“Holy, holy holy is the Lord God of hosts! Heaven and earth are full of his glory!” Isaiah heard the angels crying out to one another, and this hymn shook the very foundations of the Temple – and of Isaiah’s own soul. I believe the Sanctus (“Holy!”) ought to convey awe in the face of the profound mystery of our Lord’s self-giving revelation in the Sacrament. And it should convey deep love: God’s love for us, and our response of love for Him. What better hymn tune to convey all this than yet another early American tune: Wondrous Love? My feeble words lean totally on Scripture, and are carried by this lovely melody.

Download it here.

When Bach and others composed their Masses, they always included the “Credo” – the Nicene Creed. Martin Luther wrote a paraphrase of the Apostles’ Creed (We All Believe in One True God). Singing the core of our faith is a good way to embed it deep within. We don’t just memorize – we “sing it by heart!”  Well, I’m not in the same league as Bach or Luther. But I did decide to write several paraphrases of the Nicene Creed for use at different times of the year. Here’s the one most suitable for Advent and Lent. It uses a stately (but not dirge-like) tune: Old 124th, often set to the hymn, “Turn Back, O Man, Forswear Thy Foolish Ways.” Don’t let the tempo drag!

Download it here.

I know, I know. A lot of folks don’t use a “hymn of praise” in Advent or Lent. But some do. And I’ve written one that reflects the wording of the traditional “Gloria in Excelsis,” modifies it a bit as we look forward to that glorious day when the angels sing it in full-throated harmony – AND I use a lovely early American tune (Consolation) that is often used in Advent for the hymn, “The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns.”

Download it here.

This brief paraphrase of the Kyrie is sung to the tune for “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” (Tune name: Rresignation). It’s done as a call-and-response. The cantor sings the first half of each line. The congregation responds with “Have mercy, Christ, on us” or “Amen, Lord Christ, amen” as the second half of each line. Like many early American tunes, once you’ve learned the first line, you have learned 3/4 of the whole tune, so it’s very easy to do!

Download it here

THE PRAYERS, 

Christ the King Sunday, Cycle B (November 25, 2018)

In the power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus for the world, the church, and one another.

A brief silence

Gracious Father, you have made your Son King of creation and head of your holy Church. Bind that Church to Christ with cords of love; make it unswerving in faith, radiant in holiness, and bold in witness to him. Use it to draw all people to his Cross, there to acclaim him as Lord, King, and Savior.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You have made your Son fairer than the sparkling stars on high. Let the light of his love bring joy to the hearts of all Christians who suffer because they name Jesus as Lord; and may that same light illumine and cleanse the darkness in the hearts of their tormentors. Help us to remember them in prayer, to stand with them in witness, and to provide tangible help for their physical needs.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

You have made your Son our Savior and Lord. Fill the people of this congregation with your Holy Spirit, so that in all we say and do, among all people we encounter, we acclaim Jesus Christ as Son of God and Son of man.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You have made your Son fairer than sunlight and moonlight, sparkling stars or the radiant beauty of this good earth. Give to all who love the beauties of this created realm, a deep and everlasting love for the uncreated light and supernal beauty of your Son, the Word by which all worlds were made.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You have made your Son Lord of the nations. By your Holy Spirit, conform the hearts of rulers and people to the heart of Christ; and let his peace reign undisturbed in every land.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You have made your Son our light, joy, and crown. Grant that his strong saving love might accompany those who serve our country, here and abroad. Fill them with honor, courage, and wisdom; bring them home in safety when their task is done; heal and strengthen all who have been wounded; and help us to transition well into civilian life.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You have made your Son fairer than woodlands, meadows and flowers of blooming spring. Let his beauty, healing, and compassion cause all sorrowing hearts to sing. Especially this day we pray for the needs of: {List}

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most gracious Father, you have made your Son to shine more brightly than the angels of heaven itself. We thank you for the lives of the faithful departed, including {List}, who already see his glory face to face. Fill us with such faith and love that, in your good time, we shall join them in singing, “Glory and honor, praise, adoration, now and forever more be thine.”

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 For Jesus’ sake, dear Father, graciously hear and generously answer our fervent petitions, to your glory and for the benefit off for whom we pray. Amen.

THE PRAYERS, 

26^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 28, Cycle B (November 18, 2018)

 In the power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus for the world, the church, and one another.

A brief silence

Most holy Lord, bless your Church. You have promised that, though temples made by human hands may be destroyed, your Temple of living stones shall abide forever. Purify, preserve, and provide for it through your Holy Spirit. Unite it always to your Son, its Cornerstone and Head; and make it a house of prayer for all nations.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You foretold times of persecution for those who proclaim and follow you as Lord and Savior. Shield, strengthen and bless those who endure those fiery trials. Help us to remember them in prayer, to stand with them in witness, and to provide tangible help for their physical needs.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Perfect the faith of this congregation, so that we may be bold to approach the throne of grace with our prayers and supplications, and may be conformed to your mind and your likeness. Use us to bring your forgiveness, life, and salvation to those who are estranged from you.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We entrust into your loving embrace our infants and toddlers. Keep them safe, dear Lord; and help us to raise them up in the way you would have them go.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless and guide all the peoples of this world, so that they may put their trust not in any earthly ruler but in your wise governance and gracious commands. Teach us how to live at peace with one another; to care for the poor and vulnerable in our midst; and to work for the common good, in accordance with your will.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You are King of the nations and the Prince of Peace; and yet in these troubled times, good men and women must stand in harm’s way to defend life and liberty. Guide, strengthen and bless them. Let their labors be a blessing among those they serve. Bring healing and hope to those who are wounded; shelter those who fall; and comfort to their loved ones.  Lead them to joyous homecomings, and use their skills for the benefit of their communities.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Your dear Son is the Resurrection and the Life. Grant healing to all who suffer in mind, body, or spirit; and give them a foretaste of his victory over death.  Especially we pray for: {List}. Bless all caretakers with the gifts of gentleness, patience and compassion; and re-establish the bonds of affection and fellowship that have been unraveled by sickness or sorrow.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy God, we acclaim you as Lord of Life. We thank you for bestowing your eternal life upon all who have died trusting in you, including: {List}. We pray that you should guard and guide us safely through this earthly life, with all its troubles, trials and temptations. Fill us with confidence that we can always turn to you with all our needs and all our cares. And raise us up on the last day, with all whom you have redeemed. Let us join the chorus of adoration and praise to you: for with your Son and the Holy Spirit, you are our joy, our delight, and our eternal inheritance.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For Jesus’ sake, dear Father, graciously hear and generously answer our fervent petitions, to your glory and for the benefit of for whom we pray. Amen.

THE PRAYERS, 

25^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 27, Cycle B (November 11, 2018)

In the power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus for the world, the church, and one another.

A brief silence

Holy Father, grant that your Church should be a place of refuge, hope and salvation for all, especially the poorest and most vulnerable of your people. Make the Church generous in sharing earthly gifts and eternal grace, for all is from your limitless and compassionate hand.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Your persecuted Church has given all that it has to live on, in order to acclaim your Son as Savior. Give them the richest blessings of faith, hope, love, and patient endurance; and use their witness to soften the hearts of those who trouble them.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Make this congregation a place of generosity, gratitude, and gentle service in your dear Son’s name. Help us to give our time, treasure and talents with joyful hope in your never-failing goodness; and thereby share the blessings of heaven and of earth with those who need them most. Bless and keep our frailest members, especially our shut-ins, in your tender care, and help us to honor and serve them with compassion and cheerfulness.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Help us to notice and to care for the lonely, the widow, the widower, and the orphan. Give us listening hearts, encouraging words, and timely assistance. Help them to know that they are never bereft, because you love and care for them always; and that they have gifts that you cherish.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Guard and protect this nation; and give wisdom and right judgment to all our elected and appointed leaders. Teach all the leaders of this world to seek justice, to love mercy, to care for the least of their citizens, and to walk humbly in your sight.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Thank you for the sacrifices of all who have honorably served their country. Protect and guide those whose duties are not completed. Heal those who have been wounded, and give hope and strength to them and their loved ones. Help us to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. And bring to this troubled world a measure of peace, so that these good men and women may serve in other ways.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Comfort with the grace of your Holy Spirit all who are in sorrow or need, sickness or adversity, especially {List}. Give wholeness and hope to all who cry out to you for help. Have mercy on the dying, and comfort the grieving. And to all, grant a measure of your love, shielding them with your tender care.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Dearest Father, we thank you for all our loved ones who have entered the blessed rest you promised to them, including: {List}. When we grieve, set before us the certainty of your love, sealed by the death and resurrection of Jesus. Help us to bear one another’s burdens along life’s road, to be content no matter what our circumstances may be; and to be at peace with all. And lead us, with the Cross of Christ as our beacon and our strong defense, through the valley of deaths dark shadow, into the glorious light and joyful homecoming feast that you have prepared for all whom you have redeemed.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For Jesus’ sake, dear Father, graciously hear and generously answer our fervent petitions, to your glory and for the benefit off for whom we pray. Amen.

THE PRAYERS, 

All Saints’ Sunday, Cycle B (November 4, 2018)

In the power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus for the world, the church, and one another.

A brief silence

Almighty God, save and defend your Church, purchased with the blood of Christ. Give it righteous pastors and bishops. Defend it when it is attacked; and purify and heal it when it sins. Make it perfect in love and good works. Keep it steadfast in the faith once delivered to the saints, so that one holy Church may bear witness to you, the creator and redeemer of all.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant to your persecuted Church the blessings promised by Jesus. Let it rejoice greatly that it is united to his Passion; and give it the peace that passes human understanding. Grant repentance and faith to all who hate the name of Jesus, and use them for good instead of evil: to bind up the wounds they have inflicted upon the Body of Christ.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Draw to yourself the hearts of this congregation’s members. Guide our minds; fill our imaginations; control our wills, so that we may be wholly yours. Use us as you will, always to your glory and the welfare of your people.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant strength and compassion to those among us caring for a parent or other family member with special needs; help us to honor their service and to lighten their load.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We commend all nations into your merciful care, so that everyone may live in peace and be guided by your providence. Give all in authority the wisdom to know your will and the strength to do it. Grant to them – and to all of us! – a double portion of your Spirit, so that justice, righteousness, and peace may prevail.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Take under your special protection those whose work is difficult or dangerous, especially those in our military; our police and firefighters; and all who are charged with maintaining safety, justice and peace in times and places of danger and violence. Preserve them in justice, honor and integrity throughout the time of their service; and return them safely to their families.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Comfort with the grace of your Holy Spirit all who are in sorrow or need, sickness or adversity, especially {List}. Give wholeness and hope to all who cry out to you for help. Have mercy on the dying, and comfort the grieving. And to all, grant a measure of your love, shielding them with your tender care.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious heavenly Father, we give you thanks for all of our blessed dead who rest now in your care—especially: {List}. Raise them to the glorious and eternal life you have promised to all whom you have redeemed by the Cross and Resurrection of your dear Son. Grant that we, who walk as yet by faith and not by sight, may in the power of your Holy Spirit continue our course on earth with steadfast hope, constant love, and unquenchable joy. Gather us, with all of your people of every time and place, every kindred, tribe and tongue, at that eternal high feast that celebrates your victory over sin and death, won for us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For Jesus’ sake, dear Father, graciously hear and generously answer our fervent petitions, to your glory and for the benefit off for whom we pray. Amen.

THE PRAYERS, 

Reformation Sunday, Cycle B (October 28, 2018)

Let us intercede before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the sake of the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Gracious Father, pour out your Holy Spirit upon your Church.  Make it your holy habitation; keep it steadfast in your Word; strengthen it in the face of temptation; defend it from evil; reform and purify it from sin and error; and bestow on it your saving peace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Be the refuge and strength of Christians throughout the world when they are persecuted for confessing Jesus as Lord. If it is your will, grant them the strength to endure even to the giving of their life’s blood, as a faithful witness to the Lordship and love of Jesus. And give us the courage and will to defend their witness, provide for their needs, and boldly confess the faith and the hope we share in Christ.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Be with the people of this congregation as our help and our redeemer. Gladden our hearts with the joy of your saving love; and empower us to gladly share our joy, and your love, with those who do not know either.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Pour out your Spirit upon the teachers and theologians of the Church, that they might hand on as of first importance what they have received as life and truth and salvation. Bless all church schools and colleges, seminaries and conferences, that they might write your words upon the hearts of many.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Exalt yourself among the nations, and speak your holy word to the leaders of the world. Establish among all peoples that peace which the world cannot give; and teach us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly before you.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We long for you to break the bow, shatter the spear, and make war to cease throughout the world Until that day, we pray that you would strengthen, protect and guide all who take up arms in defense of life and liberty. Be their very present help in times of trouble and places of danger; prosper all they do that accomplishes your will; and bring them home safely and soon.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We lift before you the needs of all whose lives are shaken and troubled by suffering of mind, body or spirit. Especially we pray for: {List}. Be in their midst; let them not be overthrown; bring them your saving help; say to them, ‘be still, and know that I am God;’ and restore them all to health and hope, that they may proclaim the awesome things you have done.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most holy Lord, we give you thanks for the lives of all your faithful people: prophets, apostles and martyrs; theologians and confessors, teachers and pastors; and all the ordinary saints whom you have claimed as your own and redeemed through the precious blood of your dear Son. Grant that we may humbly follow in their footsteps; boldly trust in your promises; faithfully live in your Word; and cheerfully serve in your Name. And bring us, through the merits of our Savior, into your eternal home, where with all the redeemed, we shall glorify you in the power of your Spirit forever and ever and unto the ages of ages.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear our prayers, gracious Father; and answer them in accordance with your will, for the sake of your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

THE PRAYERS, 

22^nd Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 24, Cycle B (October 21, 2018)

 Let us intercede before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the sake of the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Lord God, make your Church rich in faith, generosity, humility, compassion and witness. Impoverish it with regard to pride, heresy, ingratitude, and mean-spiritedness. Fill it with your Spirit; and conform it always to Christ, your righteous and suffering Servant and our great High Priest.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Enrich the faith, hope, and joy of your persecuted Church; and grant that the radiance of its faithful witness may illuminate the hearts of its foes with your divine mercy.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Protect our congregation from being tempted to cling to its treasures instead of sharing them, to your glory and for the enrichment of our neighbors. And help us to prefer nothing whatsoever to Christ.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray young adults in our congregation and community, that they might not be preoccupied with possessions or prestige, but seek to please you each day in self-forgetful service and love.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We remember before you the poor of the earth, that their suffering might be eased; and for the wealthy and powerful, that they may use their gifts wisely and generously for the benefit of all. Lead the rulers of the nations in the pathway of your commandments; and teach everyone to find true contentment in seeking and doing your will.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Thank you for all who stand between us and the threatening dangers of this world. Keep them faithful, true, and bold; help them to heal rifts caused by violence and suspicion; and use their gifts to protect justice and freedom. Strengthen them when they falter; support their loved ones; and bring them home safely and soon.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant that all who are afflicted by the sorrows and burdens of this earthly life may find health, hope, and refreshment in the mercy of our Savior Christ. We pray this day for {List}. In addition to them, we pray for all who struggle in poverty, homelessness, and unemployment. Give them hope and dignity; and give us caring and generous hearts and strong and capable hands, to help them to flourish, and to serve and glorify you.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Thank you, dear Father, for receiving into your promised rest all those who have died in the covenant of their Baptism. Keep us safely in that covenant. Help us to encourage one another; to bear each other’s burdens; and to guide our neighbor into the nearer presence of Christ Jesus, so that, together with all of your redeemed people of every time and place, we may rejoice in your goodness, and forever see you face to face.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear our prayers, gracious Father; and answer them in accordance with your will, for the sake of your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.