The Sunday next before Advent and Thanksgiving - 2022

 

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

 

This is a short piece I wrote for my congregation this week: Thanksgiving, Centerpiece of the Faith

Thanksgiving Day

(USA)

¶ Instead of the Venite, the following shall be said or sung.

 

O PRAISE the Lord, for it is a good thing to sing praises unto our God; * yea, a joyful and pleasant thing it is to be thankful.

The Lord doth build up Jerusalem, * and gather together the outcasts of Israel.
He healeth those that are broken in heart, * and giveth medicine to heal their sickness.
O sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; * sing praises upon the harp unto our God:
Who covereth the heaven with clouds, and prepareth rain for the earth; * and maketh the grass to grow upon the mountains, and herb for the use of men;

Who giveth fodder unto the cattle, * and feedeth the young ravens that call upon him.

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; * praise thy God, O Sion.

For he hath made fast the bars of thy gates, * and hath blessed thy children within thee.

He maketh peace in thy borders, * and filleth thee with the flour of wheat.

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 MOST merciful Father, who hast blessed the labours of the husbandman in the returns of the fruits of the earth; We give thee humble and hearty thanks for this thy bounty; beseeching thee to continue thy loving-kindness to us, that our land may still yield her increase, to thy glory and our comfort; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

The Epistle. St. James i. 16.

The Gospel. St. Matthew vi. 25.

 

Additional readings that regularly come to my mind at this time of year:

 

Psalm 8

¹O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! * who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

² Out of the mouth of 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, 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 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, * and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

⁶ Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; * thou hast put all things under his feet:

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

⁸ The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, * and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

⁹ O Lord our Lord, * how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

 

Deuteronomy 8.7-18

⁷ For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; ⁸ A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; ⁹ A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. ¹⁰ When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. ¹¹ Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: ¹² Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; ¹³ And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; ¹⁴ Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; ¹⁵ Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; ¹⁶ Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; ¹⁷ And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. ¹⁸ But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

 

1 Timothy 6.6-10, 17-19

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸ And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. ⁹ But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰ For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows…¹⁷ Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; ¹⁸ That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; ¹⁹ Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity - 2022

 

The Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity.

1 Samuel 2.1-10

Exultant cor meum

My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, * mine horn is exalted in the LORD:

My mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; * because I rejoice in thy salvation.

There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: * neither is there any rock like our God.

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; * let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, * and by him actions are weighed.

The bows of the mighty men are broken, * and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; * and they that were hungry ceased:

So that the barren hath born seven; * and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: * he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: * he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, * and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill,

To set them among princes, * and to make them inherit the throne of glory:

For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, * and he hath set the world upon them.

He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; * for by strength shall no man prevail.

The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; * out of heaven shall he thunder upon them:

The LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, * and exalt the horn of his anointed.

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 Te Deum)

O LORD, save thy people, and bless thine heritage.

Govern them, and lift them up for ever.

Day by day we magnify thee;

And we worship thy Name ever, world without end.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.

O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.

O Lord, let thy mercy be upon us, as our trust is in thee.

O Lord, in thee have I trusted; let me never be confounded. 

The Collect.

LORD, we beseech thee to keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Numbers 20.14-29

Psalter: Psalm 123, 124, 125 | 136, 138

Epistle Reading: Philippians 1.3-11

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 18.21-35 

Homily

Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity - 2022

 

The Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity.

Benedic, anima mea.

Psalm ciii.

PRAISE the Lord, O my soul; * and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul, * and forget not all his benefits:

Who forgiveth all thy sin, * and healeth all thine infirmities;

Who saveth thy life from destruction, * and crowneth thee with mercy and loving-kindness.

O praise the Lord, ye angels of his, ye that excel in strength; * ye that fulfil his commandment, and hearken unto the voice of his word.

O praise the Lord, all ye his hosts; * ye servants of his that do his pleasure.

O speak good of the Lord, all ye works of his, in all places of his dominion: * praise thou the Lord, O my soul.

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 Evening Prayer)

Minister. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us.

Answer. And grant us thy salvation.

Minister. O Lord, save the State.

Answer. And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.

Minister. Endue thy Ministers with righteousness.

Answer. And make thy chosen people joyful.

Minister. O Lord, save thy people.

Answer. And bless thine inheritance.

Minister. Give peace in our time, O Lord.

Answer. For it is thou, Lord, only, that makest us dwell in safety.

Minister. O God, make clean our hearts within us.

Answer. And take not thy Holy Spirit from us. 

The Collect.

GRANT, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 59:[9-15a]15b-21

Psalter: Psalm 120, 121, 122 | 133, 134, 135

Epistle Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

Gospel Reading: St. John 4:46-54 

Homily

Twentieth Sunday after Trinity and All Saints Day (1 November) - 2022

 

(Me, out camping, in the early, dark, frigid hours of the morning, reading Scripture and praying)

The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity.

Deus misereatur.

Psalm lxvii.

GOD be merciful unto us, and bless us, * and show us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us;

That thy way may be known upon earth, * thy saving health among all nations.

Let the peoples praise thee, O God; * yea, let all the peoples praise thee.

O let the nations rejoice and be glad; * for thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.

Let the peoples praise thee, O God; * yea, let all the peoples praise thee.

Then shall the earth bring forth her increase; * and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing.

God shall bless us; * and all the ends of the world shall fear him.

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 and most merciful God, of thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully* accomplish those things that thou wouldest have done; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

{*the 1549 BCP has, “may with free hearts accomplish…”} 

Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 9.4-10

Psalter: Psalm 116, 117 | 118, 83

Epistle Reading: Ephesians 5.15-21

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 22.1-14 

Homily

All Saints’ Day

The Collect

O almighty God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Christ our Lord; Grant us grace so to follow thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys, which thou hast prepared for them that unfeignedly love thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

At the beginning of morning prayer and for an anthem at communion:
The Lord is glorious in his saints; * O come, let us adore him 

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 26.1-21

Psalter: Psalm 116

Epistle Reading: Revelation 7.2-17

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5.1-12 

Homily

Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity, Saxa Rubra (27 October) and Simon and Jude (28 October) - 2022

 

The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

Nunc dimittis.

St. Luke ii. 29.

LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, * according to thy word.

For mine eyes have seen * thy salvation,

Which thou hast prepared * before the face of all people;

To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, * and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

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, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant, that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Note the change from the 1549 BCP: "O GOD, for asmuche as without thee, we are not able to please thee; Graunte that the workyng of thy mercie maye in all thynges directe and rule our heartes; Through Jesus Christ our Lorde.")

Old Testament: Job 24.1-17
Psalter: 114, 115 | 107, 70
Epistle: Ephesians 4.17-32
Gospel: St. Matthew 9.1-8

Homily

27 October

The Victory at Saxa Rubra

"Labarum, hoc est Christi sacratum nomine signum." 

Collect: Almighty God, Captain of the Host, grant, we beseech thee, that through thy grace we might be ever vigilant to recognize thy sign, and hear thy calling; through thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, forever and ever. Amen

---

Psalm 144: Benedictus Dominus.

BLESSED be the LORD my strength, who teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My hope and my fortress, my castle and deliverer, my defender in whom I trust; who subdueth my people that is under me. LORD, what is man, that thou hast such respect unto him? or the son of man, that thou so regardest him? Man is like a thing of nought; his time passeth away like a shadow. Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. Cast forth thy lightning, and tear them; shoot out thine arrows, and consume them. Send down thine hand from above; deliver me, and take me but of the great waters, from the hand of strangers; Whose mouth talketh of vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of wickedness. I will sing a new song unto thee, O God; and sing praises unto thee upon a ten-stringed lute. Thou hast given victory unto kings, and hast delivered David thy servant from the peril of the sword. Save me, and deliver me from the hand of strangers, whose mouth talketh of vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of iniquity: That our sons may grow up as the young plants, and that our daughters may be as the polished corners of the temple; That our garners may be full and plenteous with all manner of store; that our sheep may bring forth thousands, and ten thousands in our fields; That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no decay, no leading into captivity, and no complaining in our streets. Happy are the people that are in such a case; yea, blessed are the people who have the LORD for their God. 

Ephesians 6: 10-18

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 

Luke xii. 35

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. 

Here is the link for the Collect and readings. 

Labarum Guard 

28 October

Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Apostles

Psalm 68.1-11

Exurgat Deus

LET God arise, and let his enemies be scattered : let them also that hate him flee before him.

2. Like as the smoke vanisheth, so shalt thou drive them away : and like as wax melteth at the fire, so let the ungodly perish at the presence of God.

3. But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God : let them also be merry and joyful.

4. O sing unto God, and sing praises unto his Name : magnify him that rideth upon the heavens, as it were upon an horse; praise him in his Name JAH, and rejoice before him.

5. He is a father of the fatherless, and defendeth the cause of the widows : even God in his holy habitation.

6. He is the God that maketh men to be of one mind in an house, and bringeth the prisoners out of captivity : but letteth the runagates continue in scarceness.

7. O God, when thou wentest forth before the people : when thou wentest through the wilderness;

8. The earth shook, and the heavens dropped at the presence of God : even as Sinai also was moved at the presence of God, who is the God of Israel.

9. Thou, O God, sentest a gracious rain upon thine inheritance : and refreshedst it when it was weary.

10. Thy congregation shall dwell therein : for thou, O God, hast of thy goodness prepared for the poor.

11. The Lord gave the word : great was the company of the preachers. 

The Collect

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast built thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the head cornerstone; Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made an holy temple acceptable unto thee; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 28.9-16

Psalter: Psalm 118

Epistle Reading: Ephesians 2.17-22

Gospel Reading: St. John 15.17-27 

Homily

Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity and St. Luke's (18 October) - 2022

 

The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Bonum est confiteri.

Psalm xcii.

IT is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, * and to sing praises unto thy Name, O Most Highest;

To tell of thy loving-kindness early in the morning, * and of thy truth in the night season;

Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the lute; * upon a loud instrument, and upon the harp.

For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy works; * and I will rejoice in giving praise for the operations of thy hands.

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.

LORD, we beseech thee, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Amos 8.4-12

Psalter: Psalm 111, 112 | 106, 69

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 1.4-9

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 22.34-46 

Homily

Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist (18 October):

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY God, who didst inspire thy servant Saint Luke the Physician, to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of thy Son; Manifest in thy Church the like power and love, to the healing of our bodies and our souls; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Epistle. 2 Timothy iv. 5.

WATCH thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: for Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. 

The Gospel. St. Luke x. 1.

THE Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. 

Homily: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/luke.html#homily

Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity - 2022

 

The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity.

Cantate Domino.

Psalm xcviii

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

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

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

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.

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

Praise the Lord upon the harp : sing to the harp with a psalm of thanksgiving.

With trumpets also and shawms : O shew yourselves joyful before the Lord the King.

Let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is : the round world, and that dwell therein.

Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the Lord : for he cometh to judge the earth.

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. 

The Collect.

LORD, we pray thee that thy grace may always *prevent and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

*N.B. In older use prevent meant: to act ahead of; forestall; to precede; to anticipate. 

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 13.15-21

Psalter: Psalm 91, 92 | 105, 60

Epistle Reading: Ephesians 4.1-6

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 14.1-11 

Homily 

 

 “This is the universal rule, in evangelism as elsewhere. God will make us pray before he blesses our labors in order that we may constantly learn afresh that we depend on God for everything. And then, when God permits us to see conversions, we shall not be tempted to ascribe them to our own gifts, or skill, or wisdom, or persuasiveness, but to his work alone, and so we shall know whom we ought to thank for them” (J.I. Packer, “Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God,” 119).