Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederick Handel, Heinrich Schütz

Almighty God, beautiful in majesty and majestic in holiness, Who have taught us in Holy Scripture to sing your praises, and who have given to your servants Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederick Handel, and Heinrich Schütz grace to show forth your glory in their music: Be with all your servants who write and make music for your people, that with joy we on earth may glimpse your beauty, and at length may know the inexhaustible richness of your new creation in Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Praise the Lord!
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
2 Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord,
or declare all his praise?
3 Happy are those who observe justice,
who do righteousness at all times.
4 Remember me, O Lord, when you show favour to your people;
help me when you deliver them;
5 that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,
that I may glory in your heritage.
Psalm 106 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Joshua 3:1-13 - Romans 11:25-36 - Matthew 25:31-46

Almighty God, my Eternal Father, from the fullness of my soul I adore You.
I am deeply grateful that You have made me in Your image and likeness, and that You ever hold me in Your loving embrace. Direct me to love You with all my heart, with all my soul, and with my whole mind. Direct me to love all Your children as I love myself. O, my Father, my soul longs to be united to You, and to rest in You forever. Have the Holy Spirit touch my soul
so that I may love You as He does, and as Your Beloved Son Jesus does. Amen.

1 To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, do not refuse to hear me,
for if you are silent to me, I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplication, as I cry to you for help,
as I lift up my hands towards your most holy sanctuary.*
3 Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who are workers of evil,
who speak peace with their neighbors, while mischief is in their hearts.
6 Blessed be the Lord,
for he has heard the sound of my pleadings.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts;
so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
Psalm 28 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Joshua 2:15-24 - Romans 11:13-24 - Matthew 25:14-30

Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Almighty God, heavenly Father, we remember in thanksgiving this day the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and we pray that we all may be made one in the heavenly family of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.

11 The Lord swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back:
One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant and my decrees that I shall teach them,
their sons also, for evermore, shall sit on your throne.’
13 For the Lord has chosen Zion;
he has desired it for his habitation:
14 ‘This is my resting-place for ever;
here I will reside, for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless its provisions;
I will satisfy its poor with bread.
16 Its priests I will clothe with salvation,
and its faithful will shout for joy.
Psalm 132 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Joshua 2:1-14 - Romans 11:1-12 - Matthew 25:1-13

Birgitta of Sweden, Renewer of the Church

O God, who by your Holy Spirit give to some the word of wisdom, to others the word of knowledge, and to others the word of faith: We praise your Name for the gifts of grace manifested in your servant Birgitta, and we pray that your Church may never be destitute of such gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

1 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3 When my enemies turned back,
they stumbled and perished before you.
4 For you have maintained my just cause;
you have sat on the throne giving righteous judgment.
7 But the Lord sits enthroned for ever,
he has established his throne for judgment.
8 He judges the world with righteousness;
he judges the peoples with equity.
Psalm 9 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Deuteronomy 31:7-13, 31:24-32:4 - Romans 10:1-13 - Matthew 24:15-31

Jesus, help my eyes to see all the good you send to me.Jesus, help my ears to hear calls for help from far and near.Jesus, help my feet to go in the way that you will show.Jesus, help my hands to do, all things loving, kind, and true.Jesus, may I helpful be, growing every day like Thee. Amen

1 Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers;
protect me from those who are violent,
2 who plan evil things in their minds
and stir up wars continually.
3 They make their tongue sharp as a snake’s,
and under their lips is the venom of vipers.
4 Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
protect me from the violent who have planned my downfall.
6 I say to the Lord, ‘You are my God;
give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications.’
7 O Lord, my Lord, my strong deliverer,
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
Psalm 140 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Numbers 24:1-13 - Romans 8:12-17 - Matthew 22:15-22

Olga, Princess of Kiev, 969; Vladimir, 1st Christian Ruler of Russia 1015

I thank Thee, Lord, for sleep and rest, for all the things that I love best, now guide me through another day and bless my work and bless my play. Lord, make me strong for noble ends, protect and bless my loving friends; Of all humankind good Christians make. All this I ask for Jesus' sake. Amen.

3 When my enemies turned back,
they stumbled and perished before you.
4 For you have maintained my just cause;
you have sat on the throne giving righteous judgment.
5 You have rebuked the nations, you have destroyed the wicked;
you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.
6 The enemies have vanished in everlasting ruins;
their cities you have rooted out;
the very memory of them has perished.
7 But the Lord sits enthroned for ever,
he has established his throne for judgment.
8 He judges the world with righteousness;
he judges the peoples with equity.
Psalm 9 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Numbers 23:11-26 - Romans 8:1-11 - Matthew 22:1-14

O Lord, Make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
(From the Gelasian Sacramentary)

147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I put my hope in your words.
148 My eyes are awake before each watch of the night,
that I may meditate on your promise.
149 In your steadfast love hear my voice;
O Lord, in your justice preserve my life.
150 Those who persecute me with evil purpose draw near;
they are far from your law.
151 Yet you are near, O Lord,
and all your commandments are true.
152 Long ago I learned from your decrees
that you have established them for ever.
Psalm 119 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Numbers 22:41-23:12 - Romans 7:13-25 - Matthew 21:12-22