk the path of perfection.
I trust in the Lord; I have not wavered.
2 Examine me, Lord, and try me;
O test my heart and my mind,
3 for your love is before my eyes
and I walk according to your truth.
4 I never take my place with liars
and with hypocrites I shall not go.
5 I hate the evil-doer’s company:
I will not take my place with the wicked.
6 To prove my innocence I wash my hands
and take my place around your altar,
7 singing a song of thanksgiving,
proclaiming all your wonders.
8 O Lord, I love the house where you dwell,
the place where your glory abides.
9 Do not sweep me away with sinners,
nor my life with bloodthirsty men
10 in whose hands are evil plots,
whose right hands are filled with gold.
11 As for me, I walk the path of perfection.
Redeem me and show me your mercy.
12 My foot stands on level ground:
I will bless the Lord in the assembly.
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
Lord Jesus, gentle and humble of heart,
you promised your kingdom to those who are like children.
Never let pride reign in our hearts.
In compassion embrace all who willingly bear your gentle yoke
now and forever. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
At midnight the Lord struck down all the first offspring in the land of Egypt, from the oldest child of Pharaoh sitting on his throne to the oldest child of the prisoner in jail, and all the first offspring of the animals. When Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the Egyptians got up that night, a terrible cry of agony rang out across Egypt because every house had someone in it who had died. Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron that night and said, “Get up! Get away from my people, both you and the Israelites! Go! Worship the Lord, as you said! You can even take your flocks and herds, as you asked. Just go! And bring a blessing on me as well!”
The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the land because they thought, We’ll all be dead. So the people picked up their bread dough before the yeast made it rise, with their bread pans wrapped in their robes on their shoulders. The Israelites did as Moses had told them and asked the Egyptians for their silver and gold jewelry as well as their clothing. The Lord made sure that the Egyptians were kind to the people so that they let them have whatever they asked for. And so they robbed the Egyptians.
The Israelites traveled from Rameses to Succoth. They numbered about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. A diverse crowd also went up with them along with a huge number of livestock, both flocks and herds. They baked unleavened cakes from the dough they had brought out of Egypt. The dough didn’t rise because they were driven out of Egypt and they couldn’t wait. In fact, they didn’t have time to prepare any food for themselves.
The length of time that the Israelites had lived in Egypt was four hundred thirty years. At the end of four hundred thirty years, on that precise day, all the Lord’s people in military formation left the land of Egypt. For the Lord, that was a night of intent watching, to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For all Israelites in every generation, this same night is a time of intent watching to honor the Lord.
HYMN: Psalm 116; para. Helen Otte ©
Tune: Genevan 116 http://tinyurl.com/bdzb9cme
1 I love the LORD, for he has heard my voice.
He turned to me and heard my cry for mercy.
Anguished by death and overcome by sorrow,
I turned in my distress to God in prayer.
2 Our God is gracious, merciful, and just.
He watches over all the simple-hearted.
Rest, O my soul, and trust him for salvation.
Remember all his goodness shown to you.
3 For you, O LORD, have saved my soul from death.
You kept my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
I kept my faith, though I was much afflicted.
Dismayed, I said, “All people are untrue.”
4 How can I pay the LORD for all his gifts?
I will lift up the cup of full salvation.
I will fulfill my vows to God my Savior.
With all his saints I’ll call upon his name.
5 Precious to God the dying of his saints.
I am your faithful servant, freed from bondage.
I’ll pay my vows and, with your people, thank you.
Come to his house, O people, praise the LORD!
We have conducted ourselves with godly sincerity and pure motives in the world, and especially toward you. This is why we are confident, and our conscience confirms this. We didn’t act with human wisdom but we relied on the grace of God. We don’t write anything to you except what you can read and also understand. I hope that you will understand totally since you have already understood us partly. Understand that in the day of our Lord Jesus, we will make you proud as you will also make us proud.
Because I was sure of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you could have a second opportunity to see me. I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and then come to you again on my way back from Macedonia, at which point I was hoping you would help me on my way to Judea.
So I wasn’t unreliable when I planned to do this, was I? Or do I make decisions with a substandard human process so that I say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? But as God is faithful, our message to you isn’t both yes and no. God’s Son, Jesus Christ, is the one who was preached among you by us—through me, Silvanus, and Timothy—he wasn’t yes and no. In him it is always yes. All of God’s promises have their yes in him. That is why we say Amen through him to the glory of God.
God is the one who establishes us with you in Christ and who anointed us. God also sealed us and gave the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts. I call on God as my witness—I didn’t come again to Corinth because I wanted to spare you. It isn’t that we are trying to control your faith, but we are working with you for your happiness, because you stand firm in your faith.
HYMN: Russell Kelso Carter
Tune: http://tinyurl.com/2ajzpa65
1 Standing on the promises of Christ my king,
through eternal ages let his praises ring;
glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
standing on the promises of God my Savior;
standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
by the living Word of God I shall prevail,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
3 Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord,
overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
4 Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,
resting in my Savior as my all in all,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
Jesus was telling them a parable about their need to pray continuously and not to be discouraged. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him, asking, ‘Give me justice in this case against my adversary.’ For a while he refused but finally said to himself, I don’t fear God or respect people, but I will give this widow justice because she keeps bothering me. Otherwise, there will be no end to her coming here and embarrassing me.” The Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. Won’t God provide justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he be slow to help them? I tell you, he will give them justice quickly. But when the Human One comes, will he find faithfulness on earth?”
CANTICLE Isaiah 9; Isaiah 40:1-9; 1 John 1
(Dan Schutte: https://tinyurl.com/ybrvb259)
Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep!
A new day is dawning for all those who weep
The people in darkness have seen a great light
The Lord of our longing has conquered the night
Refrain:
Let us build the city of God
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love
Has turned the night into day!
We are sons of the morning; we are daughters of day
The One who has loved us has brightened our way. Refrain
God is light; in him there is no darkness
Let us walk in his light, his children, one and all. Refrain
O comfort my people; make gentle your words
Proclaim to my city the day of her birth. Refrain
THE PRAYERS BCW
God of glory, we praise you for your presence in our lives, and for all goodness
that you shower upon your children in Jesus Christ. Especially we thank you for
promises kept and hope for tomorrow . . .
the enjoyment of friends . . .
the wonders of your creation . . .
the love from our parents, our sisters and brothers, our spouses and children . . .
the pleasures of living. . . .
God of grace, we are one with all your children, for we are sisters and brothers
of Jesus Christ, and we offer our prayers for all whom we love.
Especially we pray for
those we too often forget . . .
people who have lost hope . . .
victims of tragedy and disaster . . .
those who suffer mental anguish . . .
ecumenical councils and church agencies. . . .
(Karin Simmons: https://tinyurl.com/y7vwp7dd)
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.
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.
Almighty God, whose will it is to be glorified in your saints, and who raised up your servant Teresa of Calcutta to be a light in the world: Shine, we pray, in our hearts, that we also in our generation may show forth your praise, who called us out of darkness into your marvelous light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 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
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BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
HWHM Holy Women, Holy Men © 2010 The Church Pension Fund.
The 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 Psalm 19 and 20 are from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and are sung by Ryland Angel. Psalm 21 is from The Grail Psalter and is from the Manual Hopper YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/manualhopper/featured
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 © 2023 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.
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