Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity, A Reflection, and Autumn Embers - 2026

The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Venite, exultemus Domino.

O COME, let us sing unto the Lord; * let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; * and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God; * and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are all the corners of the earth; * and the strength of the hills is his also.

The sea is his, and he made it; * and his hands prepared the dry land.

O come, let us worship and fall down, * and kneel before the LORD our Maker.

For he is the Lord our God; * and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; * let the whole earth stand in awe of him.

For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth; * and with righteousness to judge the world, and the peoples with his truth.

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.

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

 

My reflections on Luther’s crux probat omnia.

 

Autumn Ember Days

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

First Sunday in Lent, Lenten Ember Days, and Pastoral Letter "Desiring God" - 2026

 (Picture from Bible.art)

The First Sunday in Lent.

Psalm 32. Beati quorum.

BLESSED is he whose unrighteousness is forgiven, * and whose sin is covered.

2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth no sin, * and in whose spirit there is no guile.

3 For whilst I held my tongue, * my bones consumed away through my daily complaining.

4 For thy hand was heavy upon me day and night, * and my moisture was like the drought in summer.

5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee; * and mine unrighteousness have I not hid.

6 I said, I will confess my sins unto the Lord; * and so thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin.

7 For this shall every one that is godly make his prayer unto thee, in a time when thou mayest be found; * surely the great water-floods shall not come nigh him.

8 Thou art a place to hide me in; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; * thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.

9 I will inform thee, and teach thee in the way wherein thou shalt go; * and I will guide thee with mine eye.

10 Be ye not like to horse and mule, which have no understanding; * whose mouths must be held with bit and bridle, else they will not obey thee.

11 Great plagues remain for the ungodly; * but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord, mercy embraceth him on every side.

12 Be glad, O ye righteous, and rejoice in the Lord; * and be joyful, all ye that are true of heart.

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 for our sake didst fast forty days and forty nights; Give us grace to use such abstinence, that, our flesh being subdued to the Spirit, we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness, and true holiness, to thy honour and glory, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. 

{The Collect from the First Day of Lent is to be read every day in Lent after the Collect appointed for the Day.}

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 58.1-14

Psalter: Psalm 51, 54 | 119.1-32

Epistle Reading: 2 Corinthians 6.1-10

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 4.1-11 

Homily 

Ember days are Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Here are the readings (morning and evening) along with the Collect.

------------------------ 

My letter to my congregation this last week was on “Desiring God.” It draws in Psalm 77:1, St. Augustine, Hannah More, and Paul Tripp.

Third Sunday in Advent, Ember Days and Pt 2 Advent Reflection - Joy - 2025/26

 

The Third Sunday in Advent.

Psalm 96 Cantate Domino

O SING unto the Lord a new song : sing unto the Lord, all the whole earth.

2. Sing unto the Lord, and praise his Name : be telling of his salvation from day to day.

3. Declare his honour unto the heathen : and his wonders unto all people.

4. For the Lord is great, and cannot worthily be praised : he is more to be feared than all gods.

5. As for all the gods of the heathen, they are but idols : but it is the Lord that made the heavens.

6. Glory and worship are before him : power and honour are in his sanctuary.

7. Ascribe unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people : ascribe unto the Lord worship and power.

8. Ascribe unto the Lord the honour due unto his Name : bring presents, and come into his courts.

9. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness : let the whole earth stand in awe of him.

10. Tell it out among the heathen that the Lord is King : and that it is he who hath made the round world so fast that it cannot be moved; and how that he shall judge the people righteously.

11. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad : let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is.

12. Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it : then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord.

13. For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth : and with righteousness to judge the world, and the people with his truth.

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.

The Collect from the First Sunday in Advent is to be repeated every day, with the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas-Eve:

 

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, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

O LORD Jesu 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.

 

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 35

Psalter: Morning-52, 53; Evening-93, 94

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 4.1-5

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 11.2-10

Homily

Joy – Advent Reflection Pt 2

 

Advent Ember Days: 17, 19 and 20 December 2025

See here for the Ember Days.

 

In the Ember Weeks, to be said every day, for those that are about to be admitted into Holy Orders:

 

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who hast purchased to thyself an universal Church by the precious blood of thy dear Son; Mercifully look upon the same, and at this time so guide and govern the minds of thy servants the Bishops and Pastors of thy flock, that they may lay hands suddenly on no man, but faithfully and wisely make choice of fit persons, to serve in the sacred Ministry of thy Church. And to those which shall be ordained to any holy function, give thy grace and heavenly benediction; that both by their life and doctrine they may show forth thy glory, and set forward the salvation of all men; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Or this.

 

ALMIGHTY God, the giver of all good gifts, who of thy divine providence hast appointed divers Orders in thy Church; Give thy grace, we humbly beseech thee, to all those who are to be called to any office and administration in the same; and so replenish them with the truth of thy doctrine, and endue them with innocency of life, that they may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great Name, and the benefit of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity, St. Matthew, and Autumn Ember Days - 2025

 

(Picture is from Shirley Renae Brown on Pinterest)

The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Benedicite, omnia opera.

O ALL ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Heavens, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Waters that be above the firmament, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O all ye Powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Sun and Moon, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Stars of heaven, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Showers and Dew, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Winds of God, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Fire and Heat, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Winter and Summer, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Dews and Frosts, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Frost and Cold, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Ice and Snow, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Nights and Days, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Light and Darkness, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Lightnings and Clouds, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O let the Earth bless the Lord : yea, let it praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Mountains and Hills, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O all ye Green Things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Wells, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Seas and Floods, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O all ye Fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O all ye Beasts and Cattle, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Children of Men, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O let Israel bless the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Spirits and Souls of the Righteous, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye holy and humble Men of heart, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

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.

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

 

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 

Autumn Ember Days

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

Pentecost, Pentecost Monday and Tuesday, St. Barnabas, and Pentecost Embers - 2025

 

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 

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

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

Pentecost Ember Days 

Readings for Pentecost Ember Days (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) 

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who hast purchased to thyself an universal Church by the precious blood of thy dear Son; Mercifully look upon the same, and at this time so guide and govern the minds of thy servants the Bishops and Pastors of thy flock, that they may lay hands suddenly on no man, but faithfully and wisely make choice of fit persons, to serve in the sacred Ministry of thy Church. And to those which shall be ordained to any holy function, give thy grace and heavenly benediction; that both by their life and doctrine they may show forth thy glory, and set forward the salvation of all men; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Or this.

ALMIGHTY God, the giver of all good gifts, who of thy divine providence hast appointed divers Orders in thy Church; Give thy grace, we humbly beseech thee, to all those who are to be called to any office and administration in the same; and so replenish them with the truth of thy doctrine, and endue them with innocency of life, that they may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great Name, and the benefit of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Third Sunday in Advent and Advent Ember Days - 2024/25

 

The Third Sunday in Advent.

Psalm 96 Cantate Domino

O SING unto the Lord a new song : sing unto the Lord, all the whole earth.

2. Sing unto the Lord, and praise his Name : be telling of his salvation from day to day.

3. Declare his honour unto the heathen : and his wonders unto all people.

4. For the Lord is great, and cannot worthily be praised : he is more to be feared than all gods.

5. As for all the gods of the heathen, they are but idols : but it is the Lord that made the heavens.

6. Glory and worship are before him : power and honour are in his sanctuary.

7. Ascribe unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people : ascribe unto the Lord worship and power.

8. Ascribe unto the Lord the honour due unto his Name : bring presents, and come into his courts.

9. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness : let the whole earth stand in awe of him.

10. Tell it out among the heathen that the Lord is King : and that it is he who hath made the round world so fast that it cannot be moved; and how that he shall judge the people righteously.

11. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad : let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is.

12. Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it : then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord.

13. For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth : and with righteousness to judge the world, and the people with his truth.

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.

The Collect from the First Sunday in Advent is to be repeated every day, with the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas-Eve: 

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, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

O LORD Jesu 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. 

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 35

Psalter: Morning-52, 53; Evening-93, 94

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 4.1-5

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 11.2-10

Homily

Advent Ember Days: 18, 20 and 21 December 2024

See here for the Ember Days. 

In the Ember Weeks, to be said every day, for those that are about to be admitted into Holy Orders: 

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who hast purchased to thyself an universal Church by the precious blood of thy dear Son; Mercifully look upon the same, and at this time so guide and govern the minds of thy servants the Bishops and Pastors of thy flock, that they may lay hands suddenly on no man, but faithfully and wisely make choice of fit persons, to serve in the sacred Ministry of thy Church. And to those which shall be ordained to any holy function, give thy grace and heavenly benediction; that both by their life and doctrine they may show forth thy glory, and set forward the salvation of all men; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Or this. 

ALMIGHTY God, the giver of all good gifts, who of thy divine providence hast appointed divers Orders in thy Church; Give thy grace, we humbly beseech thee, to all those who are to be called to any office and administration in the same; and so replenish them with the truth of thy doctrine, and endue them with innocency of life, that they may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great Name, and the benefit of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity, Ember Days and St. Matthew (21 September) - 2024

 

The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Magnificat.

St. Luke I.

MY soul doth magnify the Lord : and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his handmaiden.

For behold, from henceforth : all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath magnified me : and holy is his Name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him : throughout all generations.

He hath showed strength with his arm : he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat : and hath exalted the humble and meek.

He hath filled the hungry with good things : and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.

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, 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 

Here are my short reflections on Philippians 1:24-26, especially as we consider a “Rest-of-my-life” direction for us as Christians: Remaining and Continuing. 

Autumn Ember Days

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

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

Pentecost Sunday and Pentecost Week - 2024

 

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

 

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

Pentecost Ember Days 

Readings for Pentecost Ember Days (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday)

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who hast purchased to thyself an universal Church by the precious blood of thy dear Son; Mercifully look upon the same, and at this time so guide and govern the minds of thy servants the Bishops and Pastors of thy flock, that they may lay hands suddenly on no man, but faithfully and wisely make choice of fit persons, to serve in the sacred Ministry of thy Church. And to those which shall be ordained to any holy function, give thy grace and heavenly benediction; that both by their life and doctrine they may show forth thy glory, and set forward the salvation of all men; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Or this.

ALMIGHTY God, the giver of all good gifts, who of thy divine providence hast appointed divers Orders in thy Church; Give thy grace, we humbly beseech thee, to all those who are to be called to any office and administration in the same; and so replenish them with the truth of thy doctrine, and endue them with innocency of life, that they may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great Name, and the benefit of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.