The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Feast of
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Civil Rights Leader, 1968 April 4 (or January 15)

Exodus 3:7-12
Luke 6:27-36
Psalm 77:11-20 or
Psalm 98:1-4

The Preface of Baptism

Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last; Grant that your Church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Exodus 3:7-12

The LORD said to Moses, "I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt."

But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" He said, "I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain."

Psalm 77:11-20 Page 693, BCP

Voce mea ad Dominum

11

I will remember the works of the LORD, *
and call to mind your wonders of old time.

12

I will meditate on all your acts *
and ponder your mighty deeds.

13

Your way, O God, is holy; *
who is so great a god as our God?

14

You are the God who works wonders *
and have declared your power among the peoples.

15

By your strength you have redeemed your people, *
the children of Jacob and Joseph.

16

The waters saw you, O God;
the waters saw you and trembled; *
the very depths were shaken.

17

The clouds poured out water;
the skies thundered; *
your arrows flashed to and fro;

18

The sound of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lit up the world; *
the earth trembled and shook.

19

Your way was in the sea,
and your paths in the great waters, *
yet your footsteps were not seen.

20

You led your people like a flock *
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

or

Psalm 98:1-4 Page 727, BCP

Cantate Domino

1

Sing to the LORD a new song, *
for he has done marvelous things.

2

With his right hand and his holy arm *
has he won for himself the victory.

3

The LORD has made known his victory; *
his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

4

He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to

the house of Israel, *
and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Luke 6:27-36

Jesus said, "I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.

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