The Sunday next before Advent and a Hymn - 2025

 

The Sunday next before Advent.

Isaiah 12.1-6

Confitebor tibi

And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, * and thou comfortedst me.

Behold, God is my salvation; * I will trust, and not be afraid:

for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; * he also is become my salvation.

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. * And in that day shall ye say,

Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, * make mention that his name is exalted.

Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: * this is known in all the earth.

Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: * for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

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. 

Suffrages

(from the Lutheran Brotherhood Prayer Book Morning Prayer)

I said, O Lord be merciful unto me;

Heal my soul; for I have sinned against Thee.

Return, O Lord, how long?

And let it repent Thee concerning Thy servants.

Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us,

According as we hope in Thee.

Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness,

And let Thy servants shout for joy.

O Lord, save our rulers;

Let the King hear us when we call.

Save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance;

Feed them also and lift them up forever.

Remember Thy congregation,

Which Thou hast purchased of old.

Peace be within thy walls,

And prosperity within thy palaces.

Let us pray for our absent brethren.

O Thou, our God, save Thy servants that trust in Thee.

Let us pray for the brokenhearted and the captives.

Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

Send them help from the Sanctuary

And strengthen them out of Zion. 

The Collect.

STIR up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 23.5-8

Psalter: Psalm 146, 147 | 148, 149, 150

Epistle Reading: (Ephesians 2.1-10)

Gospel Reading: St. John 6.1-14 

Homily

 

Recently, for various reasons, I have been thinking about a hymn, “Be Still, My Soul.” Take some time to slowly read it during your devotional/family worship time. 

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side; bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; leave to your God to order and provide; in ev'ry change he faithful will remain. Be still, my soul: your best, your heav'nly Friend through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. 

Be still, my soul: your God will undertake to guide the future as he has the past. Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake; all now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know his voice who ruled them while he dwelt below. 

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart, and all is darkened in the vale of tears, then shall you better know his love, his heart, who comes to soothe your sorrow and your fears. Be still, my soul: your Jesus can repay from his own fullness all he takes away. 

Be still, my soul: the hour is hast'ning on when we shall be forever with the Lord, when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored. Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past, all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

 Pastor Mike