Whit-Sunday, Pastoral Letter, Monday and Tuesday in Whit-Sun Week - 2026

 

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

 

Here is a meditation on Pentecost I wrote for my congregation recently:

 

Pentecost is this Sunday. And that first Pentecost after our Lord’s resurrection and ascension not only gave evidence that Christ had been crowned as King of kings (Acts 2:33 and 36), but also that something new had begun. The Spirit that filled our Lord (Luke 4:1) now fills us. He not only unites us to Jesus, crucified, resurrected and enthroned, but he guides us. Some of our hymns this Sunday will celebrate the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on Christ’s Church. 

As I consider Pentecost, I think about the promise made in Isaiah that describes the relationship between the Spirit and the Savior. “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins” (Isaiah 11:1-5). 

The Spirit of the LORD, of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and the fear of the LORD, that rested on Jesus has been poured out on us and fills us – all by grace alone! And that recognition has brought me to pray in tough situations (several times over several years) for that same Spirit to lead in decisions. Such as when I was once asked to pray before our Presbytery had to discipline a minister; or when I have walked into marital counseling situations that baffled me; or when I have been thinking about how to overcome and successfully work on some relationship struggles, and more. That prayer looks like this:

 

“You who are the shoot from the stump of Jesse, the branch from his roots that bears fruit, upon whom the Spirit of the LORD rests, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD, whose delight is in the fear of the LORD; and who does not judge by what your eyes see, or decide disputes by what your ears hear, but with righteousness you shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth (Isaiah 11:1-4). We call upon you for help as we face this hard decision (…)! We are finite and thus fallible; we judge by what our eyes see and decide disputes by what our ears hear. Therefore, some of our decisions have failed over the years, and some of our counsels have fallen through in days gone by. Lord, have mercy on us and give us your aid today, and into the future. Guide us in our counsels and lead us in our decisions. May your Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of the LORD rest on us and lead us into all truth, for the sake of your honor; for the good of this person (…); and to our relief and joy. Amen.” 

In answer to my prayer, the Spirit of God has been so kind as to lead and guide. 

Pentecost: the celebration of God’s Spirit poured out on God’s people who have submitted to God’s Son, for God’s glory.

 

Pastor Mike

 

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

Sunday after Ascension-Day

 

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

Fifth Sunday after Easter, Rogation Days and Ascension - 2026

 

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 

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 

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

Fourth Sunday after Easter and Two Reflections - 2026

 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 

***First, the Collect for this week is deeply meaningful for me. I have prayed through it much over the years, especially regarding certain pastoral situation. (1) I have prayed through it while counseling a disabled U.S. Army Vet who was racked with schizoaffective disorder. (2) I have prayed through this with my people while family crises have been happening. (3) I have prayed these words during political turmoil in my country. (4) And I have prayed this prayer during my own fearful moments. Dear friends, I heartily commend this week's Collect to you.

***Second, below was from my letter I sent to my congregation this week: 

To be hospitable is to be friendly toward guests and welcoming of strangers, and comes in many shapes and sizes. We can invite folks into our homes for meals or have them over for a relaxing time of coffee, dessert, and a board game, and we can enjoy some time with them at a coffee shop or café. But also, when they visit our congregation we can greet them and warmly receive them in ways that say, “You’re welcome here, and we’re truly thankful you’ve come here.” Our “greeters” who meet folks at the church’s front door on Sundays are an important piece in our hospitality. To unhurriedly greet folks, guiding them to the nursery or water fountain or restrooms or sanctuary, leaves a positive impression of our congregation. There are also the aesthetics of our foyer that have recently been freshened up and made more visually welcoming. Another piece to hospitality.

 

But beyond the “greeters” and freshening up our building there are the intentional actions of the rest of us. Such as making time to gather around someone who is new, engaging in small talk, taking an interest in them. But also, making sure they have space to stop the conversation and leave when they want. Scripture is very clear that hospitableness is a Christian trait: “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Romans 12:13; see also Hebrews 13:2 and 1 Peter 4:9).

 

 And God has blessed us with many visitors in the last several months. Some have recently moved here from other places. A few are looking for a new church home. Let’s continue to remember and show hospitality, recalling that Christ is hospitable toward us: “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7).

Pastor Mike

Third Sunday after Easter, Pastoral Letter, and Saint Phillip and Saint James - Apostles (1 May) - 2026

 

The Third Sunday after Easter.

Psalm 111. Confitebor tibi.

I WILL give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart, * secretly among the faithful, and in the congregation.

2 The works of the Lord are great, * sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

3 His work is worthy to be praised and had in honour, * and his righteousness endureth for ever.

4 The merciful and gracious Lord hath so done his marvellous works, * that they ought to be had in remembrance.

5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him; * he shall ever be mindful of his covenant.

6 He hath showed his people the power of his works, * that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; * all his commandments are true.

8 They stand fast for ever and ever, * and are done in truth and equity.

9 He sent redemption unto his people; * he hath commanded his covenant for ever; holy and reverend is his Name.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; * a good understanding have all they that do thereafter; his praise endureth 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 God, who shewest to them that be in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s Religion, that they may eschew those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: 1 Samuel 2:1b-10

Psalter: Psalm 120, 121, 122 | 123, 124, 125

Epistle Reading: 1 Peter 2:11-17

Gospel Reading: St. John 16:16-24 

Homily

My letter to my congregation included a call to prayer: Ride Out Victoriously!

 

Saint Phillip and Saint James - Apostles 
May 1 

The Collect

O ALMIGHTY God, whom truly to know is everlasting life; Grant us perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life; that, following the steps of thy holy Apostles, Saint Philip and Saint James, we may stedfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Epistle Reading: James 1:1-12

Gospel Reading: John 14:1-14 

Homily

Second Sunday after Easter and Pastoral Letter - 2026

 

The Second Sunday after Easter.

Psalm 57. Miserere mei, Deus.

BE merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; for my soul trusteth in thee; * and under the shadow of thy wings shall be my refuge, until this tyranny be overpast.

2 I will call unto the Most High God, * even unto the God that shall perform the cause which I have in hand.

3 He shall send from heaven, * and save me from the reproof of him that would eat me up.

4 God shall send forth his mercy and truth: * my soul is among lions;

5 And I lie even among the children of men, that are set on fire, * whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

6 Set up thyself, O God, above the heavens; * and thy glory above all the earth.

7 They have laid a net for my feet, and pressed down my soul; * they have digged a pit before me, and are fallen into the midst of it themselves.

8 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; * I will sing and give praise.

9 Awake up, my glory; awake, lute and harp: * I myself will awake right early.

10 I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the peoples; * and I will sing unto thee among the nations.

11 For the greatness of thy mercy reacheth unto the heavens, * and thy truth unto the clouds.

12 Set up thyself, O God, above the heavens; * and thy glory above all the earth.

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 God, who has given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life; Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 40.1-11

Psalter: Psalm 21, 23 | 116, 117

Epistle Reading: 1 Peter 2:19-25

Gospel Reading: St. John 10:11-16 

Homily

------ 

My letter to my congregation this past week contained Part 3 on Disciple-Making: Disciple Making and Care Groups.

First Sunday after Easter - 2026

 

The First Sunday after Easter.

Psalm 16. Conserva me, Domine.

PRESERVE me, O God; * for in thee have I put my trust.

2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, * Thou art my God; I have no good like unto thee.

3 All my delight is upon the saints that are in the earth, * and upon such as excel in virtue.

4 But they that run after another god * shall have great trouble.

5 Their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer, * neither make mention of their names within my lips.

6 The Lord himself is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup; * thou shalt maintain my lot.

7 The lot is fallen unto me in a fair ground; * yea, I have a goodly heritage.

8 I will thank the Lord for giving me warning; * my reins also chasten me in the night season.

9 I have set the Lord alway before me; * for he is on my right hand, therefore I shall not fall.

10 Wherefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: * my flesh also shall rest in hope.

11 For why? thou shalt not leave my soul in hell; * neither shalt thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.

12 Thou shalt show me the path of life: in thy presence is the fulness of joy, * and at thy right hand there is pleasure 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.

ALMIGHTY Father, who has given thine only Son to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justification; Grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve thee in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 43:1-12

Psalter: Psalm 110, 111 | 2, 57

Epistle Reading: 1 John 5:4-12

Gospel Reading: St. John 20:19-23 

Homily