God of wisdom and power, you established in the birth of your Son the source and fulfillment of all religion; number us among those who belong to Christ, for in him alone is salvation complete. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.  Amen

1 The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!

    He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!

2 The Lord is great in Zion;

    he is exalted over all the peoples.

3 Let them praise your great and awesome name!

    Holy is he!

4 The King in his might loves justice.

    You have established equity;

    you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

5 Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool!

    Holy is he!

9 Exalt the Lord our God,

   and worship at his holy mountain;

    for the Lord our God is holy!

Psalm 99 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Isaiah 26:1-9 – 2 Corinthians 5:16-6:2 - John 8:12-19

The Holy Innocents

We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—

    let Israel now say—

2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side

    when people rose up against us,

3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,

    when their anger was kindled against us;

4 then the flood would have swept us away,

    the torrent would have gone over us;

5 then over us would have gone

    the raging waters.

6 Blessed be the Lord,

    who has not given us as prey to their teeth!

7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers;

   the snare is broken, and we have escaped!

8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,

    who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 124 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Jeremiah 31:15-17 – Revelation 21:1-7 - Matthew 2:13-18

John, Apostle and Evangelist

Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light; that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

12 What shall I render to the Lord

    for all his benefits to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation

    and call on the name of the Lord,

14 I will pay my vows to the Lord

    in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord

    is the death of his saints.

16 O Lord, I am your servant;

    I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.

    You have loosed my bonds.

17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving

    and call on the name of the Lord.

18 I will pay my vows to the Lord

    in the presence of all his people,

19 in the courts of the house of the Lord,

    in your midst, O Jerusalem.

   Praise the Lord!

Psalm 116 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Genesis 1:1-5, 26-30 – 1 John 1:1 - 2:2 - John 21:20-25

Stephen, Deacon and Martyr

We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand: where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen

1 In you, O LORD, do I take refuge;

   let me never be put to shame;

   in your righteousness deliver me!

2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily!

   Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!

3 For you are my rock and my fortress;

   and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;

4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,

   for you are my refuge.

5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;

   you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

23 Love the LORD, all you his saints!

   The LORD preserves the faithful

   but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.

24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

   all you who wait for the LORD!

Psalm 31 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Jeremiah 26:1-9,12-15 – Acts 6:8-7:2,51-60 - Matthew 23:34-39

Christmas Eve

Come quickly, Lord Jesus, do not delay! We entrust ourselves to your love: strengthen us by your coming and raise us up, you who live and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 Praise the Lord!

   Praise God in his sanctuary;

    praise him in his mighty heavens!

2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;

    praise him according to his excellent greatness!

3 Praise him with trumpet sound;

    praise him with lute and harp!

4 Praise him with tambourine and dance;

    praise him with strings and pipe!

5 Praise him with sounding cymbals;

    praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

   Praise the Lord!

Psalm 150  – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Isaiah 35:1-10 - Revelation 22:12-17,21 - Luke 1:67-80

St. Thomas the Apostle

Almighty and ever-living God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with sure and certain faith in your Son's resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

    we were like those who dream.

2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,

    and our tongue with shouts of joy;

    then they said among the nations,

    “The Lord has done great things for them.”

3 The Lord has done great things for us;

    we are glad.

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,

    like streams in the Negeb!

5 Those who sow in tears

    shall reap with shouts of joy!

6 He who goes out weeping, earing the seed for sowing,

   shall come home with shouts of joy, ringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm 126  – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Isaiah 10:5-19 - 2 Peter 2:17-22 - Matthew 11:2-15

Katharina von Bora Luther

Almighty God, we praise you for your servant Katharina von Bora Luther, through whom you have called the church to its tasks and renewed its life. Raise up in our own day teachers and prophets inspired by your Spirit, whose voices will give strength to your church and proclaim the reality of your reign, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us

   and make his face to shine upon us,

2 that your way may be known on earth,

   your saving power among all nations.

3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;

   let all the peoples praise you!

4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,

   for you judge the peoples with equity

   and guide the nations upon earth.

5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;

   let all the peoples praise you!

6 The earth has yielded its increase;

   God, our God, shall bless us.

7 God shall bless us;

   let all the ends of the earth fear him!

Psalm 67  – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Isaiah 9:18-10:4 - 2 Peter 2:10-16 - Matthew 3:1-12

God of love, through your only-begotten Son you have made us a new creation; guard carefully the great work of your mercy and by the coming of your Son remove every trace of our old ways of sin. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”

    They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds,

    there is none who does good.

2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,

    to see if there are any who understand,

    who seek after God.

3 They have all turned aside;

    together they have become corrupt;

    there is none who does good,  not even one.

4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers

    who eat up my people as they eat bread

    and do not call upon the Lord?

5 There they are in great terror,

    for God is with the generation of the righteous.

6 You would shame the plans of the poor,

    but the Lord is his refuge.

Psalm 14 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Isaiah 9:1-7 - 2 Peter 1:12-21 - Luke 22:54-69

God of mercy, open your ears to our cries and light up the dark places of our hearts with the grace of your Son, who will visit us and set us free. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen

1 I was glad when they said to me,

    “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

2 Our feet have been standing

    within your gates, O Jerusalem!

3 Jerusalem—built as a city

    that is bound firmly together,

4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord,

   as was decreed for Israel,

    to give thanks to the name of the Lord.

5 There thrones for judgment were set,

    the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

    “May they be secure who love you!

Psalm 122 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Isaiah 8:16-9:1 - 2 Peter 1:1-11 - Luke 22:39-53

Please hold the people of Newtown, Connecticut, who are in great pain after the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, in your prayers

John of the Cross, Mystic, 1591

Almighty God, you taught John of the Cross to find you in trials and hardships, to adore you in the darkness, and to tell of your love in his poems: Grant that, when all is dark, we may wait patiently for the light, and in silence listen for your voice, and in all things trust your promises in Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.(L.W. Copwie and J.S. Gummer, The Christian Calendar)

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
   From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
   who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
   he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
   will neither slumber nor sleep.
7 The LORD will keep you from all evil;
   he will keep your life.
8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in
   from this time forth and forevermore.

Psalm 121 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Isaiah 7:10-25 - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 - Luke 22:14-30

Lucy, Virgin and Martyr, abt. 304

Loving God, for the salvation of all you gave Jesus Christ as light to a world in darkness: Illumine us, with your daughter Lucy, with the light of Christ, that by the merits of his passion we may be led to eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

1 O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;

    my eyes are not raised too high;

   I do not occupy myself with things

    too great and too marvelous for me.

2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,

    like a weaned child with its mother;

    like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3 O Israel, hope in the Lord

    from this time forth and forevermore.

Psalm 131 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Isaiah 7:1-9 - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 - Luke 22:1-13

You command us, God of power, to prepare the way for Christ the Lord. Let our weakness never discourage us, as we long for the comfort of his healing presence. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 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.

2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,

    God shines forth.

3 Our 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)

Isaiah 6:1-13 - 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 - John 7:53-8:11

Lars Olsen Skrefsrud, Missionary, 1910  

Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your servant Lars Olsen Skrefsrud, whom you called to preach the Gospel to the Santal people of northern India. Raise up in this and every land heralds and evangelists of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!

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 holiness;[a]

    tremble before him, all the earth!

10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!

    Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;

    he will judge the peoples with equity.”

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

12 let the field exult, and everything in it!

    Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy

13 before the Lord, for he comes,

    for 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)

Isaiah 5:13-17,24-25 - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 - Luke 21:29-38

Karl Barth, Pastor and Theologian, 1968 

Almighty God, source of justice beyond human knowledge: We thank you for inspiring Karl Barth to resist tyranny and exalt your saving grace, without which we cannot apprehend your will. Teach us, like him, to live by faith, and even in chaotic and perilous times to perceive the light of your eternal glory, Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, throughout all ages. Amen

7 But you, you are to be feared!

    Who can stand before you

    when once your anger is roused?

8 From the heavens you uttered judgment;

    the earth feared and was still,

9 when God arose to establish judgment,

    to save all the humble of the earth.

10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise you;

    the remnant[a] of wrath you will put on like a belt.

11 Make your vows to the Lord your God and perform them;

    let all around him bring gifts

    to him who is to be feared,

12 who cuts off the spirit of princes,

    who is to be feared by the kings of the earth.

Psalm 76 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Isaiah 5:8-12, 18-23 - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 - Luke 21:20-28

Ambrose of Milan

O God, who gave your servant Ambrose grace eloquently to proclaim your righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of your Name: Mercifully grant to all bishops and pastors such excellence in preaching and faithfulness in ministering your Word, that your people may be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

6 And now my head shall be lifted up

    above my enemies all around me,

    and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;

    I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;

    be gracious to me and answer me!

8 You have said, “Seek my face.”

   My heart says to you “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”

9 Hide not your face from me.

    Turn not your servant away in anger,

    O you who have been my help.

   Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!

10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,

    but the Lord will take me in.

11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path

    because of my enemies.

Psalm 27 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Isaiah 3:8-15 - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 - Luke 20:41-21:4

Nicholas of Myra

Almighty God, who in your love gave to your servant Nicholas of Myra a perpetual name for deeds of kindness on land and sea: Grant, we pray, that your Church may never cease to work for the happiness of children, the safety of sailors, the relief of the poor, and the help of those tossed by tempests of doubt or grief; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

(From Lesser Feasts and Fasts)

2 I will open my mouth in a parable;

    I will utter dark sayings from of old,

3 things that we have heard and known,

    that our fathers have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their children,

    but tell to the coming generation

    the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,

    and the wonders that he has done.

5 He established a testimony in Jacob

    and appointed a law in Israel,

    which he commanded our fathers

    to teach to their children,

6 that the next generation might know them,

   the children yet unborn,

   and arise and tell them to their children,

7 so that they should set their hope in God

   and not forget the works of God,

   but keep his commandments;

8 and that they should not be like their fathers,

    a stubborn and rebellious generation,

    a generation whose heart was not steadfast,

    whose spirit was not faithful to  God.

Psalm 78 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Isaiah 2:1-11 - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 - Luke 20:27-40

Clement of Alexandria

O Lord, the Savior and Guardian of those who fear you, turn away from your Church the deceitful allurements of this world’s wisdom; that under the teaching of your Spirit, we may find pleasure in the prophetic oracles and the apostolic instruction, lest the vanity of falsehoods deceive those whom the truth illuminates; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

(From the Gelasian Sacramentary)

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

    and all that is within me,

    bless his holy name!

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

    and forget not all his benefits,

3 who forgives all your iniquity,

    who heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit,

    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

15 As for man, his days are like grass;

    he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

    and its place knows it no more.

17 But the steadfast love of the Lord

    is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,

    and his righteousness to children's children,

18 to those who keep his covenant

    and remember to do his commandments.

Psalm 103 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Isaiah 2:1-11 - 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 - Luke 20:19-26

John of Damascus

Confirm our minds, O Lord, in the mysteries of the true faith, set forth with power by your servant John of Damscus; that we, with him, confessing Jesus to be true God and true Man, and singing the praises of the risen Lord, may, by the power of the resurrection, attain to eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for evermore. Amen. (Lesser Feasts and Fasts)

14 The Lord is my strength and my song;

    he has become my salvation.

15 Glad songs of salvation

    are in the tents of the righteous:

  “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,

16     the right hand of the Lord exalts,

    the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”

17 I shall not die, but I shall live,

    and recount the deeds of the Lord.

18 The Lord has disciplined me severely,

    but he has not given me over to death.

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,

    that I may enter through them

    and give thanks to the Lord.

Psalm 118 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Isaiah 1:21-31 - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 - Luke 20:9-18

Francis Xavier

Loving God, you called Francis Xavier to lead many in India and Japan to know Jesus Christ as their Redeemer: Bring us to the new life of glory promised to all who follow in the Way; through the same Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

1 For God alone my soul waits in silence;

    from him comes my salvation.

2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,

    my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

3 How long will all of you attack a man to batter him,

    like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.

    They take pleasure in falsehood.

    They bless with their mouths,

    but inwardly they curse.

5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,

    for my hope is from him.

6 He only is my rock and my salvation,

    my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;

    my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

Psalm 62 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Isaiah 1:10-20 - 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 - Luke 20:1-8