Second Sunday after Trinity and St. Peter (29 June) - 2025

 

The Second Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.17-32

iii. Retribue servo tuo.

O DO well unto thy servant; * that I may live, and keep thy word.

18 Open thou mine eyes; * that I may see the wondrous things of thy law.

19 I am a stranger upon earth; * O hide not thy commandments from me.

20 My soul breaketh out for the very fervent desire * that it hath alway unto thy judgments.

21 Thou hast rebuked the proud; * and cursed are they that do err from thy commandments.

22 O turn from me shame and rebuke; * for I have kept thy testimonies.

23 Princes also did sit and speak against me; * but thy servant is occupied in thy statutes.

24 For thy testimonies are my delight, * and my counsellors.

iv. Adhaesit pavimento.

MY soul cleaveth to the dust; * O quicken thou me, according to thy word.

26 I have acknowledged my ways, and thou heardest me: * O teach me thy statutes.

27 Make me to understand the way of thy commandments; * and so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

28 My soul melteth away for very heaviness; * comfort thou me according unto thy word.

29 Take from me the way of lying, * and cause thou me to make much of thy law.

30 I have chosen the way of truth, * and thy judgments have I laid before me.

31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies; * O Lord, confound me not.

32 I will run the way of thy commandments, * when thou hast set my heart at liberty.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be * world without end. Amen.

 

The Collect.

O LORD, who never failest to help and govern them who thou dost bring up in thy steadfast fear and love; Keep us, we beseech thee, under the protection of thy good providence, and make us to have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Old Testament Reading: Genesis 6.5-18

Psalter: Psalm 12, 13 | 10, 11

Epistle Reading: 1 John 3.13-24

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 14.15-24

 

Homily

Saint Peter the Apostle (29 June)

 

The Collect

O almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock: Make, we beseech thee, all Bishops and Pastors diligently to preach thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same, that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Epistle Reading: Acts 12.1-11

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16.13-19

 

Homily

 

Here is my review of a decent book on faith and science, written for young Christians who want to delve into the sciences: Does Science Make God Irrelevant?

First Sunday after Trinity - 2025

 

(Picture found at Scripture Type)

The First Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119. 1. Beati immaculati.

BLESSED are those that are undefiled in the way, and walk in the law of the Lord.

2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, * and seek him with their whole heart;

3 Even they who do no wickedness, * and walk in his ways.

4 Thou hast charged * that we shall diligently keep thy commandments.

5 O that my ways were made so direct, * that I might keep thy statutes!

6 So shall I not be confounded, * while I have respect unto all thy commandments.

7 I will thank thee with an unfeigned heart, * when Ishall have learned the judgments of thy righteousness.

8 I will keep thy statutes; * O forsake me not utterly.

ii. In quo corrigit?

WHEREWITHAL shall a young man cleanse his way? * even by ruling himself after thy word.

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee; * O let me not go wrong out of thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I hid within my heart, * that I should not sin against thee.

12 Blessed art thou, O Lord; * O teach me thy statutes.

13 With my lips have I been telling * of all the judgments of thy mouth.

14 I have had as great delight in the way of thy testimonies, * as in all manner of riches.

15 I will talk of thy commandments, * and have respect unto thy ways.

16 My delight shall be in thy statutes, * and I will not forget thy word.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be * world without end. Amen.

 

The Collect.

O GOD, the strength of all them that put their trust in thee, mercifully accept our prayers; and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the help of thy grace, that in keeping of thy commandments we may please thee, both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 23.23-32

Psalter: Psalm 1, 5 | 2, 3, 4

Epistle Reading: 1 John 4.7-21

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 16.19-31

 

Homily

 

Professor Ryan Armstrong from Oklahoma State University (OSU) said this about my book, "Beyond Outrage: Vetting Media to Increase Sensibility and Stability":

"Philliber offers a thoughtful, well-written guide for consumers of news and social media who are filled with enthusiasm. He asks readers to calm down and apply critical thinking after hearing enraging news. He provides example after example of misplaced facts that led to a mob mentality and the villainization of the innocent. His book is a well-written and enjoyable read, full of personal anecdotes and clever turns of phrase. It is very accessible, and he often condenses sophisticated research into digestible bites that are easy to understand (while encouraging readers to check the original sources for themselves). He is a Christian pastor and consistently connects Christian tradition to his arguments, although the book will have appeal to readers uninterested in Christianity. Throughout the book, I was struck by its importance for modern society.

I’m a college professor, and I feel like I’m beating a dead horse when I tell my students to fact-check everyone, including myself. Unfortunately, many of them simply believe “facts” they read on the internet, hear from a friend, and hear from professors like me. In today’s society, very few voices encourage calm, critical thinking, rather than taking up arms with half a story. For me, Philliber’s book felt like a drink of water in the desert.

Philliber stays focused from beginning to end. His argument is consistent and tightly presented, but it is very practical. I use the term “guide” because it is not theory-heavy. He explains that he is a minister who offered a series of workshops for his parishioners, and over time he turned these workshops into a book. Each chapter offers action points, next-steps, and hands-on ways to make oneself a better citizen of the world. The book lends itself to a classroom setting. Any religious group, self-help book club, or student organization can pick it up and have a turn-key discussion series for 10 weeks.

Overall, this is a delightful read, and I am so grateful to have come across it. We need more voices like this. I hope it makes an impact on society."

Trinity Sunday and a Pastoral Letter - 2025

 

Trinity-Sunday.

Psalm 98. Cantate Domino.

O SING unto the Lord a new song; * for he hath done marvellous things.

2 With his own right hand, and with his holy arm, * hath he gotten himself the victory.

3 The Lord declared his salvation; * his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen.

4 He hath remembered his mercy and truth toward the house of Israel; * and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God.

5 Show yourselves joyful unto the Lord, all ye lands; * sing, rejoice, and give thanks.

6 Praise the Lord upon the harp; * sing to the harp with a psalm of thanksgiving.

7 With trumpets also and shawms, * O show yourselves joyful before the Lord, the King.

8 Let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is; * the round world, and they that dwell therein.

9 Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the Lord; * for he is come to judge the earth.

10 With righteousness shall he judge the world, * and the peoples with equity.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be * world without end. Amen. 

[This will be our congregation’s confession of sin on Trinity Sunday]

Lord, who hast formed me out of mud,
And hast redeemed me through thy blood,
And sanctified me to do good; 

Purge all my sins done heretofore:
For I confess my heavy score,
And I will strive to sin no more. 

Enrich my heart, mouth, hands in me,
With faith, with hope, with charity;
That I may run, rise, rest with thee.

(George Herbert, “Trinity Sunday,” from The Temple, 1633) 

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of thy Divine Majesty to worship the Unity; We beseech thee, that thou wouldst keep us steadfast in this faith, and evermore defend us from all adversities, who livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Numbers 21.4-9

Psalter: Psalm 29, 33 | 93, 97, 150

Epistle Reading: Revelation 4.1-11

Gospel Reading: St. John 3.1-15 

Homily 

Athanasian Creed 

From my pastoral letter this last week: 

I love hymns, which I’m sure is no shock to anyone. I love singing them. I also enjoy memorizing a few, because they are potent, and make for great prayers. Here is one I memorized many years ago and use in prayer often. It was written in 6^th Century by Venantius Fortunatus. It is worth noting three key things. First, the Gospel runs this hymn. Second, justification trumps works-righteousness in v.2. Finally, the Trinity shows up in the final verse. I commend it to you as worth your time and effort to memorize it, sing it, and add it to your morning prayers. It’s Hymn #243, “Praise the Savior Now and Ever”.

 

1 Praise the Savior now and ever; praise him, all beneath the skies; prostrate lying, suff'ring, dying on the cross, a sacrifice. Vict'ry gaining, life obtaining, now in glory he doth rise.

 

2 Man's work faileth, Christ's availeth; he is all our righteousness; he, our Savior, has forever set us free from dire distress. Through his merit we inherit light and peace and happiness.

 

3 Sin's bonds severed, we're delivered; Christ has bruised the serpent's head; death no longer is the stronger; hell itself is captive led. Christ has risen from death's prison; o'er the tomb he light has shed.

 

4 For his favor, praise for ever unto God the Father sing; praise the Savior, praise him ever, Son of God, our Lord and King. Praise the Spirit; through Christ's merit he doth us salvation bring.

 Pastor Mike

Pentecost, Pentecost Monday and Tuesday, St. Barnabas, and Pentecost Embers - 2025

 

Whit-Sunday.

Veni, Creator Spiritus 

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, * And lighten with celestial fire.

Thou the anointing Spirit art, * Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.

Thy blessed unction from above, * Is comfort, life, and fire of love.

Enable with perpetual light  * The dulness of our blinded sight.

Anoint and cheer our soiled face  * With the abundance of thy grace.

Keep far our foes, give peace at home; * Where thou art guide, no ill can come.

Teach us to know the Father, Son, * And thee, of both, to be but One;

That, through the ages all along, * This may be our endless song:

Praise to thy eternal merit, * Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

The Collect.

GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by the sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Joel 2.28-31

Psalter: Psalm 48, 68 | 104, 145

Epistle Reading: Acts 2.1-11

Gospel Reading: St. John 14.15-31 

Homily 

Monday in Whitsun-Week.

 

Same Collect for Sunday along with this one added in the 1928 BCP:

Send, we beseech thee, Almighty God, thy Holy Spirit into our hearts, that he may direct and rule us according to thy will, comfort us in all our afflictions, defend us from all error, and lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the same Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 31.31-34

Psalter: Psalm 139

Epistle Reading: Acts 10.34-48

Gospel Reading: St. John 3.16-21 

Homily

 

Tuesday in Whitsun-Week. 

Same Collect for Sunday along with this one added in the 1928 BCP:

GRANT, we beseech thee, merciful God, that thy Church, being gathered together in unity by thy Holy Spirit, may manifest thy power among all peoples, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. 

Psalter: Psalm 148

Epistle Reading: Acts 8.14-17

Gospel Reading: St. John 10.1-10 

Homily

Saint Barnabas the Apostle

(11 June)

Psalm 1

Beatus vir, qui non abiit, &c.

1. BLESSED is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners : and hath not sat in the seat of the scornful.

2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord : and in his law will he exercise himself day and night.

3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the water-side : that will bring forth his fruit in due season.

4. His leaf also shall not wither : and look, whatsoever he doeth, it shall prosper.

5. As for the ungodly, it is not so with them : but they are like the chaff, which the wind scattereth away from the face of the earth.

6. Therefore the ungodly shall not be able to stand in the judgement : neither the sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

7. But the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous : and the way of the ungodly shall perish. 

The Collect

O Lord God Almighty, who didst endue thy holy Apostle Barnabas with singular gifts of the Holy Ghost; Leave us not, we beseech thee, destitute of thy manifold gifts, nor yet of grace to use them alway to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Epistle Reading: Acts 11.22-30

Gospel Reading: John 15.12-16 

Homily

Pentecost Ember Days 

Readings for Pentecost Ember Days (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) 

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who hast purchased to thyself an universal Church by the precious blood of thy dear Son; Mercifully look upon the same, and at this time so guide and govern the minds of thy servants the Bishops and Pastors of thy flock, that they may lay hands suddenly on no man, but faithfully and wisely make choice of fit persons, to serve in the sacred Ministry of thy Church. And to those which shall be ordained to any holy function, give thy grace and heavenly benediction; that both by their life and doctrine they may show forth thy glory, and set forward the salvation of all men; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Or this.

ALMIGHTY God, the giver of all good gifts, who of thy divine providence hast appointed divers Orders in thy Church; Give thy grace, we humbly beseech thee, to all those who are to be called to any office and administration in the same; and so replenish them with the truth of thy doctrine, and endue them with innocency of life, that they may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great Name, and the benefit of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday After Ascension - 2025

 

Sunday after Ascension-Day.

Psalm 15. Domine, quis habitabit?

LORD, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? * or who shall rest upon thy holy hill?

2 Even he that leadeth an uncorrupt life, * and doeth the thing which is right, and speaketh the truth from his heart.

3 He that hath used no deceit in his tongue, nor done evil to his neighbour, * and hath not slandered his neighbour.

4 He that setteth not by himself, but is lowly in his own eyes, * and maketh much of them that fear the Lord.

5 He that sweareth unto his neighbour, and disappointeth him not, * though it were to his own hindrance.

6 He that hath not given his money upon usury, * nor taken reward against the innocent.

7 Whoso doeth these things * shall never fall.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

 

The Collect.

O GOD the King of glory, who hast exalted thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven; We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless; but send to us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

 

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 65.17-25

Psalter: Psalm 108, 110 | 46, 47

Epistle Reading: 1 Peter 4.7-11

Gospel Reading: St. John 15.26-16.4

 

Homily

The Ascension - 2025

 

The Ascension-Day.

Psalm 8

Domine, Dominus noster

O LORD our Governor, how excellent is thy Name in all the world; * thou that hast set thy glory above the heavens!

2 Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength, because of thine enemies, * that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I consider thy heavens, even the work of thy fingers; * the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained;

4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? * and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

5 Thou madest him lower than the angels, * to crown him with glory and worship.

6 Thou makest him to have dominion of the works of thy hands; * and thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet:

7 All sheep and oxen; * yea, and the beasts of the field;

8 The fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea; * and whatsoever walketh through the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord our Governor, * how excellent is thy Name in all the world!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen. 

The Collect.

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens; so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

 

Old Testament Reading: Daniel 7.9-14

Psalter: Psalm 96

Epistle Reading: Acts 1.1-11

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 24.49-53 

Homily 

Here is a little study I sent my congregation: Take some time to go through these passages and see what the value of Christ’s ascension is for us. The Event is recorded in Luke 24:50-53 (Mark 16:19) and Acts 1:6-11. Now, after looking at those passages, dive into the following and make notes. 

•          Christ Exalted – Acts 2:32-36.            

•          Christ Erect – Acts 7:54-60.

•          Christ Enthroned – Ephesians 1:19-2:7.

•          Christ Elevated – Philippians 2:5-11.

•          Christ Exceptional – Hebrews 1:1-9, 3:5-6, 10:11-14, 12:1-3 (for starters in Hebrews, but there are other paragraphs – see if you can find them).

•          Christ Emperor – Revelation 1:5.

•          Christ’s (People) Emancipated – Colossians 3:1-4 (emancipated from vices in 3:5-17, etc.).

 

Is the Ascension of our Lord important? You bet your bottom dollar it is!

Fifth Sunday after Easter, Memorial Day (USA) and Rogation Days - 2025

 

The Fifth Sunday after Easter (or Rogation Sunday).

Psalm 114. In exitu Israel.

WHEN Israel came out of Egypt, * and the house of Jacob from among the strange people,

2 Judah was his sanctuary, * and Israel his dominion.

3 The sea saw that, and fled; * Jordan was driven back.

4 The mountains skipped like rams, * and the little hills like young sheep.

5 What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? * and thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?

6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams? * and ye little hills, like young sheep?

7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord: * at the presence of the God of Jacob;

8 Who turned the hard rock into a standing water, * and the flint-stone into a springing well.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen. 

The Collect.

O LORD, from whom all good things do come; Grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 1.10-20

Psalter: Psalm 146, 147 | 132, 133, 134

Epistle Reading: James 1.22-27

Gospel Reading: St. John 16.23-33 

Homily 

Here is my book review of “Counterfeit Kingdom.” 

Memorial Day USA is on Monday. 

The Rogation Days 
Being the Three Days before Ascension Day 

ALMIGHTY God, Lord of heaven and earth; We beseech thee to pour forth thy blessing upon this land, and to give us a fruitful season; that we, constantly receiving thy bounty, may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Monday AM: Psalm 104. 1^st Lesson – Deuteronomy 8.1-11, 17-20. 2^nd Lesson – Matthew 5.5-15.

Monday PM: Psalm 34. 1^st Lesson – Deuteronomy 28.1-14. 2^nd Lesson – James 1.1-17 

Tuesday AM: Psalm 80. 1^st Lesson – Deuteronomy 11.10-17. 2^nd Lesson – Matthew 6.24-34

Tuesday PM: Psalm 65, 67. 1^st Lesson – 1 Kings 8.22-30. 2^nd Lesson – James 4.8-17

 

Wednesday AM: Psalm 144. 1^st Lesson – Jeremiah 14.1-9. 2^nd Lesson – 1 John 5.5-15

Wednesday PM: Psalm 93, 99. 1^st Lesson – Isaiah 11.1-5. 2^nd Lesson – Luke 24.44-48 

A modern custom for Rogation Days has been to focus prayers and actions toward charity to help feed poor folk. On this page we have provided three ways to do that: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/rogation.html

Fourth Sunday after Easter - 2025

 

The Fourth Sunday after Easter.

Psalm 113. Laudate, pueri.

PRAISE the Lord, ye servants; * O praise the Name of the Lord.

2 Blessed be the Name of the Lord * from this time forth for evermore.

3 The Lord’s Name is praised * from the rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same.

4 The Lord is high above all nations, * and his glory above the heavens.

5 Who is like unto the Lord our God, that hath his dwelling so high, * and yet humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and earth!

6 He taketh up the simple out of the dust, * and lifteth the poor out of the mire;

7 That he may set him with the princes, * even with the princes of his people.

8 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, * and to be a joyful mother of children.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen. 

The Collect.

O ALMIGHTY God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; Grant unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 39.21-29

Psalter: Psalm 126, 127, 128 | 129, 130, 131

Epistle Reading: James 1.17-21

Gospel Reading: St. John 16.5-15 

Homily