The Sunday next before Advent - 2018

The Sunday next before Advent.

Habakkuk 3.12-19

In fremitu

Thou didst march through the land in indignation, * thou didst thresh the heathen in anger.

Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, * even for salvation with thine anointed;

Thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, * by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.

Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: * their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly.

Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, * through the heap of great waters.

When I heard, my belly trembled; * my lips quivered at the voice:

Rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, * that I might rest in the day of trouble:

When he cometh up unto the people, * he will invade them with his troops.

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, * neither shall fruit be in the vines;

The labour of the olive shall fail, * and the fields shall yield no meat;

The flock shall be cut off from the fold, * and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, * I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, * and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

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.

STIR up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 23.5-8

Psalter: Psalm 146, 147 | 148, 149, 150

Epistle Reading: (Ephesians 2.1-10)

Gospel Reading: St. John 6.1-14

Homily

Personal: What did our Lord mean in Matthew 17.14-21 by “when you say to this mountain”? Here’s a devotional reflection giving an answer to that question, and goes well with today’s Collect: “Say to this Mountain”.

Note: At the end of October 2018 Monies were sent to Sanctuary Consulting International. One of our centurions, Johnny Smith, is with this organization and is presently serving in an African country. Sanctuary’s mission is the protection, safety, and security of others. They conduct security training for NGOs and missionary organizations. They also provide Site Surveys, Security Assessments, and Risk Assessments for individuals, organizations, locations, and endeavors. We are grateful for their service!

Johnny received the gift from the Order, and wrote a short “thank you”: “Thank you and the thank the Order of Centurions for the gift again. I'm honored to be in your thoughts and prayers.