The Circumcision of Christ

 

The Circumcision of Christ

[January 1]

ALMIGHTY God, who madest thy blessed Son to be circumcised, and obedient to the law for man; Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit; that, our hearts, and all our members, being mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts, we may in all things obey thy blessed will; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sacramentary of Bishop Gregory of Rome [ca 600AD]. Circumcision was required eight days after birth. Some now call this day "The Holy Name". New Year's Day is of pagan origin, and this day was at a fast day as early as the 6th century. It is based on Romans ii. 29, Collosians iii. 5, and Titus ii. 12

Philippians ii. 9. St. Luke ii. 15
Homilies

"his name was called JESUS"

Announcements for the week beginning 1 Jan 06

Feasts, Memorials, and Fasts
 

The Circumcision of our Lord JESUS CHRIST - January 1st
 

Sacramentum of the Order - January 3rd
All centurions are invited to reaffirm the Vow of the Order on this day as was custom in the Legions

Theagenes, Legionary of Parium - January 3rd

Gordias, Centurion, Martyr, Lincinius -- 3 Jan [307-324]

Epiphany - January 6th

--
IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
               www.OrderofCenturions.org

Holy Innocents 28 Dec

 Holy Innocents
[December 28]

O ALMIGHTY God, who out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast ordained strength, and madest infants to glorify thee by their deaths; Mortify and kill all vices in us, and so strengthen us by thy grace, that by the innocency of our lives, and constancy of our faith even unto death, we may glorify thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Revelation xiv. 1   &   St. Matthew ii. 13
Homily of John Chrysostom on the Gospel

 

Herod will seek the young child to destroy him

John the Apostle and Evagelist [27 Dec]

 

MERCIFUL Lord, we beseech thee to cast thy bright beams of light upon thy Church, that it, being illumined by the doctrine of thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist Saint John, may so walk in the light of thy truth, that it may at length attain to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

1 St. John i. 1   &  St. John xxi. 19

 

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves

Feast of St. Stephen - Deacon - Martry 26 Dec

GRANT, O Lord, that, in all our sufferings here upon earth for the testimony of thy truth, we may stedfastly look up to heaven, and by faith behold the glory that shall be revealed; and, being filled with the Holy Ghost, may learn to love and bless our persecutors by the example of thy first Martyr Saint Stephen, who prayed for his murderers to thee, O blessed Jesus, who standest at the right hand of God to succour all those who suffer for thee, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

followed with the collect for Christmas

 

Acts vii. 55   &   St. Matthew xxiii. 3

with sermon by John Chrysostom

Behold, I see the heavens opened,
and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God

Christmas Day - 25 December

 

Announcements below

 

 

 

The Nativity of our Lord
or the Birthday of Christ, commonly called Christmas Day
[December 25]

ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin; Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

Source: Archbishop Cranmer [1549AD]. Cranmer highlights the gracious gift by the Father of Jesus to the world and our baptism and adoption that brings the comfort of the Holy Ghost.

Hebrews i. 1   &  St. John i. 1
and Sermon of John Chrysostom

 

Jesus is the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world

 

Announcements for the week beginning 25 Dec 05


Feasts, Memorials, and Fasts

Eve of the Nativity - December 24th

Nativity of Our Lord - December 25th

Stephen, Deacon and Martyr -- December 26th

John, Apostle and Evangelist -- December 27th

The Holy Innocents -- December 28th


BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Centurions in harms way
Peace in the Mideast

The Eve of the Nativity of our Lord

 

 

The Eve of the Nativity of our Lord
[December 24]

 

GOD, who makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thine only Son Jesus Christ; Grant that as we joyfully receive him for our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our Judge, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

 

Hebrews i. 1   &  St. Luke ii. 1
Homily of Cyril of Alexandria

 

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child

Re: [celticorthodoxy] Fwd: Petition

Aloha Brethren and Disciples,
The Christian Church was highly successful for two hundred years without the cost, upkeep and maintenance of buildings. Would it not be reasonable to return to the "House Church" traditions of the Early Church. There are nine house churches mentioned in the New Testament but not one word concerning the collections for or the construction of buildings. For discipleship growth, a small concentrated forum works far better than a theater for making disciples that are like Jesus, Eph.4:1-16.And house church ministries are not near the target for the militant lost of the Middle East, India or Africa.

It seems to me that we may have made ourselves look important with the focus of energy on expensive buildings and glitz when we should have been simple making disciples as requested by our Lord, John 4:1, Matt.28:18-20. If every disciple helped another believer to become a disciple even taking a whole year for the process, the work could have been done long ago. Exponentially, in only 34 years there could be 8,500,000,000 disciples of our Lord if each disciple made one disciple each and every year. Our Lord made 120 disciples during His short ministry and changed our whole world.
Yours, in His great love and wonderful mercy. Abbot +John<><

Reference: www.Trinity-Aloha.org click onto History, the 20th frame down.
For discipleship training: www.ACTSeminary.org A one year, on line, accredited study program for discipleship foundations with a BTh in Biblical Studies from Aloha Christian Theological Seminary.

Saint Thomas the Apostle 21 December

Saint Thomas the Apostle
[21 December]

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who, for the greater confirmation of the faith, didst suffer thy holy Apostle Thomas to be doubtful in thy Son's resurrection; Grant us so perfectly, and without all doubt, to believe in thy Son Jesus Christ, that our faith in thy sight may never be reproved. Hear us, O Lord, through the same Jesus Christ, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, now and for evermore. Amen.

Hebrews x. 35, and part of Chap. xi.   &   St. John xx. 24. Homilies featuring Augustine

 

blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed

Patton Prayer Answered - Advent-Christmas 1944

Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech thee, of thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon thee that armed with thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies, and establish thy justice among men and nations. Amen.   

 This prayer was issued to 250,000 solders with a Christmas card and a training directive to commanders on prayer on December 8th
ON DECEMBER 20 1944 THE SKIES CLEARED, THE THIRD ARMY ROLLED TO RELIEVE THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISON WHICH WAS HOLDING OUT AGAINST AN ARMY THAT ENCIRCLED IT AT BASTOGNE - ON 26 DECEMBER THE THIRD ARMY BROKE THE SEIGE.
See the full story at the link below the Patton window, with additional links to the Patton Society

To each officer and soldier in the Third United States Army, I Wish a Merry Christmas. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We march in our might to complete victory. May God's blessings rest upon each of you on this Christmas Day.

G.S. Patton, Jr, Lieutenant General, Commanding, Third United States Army.

http://orderofcenturions.org/patton_prayer.html 

with links to the Patton Society

 

Merry Christmas!  Primus Pilus

--
IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
               www.OrderofCenturions.org

 

The Fourth Sunday in Advent

The Fourth Sunday in Advent

O LORD, raise up, we pray thee, thy power, and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.

Source: Bishop Gelasius of Rome Sacramentary [464 AD]. The 1662 edition added the "running the race that is before us" "Succor" is to run to help, while "sore let" is to thwart, hinder

Isaiah xl. 1, Psalm 80, Philippians iv. 4 & St. John i. 19.

Homilies

he it is who coming after me is preferred before me,
whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose

Announcements for the week beginning 18 Dec 05

Please hold all centurions in your prayers this week. You may like to use this Centurion's Daily Litany


Feasts, Memorials, and Fasts

Thomas the Apostle -- December 21st


BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Maranatha! in Advent
[1Cor16:22]
Centurions in harms way
Peace in the Mideast

Advent Ember Days

Note: The Order has at least 31 ordained registered ministers, and many laymen who have active ministires or support the Chaplaincy. We have several who are in study for the ministry. Please pray for all our members enganged in any ministry, for those about to enter seminary and training, and that even more of our membership may offer themselves through local church bodies and orgainzaitons to serve God.

 

Ember Days
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at the Four Seasons

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast committed to the hands of men the ministry of reconciliation; We humbly beseech thee, by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, to put it into the hearts of many to offer themselves for this ministry; that thereby mankind may be drawn to thy blessed kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

  In Advent, Lent, and Whitsuntide this collect is followed with the seasonal collect  

Isaiah lxi. 1, Acts xiii. 44   &   St. Luke iv. 16
Daily Readings for the Four Seasons
History & Meaning
Homilies

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me

The Third Sunday in Advent

 

The Third Sunday in Advent

O LORD Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee; Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.

Source: 1662 Prayer Book. This collect replaced a short Collect from the Middle Ages. It relates to Romans xv.4 and Luke xxi. 25. The creedal articles are obvious in it. [Barbee & Zahl]

Isaiah 35, Psalm 85, Romans xv. 4   &  St. Luke xxi. 25

Homilies featuring Chrysostom on the Gospel

 

Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee   Announcements for the week beginning 11 Dec 05


Feasts, Memorials, and Fasts
Winter Ember Days
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
pray for our many ministers, seminarians, and those who are considering studying for the ministry.
Pray for our members who teach or operate seminaries and schools
60 Martyrs of Gaza - December 17th

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Maranatha! in Advent
[1Cor16:22]
Centurions in harms way
Peace in the Mideast

Praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition!

Praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition !

 

The immortal words of Chaplain (LTjg) Howell Forgy, U.S.S. New Orleans; Sunday Morning, Pearl Harbor, December, 7th, 1941.

Lest we forget!

 

A hymn was written a bit later to capture these immortal words… and later Chaplain Forgy wrote a book. December 7th 1941, the date that shall live in infamy, let us remember that the United States entered into a period of solemn prayer and preparation to meet this life and death threat.

 

 

See lyrics, story, and great photo of hymn book with scene of Pearl and action on the New Orleans here
http://my.execpc.com/~dschaaf/praise.html


"With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounded
determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God." FDR 8 Dec 41.
http://www.law.ou.edu/hist/infamy.html

Today we fight battles on several fronts. There is an ongoing battle in the West with a post-modern culture that has little room for God. In the Order of Centurions, our battle is of a spiritual nature, but no less threatening [Mt10:28]. All should do as Chaplain Forgy, and "Praise Lord, and pass the ammunition." [Eph 6:12ff ]. Our amammunitionust be in words and deeds as we carry the Gospel forward - a message of justice, righteousness, mercy, and charity. We also must remain vigilant to defend against apostasy from within and asassaultsn the faith from without.

 

Mark

The Second Sunday in Advent

The Second Sunday in Advent

BLESSED Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.
Collect for the First Sunday in Advent, to be read daily

Source (1st Collect): Archbishop Thomas Cranmer [1549 AD]. The emphasis on Scripture is enunciated here. Note the pleading form is different than other collects; it names only Jesus. [Barbee and Zahl] Cranmer proposed continuous reading of the Scriptures - "lectio continua". Archbishop John Chrysostom, among other early doctors, was an advocate and practicioner of lectio continua.

Isaiah 55, Psalm cxix. 1-16, Romans xv. 4   &  St. Luke xxi. 25

Homily

 

 

Announcements for the week beginning 4 Dec 05

Feasts, Memorials, and Fasts
None this week

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Maranatha! in Advent
[1Cor16:22]
Centurions in harms way

Centurion deploying
Peace in the Mideast