Plainsong Daily Office: Recent Episodes
The Rev. James Michael Joiner
Both Morning and Evening Prayer chanted daily, following the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, Enriching our Worship, the Plainsong Psalter, and the Hymnal 1982, with occasional antiphon texts from the Anglican Breviary.
It is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!
He shepherded them with a faithful and true heart and guided them with the skillfulness of his hands.
On this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.
One who loves gold will not be justified; one who pursues money will be led astray by it.
Sweet is the sleep of labourers, whether they eat little or much; but the surfeit of the rich will not let them sleep.
Though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet.
The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.
Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord; for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.
One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.
He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the friends, even though they are strangers to you
The Lord weighs the righteous as well as the wicked, but those who delight in violence he abhors.
The whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil.
You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling
May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love
You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom
Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!
By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God
As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven.
While you are in the land of your enemies; then the land shall rest, and enjoy its sabbath years.
If any who are dependent on you become so impoverished that they sell themselves to you, you shall not make them serve as slaves.
The gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
The mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who now restrains it is removed
The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.
The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
Concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anyone write to you
How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world?
The people stood at a distance, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was
The world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live for ever.
Live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God
Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart.
What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them?
We declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us
Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.
The Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
We felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead
Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it
Just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ
The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized
While we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh.
Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
You show that you are a letter of Christ, prepared by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God
Though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our father
If I said, I do not know him, I should be a liar like you; but I do know him and I keep his word.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
He did not remember to show mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy, and sought to kill the brokenhearted
This is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me
Will your wonders be known in the dark? Or your righteousness in the country where all is forgotten?
Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him.
To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
There is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light.
Psalms 9 & 15, Canticle 15 (S242) and prayers for the feast of St Benedict and those under monastic vows.
Hymn 8 (“Morning Has Broken”), Psalm 25, Canticle 10 (S213) and Canticle 19 (S267) plus a mini meditation on Rahab, Romans, colonialism, sex workers and what the heck God is up to.
Everything you need to chant along can be found in the Hymnal 1982 and the Plainsong Psalter. We’ll sing Hymn 4, Psalms 148, 149 and 150, Canticle 16 (S248), and Canticle 21 (S282), plus you get a short bonus meditation after the second reading. Happy Sunday!
Today’s readings invite a little meditation on a God who chooses, who sometimes seems to reject, and who is always faithful.
Jesus upbraids the Pharisees (watch out for problematic anti-Jewish stereotypes) and we pray for peace.
The word of the Lord will be to them percept upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little; that they may go and fall backward, and be broken, and be snared, and taken.
I wept much that no one was found worthy to open the scroll, but then an elder spoke to me
Immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, and the sun scorched them.
I, John, your brother, who share with you in Jesus the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island of Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
How can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods without first binding the strong man?
The people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping
If you had known what this means, “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,” you would not have condemned the guiltless.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if it is not, let your peace return to you
It may be that their supplication will come before the Lord, and that everyone will turn from his evil way
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
All the city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.
I know your sitting down and your getting up and your going out and coming in and your raging against me.
Send back one of the priests whom you carried away, let him return and dwell there and teach them the law of the god of the land.
If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.
Seek the welfare of the city to which I have sent you, for in its welfare you will find you own.
Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer which breaks the rocks in pieces?
I’ll not be broadcasting the Office during the 4th week of Lent to hopefully heal my voice; I’ll be praying with you silently. God’s peace be with you.
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.
Will you swear falsely and then come and stand before me in this house and say, “We are delivered!” -only to go on doing all these abominations?
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so
My people have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves that can hold no water.
It is no longer because of your testimony that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves
They will fight against you, but they will not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you.
The world, life, death, the present, the future, all are yours; and you are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.
in the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear.
Before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Those who do what is true come to the light, that it may be clearly seen that their deeds are wrought in God.
I desire mercy more than sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
He needed to be a witness not of the times before or after that event, but only of the resurrection itself.
God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to not things that are
You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; you restored me as I was going down to the grave.
You deliver the poor from those who are too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.
Bidding & Confession adapted from Rite I, Minor Doxology by me, Invitatory adapted from the traditional language, Psalm 32, 143, Canticles 14 from the BCP & P from EOW), Preces, Suffrages and the Great Litany from EOW, Lord’s Prayer adapted, and the Supplication adapted from the BCP.
Sunday Evensongs now come with announcements (there were none this week) and as usual, a reading from the Early Church.
Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.
Men will be lovers of self, holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people.
Let the sorrowful sighing of the prisoners come before you, and by your great might spare those who are condemned to die.
If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness, and your gloom be as the noonday.
On Sunday evenings and Feasts I’ll be reading from the Rev. Dr. J. Robert Wright’s Readings for the Daily Office from the Early Church, tonight’s selection is from Origen’s Treatise on Prayer.
This morning when I got the Lord’s Prayer I suddenly found myself singing a setting written by Edie Bass towards the end of the 20thC for the Centennial Celebration of St. Mary’s House, Greensboro, NC, the campus ministry which sponsored me for ordination. It’d been years since the tune entered my head, and I’m not sure if I remembered it all correctly, but it’s a great setting.
Hello friends, I need to take a break from chanting with you while I recover from a respiratory infection I’ve been battling for 3 months now, please keep me in your prayers. -James
Why should I be afraid in evil days, when the wickedness of those at my heels surrounds me, the wickedness of those who put their trust in their goods, and boast of their great riches?
God makes war to cease in all the world; she breaks the bow and shatters the spear, and burns the shields with fire.
The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone, not made, nor created, but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.
This people honours me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.
The lover of money will not be satisfied with money; nor the lover of wealth, with gain.
From all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice; and from all want of charity, Good Lord, deliver us.
I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, wickedness was there, and in the place of righteousness, wickedness was there as well.
The earth reeled and rocked; the roots of the mountains shook; they reeled because of his anger.
O LORD watch over us and save this generation for ever. The wicked prowl on every side, and that which is worthless is highly prized by everyone.
The LORD will hear the desire of the humble; to give justice to the orphan and oppressed, so that mere mortals may strike terror no more.
O LORD my God, if there is any wickedness in my hands, then let my enemy lay my honor in the dust.
Now the whole group of those who believed where of one heart and soul, and not one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.
Our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness.
Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’
For the LORD looked down from his holy place on high; from the heavens he beheld the earth; that he might hear the groan of the captive and set free those condemned to die.
You must no longer live in the futility of your minds, alienated from the life of God because of ignorance and hardness of heart.
Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.
I give thanks to the Lord because he stands at the right hand of the needy, to save their lives from those who would condemn them.
Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you many wished to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.
King of glory, King of peace; I will love thee; leave us not comfortless, but send to us thy own Spirit for consolation.
Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit on them!
I ascend because I am the Head; my Body still lies beneath. Be careful that you do not strike it, that you do not hurt it, that you do not trample upon it.
Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength.
Christ is now exalted above the heavens, but he still suffers on earth all the pain that we, the members of his body, have to bear.
Since children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death
The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?’ And he said, ‘Yes, I know; keep silent.’
The land shall enjoy its sabbath years as long as it lies desolate, while you are in the land of your enemies; then the land shall rest, and enjoy its sabbath years.
The LORD woke as though from sleep, like a warrior refreshed with wine. He struck his enemies on the backside and put them to perpetual shame.
Many times he held back his anger and did not permit his wrath to be roused. For he remembered that they were but flesh, a breath that goes forth and does not return.
May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience
This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?
Mightier than the sound of many waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea, mightier is the LORD who dwells on high.
Sat to the boasters, 'Boast no more, ' and to the wicked, 'Do not toss your horns; Do not toss your horns so high, nor speak with a proud neck.'
Take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye.
A craving seized them in the wilderness, and they put God to the test in the desert. He gave them what they asked, but sent leanness into their soul.
Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.
I have been sustained by you ever since I was born; from my mother's womb you have been my strength; my praise shall be always of you.
He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly.
He shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, and the oppressed who has no helper.
You, O God, have heard my vows; you have granted me the heritage of those who fear your Name.
You make the dawn and the dusk to sing for joy. You visit the earth and water it abundantly.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.
Discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
For you yourself created my inmost parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I will thank you because I am marvelously made; your works are wonderful, and I know it well.
Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee to a far-off place and make my lodging in the wilderness. I would hasten to escape from the stormy wind and tempest.
I say to you, do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.
As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope.
Our God will come and will not keep silence; before him there is a consuming flame, and round about him a raging storm.
Why should I be afraid in evil days, when the wickedness of those at my heels surrounds me, the wickedness of those who put their trust in their goods, and boast of their great riches? We can never ransom ourselves, or deliver to God the price of our life.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them.
Why do I go so heavily while the enemy oppresses me? Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, and bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured in my bosom the words of his mouth.
For Mark, O Lord, we praise you, the weak by grace made strong: his witness in the Gospel becomes victorious song. www.allangelsabbey.org/evensong
You who fear the Lord, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy www.allangelsabbey.org/morning-prayer/
The Lord brings the winds out of his storehouse, an Advocate is promised, and hearts unfold like flowers before the sun which gives them life. www.allangelsabbey.org/evensong
Beat your enemies like dust before the wind, trample them like mud in the streets, or just sing about it like you did and let that count www.allangelsabbey.org/evensong
Smoke rises from the nostrils of our Lord, from whom hot burning coals burst forth. Just another Thursday Morning Prayer! Full order of service at www.allangelsabbey.org/morning-prayer
The poor cry out in misery, foes rejoice that we have fallen, and the green blade riseth again! It’s Evensong for Earth Day, now with special guests! www.allangelsabbey.org/evensong
Psalms 10 & 11, Hymn: Come away to the skies, my beloved, arise • more at www.allangelsabbey.org
Light of the world in grace and beauty • Psalm 104 • Mark 12:18-27 • Mag, Creed, Our Father, Suffrages, Collects for Saturday in Easter Week, Saturdays, Mission • Hymn 199: Come, ye faithful, raise the strain • Nunc
Pascha Nostrum by Hurd • Psalm 145 • Exodus 13:17-14:4 • A Song of Wisdom • 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10 • A Song of Faith • Our Father, Suffrages, Collects for Saturday in Easter Week, Saturdays, and Mission
Light of the world in grace and beauty • Psalm 118 • Luke 24:1-12 • Mag, Creed, Our Father, Collects for Friday in Easter Week, Fridays, Mission • Hymn 194: Jesus Lives! • Nunc
Pascha Nostrum set by Hurd • Psalm 136 • Exodus:1-2, 11-16 • A Song of Wisdom • 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 • A Song of Faith • Our Father, Suffrages, Collects for Friday in Easter Week, Fridays, and Mission
Light of the world in grace and beauty • Psalms 148 & 149 • Matthew 28:16-20 • Mag, Creed, Our Father, Suffrages, Collects for Thursday in Easter Week, the Presence of Christ, and Mission • Hymn 193: That Easter day with joy was bright • Nunc
Pascha Nostrum set by Hurd • Psalms 146 & 147 • Exodus 13:3-10 • A Song of Wisdom • 1 Corinthians 15:41-50 • A Song of Faith • Our Father, Suffrages, Collects for Thursday in Easter Week, Grace and Mission
Light of the world in grace and beauty • Psalm 115 • Matthew 28:1-16 • Mag, Creed, Our Father, Suffrages, Collects for Wednesday in Easter Week, Aid against perils, and mission • Nunc
Pascha Nostrum set by Hurd • Psalms 97 & 99 • Exodus 12:40-51 • A Song of Wisdom • 1 Corinthians 15:29-41 • A Song of Faith • Our Father, Suffrages, Collects for Wednesday in Easter Week, Grace, and Mission
Light of the world, in grace and beauty • Psalms 111, 114 • Mark 16:9-20 • Mag, Creed, Our Father, Suffrages, Collects for Tuesday in Easter Week, Aid against perils, and Mission • Nunc
Pascha Nostrum set by David Hurd • Psalm 103 • Exodus 12: 28-39 • A Song of Wisdom • 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 • A Song of Faith • Our Father, Suffrages, Collects for Tuesday in Easter Week, Peace, and Mission
Light of the world, in grace and beauty • Psalm 66 • Mark 16:1-8 • Mag, Lord’s Prayer, Suffrages, Collects for Easter Monday, Peace, and Mission • Hymn: 179 “Welcome, happy morning” age to age shall say • Nunc
Pascha Nostrum • Psalms 93 & 98 • Exodus 12:14-27 • A Song of Wisdom • 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 • A Song of Faith • Our Father, Suffrages, Collects for Easter Monday, the Renewal of Life, and Mission.
Hymn: S27, O gracious Light Psalms 113 & 114 John 20:19-23 Magnificat, Creed, Our Father, Suffrages, Collects for Easter Day, Sundays, and Mission Hymn: 180, He is risen
Evensong for Holy Saturday 2020
Hymn: 36, O gladsome Light Psalm 27 Romans 8:1-11 Magnificat with Sabat Mater Dolorosa as refrain Creed, Our Father, Suffrages, Collects for Holy Saturday, Saturdays, and Mission Hymn: 173, Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Prayers for the Human Family, the Church, the Absent, the Sick, the Dying, and the Dead.
Hymn: 36, O gladsome Light Psalms 40 & 54 John 19:38-42 Magnificat with Sabat Mater Dolorosa as refrain Creed, Our Father, Suffrages, Collects for Good Friday, Fridays, and Mission Hymn: 165, Sing my tongue the glorious battle Prayers for the Human Family, the Sick, the Dying, and the Dead.
Hymn: 36, O gladsome Light Psalm 143 Mark 14:12-25 Magnificat with Sabat Mater Dolorosa as refrain Creed, Kyries, Our Father, Suffrages, Collects for Maundy Thursday, the Presence of Christ, and Mission Hymn: 302, Father we thank thee who hast planted Prayers for the Human Family, the Church, the Absent, the Sick, the Dying, and the Dead.