Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity, Pastoral Letter and St. Matthew (21 September) - 2026

 

The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Magnificat.

St. Luke I.

MY soul doth magnify the Lord : and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his handmaiden.

For behold, from henceforth : all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath magnified me : and holy is his Name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him : throughout all generations.

He hath showed strength with his arm : he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat : and hath exalted the humble and meek.

He hath filled the hungry with good things : and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.

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, we beseech thee, let thy continual pity cleanse and defend thy Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without thy succour, preserve it evermore by thy help and goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 12

Psalter: Psalm 98, 99 | 89, 59

Epistle Reading: Ephesians 3:8-21

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 7:11-17

 

Homily

 

This is from my letter to my congregation this week:

If you’re looking for a handy sized, and decent, commentary that covers Jude, let me recommend one published in 1995, “Life Application Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Peter and Jude.” As the author addresses the fraudsters and scammers in Jude, he writes: 

“They set themselves above all other Christians because of their assumed superior knowledge and understanding of their ‘freedom’ in Christ. Those allegedly enlightened enough to join them regarded themselves as distinct and superior from others in the church. Thus, Jude condemned these false teachers for causing divisions” (“Life Application Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Peter and Jude,” pg. 258). 

Take that statement and see how it fits the different projects that have rippled through churches you’ve been part of over the years. Such as the newest, most perfect parenting fads; or that new, cutting edge project that guarantee health and wealth; or that movement that finds secret messages from God by collating every fourth Hebrew letter in the Old Testament; or the state-of-the-art proof of who the ‘real’ Antichrist is; and more. As a few of you have experienced, some of those projects have ripped churches apart; or carved out some of God’s people to go off into the wildernesses and woods of their perfect schemes, etc. Elitist ruses may momentarily ‘build’ a church, but in the end they either rip churches apart or create tensions and distrust in congregations that have long term effects that can last years.

 

Further, the author gives us a set of questions (on page 242) to ask ourselves to help discern between heresies and wholesome, Biblical teaching: 

• Does it stress man-made rules and taboos rather than God’s grace?
• Does it foster a critical spirit toward others, or does it exercise discipline discreetly and lovingly?
• Does it stress formulas, secret knowledge, or special visions more than the Word of God?
• Does it elevate self-righteousness, honoring those who keep the rules, rather than elevating Christ?
• Does it neglect Christ’s universal church, claiming to be an elite group?
• Does it teach humiliation of the body as a means to spiritual growth rather than focusing on the whole person?
• Does it disregard the family rather than holding it in high regard as the Bible does?

 

As our life at Heritage is about truth, worship, and Christian love to equip us in making disciples who will belong and believe with us as we grow in truth, worship and Christian love, these questions can help keep us from being sidetracked or bushwacked.

 

Don’t be surprised if either or both of these quotations show up during this series in Jude.

 

Pastor Mike

Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist 
[September 21]

 

O ALMIGHTY God, who by thy blessed Son didst call Matthew from the receipt of custom to be an Apostle and Evangelist; Grant us grace to forsake all covetous desires, and inordinate love of riches, and to follow the same thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Proverbs 3:1-6

Psalter: Psalm 119:1-16

New Testament Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:9-17 

Homily

Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity, A Reflection, and Autumn Embers - 2026

The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Venite, exultemus Domino.

O COME, let us sing unto the Lord; * let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; * and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God; * and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are all the corners of the earth; * and the strength of the hills is his also.

The sea is his, and he made it; * and his hands prepared the dry land.

O come, let us worship and fall down, * and kneel before the LORD our Maker.

For he is the Lord our God; * and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; * let the whole earth stand in awe of him.

For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth; * and with righteousness to judge the world, and the peoples with his truth.

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.

KEEP, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy Church with thy perpetual mercy: and, because the frailty of man without thee cannot but fall, keep us ever by thy help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 7:6-13

Psalter: Psalm 97, 98 | 79, 80

Epistle Reading: Galatians 6:11-18

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 6:24-34

 

Homily

 

My reflections on Luther’s crux probat omnia.

 

Autumn Ember Days

http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/ember.html

Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity - 2026

 

The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Benedicite, omnia opera.

O ALL ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Heavens, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Waters that be above the firmament, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O all ye Powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Sun and Moon, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Stars of heaven, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Showers and Dew, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Winds of God, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Fire and Heat, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Winter and Summer, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Dews and Frosts, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Frost and Cold, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Ice and Snow, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Nights and Days, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Light and Darkness, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Lightnings and Clouds, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O let the Earth bless the Lord : yea, let it praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Mountains and Hills, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O all ye Green Things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Wells, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Seas and Floods, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O all ye Fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O all ye Beasts and Cattle, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Children of Men, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O let Israel bless the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Spirits and Souls of the Righteous, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye holy and humble Men of heart, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

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.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Micah 6:1-8

Psalter: Psalm 84, 85 | 74

Epistle Reading: Galatians 5:16-24

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 17:11-19 

Homily

Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity - 2026

 

The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Benedictus.

St. Luke i.68.

BLESSED be the Lord God of Israel : for he hath visited and redeemed his people;

And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us : in the house of his servant David;

As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets : which have been since the world began;

That we should be saved from our enemies : and from the hand of all that hate us.

To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers : and to remember his holy Covenant;

To perform the oath which he sware to our forefather Abraham : that he would give us;

That we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies : might serve him without fear;

In holiness and righteousness before him : all the days of our life.

And thou, Child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest : for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

To give knowledge of salvation unto his people : for the remission of their sins,

Through the tender mercy of our God : whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us;

To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death : and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

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.

ALMIGHTY and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service ; Grant, we beseech thee, that we may so faithfully serve thee in this life, that we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 24:10-22

Psalter: Psalm 81, 82 | 73

Epistle Reading: Galatians 3:16-22

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 10:23-37 

Homily

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity, Pastoral Letter, and St. Bartholomew (24 August) - 2026

 

The Twelfth Sunday after Trinity.

Te Deum Laudamus.

We praise thee, O God : we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.

All the earth doth worship thee : the Father everlasting.

To thee all Angels cry aloud : the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.

To thee Cherubim and Seraphim : continually do cry,

Holy, Holy, Holy : Lord God of Sabaoth;

Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty : of thy glory.

The glorious company of the Apostles : praise thee.

The goodly fellowship of the Prophets : praise thee.

The noble army of Martyrs : praise thee.

The holy Church throughout all the world : doth acknowledge thee;

The Father : of an infinite Majesty;

Thine honourable, true : and only Son;

Also the Holy Ghost : the Comforter.

 

Thou art the King of Glory : O Christ.

Thou art the everlasting Son : of the Father.

When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man : thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb.

When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death : thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.

Thou sittest at the right hand of God : in the glory of the Father.

We believe that thou shalt come : to be our Judge.

We therefore pray thee, help thy servants : whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.

Make them to be numbered with thy Saints : in glory everlasting.

 

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 lighten upon us : as our trust is in thee.

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

 

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and art wont to give more than either we desire, or deserve; Pour down upon us the abundance of thy mercy; forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

 

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 29.18-24

Psalter: Psalm 76, 77 | 71, 72

Epistle Reading: 2 Corinthians 3.1-9

Gospel Reading: St. Mark 7.31-37

 

Homily

 

This was my letter to my congregation this past week: 

Yesterday I went to visit someone in the hospital. While I was there, I read Scripture, sang a hymn (as I am known to do), and prayed. The hymn I sang was How Firm a Foundation. The reason I like singing that hymn is because each verse is from Scripture, many of which are out of Isaiah, and made rhythmic so it can be sung. Here’s how it goes: 

1. “How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in his excellent Word! What more can he say than to you he has said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?” - “…therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste’” (Isaiah 28:16) which makes one think of how this verse is quoted in 1 Peter 2:6, “For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”” 

2. “Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed; for I am your God, and will still give you aid; I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand, upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.” - “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). 

3. “When through the deep waters I call you to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; for I will be with you, your troubles to bless, and sanctify to you your deepest distress.” - “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;…” (Isaiah 43:2a). 

4. “When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie, my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply; the flame shall not hurt you; I only design your dross to consume and your gold to refine.” - “…when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” and “I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy” (Isaiah 43:2b and 1:25). 

5. “E'en down to old age all my people shall prove my sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love; and when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn, like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.” - “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save” (Isaiah 46:3-4). By the way, “hoary hairs” is older english for white or gray hairs. 

6. “The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to his foes; that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never forsake.” - “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident” and “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (Psalm 27:1-3 and 1 Peter 3:18). 

Putting that together was edifying and enjoyable! 

Pastor Mike

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle

August 24

The Collect

O almighty and everlasting God, who didst give to thine Apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach thy Word; Grant, we beseech thee, unto thy Church, to love that Word which he believed, and both to preach and receive the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 18.15-18

Psalter: Psalm 91

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 4.9-15

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 22.24-30 

Homily

Eleventh Sunday after Trinity - 2026 and Pastoral Letter

 

The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119:161-176

xxi. Principes persecuti sunt.

PRINCES have persecuted me without a cause; * but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

162 I am as glad of thy word, * as one that findeth great spoils.

163 As for lies, I hate and abhor them; * but thy law do I love.

164 Seven times a day do I praise thee; * because of thy righteous judgments.

165 Great is the peace that they have who love thy law; * and they have none occasion of stumbling.

166 Lord, I have looked for thy saving health, * and done after thy commandments.

167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies, * and loved them exceedingly.

168 I have kept thy commandments and testimonies; * for all my ways are before thee.

xxii. Appropinquet deprecatio.

LET my complaint come before thee, O Lord; * give me understanding according to thy word.

170 Let my supplication come before thee; * deliver me according to thy word.

171 My lips shall speak of thy praise, * when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

172 Yea, my tongue shall sing of thy word; * for all thy commandments are righteous.

173 Let thine hand help me; * for I have chosen thy commandments.

174 I have longed for thy saving health, O Lord; * and in thy law is my delight.

175 O let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; * and thy judgments shall help me.

176 I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; * O seek thy servant, for I do not forget thy commandments..

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, who declarest thy almighty power most chiefly in shewing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running the way of thy commandments, may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (1928 BCP). 

O GOD, who declarest thy almighty power most chiefly in shewing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us abundantly thy grace, that we, running to thy promises, may be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (1549 BCP). 

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 26:12-19

Psalter: Psalm 63, 64 | 54, 55

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 18:9-14 

Homily

 

From my letter to my congregation this week:

As I address Proverbs 30 this Sunday, there are two sections in that chapter that have much to say about contentment: 

First, there’s the prayer for ‘just give me enough…’: 

“Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:7-9).

 Then there’s the warning about perpetual discontentment and perpetual dissatisfaction:

“The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. Three things are never satisfied; four never say, “Enough”: Sheol, the barren womb, the land never satisfied with water, and the fire that never says, “Enough”” (Proverbs 30:15-16).

 Contentment is a big theme in Scripture, and the Westminster Shorter Catechism says some very pointed things about it as it explains the 10th Commandment regarding covetousness:

 Q. 80. What is required in the tenth commandment? A. The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbor, and all that is his. 

Q. 81. What is forbidden in the tenth commandment? A. The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his. 

Many years ago, for reasons wrapped in darkness, doubt, and dreariness, I wrote a prayer imploring Good God to bless me with contentment, and to turn my heart toward contentment. I have prayed this most weeks at least once, and have done so for around 20 years. Even this morning as I walked around the church building, it was one of my prayers as I reflected on Proverbs 30. I give it to you:

 

“O Lord God - help!

• Help me to flourish and fill out in faith, hope and love, as well as all other Christian virtues - here.

• Help me to find satisfaction with where I am, with whom I am with, with what I am doing - here.

• Help me to love you – here; to find my utmost joy in you – here; to become unstoppably secure in you – here!

• Help me to be content – but not idle; to be content – but not lazy; to be content – but not resentful – here.

• Help me to have a deep certainty that you have given me the victory in Christ Jesus our Lord; and so to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in your work, knowing - believing - confident - certain - assured that in Christ Jesus my labor here is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:57-58). 

O Lord God; hallowed be your name (here)! O Lord God; your Kingdom come (here)! O Lord God; your will be done on earth (here) as it is in heaven. Amen.”

 

“Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).

 

Pastor Mike

Tenth Sunday after Trinity - 2026

 

The Tenth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119:145-160

xix. Clamavi in toto corde meo.

I CALL with my whole heart; * hear me, O Lord; I will keep thy statutes.

146 Yea, even unto thee do I call; * help me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

147 Early in the morning do I cry unto thee; * for in thy word is my trust.

148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches; * that I might be occupied in thy word.

149 Hear my voice, O Lord, according unto thy lovingkindness; * quicken me, according to thy judgments.

150 They draw nigh that of malice persecute me, * and are far from thy law.

151 Be thou nigh at hand, O Lord; * for all thy commandments are true.

152 As concerning thy testimonies, I have known long since, * that thou hast grounded them for ever.

xx. Vide humilitatem.

O CONSIDER mine adversity, and deliver me, * for I do not forget thy law.

154 Avenge thou my cause, and deliver me; * quicken me according to thy word.

155 Health is far from the ungodly; * for they regard not thy statutes.

156 Great is thy mercy, O Lord; * quicken me, as thou art wont.

157 Many there are that trouble me, and persecute me; * yet do I not swerve from thy testimonies.

158 It grieveth me when I see the transgressors; * because they keep not thy law.

159 Consider, O Lord, how I love thy commandments; * O quicken me, according to thy loving-kindness.

160 Thy word is true from everlasting; * all the judgments of thy righteousness endure for evermore.

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.

LET thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of thy humble servants; and that they may obtain their petitions make them to ask such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Lamentations 1:1-12

Psalter: Psalm 61, 62 | 48, 49

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 19:41-46

Homily