Second Sunday after Trinity and Saint Peter the Apostle (29 June) - 2014

Saint Peter the Apostle (29 June)

Psalm 144

Benedictus Dominus

BLESSED be the Lord my strength : who teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.

2. My hope and my fortress, my castle and deliverer, my defender in whom I trust : who subdueth my people that is under me.

3. Lord, what is man, that thou hast such respect unto him : or the son of man, that thou so regardest him?

4. Man is like a thing of nought : his time passeth away like a shadow.

5. Bow thy heavens, O Lord, and come down : touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

6. Cast forth thy lightning, and tear them : shoot out thine arrows, and consume them.

7. Send down thine hand from above : deliver me, and take me out of the great waters, from the hand of strange children.

8. Whose mouth talketh of vanity : and their right hand is a right hand of wickedness.

9. I will sing a new song unto thee, O God : and sing praises unto thee upon a ten-stringed lute.

10. Thou hast given victory unto kings : and hast delivered David thy servant from the peril of the sword.

11. Save me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children : whose mouth talketh of vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of iniquity.

12. That our sons may grow up as the young plants : and that our daughters may be as the polished corners of the temple.

13. 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 streets.

14. That our oxen may be strong to labour, that there be no decay : no leading into captivity, and no complaining in our streets.

15. Happy are the people that are in such a case : yea, blessed are the people who have the Lord for their God.

The Collect

O almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock: Make, we beseech thee, all Bishops and Pastors diligently to preach thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same, that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epistle Reading: Acts 12.1-11

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16.13-19

The Second Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.9-16

In quo corriget?

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 words 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 judgements 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.

The Collect.

O LORD, who never failest to help and govern them who thou dost bring up in thy stedfast 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]16-24

Through All the Changing Scenes of Life

(Revised Trinity Hymnal #624)

“6. Fear him, ye saints, and you will then

Have nothing else to fear:

Make you his service your delight;

He’ll make your wants his care.”

Toon’s comments can be found here: http://www.pbs.org.uk/the-bcp/second-sunday-after-trinity

The First Sunday after Trinity - 2014

The First Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119

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. For they who do no wickedness : 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 I shall have learned the judgements of thy righteousness.

8. I will keep thy ceremonies : O forsake me not utterly.

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

Toon: “The Christian Name of God is TRINITY (Trinitas, in Latin), for the simple reason that the one, true and living God is triune - the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, Three Persons. Last Sunday was Trinity Sunday and for the rest of the Christian Year, until Advent, the names of the Sundays are after [the Sunday celebrating the] Trinity.

This ancient Collect is found in the Sacramentary of Gelasius in its original Latin form. It consists of (a) an address to God as our Strength; (b) an acknowledgement of our own natural inability to do true good without God’s assistance, and (c) a prayer for help from him in order for us to keep his commandments both internally and externally, in will and in deed.

To trust in God the Father through discipleship of Jesus Christ lies at the heart of Christian Faith. It is in such trusting that believers know practically the comforting strength that God’s presence supplies, as we go through the changing scenes and challenges of daily life.

Human beings are capable of doing all kinds of social and civic good as members of families, tribes and societies. But to do good, the good that God the Father accepts as good in terms of the kingdom of heaven, is not possible by sinful human beings if they are motivated only by human desires and power. The human mind, heart and will must be indwelt by the Holy Ghost in order for the willing and doing to be of that true good, which is acceptable to God and brings him glory. (The Epistle sets forth the love of God as the originating source of man’s love of God and of man.)

We are commanded (as those loved by God and indwelt by his Spirit) to love God himself and also to love our neighbour/brother in Christ, even as Christ loves us – and to do so with divine assistance. In the Gospel (Luke 16) the rich man failed to care for Lazarus at his gate for he was too much taken up with and absorbed by what he could do and enjoy in his own strength, and he paid the consequences” (http://www.pbs.org.uk/the-bcp/first-sunday-after-trinity).

Trinity-Sunday 2014

Trinity-Sunday.

Psalm 67

Deus misereatur

GOD be merciful unto us, and bless us : and shew us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us:

2. That thy way may be known upon earth : thy saving health among all nations.

3. Let the people praise thee, O God : yea, let all the people praise thee.

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

5. Let the people praise thee, O God : let all the people praise thee.

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

7. God shall bless us : and all the ends of the world shall fear him.

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

THE CREED OF ST. ATHANASIUS

At Morning Prayer.

{Upon these Feasts; Christmas Day, the Epiphany, Saint Matthias, Easter Day, Ascension Day, Whitsunday, Saint John Baptist, Saint James, Saint Bartholomew, Saint Matthew, Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Saint Andrew, and upon Trinity Sunday, shall be sung or said at Morning Prayer, instead of the Apostles’ Creed, this Confession of our Christian Faith, commonly called the Creed of Athanasius, by the Minister and people standing.}

Quicunque vult.

WHOSOEVER will be saved : before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholick Faith.

Which Faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled : without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.

And the Catholick Faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity;

Neither confounding the Persons : nor dividing the Substance.

For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son : and another of the Holy Ghost.

But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one : the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal.

Such as the Father is, such is the Son : and such is the Holy Ghost.

The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate : and the Holy Ghost uncreate.

The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible : and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible.

The Father eternal, the Son eternal : and the Holy Ghost eternal.

And yet they are not three eternals : but one eternal.

As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated : but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible.

So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty : and the Holy Ghost Almighty.

And yet they are not three Almighties : but one Almighty.

So the Father is God, the Son is God : and the Holy Ghost is God.

And yet they are not three Gods : but one God.

So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord : and the Holy Ghost Lord.

And yet not three Lords : but one Lord.

For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by himself to be both God and Lord;

So are we forbidden by the Catholick Religion : to say, There be three Gods, or three Lords.

The Father is made of none : neither created, nor begotten.

The Son is of the Father alone : not made, nor created, but begotten.

The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son : neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.

So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons : one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts.

And in this Trinity none is afore, or after other : none is greater, or less than another;

But the whole three Persons are co-eternal together : and co-equal.

So that in all things, as is aforesaid : the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped.

He therefore that will be saved : must think thus of the Trinity.

Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation : that he also believe rightly the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess : that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man;

God, of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds : and Man of the substance of his Mother, born in the world;

Perfect God and perfect Man : of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. 

Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead : and inferior to the Father, as touching his manhood;

Who, although he be God and Man : yet he is not two, but one Christ;

One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh : but by taking of the Manhood into God;

One altogether; not by confusion of Substance : but by unity of Person.

For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man : so God and Man is one Christ;

Who suffered for our salvation : descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead.

He ascended into heaven, he sitteth at the right hand of the Father, God Almighty : from whence he will come to judge the quick and the dead.

At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies : and shall give account for their own works.

And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting : and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.

This is the Catholick Faith : which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.

Glory be to the Father, &c.

As it was in the beginning, &c.

Toon’s devotional comments: http://www.pbs.org.uk/the-bcp/trinity-sunday

Whitsun (Pentecost) - 2014

Whit-Sunday.

Psalm 33

Exultate, justi

REJOICE in the Lord, O ye righteous : for it becometh well the just to be thankful.

2. Praise the Lord with harp : sing praises unto him with the lute, and instrument of ten strings.

3. Sing unto the Lord a new song : sing praises lustily unto him with a good courage.

4. For the word of the Lord is true : and all his works are faithful.

5. He loveth righteousness and judgement : the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

6. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made : and all the hosts of them by the breath of his mouth.

7. He gathereth the waters of the sea together, as it were upon an heap : and layeth up the deep, as in a treasure-house.

8. Let all the earth fear the Lord : stand in awe of him, all ye that dwell in the world.

9. For he spake, and it was done : he commanded and it stood fast.

10. The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought : and maketh the devices of the people to be of none effect, and casteth out the counsels of princes.

11. The counsel of the Lord shall endure for ever : and the thoughts of his heart from generation to generation.

12. Blessed are the people, whose God is the Lord Jehovah : and blessed are the folk, that he hath chosen to him to be his inheritance.

13. The Lord looked down from heaven, and beheld all the children of men : from the habitation of his dwelling he considereth all them that dwell on the earth.

14. He fashioneth all the hearts of them : and understandeth all their works.

15. There is no king that can be saved by the multitude of an host : neither is any mighty man delivered by much strength.

16. A horse is counted but a vain thing to save a man : neither shall he deliver any man by his great strength.

17. Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him : and upon them that put their trust in his mercy.

18. To deliver their soul from death : and to feed them in the time of dearth.

19. Our soul hath patiently tarried for the Lord : for he is our help and our shield.

20. For our heart shall rejoice in him : because we have hoped in his holy Name.

21. Let thy merciful kindness, O Lord, be upon us : like as we do put our trust in thee.

(V.6. – “the breath” in Hebrew is *ruach* which is translated often as “the Spirit”. Therefore, notice the relation between “the word of the Lord” and “the ruach of his mouth.”)

Ephesians 3.16-21

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

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

See Toon’s comments: http://www.pbs.org.uk/the-bcp/whit-sunday

Monday in Whitsun-Week.

Psalm 100

Jubilate Deo

O BE joyful in the Lord, all ye lands : serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song.

2. Be ye sure that the Lord he is God : it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

3. O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise : be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.

4. For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting : and his truth endureth from generation to generation.

Zechariah 4.6

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

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

Tuesday in Whitsun-Week.

Psalm 101

Misericordiam et judicium

MY SONG shall be of mercy and judgement : unto thee, O Lord, will I sing.

2. O let me have understanding : in the way of godliness.

3. When wilt thou come unto me : I will walk in my house with a perfect heart.

4. I will take no wicked thing in hand; I hate the sins of unfaithfulness : there shall no such cleave unto me.

5. A froward heart shall depart from me : I will not know a wicked person.

6. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour : him will I destroy.

7. Whoso hath also a proud look and high stomach : I will not suffer him.

8. Mine eyes look upon such as are faithful in the land : that they may dwell with me.

9. Whoso leadeth a godly life : he shall be my servant.

10. There shall no deceitful person dwell in my house : he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

11. I shall soon destroy all the ungodly that are in the land : that I may root out all wicked doers from the city of the Lord.

Ephesians 4.1-3

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

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