From steve.benner at oremus.org Sun Mar 1 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Sun, 1 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 2 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090301170000.A0E69313C59@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Monday, March 2, 2009 Chad, Bishop of Lichfield, Missionary, 672 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God, rich in mercy, you so loved the world that when we were dead in our sins, you sent your only Son for our deliverance. Lifted up from the earth, he is light and life; exalted upon the cross, he is truth and salvation. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 42 As the deer longs for the waterbrooks,* so longs my soul for you, O God. My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God;* when shall I come to appear before the presence of God? My tears have been my food day and night,* while all day long they say to me, 'Where now is your God?' I pour out my soul when I think on these things:* how I went with the multitude and led them into the house of God, With the voice of praise and thanksgiving,* among those who keep holyday. Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul?* and why are you so disquieted within me? Put your trust in God;* for I will yet give thanks to him, who is the help of my countenance, and my God. My soul is heavy within me;* therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan, and from the peak of Mizar among the heights of Hermon. One deep calls to another in the noise of your cataracts;* all your rapids and floods have gone over me. The Lord grants his lovingkindness in the daytime;* in the night season his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I will say to the God of my strength, 'Why have you forgotten me?* and why do I go so heavily while the enemy oppresses me?' While my bones are being broken,* my enemies mock me to my face; All day long they mock me* say to me, 'Where now is your God?' Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul?* and why are you so disquieted within me? Put your trust in God;* for I will yet give thanks to him, who is the help of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 43 Give judgement for me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people;* deliver me from the deceitful and the wicked. For you are the God of my strength; why have you put me from you?* and why do I go so heavily while the enemy oppresses me? Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me,* and bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling; That I may go to the altar of God, to the God of my joy and gladness;* and on the harp I will give thanks to you, O God my God. Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul?* and why are you so disquieted within me? Put your trust in God;* for I will yet give thanks to him, who is the help of my countenance, and my God. A Song of the Word of the Lord (Isaiah 55.611) Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; Let the wicked abandon their ways, and the unrighteous their thoughts; Return to the Lord, who will have mercy; to our God, who will richly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,( says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from above, and return not again but water the earth, Bringing forth life and giving growth, seed for sowing and bread to eat, So is my word that goes forth from my mouth; it will not return to me fruitless, But it will accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the task I gave it.( Psalm 146 Praise the Lord, O my soul!* I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth,* for there is no help in them. When they breathe their last, they return to earth,* and in that day their thoughts perish. Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help!* whose hope is in the Lord their God; Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them;* who keeps his promise for ever; Who gives justice to those who are oppressed,* and food to those who hunger. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind;* the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; The Lord loves the righteous; the Lord cares for the stranger;* he sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked. The Lord shall reign for ever,* your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. FIRST READING [Genesis 24:1-27]: Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his house, who had charge of all that he had, ?Put your hand under my thigh and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live, but will go to my country and to my kindred and get a wife for my son Isaac.? The servant said to him, ?Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land; must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?? Abraham said to him, ?See to it that you do not take my son back there. The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father?s house and from the land of my birth, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ?To your offspring I will give this land?, he will send his angel before you; you shall take a wife for my son from there. But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.? So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter. Then the servant took ten of his master?s camels and departed, taking all kinds of choice gifts from his master; and he set out and went to Aram-naharaim, to the city of Nahor. He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water; it was towards evening, the time when women go out to draw water. And he said, ?O?Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. I am standing here by the spring of water, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. Let the girl to whom I shall say, ?Please offer your jar that I may drink?, and who shall say, ?Drink, and I will water your camels??let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.? Before he had finished speaking, there was Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham?s brother, coming out with her water-jar on her shoulder. The girl was very fair to look upon, a virgin whom no man had known. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up. Then the servant ran to meet her and said, ?Please let me sip a little water from your jar.? ?Drink, my lord,? she said, and quickly lowered her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink. When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, ?I will draw for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.? So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw, and she drew for all his camels. The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful. When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold nose-ring weighing a half-shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels, and said, ?Tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father?s house for us to spend the night?? She said to him, ?I am the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.? She added, ?We have plenty of straw and fodder and a place to spend the night.? The man bowed his head and worshipped the Lord and said, ?Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness towards my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the way to the house of my master?s kin.? HYMN Words: Almum flamen, vita mundi Heinrich Lindenborn (1712-1750) translated Jackson Mason (1833-1888) Tune: Barmouth Bounteous Spirit, ever shedding Life the world to fill! Swarms the fruitful globe o'erspreading, Shoals their ocean pathway threading, Own Thy quick'ning thrill: Author of each creature's birth, Life of life beneath the earth, Everywhere, O Spirit Blest, Thou art motion, Thou art rest. 2 Come, Creator! grace bestowing, - All Thy sevenfold dower! Come, Thy peace and bounty strowing, Earth's Renewer! Thine the sowing, Thine the gladd'ning shower. Comforter! what joy Thou art To the blest and faithful heart; But to man's primeval foe Uttermost despair and woe. O'er the waters of creation Moved Thy Wings Divine; When the world, to animation Waking 'neath Thy visitation, Teem'd with powers benign: Thou didst man to being call, Didst restore him from his fall; Pouring, like the latter rain, Grace to quicken him again. Thine the Gospel voices, crying As with trumpet sound; Till the world, in darkness lying, Rose from deathly sleep, descrying Heavenly light around. Man, to reach that prize reveal'd, Arm'd with Thee as with a shield, Nerved and girt his fight to win, Quells the prince of death and sin. Lowliest homage now before Thee Let the ransom'd pay; For Thy wondrous gifts adore Thee, By Thy holiness implore Thee, While in love they pray: Holy! Holy! we repeat, Kneeling at Thy mercy-seat; There unbosom every woe, Groanings Thou alone canst know. Fount of grace for every nation, Refuge of the soul! Strengthen Thou each new creation, With the waters of salvation Make the guilty whole: Rule on earth the powers that be; Give us priests inspired of Thee; Through Thy Holy Church increase Purest unity and peace. Purge and sanctify us wholly >From the leaven of ill; Save from Satan's grasp unholy; To a living faith and lowly Mould the upright will; Till the olden zeal return, And with mutual love we burn; Till in peace, no more to roam, All the flock be gather'd home. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 3:1-17]: And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? For when one says, ?I belong to Paul?, and another, ?I belong to Apollos?, are you not merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labour of each. For we are God?s servants, working together; you are God?s field, God?s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw? the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. If the work is burned, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God?s temple and that God?s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God?s temple, God will destroy that person. For God?s temple is holy, and you are that temple. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance, Govern and uphold them now and always. Day by day, we bless you; We praise your name for ever. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin; Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy. We long for your salvation, O Lord: grant us understanding, that we may live. Lord, show us your love and mercy, For we put our trust in you. In you, Lord, is our hope: Let us not be confounded at the last Creator God, whose life-giving Spirit wells up with streams of living water, sustain those whose spirits are heavy and whose wells have run dry, through Jesus Christ, the rock of our salvation. Amen. Almighty God, from the first fruits of the English nation who turned to Christ, you called your servant Chad to be an evangelist and bishop of his own people: give us grace so to follow his peaceable nature, humble spirit and prayerful life, that we may truly commend to others the faith which we ourselves profess; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer May God give us his comfort and his peace, his light and his joy, in this world and the next. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving adapts phrases from _Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language_. Canterbury Press, Norwich, 1999. The closing sentence is from _New Patterns for Worship_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The second collect is from _Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England_, material from which is included in this service is copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2000. Chad, Bishop of Lichfield, is perhaps best known for not being Archbishop of York. He was elected and duly installed, but various persons raised objections, and rather than cause division in the Church he withdrew in favor of the other candidate, Wilfrid (see 12 Oct). (The objection was that some of the bishops who had consecrated him--although not Chad himself--were holdouts who, even after the Synod of Whitby had supposedly settled the question in 663, insisted on preserving Celtic customs on the date of celebrating Easter and similar questions, instead of conforming to the customs of the remainder of Western Christendom.) He was soon after made Bishop of Lichfield in Mercia. There he travelled about as he had when Archbishop of York, always on foot (until the Archbishop of Canterbury gave him a hors and ordered him to ride it, at least on long journeys), preaching and teaching wherever he went. He served there for only two and a half years before his death, but he made a deep impression. In the following decades, many chapels, and many wells, were constructed in Mercia and named for him. (It was an old custom to dig a well where one was needed, and to mark it with one's own name or another's, that thirsty travellers and others might drink and remember the name with gratitude.) [James Kiefer] From steve.benner at oremus.org Mon Mar 2 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 3 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090302170000.3EB7E313C45@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Tuesday, March 3, 2009 John and Charles Wesley, Evangelists, Hymn Writers, 1791 and 1788 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God, rich in mercy, you so loved the world that when we were dead in our sins, you sent your only Son for our deliverance. Lifted up from the earth, he is light and life; exalted upon the cross, he is truth and salvation. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 46 God is our refuge and strength,* a very present help in trouble; Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved,* and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea; Though its waters rage and foam,* and though the mountains tremble at its tumult. The Lord of hosts is with us;* the God of Jacob is our stronghold. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,* the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be overthrown;* God shall help her at the break of day. The nations make much ado and the kingdoms are shaken;* God has spoken and the earth shall melt away. The Lord of hosts is with us;* the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Come now and look upon the works of the Lord,* what awesome things he has done on earth. It is he who makes war to cease in all the world;* he breaks the bow and shatters the spear and burns the shields with fire. 'Be still, then, and know that I am God;* I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.' The Lord of hosts is with us;* the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Psalm 47 Clap your hands, all you peoples;* shout to God with a cry of joy. For the Lord Most High is to be feared;* he is the great king over all the earth. He subdues the peoples under us,* and the nations under our feet. He chooses our inheritance for us,* the pride of Jacob whom he loves. God has gone up with a shout,* the Lord with the sound of the ram'shorn. Sing praises to God, sing praises;* sing praises to our king, sing praises. For God is king of all the earth;* sing praises with all your skill. God reigns over the nations;* God sits upon his holy throne. The nobles of the peoples have gathered together* with the people of the God of Abraham. The rulers of the earth belong to God,* and he is highly exalted. The Song of Christ(s Glory (Philippians 2.511) Christ Jesus was in the form of God, but he did not cling to equality with God. He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and was born in our human likeness. Being found in human form he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name above every name, That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth; And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Psalm 147:1-12 How good it is to sing praises to our God!* how pleasant it is to honour him with praise! The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem;* he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted* and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars* and calls them all by their names. Great is our Lord and mighty in power;* there is no limit to his wisdom. The Lord lifts up the lowly,* but casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;* make music to our God upon the harp. He covers the heavens with clouds* and prepares rain for the earth; He makes grass to grow upon the mountains* and green plants to serve us all. He provides food for flocks and herds* and for the young ravens when they cry. He is not impressed by the might of a horse,* he has no pleasure in human strength; But the Lord has pleasure in those who fear him,* in those who await his gracious favour. FIRST READING [Genesis 24:28-38, 49-51, 58-67]: Then the girl ran and told her mother?s household about these things. Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban; and Laban ran out to the man, to the spring. As soon as he had seen the nose-ring, and the bracelets on his sister?s arms, and when he heard the words of his sister Rebekah, ?Thus the man spoke to me?, he went to the man; and there he was, standing by the camels at the spring. He said, ?Come in, O?blessed of the Lord. Why do you stand outside when I have prepared the house and a place for the camels?? So the man came into the house; and Laban unloaded the camels, and gave him straw and fodder for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. Then food was set before him to eat; but he said, ?I will not eat until I have told my errand.? He said, ?Speak on.? So he said, ?I am Abraham?s servant. The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become wealthy; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels and donkeys. And Sarah my master?s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and he has given him all that he has. My master made me swear, saying, ?You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live; but you shall go to my father?s house, to my kindred, and get a wife for my son.? Now then, if you will deal loyally and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so that I may turn either to the right hand or to the left.? Then Laban and Bethuel answered, ?The thing comes from the Lord; we cannot speak to you anything bad or good. Look, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master?s son, as the Lord has spoken.? And they called Rebekah, and said to her, ?Will you go with this man?? She said, ?I will.? So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse along with Abraham?s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, ?May you, our sister, become ???thousands of myriads; may your offspring gain possession ???of the gates of their foes.? Then Rebekah and her maids rose up, mounted the camels, and followed the man; thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way. Now Isaac had come from Beer-lahai-roi, and was settled in the Negeb. Isaac went out in the evening to walk in the field; and looking up, he saw camels coming. And Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she slipped quickly from the camel, and said to the servant, ?Who is the man over there, walking in the field to meet us?? The servant said, ?It is my master.? So she took her veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah?s tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother?s death. HYMN Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788) Tune: Abingdon, Das neugeborne Kindelein, Sagina, Surrey And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Saviour's blood? Died he for me, who caused his pain? For me, who him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be That thou, my God, shouldst die for me? 'Tis mystery all : the Immortal dies! Who can explore his strange design? In vain the first-born seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine. 'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, Let angel minds enquire no more. He left his Father's throne above - So free, so infinite his grace - Emptied himself of all but love, And bled for Adam's helpless race. 'Tis mercy all, immense and free; For, O my God, it found out me! Long my imprisoned spirit lay Fast bound in sin and nature's night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray. I woke, the dungeon flamed with light, My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee. No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in him, is mine! Alive in him, my living head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach the eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ, my own. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 3:18-4:5]: ?Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ?He catches the wise in their craftiness?, and again, ?The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, ???that they are futile.? So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future?all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God?s mysteries. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they should be found trustworthy. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgement before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: Show us your mercy, O Lord; And grant us your salvation. O Lord, save our nation; And teach wisdom to those in authority. Let your priests be clothed with righteousness; Let your faithful people sing with joy. Let your ways be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations. Give your people the blessing of peace And may all the earth be filled with your glory. Create in us clean hearts, O God, And renew a right spirit within us. We offer up again our souls and bodies to you to be governed, not by our will, but yours. O let it be ever the ease and joy of our hearts, to be under the conduct of your unerring wisdom, to follow your counsels, and to be ruled in all things by your holy will. And let us never distrust your abundant kindness and tender care over us; whatsoever it is you would have us to do or to suffer in this world; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. you inspired your servants John and Charles Wesley with burning zeal for the sanctification of souls, and endowed them with eloquence in speech and song: Kindle in your Church, we entreat you, such fervor, that those whose faith has cooled may be warmed, and those who have not known Christ may turn to him and be saved; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer May God give us his comfort and his peace, his light and his joy, in this world and the next. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving adapts phrases from _Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language_. Canterbury Press, Norwich, 1999. The closing sentence is from _New Patterns for Worship_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The first collect is by John Wesley. Born at Epworth Rectory in Lincolnshire, John Wesley was the son of an Anglican clergyman and a Puritan mother. He entered Holy Orders and, following a religious experience on this day in 1738, began an itinerant ministry which recognised no parish boundaries. This resulted, after his death, in the development of a world-wide Methodist Church. His spirituality involved an Arminian affirmation of grace, frequent communion and a disciplined corporate search for holiness. His open-air preaching, concern for education and for the poor, liturgical revision, organisation of local societies and training of preachers provided a firm basis for Christian growth and mission in England. Charles shared with his brother John the building up of early Methodist societies, as they travelled the country. His special concern was that early Methodists should remain loyal to Anglicanism. He married and settled in Bristol, later in London, concentrating his work on the local Christian communities. His thousands of hymns established a resource of lyrical piety which has enabled generations of Christians to re-discover the refining power of God's love. They celebrate God's work of grace from birth to death, the great events of God's work of salvation and the rich themes of eucharistic worship, anticipating the taking up of humanity into the divine life. John died in 1791 and Charles in 1788. [Exciting Holiness] From steve.benner at oremus.org Tue Mar 3 17:00:01 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 17:00:01 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 4 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090303170001.66868313C78@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Wednesday, March 4, 2009 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God, rich in mercy, you so loved the world that when we were dead in our sins, you sent your only Son for our deliverance. Lifted up from the earth, he is light and life; exalted upon the cross, he is truth and salvation. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 4 Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause;* you set me free when I am hardpressed; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. 'You mortals, how long will you dishonour my glory;* how long will you worship dumb idols and run after false gods?' Know that the Lord does wonders for the faithful;* when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me. Tremble, then, and do not sin;* speak to your heart in silence upon your bed. Offer the appointed sacrifices* and put your trust in the Lord. Many are saying, 'O that we might see better times!'* Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O Lord. You have put gladness in my heart,* more than when grain and wine and oil increase. I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep;* for only you, Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 16 Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you;* I have said to the Lord, 'You are my Lord, my good above all other.' All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land,* upon those who are noble among the people. But those who run after other gods* shall have their troubles multiplied. Their libations of blood I will not offer,* nor take the names of their gods upon my lips. O Lord, you are my portion and my cup;* it is you who uphold my lot. My boundaries enclose a pleasant land;* indeed, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel;* my heart teaches me, night after night. I have set the Lord always before me;* because he is at my right hand I shall not fall. My heart, therefore, is glad and my spirit rejoices;* my body also shall rest in hope. For you will not abandon me to the grave,* nor let your holy one see the Pit. You will show me the path of life;* in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore. The Song of Manasseh (Manasseh 1a,2,4,6,7a,b,9a,c,11,12,14b,15b) Lord almighty and God of our ancestors, you who made heaven and earth in all their glory: All things tremble with awe at your presence, before your great and mighty power. Immeasurable and unsearchable is your promised mercy, for you are God, Most High. You are full of compassion, longsuffering and very merciful, and you relent at human suffering. O God, according to your great goodness, you have promised forgiveness for repentance to those who have sinned against you. The sins I have committed against you are more in number than the sands of the sea. I am not worthy to look up to the height of heaven, because of the multitude of my iniquities. And now I bend the knee of my heart before you, imploring your kindness upon me. I have sinned, O God, I have sinned, and I acknowledge my transgressions. Unworthy as I am, you will save me, according to your great mercy. For all the host of heaven sings your praise, and your glory is for ever and ever. Psalm 147:13-end Worship the Lord, O Jerusalem;* praise your God, O Zion; For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;* he has blessed your children within you. He has established peace on your borders;* he satisfies you with the finest wheat. He sends out his command to the earth,* and his word runs very swiftly. He gives snow like wool;* he scatters hoarfrost like ashes. He scatters his hail like bread crumbs;* who can stand against his cold? He sends forth his word and melts them;* he blows with his wind and the waters flow. He declares his word to Jacob,* his statutes and his judgements to Israel. He has not done so to any other nation;* to them he has not revealed his judgements. FIRST READING [Ezekiel 2]: He said to me: O?mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you. And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day. The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ?Thus says the Lord God.? Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them. And you, O?mortal, do not be afraid of them, and do not be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns surround you and you live among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words, and do not be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. You shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear; for they are a rebellious house. But you, mortal, hear what I say to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you. I looked, and a hand was stretched out to me, and a written scroll was in it. He spread it before me; it had writing on the front and on the back, and written on it were words of lamentation and mourning and woe. HYMN Words: Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879) Tune: Deus tuorum militum, Eisenach, Fulda, Melcombe, Warrington and others Lord, speak to me, that I may speak In living echoes of thy tone; As you have sought, so let me seek Thy erring children lost and lone. O lead me, Lord, that I may lead The wandering and the wavering feet; O feed me, Lord, that I may feed Thy hungering ones with manna sweet. O strengthen me, that, while I stand Firm on the rock, and strong in thee, I may stretch out a loving hand To wrestlers with the troubled sea. O teach me, Lord, that I may teach The precious things thou dost impart; And wing my words, that they may reach The hidden depths of many a heart. O give thine own sweet rest to me, That I may speak with soothing power A word in season, as from thee, To weary ones in needful hour. O fill me with thy fullness, Lord, Until my very heart o'erflow In kindling thought and glowing word, Thy love to tell, thy praise to show. O use me, Lord, use even me, Just as thou wilt, and when, and where, Until thy bless?d face I see, Thy rest, thy joy, thy glory share. SECOND READING [Matthew 9:1-13]: And after getting into a boat Jesus crossed the water and came to his own town. And just then some people were carrying a paralysed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ?Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.? Then some of the scribes said to themselves, ?This man is blaspheming.? But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, ?Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ?Your sins are forgiven?, or to say, ?Stand up and walk?? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins??he then said to the paralytic??Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.? And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings. As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ?Follow me.? And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ?Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?? But when he heard this, he said, ?Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ?I desire mercy, not sacrifice.? For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.? The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: Teach us, O Lord, the way of your statutes: And lead us in the path of your commandments. Keep our nation under your care: And guide us in justice and truth. O Lord, deal graciously with your servants; teach us discernment and knowledge. Let not the needy be forgotten: Nor the hope of the poor be taken away. Guide the meek in judgement: And teach your ways to the gentle. Lord, remember your people: Whom you have purchased and redeemed of old. O Lord, who did not abandon your Faithful One in the Pit but raised him victorious from the grave: show the path of life to those redeemed as his own possession, that they may attain to the fullness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer May God give us his comfort and his peace, his light and his joy, in this world and the next. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving adapts phrases from _Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language_. Canterbury Press, Norwich, 1999. The closing sentence is from _New Patterns for Worship_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. From steve.benner at oremus.org Wed Mar 4 17:00:01 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 17:00:01 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 5 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090304170001.4551E313D9C@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Thursday, March 5, 2009 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God, rich in mercy, you so loved the world that when we were dead in our sins, you sent your only Son for our deliverance. Lifted up from the earth, he is light and life; exalted upon the cross, he is truth and salvation. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 49 Hear this, all you peoples; hearken, all you who dwell in the world,* you of high degree and low, rich and poor together. My mouth shall speak of wisdom,* and my heart shall meditate on understanding. I will incline my ear to a proverb* and set forth my riddle upon the harp. Why should I be afraid in evil days,* when the wickedness of those at my heels surrounds me, The wickedness of those who put their trust in their goods,* and boast of their great riches? We can never ransom ourselves,* or deliver to God the price of our life; For the ransom of our life is so great,* that we should never have enough to pay it, In order to live for ever and ever,* and never see the grave. For we see that the wise die also; like the dull and stupid they perish* and leave their wealth to those who come after them. Their graves shall be their homes for ever, their dwelling places from generation to generation,* though they call the lands after their own names. Even though honoured, they cannot live for ever;* they are like the beasts that perish. Such is the way of those who foolishly trust in themselves,* and the end of those who delight in their own words. Like a flock of sheep they are destined to die; Death is their shepherd;* they go down straightway to the grave. Their form shall waste away,* and the land of the dead shall be their home. But God will ransom my life;* he will snatch me from the grasp of death. Do not be envious when some become rich,* or when the grandeur of their house increases; For they will carry nothing away at their death,* nor will their grandeur follow them. Though they thought highly of themselves while they lived,* and were praised for their success, They shall join the company of their forebears,* who will never see the light again. Those who are honoured, but have no understanding,* are like the beasts that perish. A Song of Repentance (1 John 1. 59) This is the message we have heard from Christ and proclaim to you: that God is light, in whom there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with God while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true. But if we walk in the light as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. And the blood of Jesus, the Son of God, cleanses us from all our sins. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, the One who is faithful and just will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Psalm 148 Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise him in the heights. Praise him, all you angels of his;* praise him, all his host. Praise him, sun and moon;* praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, heaven of heavens,* and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord;* for he commanded and they were created. He made them stand fast for ever and ever;* he gave them a law which shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth,* you seamonsters and all deeps; Fire and hail, snow and fog,* tempestuous wind, doing his will; Mountains and all hills,* fruit trees and all cedars; Wild beasts and all cattle,* creeping things and winged birds; Kings of the earth and all peoples,* princes and all rulers of the world; Young men and maidens,* old and young together. Let them praise the name of the Lord,* for his name only is exalted, his splendour is over earth and heaven. He has raised up strength for his people and praise for all his loyal servants,* the children of Israel, a people who are near him. FIRST READING [Genesis 25:28-end]: Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob. Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. Esau said to Jacob, ?Let me eat some of that red stuff, for I am famished!? (Therefore he was called Edom.) Jacob said, ?First sell me your birthright.? Esau said, ?I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?? Jacob said, ?Swear to me first.? So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank, and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. HYMN Words: Alan Gaunt (born 1935) ? 1991 Stainer & Bell Ltd Used with permission Meter: 10 8 10 9 Refrain (No tune is known for this hymn) In the times when our faith seems to fail us; When our hope hits the sinking sands; When our love is defeated and dying: If we fall away, God's wisdom stands. Refrain: We are fools with Christ, made nothing, Weak and helpless with the one who died; In God's wisdom, through our weakness, Foolishness is glorified. Living God at the dawn of creation, As you laughed for the worlds begun, You were grieving for evil and sorrow, For the clouds that would eclipse your Son. Refrain Living Christ, as you stood with earth's victims, Made a fool of and crowned with thorn; Come and burst all the arrogant bubbles Of our prejudice and pride and scorn. Refrain In the Spirit, our faith will not fail us, And our hope will not let us down; Each one counted with Christ in his folly, Is set up to be love's wounded clown. Refrain SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 4:6-end]: I have applied all this to Apollos and myself for your benefit, brothers and sisters, so that you may learn through us the meaning of the saying, ?Nothing beyond what is written?, so that none of you will be puffed up in favour of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift? Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Quite apart from us you have become kings! Indeed, I wish that you had become kings, so that we might be kings with you! For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, as though sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to mortals. We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honour, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed and beaten and homeless, and we grow weary from the work of our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we speak kindly. We have become like the rubbish of the world, the dregs of all things, to this very day. I am not writing this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. I appeal to you, then, be imitators of me. For this reason I sent you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, as I teach them everywhere in every church. But some of you, thinking that I am not coming to you, have become arrogant. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power. What would you prefer? Am I to come to you with a stick, or with love in a spirit of gentleness? The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: Lord, open a path for your Word To declare the mystery of Christ. Turn now, O God of hosts; Behold and tend the vine you have planted. May your people rejoice and sing, And your ministers be clothed with salvation. May they stand and feed your flock In the strength of your name. Keep from trouble all those who trust in you And forget not the poor for ever. Have mercy, O Lord, upon us, As we have put our hope in you. O God, you have taught us that it profits us nothing to have gained the whole world and to lose our souls: enrich with heavenly wisdom the poor in spirit and turn our hearts from the pursuit of vanities; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer May God give us his comfort and his peace, his light and his joy, in this world and the next. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving adapts phrases from _Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language_. Canterbury Press, Norwich, 1999. The closing sentence is from _New Patterns for Worship_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. From steve.benner at oremus.org Thu Mar 5 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 6 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090305170000.B03EF313C43@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Friday, March 6, 2009 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God, rich in mercy, you so loved the world that when we were dead in our sins, you sent your only Son for our deliverance. Lifted up from the earth, he is light and life; exalted upon the cross, he is truth and salvation. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 84 How dear to me is your dwelling, O Lord of hosts!* My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. The sparrow has found her a house and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young;* by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Happy are they who dwell in your house!* they will always be praising you. Happy are the people whose strength is in you!* whose hearts are set on the pilgrims' way. Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs,* for the early rains have covered it with pools of water. They will climb from height to height,* and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion. Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;* hearken, O God of Jacob. Behold our defender, O God;* and look upon the face of your anointed. For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room,* and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the Lord God is both sun and shield;* he will give grace and glory; No good thing will the Lord withhold* from those who walk with integrity. O Lord of hosts,* happy are they who put their trust in you! A Song of Christ the Servant 1 Peter 2.21b25 Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, no guile was found on his lips, when he was reviled, he did not revile in turn. When he suffered, he did not threaten, but he trusted himself to God who judges justly. Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed, for you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. Psalm 149 Sing to the Lord a new song;* sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful. Let Israel rejoice in his maker;* let the children of Zion be joyful in their king. Let them praise his name in the dance;* let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes pleasure in his people* and adorns the poor with victory. Let the faithful rejoice in triumph;* let them be joyful on their beds. Let the praises of God be in their throat* and a twoedged sword in their hand; To wreak vengeance on the nations* and punishment on the peoples; To bind their kings in chains* and their nobles with links of iron; To inflict on them the judgement decreed;* this is glory for all his faithful people. FIRST READING [Ezekiel 34:1-16]: The word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel: prophesy, and say to them?to the shepherds: Thus says the Lord God: Ah, you shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fatlings; but you do not feed the sheep. You have not strengthened the weak, you have not healed the sick, you have not bound up the injured, you have not brought back the strayed, you have not sought the lost, but with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and scattered, they became food for all the wild animals. My sheep were scattered, they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill; my sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with no one to search or seek for them. Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As I live, says the Lord God, because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild animals, since there was no shepherd; and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep; therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: Thus says the Lord God, I am against the shepherds; and I will demand my sheep at their hand, and put a stop to their feeding the sheep; no longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, so that they may not be food for them. For thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice. HYMN Words: Henry Williams Baker (1821-1877) Tune: Saint Columba, Dominus regit me The King of love my shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am his and he is mine for ever. Where streams of living water flow my ransomed soul he leadeth, and where the verdant pastures grow with food celestial feedeth. Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, but yet in love he sought me, and on his shoulder gently laid, and home rejoicing brought me In death's dark vale I fear no ill with thee, dear Lord, beside me; thy rod and staff my comfort still, thy cross before to guide me. Thou spread'st a table in my sight; thy unction grace bestoweth; and O what transport of delight from thy pure chalice floweth! And so through all the length of days thy goodness faileth never: good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise within thy house for ever. SECOND READING [Matthew 10:24-33, 37-42]: Jesus said, ?A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! ?So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. ?Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. ?Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet?s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple?truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.? The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: Send forth your strength, O God, Establish what you have wrought in us. Uphold all those who fall And raise up those who are bowed down. Open the eyes of the blind And set the prisoners free. Sustain the orphan and widow And give food to those who hunger. Grant them the joy of your help again And sustain them with your Spirit. O Lord, judge the peoples And take all nations for your own. God of pilgrims, teach us to recognize your dwelling place in the love, generosity, and support of those with whom we share our journey, and help us to worship you in our response to those who need our care; for all the world is your temple and every human heart is a sign of your presence, made known to us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer May God give us his comfort and his peace, his light and his joy, in this world and the next. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving adapts phrases from _Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language_. Canterbury Press, Norwich, 1999. The closing sentence is from _New Patterns for Worship_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The first collect is from _Daily Prayer_, copyright (c) The Scottish Episcopal Church, 1998. Used with permission. http://www.scottishepiscopal.com From steve.benner at oremus.org Fri Mar 6 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Fri, 6 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 7 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090306170000.DE7EE313C42@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Saturday, March 7, 2009 Perpetua, Felicity and their Companions, Martyrs at Carthage, 203 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God, rich in mercy, you so loved the world that when we were dead in our sins, you sent your only Son for our deliverance. Lifted up from the earth, he is light and life; exalted upon the cross, he is truth and salvation. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 19 The heavens declare the glory of God,* and the firmament shows his handiwork. One day tells its tale to another,* and one night imparts knowledge to another. Although they have no words or language,* and their voices are not heard, Their sound has gone out into all lands,* and their message to the ends of the world. In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun;* it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber; it rejoices like a champion to run its course. It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens and runs about to the end of it again;* nothing is hidden from its burning heat. The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul;* the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent. The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart;* the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever;* the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold,* sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb. By them also is your servant enlightened,* and in keeping them there is great reward. Who can tell how often he offends?* Cleanse me from my secret faults. Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not get dominion over me;* then shall I be whole and sound, and innocent of a great offence. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,* O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd;* I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures* and leads me beside still waters. He revives my soul* and guides me along right pathways for his name's sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil;* for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me;* you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over. Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,* and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. A Song of the Rock (Deuteronomy 32.112) Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distil as the dew, as the gentle rain on the grass, and as the showers upon the meadow. For I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are just: a faithful God without deceit, just and upright is he. His degenerate children have dealt corruptly with him; a perverse and crooked generation. Do you thus repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Is not he your father, who created you, who made you and established you? Remember the days of old, consider the years long past; ask your father, and he will show you; your elders, and they will tell you. When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided the children of earth, he fixed the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the children of God. For the Lord(s own portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage. He sustained him in a desert land, in the howling waste of the wilderness; he shielded him and cared for him; he kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle stirs up its nest, and hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, takes them, and bears them aloft on its pinions, So the Lord alone did guide him, and no foreign god was with him. Psalm 150 Praise God in his holy temple;* praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts;* praise him for his excellent greatness. Praise him with the blast of the ram'shorn;* praise him with lyre and harp. Praise him with timbrel and dance;* praise him with strings and pipe. Praise him with resounding cymbals;* praise him with loudclanging cymbals. Let everything that has breath* praise the Lord. FIRST READING [Ezekiel 34:17-25, 30-31]: As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord God: I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats: Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, but you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture? When you drink of clear water, must you foul the rest with your feet? And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have fouled with your feet? Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken. I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild animals from the land, so that they may live in the wild and sleep in the woods securely. They shall know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, says the Lord God. You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, says the Lord God. HYMN Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788) Tune: Mount Ephraim Lord, if at thy command The word of life we sow, Watered by thy almighty hand, The seed shall surely grow; The virtue of thy grace A large increase shall give, And multiply the faithful race Who to thy glory live. Now then the ceaseless shower Of gospel blessings send, And let the soul-converting power Thy ministers attend. On multitudes confer The heart-renewing love, And by the joy of grace prepare For fuller joys above. SECOND READING [2 Timothy 2:1-15]: You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier?s aim is to please the enlisting officer. And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules. It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David?that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny?us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful? for he cannot deny himself. Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: O Lord, answer us in the day of trouble, Send us help from your holy place. Show us the path of life, For in your presence is joy. Give justice to the orphan and oppressed And break the power of wickedness and evil. Look upon the hungry and sorrowful And grant them the help for which they long. Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad; May your glory endure for ever. Your kingship has dominion over all And with you is our redemption. Glory to you, Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd. In the waters of baptism you give us new birth, at your table you nourish us with heavenly food, and in your goodness and mercy you guide us beyond the terrors of evil and death to your Father(s home to dwell in eternal light. Glory to you for ever. Amen. Holy God, who gave great courage to Perpetua, Felicity and their companions: grant that we may be worthy to climb the ladder of sacrifice and be received into the garden of peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer May God give us his comfort and his peace, his light and his joy, in this world and the next. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving adapts phrases from _Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language_. Canterbury Press, Norwich, 1999. The closing sentence is from _New Patterns for Worship_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The second collect is from _Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England_, material from which is included in this service is copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2000. The moving, contemporary account of these early third-century, African martyrs proved to be of great significance in the life of the early Church. Vibia Perpetua was a young, married noblewoman of Carthage and Felicity was her personal slave. Saturas was possibly a priest and there were two other men, Saturninus and Revocatus, the latter also a slave. Felicity was pregnant. It seems most of them were catechumens when arrested and only baptised later in prison. They were condemned as Christians by the Roman authorities and dispatched to the public arena, there to be mauled by wild animals. They all survived and were then taken to be executed by the sword. Before this, they all exchanged the Kiss of Peace and affirmed their faith in Christ, the Son of God. The contemporary account was much circulated secretly throughout the Christian congregations and proved both to give renown to their courage and to give encouragement to their fellow Christians in the face of adversity. They were martyred for their faith on this day in the year 203. [Exciting Holiness] From steve.benner at oremus.org Sat Mar 7 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 8 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090307170000.64810313C2A@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Sunday, March 8, 2009 The Second Sunday in Lent O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God of the covenant, long ago you embraced your people and promised them your blessing. You called Abraham to trust your promise and you gave him the faith to follow that call. You call us in our baptism to serve you, trusting that Christ will transform us in the glory of the eternal Easter. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 86 Bow down your ear, O Lord, and answer me,* for I am poor and in misery. Keep watch over my life, for I am faithful;* save your servant who trusts in you. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for you are my God;* I call upon you all the day long. Gladden the soul of your servant,* for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,* and great is your love towards all who call upon you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer,* and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the time of my trouble I will call upon you,* for you will answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord,* nor anything like your works. All nations you have made will come and worship you, O Lord,* and glorify your name. For you are great; you do wondrous things;* and you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth;* knit my heart to you that I may fear your name. I will thank you, O Lord my God, with all my heart,* and glorify your name for evermore. For great is your love towards me;* you have delivered me from the nethermost Pit. The arrogant rise up against me, O God, and a violent band seeks my life;* they have not set you before their eyes. But you, O Lord, are gracious and full of compassion,* slow to anger and full of kindness and truth. Turn to me and have mercy upon me;* give your strength to your servant; and save the child of your handmaid. Show me a sign of your favour, so that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed;* because you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me. Psalm 142 I cry to the Lord with my voice;* to the Lord I make loud supplication. I pour out my complaint before him* and tell him all my trouble. When my spirit languishes within me, you know my path;* in the way wherein I walk they have hidden a trap for me. I look to my right hand and find no one who knows me;* I have no place to flee to and no one cares for me. I cry out to you, O Lord;* I say, 'You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.' Listen to my cry for help, for I have been brought very low;* save me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name;* when you have dealt bountifully with me, the righteous will gather around me. A Song of Humility (Hosea 6.16) Come, let us return to the Lord who has torn us and will heal us. God has stricken us and will bind up our wounds. After two days, he will revive us, and on the third day will raise us up, that we may live in his presence. Let us strive to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the sunrise. He will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth. O Ephraim, how shall I deal with you? How shall I deal with you, O Judah? Your love for me is like the morning mist, like the dew that goes early away. Therefore, I have hewn them by the prophets, and my judgement goes forth as the light. For loyalty is my desire and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.( Psalm 117 Praise the Lord, all you nations;* laud him, all you peoples. For his lovingkindness towards us is great,* and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever. FIRST READING [1 Kings 8:37-43]: Solomon said, ??If there is famine in the land, if there is plague, blight, mildew, locust, or caterpillar; if their enemy besieges them in any of their cities; whatever plague, whatever sickness there is; whatever prayer, whatever plea there is from any individual or from all your people Israel, all knowing the afflictions of their own hearts so that they stretch out their hands towards this house; then hear in heaven your dwelling-place, forgive, act, and render to all whose hearts you know?according to all their ways, for only you know what is in every human heart? so that they may fear you all the days that they live in the land that you gave to our ancestors. ?Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name ?for they shall hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm?when a foreigner comes and prays towards this house, then hear in heaven your dwelling-place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and so that they may know that your name has been invoked on this house that I have built.? HYMN Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788) Tune: Farmborough, Surrey My heart is full of Christ, and longs Its glorious matter to declare! Of him I make my loftier songs, I cannot from his praise forbear; My ready tongue makes haste to sing The glories of my heavenly king. Fairer than all the earth-born race, Perfect in comeliness thou art; Replenished are thy lips with grace, And full of love thy tender heart: God ever blest! We bow the knee And own all fullness dwells in thee. Gird on thy thigh the Spirit's sword, And take to thee thy power divine; Stir up thy strength, almighty Lord, All power and majesty are thine: Assert thy worship and renown; O all-redeeming God, come down! Come, and maintain thy righteous cause, And let thy glorious toil succeed; Dispread the victory of thy cross, Ride on, and prosper in thy deed; Through earth triumphantly ride one, And reign in every heart alone. SECOND READING [Colossians 3:12-17]: As God?s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: With faith and love and in union with Christ, let us offer our prayer before the throne of grace. Have mercy on your people, for whom your Son laid down his life. Graciously hear us, O Lord. Bring healing and wholeness to people and nations, and have pity on those torn apart by division. Graciously hear us, O Lord. Strengthen all who are persecuted for your name?s sake, and deliver them from evil. Graciously hear us, O Lord. Look in mercy upon all who suffer, and hear those who cry out in pain and desolation. Graciously hear us, O Lord. Bring comfort to the dying, and gladden their hearts with the power of your glory. Graciously hear us, O Lord. We pray for your Church, especially: Graciously hear us, O Lord. As we rejoice in the triumph of the cross, we pray that the whole of creation may find fulfilment in the eternal kingdom of God: Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace that we may always thankfully receive the benefits of his sacrifice, and also daily endeavor to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer May your presence bless our souls, O God, and shed a joyful light; that the sorrows of the night may be chased away by the hallowed morn to come. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The closing sentence is adapted from Paraphrase 30 of the Scottish Paraphrases, 1781. From steve.benner at oremus.org Sun Mar 8 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Sun, 8 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 9 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090308170000.31373313C24@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Monday, March 9, 2009 Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy, Priest, Poet, 1929 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God of the covenant, long ago you embraced your people and promised them your blessing. You called Abraham to trust your promise and you gave him the faith to follow that call. You call us in our baptism to serve you, trusting that Christ will transform us in the glory of the eternal Easter. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 39 I said, 'I will keep watch upon my ways,* so that I do not offend with my tongue. 'I will put a muzzle on my mouth* while the wicked are in my presence.' So I held my tongue and said nothing;* I refrained from rash words; but my pain became unbearable. My heart was hot within me; while I pondered, the fire burst into flame;* I spoke out with my tongue: Lord, let me know my end and the number of my days,* so that I may know how short my life is. You have given me a mere handful of days, and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight;* truly, even those who stand erect are but a puff of wind. We walk about like a shadow and in vain we are in turmoil;* we heap up riches and cannot tell who will gather them. And now, what is my hope?* O Lord, my hope is in you. Deliver me from all my transgressions* and do not make me the taunt of the fool. I fell silent and did not open my mouth,* for surely it was you that did it. Take your affliction from me;* I am worn down by the blows of your hand. With rebukes for sin you punish us; like a moth you eat away all that is dear to us;* truly, everyone is but a puff of wind. Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry;* hold not your peace at my tears. For I am but a sojourner with you,* a wayfarer, as all my forebears were. Turn your gaze from me, that I may be glad again,* before I go my way and am no more. A Song of the Word of the Lord (Isaiah 55.611) Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; Let the wicked abandon their ways, and the unrighteous their thoughts; Return to the Lord, who will have mercy; to our God, who will richly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,( says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from above, and return not again but water the earth, Bringing forth life and giving growth, seed for sowing and bread to eat, So is my word that goes forth from my mouth; it will not return to me fruitless, But it will accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the task I gave it.( Psalm 146 Praise the Lord, O my soul!* I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth,* for there is no help in them. When they breathe their last, they return to earth,* and in that day their thoughts perish. Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help!* whose hope is in the Lord their God; Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them;* who keeps his promise for ever; Who gives justice to those who are oppressed,* and food to those who hunger. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind;* the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; The Lord loves the righteous; the Lord cares for the stranger;* he sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked. The Lord shall reign for ever,* your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. FIRST READING [Genesis 27:1-29]: When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called his elder son Esau and said to him, ?My son?; and he answered, ?Here I am.? He said, ?See, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field, and hunt game for me. Then prepare for me savoury food, such as I like, and bring it to me to eat, so that I may bless you before I die.? Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, ?I heard your father say to your brother Esau, ?Bring me game, and prepare for me savoury food to eat, that I may bless you before the Lord before I die.? Now therefore, my son, obey my word as I command you. Go to the flock, and get me two choice kids, so that I may prepare from them savoury food for your father, such as he likes; and you shall take it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.? But Jacob said to his mother Rebekah, ?Look, my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I am a man of smooth skin. Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him, and bring a curse on myself and not a blessing.? His mother said to him, ?Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my word, and go, get them for me.? So he went and got them and brought them to his mother; and his mother prepared savoury food, such as his father loved. Then Rebekah took the best garments of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob; and she put the skins of the kids on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. Then she handed the savoury food, and the bread that she had prepared, to her son Jacob. So he went in to his father, and said, ?My father?; and he said, ?Here I am; who are you, my son?? Jacob said to his father, ?I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, so that you may bless me.? But Isaac said to his son, ?How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?? He answered, ?Because the Lord your God granted me success.? Then Isaac said to Jacob, ?Come near, that I may feel you, my son, to know whether you are really my son Esau or not.? So Jacob went up to his father Isaac, who felt him and said, ?The voice is Jacob?s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.? He did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau?s hands; so he blessed him. He said, ?Are you really my son Esau?? He answered, ?I am.? Then he said, ?Bring it to me, that I may eat of my son?s game and bless you.? So he brought it to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank. Then his father Isaac said to him, ?Come near and kiss me, my son.? So he came near and kissed him; and he smelled the smell of his garments, and blessed him, and said, ?Ah, the smell of my son ???is like the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed. May God give you of the dew of heaven, ???and of the fatness of the earth, ???and plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, ???and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, ???and may your mother?s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, ???and blessed be everyone who blesses you!? HYMN Words: Geoffrey Anketel Studdert-Kennedy Tune: Morning Song Not here for high and holy things we render thanks to thee, but for the common things of earth, the purple pageantry of dawning and of dying days, the splendor of the sea, the royal robes of autumn moors, the golden gates of spring, the velvet of soft summer nights, the silver glistering of all the million million stars, the silent song they sing, of faith and hope and love undimmed, undying still through death, the resurrection of the world, what time there comes the breath of dawn that rustles through the trees, and that clear voice that saith: Awake, awake to love and work! The lark is in the sky, the fields are wet with diamond dew, the worlds awake to cry their blessings on the Lord of life, as he goes meekly by. Come, let thy voice be one with theirs, shout with their shout of praise; see how the giant sun soars up, great lord of years and days! So let the love of Jesus come and set thy soul ablaze, to give and give, and give again, what God hath given thee; to spend thyself nor count the cost; to serve right gloriously the God who gave all worlds that are, and all that are to be. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 5]: It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father?s wife. 2And you are arrogant! Should you not rather have mourned, so that he who has done this would have been removed from among you? 3?For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present I have already pronounced judgement 4in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing.* When you are assembled, and my spirit is present with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5you are to hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.* 6Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? 7Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. 8Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Sexual Immorality Must Be Judged 9I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons? 10not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world. 11But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister* who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one. 12For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? 13God will judge those outside. ?Drive out the wicked person from among you.? The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: We pray to the Lord for the courage to give ourselves to him this Lent. Lord, give us strength and hear our prayer. Give us the courage to look beyond ourselves to mission in your world. May the blood and water flowing from the side of Jesus bring forgiveness to your people and help us to face the cost of proclaiming salvation. Lord, give us strength and hear our prayer. Give us the courage to give up war, bitterness and hatred, and to seek peace. May the shoulders of the risen Jesus, once scourged by soldiers, bear the burden of political and military conflict in our world. Lord, give us strength and hear our prayer. Give us the courage to give up quarrels, strife and jealousy in our families, neighbourhoods and communities. May the presence of the risen Jesus, his body once broken and now made whole, bring peace and direction as we live with one another. Lord, give us strength and hear our prayer. Give us the courage to live for others, giving time, care and comfort to the sick and those in need. May the wounded hands of Jesus bring his healing, and the light of his presence fill their lives. Lord, give us strength and hear our prayer. Give us the courage to give up our fear of death and to rejoice with those who have died in faith. May the risen Lord Jesus, whose feet were once nailed to cross, walk alongside the dying and bereaved, and lead them and all your Church through death to the gate of glory. Lord, give us strength and hear our prayer. God our hope, when we are troubled by fear and uncertainty, teach us to commit our lives to your care and to go forward on our pilgrimage, trusting in the knowledge of your love and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. God, shepherd of your people, whose servant Geoffrey revealed the loving service of Christ in his ministry as a pastor of your people: awaken within us the love of Christ and keep us faithful to our Christian calling; through him who laid down his life for us, but is alive and reigns with you, now and for ever. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer May your presence bless our souls, O God, and shed a joyful light; that the sorrows of the night may be chased away by the hallowed morn to come. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The closing sentence is adapted from Paraphrase 30 of the Scottish Paraphrases, 1781. The first collect is from _Daily Prayer_, copyright (c) The Scottish Episcopal Church, 1998. Used with permission. http://www.scottishepiscopal.com The intercession is from _New Patterns for Worship_, copyright (c) The Archbishops( Council, 2002. The second collect is from _Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England_, material from which is included in this service is copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2000. Born in 1883, Studdert Kennedy was a young vicar in Worcester who became an army chaplain during the First World War. His warm personality soon earned the respect of soldiers, who nicknamed him 'Woodbine Willie' after the brand of cigarettes he shared with them. After the First World War, he became a writer and regular preacher, drawing large crowds, who were attracted by his combination of traditional sacramental theology with more unconventional theological views. He worked tirelessly for the Christian Industrial Fellowship, but his frail health gave way and he died (still a young man) on this day in 1929. [Exciting Holiness] From steve.benner at oremus.org Mon Mar 9 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 10 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090309170000.E3C62313C59@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Tuesday, March 10, 2009 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God of the covenant, long ago you embraced your people and promised them your blessing. You called Abraham to trust your promise and you gave him the faith to follow that call. You call us in our baptism to serve you, trusting that Christ will transform us in the glory of the eternal Easter. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 41 Happy are they who consider the poor and needy!* the Lord will deliver them in the time of trouble. The Lord preserves them and keeps them alive, so that they may be happy in the land;* he does not hand them over to the will of their enemies. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed* and ministers to them in their illness. I said, 'Lord, be merciful to me;* heal me, for I have sinned against you.' My enemies are saying wicked things about me:* 'When will he die and his name perish?' Even if they come to see me, they speak empty words;* their heart collects false rumours; they go outside and spread them. All my enemies whisper together about me* and devise evil against me. 'A deadly thing', they say, 'has fastened on him;* he has taken to his bed and will never get up again.'Even my best friend, whom I trusted, who broke bread with me,* has lifted up his heel and turned against me. But you, O Lord, be merciful to me and raise me up,* and I shall repay them. By this I know you are pleased with me,* that my enemy does not triumph over me. In my integrity you hold me fast,* and shall set me before your face for ever. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,* from age to age. Amen. Amen. The Song of Christ(s Glory (Philippians 2.511) Christ Jesus was in the form of God, but he did not cling to equality with God. He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and was born in our human likeness. Being found in human form he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name above every name, That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth; And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Psalm 147:1-12 How good it is to sing praises to our God!* how pleasant it is to honour him with praise! The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem;* he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted* and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars* and calls them all by their names. Great is our Lord and mighty in power;* there is no limit to his wisdom. The Lord lifts up the lowly,* but casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;* make music to our God upon the harp. He covers the heavens with clouds* and prepares rain for the earth; He makes grass to grow upon the mountains* and green plants to serve us all. He provides food for flocks and herds* and for the young ravens when they cry. He is not impressed by the might of a horse,* he has no pleasure in human strength; But the Lord has pleasure in those who fear him,* in those who await his gracious favour. FIRST READING [Genesis 27:30-40]: As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, when Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of his father Isaac, his brother Esau came in from his hunting. He also prepared savoury food, and brought it to his father. And he said to his father, ?Let my father sit up and eat of his son?s game, so that you may bless me.? His father Isaac said to him, ?Who are you?? He answered, ?I am your firstborn son, Esau.? Then Isaac trembled violently, and said, ?Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him??yes, and blessed he shall be!? When Esau heard his father?s words, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, ?Bless me, me also, father!? But he said, ?Your brother came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing.? Esau said, ?Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright; and look, now he has taken away my blessing.? Then he said, ?Have you not reserved a blessing for me?? Isaac answered Esau, ?I have already made him your lord, and I have given him all his brothers as servants, and with grain and wine I have sustained him. What then can I do for you, my son?? Esau said to his father, ?Have you only one blessing, father? Bless me, me also, father!? And Esau lifted up his voice and wept. Then his father Isaac answered him: ?See, away from the fatness of the earth shall your home be, ???and away from the dew of heaven on high. By your sword you shall live, ???and you shall serve your brother; but when you break loose, ???you shall break his yoke from your neck.? HYMN Words: Jean S Pigott (1845-1882) Tune: All Saints (Darmstadt), Westminster Abbey Thou whose Name is call?d Jesus, Risen Lord of life and power, O it is so sweet to trust Thee Every day and every hour! Of Thy wondrous grace I sing, Saviour, Counsellor and King. Thou canst keep my feet from falling, Even my poor wayward feet - Thou who dost present me faultless, In Thy righteousness complete; Jesus, Lord, in knowing Thee, O what strength and victory! All the sin in me, my Saviour, Thou canst conquer and subdue; With Thy sanctifying power Permeate my spirit through; Let Thy government increase, Risen, crown?d, Prince of Peace. Thou canst keep me upward looking, Ever upward in Thy face; Thou canst make me stand, upholden By the greatness of Thy grace; Every promise of Thy Word Now I claim from Thee, dear Lord. O what joy to trust Thee, Jesus, Mighty Victor o'er the grave, And to learn amid earth's shadows Thine unceasing power to save! Only those who prove Thee know What the grace Thou dost bestow. Make my life a bright outshining Of Thy life, that all may see Thine own resurrection power Mightily put forth in me; Ever let my heart become Yet more consciously Thy home. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 6:1-11]: When any of you has a grievance against another, do you dare to take it to court before the unrighteous, instead of taking it before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels?to say nothing of ordinary matters? If you have ordinary cases, then, do you appoint as judges those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to decide between one believer and another, but a believer goes to court against a believer?and before unbelievers at that? In fact, to have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud?and believers at that. Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers?none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: O God, source of love and compassion in the suffering of all your children, we offer our compassion also for the hungry and the sick in body, mind, or heart; the depressed and the lonely; all living in fear and under stress; all stricken in grief; the unemployed and the rejected; and those burning with hatred. Strengthen us to work for their healing, and inspire us to build with you the kingdom of love in which none will cause suffering to others and all will be caring, loving children of yours, our compassionate, all-embracing God, ever present, ever loving, never failing. Amen. Remember us, gracious God, when we are lonely and depressed, and support us in the dark night of grief and despair, for your love is faithful and you do not forget your broken ones. We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer May your presence bless our souls, O God, and shed a joyful light; that the sorrows of the night may be chased away by the hallowed morn to come. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The closing sentence is adapted from Paraphrase 30 of the Scottish Paraphrases, 1781. The intercession is reprinted by permission from _The Worship Sourcebook_, (c) 2004 CRC Publications. The first collect is from _Daily Prayer_, copyright (c) The Scottish Episcopal Church, 1998. Used with permission. http://www.scottishepiscopal.com From steve.benner at oremus.org Tue Mar 10 17:00:01 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:00:01 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 11 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090310170001.7DE1A313CC5@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Wednesday, March 11, 2009 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God of the covenant, long ago you embraced your people and promised them your blessing. You called Abraham to trust your promise and you gave him the faith to follow that call. You call us in our baptism to serve you, trusting that Christ will transform us in the glory of the eternal Easter. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 56 Have mercy on me, O God, for my enemies are hounding me;* all day long they assault and oppress me. They hound me all the day long;* truly there are many who fight against me, O Most High. Whenever I am afraid,* I will put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust and will not be afraid,* for what can flesh do to me? All day long they damage my cause;* their only thought is to do me evil. They band together; they lie in wait;* they spy upon my footsteps; because they seek my life. Shall they escape despite their wickedness?* O God, in your anger, cast down the peoples. You have noted my lamentation; put my tears into your bottle;* are they not recorded in your book? Whenever I call upon you, my enemies will be put to flight;* this I know, for God is on my side. In God the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust and will not be afraid,* for what can mortals do to me? I am bound by the vow I made to you, O God;* I will present to you thankofferings; For you have rescued my soul from death and my feet from stumbling,* that I may walk before God in the light of the living. The Song of Manasseh (Manasseh 1a,2,4,6,7a,b,9a,c,11,12,14b,15b) Lord almighty and God of our ancestors, you who made heaven and earth in all their glory: All things tremble with awe at your presence, before your great and mighty power. Immeasurable and unsearchable is your promised mercy, for you are God, Most High. You are full of compassion, longsuffering and very merciful, and you relent at human suffering. O God, according to your great goodness, you have promised forgiveness for repentance to those who have sinned against you. The sins I have committed against you are more in number than the sands of the sea. I am not worthy to look up to the height of heaven, because of the multitude of my iniquities. And now I bend the knee of my heart before you, imploring your kindness upon me. I have sinned, O God, I have sinned, and I acknowledge my transgressions. Unworthy as I am, you will save me, according to your great mercy. For all the host of heaven sings your praise, and your glory is for ever and ever. Psalm 147:13-end Worship the Lord, O Jerusalem;* praise your God, O Zion; For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;* he has blessed your children within you. He has established peace on your borders;* he satisfies you with the finest wheat. He sends out his command to the earth,* and his word runs very swiftly. He gives snow like wool;* he scatters hoarfrost like ashes. He scatters his hail like bread crumbs;* who can stand against his cold? He sends forth his word and melts them;* he blows with his wind and the waters flow. He declares his word to Jacob,* his statutes and his judgements to Israel. He has not done so to any other nation;* to them he has not revealed his judgements. FIRST READING [Genesis 27:46-28:4, 10-22]: Rebekah said to Isaac, 'I am weary of my life because of the Hittite women. If Jacob marries one of the Hittite women such as these, one of the women of the land, what good will my life be to me?' Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him, and charged him, 'You shall not marry one of the Canaanite women. Go at once to Paddan-aram to the house of Bethuel, your mother?s father; and take as wife from there one of the daughters of Laban, your mother?s brother. May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and numerous, that you may become a company of peoples. May he give to you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your offspring with you, so that you may take possession of the land where you now live as an alien?land that God gave to Abraham.' Jacob left Beer-sheba and went towards Haran. He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood beside him and said, 'I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.? Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, ?Surely the Lord is in this place?and I did not know it!? And he was afraid, and said, ?How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.' So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called that place Bethel; but the name of the city was Luz at the first. Then Jacob made a vow, saying, 'If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father's house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house; and of all that you give me I will surely give one-tenth to you.' HYMN Words: John Newton (1725-1807) Tune: Eisenach, Hereford Be still, my heart, these anxious cares To thee are burdens, thorns and snares; They cast dishonour on the Lord, And contradict His gracious word. Brought safely by His hand thus far, Why wilt thou now give place to fear? How canst thou want if He provide, Or lose thy way with such a guide? When first before His mercy-seat Thou didst to Him thine all commit; He gave thee warrant from that hour To trust His wisdom, love and power. Did ever trouble yet befall, And He refuse to hear thy call? And has He not His promise passed, That thou shalt overcome at last? He who has helped me hitherto Will help me all my journey through, And give me daily cause to raise New hymns of glory to His praise. Though rough and thorny be the road, It leads thee home apace to God: Then count thy present trials small, For heaven will make amends for all. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 6:12-end]: "All things are lawful for me", but not all things are beneficial. "All things are lawful for me", but I will not be dominated by anything. ?Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food?, and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, ?The two shall be one flesh.? But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: Holy Father, you have reconciled us to yourself in Christ; by your Spirit you enable us to live as your children. We pray for personal relationships the home, and family life.... children deprived of home.... friends, relations and neighbours.... relationships in daily life and work.... those who are estranged.... ministries of care and healing... Holy Father, we give you thanks for the obedience of Christ fulfilled in the cross, his bearing of the sin of the world, his mercy for the world, which never fails.... for the joy of human love and friendship, the lives to which our own are bound, the gift of peace with you and each other.... for the communities in whose life we share and all relationships in which reconciliation may be known.... Help us to share in Christ's ministry and to love and serve one another in peace; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who in the unity of the Spirit is one with you for ever. Amen. Giver of courage, when our path is hard and dangerous, give us the grace of quiet confidence. We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer May your presence bless our souls, O God, and shed a joyful light; that the sorrows of the night may be chased away by the hallowed morn to come. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The closing sentence is adapted from Paraphrase 30 of the Scottish Paraphrases, 1781. From steve.benner at oremus.org Wed Mar 11 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 12 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090311170000.DFD83313CE9@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Thursday, March 12, 2009 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God of the covenant, long ago you embraced your people and promised them your blessing. You called Abraham to trust your promise and you gave him the faith to follow that call. You call us in our baptism to serve you, trusting that Christ will transform us in the glory of the eternal Easter. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 62 For God alone my soul in silence waits;* from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation,* my stronghold, so that I shall not be greatly shaken. How long will you assail me to crush me, all of you together,* as if you were a leaning fence, a toppling wall? They seek only to bring me down from my place of honour;* lies are their chief delight. They bless with their lips,* but in their hearts they curse. For God alone my soul in silence waits;* truly, my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation,* my stronghold, so that I shall not be shaken. In God is my safety and my honour;* God is my strong rock and my refuge. Put your trust in him always, O people,* pour out your hearts before him, for God is our refuge. Those of high degree are but a fleeting breath,* even those of low estate cannot be trusted. On the scales they are lighter than a breath,* all of them together. Put no trust in extortion; in robbery take no empty pride;* though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it. God has spoken once, twice have I heard it,* that power belongs to God. Steadfast love is yours, O Lord,* for you repay everyone according to his deeds. A Song of Repentance (1 John 1. 59) This is the message we have heard from Christ and proclaim to you: that God is light, in whom there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with God while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true. But if we walk in the light as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. And the blood of Jesus, the Son of God, cleanses us from all our sins. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, the One who is faithful and just will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Psalm 148 Alleluia! Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise him in the heights. Praise him, all you angels of his;* praise him, all his host. Praise him, sun and moon;* praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, heaven of heavens,* and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord;* for he commanded and they were created. He made them stand fast for ever and ever;* he gave them a law which shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth,* you seamonsters and all deeps; Fire and hail, snow and fog,* tempestuous wind, doing his will; Mountains and all hills,* fruit trees and all cedars; Wild beasts and all cattle,* creeping things and winged birds; Kings of the earth and all peoples,* princes and all rulers of the world; Young men and maidens,* old and young together. Let them praise the name of the Lord,* for his name only is exalted, his splendour is over earth and heaven. He has raised up strength for his people and praise for all his loyal servants,* the children of Israel, a people who are near him. Alleluia! FIRST READING [Genesis 29:1-13, 18-20]: Then Jacob went on his journey, and came to the land of the people of the east. As he looked, he saw a well in the field and three flocks of sheep lying there beside it; for out of that well the flocks were watered. The stone on the well's mouth was large, and when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the mouth of the well, and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the mouth of the well. Jacob said to them, 'My brothers, where do you come from?' They said, 'We are from Haran.' He said to them, 'Do you know Laban son of Nahor?' They said, 'We do.' He said to them, 'Is it well with him?' 'Yes,' they replied, 'and here is his daughter Rachel, coming with the sheep.' He said, 'Look, it is still broad daylight; it is not time for the animals to be gathered together. Water the sheep, and go, pasture them.' But they said, 'We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together, and the stone is rolled from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.' While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep; for she kept them. Now when Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of his mother's brother Laban, and the sheep of his mother's brother Laban, Jacob went up and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of his mother's brother Laban. Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and wept aloud. And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's kinsman, and that he was Rebekah's son; and she ran and told her father. When Laban heard the news about his sister's son Jacob, he ran to meet him; he embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all these things, Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, 'I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.' Laban said, 'It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.' So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. HYMN Words: Ian M Fraser (born 1917) ? 1994 Stainer & Bell Ltd Used with permission Meter: LM Not of ourselves can we create Out of our lives entrusted, here, All that their promise holds in store Lord - what we're born to be make clear. We would not copy lives of saints Eager to be some model's clone - You made us us, no way designed To live a life that's not our own. >From you, our Father, comes the soil, The mighty work is Christ's the Sun, The Spirit's like refreshing rain To stir to growth new life begun: Start us to life! As nature flowers Blessing the work of one who delves So by your warm, creative touch Help us attain to our true selves. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 7:1-17]: Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: 'It is well for a man not to touch a woman.' But because of cases of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except perhaps by agreement for a set time, to devote yourselves to prayer, and then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. This I say by way of concession, not of command. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain unmarried as I am. But if they are not practising self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion. To the married I give this command?not I but the Lord?that the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does separate, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife. To the rest I say?I and not the Lord?that if any believer has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. And if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. It is to peace that God has called you. Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife. ?However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: Eternal God, you have raised Jesus Christ from the dead and exalted him to your right hand in glory, and through him called your Church into being, that your people might know you, and that they might make your name known. We pray for the church the Church universal, and local, especially.... the unity of the Church.... the ministries of the Church.... the mission of the Church.... the renewal of the Church.... all Christians in this place.... Eternal God, we give you thanks for the apostolic gospel committed to your Church, the continuing presence and power of your Spirit, the ministry of Word, Sacrament and Prayer.... for the divine mission in which we are called to share, the will to unity and its fruit in common action, the faithful witness of those who are true to Christ.... for all works of compassion and every service that proclaims your love. In peace and unity may your people offer the unfailing sacrifice of praise, and make your glory known; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Lord God, in a threatening world we look to you as our rock of hope. Hear us as we pour out our hearts to you, and give us your grace and protection; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer May your presence bless our souls, O God, and shed a joyful light; that the sorrows of the night may be chased away by the hallowed morn to come. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The closing sentence is adapted from Paraphrase 30 of the Scottish Paraphrases, 1781. From steve.benner at oremus.org Thu Mar 12 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 13 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090312170000.D71FF313C71@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Friday, March 13, 2009 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God of the covenant, long ago you embraced your people and promised them your blessing. You called Abraham to trust your promise and you gave him the faith to follow that call. You call us in our baptism to serve you, trusting that Christ will transform us in the glory of the eternal Easter. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 54 Save me, O God, by your name;* in your might, defend my cause. Hear my prayer, O God;* give ear to the words of my mouth. For the arrogant have risen up against me, and the ruthless have sought my life,* those who have no regard for God. Behold, God is my helper;* it is the Lord who sustains my life. Render evil to those who spy on me;* in your faithfulness, destroy them. I will offer you a freewill sacrifice* and praise your name, O Lord, for it is good. For you have rescued me from every trouble,* and my eye has seen the ruin of my foes. Psalm 61 Hear my cry, O God,* and listen to my prayer. I call upon you from the ends of the earth with heaviness in my heart;* set me upon the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge,* a strong tower against the enemy. I will dwell in your house for ever;* I will take refuge under the cover of your wings. For you, O God, have heard my vows;* you have granted me the heritage of those who fear your name. Add length of days to the king's life;* let his years extend over many generations. Let him sit enthroned before God for ever;* bid love and faithfulness watch over him. So will I always sing the praise of your name,* and day by day I will fulfil my vows. A Song of Christ the Servant 1 Peter 2.21b25 Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, no guile was found on his lips, when he was reviled, he did not revile in turn. When he suffered, he did not threaten, but he trusted himself to God who judges justly. Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed, for you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. Psalm 149 Sing to the Lord a new song;* sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful. Let Israel rejoice in his maker;* let the children of Zion be joyful in their king. Let them praise his name in the dance;* let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes pleasure in his people* and adorns the poor with victory. Let the faithful rejoice in triumph;* let them be joyful on their beds. Let the praises of God be in their throat* and a twoedged sword in their hand; To wreak vengeance on the nations* and punishment on the peoples; To bind their kings in chains* and their nobles with links of iron; To inflict on them the judgement decreed;* this is glory for all his faithful people. FIRST READING [Genesis 32:22-31]: The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. 24Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26Then he said, 'Let me go, for the day is breaking.' But Jacob said, 'I will not let you go, unless you bless me.' 27So he said to him, 'What is your name?' And he said, 'Jacob.' 28Then the man* said, 'You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel,* for you have striven with God and with humans,* and have prevailed.' 29Then Jacob asked him, 'Please tell me your name.' But he said, 'Why is it that you ask my name?' And there he blessed him. 30So Jacob called the place Peniel,* saying, 'For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.' 31The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. HYMN Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788) Tune: Traveller, Wrestling Jacob, Rest, Old 112th Come, O thou traveller unknown, Whom still I hold, but cannot see! My company before is gone, And I am left alone with thee; With thee all night I mean to stay, And wrestle till the break of day. I need not tell thee who I am, My misery and sin declare; Thyself hast called me by my name; Look on thy hands, and read it there: But who, I ask thee, who art thou? Tell me thy name, and tell me now. In vain thou strugglest to get free; I never will unloose my hold! Art thou the Man that died for me? The secret of thy love unfold: Wrestling, I will not let thee go, Till I thy name, thy nature know. Wilt thou not yet to me reveal Thy new, unutterable name? Tell me, I still beseech thee, tell; To know it now resolved I am: Wrestling, I will not let thee go, Till I thy name, thy nature know. What though my shrinking flesh complain, And murmur to contend so long? I rise superior to my pain, When I am weak, then I am strong; And when my all of strength shall fail, I shall with the God-Man prevail. Yield to me now; for I am weak, But confident in self-despair; Speak to my heart, in blessings speak, Be conquered by my instant prayer; Speak, or thou never hence shalt move, And tell me if thy name is Love. 'Tis Love! 'Tis Love! thou diedst for me! I hear thy whisper in my heart; The morning breaks, the shadows flee, Pure, universal love thou art; To me, to all, thy mercies move: Thy nature and thy name is Love. My prayer has power with God; the grace Unspeakable I now receive; Through faith I see thee face to face, I see thee face to face and live! In vain I have not wept and strove: Thy nature and thy name is Love. I know thee, Saviour, who thou art, Jesus, the feeble sinner's friend; Nor wilt thou with the night depart, But stay and love me to the end; Thy mercies never shall remove: Thy nature and thy name is Love. The sun of righteousness on me Has risen with healing in his wings; Withered my nature's strength, from thee My soul its life and succour brings; My help is all laid up above: Thy nature and thy name is Love. Contented now upon my thigh I halt, till life's short journey end; All helplessness, all weakness, I On thee alone for strength depend; Nor have I power from thee to move: Thy nature and thy name is Love. Lame as I am, I take the prey, Hell, earth, and sin with ease o'ercome; I leap for joy, pursue my way, And as a bounding hart fly home, Through all eternity to prove Thy nature and thy name is Love. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 8]: Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that 'all of us possess knowledge.' Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him. Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that 'no idol in the world really exists', and that 'there is no God but one.' Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth?as in fact there are many gods and many lords? yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 'Food will not bring us close to God.' We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling-block to the weak. For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: Gracious God and Father, you have given your Son for us all, that his death might be our life and his affliction our peace. We pray for the suffering... the hungry.... the refugees.... the prisoners.... the persecuted.... all who bring sin and suffering to others.... ministries of care and relief.... the Church in all its work, especially Gracious God and Father, we give you thanks for the cross of Christ at the heart of creation, the presence of Christ in our weakness and strength, the power of Christ to transform our suffering.... for all ministries of healing, all agencies of relief, all that sets men free from pain, fear and distress.... for the assurance that your mercy knows no limit, and for the privilege of sharing your work of renewal through prayer. In darkness and in light, in trouble and in joy, help us to trust your love, to serve your purpose and to praise your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, our rock and our refuge, as Jesus knew the discipline of suffering and the victory that brings us salvation, so grant us his fellowship in our weakness and a place in his unending kingdom. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer May your presence bless our souls, O God, and shed a joyful light; that the sorrows of the night may be chased away by the hallowed morn to come. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The closing sentence is adapted from Paraphrase 30 of the Scottish Paraphrases, 1781. From steve.benner at oremus.org Fri Mar 13 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 14 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090313170000.5D5B9313C6B@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Saturday, March 14, 2009 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God of the covenant, long ago you embraced your people and promised them your blessing. You called Abraham to trust your promise and you gave him the faith to follow that call. You call us in our baptism to serve you, trusting that Christ will transform us in the glory of the eternal Easter. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 63 O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you;* my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you, as in a barren and dry land where there is no water; Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place,* that I might behold your power and your glory. For your lovingkindness is better than life itself;* my lips shall give you praise. So will I bless you as long as I live* and lift up my hands in your name. My soul is content, as with marrow and fatness,* and my mouth praises you with joyful lips, When I remember you upon my bed,* and meditate on you in the night watches. For you have been my helper,* and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice. My soul clings to you;* your right hand holds me fast. A Song of the Rock (Deuteronomy 32.112) Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distil as the dew, as the gentle rain on the grass, and as the showers upon the meadow. For I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are just: a faithful God without deceit, just and upright is he. His degenerate children have dealt corruptly with him; a perverse and crooked generation. Do you thus repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Is not he your father, who created you, who made you and established you? Remember the days of old, consider the years long past; ask your father, and he will show you; your elders, and they will tell you. When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided the children of earth, he fixed the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the children of God. For the Lord(s own portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage. He sustained him in a desert land, in the howling waste of the wilderness; he shielded him and cared for him; he kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle stirs up its nest, and hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, takes them, and bears them aloft on its pinions, So the Lord alone did guide him, and no foreign god was with him. Psalm 150 Praise God in his holy temple;* praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts;* praise him for his excellent greatness. Praise him with the blast of the ram'shorn;* praise him with lyre and harp. Praise him with timbrel and dance;* praise him with strings and pipe. Praise him with resounding cymbals;* praise him with loudclanging cymbals. Let everything that has breath* praise the Lord. FIRST READING [Genesis 35:1-7, 16-20]: God said to Jacob, 'Arise, go up to Bethel, and settle there. Make an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.' So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, 'Put away the foreign gods that are among you, and purify yourselves, and change your clothes; then come, let us go up to Bethel, that I may make an altar there to the God who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.' So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods that they had, and the rings that were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak that was near Shechem. As they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities all around them, so that no one pursued them. Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him, and there he built an altar and called the place El-bethel, because it was there that God had revealed himself to him when he fled from his brother. Then they journeyed from Bethel; and when they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel was in childbirth, and she had a difficult labour. When she was in her difficult labour, the midwife said to her, 'Do not be afraid; for now you will have another son.' As her soul was departing (for she died), she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), and Jacob set up a pillar at her grave; it is the pillar of Rachel's tomb, which is there to this day. HYMN Words: A Collection of Spiritual Songs (1806) Meter: 8 8 6 8 8 6 (No tune listed in my current sources) Come, comrades dear, who love the Lord, Who taste the sweets of Jesus' word, In Jesus' ways go on; Our troubles and our trials here Will only make us richer there, When we arrive at home. We feel that Heaven is now begun; It issues from the sparkling throne, >From Jesus' throne on high. It comes in floods we can't contain, We drink and drink and drink again, So sweet is God's supply. And when we come to dwell above, And all surround the throne of love, We'll drink a full supply; Jesus will lead His soldiers forth To living streams of richest worth That never will run dry. And then we'll shine and shout and sing, And make the heavenly arches ring, When all the saints get home. Come on, come on, my comrades dear, We soon shall meet together there, For Jesus bids us come. Amen, Amen! my soul replies; I'm bound to meet you in the skies, And claim a mansion there. Now, here's my heart and here's my hand, To meet you in that heavenly land, Where we shall part no more. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 9:1-14]: Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defence to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who at any time pays the expenses for doing military service? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not get any of its milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law also say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, ?You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.? Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Or does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was indeed written for our sake, for whoever ploughs should plough in hope and whoever threshes should thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is sacrificed on the altar? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: Eternal God, you have declared in Christ the completion of all your purpose of love. We pray for those in need: the tempted and despairing.... the sick and handicapped.... the aged... and the dying.... the ministries of care and healing.... those who mourn.... Eternal God, we give thanks for the triumphs of the gospel that herald your salvation the signs of renewal that declare the coming of your kingdom, the human lives that reveal your work of grace.... for all those who have died in faith.... for the unceasing praise of the company of heaven, the promise to those who mourn that all tears shall be wiped away, the pledge of death destroyed and victory won.... for our foretaste of eternal life through baptism and eucharist, our hope in the Spirit, and the communion of saints.... May we live by faith, walk in hope and be renewed in love, until the world reflects your glory and you are all in all. Even so, come Lord Jesus. Amen. To you we come, O Lord, the true goal of all human desiring, beyond all earthly beauty, gentle protector, strong deliverer; in the night you are our confidence: from first light be our joy. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer May your presence bless our souls, O God, and shed a joyful light; that the sorrows of the night may be chased away by the hallowed morn to come. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The closing sentence is adapted from Paraphrase 30 of the Scottish Paraphrases, 1781. From steve.benner at oremus.org Sat Mar 14 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 15 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090314170000.CAD86313C35@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Sunday, March 15, 2009 The Third Sunday in Lent O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God of compassion and mercy: your steadfast love is shown to every living thing; your word calls us forth and your law revives and refreshes. You call us to repent our misuse of your gifts, that we may be transformed by your wisdom to manifest for others the mercy of our crucified and risen Lord. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 119:113-128 I hate those who have a divided heart,* but your law do I love. You are my refuge and shield;* my hope is in your word. Away from me, you wicked!* I will keep the commandments of my God. Sustain me according to your promise, that I may live,* and let me not be disappointed in my hope. Hold me up and I shall be safe,* and my delight shall be ever in your statutes. You spurn all who stray from your statutes;* their deceitfulness is in vain. In your sight all the wicked of the earth are but dross;* therefore I love your decrees. My flesh trembles with dread of you;* I am afraid of your judgements. I have done what is just and right;* do not deliver me to my oppressors. Be surety for your servant's good;* let not the proud oppress me. My eyes have failed from watching for your salvation* and for your righteous promise. Deal with your servant according to your lovingkindness* and teach me your statutes. I am your servant; grant me understanding,* that I may know your decrees. It is time for you to act, O Lord,* for they have broken your law. Truly, I love your commandments* more than gold and precious stones. I hold all your commandments to be right for me;* all paths of falsehood I abhor. Psalm 143 Lord, hear my prayer, and in your faithfulness heed my supplications;* answer me in your righteousness. Enter not into judgement with your servant,* for in your sight shall no one living be justified. For my enemy has sought my life and has crushed me to the ground;* making me live in dark places like those who are long dead. My spirit faints within me;* my heart within me is desolate. I remember the time past; I muse upon all your deeds;* I consider the works of your hands. I spread out my hands to you;* my soul gasps to you like a thirsty land. O Lord, make haste to answer me; my spirit fails me;* do not hide your face from me or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. Let me hear of your lovingkindness in the morning, for I put my trust in you;* show me the road that I must walk, for I lift up my soul to you. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord,* for I flee to you for refuge. Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God;* let your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Revive me, O Lord, for your name's sake;* for your righteousness' sake, bring me out of trouble. A Song of Humility (Hosea 6.16) Come, let us return to the Lord who has torn us and will heal us. God has stricken us and will bind up our wounds. After two days, he will revive us, and on the third day will raise us up, that we may live in his presence. Let us strive to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the sunrise. He will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth. O Ephraim, how shall I deal with you? How shall I deal with you, O Judah? Your love for me is like the morning mist, like the dew that goes early away. Therefore, I have hewn them by the prophets, and my judgement goes forth as the light. For loyalty is my desire and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.( Psalm 117 Praise the Lord, all you nations;* laud him, all you peoples. For his lovingkindness towards us is great,* and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever. FIRST READING [Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 20-25]: Now this is the commandment?the statutes and the ordinances?that the Lord your God charged me to teach you to observe in the land that you are about to cross into and occupy, so that you and your children and your children's children may fear the Lord your God all the days of your life, and keep all his decrees and his commandments that I am commanding you, so that your days may be long. Hear therefore, O?Israel, and observe them diligently, so that it may go well with you, and so that you may multiply greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you. Hear, O?Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. When your children ask you in time to come, 'What is the meaning of the decrees and the statutes and the ordinances that the Lord our God has commanded you?' then you shall say to your children, 'We were Pharaoh's slaves in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. The Lord displayed before our eyes great and awesome signs and wonders against Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his household. He brought us out from there in order to bring us in, to give us the land that he promised on oath to our ancestors. Then the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our lasting good, so as to keep us alive, as is now the case. If we diligently observe this entire commandment before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, we will be in the right.' HYMN Words: Isaac Watts (1674-1748) Tune: Irish, Stockton Long as I live I'll bless Thy Name, My King, my God of love; My work and joy shall be the same In the bright world above. Great is the Lord, His power unknown, And let His praise be great: I'll sing the honours of Thy throne, Thy works of grace repeat. Thy grace shall dwell upon my tongue, And while my lips rejoice, The men that hear my sacred song Shall join their cheerful voice. Fathers to sons shall teach Thy Name, And children learn Thy ways; Ages to come Thy truth proclaim, And nations sound Thy praise. Thy glorious deeds of ancient date Shall through the world be known; Thine arm of power, Thy heavenly state, With public splendour shown. The world is managed by Thy hands, Thy saints are ruled by love; And Thine eternal kingdom stands, Though rocks and hills remove. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 3]: And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? For when one says, 'I belong to Paul', and another, 'I belong to Apollos', are you not merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labour of each. For we are God's servants, working together; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw? the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. If the work is burned, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their craftiness', and again, 'The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, ???that they are futile.' So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future?all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: With faith and love and in union with Christ, let us offer our prayer before the throne of grace. Have mercy on your people, for whom your Son laid down his life. Graciously hear us, O Lord. Bring healing and wholeness to people and nations, and have pity on those torn apart by division. Graciously hear us, O Lord. Strengthen all who are persecuted for your name's sake, and deliver them from evil. Graciously hear us, O Lord. Look in mercy upon all who suffer, and hear those who cry out in pain and desolation. Graciously hear us, O Lord. Bring comfort to the dying, and gladden their hearts with the power of your glory. Graciously hear us, O Lord. We pray for your Church, especially: Graciously hear us, O Lord. As we rejoice in the triumph of the cross, we pray that the whole of creation may find fulfilment in the eternal kingdom of God: Eternal God, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son: Help us to hear your Word and obey it, that we may become instruments of your saving love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer God of love, turn our hearts to your ways; and give us peace. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving adapts phrases from _Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language_. Canterbury Press, Norwich, 1999. The closing sentence is from _New Patterns for Worship_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. From steve.benner at oremus.org Sun Mar 15 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 16 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090315170000.A2BDA313C57@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Monday, March 16, 2009 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God of compassion and mercy: your steadfast love is shown to every living thing; your word calls us forth and your law revives and refreshes. You call us to repent our misuse of your gifts, that we may be transformed by your wisdom to manifest for others the mercy of our crucified and risen Lord. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 71 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge;* let me never be ashamed. In your righteousness, deliver me and set me free;* incline your ear to me and save me. Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe;* you are my crag and my stronghold. Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,* from the clutches of the evildoer and the oppressor. For you are my hope, O Lord God,* my confidence since I was young. I have been sustained by you ever since I was born; from my mother's womb you have been my strength;* my praise shall be always of you. I have become a portent to many;* but you are my refuge and my strength. Let my mouth be full of your praise* and your glory all the day long. Do not cast me off in my old age;* forsake me not when my strength fails. For my enemies are talking against me,* and those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together. They say, 'God has forsaken him; go after him and seize him;* because there is none who will save.' O God, be not far from me;* come quickly to help me, O my God. Let those who set themselves against me be put to shame and be disgraced;* let those who seek to do me evil be covered with scorn and reproach. But I shall always wait in patience,* and shall praise you more and more. My mouth shall recount your mighty acts and saving deeds all day long;* though I cannot know the number of them. I will begin with the mighty works of the Lord God;* I will recall your righteousness, yours alone. O God, you have taught me since I was young,* and to this day I tell of your wonderful works. And now that I am old and greyheaded, O God, do not forsake me,* till I make known your strength to this generation and your power to all who are to come. Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens;* you have done great things; who is like you, O God? You have showed me great troubles and adversities,* but you will restore my life and bring me up again from the deep places of the earth. You strengthen me more and more;* you enfold and comfort me, Therefore I will praise you upon the lyre for your faithfulness, O my God;* I will sing to you with the harp, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will sing with joy when I play to you,* and so will my soul, which you have redeemed. My tongue will proclaim your righteousness all day long,* for they are ashamed and disgraced who sought to do me harm. A Song of the Word of the Lord (Isaiah 55.611) Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; Let the wicked abandon their ways, and the unrighteous their thoughts; Return to the Lord, who will have mercy; to our God, who will richly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,( says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from above, and return not again but water the earth, Bringing forth life and giving growth, seed for sowing and bread to eat, So is my word that goes forth from my mouth; it will not return to me fruitless, But it will accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the task I gave it.( Psalm 146 Praise the Lord, O my soul!* I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth,* for there is no help in them. When they breathe their last, they return to earth,* and in that day their thoughts perish. Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help!* whose hope is in the Lord their God; Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them;* who keeps his promise for ever; Who gives justice to those who are oppressed,* and food to those who hunger. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind;* the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; The Lord loves the righteous; the Lord cares for the stranger;* he sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked. The Lord shall reign for ever,* your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. FIRST READING [Genesis 37:3-28, 36]: Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him. Once Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. He said to them, 'Listen to this dream that I dreamed. There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright; then your sheaves gathered around it, and bowed down to my sheaf.' His brothers said to him, 'Are you indeed to reign over us? Are you indeed to have dominion over us?' So they hated him even more because of his dreams and his words. He had another dream, and told it to his brothers, saying, 'Look, I have had another dream: the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.' But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him, and said to him, 'What kind of dream is this that you have had? Shall we indeed come, I and your mother and your brothers, and bow to the ground before you?' So his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. Now his brothers went to pasture their father's flock near Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, 'Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.' He answered, 'Here I am.' So he said to him, 'Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock; and bring word back to me.' So he sent him from the valley of Hebron. He came to Shechem, and a man found him wandering in the fields; the man asked him, 'What are you seeking?' 'I am seeking my brothers,' he said; 'tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.' The man said, 'They have gone away, for I heard them say, ?Let us go to Dothan.? ' So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan. They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him. They said to one another, 'Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams.' But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hands, saying, 'Let us not take his life.' Reuben said to them, 'Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him'?that he might rescue him out of their hand and restore him to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. Then they sat down to eat; and looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels carrying gum, balm, and resin, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, 'What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.' And his brothers agreed. When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt. Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard. HYMN Words: Michael Bruce (1746-1767) Tune: Dalehurst Almighty Father of mankind, On Thee my hopes remain; And when the day of trouble comes, I shall not trust in vain. In early days Thou wast my guide, And of my youth the Friend: And as my days began with Thee, With Thee my days shall end. I know the power in whom I trust, The arm on which I lean; He will my Saviour ever be, Who has my Saviour been. My God, who causedst me to hope, When life began to beat, And when a stranger in the world, Didst guide my wandering feet; Thou wilt not cast me off when age And evil days descend! Thou wilt not leave me in despair, To mourn my latter end. Therefore in life I'll trust to Thee, In death I will adore, And after death I'll sing Thy praise, When time shall be no more. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 9:15-end]: But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this so that they may be applied in my case. Indeed, I would rather die than that?no one will deprive me of my ground for boasting! If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe betide me if I do not proclaim the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel. For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God?s law but am under Christ?s law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I might by any means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable garland, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance, Govern and uphold them now and always. Day by day, we bless you; We praise your name for ever. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin; Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy. We long for your salvation, O Lord: grant us understanding, that we may live. Lord, show us your love and mercy, For we put our trust in you. In you, Lord, is our hope: Let us not be confounded at the last Journey with us, O holy God, as we continue our way to the cross. Sharpen our focus, that our attention may center more on you than ourselves. Lead us through the shadows of darkness and prepare our hearts, that we might be a people of prayer, ready to perceive and respond to your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer God of love, turn our hearts to your ways; and give us peace. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving adapts phrases from _Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language_. Canterbury Press, Norwich, 1999. The collect is reprinted by permission from _The Worship Sourcebook_, (c) 2004 CRC Publications. The closing sentence is from _New Patterns for Worship_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. From steve.benner at oremus.org Mon Mar 16 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 17 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090316170000.85029313CE9@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Tuesday, March 17, 2009 Patrick, Bishop, Missionary, Patron of Ireland O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God of compassion and mercy: your steadfast love is shown to every living thing; your word calls us forth and your law revives and refreshes. You call us to repent our misuse of your gifts, that we may be transformed by your wisdom to manifest for others the mercy of our crucified and risen Lord. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 73 Truly, God is good to Israel,* to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had nearly slipped;* I had almost tripped and fallen; Because I envied the proud* and saw the prosperity of the wicked: For they suffer no pain,* and their bodies are sleek and sound; In the misfortunes of others they have no share;* they are not afflicted as others are; Therefore they wear their pride like a necklace* and wrap their violence about them like a cloak. Their iniquity comes from gross minds,* and their hearts overflow with wicked thoughts. They scoff and speak maliciously;* out of their haughtiness they plan oppression. They set their mouths against the heavens,* and their evil speech runs through the world. And so the people turn to them* and find in them no fault. They say, 'How should God know?* is there knowledge in the Most High?' So then, these are the wicked;* always at ease, they increase their wealth. In vain have I kept my heart clean,* and washed my hands in innocence. I have been afflicted all day long,* and punished every morning. Had I gone on speaking this way,* I should have betrayed the generation of your children. When I tried to understand these things,* it was too hard for me; Until I entered the sanctuary of God* and discerned the end of the wicked. Surely, you set them in slippery places;* you cast them down in ruin. O how suddenly do they come to destruction,* come to an end and perish from terror! Like a dream when one awakens, O Lord,* when you arise you will make their image vanish. When my mind became embittered,* I was sorely wounded in my heart. I was stupid and had no understanding;* I was like a brute beast in your presence. Yet I am always with you;* you hold me by my right hand. You will guide me by your counsel,* and afterwards receive me with glory. Whom have I in heaven but you?* and having you I desire nothing upon earth. Though my flesh and my heart should waste away,* God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. Truly, those who forsake you will perish;* you destroy all who are unfaithful. But it is good for me to be near God;* I have made the Lord God my refuge. I will speak of all your works* in the gates of the city of Zion. The Song of Christ(s Glory (Philippians 2.511) Christ Jesus was in the form of God, but he did not cling to equality with God. He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and was born in our human likeness. Being found in human form he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name above every name, That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth; And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Psalm 147:1-12 How good it is to sing praises to our God!* how pleasant it is to honour him with praise! The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem;* he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted* and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars* and calls them all by their names. Great is our Lord and mighty in power;* there is no limit to his wisdom. The Lord lifts up the lowly,* but casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;* make music to our God upon the harp. He covers the heavens with clouds* and prepares rain for the earth; He makes grass to grow upon the mountains* and green plants to serve us all. He provides food for flocks and herds* and for the young ravens when they cry. He is not impressed by the might of a horse,* he has no pleasure in human strength; But the Lord has pleasure in those who fear him,* in those who await his gracious favour. FIRST READING [Genesis 40]: Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker offended their lord the king of Egypt. Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. The captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he waited on them; and they continued for some time in custody. One night they both dreamed?the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison?each his own dream, and each dream with its own meaning. When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. So he asked Pharaoh's officers, who were with him in custody in his master's house, 'Why are your faces downcast today?' They said to him, 'We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.' And Joseph said to them, 'Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.' So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, 'In my dream there was a vine before me, and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms came out and the clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh's cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand.' Then Joseph said to him, 'This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days; within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office; and you shall place Pharaoh's cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. But remember me when it is well with you; please do me the kindness to make mention of me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this place. For in fact I was stolen out of the land of the Hebrews; and here also I have done nothing that they should have put me into the dungeon.' When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favourable, he said to Joseph, 'I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head.' And Joseph answered, 'This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days; within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head?from you!?and hang you on a pole; and the birds will eat the flesh from you.' On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he made a feast for all his servants, and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. He restored the chief cupbearer to his cupbearing, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand; but the chief baker he hanged, just as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. HYMN Words: attributed to St. Patrick (372-466); trans. Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895), 1889 Tune: St. Patrick's Breastplate I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three. I bind this day to me for ever, by power of faith, Christ's Incarnation; his baptism in Jordan river; his death on cross for my salvation; his bursting from the spic d tomb; his riding up the heavenly way; his coming at the day of doom: I bind unto myself today. I bind unto myself the power of the great love of cherubim; the sweet "Well done" in judgment hour; the service of the seraphim; confessors' faith, apostles' word, the patriarchs' prayers, the prophets' scrolls; all good deeds done unto the Lord, and purity of virgin souls. I bind unto myself today the virtues of the starlit heaven the glorious sun's life-giving ray, the whiteness of the moon at even, the flashing of the lightning free, the whirling wind's tempestuous shocks, the stable earth, the deep salt sea, around the old eternal rocks. I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead, his eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to hearken, to my need; the wisdom of my God to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward; the word of God to give me speech, his heavenly host to be my guard. Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three. Of whom all nature hath creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word: praise to the Lord of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 10:1-13]: I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness. Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not become idolaters as some of them did; as it is written, 'The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play.' We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: Show us your mercy, O Lord; And grant us your salvation. O Lord, save our nation; And teach wisdom to those in authority. Let your priests be clothed with righteousness; Let your faithful people sing with joy. Let your ways be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations. Give your people the blessing of peace And may all the earth be filled with your glory. Create in us clean hearts, O God, And renew a right spirit within us. May the Strength of God guide us. May the Power of God preserve us. May the Wisdom of God instruct us. May the Hand of God protect us. May the Way of God direct us. May the Shield of God defend us. May the Angels of God guard us. Against the snares of the evil one. Amen. Almighty God, who in your providence chose your servant Patrick to be the apostle of the Irish people: keep alive in us the fire of the faith he kindled and strengthen us in our pilgrimage towards the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer God of love, turn our hearts to your ways; and give us peace. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving adapts phrases from _Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language_. Canterbury Press, Norwich, 1999. The first collect is attributed to Saint Patrick. The closing sentence is from _New Patterns for Worship_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The second collect is from _Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England_, material from which is included in this service is copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2000. Patrick was born about 390, in southwest Britain, somewhere between the Severn and the Clyde rivers, son of a deacon and grandson of a priest. When about sixteen years old, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland. Until this time, he had, by his own account, cared nothing for God, but now he turned to God for help. After six years, he either escaped or was freed, made his way to a port 200 miles away, and there persuaded some sailors to take him onto their ship. He returned to his family much changed, and began to prepare for the priesthood, and to study the Bible. Around 435, Patrick was commissioned, perhaps by bishops in Gaul and perhaps by the Pope, to go to Ireland as a bishop and missionary. Four years earlier another bishop, Palladius, had gone to Ireland to preach, but he was no longer there (my sources disagree on whether he had died, or had become discouraged and left Ireland to preach in Scotland). Patrick made his headquarters at Armagh in the North, where he built a school, and had the protection of the local monarch. From this base he made extensive missionary journeys, with considerable success. To say that he single-handedly turned Ireland from a pagan to a Christian country is an exaggeration, but is not far from the truth. Almost everything we know about him comes from his own writings, available in English in the Ancient Christian Writers series. He has left us an autobiography (called the Confession), a Letter to Coroticus in which he denounces the slave trade and rebukes the British chieftain Coroticus for taking part in it, and the Lorica (or "Breastplate" a poem of disputed authorship traditionally attributed to Patrick), a work that has been called "part prayer, part anthem, and part incantation." [James Kiefer, abridged] From steve.benner at oremus.org Tue Mar 17 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 18 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090317170000.E271F313CA7@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Wednesday, March 18, 2009 Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem, Teacher of the Faith, 386 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God of compassion and mercy: your steadfast love is shown to every living thing; your word calls us forth and your law revives and refreshes. You call us to repent our misuse of your gifts, that we may be transformed by your wisdom to manifest for others the mercy of our crucified and risen Lord. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 77 I will cry aloud to God;* I will cry aloud and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;* my hands were stretched out by night and did not tire; I refused to be comforted. I think of God, I am restless,* I ponder and my spirit faints. You will not let my eyelids close;* I am troubled and I cannot speak. I consider the days of old;* I remember the years long past; I commune with my heart in the night;* I ponder and search my mind. Will the Lord cast me off for ever?* will he no more show his favour? Has his lovingkindness come to an end for ever?* has his promise failed for evermore? Has God forgotten to be gracious?* has he, in his anger, withheld his compassion? And I said, 'My grief is this:* the right hand of the Most High has lost its power.' I will remember the works of the Lord,* and call to mind your wonders of old time. I will meditate on all your acts* and ponder your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy;* who is so great a god as our God? You are the God who works wonders* and have declared your power among the peoples. By your strength you have redeemed your people,* the children of Jacob and Joseph. The waters saw you, O God; the waters saw you and trembled;* the very depths were shaken. The clouds poured out water; the skies thundered;* your arrows flashed to and fro; The sound of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lit up the world;* the earth trembled and shook. Your way was in the sea, and your paths in the great waters,* yet your footsteps were not seen. You led your people like a flock* by the hand of Moses and Aaron. The Song of Manasseh (Manasseh 1a,2,4,6,7a,b,9a,c,11,12,14b,15b) Lord almighty and God of our ancestors, you who made heaven and earth in all their glory: All things tremble with awe at your presence, before your great and mighty power. Immeasurable and unsearchable is your promised mercy, for you are God, Most High. You are full of compassion, longsuffering and very merciful, and you relent at human suffering. O God, according to your great goodness, you have promised forgiveness for repentance to those who have sinned against you. The sins I have committed against you are more in number than the sands of the sea. I am not worthy to look up to the height of heaven, because of the multitude of my iniquities. And now I bend the knee of my heart before you, imploring your kindness upon me. I have sinned, O God, I have sinned, and I acknowledge my transgressions. Unworthy as I am, you will save me, according to your great mercy. For all the host of heaven sings your praise, and your glory is for ever and ever. Psalm 147:13-end Worship the Lord, O Jerusalem;* praise your God, O Zion; For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;* he has blessed your children within you. He has established peace on your borders;* he satisfies you with the finest wheat. He sends out his command to the earth,* and his word runs very swiftly. He gives snow like wool;* he scatters hoarfrost like ashes. He scatters his hail like bread crumbs;* who can stand against his cold? He sends forth his word and melts them;* he blows with his wind and the waters flow. He declares his word to Jacob,* his statutes and his judgements to Israel. He has not done so to any other nation;* to them he has not revealed his judgements. FIRST READING [Genesis 41:1a, 8, 14-24]: After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, In the morning his spirit was troubled; so he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh. Then Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was hurriedly brought out of the dungeon. When he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.' Joseph answered Pharaoh, 'It is not I; God will give Pharaoh a favourable answer.' Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'In my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile; and seven cows, fat and sleek, came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass. Then seven other cows came up after them, poor, very ugly, and thin. Never had I seen such ugly ones in all the land of Egypt. The thin and ugly cows ate up the first seven fat cows, but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had done so, for they were still as ugly as before. Then I awoke. I fell asleep a second time and I saw in my dream seven ears of grain, full and good, growing on one stalk, and seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouting after them; and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. But when I told it to the magicians, there was no one who could explain it to me.' HYMN Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788) Tune: Houghton In Jesus we live, in Jesus we rest, and thankful receive his dying bequest; the cup of salvation his mercy bestows and all from his passion, our happiness flows. With mystical wine he comforts us here, and gladly we join, till Jesus appear, with hearty thanksgiving his death to record; the living, the living should sing of their Lord. He hallowed the cup which now we receive, the pledge of our hope with Jesus to live, (where sorrow and sadness shall never be found) with glory and gladness eternally crowned. The fruit of the vine (the joy it implies) again we shall join to drink in the skies, exult in his favour, our triumph renew; and I, saith the Saviour, will drink it with you. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 10:14-22]: Therefore, my dear friends,* flee from the worship of idols. 15I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18Consider the people of Israel;* are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? 19What do I imply then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons. 21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: Teach us, O Lord, the way of your statutes: And lead us in the path of your commandments. Keep our nation under your care: And guide us in justice and truth. O Lord, deal graciously with your servants; teach us discernment and knowledge. Let not the needy be forgotten: Nor the hope of the poor be taken away. Guide the meek in judgement: And teach your ways to the gentle. Lord, remember your people: Whom you have purchased and redeemed of old. God of saving power, remember us in times of sorrow and despair. Redeem us with your strength and guide us through the wilderness. We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Strengthen, O Lord, the bishops of your Church in their special calling to be teachers and ministers of the Sacraments, so that they, like your servant Cyril of Jerusalem, may effectively instruct your people in Christian faith and practice; and that we, taught by them, may enter more fully into the celebration of the Paschal mystery; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer God of love, turn our hearts to your ways; and give us peace. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving adapts phrases from _Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language_. Canterbury Press, Norwich, 1999. The closing sentence is from _New Patterns for Worship_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. Born in about the year 315, probably in Caesarea, Cyril became Bishop of Jerusalem when he was about thirty-four years old. There he nurtured both the resident Christian population and the many pilgrims, following the end of the era of persecution, who were beginning to make their way from all over Christendom to the places associated with Christ. Cyril taught the faith in line with the orthodoxy of the Council of Nicaea and the credal statement that became associated with it. Though he found difficulty with the word in that creed which described Jesus as being 'of one substance with the Father', nevertheless he took the side of the Nicene Party against the Arians, who denied the divinity of Christ. His teaching through his Catechetical Lectures, intended for those preparing for baptism, show him to be a man profoundly orthodox and sound, and his liturgical innovations to celebrate the observance of Holy Week and Easter are the foundation of Christian practices to this day. He died in the year 386. [Exciting Holiness] From steve.benner at oremus.org Wed Mar 18 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 19 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090318170000.E4CAB313C59@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Thursday, March 19, 2009 Saint Joseph O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, almighty God, for your wise and faithful servant Joseph, the righteous man and faithful guardian of the most precious treasures of God, his Son and his spouse, the ever-blessed Virgin Mary. As you enriched him with your grace, you shed forth the blessings of your love on us. For these and all your mercies, we praise you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 25 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; my God, I put my trust in you;* let me not be humiliated, nor let my enemies triumph over me. Let none who look to you be put to shame;* let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes. Show me your ways, O Lord,* and teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me,* for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love,* for they are from everlasting. Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions;* remember me according to your love and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord. Gracious and upright is the Lord;* therefore he teaches sinners in his way. He guides the humble in doing right* and teaches his way to the lowly. All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness* to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. For your name's sake, O Lord,* forgive my sin, for it is great. Who are they who fear the Lord?* he will teach them the way that they should choose. They shall dwell in prosperity,* and their offspring shall inherit the land. The Lord is a friend to those who fear him* and will show them his covenant. My eyes are ever looking to the Lord,* for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and have pity on me,* for I am left alone and in misery. The sorrows of my heart have increased;* bring me out of my troubles. Look upon my adversity and misery* and forgive me all my sin. Look upon my enemies, for they are many,* and they bear a violent hatred against me. Protect my life and deliver me;* let me not be put to shame, for I have trusted in you. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,* for my hope has been in you. Deliver Israel, O God,* out of all his troubles. A Song of God's Chosen One (Isaiah 11.1-4a,6,9) There shall come forth a shoot from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear, But with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid. The calf, the lion and the fatling together, with a little child to lead them. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Psalm 148 Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise him in the heights. Praise him, all you angels of his;* praise him, all his host. Praise him, sun and moon;* praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, heaven of heavens,* and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord;* for he commanded and they were created. He made them stand fast for ever and ever;* he gave them a law which shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth,* you seamonsters and all deeps; Fire and hail, snow and fog,* tempestuous wind, doing his will; Mountains and all hills,* fruit trees and all cedars; Wild beasts and all cattle,* creeping things and winged birds; Kings of the earth and all peoples,* princes and all rulers of the world; Young men and maidens,* old and young together. Let them praise the name of the Lord,* for his name only is exalted, his splendour is over earth and heaven. He has raised up strength for his people and praise for all his loyal servants,* the children of Israel, a people who are near him. FIRST READING [2 Samuel 7:4-16]: But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, 'Why have you not built me a house of cedar?' Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. But I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever. HYMN Words: (c) Marnie Barrell, 1995 Tune: Rustington, Blaenwern, Abbot's Leigh, Hyfrydol Praise to God, whose Holy Spirit formed the life in Mary's womb, won the trust of gentle Joseph praise to God for Jesus' home. We give thanks for those who loved him, fed his body, shaped his mind; all who helped to make him holy blessed, through him, all humankind. Poor the home where humble parents lived and worked beside the boy poor in comforts and possessions, rich in wisdom, love and joy. Here was suffering met with courage, here God's will was daily done; rich indeed the home where Jesus grew as God's beloved Son. Faithful Israel's son and daughter, chosen from the chosen race, we will honour you and praise you, first to see God's human face. Heirs of Abraham and Sarah, you bring us, through Jesus' birth, every blessing God has promised all the families of earth. SECOND READING [Matthew 1:18-end]: Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 'Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel', which means, 'God is with us.' When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: We pray for the family of the Church, for loving relationships, and for the life of families around us. We pray especially for the Diocese of Meru, Kenya, The Rt Revd Charles Ndiga Mwendwa, Bishop. Return to top of page Jesus, Lord of love, in your mercy, hear us. Jesus, born in poverty and soon a refugee, be with families today who are poor and live in hunger and want... Jesus, Lord of love, in your mercy, hear us. Jesus, as you grew in wisdom and in favor with God and the people in the family of Joseph the carpenter, bring wisdom and the presence of God into the work and growth of families today... Jesus, Lord of love, in your mercy, hear us. Jesus, as you blessed marriage in the wedding at Cana, be with those preparing for marriage and with those who come to the end of their resources... Jesus, Lord of love, in your mercy, hear us. Jesus, as you healed Peter's mother-in-law, bring healing to those in our families who are ill today... Jesus, Lord of love, in your mercy, hear us. Jesus, when you were dying you called Mary and John to care for one another. Provide today for those who lose their families: the bereaved and childless, orphans and widows... Jesus, Lord of love, in your mercy, hear us. Jesus, as you ate breakfast on the beach with your disciples, after you were raised from the dead, bring the whole Church on earth and in heaven into your risen presence to eat at the eternal banquet. Jesus, Lord of love, in your mercy, hear us. God our Father, who from the family of your servannt David raised up Joseph the carpenter to be the guardian of your incarnate Son and husband of the blessed virgin Mary: give us grace to follow him in faithful obedience to your commands; through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer God of love, turn our hearts to your ways; and give us peace. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving adapts phrases from _Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language_. Canterbury Press, Norwich, 1999. The closing sentence is from _New Patterns for Worship_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. All that we know of Joseph we learn from the first two chapters of Matthew and of Luke. Otherwise he is mentioned only in passing in Luke 3:23; John 1:45; John 6:42 as the supposed father of Jesus. (Mark does not mention him at all.) In the face of circumstances where a man of lesser character might have reacted very differently, Joseph graciously assumed the role of Jesus' father. He is well remembered in Christian tradition for the love he showed to the boy Jesus, and for his tender affection and care for Mary, during the twelve years and more that he was their protector. Joseph was a pious Jew, a descendant of David, and a carpenter by trade. (The Gospels use the Greek word TEKTON, which means "builder," as in "architect." It has been suggested that he may have been a mason or a metalworker, or a building contractor. In favor of the traditional translation, we have a remark in the writings of Justin Martyr, who was born in Palestine, probably around 100, and who tells us that he has seen plows and ox-yokes still in use which were said to have been made in the carpenter-shop at Nazareth. We may not believe that the particular claims were all accurate, but they are testimony to what the Christians of Palestine in the early second century believed that Joseph's occupation had been, and this may be an idea continuously handed down in the community there since the early first century.) Because of the silence of the Gospels, and because Jesus entrusted Mary to the care of John, it is generally believed that Joseph died a natural death after the visit to Jerusalem when Jesus was twelve (Luke 2:41-51), but before the Baptism of Jesus when He was thirty. Joseph's influence during those early years must have been tremendous. When Jesus spoke of God as being like a loving Father, He was using a word that he had first learned as a child to apply to Joseph. Joseph stands as a testimony to the value of simple everyday human things, and especially that human thing called "fatherhood." [James Kiefer] From steve.benner at oremus.org Thu Mar 19 17:00:01 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:00:01 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 20 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090319170001.06BE7313CBD@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Friday, March 20, 2009 Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne, Missionary, 687 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God of compassion and mercy: your steadfast love is shown to every living thing; your word calls us forth and your law revives and refreshes. You call us to repent our misuse of your gifts, that we may be transformed by your wisdom to manifest for others the mercy of our crucified and risen Lord. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 86 Bow down your ear, O Lord, and answer me,* for I am poor and in misery. Keep watch over my life, for I am faithful;* save your servant who trusts in you. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for you are my God;* I call upon you all the day long. Gladden the soul of your servant,* for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,* and great is your love towards all who call upon you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer,* and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the time of my trouble I will call upon you,* for you will answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord,* nor anything like your works. All nations you have made will come and worship you, O Lord,* and glorify your name. For you are great; you do wondrous things;* and you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth;* knit my heart to you that I may fear your name. I will thank you, O Lord my God, with all my heart,* and glorify your name for evermore. For great is your love towards me;* you have delivered me from the nethermost Pit. The arrogant rise up against me, O God, and a violent band seeks my life;* they have not set you before their eyes. But you, O Lord, are gracious and full of compassion,* slow to anger and full of kindness and truth. Turn to me and have mercy upon me;* give your strength to your servant; and save the child of your handmaid. Show me a sign of your favour, so that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed;* because you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me. A Song of Christ the Servant 1 Peter 2.21b25 Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, no guile was found on his lips, when he was reviled, he did not revile in turn. When he suffered, he did not threaten, but he trusted himself to God who judges justly. Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed, for you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. Psalm 149 Sing to the Lord a new song;* sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful. Let Israel rejoice in his maker;* let the children of Zion be joyful in their king. Let them praise his name in the dance;* let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes pleasure in his people* and adorns the poor with victory. Let the faithful rejoice in triumph;* let them be joyful on their beds. Let the praises of God be in their throat* and a twoedged sword in their hand; To wreak vengeance on the nations* and punishment on the peoples; To bind their kings in chains* and their nobles with links of iron; To inflict on them the judgement decreed;* this is glory for all his faithful people. FIRST READING [Genesis 42:1-26, 29a, 35-38]: When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, 'Why do you keep looking at one another? I have heard', he said, 'that there is grain in Egypt; go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.' So ten of Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he feared that harm might come to him. Thus the sons of Israel were among the other people who came to buy grain, for the famine had reached the land of Canaan. Now Joseph was governor over the land; it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground. When Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke harshly to them. 'Where do you come from?' he said. They said, 'From the land of Canaan, to buy food.' Although Joseph had recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. Joseph also remembered the dreams that he had dreamed about them. He said to them, 'You are spies; you have come to see the nakedness of the land!' They said to him, 'No, my lord; your servants have come to buy food. We are all sons of one man; we are honest men; your servants have never been spies.' But he said to them, 'No, you have come to see the nakedness of the land!' They said, 'We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of a certain man in the land of Canaan; the youngest, however, is now with our father, and one is no more.' But Joseph said to them, 'It is just as I have said to you; you are spies! Here is how you shall be tested: as Pharaoh lives, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here! Let one of you go and bring your brother, while the rest of you remain in prison, in order that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you; or else, as Pharaoh lives, surely you are spies.' And he put them all together in prison for three days. On the third day Joseph said to them, 'Do this and you will live, for I fear God: if you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here where you are imprisoned. The rest of you shall go and carry grain for the famine of your households, and bring your youngest brother to me. Thus your words will be verified, and you shall not die.' And they agreed to do so. They said to one another, 'Alas, we are paying the penalty for what we did to our brother; we saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this anguish has come upon us.' Then Reuben answered them, 'Did I not tell you not to wrong the boy? But you would not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.' They did not know that Joseph understood them, since he spoke with them through an interpreter. He turned away from them and wept; then he returned and spoke to them. And he picked out Simeon and had him bound before their eyes. Joseph then gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to return every man's money to his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. This was done for them. They loaded their donkeys with their grain, and departed. When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them. As they were emptying their sacks, there in each one's sack was his bag of money. When they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were dismayed. And their father Jacob said to them, 'I am the one you have bereaved of children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin. All this has happened to me!' Then Reuben said to his father, 'You may kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.' But he said, 'My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If harm should come to him on the journey that you are to make, you would bring down my grey hairs with sorrow to Sheol.' HYMN Words: Fred Pratt Green 1903-2000 (c) 1982 Stainer & Bell Ltd Used with permission. Meter: 76 76 Trochaic; Suggested Tunes: Ich werd erfreut, Melling Other gospel there is none Than the one Christ gave us; Love it is, and love alone, Has the power to save us. Love is everywhere the same, Sacrifices, suffers; Love it is that bears our shame, Love is what God offers. Love is anxious to atone, Seeks for just decisions: Love it is, and love alone, Heals our deep divisions. In God's Kingdom all are one, When, in love, we share it: What advances have been won Through the Holy Spirit! In this spirit we must strive For the world's salvation, Offering all we have to give Without reservation. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 11:17-end]: Now in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, to begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and to some extent I believe it. Indeed, there have to be factions among you, for only so will it become clear who among you are genuine. When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord's supper. For when the time comes to eat, each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry and another becomes drunk. What! Do you not have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I commend you? In this matter I do not commend you! For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgement against themselves. For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. If you are hungry, eat at home, so that when you come together, it will not be for your condemnation. About the other things I will give instructions when I come. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: On the cross, our Lord offered himself to the Father for the whole world. So, at the foot of his cross, we join our prayers with his. We glory in your cross, O Lord, and praise and glorify your holy resurrection; For by virtue of the cross, joy has come to the whole world. God, be merciful to us and bless us, and show us the light of your countenance and be merciful to us That your ways may be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations. We glory in your cross, O Lord, and praise and glorify your holy resurrection; For by virtue of the cross, joy has come to the whole world. Almighty Father, look with mercy on this your family for which our Lord Jesus Christ was content to be betrayed and was given up into the hands of the wicked and to suffer death upon the cross; who is alive and glorified with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Almighty God, who called your servant Cuthbert from following the flock to follow your Son and to be a shepherd of your people: in your mercy, grant that we, following his example, may bring those who are lost home to your fold; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer God of love, turn our hearts to your ways; and give us peace. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving adapts phrases from _Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language_. Canterbury Press, Norwich, 1999. The closing sentence is from _New Patterns for Worship_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The second collect is from _Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England_, material from which is included in this service is copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2000. Cuthbert was born in Northumbria in northern England about 625. One night, while tending a herd of sheep, he saw lights in the sky which he interpreted as a soul being escorted heavenward by a band of angels. Later, he learned that Aidan of Lindisfarne (31 August 651) had died that night, and he resolved to enter the monastic life. He was a monk at Melrose Abbey from 651 to 664, and when the Abbot, Eata, became abbot and bishop at Lindisfarne, Cuthbert accompanied him and was Prior there until 676. Although he had been brought up in the Celtic customs, he accepted the decrees of the Synod of Whitby in 663, which committed the English Church to following instead the Roman customs that had been introduced into Canterbury by Augustine, and so he helped to minimize contention over the decision. Although his real preference was for the solitary life of a hermit, he recognized a duty to minister to the needs of the people about him. Year after year he made long journeys, on horseback and on foot, to Durham and throughout Northumbria, and in the regions of Berwick and Galloway, preaching to the scattered population in remote and sparsely settled areas, instructing them in the faith and encouraging them in the practice of it, urging them in times of sickness not to rely on charms or amulets, but to pray to God and put their trust in His mercy and love. Like Francis of Assisi, he had a remarkable rapport with animals, both wild and domestic. Theodore, the Archbishop of Canterbury, made Cuthbert Bishop of Hexham, but he was a solitary by nature, and promptly exchanged bishoprics with Eata so as to remain at Lindisfarne. After two years, he retired to the neighboring island of Farne as a hermit, and died there the following year. [James Kiefer] From steve.benner at oremus.org Fri Mar 20 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 21 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090320170000.81661313C3A@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Saturday, March 21, 2009 Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr, 1556 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, God of compassion and mercy: your steadfast love is shown to every living thing; your word calls us forth and your law revives and refreshes. You call us to repent our misuse of your gifts, that we may be transformed by your wisdom to manifest for others the mercy of our crucified and risen Lord. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 103 Bless the Lord, O my soul,* and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul,* and forget not all his benefits. He forgives all your sins* and heals all your infirmities; He redeems your life from the grave* and crowns you with mercy and lovingkindness; He satisfies you with good things,* and your youth is renewed like an eagle's. The Lord executes righteousness* and judgement for all who are oppressed. He made his ways known to Moses* and his works to the children of Israel. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy,* slow to anger and of great kindness. He will not always accuse us,* nor will he keep his anger for ever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins,* nor rewarded us according to our wickedness. For as the heavens are high above the earth,* so is his mercy great upon those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west,* so far has he removed our sins from us. As a father cares for his children,* so does the Lord care for those who fear him. For he himself knows whereof we are made;* he remembers that we are but dust. Our days are like the grass;* we flourish like a flower of the field; When the wind goes over it, it is gone,* and its place shall know it no more. But the merciful goodness of the Lord endures for ever on those who fear him,* and his righteousness on children's children; On those who keep his covenant* and remember his commandments and do them. The Lord has set his throne in heaven,* and his kingship has dominion over all. Bless the Lord, you angels of his, you mighty ones who do his bidding,* and hearken to the voice of his word. Bless the Lord, all you his hosts,* you ministers of his who do his will. Bless the Lord, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion;* bless the Lord, O my soul. A Song of the Rock (Deuteronomy 32.112) Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distil as the dew, as the gentle rain on the grass, and as the showers upon the meadow. For I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are just: a faithful God without deceit, just and upright is he. His degenerate children have dealt corruptly with him; a perverse and crooked generation. Do you thus repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Is not he your father, who created you, who made you and established you? Remember the days of old, consider the years long past; ask your father, and he will show you; your elders, and they will tell you. When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided the children of earth, he fixed the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the children of God. For the Lord(s own portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage. He sustained him in a desert land, in the howling waste of the wilderness; he shielded him and cared for him; he kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle stirs up its nest, and hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, takes them, and bears them aloft on its pinions, So the Lord alone did guide him, and no foreign god was with him. Psalm 150 Praise God in his holy temple;* praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts;* praise him for his excellent greatness. Praise him with the blast of the ram'shorn;* praise him with lyre and harp. Praise him with timbrel and dance;* praise him with strings and pipe. Praise him with resounding cymbals;* praise him with loudclanging cymbals. Let everything that has breath* praise the Lord. FIRST READING [Genesis 43:1-5, 11-16, 26-34]: Now the famine was severe in the land. And when they had eaten up the grain that they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, 'Go again, buy us a little more food.' But Judah said to him, 'The man solemnly warned us, saying, "You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you." If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food; but if you will not send him, we will not go down, for the man said to us, "You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you." ' Then their father Israel said to them, 'If it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry them down as a present to the man?a little balm and a little honey, gum, resin, pistachio nuts, and almonds. Take double the money with you. Carry back with you the money that was returned in the top of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight. Take your brother also, and be on your way again to the man; may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, so that he may send back your other brother and Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.' So the men took the present, and they took double the money with them, as well as Benjamin. Then they went on their way down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, 'Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.' When Joseph came home, they brought him the present that they had carried into the house, and bowed to the ground before him. He inquired about their welfare, and said, 'Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?' They said, 'Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.' And they bowed their heads and did obeisance. Then he looked up and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, 'Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!' With that, Joseph hurried out, because he was overcome with affection for his brother, and he was about to weep. So he went into a private room and wept there. Then he washed his face and came out; and controlling himself he said, 'Serve the meal.' They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. When they were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, the men looked at one another in amazement. Portions were taken to them from Joseph's table, but Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him. HYMN Words: Thomas A Lacey (1853-1931) Tune: Genevan Psalm 68 Faith of our fathers, taught of old By faithful shepherds of the fold, The hallowing of our nation; Thou wast through many a wealthy year, Through many a darkened day of fear, The rock of our salvation. Arise, arise, good Christian men, Your glorious standard raise again, The cross of Christ who calls you; Who bids you live and bids you die For his great cause, and stands on high To witness what befalls you. Our fathers heard the trumpet call Through lowly cot and kingly hall >From oversea resounding; They bowed with stubborn wills to learn The truths that live, the thoughts that burn, With new resolve abounding. Arise, arise, good Christian men, Your glorious standard raise again, The cross of Christ who guides you; Whose arm is bared to join the fray, Who marshals you in stern array, Fearless, whate'er betides you. Our fathers held the faith received, By saints declared, by saints believed, By saints in death defended; Through pain of doubt and bitterness, Through pain of treason and distress, They for the right contended. Arise, arise, good Christian men, Your glorious standard raise again, The cross of Christ who bought you; Who leads you forth in this new age With long-enduring hearts to wage The warfare he has taught you. Though frequent be the loud alarms, Though still we march by ambushed arms Of death and hell surrounded: With Christ for chief we fear no foe; Nor force nor craft can overthrow The Church that he has founded. Arise, arise, good Christian men, Your glorious standard raise again, The cross wherewith he signed you The King himself shall lead you on, Shall watch you till the strife be done, Then near his throne shall find you. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 12:1-11]: Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says 'Let Jesus be cursed!' and no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: Almighty and everliving GOD, which by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men: We humbly beseech thee most mercifully to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy divine Majesty, beseeching thee to inspire continually the universal church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: And grant, that all they who do confess thy holy name, may agree in the truth of thy holy word, and live in unity and godly love. Specially we beseech thee to save and defend all those in authority, that they may truly and impartially minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of God's true religion, and virtue. Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops, Pastors, and Curates, that they may both by their life and doctrine set forth thy true and lively word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments: and to all thy people give thy heavenly grace, that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear, and receive thy holy word, truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life: And we most humbly beseech thee of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all them, which in this transitory life be in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. And especially we commend unto thy merciful goodness, this congregation which is here assembled in thy name: And here we do give unto thee most high praise, and hearty thanks, for the wonderful grace and virtue, declared in all thy saints, from the beginning of the world: And chiefly in the glorious and most blessed virgin Mary, mother of thy son Jesus Christ our Lord and God, and in the holy Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles and Martyrs, whose examples, O Lord, and steadfastness in thy faith, and keeping thy holy commandments, grant us to follow. We commend unto thy mercy, O Lord, all other thy servants, which are departed hence from us, with the sign of faith, and now do rest in the sleep of peace: Grant unto them, we beseech thee, thy mercy, and everlasting peace, and that at the day of the general resurrection, we and all they which be of the mystical body of thy son, may altogether be set on his right hand, and hear that his most joyful voice: Come unto me, O ye that be blessed of my Father, and possess the kingdom, which is prepared for you from the beginning of the world. Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only mediator and advocate. Amen. As your merciful goodness endures for ever, O Lord, remember the frailty of your children; deal with us not according to our sins but, in your compassion, redeem our life and crown us with your mercy and lovingkindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Father of all wisdom and understanding, who through the life of your servant Thomas Cranmer renewed the life and worship of your Church, and through his death revealed your strength in human weakness: by your grace let the light of faith always shine within us, that we may bear witness to the truth of your holy name; through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Advocate. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer God of love, turn our hearts to your ways; and give us peace. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving adapts phrases from _Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language_. Canterbury Press, Norwich, 1999. The closing sentence is from _New Patterns for Worship_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The intercession is adapted from the 1549 Book of Common Prayer. The second collect is adapted from _Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England_, material from which is included in this service is copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2000. When Henry VIII of England died, he left three heirs: his son Edward and his two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. Edward succeeded to the throne and was a staunch Protestant (or at least his advisors were). Under his rule, the church services, previously in Latin, were translated into English, and other changes were made. When Edward died, the throne passed to his sister Mary, who was firmly Roman Catholic in her beliefs. She determined to return England to union with the Pope. With more diplomacy, she might have succeeded. But she was headstrong and would take no advice. Her mother had been Spanish, and she determined to marry the heir to the throne of Spain, not realizing how much her people (of all religious persuasions) feared that this would make England a province of the Spanish Empire. She insisted that the best way to deal with heresy was to burn as many heretics as possible. (It is worth noting that her husband was opposed to this.) In the course of a five-year reign, she lost all the English holdings on the continent of Europe, she lost the affection of her people, and she lost any chance of a peaceful religious settlement in England. Thomas Cranmer was Archbishop of Canterbury in the days of Henry, and defended the position that Henry's marriage to Katharine of Aragon (Spain) was null and void. When Edward came to the throne, Cranmer was foremost in translating the worship of the Church into English (his friends and enemies agree that he was an extraordinarily gifted translator) and securing the use of the new forms of worship. When Mary came to the throne, Cranmer was in a quandary. He had believed, with a fervor that many people today will find hard to understand, that it is the duty of every Christian to obey the monarch, and that "the powers that be are ordained of God" (Romans 13). As long as the monarch was ordering things that Cranmer thought good, it was easy for Cranmer to believe that the king was sent by God's providence to guide the people in the path of true religion, and that disobedience to the king was disobedience to God. Now Mary was Queen, and commanding him to return to the Roman obedience. Cranmer five times wrote a letter of submission to the Pope and to Roman Catholic doctrines, and four times he tore it up. In the end, he submitted. However, Mary was unwilling to believe that the submission was sincere, and he was ordered to be burned at Oxford on 21 March 1556. At the very end, he repudiated his final letter of submission, and announced that he died a Protestant. He said, "I have sinned, in that I signed with my hand what I did not believe with my heart. When the flames are lit, this hand shall be the first to burn." And when the fire was lit around his feet, he leaned forward and held his right hand in the fire until it was charred to a stump. Aside from this, he did not speak or move, except that once he raised his left hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead. From steve.benner at oremus.org Sat Mar 21 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 22 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090321170000.77302313C30@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Sunday, March 22, 2009 The Fourth Sunday in Lent O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory to you, O Champion of all Loves, who for our sake endured the cross, encountered the enemy and tasted death. Glory be to you, O King of all kings, who for our salvation wrestled with principalities and powers, subdued the forces of hell and won the greatest of all victories. To you be all praise, all glory and all love; now and for ever. Amen. An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 18, Part II love you, O Lord my strength,* ?O Lord my stronghold, my crag and my haven. My God, my rock in whom I put my trust,* ?my shield, the horn of my salvation and my refuge; ???you are worthy of praise. I will call upon the Lord,* ?and so shall I be saved from my enemies. The breakers of death rolled over me,* ?and the torrents of oblivion made me afraid. The cords of hell entangled me,* ?and the snares of death were set for me. I called upon the Lord in my distress* ?and cried out to my God for help. He heard my voice from his heavenly dwelling;* ?my cry of anguish came to his ears. The earth reeled and rocked;* ?the roots of the mountains shook; ???they reeled because of his anger. Smoke rose from his nostrils ???and a consuming fire out of his mouth;* ?hot burning coals blazed forth from him. He parted the heavens and came down* ?with a storm cloud under his feet. He mounted on cherubim and flew;* ?he swooped on the wings of the wind. He wrapped darkness about him;* ?he made dark waters and thick clouds his pavilion. From the brightness of his presence, through the clouds,* ?burst hailstones and coals of fire. The Lord thundered out of heaven;* ?the Most High uttered his voice. He loosed his arrows and scattered them;* ?he hurled thunderbolts and routed them. The beds of the seas were uncovered, ???and the foundations of the world laid bare,* ?at your battle cry, O Lord, ???at the blast of the breath of your nostrils. He reached down from on high and grasped me;* ?he drew me out of great waters. He delivered me from my strong enemies ???and from those who hated me;* ?for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster;* ?but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into an open place;* ?he rescued me because he delighted in me. A Song of Humility (Hosea 6.16) Come, let us return to the Lord who has torn us and will heal us. God has stricken us and will bind up our wounds. After two days, he will revive us, and on the third day will raise us up, that we may live in his presence. Let us strive to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the sunrise. He will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth. O Ephraim, how shall I deal with you? How shall I deal with you, O Judah? Your love for me is like the morning mist, like the dew that goes early away. Therefore, I have hewn them by the prophets, and my judgement goes forth as the light. For loyalty is my desire and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.( Psalm 117 Praise the Lord, all you nations;* laud him, all you peoples. For his lovingkindness towards us is great,* and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever. FIRST READING [Exodus 16:4-15]: Then the Lord said to Moses, 'I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.' So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, 'In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?' And Moses said, 'When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him?what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord.' Then Moses said to Aaron, 'Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, ?Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.? ' And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked towards the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, 'I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ?At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.? ' In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, 'What is it?' For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, 'It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. HYMN Words: Isaac Watts (1674-1748) Tune: Breslau, Erhalt uns Herr My dear Redeemer, and my Lord, I read my duty in thy word; But in thy life the law appears Drawn out in living characters. Such was thy truth, and such thy zeal, Such deference to thy Father's will, Such love, and meekness so divine, I would transcribe and make them mine. Cold mountains and the midnight air Witnessed the fervour of thy prayer; The desert thy temptations knew, Thy conflict and thy victory too. Be thou my pattern; make me bear More of thy gracious image here; Then God the Judge shall own my name Among the followers of the Lamb. SECOND READING [John 6:27-40]: Jesus said, ' Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.' Then they said to him, 'What must we do to perform the works of God?' Jesus answered them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.' So they said to him, 'What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ?He gave them bread from heaven to eat.? ' Then Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.' They said to him, 'Sir, give us this bread always.' Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.' The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: With faith and love and in union with Christ, let us offer our prayer before the throne of grace. Have mercy on your people, for whom your Son laid down his life. Graciously hear us, O Lord. Bring healing and wholeness to people and nations, and have pity on those torn apart by division. Graciously hear us, O Lord. Strengthen all who are persecuted for your name's sake, and deliver them from evil. Graciously hear us, O Lord. Look in mercy upon all who suffer, and hear those who cry out in pain and desolation. Graciously hear us, O Lord. Bring comfort to the dying, and gladden their hearts with the power of your glory. Graciously hear us, O Lord. We pray for your Church, especially: Graciously hear us, O Lord. As we rejoice in the triumph of the cross, we pray that the whole of creation may find fulfilment in the eternal kingdom of God: God of compassion, you are slow to anger, and full of mercy, welcoming sinners who return to you with penitent hearts. Receive in your loving embrace all who come home to you. Seat them at your bountiful table of grace, that, with all your children, they may feast with delight on all that satisfies the hungry heart. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer Help us, O Lord Jesus Christ, to enter in your sorrows and to rejoice in your victory; to embrace your cross and to wear your crown; to receive the wounds of your love and to behold you in glory and light; for your own name's sake. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving is by Thomas Ken (1637-1711) and the closing prayer is by St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373). From steve.benner at oremus.org Sun Mar 22 17:00:01 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Sun, 22 Mar 2009 17:00:01 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 23 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090322170001.05C36313C55@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Monday, March 23, 2009 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory to you, O Champion of all Loves, who for our sake endured the cross, encountered the enemy and tasted death. Glory be to you, O King of all kings, who for our salvation wrestled with principalities and powers, subdued the forces of hell and won the greatest of all victories. To you be all praise, all glory and all love; now and for ever. Amen. An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 90 Lord, you have been our refuge* from one generation to another. Before the mountains were brought forth, or the land and the earth were born,* from age to age you are God. You turn us back to the dust and say,* 'Go back, O child of earth.' For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past* and like a watch in the night. You sweep us away like a dream;* we fade away suddenly like the grass. In the morning it is green and flourishes;* in the evening it is dried up and withered. For we consume away in your displeasure;* we are afraid because of your wrathful indignation. Our iniquities you have set before you,* and our secret sins in the light of your countenance. When you are angry, all our days are gone;* we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The span of our life is seventy years, perhaps in strength even eighty;* yet the sum of them is but labour and sorrow, for they pass away quickly and we are gone. Who regards the power of your wrath?* who rightly fears your indignation? So teach us to number our days* that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. Return, O Lord; how long will you tarry?* be gracious to your servants. Satisfy us by your lovingkindness in the morning;* so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life. Make us glad by the measure of the days that you afflicted us* and the years in which we suffered adversity. Show your servants your works* and your splendour to their children. May the graciousness of the Lord our God be upon us;* prosper the work of our hands; prosper our handiwork. A Song of the Word of the Lord (Isaiah 55.611) Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; Let the wicked abandon their ways, and the unrighteous their thoughts; Return to the Lord, who will have mercy; to our God, who will richly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,( says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from above, and return not again but water the earth, Bringing forth life and giving growth, seed for sowing and bread to eat, So is my word that goes forth from my mouth; it will not return to me fruitless, But it will accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the task I gave it.( Psalm 146 Praise the Lord, O my soul!* I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth,* for there is no help in them. When they breathe their last, they return to earth,* and in that day their thoughts perish. Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help!* whose hope is in the Lord their God; Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them;* who keeps his promise for ever; Who gives justice to those who are oppressed,* and food to those who hunger. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind;* the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; The Lord loves the righteous; the Lord cares for the stranger;* he sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked. The Lord shall reign for ever,* your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. FIRST READING [Genesis 44]: Then Joseph commanded the steward of his house, 'Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man's money in the top of his sack. Put my cup, the silver cup, in the top of the sack of the youngest, with his money for the grain.' And he did as Joseph told him. As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away with their donkeys. When they had gone only a short distance from the city, Joseph said to his steward, 'Go, follow after the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, "Why have you returned evil for good? Why have you stolen my silver cup? Is it not from this that my lord drinks? Does he not indeed use it for divination? You have done wrong in doing this." ' When he overtook them, he repeated these words to them. They said to him, 'Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants that they should do such a thing! Look, the money that we found at the top of our sacks, we brought back to you from the land of Canaan; why then would we steal silver or gold from your lord's house? Should it be found with any one of your servants, let him die; moreover, the rest of us will become my lord's slaves.' He said, 'Even so; in accordance with your words, let it be: he with whom it is found shall become my slave, but the rest of you shall go free.' Then each one quickly lowered his sack to the ground, and each opened his sack. He searched, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. At this they tore their clothes. Then each one loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city. Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house while he was still there; and they fell to the ground before him. Joseph said to them, 'What deed is this that you have done? Do you not know that one such as I can practise divination?' And Judah said, 'What can we say to my lord? What can we speak? How can we clear ourselves? God has found out the guilt of your servants; here we are then, my lord's slaves, both we and also the one in whose possession the cup has been found.' But he said, 'Far be it from me that I should do so! Only the one in whose possession the cup was found shall be my slave; but as for you, go up in peace to your father.' Then Judah stepped up to him and said, 'O?my lord, let your servant please speak a word in my lord's ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are like Pharaoh himself. My lord asked his servants, saying, "Have you a father or a brother?" And we said to my lord, "We have a father, an old man, and a young brother, the child of his old age. His brother is dead; he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him." Then you said to your servants, "Bring him down to me, so that I may set my eyes on him." We said to my lord, "The boy cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die." Then you said to your servants, "Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more." When we went back to your servant my father we told him the words of my lord. And when our father said, "Go again, buy us a little food", we said, "We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother goes with us, will we go down; for we cannot see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us." Then your servant my father said to us, "You know that my wife bore me two sons; one left me, and I said, Surely he has been torn to pieces; and I have never seen him since. If you take this one also from me, and harm comes to him, you will bring down my grey hairs in sorrow to Sheol." Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father and the boy is not with us, then, as his life is bound up in the boy's life, when he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die; and your servants will bring down the grey hairs of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol. For your servant became surety for the boy to my father, saying, "If I do not bring him back to you, then I will bear the blame in the sight of my father all my life." Now therefore, please let your servant remain as a slave to my lord in place of the boy; and let the boy go back with his brothers. For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the suffering that would come upon my father.' HYMN Words: William Gladstone (1809-1898) Tune: Leicester O lead my blindness by the hand, lead me to Thy familiar feast, not here or now to understand yet even here and now to taste, how the eternal Word of heaven on earth in broken bread is given. We, who with one blest food are fed, into one body may we grow, and one pure life from Thee, the head, informing all the members flow: one pulse be felt in every vein, one law of pleasure and of pain. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 12:12-31a]: ?For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body?Jews or Greeks, slaves or free?and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot were to say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body', that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear were to say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body', that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you', nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honourable we clothe with greater honour, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honour to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: 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... (We thank you, Lord) 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... (Lord, hear our prayer.) physicians and nurses... those who are ill or confined to nursing homes... for those whom we love and for those who love us... those who mourn... the Roman Catholic Church... Eternal Father, our refuge from generation to generation, in Christ your salvation has dawned for your people: prosper the work of our hands that the promise of your glorious kingdom may be fulfilled in our midst; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer Help us, O Lord Jesus Christ, to enter in your sorrows and to rejoice in your victory; to embrace your cross and to wear your crown; to receive the wounds of your love and to behold you in glory and light; for your own name's sake. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving is by Thomas Ken (1637-1711) and the closing prayer is by St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373). From steve.benner at oremus.org Mon Mar 23 17:00:01 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:00:01 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 24 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090323170001.2CC47313C55@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Tuesday, March 24, 2009 Oscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador, Martyr, 1980 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory to you, O Champion of all Loves, who for our sake endured the cross, encountered the enemy and tasted death. Glory be to you, O King of all kings, who for our salvation wrestled with principalities and powers, subdued the forces of hell and won the greatest of all victories. To you be all praise, all glory and all love; now and for ever. Amen. An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 93 The Lord is king; he has put on splendid apparel;* the Lord has put on his apparel and girded himself with strength. He has made the whole world so sure* that it cannot be moved; Ever since the world began, your throne has been established;* you are from everlasting. The waters have lifted up, O Lord, the waters have lifted up their voice;* the waters have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the sound of many waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea,* mightier is the Lord who dwells on high. Your testimonies are very sure,* and holiness adorns your house, O Lord, for ever and for evermore. Psalm 96 Sing to the Lord a new song;* sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing to the Lord and bless his name;* proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations* and his wonders among all peoples. For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;* he is more to be feared than all gods. As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols;* but it is the Lord who made the heavens. O the majesty and magnificence of his presence!* O the power and the splendour of his sanctuary! Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples;* ascribe to the Lord honour and power. Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name;* bring offerings and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;* let the whole earth tremble before him. Tell it out among the nations: 'The Lord is king!* he has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.' Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad; let the sea thunder and all that is in it;* let the field be joyful and all that is therein. Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy before the Lord when he comes,* when he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness* and the peoples with his truth. The Song of Christ(s Glory (Philippians 2.511) Christ Jesus was in the form of God, but he did not cling to equality with God. He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and was born in our human likeness. Being found in human form he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name above every name, That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth; And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Psalm 147:1-12 How good it is to sing praises to our God!* how pleasant it is to honour him with praise! The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem;* he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted* and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars* and calls them all by their names. Great is our Lord and mighty in power;* there is no limit to his wisdom. The Lord lifts up the lowly,* but casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;* make music to our God upon the harp. He covers the heavens with clouds* and prepares rain for the earth; He makes grass to grow upon the mountains* and green plants to serve us all. He provides food for flocks and herds* and for the young ravens when they cry. He is not impressed by the might of a horse,* he has no pleasure in human strength; But the Lord has pleasure in those who fear him,* in those who await his gracious favour. FIRST READING [Genesis 45]: Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, 'Send everyone away from me.' So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?' But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'Come closer to me.' And they came closer. He said, 'I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither ploughing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, "Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children's children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there?since there are five more years of famine to come?so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty." And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honoured in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.' Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him. ?When the report was heard in Pharaoh's house, 'Joseph's brothers have come', Pharaoh and his servants were pleased. Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Say to your brothers, "Do this: load your animals and go back to the land of Canaan. Take your father and your households and come to me, so that I may give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you may enjoy the fat of the land." You are further charged to say, "Do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. Give no thought to your possessions, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours." ' The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons according to the instruction of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey. To each one of them he gave a set of garments; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five sets of garments. To his father he sent the following: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and provision for his father on the journey. Then he sent his brothers on their way, and as they were leaving he said to them, 'Do not quarrel along the way.' So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. And they told him, 'Joseph is still alive! He is even ruler over all the land of Egypt.' He was stunned; he could not believe them. But when they told him all the words of Joseph that he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. Israel said, 'Enough! My son Joseph is still alive. I must go and see him before I die.' HYMN Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788) Tune: Dunfermline, St. Bernard, St. David Jesus, united by Thy grace And each to each endeared, With confidence we seek Thy face, And know our prayer is heard. Help us to help each other, Lord, Each other's cross to bear, Let all their friendly aid afford And feel each other's care. Still let us own our common Lord, And bear Thine easy yoke, A band of love, a threefold cord, Which never can be broke. Make us into one spirit drink; Baptize into Thy name; And let us always kindly think And sweetly speak the same, Touched by the loadstone of Thy love, Let all our hearts agree, And ever toward each other move, And ever move toward Thee. To Thee, inseparably joined, Let all our spirits cleave; O may we all the loving mind That was in Thee receive. This is the bond of perfectness, Thy spotless charity; O let us, still we pray, possess The mind that was in Thee. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:13]: And I will show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: Generous God, we thank you for being with us today, and for every sign of your truth and love in Jesus Christ. Especially we thank you for the gift of peace in Christ... (We thank you, Lord.) reconciliation in our relationships... each new insight into your love... energy and courage to share your love... the ministries of the church... Gracious God, we remember in our own hearts the needs of others, that we may reach up to claim your love for them, and reach out to give your love in the name of Christ. Especially we pray for racial harmony and justice... (Lord, hear our prayer.) those imprisoned... strangers we have met today... friends who are bereaved... Orthodox and Coptic churches... You have established your throne, O Lord, above the chaos of this world: may your truth, which is from everlasting, be ours for ever and ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God, whose Son became incarnate among the poor and lived, worked and died in the midst of a city, give us grace to follow the example of your servant Oscar Romero and proclaim the message of life, that we all may come to know the eternal truth of your Gospel, as revealed in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer Help us, O Lord Jesus Christ, to enter in your sorrows and to rejoice in your victory; to embrace your cross and to wear your crown; to receive the wounds of your love and to behold you in glory and light; for your own name's sake. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving is by Thomas Ken (1637-1711) and the closing prayer is by St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373). The second collect is by Stephen Benner, 2002, and is based on phrases from the writings of Archbishop Romero. Oscar Romero was born in Ciudad Barrios, a town in the mountainous east of El Salvador, on 15 August 1917. He was the second of seven children. When he was thirteen he declared a vocation to the priesthood. He went to a seminary in San Miguel, then to the capital San Salvador, and from there to Rome. He was ordained in 1942. In January 1944 he was recalled to San Miguel by his bishop and was soon secretary of the diocese. This position he held for twenty-three years. In San Miguel his work flourished and his reputation grew. He established a succession of new organizations and inspired many with his sermons, broadcast by five local radio stations and heard across the city. Romero was impressed, though not always uncritical, of the new Catholicism that was affirmed with such confidence in Vatican II. In 1970 he became auxiliary bishop of San Salvador, and there he busied himself with administration. Many found him a conservative in views and by temperament. In 1974 he became bishop of a rural diocese, Santiago de Maria. Three years later, in February 1977, Oscar Romero became archbishop of San Salvador. In that month a crowd of protesters were attacked by soldiers in the town square of the capital. Then, on 12 March 1977, a radical priest, Rutilio Grande, was murdered in Aguilares. Romero had known him. Now he observed that there was no official enquiry. He recognized that power lay in the hands of violent men, and that they murdered with impunity. The wealthy sanctioned the violence that maintained them. Death squads committed murder in the cities while soldiers killed as they wished in the countryside. When a new government which represented a coalition of powerful interests was elected it was seen to be by fraud. There was talk of revolution. More and more Romero committed himself to the poor and the persecuted, and he became the catalyst for radical moral prophecy in the church and outside it. Meanwhile, his church began to document the abuse of human rights, and to establish the truth in a country governed by lies, where men and women simply disappeared without account. The press attacked him vehemently. Romero, it was said, allied the church with revolutionaries. This he repudiated: the church was not a political movement. But when a succession of priests were murdered Romero found in their deaths 'testimony of a church incarnated in the problems of its people.' In May 1979 he visited the Pope in Rome and presented him with seven dossiers filled with reports and documents describing the injustices of El Salvador. But his friends sensed his isolation in the church, while the threats and dangers against him mounted outside it. On 24 March 1980 he was suddenly shot dead while celebrating mass in the chapel of the hospital where he lived. Today the memory of Oscar Romero is cherished by the people of El Salvador, and by countless Christians across the world. [Westminster Abbey website] From steve.benner at oremus.org Tue Mar 24 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 25 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090324170000.309E2313C45@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Wednesday, March 25, 2009 The Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, merciful Father, for in your Son Jesus Christ, lowliness was taken by majesty, weakness by strength, mortality by eternity. To pay the debt of our fallen state, the nature which was inviolable was united with a nature which was transitory. Thus the one and same mediator between God and man, enters into the depths of the world, coming down from his heavenly throne, yet not leaving his Father's glory, begotten into a new order by a new birth. For these and all your mercies, we praise you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 8 O Lord our governor,* how exalted is your name in all the world! Out of the mouths of infants and children* your majesty is praised above the heavens. You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries,* to quell the enemy and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,* the moon and the stars you have set in their courses, What are mortals, that you should be mindful of them?* mere human beings, that you should seek them out? You have made them little lower than the angels;* you adorn them with glory and honour. You give them mastery over the works of your hands;* and put all things under their feet, All sheep and oxen,* even the wild beasts of the field, The birds of the air, the fish of the sea,* and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea. O Lord our governor,* how exalted is your name in all the world! Psalm 113 Give praise, you servants of the Lord;* praise the name of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord be blessed,* from this time forth for evermore. >From the rising of the sun to its going down* let the name of the Lord be praised. The Lord is high above all nations,* and his glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, who sits enthroned on high,* but stoops to behold the heavens and the earth? He takes up the weak out of the dust* and lifts up the poor from the ashes. He sets them with the princes,* with the princes of his people. He makes the woman of a childless house* to be a joyful mother of children. A Song of God's Chosen One (Isaiah 11.1-4a,6,9) There shall come forth a shoot from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear, But with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid. The calf, the lion and the fatling together, with a little child to lead them. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Psalm 147:1-12 How good it is to sing praises to our God!* how pleasant it is to honour him with praise! The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem;* he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted* and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars* and calls them all by their names. Great is our Lord and mighty in power;* there is no limit to his wisdom. The Lord lifts up the lowly,* but casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;* make music to our God upon the harp. He covers the heavens with clouds* and prepares rain for the earth; He makes grass to grow upon the mountains* and green plants to serve us all. He provides food for flocks and herds* and for the young ravens when they cry. He is not impressed by the might of a horse,* he has no pleasure in human strength; But the Lord has pleasure in those who fear him,* in those who await his gracious favour. FIRST READING [Isaiah 52:7-10]: How beautiful upon the mountains ???are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, ???who announces salvation, ???who says to Zion, ?Your God reigns.? Listen! Your sentinels lift up their?voices, ???together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see ???the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, ???you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, ???he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm ???before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall?see ???the salvation of our God. HYMN Words: Andrew E Pratt (born 1948) ? 2001 Stainer & Bell Ltd Used with permission. Tune: Agincourt (Meter: 88 88 88) Almighty God has done great things, an angel proffers stunning news, the news of human hope he brings, her baby heaven and earth shall fuse; and she will give her life for that, O, Mary, sing magnificat. A mother and her unborn child, a man who ought to let her go to save his face, stay undefiled, as love and duty taunt and flow; and Joseph will consider that as Mary sings magnificat. And all the greatness of a God, distilled to love, sets captives free, a single liberating Word: those born in darkness now can see; as human power considers that let Mary sing magnificat. SECOND READING [Hebrews 2:5-end]: ?Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. But someone has testified somewhere, 'What are human beings that you are mindful of them, ???or mortals, that you care for them? You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; ???you have crowned them with glory and honour, ???subjecting all things under their?feet.' Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, 'I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, ???in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.' And again, 'I will put my trust in him.' And again, 'Here am I and the children whom God has given me.' Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: Following the example of Mary's patient love, we pray for grace to follow God's will. We pray for the Church. May it follow Mary's example of patience, humility and trust. God of love, hear our prayer. We pray for women who serve as bishops, priests, deacons and ministers in your Church. Open our ears to their witness and teaching. God of love, hear our prayer. We pray for the world. Teach us to honor the wholeness of God's creation in both male and female. God of love, hear our prayer. We pray for mothers. May the knowledge of your love ease the burden of those who live with poverty or anxiety. God of love, hear our prayer. We pray for women suffering from cruelty and indifference. Give us strength to give them comfort and relief. God of love, hear our prayer. We pray for the departed, joining our prayers with those of Mary. In the hour of death, save us by the love of Christ. God of love, hear our prayer. Redeeming God, whose daughter Mary trusted angelic voices, rejoiced with a song of praise, and wept at the foot of the cross: Give us such courage, faith and hope as hers, that we, too, may praise you, trust you and receive you through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer May God so fill us with his grace, that we in all things may accept his holy will and with the Virgin Mary, full of grace, rejoice in the salvation given us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving uses one sentence from _Revised Common Lectionary Prayers_, copyright (c) 2002 Consultation on Common Texts and another sentence from _Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language_. The closing sentence is from _New Patterns for Worship_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. From steve.benner at oremus.org Wed Mar 25 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 26 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090325170000.8ECFA313C61@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Thursday, March 26, 2009 Harriet Monsell, Founder of the Community of St John the Baptist, Clewer, 1883 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory to you, O Champion of all Loves, who for our sake endured the cross, encountered the enemy and tasted death. Glory be to you, O King of all kings, who for our salvation wrestled with principalities and powers, subdued the forces of hell and won the greatest of all victories. To you be all praise, all glory and all love; now and for ever. Amen. An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 104 Bless the Lord, O my soul;* O Lord my God, how excellent is your greatness! you are clothed with majesty and splendour. You wrap yourself with light as with a cloak* and spread out the heavens like a curtain. You lay the beams of your chambers in the waters above;* you make the clouds your chariot; you ride on the wings of the wind. You make the winds your messengers* and flames of fire your servants. You have set the earth upon its foundations,* so that it never shall move at any time. You covered it with the deep as with a mantle;* the waters stood higher than the mountains. At your rebuke they fled;* at the voice of your thunder they hastened away. They went up into the hills and down to the valleys beneath,* to the places you had appointed for them. You set the limits that they should not pass;* they shall not again cover the earth. You send the springs into the valleys;* they flow between the mountains. All the beasts of the field drink their fill from them,* and the wild asses quench their thirst. Beside them the birds of the air make their nests* and sing among the branches. You water the mountains from your dwelling on high;* the earth is fully satisfied by the fruit of your works. You make grass grow for flocks and herds* and plants to serve us all; That they may bring forth food from the earth,* and wine to gladden our hearts, Oil to make a cheerful countenance,* and bread to strengthen the heart. The trees of the Lord are full of sap,* the cedars of Lebanon which he planted, In which the birds build their nests,* and in whose tops the stork makes his dwelling. The high hills are a refuge for the mountain goats,* and the stony cliffs for the rock badgers. You appointed the moon to mark the seasons,* and the sun knows the time of its setting. You make darkness that it may be night,* in which all the beasts of the forest prowl. The lions roar after their prey* and seek their food from God. The sun rises and they slip away* and lay themselves down in their dens. The labourer goes forth to work* and to toil until the evening. O Lord, how manifold are your works!* in wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Yonder is the great and wide sea with its living things too many to number,* creatures both small and great. There move the ships, and there is that Leviathan,* which you have made for the sport of it. All of them look to you* to give them their food in due season. You give it to them, they gather it;* you open your hand and they are filled with good things. You hide your face and they are terrified;* you take away their breath and they die and return to their dust. You send forth your Spirit and they are created;* and so you renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure for ever;* may the Lord rejoice in all his works. He looks at the earth and it trembles;* he touches the mountains and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;* I will praise my God while I have my being. May these words of mine please him;* I will rejoice in the Lord. Let sinners be consumed out of the earth,* and the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul. > A Song of Repentance (1 John 1. 59) This is the message we have heard from Christ and proclaim to you: that God is light, in whom there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with God while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true. But if we walk in the light as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. And the blood of Jesus, the Son of God, cleanses us from all our sins. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, the One who is faithful and just will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Psalm 148 Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise him in the heights. Praise him, all you angels of his;* praise him, all his host. Praise him, sun and moon;* praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, heaven of heavens,* and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord;* for he commanded and they were created. He made them stand fast for ever and ever;* he gave them a law which shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth,* you seamonsters and all deeps; Fire and hail, snow and fog,* tempestuous wind, doing his will; Mountains and all hills,* fruit trees and all cedars; Wild beasts and all cattle,* creeping things and winged birds; Kings of the earth and all peoples,* princes and all rulers of the world; Young men and maidens,* old and young together. Let them praise the name of the Lord,* for his name only is exalted, his splendour is over earth and heaven. He has raised up strength for his people and praise for all his loyal servants,* the children of Israel, a people who are near him. FIRST READING [Genesis 49:33-50:26]: When Jacob ended his charge to his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people. Then Joseph threw himself on his father's face and wept over him and kissed him. Joseph commanded the physicians in his service to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel; they spent forty days in doing this, for that is the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him for seventy days. When the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph addressed the household of Pharaoh, 'If now I have found favour with you, please speak to Pharaoh as follows: My father made me swear an oath; he said, ?I am about to die. In the tomb that I hewed out for myself in the land of Canaan, there you shall bury me.? Now therefore let me go up, so that I may bury my father; then I will return.' Pharaoh answered, 'Go up, and bury your father, as he made you swear to do.' So Joseph went up to bury his father. With him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his household, and all the elders of the land of Egypt, as well as all the household of Joseph, his brothers, and his father's household. Only their children, their flocks, and their herds were left in the land of Goshen. Both chariots and charioteers went up with him. It was a very great company. When they came to the threshing-floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, they held there a very great and sorrowful lamentation; and he observed a time of mourning for his father for seven days. When the Canaanite inhabitants of the land saw the mourning on the threshing-floor of Atad, they said, 'This is a grievous mourning on the part of the Egyptians.' Therefore the place was named Abel-mizraim; it is beyond the Jordan. Thus his sons did for him as he had instructed them. They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field at Machpelah, the field near Mamre, which Abraham bought as a burial site from Ephron the Hittite. After he had buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had gone up with him to bury his father. Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph's brothers said, 'What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?' So they approached Joseph, saying, 'Your father gave this instruction before he died, ?Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.? Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.' Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, 'We are here as your slaves.' But Joseph said to them, 'Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.' In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them. So Joseph remained in Egypt, he and his father's household; and Joseph lived for one hundred and ten years. Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation; the children of Machir son of Manasseh were also born on Joseph's knees. Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am about to die; but God will surely come to you, and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.' So Joseph made the Israelites swear, saying, 'When God comes to you, you shall carry up my bones from here.' And Joseph died, being one hundred and ten years old; he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt. HYMN Words: John Austin (1613-1669) Tune: Belgrave, Dunfermline Behold, we come, dear Lord, to Thee, And bow before Thy throne; We come to offer on our knee Our vows to Thee alone. Whate'er we have, whate'er we are, Thy bounty freely gave; Thou dost us here in mercy spare, And wilt hereafter save. Come then, my soul, bring all thy powers And grieve thou hast no more; Bring every day thy choicest hours, And thy great God adore. But, above all, prepare thine heart On this, His own blest day, In its sweet task to bear thy part, And sing and love and pray. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 14:13-25]: Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive. What should I do then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will sing praise with the mind also. Otherwise, if you say a blessing with the spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say the 'Amen' to your thanksgiving, since the outsider does not know what you are saying? For you may give thanks well enough, but the other person is not built up. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you; nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; rather, be infants in evil, but in thinking be adults. In the law it is written, 'By people of strange tongues ???and by the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people; ???yet even then they will not listen to me,' says the Lord. Tongues, then, are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, an unbeliever or outsider who enters is reproved by all and called to account by all. After the secrets of the unbeliever's heart are disclosed, that person will bow down before God and worship him, declaring, 'God is really among you.' The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: Merciful God, we praise you that you give strength for every weakness, forgiveness for our failures, and new beginnings in Jesus Christ. Especially we thank you for the guidance of your Spirit through this day... (We thank you, Lord.) signs of new life and hope... people who have helped us... those who struggle for justice... expressions of love unexpected or undeserved... Almighty God, you know all needs before we speak our prayers, yet you welcome our concerns for others in Jesus Christ. Especially we pray for those who keep watch over the sick and dying... (Lord, hear our prayer.) those who weep with the grieving... those who are without faith and cannot accept your love... those who grow old... Reformed, Presbyterian, and Lutheran churches... O God, you have given us the Good News of your abounding love in your Son Jesus Christ: So fill our hearts with thankfulness that we may rejoice to proclaim the good tidings we have received; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. God our Savior, today we celebrate with joy the memory of your servant Harriet Monsell, and we give thanks for her faithfulness and love: May we, like her, serve you with generous hearts. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer Help us, O Lord Jesus Christ, to enter in your sorrows and to rejoice in your victory; to embrace your cross and to wear your crown; to receive the wounds of your love and to behold you in glory and light; for your own name's sake. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving is by Thomas Ken (1637-1711) and the closing prayer is by St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373). From steve.benner at oremus.org Thu Mar 26 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 27 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090326170000.E2A17313C3F@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Friday, March 27, 2009 Charles Henry Brent, Bishop of the Philippines, and of Western New York, 1929 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory to you, O Champion of all Loves, who for our sake endured the cross, encountered the enemy and tasted death. Glory be to you, O King of all kings, who for our salvation wrestled with principalities and powers, subdued the forces of hell and won the greatest of all victories. To you be all praise, all glory and all love; now and for ever. Amen. An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 102 Lord, hear my prayer and let my cry come before you;* hide not your face from me in the day of my trouble. Incline your ear to me;* when I call, make haste to answer me, For my days drift away like smoke,* and my bones are hot as burning coals. My heart is smitten like grass and withered,* so that I forget to eat my bread. Because of the voice of my groaning* I am but skin and bones. I have become like a vulture in the wilderness,* like an owl among the ruins. I lie awake and groan;* I am like a sparrow, lonely on a housetop. My enemies revile me all day long,* and those who scoff at me have taken an oath against me. For I have eaten ashes for bread* and mingled my drink with weeping. Because of your indignation and wrath* you have lifted me up and thrown me away. My days pass away like a shadow,* and I wither like the grass. But you, O Lord, endure for ever,* and your name from age to age. You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to have mercy upon her;* indeed, the appointed time has come. For your servants love her very rubble,* and are moved to pity even for her dust. The nations shall fear your name, O Lord,* and all the kings of the earth your glory. For the Lord will build up Zion,* and his glory will appear. He will look with favour on the prayer of the homeless;* he will not despise their plea. Let this be written for a future generation,* so that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord. For the Lord looked down from his holy place on high;* from the heavens he beheld the earth; That he might hear the groan of the captive* and set free those condemned to die; That they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord,* and his praise in Jerusalem; When the peoples are gathered together,* and the kingdoms also, to serve the Lord. He has brought down my strength before my time;* he has shortened the number of my days; And I said, 'O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days;* your years endure throughout all generations. 'In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,* and the heavens are the work of your hands; 'They shall perish, but you will endure; they all shall wear out like a garment;* as clothing you will change them, and they shall be changed; 'But you are always the same,* and your years will never end. 'The children of your servants shall continue,* and their offspring shall stand fast in your sight.' A Song of Christ the Servant 1 Peter 2.21b25 Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, no guile was found on his lips, when he was reviled, he did not revile in turn. When he suffered, he did not threaten, but he trusted himself to God who judges justly. Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed, for you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. Psalm 149 Sing to the Lord a new song;* sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful. Let Israel rejoice in his maker;* let the children of Zion be joyful in their king. Let them praise his name in the dance;* let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes pleasure in his people* and adorns the poor with victory. Let the faithful rejoice in triumph;* let them be joyful on their beds. Let the praises of God be in their throat* and a twoedged sword in their hand; To wreak vengeance on the nations* and punishment on the peoples; To bind their kings in chains* and their nobles with links of iron; To inflict on them the judgement decreed;* this is glory for all his faithful people. FIRST READING [Exodus 1:8-14, 22]: Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. He said to his people, 'Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and more powerful than we. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase and, in the event of war, join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.' Therefore they set taskmasters over them to oppress them with forced labour. They built supply cities, Pithom and Rameses, for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread, so that the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. The Egyptians became ruthless in imposing tasks on the Israelites, and made their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and brick and in every kind of field labour. They were ruthless in all the tasks that they imposed on them. Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, 'Every boy that is born to the Hebrews you shall throw into the Nile, but you shall let every girl live.' HYMN Words: Ian M Fraser (born 1917) ? 1994 Stainer & Bell Ltd. Used with permission. Tune: Sussex Carol Lord God, whose Spirit drives us out Beyond convention's rules and laws To walk on water for your cause And test what faith is all about: Nerve us for risks the Spirit asks, Strange venturing and daunting tasks. Lord God, whose Spirit advocates Structure and form which will endure That generations may secure Gains which past faithfulness creates: Order our ways that we may find Order consistent with your mind. Movement and institution weave Textures of life contrasting, strange, Yet open out the church to change Flexible life-forms to achieve: Firm boughs and moving sap entwine To make true branches of the Vine! SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 14:26-end]: What should be done then, my friends? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let them be silent in church and speak to themselves and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to someone else sitting nearby, let the first person be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged. And the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets, for God is a God not of disorder but of peace. (As in all the churches of the saints, women should be silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as the law also says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?) Anyone who claims to be a prophet, or to have spiritual powers, must acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord. Anyone who does not recognize this is not to be recognized. So, my friends, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues; but all things should be done decently and in order. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: Merciful God, we praise you that you give strength for every weakness, forgiveness for our failures, and new beginnings in Jesus Christ. Especially we thank you for the guidance of your Spirit through this day... (We thank you, Lord.) signs of new life and hope... people who have helped us... those who struggle for justice... expressions of love unexpected or undeserved... Almighty God, you know all needs before we speak our prayers, yet you welcome our concerns for others in Jesus Christ. Especially we pray for those who keep watch over the sick and dying... (Lord, hear our prayer.) those who weep with the grieving... those who are without faith and cannot accept your love... those who grow old... Reformed, Presbyterian, and Lutheran churches... In the beginning, O God, you laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens are the work of your hands; have pity on our human frailty and cast us not away like clothing that is worn, for you alone are our salvation for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Gracious God in heaven, whose Son prayed that we all might be one: Deliver us from arrogance and prejudice, and give us wisdom and forbearance, that, following your servant Charles Henry Brent, we may be united in one family with all who confess the Name of your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer Help us, O Lord Jesus Christ, to enter in your sorrows and to rejoice in your victory; to embrace your cross and to wear your crown; to receive the wounds of your love and to behold you in glory and light; for your own name's sake. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving is by Thomas Ken (1637-1711) and the closing prayer is by St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373). The second collect is from _The Proper for the Lesser Feasts and Fasts_, 3rd edition, (c) 1980 The Church Pension Fund. During the Spanish-American War (1898), arising from a dispute over Cuba and Puerto Rico, the United States also acquired Guam and the Philippines. ) In 1902, the Episcopal Church appointed Charles Brent (at that time serving as priest in charge of a slum parish in Boston) as Missionary Bishop of the Philippines. He arrived on the same ship with the American Governor, William H. Taft, and carried with him the unofficial but very real prestige of the American establishment. Brent could easily have confined himself to providing a kind of ecclesiastical "home away from home" for American officials and others stationed in the Islands. Equally, he could have devoted himself chiefly to efforts to convert the Roman Catholics, both of Spanish and of Filipino ancestry, whom the previous government had left behind. Instead, he directed his efforts toward the non-Christians of his diocese: the pagan Igorots of the mountains of Luzon, the Muslims of the southern islands, the Chinese settlements in Manila, all areas in which he made considerable inroads and established thriving Christian communities. He began a campaign against the opium traffic, and served on several international commissions devoted to stamping out international traffic in narcotics. During World War I, he was the Senior Chaplain for the American Armed Forces in Europe. He declined three elections to bishoprics in the United States in order to continue his work in the Philippines, but in 1918, he accepted the position of Bishop of Western New York. His experiences in the Philippines had aroused in him a strong concern for the cause of visible Christian unity. He wrote: The unity of Christendom is not a luxury, but a necessity. The world will go limping until Christ's prayer that all may be one is answered. We must have unity, not at all costs, but at all risks. A unified Church is the only offering we dare present to the coming Christ, for in it alone will He find room to dwell. He helped to organize the first World Conference on Faith and Order, which met in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1927. He died there in 1929, being 67 years minus 12 days old. He wrote the first collect used above. The writer James Thayer Addison called him "a saint of disciplined mental vigor, one whom soldiers were proud to salute and whom children were happy to play with, who could dominate a parliament and minister to an invalid, a priest and bishop who gloried in the heritage of his Church, yet who stood among all Christian brothers as one who served." [James Kiefer] From steve.benner at oremus.org Fri Mar 27 17:00:01 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:00:01 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 28 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090327170001.2EE59313C5A@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Saturday, March 28, 2009 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory to you, O Champion of all Loves, who for our sake endured the cross, encountered the enemy and tasted death. Glory be to you, O King of all kings, who for our salvation wrestled with principalities and powers, subdued the forces of hell and won the greatest of all victories. To you be all praise, all glory and all love; now and for ever. Amen. An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 108 My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed;* I will sing and make melody. Wake up, my spirit; awake, lute and harp;* I myself will waken the dawn. I will confess you among the peoples, O Lord;* I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your lovingkindness is greater than the heavens,* and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God,* and your glory over all the earth. So that those who are dear to you may be delivered,* save with your right hand and answer me. Psalm 112 Alleluia! Happy are they who fear the Lord* and have great delight in his commandments! Their descendants will be mighty in the land;* the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches will be in their house,* and their righteousness will last for ever. Light shines in the darkness for the upright;* the righteous are merciful and full of compassion. It is good for them to be generous in lending* and to manage their affairs with justice. For they will never be shaken;* the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance. They will not be afraid of any evil rumours;* their heart is right; they put their trust in the Lord. Their heart is established and will not shrink,* until they see their desire upon their enemies. They have given freely to the poor,* and their righteousness stands fast for ever; they will hold up their head with honour. The wicked will see it and be angry; they will gnash their teeth and pine away;* the desires of the wicked will perish. A Song of the Rock (Deuteronomy 32.112) Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distil as the dew, as the gentle rain on the grass, and as the showers upon the meadow. For I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are just: a faithful God without deceit, just and upright is he. His degenerate children have dealt corruptly with him; a perverse and crooked generation. Do you thus repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Is not he your father, who created you, who made you and established you? Remember the days of old, consider the years long past; ask your father, and he will show you; your elders, and they will tell you. When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided the children of earth, he fixed the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the children of God. For the Lord(s own portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage. He sustained him in a desert land, in the howling waste of the wilderness; he shielded him and cared for him; he kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle stirs up its nest, and hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, takes them, and bears them aloft on its pinions, So the Lord alone did guide him, and no foreign god was with him. Psalm 150 Praise God in his holy temple;* praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts;* praise him for his excellent greatness. Praise him with the blast of the ram'shorn;* praise him with lyre and harp. Praise him with timbrel and dance;* praise him with strings and pipe. Praise him with resounding cymbals;* praise him with loudclanging cymbals. Let everything that has breath* praise the Lord. FIRST READING [Exodus 2:1-22]: Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him for three months. When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him. The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him. 'This must be one of the Hebrews' children,' she said. Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, 'Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?' Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Yes.' So the girl went and called the child's mother. Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages.' So the woman took the child and nursed it. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, 'because', she said, 'I drew him out of the water.' One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and saw their forced labour. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his kinsfolk. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, he saw two Hebrews fighting; and he said to the one who was in the wrong, 'Why do you strike your fellow Hebrew?' He answered, 'Who made you a ruler and judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?' Then Moses was afraid and thought, 'Surely the thing is known.' When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh. He settled in the land of Midian, and sat down by a well. The priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came to draw water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. But some shepherds came and drove them away. Moses got up and came to their defence and watered their flock. When they returned to their father Reuel, he said, 'How is it that you have come back so soon today?' They said, 'An Egyptian helped us against the shepherds; he even drew water for us and watered the flock.' He said to his daughters, 'Where is he? Why did you leave the man? Invite him to break bread.' Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah in marriage. She bore a son, and he named him Gershom; for he said, 'I have been an alien residing in a foreign land.' HYMN Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788) Tune: Abingdon, Das neugeborne Kindelein, Sagina, Surrey And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Saviour's blood? Died he for me, who caused his pain? For me, who him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be That thou, my God, shouldst die for me? 'Tis mystery all : the Immortal dies! Who can explore his strange design? In vain the first-born seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine. 'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, Let angel minds enquire no more. He left his Father's throne above - So free, so infinite his grace - Emptied himself of all but love, And bled for Adam's helpless race. 'Tis mercy all, immense and free; For, O my God, it found out me! Long my imprisoned spirit lay Fast bound in sin and nature's night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray - I woke, the dungeon flamed with light, My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee. No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in him, is mine! Alive in him, my living head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach the eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ, my own. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 15:1-11]: Now I should remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you?unless you have come to believe in vain. For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to someone untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace towards me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them?though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: 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... (We thank you, Lord.) the enjoyment of friends... the wonders of your creation... love from our parents, our sisters and brothers, our spouses, lovers, and children... 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... (Lord, hear our prayer.) people who have lost hope... victims of tragedy and disaster... those who suffer mental anguish... ecumenical councils and church agencies... O God, whose steadfast love never ceases and whose compassion never fails: come with the dawning of the new day and reveal your power in our lives, that your glory may be exalted in all the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer Help us, O Lord Jesus Christ, to enter in your sorrows and to rejoice in your victory; to embrace your cross and to wear your crown; to receive the wounds of your love and to behold you in glory and light; for your own name's sake. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving is by Thomas Ken (1637-1711) and the closing prayer is by St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373). From steve.benner at oremus.org Sat Mar 28 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 29 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090328170000.82A5F313C63@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Sunday, March 29, 2009 The Fifth Sunday in Lent O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. For as the time of his passion and resurrection draws near the whole world is called to acknowledge his hidden majesty. The power of the life-giving cross reveals the judgement that has come upon the world and the triumph of Christ crucified. He is the victim who dies no more, the Lamb once slain, who lives for ever, our advocate in heaven to plead our cause. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 42 As the deer longs for the waterbrooks,* so longs my soul for you, O God. My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God;* when shall I come to appear before the presence of God? My tears have been my food day and night,* while all day long they say to me, 'Where now is your God?' I pour out my soul when I think on these things:* how I went with the multitude and led them into the house of God, With the voice of praise and thanksgiving,* among those who keep holyday. Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul?* and why are you so disquieted within me? Put your trust in God;* for I will yet give thanks to him, who is the help of my countenance, and my God. My soul is heavy within me;* therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan, and from the peak of Mizar among the heights of Hermon. One deep calls to another in the noise of your cataracts;* all your rapids and floods have gone over me. The Lord grants his lovingkindness in the daytime;* in the night season his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I will say to the God of my strength, 'Why have you forgotten me?* and why do I go so heavily while the enemy oppresses me?' While my bones are being broken,* my enemies mock me to my face; All day long they mock me* say to me, 'Where now is your God?' Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul?* and why are you so disquieted within me? Put your trust in God;* for I will yet give thanks to him, who is the help of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 43 Give judgement for me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people;* deliver me from the deceitful and the wicked. For you are the God of my strength; why have you put me from you?* and why do I go so heavily while the enemy oppresses me? Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me,* and bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling; That I may go to the altar of God, to the God of my joy and gladness;* and on the harp I will give thanks to you, O God my God. Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul?* and why are you so disquieted within me? Put your trust in God;* for I will yet give thanks to him, who is the help of my countenance, and my God. A Song of Solomon (cf Song of Solomon 8.6,7) Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; For love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave; its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. If all the wealth of our house were offered for love, it would be utterly scorned. FIRST READING [Isaiah 1:10-20]: Hear the word of the Lord, ???you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, ???you people of Gomorrah! What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? ???says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt-offerings of rams ???and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of?bulls, ???or of lambs, or of goats. When you come to appear before?me, ???who asked this from your hand? ???Trample my courts no more; bringing offerings is futile; ???incense is an abomination to me. New moon and sabbath and calling of convocation? ???I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity. Your new moons and your appointed festivals ???my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, ???I am weary of bearing them. When you stretch out your hands, ???I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, ???I will not listen; ???your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; ???remove the evil of your doings ???from before my eyes; cease to do evil, ???learn to do good; seek justice, ???rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, ???plead for the widow. Come now, let us argue it out, ???says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, ???they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, ???they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, ???you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, ???you shall be devoured by the sword; ???for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. HYMN Words: Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871) Tune: Saffron Walden Just as I am, without one plea but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come. Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come. Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt, fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea, all I need, in thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come. Just as I am, thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve: because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come. Just as I am (thy love unknown has broken every barrier down), now to be thine, yea, thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come. Just as I am, of that free love the breadth, length, depth, and height to prove, here for a season, then above, O Lamb of God, I come. SECOND READING [1 Peter 4:12-end]: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you are sharing Christ?s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief-maker. Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. For the time has come for judgement to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And 'If it is hard for the righteous to?be?saved, ???what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?' Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God's will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: Let us bring our prayers to the Lord who is always generous with his mercy. We pray for all those who are facing unemployment as a result of the economic situation: that they may be given new hope, and the support that they need to find new work. We pray for those throughout the world who are working for peace in troubled places; and especially for the moves towards dialogue between the United States and Iran. We pray for doctors, nurses, and all those who work in the health service: may they have the resources they need to fulfil their work. We pray for all those who are preparing to receive the sacraments of baptism and confirmation: that their faith may be deepened and strengthened through this Lenten season. Heavenly Father, you sent your Son Jesus Christ not to condemn the world but to save it. We ask you to hear the prayers that we offer through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen. Hear, O Father, the cry of your Son, who, to establish the new and everlasting covenant, became obedient to death upon the cross: Grant that, through all the trials of this life, we may come to share more intimately in his redeeming passion; and so obtain the fruitfulness of the seed that falls to the earth and dies, to be gathered as your harvest for the kingdom. We ask this through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer Christ crucified draw us to himself, to find in him a sure ground for faith, a firm support for hope, and the assurance of sins forgiven. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving is by Thomas Ken (1637-1711) and the closing prayer is by St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373). From steve.benner at oremus.org Sun Mar 29 17:00:00 2009 From: steve.benner at oremus.org (Steve Benner) Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: OREMUS: 30 March 2009 Message-ID: <20090329170000.6040F313C65@justus2.anglican.org> ******************************************************* Visit our website at http://www.oremus.org for more resources, a link to our store in association with Amazon and other opportunities to support this ministry. This ministry can only continue with your support. ******************************************************* OREMUS for Monday, March 30, 2009 O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Blessed are you, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. For as the time of his passion and resurrection draws near the whole world is called to acknowledge his hidden majesty. The power of the life-giving cross reveals the judgement that has come upon the world and the triumph of Christ crucified. He is the victim who dies no more, the Lamb once slain, who lives for ever, our advocate in heaven to plead our cause. For these and all your mercies, we praise you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God for ever! An opening canticle may be sung. Psalm 119:17-32 Deal bountifully with your servant,* that I may live and keep your word. Open my eyes, that I may see* the wonders of your law. I am a stranger here on earth;* do not hide your commandments from me. My soul is consumed at all times* with longing for your judgements. You have rebuked the insolent;* cursed are they who stray from your commandments! Turn from me shame and rebuke,* for I have kept your decrees. Even though rulers sit and plot against me,* I will meditate on your statutes. For your decrees are my delight,* and they are my counsellors. My soul cleaves to the dust;* give me life according to your word. I have confessed my ways and you answered me;* instruct me in your statutes. Make me understand the way of your commandments,* that I may meditate on your marvellous works. My soul melts away for sorrow;* strengthen me according to your word. Take from me the way of lying;* let me find grace through your law. I have chosen the way of faithfulness;* I have set your judgements before me. I hold fast to your decrees;* O Lord, let me not be put to shame. I will run the way of your commandments,* for you have set my heart at liberty. The Song of Christ's Glory (Philippians 2.5-11) Christ Jesus was in the form of God, but he did not cling to equality with God. He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and was born in our human likeness. Being found in human form he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name above every name, That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth; And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. FIRST READING [Exodus 3:1-15]: Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, 'I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.' When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am.' Then he said, 'Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.' He said further, 'I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Then the Lord said, 'I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.' But Moses said to God, 'Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?' He said, 'I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.' But Moses said to God, 'If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ?The God of your ancestors has sent me to you?, and they ask me, ?What is his name?? what shall I say to them?' God said to Moses, 'I am who I am.' He said further, 'Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ?I am has sent me to you.? ' God also said to Moses, 'Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ?The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you?: This is my name for ever, and this my title for all generations. HYMN Words: Alan Gaunt (born 1935) ? 1991 Stainer & Bell Ltd Used with permission Tune: Come, living God, when least expected, When minds are dull and hearts are cold, Through sharpening word and warm affection Revealing truths as yet untold. Break from the tomb in which we hide you To speak again in startling ways; Break through the words in which we bind you To resurrect our lifeless praise. Come now, as once you came to Moses Within the bush alive with flame, Or to Elijah on the mountain, By silence pressing home your claim. So, let our minds be sharp to read you In sight or sound or printed page, And let us greet you in our neighbours, In ardent youth or mellow age. Then, through our gloom, your Son will meet us As vivid truth and living Lord, Exploding doubt and disillusion To scatter hope and joy abroad. Then we will share his radiant brightness And, blazing through the dread of night, Illuminate by love and reason, For those in darkness, faith's delight. SECOND READING [1 Corinthians 15:12-19]: Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ?whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. The Benedictus (Morning), the Magnificat (Evening), or Nunc dimittis (Night) may follow. Prayer: O Christ, out of your fullness we have received grace upon grace. You are our eternal hope; you are patient and full of mercy; you are generous to all who call upon you. Save us, O Lord. O Christ, fountain of life and holiness, you have taken away our sins. On the cross you were wounded for our transgressions and were bruised for our iniquities. Save us, O Lord. O Christ, obedient unto death, source of all comfort, our life and our resurrection, our peace and reconciliation: Save us, O Lord. O Christ, Savior of all who trust you, hope of all who die for yo, and joy of all the saints: Save us, O Lord. O Christ, who for a season laid aside the divine glory and, though Son of God, learned obedience through suffering: teach us in all our afflictions to raise our eyes to the One who judges justly and to find in your will our peace and deliverance; who live and reign now and for ever. Amen. Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray as our Savior taught us: - The Lord's Prayer Christ crucified draw us to himself, to find in him a sure ground for faith, a firm support for hope, and the assurance of sins forgiven. Amen. ******************************************************* The psalms are from _Celebrating Common Prayer_ (Mowbray), (c) The Society of Saint Francis 1992, which is used with permission. The canticle is from _Common Worship: Daily Prayer, Preliminary Edition_, copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council, 2002. The biblical passage is from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright (c) 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opening prayer of thanksgiving is by Thomas Ken (1637-1711) and the closing prayer is by St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373).