Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Gracious Lord, the Christian faith of your servant Dietrich Bonhoeffer impelled him to defy the forces of darkness, to protest the evil of anti-Semitism, and finally, fearing not death  but the greater evil of tolerating oppression, to lay down his life in witness to your rule: Grant us the same Spirit of courage  to resist tyranny in all its forms and the strength to follow Christ into unfamiliar places, knowing that, whether we live or die, we are with you; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns  with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

89 Forever, O Lord, your word

    is firmly fixed in the heavens.

90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

    you have established the earth, and it stands fast.

91 By your appointment they stand this day,

    for all things are your servants.

92 If your law had not been my delight,

    I would have perished in my affliction.

93 I will never forget your precepts,

    for by them you have given me life.

94 I am yours; save me,

    for I have sought your precepts.

95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,

    but I consider your testimonies.

96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,

    but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

                         

Psalm 119 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Daniel 2:1-16 – 1 John 2:1-11 - John 17:12-19

William A. 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

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,

    O Lord of hosts!

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

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

3 Even the sparrow finds a home,

    and the swallow a nest for herself,

    where she may lay her young,

    at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house,

    ever singing your praise! Selah

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

    in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

6 As they go through the Valley of Baca

    they make it a place of springs;

    the early rain also covers it with pools.

7 They go from strength to strength;

    each one appears before God in Zion.

                         

Psalm 84 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Daniel 1:1-21 – 1 John 1:1-10 - John 17:1-11

Easter Friday

Almighty and eternal God, in the paschal mystery of Christ your Son you have established with all peoples a new covenant of reconciliation and peace. Grant that we may show forth in our lives the mystery of faith we so joyfully proclaim. 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 Oh sing to the Lord a new song;

    sing to the Lord, all the earth!

2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;

    tell of his salvation from day to day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations,

    his marvelous works among all the peoples!

4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;

    he is to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,

    but the Lord made the heavens.

6 Splendor and majesty are before him;

    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

                         

Psalm 96 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Daniel 12:1-4,13 – Acts 4:1-12 - John 16:1-15

Easter Thursday

Lord God, who gathered together from the ends of the earth a diversity of nations to profess your holy name, grant that all who have been reborn in the waters of baptism may be united in faith and in holiness of life. 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 Clap your hands, all peoples!

    Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

2 For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared,

    a great king over all the earth.

3 He subdued peoples under us,

    and nations under our feet.

4 He chose our heritage for us,

    the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah

5 God has gone up with a shout,

    the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

6 Sing praises to God, sing praises!

    Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

7 For God is the King of all the earth;

    sing praises with a psalm!

                         

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

Easter Wednesday

God of hope, each year you gladden our hearts as we celebrate the mystery of Christ’s resurrection. Grant in your mercy that through the joy of this present feast we may possess one day the eternal joys of heaven. 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)

Micah 7:7-15 – Acts 3:1-10 - John 15:1-11

Easter Tuesday

Lord God, through this Easter mystery you have touched our lives with the healing power of your grace. Continue to bless your people, so that, possessed of perfect freedom, we may experience in heaven the joy we now taste on earth. 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 Oh sing to the Lord a new song,

    for he has done marvelous things!

   His right hand and his holy arm

    have worked salvation for him.

2 The Lord has made known his salvation;

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

3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness

    to the house of Israel.

   All the ends of the earth have seen

    the salvation of our God.

4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;

    break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

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!

                         

Psalm 98 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Isaiah 30:18-21 – Acts 2:26-47 - John 14:15-31

Easter Monday

Lord God, you constantly add new children to the family of your Church. Grant that all your people may express in their lives the richness of the sacrament they have received in faith. 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 earth rejoice;

    let the many coastlands be glad!

2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;

    righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes before him

    and burns up his adversaries all around.

4 His lightnings light up the world;

    the earth sees and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,

    before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,

    and all the peoples see his glory.

7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,

    who make their boast in worthless idols;

    worship him, all you gods!

                         

Psalm 97 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Jonah 2:1-9 – Acts 2:14,22-32 - John 14:1-14