Feast of Saint Michael and all Angels - 2015

Saint Michael and All Angels

{29 September}

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 heathen 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.

Collect

Everlasting God, who hast ordained and constituted the services of Angels and men in a wonderful order; Mercifully grant that, as thy holy Angels alway do thee service in heaven so by thy appointment they may succour and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Daniel 12.1-3

Psalter: Psalm 103

Epistle Reading: Revelation 12.7-12

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 18.1-10

The Feast of St. Michael this year is the 12^th anniversary of our Order: http://orderofcenturions.org/history.html

The Feast of St. Michael is a good time to prayerfully reflect on our Vows we have taken: http://orderofcenturions.org/vow.html

Finally, here is the Prayer of the Order:

Almighty God, our sovereign Lord, who called Cornelius the Centurion to be the first Christian among the Gentiles, who healed the servant at Capernaum in accordance with the Centurion's great faith, and who inspired the Centurion at Calvary to glorify Jesus; strengthen us in our faith that we might follow their example to love, serve, and glorify you as faithful members of the Church Militant, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity - 2015

The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.129-136

Mirabilia

129. THY testimonies are wonderful : therefore doth my soul keep them.

130. When thy word goeth forth : it giveth light and understanding unto the simple.

131. I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath : for my delight was in thy commandments.

132. O look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me : as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name.

133. Order my steps in thy word : and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me.

134. O deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men : and so shall I keep thy commandments.

135. Shew the light of thy countenance upon thy servant : and teach me thy statutes.

136. Mine eyes gush out with water : because men keep not thy law.

The Collect.

LORD, we pray thee that thy grace may always *prevent and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

*N.B. In older use prevent meant: to act ahead of; forestall; to precede; to anticipate.

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 13.15-21

Psalter: Psalm 91, 92 | 105, 60

Epistle Reading: Ephesians 4.1-6

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 14.1-11

Homily: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity17.html#homily

Feast of St. Matthew - 2015

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: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/matthew.html#homily

The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity - 2015

The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.121-128

Feci judicium

121. I DEAL with the thing that is lawful and right : O give me not over unto mine oppressors.

122. Make thou thy servant to delight in that which is good : that the proud do me no wrong.

123. Mine eyes are wasted away with looking for thy health : and for the word of thy righteousness.

124. O deal with thy servant according unto thy loving mercy : and teach me thy statutes.

125. I am thy servant, O grant me understanding : that I may know thy testimonies.

126. It is time for thee, Lord to lay to thine hand : for they have destroyed thy law.

127. For I love thy commandments : above gold and precious stone.

128. Therefore hold I straight all thy commandments : and all false ways I utterly abhor.

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: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity16.html#homily

The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity (and Feast of the Holy Cross) - 2015

The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.113-120

Iniquos odio habui

113. I HATE them that imagine evil things : but thy law do I love.

114. Thou art my defence and shield : and my trust is in thy word.

115. Away from me, ye wicked : I will keep the commandments of my God.

116. O stablish me according to thy word, that I may live : and let me not be disappointed of my hope.

117. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe : yea, my delight shall be ever in thy statutes.

118. Thou hast trodden down all them that depart from thy statutes : for they imagine but deceit.

119. Thou puttest away all the ungodly of the earth like dross : therefore I love thy testimonies.

120. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee : and I am afraid of thy judgements.

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: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity15.html#homily

For the Feast of the Holy Cross:

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

There is a link on that page that will also take you to the history of the feast. Be sure to check it out.

The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity - 2015

The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.105-112

Lucerna pedibus meis

105. THY word is a lantern unto my feet : and a light unto my paths.

106. I have sworn, and am stedfastly purposed : to keep thy righteous judgements.

107. I am troubled above measure : quicken me, O Lord, according to thy word.

108. Let the free-will offerings of my mouth please thee, O Lord : and teach me thy judgements.

109. My soul is always in my hand : yet do I not forget thy law.

110. The ungodly have laid a snare for me : but yet I swerved not from thy commandments.

111. Thy testimonies have I claimed as mine heritage for ever : and why? they are the very joy of my heart.

112. I have applied my heart to fulfil thy statutes alway : even unto the end.

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: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity14.html#homily