The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Father in heaven, by whose grace the virgin mother of your incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more blessed in keeping your word: Grant us who honor the exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

2 Blessed be the name of the Lord

    from this time forth and forevermore!

3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,

    the name of the Lord is to be praised!

4 The Lord is high above all nations,

    and his glory above the heavens!

5 Who is like the Lord our God,

    who is seated on high,

6 who looks far down

    on the heavens and the earth?

7 He raises the poor from the dust

    and lifts the needy from the ash heap,

8 to make them sit with princes,

    with the princes of his people.

                         

Psalm 113 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Deuteronomy 5:1-22  – 2 Corinthians 4:1-12 - Luke 16:10-18

God of holiness, increase within us your gifts of faith, hope, and love, and enable us to cherish whatever you command, that we may come to possess all that you promise. 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 I will sing of steadfast love and justice;

    to you, O Lord, I will make music.

2 I will ponder the way that is blameless.

    Oh when will you come to me?

   I will walk with integrity of heart within my house;

3 I will not set before my eyes

    anything that is worthless.

   I hate the work of those who fall away;

    it shall not cling to me.

4 A perverse heart shall be far from me;

    I will know nothing of evil.

5 Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy.

   Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart

    I will not endure.

6 I will look with favor on the faithful in the land,

    that they may dwell with me

                         

Psalm 101 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Deuteronomy 4:32-40  – 2 Corinthians 3:1-18 - Luke 16:1-9

God of hosts, from whom every good gift proceeds, implant in our hearts the love of your name. Nurture within us whatever is good by binding us more closely to you, and in your watchful care tend the good fruit you have nurtured. 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  Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion,

    and to you shall vows be performed.

2 O you who hear prayer,

    to you shall all flesh come.

3 When iniquities prevail against me,

    you atone for our transgressions.

4 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near,

    to dwell in your courts!

   We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,

    the holiness of your temple!

5 By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,

    O God of our salvation,

    the hope of all the ends of the earth

    and of the farthest seas;

6 the one who by his strength established the mountains,

    being girded with might;

7 who stills the roaring of the seas,

    the roaring of their waves,

    the tumult of the peoples,

8 so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth

   are in awe at your signs.

  You make the going out of the morning

  and the evening to shout for joy.

                         

Psalm 65 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Deuteronomy 4:25-31  – 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:17 - Luke 15:1-2,11-32

John Calvin

Sovereign and holy God, you brought John Calvin from a study of legal systems to understand the godliness of your divine laws as revealed in Scripture: Fill us with a like zeal to teach and preach your Word, that the whole world may come to know your Son Jesus Christ, the true Word and Wisdom; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, ever one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

1  Blessed are those whose way is blameless,

    who walk in the law of the Lord!

2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,

    who seek him with their whole heart,

3 who also do no wrong,

    but walk in his ways!

4 You have commanded your precepts

    to be kept diligently.

5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast

    in keeping your statutes!

6 Then I shall not be put to shame,

    having my eyes fixed on all your commandments

                         

Psalm 119 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Deuteronomy 4:15-24  – 2 Corinthians 1:12-22  - Luke 15:1-10

Memorial Day

Almighty God, we remember this day the many brave men and women who have given their lives through the history of our country to protect us from danger and harm. We salute all those who served in the military, the police and the fire departments. We also remember all those who sustained injury in mind and/or body in the course of their service.

Help us to remember that your Spirit fills the whole world, from the east to the west, from the desert to the mountains. Blessed are You, O God, for You have given us a share in Your life and You dwell in us and in our midst. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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.

5 The Lord is your keeper;

    the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

6  The sun shall not strike you by day,

    nor the moon by night.

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)

Deuteronomy 4:9-14  – 2 Corinthians 1:1-11  - Luke 14:1-11

Nicholas Copernicus and Johannes Kepler

As the heavens declare your glory, O God, and the firmament shows your handiwork, we bless your Name for the gifts of knowledge and insight you bestowed upon Nicolaus Copernicus and Johannes Kepler; and we pray that you would continue to advance our understanding of your cosmos, for our good and for your glory; through Jesus Christ, the firstborn of all creation, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

1 O Lord, our Lord,

    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

   You have set your glory above the heavens.

2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants,

   you have established strength because of your foes,

    to still the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,

    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,

    and the son of man that you care for him?

5 Yet you have made him a little lower

   than the heavenly beings

    and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You have given him dominion

   over the works of your hands;

   you have put all things under his feet,

7 all sheep and oxen,

    and also the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,

    whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord, our Lord,

    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

                         

Psalm 8 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Ruth 4:1-17  – 1 Tim. 5:17-25  - Luke 14:1-11

Ludwig Ingwer Nommensen, Missionary

Almighty God, you planted in your servant Ludwig Nommensen a burning desire to take the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to those who had not heard it, and led him to be an apostle to the Batak people of Sumatra: Give to your church that same spirit and teach us to respect the value of the cultures into which the gospel is brought that your people may rejoice in the diverse cultures into which the gospel is brought that your people may rejoice in the diverse richness of your kingdom; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, Now and forever. Amen 

(Philip H Pfatteicher)

2 The Lord has made known his salvation;

    he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,

    with the lyre and the sound of melody!

6 With 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!

8 Let the rivers clap their hands;

    let the hills sing for joy together

9 before 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)

Ruth 3:1-18 – 1 Timothy 4:1-16  - Luke 13:31-35

Helena Mother of Emperor Constantine

Almighty God, who called your servant Helena to an earthly Throne so that she might advance your heavenly kingdom, and filled her with zeal for your Church and love for your people; Grant to us your people that we may be fruitful in good works, and steadfast in our faith in you, and finally by your mercy may attain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen

2 Great are the works of the Lord,

    studied by all who delight in them.

3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work,

    and his righteousness endures forever.

4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;

    the Lord is gracious and merciful.

7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;

    all his precepts are trustworthy;

8 they are established forever and ever,

    to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

9 He sent redemption to his people;

    he has commanded his covenant forever.

    Holy and awesome is his name!

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

    all those who practice it have a good understanding.

    His praise endures forever!

                         

Psalm 111 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Ruth 2:14-23 – 1 Timothy 3:1-16 - Luke 13:18-30

John Eliot, Missionary to The American Indians

Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your devout and earnest servant John Eliot, whom you called to preach the Gospel to the native peoples of New England. Raise up in this and every land evangelists and heralds 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

19 Blessed be the Lord,

    who daily bears us up;

    God is our salvation. Selah

20 Our God is a God of salvation,

    and to God, the Lord,

    belong deliverances from death.

32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;

    sing praises to the Lord, Selah

33 to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;

    behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.

34 Ascribe power to God,

    whose majesty is over Israel,

    and whose power is in the skies.

35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel

—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.

   Blessed be God!

                         

Psalm 68 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Ruth 1:19-2:13 – 1 Timothy 1:1-17 - Luke 13:10-17

Alcuin, Deacon, Scholar, and Abbot Of Tours

Almighty God, who in a rude and barbarous age raised up your deacon Alcuin to rekindle the light of learning: Illumine our minds, we pray, that amid the uncertainties and confusions of our own time we may show forth your eternal truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;

    dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

4 Delight yourself in the Lord,

    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord;

    trust in him, and he will act.

6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,

    and your justice as the noonday.

32 The wicked watches for the righteous

    and seeks to put him to death.

33 The Lord will not abandon him to his power

    or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.

                         

Psalm 37 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Ruth 1:1-18  – 1 Timothy 1:1-17 - Luke 13:1-9

God of our salvation, by raising up your Son in glory and by sending forth the light of your Spirit you opened for us the gates of eternal life. Grant that we who share in these great gifts may grow in faith and commit ourselves more firmly to your service. 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 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;

    before the gods I sing your praise;

2 I bow down toward your holy temple

    and give thanks to your name

    for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,

    for you have exalted above all things

    your name and your word.

3 On the day I called, you answered me;

    my strength of soul you increased.

4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,

    for they have heard the words of your mouth,

5 and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,

    for great is the glory of the Lord.

6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,

    but the haughty he knows from afar.

                         

Psalm 138 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Ezekiel 34:17-31 – Hebrews 8:1-13 - Luke 10:38-42

God our Creator, let your Spirit come upon the world with power to fill us with every good gift, that our hearts may find favor in your sight and our wills may be shaped to accord with your own. 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

19 Blessed be the Lord,

    who daily bears us up;

    God is our salvation. Selah

20 Our God is a God of salvation,

    and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.

28 Summon your power, O God,

    the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.

32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;

    sing praises to the Lord, Selah

33 to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;

    behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.

34 Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel,

    and whose power is in the skies.

35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary;

    the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.

   Blessed be God!

                         

Psalm 68 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Ezekiel 18:1-4,19-32 – Hebrews 7:18-28 - Luke 10:25-37

God of infinite mercy, by the power of the Holy Spirit gather your Church into one, that we may dedicate ourselves entirely to you and be one in mind and heart. 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

15 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made;

    in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught.

16 The Lord has made himself known;

     he has executed judgment;

    the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.

17 The wicked shall return to Sheol,

    all the nations that forget God.

18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten,

    and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.

19 Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail;

    let the nations be judged before you!

20 Put them in fear, O Lord!

    Let the nations know that they are but men!

                         

Psalm 9 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Ezekiel 11:14-25 – Hebrews 7:1-17 - Luke 10:17-24

Almighty and merciful God, send forth the Holy Spirit upon your Church to make of us the temple where your glory dwells. 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

11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!

    He is their help and their shield.

13 He will bless those who fear the Lord,

    both the small and the great.

14 May the Lord give you increase,

    you and your children!

15 May you be blessed by the Lord,

    who made heaven and earth!

16 The heavens are the Lord's heavens,

    but the earth he has given to the children of man.

17 The dead do not praise the Lord,

    nor do any who go down into silence.

18 But we will bless the Lord

    from this time forth and forevermore.

   Praise the Lord!

                         

Psalm 115 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Ezekiel 7:10-15,23-27 – Hebrews 6:13-20 - Luke 10:1-17

Let the power of your Holy Spirit come upon us, Lord God, that we may keep your will faithfully before us and express it lovingly in our lives. 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

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)

Ezekiel 4:1-17 – Hebrews 6:1-12 - Luke 9:51-62

Lord of heaven and earth, through the resurrection of your Son you have restored us to the life of grace. Lift up our eyes toward our Savior as he sits in splendor at your right hand; and grant that when he comes again in majesty, we who have been born to new life in baptism may be clothed in the robes of immortal glory. We make this prayer 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

7 Truly no man can ransom another,

    or give to God the price of his life,

8 for the ransom of their life is costly

    and can never suffice,

9 that he should live on forever

    and never see the pit.

10 For he sees that even the wise die;

    the fool and the stupid alike must perish

    and leave their wealth to others.

11 Their graves are their homes forever,

    their dwelling places to all generations,

    though they called lands by their own names.

12 Man in his pomp will not remain;

    he is like the beasts that perish.

13 This is the path of those who have foolish confidence;

    yet after them people approve of their boasts.

                         

Psalm 49 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Ezekiel 1:28-3:3 – Hebrews 4:14-5:6 - Luke 9:28-36

Ascension Day

Almighty God, make our hearts dance with joy and thanksgiving; for in the ascension of Christ, your Son, our human nature is raised above the heavens, and where Christ, the Head, has gone before in glory we, his Body, are called in hope. We make our prayer 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  O Lord, our Lord,

    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

   You have set your glory above the heavens.

2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants,

   you have established strength because of your foes,

    to still the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,

    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,

    and the son of man that you care for him?

5 Yet you have made him
    a little lower than the heavenly beings

    and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;

    you have put all things under his feet,

7 all sheep and oxen,

    and also the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,

    whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

                         

Psalm 8 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Ezekiel 1:1-14,24-28  – Hebrews 2:5-18 - Matthew 28:16-20

Dame Julian of Norwich

Lord God, who in your compassion granted to the Lady Julian many revelations of your nurturing and sustaining love: Move our hearts, like hers, to seek you above all things, for in giving us yourself you give us all; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;

   he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;

    he will lift me high upon a rock.

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)

Baruch 3:24-37  – James 5:13-18 - Luke 12:22-31