Friday in Easter Week

Almighty Father, who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give us grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come into his courts.
9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”
The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.
11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
13 Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Psalm 96 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Daniel 12:1-13 - Acts 4:1-12 - John 16:1-15

Thursday in Easter Week

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.
2 For the LORD Most High is awesome,
the great King over all the earth.
3 He subdued nations under us,
peoples under our feet.
4 He chose our inheritance for us,
the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.
5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises
Psalm 47 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Ezekiel 37:1-14 - Acts 3:11-26 - John 15:12-27

Wednesday in Easter Week

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

1 The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake.
2 Great is the LORD in Zion;
he is exalted over all the nations.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name—
he is holy.
4 The King is mighty, he loves justice— you have established equity;
in Jacob you have done what is just and right.
5 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool;
he is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel was among those who called on his name;
they called on the LORD and he answered them.
Psalm 99 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Micah 7:7-15 - Acts 3:1-10 - John 15:1-11

Tuesday in Easter Week

O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen.

4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who dwell in it!
8Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together
9before the LORD, for he comes
to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.
Psalm 98 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Isaiah 30:18-26 - Acts 2:36-41 - John 14:15-31

St Mark, Evangelist

Almighty God, who by the hand of Mark the evangelist have given to your Church the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God: We thank you for this witness, and pray that we may be firmly grounded in its truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

For Monday of Easter Week:
Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that we who celebrate with awe the Paschal feast may be found worthy to attain to everlasting joys; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

1 Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,
3"Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us."
4He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
5Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6"As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill."
Psalm 2 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Jonah 2:1-10 - Acts 2:14-32 - John 14:1-14

Good Friday

Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

22 I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted,
and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.
25From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will perform before those who fear him.
26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the LORD!
May your hearts live forever!
27All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.
Psalm 22 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Wisdom 1:16-2:1,2:12-22 - 1 Peter 1:10-20 - John 13:36-38

Maundy Thursday

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,

for in you my soul takes refuge;

in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,

till the storms of destruction pass by.

2I cry out to God Most High,

to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

3 He will send from heaven and save me;

he will put to shame him who tramples on me.

God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

4My soul is in the midst of lions;

I lie down amid fiery beasts—

the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,

whose tongues are sharp swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

Let your glory be over all the earth!

6They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down.

They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves.

Psalm 57 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Jeremiah 20:7-11 - 1 Corinthians 10:14-17,11:27-32 - John 17:1-26

Wednesday of Holy Week

Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

26 Help me, O LORD my God!

Save me according to your steadfast love!

27Let them know that this is your hand;

you, O LORD, have done it!

28 Let them curse, but you will bless!

They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad!

29May my accusers be clothed with dishonor;

may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a cloak!

30With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD;

I will praise him in the midst of the throng.

31For he stands at the right hand of the needy one,

to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.

Psalm 109 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Jeremiah 17:5-10,14-17 - Philippians 4:1-13 - John 12:27-36

Tuesday of Holy Week

O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

1 The Mighty One, God the LORD,

speaks and summons the earth

from the rising of the sun to its setting.

2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,

God shines forth.

3Our God comes; he does not keep silence;

before him is a devouring fire,

around him a mighty tempest.

4 He calls to the heavens above

and to the earth, that he may judge his people:

5"Gather to me my faithful ones,

who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!"

6 The heavens declare his righteousness,

for God himself is judge!

Psalm 50 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Jeremiah 15:10-21 - Philippians 3:15-21 - John 12:20-26

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

1I waited patiently for the LORD;

he inclined to me and heard my cry.

2He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog,

and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.

3He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.

4Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust,

who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!

5You have multiplied, O LORD my God,

your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;

none can compare with you!

I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.

Psalm 40 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Jeremiah 11:18-20; 12:1-17 - Philippians 3:1-14 - John 12:9-19

O Lord, you relieve our necessity out of the abundance of your great riches: Grant that we may accept with joy the salvation you bestow, and manifest it to all the world by the quality of our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

73 Your hands have made and fashioned me;

give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

74Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,

because I have hoped in your word.

75I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous,

and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

76Let your steadfast love comfort me

according to your promise to your servant.

77Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;

for your law is my delight.

78Let the insolent be put to shame,

because they have wronged me with falsehood;

as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.

Psalm 119 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Jeremiah 29:1-14 - Romans 11:13-24 - John 11:1-27

O God, you have called us to be your children, and have promised that those who suffer with Christ will be heirs with him of your glory: Arm us with such trust in him that we may ask no rest from his demands and have no fear in his service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you!

2 Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress!

Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call!

3For my days pass away like smoke,

and my bones burn like a furnace.

4My heart is struck down like grass and has withered;

I forget to eat my bread.

5Because of my loud groaning

my bones cling to my flesh.

6I am like a desert owl of the wilderness,

like an owl of the waste places;

Psalm 102 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Jeremiah 26:1-16 - Romans 11:1-12 - John 10:19-42

Almighty God our heavenly Father, renew in us the gifts of your mercy; increase our faith, strengthen our hope, enlighten our understanding, widen our charity, and make us ready to serve you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

153Look on my affliction and deliver me,

for I do not forget your law.

154 Plead my cause and redeem me;

give me life according to your promise!

155 Salvation is far from the wicked,

for they do not seek your statutes.

156 Great is your mercy, O LORD;

give me life according to your rules.

157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,

but I do not swerve from your testimonies.

158I look at the faithless with disgust,

because they do not keep your commands.

Psalm 25 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Jeremiah 25:30-38 - Romans 10:14-21 - John 10:1-18

Eternal God,

the light of the minds that know you, the joy of the hearts that love you, and the strength of the wills that serve you: grant us so to know you that we may truly love you, so to love you that we may truly serve you, whose service is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Augustine of Hippo (430)

1To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2O my God, in you I trust;

let me not be put to shame;

let not my enemies exult over me.

3Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;

they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD;

teach me your paths.

5Lead me in your truth and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all the day long.

6Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love,

for they have been from of old.

Psalm 25 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Jeremiah 25:8-17 - Romans 10:1-13 - John 9:18-41

Be gracious to your people, we entreat you, O Lord, that they, repenting day by day of the things that displease you, may be more and more filled with love of you and of your commandments; and, being supported by your grace in this life, may come to the full enjoyment of eternal life in your everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

1O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger,

nor discipline me in your wrath.

2Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;

heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.

3My soul also is greatly troubled.

But you, O LORD— how long?

4Turn, O LORD, deliver my life;

save me for the sake of your steadfast love.

5For in death there is no remembrance of you;

in Sheol who will give you praise?

6I am weary with my moaning;

every night I flood my bed with tears;

I drench my couch with my weeping.

Psalm 6 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Jeremiah 24:1-10 - Romans 9:19-33 - John 9:1-17

William Augustus Muhlenberg

Do not let your Church close its eyes, O Lord, to the plight of The poor and neglected, the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, the lonely and those who have no one to care for them. Give us the vision and compassion with which you so richly endowed your servant William Augustus Muhlenberg, that we may labor tirelessly to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen

(Lesser Feasts and Fasts)

1How lovely is your dwelling place,

O LORD of hosts!

2My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD;

my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

3Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may lay her young, your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house,

ever singing your praise!

5Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

6As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs;

the early rain also covers it with pools.

Psalm 84 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Jeremiah 23:1-8 - Romans 8:28-39 - John 6:52-59

Lord God the creator of all things, Your Spirit moved over the face of the waters at the dawn of creation You gather the seas into their places and direct the courses of the rivers. We praise you for the gift of water Now our land is dry and barren, thirsting for life-giving rain. Send rain upon the earth so that it will bring forth life May we use only the water we each need and let us take care of and give encouragement to all those whose livelihood depends on the produce of the land.

Amen

(From the Rev. Joseph Grech)

1Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;

fight against those who fight against me!

2Take hold of shield and buckler

and rise for my help!

3Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers!

Say to my soul, "I am your salvation!"

4 Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life!

Let them be turned back and disappointed who devise evil against me!

5Let them be like chaff before the wind,

with the angel of the LORD driving them away!

6Let their way be dark and slippery,

with the angel of the LORD pursuing them!

Psalm 35 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Jeremiah 22:13-23 - Romans 8:12-27 - John 6:41-51