Third Sunday after Trinity, Funeral Homily, St. John Baptist's (24 June) - 2026

 

The Third Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.33-48

v. Legem pone.

TEACH me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, * and I shall keep it unto the end.

34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; * yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart.

35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; * for therein is my desire.

36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, * and not to covetousness.

37 O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity; * and quicken thou me in thy way.

38 O stablish thy word in thy servant, * that I may fear thee.

39 Take away the rebuke that I am afraid of; * for thy judgments are good.

40 Behold, my delight is in thy commandments; * O quicken me in thy righteousness.

vi. Et veniat super me.

LET thy loving mercy come also unto me, O Lord, * even thy salvation, according unto thy word.

42 So shall I make answer unto my blasphemers; * for my trust is in thy word.

43 O take not the word of thy truth utterly out of my mouth; * for my hope is in thy judgments.

44 So shall I alway keep thy law; * yea, for ever and ever.

45 And I will walk at liberty; * for I seek thy commandments.

46 I will speak of thy testimonies also, even before kings, * and will not be ashamed.

47 And my delight shall be in thy commandments, * which I have loved.

48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; * and my study shall be in thy statutes.

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 mercifully to hear us; and grant that we, to whom though hast given an hearty desire to pray, may be comforted in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 31:1-14

Psalter: Psalm 16, 17 | 18

Epistle Reading: 1 Peter 5:5-11

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 15:1-10 

Homily

 

This last week I buried a believer who was also a long-time disabled Veteran. Here is my homily from the Graveside: 

To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain

Phil. 1:19-21

Education Specialist William Kilpatrick, in his book, Why Johnny Can’t Tell Right from Wrong, says that “without the sense that life makes sense, all other motives for virtuous behavior lose their force.”  Clearly people have lost their way. Life seems to have become increasingly senseless, and many drift along through life, anchorless and without any “Moral Compass.” Many have lost their passion. Specifically, fervor for the lasting; hunger for the substantive. Now, an overwhelming number of people are ardent toward “ME.” But the more “ME” there is, the less of life there is to live; the less there is that is significantly vital, and eternal. The more “ME”, then the more hollow we are. But Paul presents another way that turns things right-side-up.

Paul has confidence, “I know…” (1:19). But a confidence regarding what? “that this will turn out to my deliverance.” What kind of deliverance is this? It’s not simply a release from prison and confinement, but a deliverance from the fleeting and fading away. As he goes on to say, “as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed” (1:20a). No shame! And further, “but that with full courage”. This is driven language; convinced talk. ‘I will suffer no shame and will press on in my purpose with courage!’ But what was Paul’s shamelessly courageous endpoint?

In life or death, Christ may be magnified; “now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death” (20b). Paul’s situation was precarious, in prison like he was, holed up and shoved down in a hole, stuck behind solid walls and locked doors, no longer able to accomplish anything the world thought was valuable. But instead of feeling victimized and vandalized, his passion gave him direction and purpose. That Christ would be magnified in his body. “No matter what happens to me bodily, my aim is for Christ to be revealed and exalted.”  This is the man who had come to the end of holding dear all of the fleeting aspects of a fading life: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (1:21). This is Paul’s whole mindset. This is what focused him and centered him during all that would happen and had happened to him. In all of his debilitations and restrictions, Paul’s singular passion was Christ and Christ alone, no matter whether he lived, suffered or died, and this drove everything. This whole frame of mind gave drive to Paul’s whole existence. That in Jesus Christ, the Victor over death and hell; in Jesus Christ, who turned sin and pride on its head, here Paul had an ultimate direction of hope. An orientation that gave him focus and perspective in a mad world that was increasing in madness.  But also focus and perspective with a failing body and confining circumstances.

And this was the framework Paul wanted for the church to work and live from. “To live is Christ; To die is Gain”. This gives heart and soul, meaning and purpose to all that you are and do. It’s not, “For me to live is my job; …my wealth, …my family, …my IRA, …my fame; …and to die is regret!” No, it’s “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain”. It gives us scope and sequence, vision and vitality, invigoration and endurance in a maddening world; in seasons of physical misery and confinement; at times of economic distress and duress; in situations where our bodies and dreams come crumbling down into a rumpled heap; in the face of disease, dismay, disenchantment, and our last enemy, death! “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain”.

In many ways, this passion and endpoint of the Apostle’s is what I will remember Greg for the most… A Christian beaming quiet joy and faith. A man who faced his mortality with hope. For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Saint John Baptist’s Day (June 24) 

The Collect

Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant John Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of they Son our Saviour, by preaching of repentance: Make us so to follow his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching, and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading (For the Epistle): Isaiah 40:1-11

Gospel Reading: Luke 1:57-80 

Homily

Second Sunday after Trinity - 2026

 

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

The First Sunday after Trinity and St. Barnabas - 2026

 

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 

This past week I opened the Board of County Commissioners’ meeting in prayer. The prayer is found here.

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

Trinity Sunday - 2026

  

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.

 

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

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