Church of the Epiphany: 2013

Friday, December 27, 2013

Book of Common Prayer - 1979
Sunday, December-29-2013
First Sunday after Christmas

The Collect

First Sunday after Christmas Day
Almighty God, who hast poured upon us the new light of thine incarnate Word: Grant that the same light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Preface of the Incarnation

Old Testament Reading

Isaiah 61:10-62:3
61:¹⁰ I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. ¹¹ For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. 62:¹ For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her vindication goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. ² The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name which the mouth of the LORD will give. ³ You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

Psalm

Psalm 147

^{Laudate Domi}
¹Hallelujah!
     How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
     how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!
²The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem; *
     he gathers the exiles of Israel.
³He heals the brokenhearted *
     and binds up their wounds.
⁴He counts the number of the stars *
     and calls them all by their names.
⁵Great is our LORD and mighty in power; *
     there is no limit to his wisdom.
⁶The LORD lifts up the lowly, *
     but casts the wicked to the ground.
⁷Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; *
     make music to our God upon the harp.
⁸He covers the heavens with clouds *
     and prepares rain for the earth;
⁹He makes grass to grow upon the mountains *
     and green plants to serve mankind.
¹⁰He provides food for flocks and herds *
     and for the young ravens when they cry.
¹¹He is not impressed by the might of a horse; *
     he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;
¹²But the LORD has pleasure in those who fear him, *
     in those who await his gracious favour.
¹³Worship the LORD, O Jerusalem; *
     praise your God, O Zion;
¹⁴For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; *
     he has blessed your children within you.
¹⁵He has established peace on your borders; *
     he satisfies you with the finest wheat.
¹⁶He sends out his command to the earth, *
     and his word runs very swiftly.
¹⁷He gives snow like wool; *
     he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
¹⁸He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; *
     who can stand against his cold?
¹⁹He sends forth his word and melts them; *
     he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.
²⁰He declares his word to Jacob, *
     his statutes and his judgments to Israel.
²¹He has not done so to any other nation; *
     to them he has not revealed his judgments.
     Hallelujah!

- OR -

Psalm 147:13-21

¹³Worship the LORD, O Jerusalem; *
     praise your God, O Zion;
¹⁴For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; *
     he has blessed your children within you.
¹⁵He has established peace on your borders; *
     he satisfies you with the finest wheat.
¹⁶He sends out his command to the earth, *
     and his word runs very swiftly.
¹⁷He gives snow like wool; *
     he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
¹⁸He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; *
     who can stand against his cold?
¹⁹He sends forth his word and melts them; *
     he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.
²⁰He declares his word to Jacob, *
     his statutes and his judgments to Israel.
²¹He has not done so to any other nation; *
     to them he has not revealed his judgments.
     Hallelujah!

New Testament Reading

Galatians 3:23-25
²³ Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. ²⁴ So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; - AND -

Galatians 4:4-7
⁴ But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. ⁶ And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" ⁷ So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir.

Gospel Reading

John 1:1-18
¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God; ³ all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷ He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. ⁸ He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. ⁹ The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. ¹¹ He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. ¹² But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; ¹³ who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. ¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. ¹⁵ (John bore witness to him, and cried, "This was he of whom I said, `He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'") ¹⁶ And from his fulness have we all received, grace upon grace. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.

Monday, December 16, 2013

The Collect

Fourth Sunday of Advent
We beseech thee, Almighty God, to purify our consciences by thy daily visitation, that when thy Son Jesus Christ cometh he may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen
Preface of Advent

Old Testament Reading

Isaiah 7:10-17
¹⁰ Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, ¹¹ "Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven." ¹² But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test." ¹³ And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? ¹⁴ Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Imman'u-el. ¹⁵ He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. ¹⁶ For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. ¹⁷ The LORD will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that E'phraim departed from Judah-- the king of Assyria."

Psalm

Psalm 24

^{Domini est terra}
¹The earth is the LORD'S and all that is in it, *
     the world and all who dwell therein.
²For it is he who founded it upon the seas *
     and made it firm upon the rivers of the deep.
³"Who can ascend the hill of the LORD? *
     and who can stand in his holy place?"
⁴"Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, *
     who have not pledged themselves to falsehood,
     nor sworn by what is a fraud.
⁵They shall receive a blessing from the LORD *
     and a just reward from the God of their salvation."
⁶Such is the generation of those who seek him, *
     of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
⁷Lift up your heads, O gates;
     lift them high, O everlasting doors; *
     and the King of glory shall come in.
⁸"Who is this King of glory?" *
     "The LORD, strong and mighty,
     the LORD, mighty in battle."
⁹Lift up your heads, O gates;
     lift them high, O everlasting doors; *
     and the King of glory shall come in.
¹⁰"Who is he, this King of glory?" *
     "The LORD of hosts,
     he is the King of glory."

- OR -

Psalm 24:1-7

¹The earth is the LORD'S and all that is in it, *
     the world and all who dwell therein.
²For it is he who founded it upon the seas *
     and made it firm upon the rivers of the deep.
³"Who can ascend the hill of the LORD? *
     and who can stand in his holy place?"
⁴"Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, *
     who have not pledged themselves to falsehood,
     nor sworn by what is a fraud.
⁵They shall receive a blessing from the LORD *
     and a just reward from the God of their salvation."
⁶Such is the generation of those who seek him, *
     of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
⁷Lift up your heads, O gates;
     lift them high, O everlasting doors; *
     and the King of glory shall come in.

New Testament Reading

Romans 1:1-7
¹ Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God ² which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, ³ the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh ⁴ and designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, ⁵ through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, ⁶ including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ; ⁷ To all God's beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 1:18-25
¹⁸ Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; ¹⁹ and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. ²⁰ But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; ²¹ she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." ²² All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ²³ "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). ²⁴ When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, ²⁵ but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

The Collect

First Sunday of Advent
Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor 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
Preface of Advent

Old Testament Reading

Isaiah 2:1-5
¹The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. ²Now it shall come to pass in the latter days Thatthe mountain of the LORD's house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. ³Many people shall come and say, " Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. ⁴He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore. ⁵O house of Jacob, come and let us walk In the light of the LORD. -- NKJV

Psalm

Psalm 122

^{Laetatus sum}
¹I was glad when they said to me, *
     "Let us go to the house of the LORD."
²Now our feet are standing *
     within your gates, O Jerusalem.
³Jerusalem is built as a city *
     that is at unity with itself;
⁴To which the tribes go up,
     the tribes of the LORD, *
     the assembly of Israel,
     to praise the Name of the LORD.
⁵For there are the thrones of judgment, *
     the thrones of the house of David.
⁶Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *
     "May they prosper who love you.
⁷Peace be within your walls *
     and quietness within your towers.
⁸For my brethren and companions' sake, *
     I pray for your prosperity.
⁹Because of the house of the LORD our God, *
     I will seek to do you good."

New Testament Reading

Romans 13:8-14
⁸Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. ⁹For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." ¹⁰Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. ¹¹And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. ¹²The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. ¹³Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. ¹⁴But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. -- NKJV

Gospel Reading

Matthew 24:37-44
³⁷But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. ³⁸For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, ³⁹and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. ⁴⁰Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. ⁴¹Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. ⁴²Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. ⁴³But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. ⁴⁴Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. -- NKJV

Sunday, November 17, 2013

The Collect

Proper 29
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in thy well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Preface of the Lord's Day, or of Baptism

Old Testament Reading

Jeremiah 23:1-6
¹"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!" says the LORD. ²Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: "You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings," says the LORD. ³"But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. ⁴I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking," says the LORD. ⁵" Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, " That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. ⁶In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. -- NKJV

Psalm

Psalm 46

^{Deus noster refugium}
¹God is our refuge and strength, *
     a very present help in trouble.
²Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, *
     and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea;
³Though its waters rage and foam, *
     and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.
⁴The LORD of hosts is with us; *
     the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
⁵There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, *
     the holy habitation of the Most High.
⁶God is in the midst of her;
     she shall not be overthrown; *
     God shall help her at the break of day.
⁷The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken; *
     God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.
⁸The LORD of hosts is with us; *
     the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
⁹Come now and look upon the works of the LORD, *
     what awesome things he has done on earth.
¹⁰It is he who makes war to cease in all the world; *
     he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,
     and burns the shields with fire.
¹¹"Be still, then, and know that I am God; *
     I will be exalted among the nations;
     I will be exalted in the earth."
¹²The LORD of hosts is with us; *
     the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

New Testament Reading

Colossians 1:11-20
¹¹strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; ¹²giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. ¹³He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, ¹⁴in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. ¹⁵He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. ¹⁸And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. ¹⁹For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, ²⁰and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. -- NKJV

Gospel Reading

Luke 23:35-43
³⁵And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God." ³⁶The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, ³⁷and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself." ³⁸And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. ³⁹Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." ⁴⁰But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? ⁴¹And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." ⁴²Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." ⁴³And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." -- NKJV - OR -

Luke 19:29-38
²⁹And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, ³⁰saying, "Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. ³¹And if anyone asks you, 'Why are you loosing it?' thus you shall say to him, 'Because the Lord has need of it.'" ³²So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them. ³³But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, "Why are you loosing the colt?" ³⁴And they said, "The Lord has need of him." ³⁵Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. ³⁶And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. ³⁷Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, ³⁸saying: "'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" -- NKJV

The Collect

Proper 28
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 Savior Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Preface of the Lord's Day

Old Testament Reading

Malachi 3:13-4:2
3:¹³ " Your words have been harsh against Me," Says the LORD, " Yet you say, ' What have we spoken against You?' ¹⁴ You have said, ' It is useless to serve God; What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, And that we have walked as mourners Before the LORD of hosts? ¹⁵ So now we call the proud blessed, For those who do wickedness are raised up; They even tempt God and go free.'" ¹⁶ Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name. ¹⁷ " They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, " On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him." ¹⁸ Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him.4:¹ "For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," Says the LORD of hosts, " That will leave them neither root nor branch. ² But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves. -- NKJV - AND -
Malachi 4:5-6
⁵Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. ⁶And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse." -- NKJV

Psalm

Psalm 98

^{Cantate Domino}
¹Sing to the LORD a new song, *
     for he has done marvelous things.
²With his right hand and his holy arm *
     has he won for himself the victory.
³The LORD has made known his victory; *
     his righteousness has he openly shown in
     the sight of the nations.
⁴He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to
     the house of Israel, *
     and all the ends of the earth have seen the
     victory of our God.
⁵Shout with joy to the LORD, all you lands; *
     lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
⁶Sing to the LORD with the harp, *
     with the harp and the voice of song.
⁷With trumpets and the sound of the horn *
     shout with joy before the King, the LORD.
⁸Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, *
     the lands and those who dwell therein.
⁹Let the rivers clap their hands, *
     and let the hills ring out with joy before the LORD,
     when he comes to judge the earth.
¹⁰In righteousness shall he judge the world *
     and the peoples with equity.
¹¹Light has sprung up for the righteous, *
     and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted.
¹²Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, *
     and give thanks to his holy Name.

- OR -
Psalm 98:5-10

⁵Shout with joy to the LORD, all you lands; *
     lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
⁶Sing to the LORD with the harp, *
     with the harp and the voice of song.
⁷With trumpets and the sound of the horn *
     shout with joy before the King, the LORD.
⁸Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, *
     the lands and those who dwell therein.
⁹Let the rivers clap their hands, *
     and let the hills ring out with joy before the LORD,
     when he comes to judge the earth.
¹⁰In righteousness shall he judge the world *
     and the peoples with equity.

New Testament Reading

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
⁶But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. ⁷For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; ⁸nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, ⁹not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. ¹⁰For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. ¹¹For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. ¹²Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. ¹³But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. -- NKJV

Gospel Reading

Luke 21:5-19
⁵Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, ⁶"These things which you see-the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down." ⁷So they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?" ⁸And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them. ⁹But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately." ¹⁰Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. ¹²But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake. ¹³But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. ¹⁴Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; ¹⁵for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. ¹⁶You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. ¹⁸But not a hair of your head shall be lost. ¹⁹By your patience possess your souls. -- NKJV

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Lectionary: 1979 | Collect & Preface: Traditional

The Collect

Proper 27
O God, whose blessed Son was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant us, we beseech thee, that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves even as he is pure; that, when he shall appear again with power and great glory, we may be made like unto him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, he liveth and reigneth ever, one God, world without end. Amen
Preface of the Lord's Day

Old Testament Reading

Job 19:23-27
²³"Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! ²⁴That they were engraved on a rock With an iron pen and lead, forever! ²⁵For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; ²⁶And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, ²⁷Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! -- NKJV

Psalm

Psalm 17

^{Exaudi, Domine}
¹Hear my plea of innocence, O LORD;
     give heed to my cry; *
     listen to my prayer, which does not come from lying lips.
²Let my vindication come forth from your presence; *
     let your eyes be fixed on justice.
³Weigh my heart, summon me by night, *
     melt me down; you will find no impurity in me.
⁴I give no offense with my mouth as others do; *
     I have heeded the words of your lips.
⁵My footsteps hold fast to the ways of your law; *
     in your paths my feet shall not stumble.
⁶I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; *
     incline your ear to me and hear my words.
⁷Show me your marvelous loving-kindness, *
     O Savior of those who take refuge at your right hand
     from those who rise up against them.
⁸Keep me as the apple of your eye; *
     hide me under the shadow of your wings,
⁹From the wicked who assault me, *
     from my deadly enemies who surround me.
¹⁰They have closed their heart to pity, *
     and their mouth speaks proud things.
¹¹They press me hard,
     now they surround me, *
     watching how they may cast me to the ground,
¹²Like a lion, greedy for its prey, *
     and like a young lion lurking in secret places.
¹³Arise, O LORD; confront them and bring them down; *
     deliver me from the wicked by your sword.
¹⁴Deliver me, O LORD, by your hand *
     from those whose portion in life is this world;
¹⁵Whose bellies you fill with your treasure, *
     who are well supplied with children
     and leave their wealth to their little ones.
¹⁶But at my vindication I shall see your face; *
     when I awake, I shall be satisfied, beholding
     your likeness.

- OR -
Psalm 17:1-8

¹Hear my plea of innocence, O LORD;
     give heed to my cry; *
     listen to my prayer, which does not come from lying lips.
²Let my vindication come forth from your presence; *
     let your eyes be fixed on justice.
³Weigh my heart, summon me by night, *
     melt me down; you will find no impurity in me.
⁴I give no offense with my mouth as others do; *
     I have heeded the words of your lips.
⁵My footsteps hold fast to the ways of your law; *
     in your paths my feet shall not stumble.
⁶I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; *
     incline your ear to me and hear my words.
⁷Show me your marvelous loving-kindness, *
     O Savior of those who take refuge at your right hand
     from those who rise up against them.
⁸Keep me as the apple of your eye; *
     hide me under the shadow of your wings,

New Testament Reading

2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5
2:¹³ But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, ¹⁴ to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. ¹⁶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, ¹⁷ comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. 3:¹ Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, ² and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. ⁴ And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. ⁵ Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. -- NKJV

Gospel Reading

Luke 20:27(28-33)34-38
²⁷Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, (²⁸saying: "Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife, and he dies without children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. ²⁹Now there were seven brothers. And the first took a wife, and died without children. ³⁰And the second took her as wife, and he died childless. ³¹Then the third took her, and in like manner the seven also; and they left no children, and died. ³²Last of all the woman died also. ³³Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife does she become? For all seven had her as wife." )³⁴Jesus answered and said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. ³⁵But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; ³⁶nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. ³⁷But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord 'the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' ³⁸For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him." -- NKJV

Saturday, November 2, 2013

The Collect

All Saints Day
Almighty God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of thy Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow thy blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love thee; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen
Preface of All Saints

Old Testament Reading

Ecclesiasticus 44:1-10,13-14
¹ Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers in their generations. ² The Lord apportioned to them great glory, his majesty from the beginning. ³ There were those who ruled in their kingdoms, and were men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding, and proclaiming prophecies; ⁴ leaders of the people in their deliberations and in understanding of learning for the people, wise in their words of instruction; ⁵ those who composed musical tunes, and set forth verses in writing; ⁶ rich men furnished with resources, living peaceably in their habitations-- ⁷ all these were honored in their generations, and were the glory of their times. ⁸ There are some of them who have left a name, so that men declare their praise. ⁹ And there are some who have no memorial, who have perished as though they had not lived; they have become as though they had not been born, and so have their children after them. ¹⁰ But these were men of mercy, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten; ¹³ Their posterity will continue for ever, and their glory will not be blotted out. ¹⁴ Their bodies were buried in peace, and their name lives to all generations. -- RSV

Psalm

Psalm 149

^{Cantate Domino}
¹Hallelujah!
     Sing to the LORD a new song; *
     sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful.
²Let Israel rejoice in his Maker; *
     let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
³Let them praise his Name in the dance; *
     let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
⁴For the LORD takes pleasure in his people *
     and adorns the poor with victory.
⁵Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; *
     let them be joyful on their beds.
⁶Let the praises of God be in their throat *
     and a two-edged sword in their hand;
⁷To wreak vengeance on the nations *
     and punishment on the peoples;
⁸To bind their kings in chains *
     and their nobles with links of iron;
⁹To inflict on them the judgment decreed; *
     this is glory for all his faithful people.
     Hallelujah!

New Testament Reading

Revelation 7:2-4,9-17
² Then I saw another angel ascend from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, ³ saying, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God upon their foreheads." ⁴ And I heard the number of the sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand sealed, out of every tribe of the sons of Israel, ⁹ After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, ¹⁰ and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb!" ¹¹ And all the angels stood round the throne and round the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, ¹² saying, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen." ¹³ Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and whence have they come?" ¹⁴ I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵ Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night within his temple; and he who sits upon the throne will shelter them with his presence. ¹⁶ They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. ¹⁷ For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Gospel Reading

Matthew 5:1-12
¹ Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. ² And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: ³ "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. ⁵ "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. ⁶ "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. ⁷ "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. ⁸ "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. ⁹ "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. ¹⁰ "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

The Collect

Proper 25
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, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Preface of the Lord's Day

Old Testament Reading

Jeremiah 14:(1-6)7-10
(¹ The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah concerning the drought: ² "Judah mourns and her gates languish; her people lament on the ground, and the cry of Jerusalem goes up. ³ Her nobles send their servants for water; they come to the cisterns, they find no water, they return with their vessels empty; they are ashamed and confounded and cover their heads. ⁴ Because of the ground which is dismayed, since there is no rain on the land, the farmers are ashamed, they cover their heads. ⁵ Even the hind in the field forsakes her newborn calf because there is no grass. ⁶ The wild asses stand on the bare heights, they pant for air like jackals; their eyes fail because there is no herbage. )⁷ "Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O LORD, for thy name's sake; for our backslidings are many, we have sinned against thee. ⁸ O thou hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why shouldst thou be like a stranger in the land, like a wayfarer who turns aside to tarry for a night? ⁹ Why shouldst thou be like a man confused, like a mighty man who cannot save? Yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not." ¹⁰ Thus says the LORD concerning this people: "They have loved to wander thus, they have not restrained their feet; therefore the LORD does not accept them, now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins." - AND -

Jeremiah 14:19-22
¹⁹ Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? Does thy soul loathe Zion? Why hast thou smitten us so that there is no healing for us? We looked for peace, but no good came; for a time of healing, but behold, terror. ²⁰ We acknowledge our wickedness, O LORD, and the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against thee. ²¹ Do not spurn us, for thy name's sake; do not dishonor thy glorious throne; remember and do not break thy covenant with us. ²² Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Art thou not he, O LORD our God? We set our hope on thee, for thou doest all these things.

Psalm

Psalm 84

^{Quam dialect!}
¹How dear to me is your dwelling, O LORD of hosts! *
     My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of
     the LORD;
     my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
²The sparrow has found her a house
     and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; *
     by the side of your altars, O LORD of hosts,
     my King and my God.
³Happy are they who dwell in your house! *
     they will always be praising you.
⁴Happy are the people whose strength is in you! *
     whose hearts are set on the pilgrims' way.
⁵Those who go through the desolate valley will find
     it a place of springs, *
     for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
⁶They will climb from height to height, *
     and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.
⁷LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; *
     hearken, O God of Jacob.
⁸Behold our defender, O God; *
     and look upon the face of your Anointed.
⁹For one day in your courts is better than
     a thousand in my own room, *
     and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God
     than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.
¹⁰For the LORD God is both sun and shield; *
     he will give grace and glory;
¹¹No good thing will the LORD withhold *
     from those who walk with integrity.
¹²O LORD of hosts, *
     happy are they who put their trust in you!

- OR -

Psalm 84:1-6

¹How dear to me is your dwelling, O LORD of hosts! *
     My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of
     the LORD;
     my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
²The sparrow has found her a house
     and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; *
     by the side of your altars, O LORD of hosts,
     my King and my God.
³Happy are they who dwell in your house! *
     they will always be praising you.
⁴Happy are the people whose strength is in you! *
     whose hearts are set on the pilgrims' way.
⁵Those who go through the desolate valley will find
     it a place of springs, *
     for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
⁶They will climb from height to height, *
     and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.

New Testament Reading

2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18
⁶ For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. ¹⁶ At my first defense no one took my part; all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! ¹⁷ But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength to proclaim the message fully, that all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading

Luke 18:9-14
⁹ He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others: ¹⁰ "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' ¹³ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!' ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Saturday, October 19, 2013

The Collect

Proper 24
Almighty and everlasting God, who in Christ hast revealed thy glory among the nations: Preserve the works of thy mercy, that thy Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of thy Name; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Old Testament Reading

Genesis 32:3-8,22-30
³ And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Se'ir, the country of Edom, ⁴ instructing them, "Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: Thus says your servant Jacob, `I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now; ⁵ and I have oxen, asses, flocks, menservants, and maidservants; and I have sent to tell my lord, in order that I may find favor in your sight.'" ⁶ And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, "We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men with him." ⁷ Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies, ⁸ thinking, "If Esau comes to the one company and destroys it, then the company which is left will escape." ²² The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. ²³ He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. ²⁴ And Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. ²⁵ When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and Jacob's thigh was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. ²⁶ Then he said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me." ²⁷ And he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." ²⁸ Then he said, "Your name shall no more be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed." ²⁹ Then Jacob asked him, "Tell me, I pray, your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him. ³⁰ So Jacob called the name of the place Peni'el, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved."

Psalm

Psalm 121

^{Levavi oculos}
¹I lift up my eyes to the hills; *
     from where is my help to come?
²My help comes from the LORD, *
     the maker of heaven and earth.
³He will not let your foot be moved *
     and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.
⁴Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *
     shall neither slumber nor sleep;
⁵The LORD himself watches over you; *
     the LORD is your shade at your right hand,
⁶ So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *
     nor the moon by night.
⁷The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; *
     it is he who shall keep you safe.
⁸The LORD shall watch over your going out and
     your coming in, *
     from this time forth for evermore.

New Testament Reading

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
3:¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it ¹⁵ and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 4:¹ I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: ² preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. ³ For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, ⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. ⁵ As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.

Gospel Reading

Luke 18:1-8
¹ And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. ² He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man; ³ and there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, `Vindicate me against my adversary.' ⁴ For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, `Though I neither fear God nor regard man, ⁵ yet because this widow bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.'" ⁶ And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. ⁷ And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? ⁸ I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

The Collect

Proper 23
Lord, we pray thee that thy grace may always precede and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Preface of the Lord's Day

Old Testament Reading

Ruth 1:(1-7)8-19
(¹ In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. ² The name of the man was Elim'elech and the name of his wife Na'omi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chil'ion; they were Eph'rathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. ³ But Elim'elech, the husband of Na'omi, died, and she was left with her two sons. ⁴ These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years; ⁵ and both Mahlon and Chil'ion died, so that the woman was bereft of her two sons and her husband. ⁶ Then she started with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had visited his people and given them food. ⁷ So she set out from the place where she was, with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. )⁸ But Na'omi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go, return each of you to her mother's house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. ⁹ The LORD grant that you may find a home, each of you in the house of her husband!" Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. ¹⁰ And they said to her, "No, we will return with you to your people." ¹¹ But Na'omi said, "Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? ¹² Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, ¹³ would you therefore wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the LORD has gone forth against me." ¹⁴ Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. ¹⁵ And she said, "See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law." ¹⁶ But Ruth said, "Entreat me not to leave you or to return from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God; ¹⁷ where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if even death parts me from you." ¹⁸ And when Na'omi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more. ¹⁹ So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them; and the women said, "Is this Na'omi?"

Psalm

Psalm 113

^{Laudate, pueri}
¹Hallelujah!
     Give praise, you servants of the LORD; *
     praise the Name of the LORD.
²Let the Name of the LORD be blessed, *
     from this time forth for evermore.
³From the rising of the sun to its going down *
     let the Name of the LORD be praised.
⁴The LORD is high above all nations, *
     and his glory above the heavens.
⁵Who is like the LORD our God, who sits enthroned on high, *
     but stoops to behold the heavens and the earth?
⁶He takes up the weak out of the dust *
     and lifts up the poor from the ashes.
⁷He sets them with the princes, *
     with the princes of his people.
⁸He makes the woman of a childless house *
     to be a joyful mother of children.

New Testament Reading

2 Timothy 2:(3-7)8-15
(³ Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. ⁵ An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶ It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. ⁷ Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything. )⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, ⁹ the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory. ¹¹ The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; ¹² if we endure, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; ¹³ if we are faithless, he remains faithful-- for he cannot deny himself. ¹⁴ Remind them of this, and charge them before the Lord to avoid disputing about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Gospel Reading

Luke 17:11-19
¹¹ On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Sama'ria and Galilee. ¹² And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance ¹³ and lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." ¹⁴ When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. ¹⁵ Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; ¹⁶ and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. ¹⁷ Then said Jesus, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? ¹⁸ Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" ¹⁹ And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Change Bible Version (Current Version: NKJV) (Psalms from the BCP)
Lectionary: 1979 | Collect & Preface: Traditional

The Collect

Proper 20
Grant us, O Lord, not to mind earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to cleave to those that shall abide; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Preface of the Lord's Day

Old Testament Reading

Amos 8:4-7(8-12)
⁴Hear this, you who swallow up the needy, And make the poor of the land fail, ⁵Saying: " When will the New Moon be past, That we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, That we may trade wheat? Making the ephah small and the shekel large, Falsifying the scales by deceit, ⁶That we may buy the poor for silver, And the needy for a pair of sandals- Even sell the bad wheat?" ⁷The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: " Surely I will never forget any of their works. (⁸Shall the land not tremble for this, And everyone mourn who dwells in it? All of it shall swell like the River, Heave and subside Like the River of Egypt. ⁹" And it shall come to pass in that day," says the Lord GOD, " That I will make the sun go down at noon, And I will darken the earth in broad daylight; ¹⁰I will turn your feasts into mourning, And all your songs into lamentation; I will bring sackcloth on every waist, And baldness on every head; I will make it like mourning for an only son, And its end like a bitter day. ¹¹" Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord GOD, " That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD. ¹²They shall wander from sea to sea, And from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, But shall not find it. ) -- NKJV

Psalm

Psalm 138

^{Confitebor tibi}
¹I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart; *
     before the gods I will sing your praise.
²I will bow down toward your holy temple
     and praise your Name, *
     because of your love and faithfulness;
³For you have glorified your Name *
     and your word above all things.
⁴When I called, you answered me; *
     you increased my strength within me.
⁵All the kings of the earth will praise you, O LORD, *
     when they have heard the words of your mouth.
⁶They will sing of the ways of the LORD, *
     that great is the glory of the LORD.
⁷Though the LORD be high, he cares for the lowly; *
     he perceives the haughty from afar.
⁸Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; *
     you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;
     your right hand shall save me.
⁹The LORD will make good his purpose for me; *
     O LORD, your love endures for ever;
     do not abandon the works of your hands.

New Testament Reading

1 Timothy 2:1-8
¹Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ²for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ³For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, ⁶who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, ⁷for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle-I am speaking the truth in Christand not lying-a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. ⁸I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; -- NKJV

Gospel Reading

Luke 16:1-13
¹He also said to His disciples: "There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. ²So he called him and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' ³"Then the steward said within himself, 'What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. ⁴I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.' ⁵"So he called every one of his master's debtors to him, and said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' ⁶And he said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' So he said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' ⁷Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' So he said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' And he said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' ⁸So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. ⁹"And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. ¹⁰He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. ¹¹Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? ¹²And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own? ¹³"No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." -- NKJV

Thursday, August 29, 2013

The Collect

Proper 17
Lord of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of thy Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Preface of the Lord's Day

Old Testament Reading

Ecclesiasticus 10:(7-11)12-18
(⁷ Arrogance is hateful before the Lord and before men, and injustice is outrageous to both. ⁸ Sovereignty passes from nation to nation on account of injustice and insolence and wealth. ⁹ How can he who is dust and ashes be proud? for even in life his bowels decay. ¹⁰ A long illness baffles the physician; the king of today will die tomorrow. ¹¹ For when a man is dead he will inherit creeping things, and wild beasts, and worms. )¹² The beginning of man's pride is to depart from the Lord; his heart has forsaken his Maker. ¹³ For the beginning of pride is sin, and the man who clings to it pours out abominations. Therefore the Lord brought upon them extraordinary afflictions, and destroyed them utterly. ¹⁴ The Lord has cast down the thrones of rulers, and has seated the lowly in their place. ¹⁵ The Lord has plucked up the roots of the nations, and has planted the humble in their place. ¹⁶ The Lord has overthrown the lands of the nations, and has destroyed them to the foundations of the earth. ¹⁷ He has removed some of them and destroyed them, and has extinguished the memory of them from the earth. ¹⁸ Pride was not created for men, nor fierce anger for those born of women. -- RSV

Psalm

Psalm 112

^{Beatus vir}
¹Hallelujah!
     Happy are they who fear the Lord *
     and have great delight in his commandments!
²Their descendants will be mighty in the land; *
     the generation of the upright will be blessed.
³Wealth and riches will be in their house, *
     and their righteousness will last for ever.
⁴Light shines in the darkness for the upright; *
     the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.
⁵It is good for them to be generous in lending *
     and to manage their affairs with justice.
⁶For they will never be shaken; *
     the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance.
⁷They will not be afraid of any evil rumors; *
     their heart is right;
     they put their trust in the Lord.
⁸Their heart is established and will not shrink, *
     until they see their desire upon their enemies.
⁹They have given freely to the poor, *
     and their righteousness stands fast for ever;
     they will hold up their head with honour.
¹⁰The wicked will see it and be angry;
     they will gnash their teeth and pine away; *
     the desires of the wicked will perish.

New Testament Reading

Hebrews 13:1-8
¹ Let brotherly love continue. ² Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. ³ Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you also are in the body. ⁴ Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the immoral and adulterous. ⁵ Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never fail you nor forsake you." ⁶ Hence we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?" ⁷ Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.

Gospel Reading

Luke 14:1,7-14
¹ One sabbath when he went to dine at the house of a ruler who belonged to the Pharisees, they were watching him. ⁷ Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he marked how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, ⁸ "When you are invited by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest a more eminent man than you be invited by him; ⁹ and he who invited you both will come and say to you, `Give place to this man,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. ¹⁰ But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, `Friend, go up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. ¹¹ For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." ¹² He said also to the man who had invited him, "When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your kinsmen or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and you be repaid. ¹³ But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, ¹⁴ and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."

Saturday, August 17, 2013

The Collect

Proper 15
Almighty God, who hast given thy only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly life: Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavor ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Preface of the Lord's Day

Old Testament Reading

Jeremiah 23:23-29
²³ "Am I a God at hand, says the LORD, and not a God afar off? ²⁴ Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? says the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the LORD. ²⁵ I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, `I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' ²⁶ How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, ²⁷ who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams which they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Ba'al? ²⁸ Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? says the LORD. ²⁹ Is not my word like fire, says the LORD, and like a hammer which breaks the rock in pieces?

Psalm

Psalm 82

^{Deus stetit}
¹God takes his stand in the council of heaven; *
     he gives judgment in the midst of the gods:
²"How long will you judge unjustly, *
     and show favor to the wicked?
³Save the weak and the orphan; *
     defend the humble and needy;
⁴Rescue the weak and the poor; *
     deliver them from the power of the wicked.
⁵They do not know, neither do they understand;
     they go about in darkness; *
     all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
⁶Now I say to you, 'You are gods, *
     and all of you children of the Most High;
⁷Nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, *
     and fall like any prince.'"
⁸Arise, O God, and rule the earth, *
     for you shall take all nations for your own.

New Testament Reading

Hebrews 12:1-7(8-10)11-14
¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. ⁴ In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. ⁵ And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons?-- "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. ⁶ For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." ⁷ It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? (⁸ If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. ⁹ Besides this, we have had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? ¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a short time at their pleasure, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. )¹¹ For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. ¹² Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, ¹³ and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. ¹⁴ Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Gospel Reading

Luke 12:49-56
⁴⁹ "I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled! ⁵⁰ I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished! ⁵¹ Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; ⁵² for henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three; ⁵³ they will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against her mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." ⁵⁴ He also said to the multitudes, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, `A shower is coming'; and so it happens. ⁵⁵ And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, `There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. ⁵⁶ You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky; but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

Monday, July 15, 2013

The Collect

Proper 11
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, who knowest our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion, we beseech thee, upon our infirmities, and those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask, mercifully give us for the worthiness of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Preface of the Lord's Day

Old Testament Reading

Genesis 18:1-10(11-14)
¹Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. ²So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, ³and said, "My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. ⁴Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. ⁵And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant." They said, "Do as you have said." ⁶So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes." ⁷And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. ⁸So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate. ⁹Then they said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" So he said, "Here, in the tent." ¹⁰And He said, "I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son." (Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) (¹¹Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. ¹²Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, "After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?" ¹³And the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?' ¹⁴Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son." ) -- NKJV

Psalm

Psalm 15

^{Domine, quis habitabit?}
¹LORD, who may dwell in your tabernacle? *
     who may abide upon your holy hill?
²Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, *
     who speaks the truth from his heart.
³There is no guile upon his tongue;
     he does no evil to his friend; *
     he does not heap contempt upon his neighbour.
⁴In his sight the wicked is rejected, *
     but he honors those who fear the LORD.
⁵He has sworn to do no wrong *
     and does not take back his word.
⁶He does not give his money in hope of gain, *
     nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
⁷Whoever does these things *
     shall never be overthrown.

New Testament Reading

Colossians 1:21-29
²¹And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled ²²in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight- ²³if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. ²⁴I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, ²⁵of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, ²⁶the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. ²⁷To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. ²⁹To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. -- NKJV

Gospel Reading

Luke 10:38-42
³⁸Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. ³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. ⁴⁰But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." ⁴¹And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. ⁴²But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." -- NKJV

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Lectionary Readings

The Collect
Proper 9
O God, who hast taught us to keep all thy commandments by loving thee and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to thee with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Preface of the Lord's Day

Old Testament Reading

Isaiah 66:10-16
¹⁰" Rejoice with Jerusalem, And be glad with her, all you who love her; Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn for her; ¹¹That you may feed and be satisfied With the consolation of her bosom, That you may drink deeply and be delighted With the abundance of her glory." ¹²For thus says the LORD: " Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream. Then you shall feed; On her sides shall you be carried, And be dandled on her knees. ¹³As one whom his mother comforts, So I will comfort you; And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem." ¹⁴When you see this, your heart shall rejoice, And your bones shall flourish like grass; The hand of the LORD shall be known to His servants, And His indignation to His enemies. ¹⁵For behold, the LORD will come with fire And with His chariots, like a whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire. ¹⁶For by fire and by His sword The LORD will judge all flesh; And the slain of the LORD shall be many. -- NKJV

Psalm

Psalm 66

^{Jubilate Deo}
¹Be joyful in God, all you lands; *
     sing the glory of his Name;
     sing the glory of his praise.
²Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! *
     because of your great strength your enemies
     cringe before you.
³All the earth bows down before you, *
     sings to you, sings out your Name."
⁴Come now and see the works of God, *
     how wonderful he is in his doing toward all people.
⁵He turned the sea into dry land,
     so that they went through the water on foot, *
     and there we rejoiced in him.
⁶In his might he rules for ever;
     his eyes keep watch over the nations; *
     let no rebel rise up against him.
⁷Bless our God, you peoples; *
     make the voice of his praise to be heard;
⁸Who holds our souls in life, *
     and will not allow our feet to slip.
⁹For you, O God, have proved us; *
     you have tried us just as silver is tried.
¹⁰You brought us into the snare; *
     you laid heavy burdens upon our backs.
¹¹You let enemies ride over our heads;
     we went through fire and water; *
     but you brought us out into a place of refreshment.
¹²I will enter your house with burnt-offerings
     and will pay you my vows, *
     which I promised with my lips
     and spoke with my mouth when I was in trouble.
¹³I will offer you sacrifices of fat beasts
     with the smoke of rams; *
     I will give you oxen and goats.
¹⁴Come and listen, all you who fear God, *
     and I will tell you what he has done for me.
¹⁵I called out to him with my mouth, *
     and his praise was on my tongue.
¹⁶If I had found evil in my heart, *
     the Lord would not have heard me;
¹⁷But in truth God has heard me; *
     he has attended to the voice of my prayer.
¹⁸Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer, *
     nor withheld his love from me.

- OR -
Psalm 66:1-8

¹Be joyful in God, all you lands; *
     sing the glory of his Name;
     sing the glory of his praise.
²Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! *
     because of your great strength your enemies
     cringe before you.
³All the earth bows down before you, *
     sings to you, sings out your Name."
⁴Come now and see the works of God, *
     how wonderful he is in his doing toward all people.
⁵He turned the sea into dry land,
     so that they went through the water on foot, *
     and there we rejoiced in him.
⁶In his might he rules for ever;
     his eyes keep watch over the nations; *
     let no rebel rise up against him.
⁷Bless our God, you peoples; *
     make the voice of his praise to be heard;
⁸Who holds our souls in life, *
     and will not allow our feet to slip.

New Testament Reading

Galatians 6:(1-10)14-18
(¹Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ²Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. ⁵For each one shall bear his own load. ⁶Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. ⁷Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ⁸For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. ⁹And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. )¹⁴But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. ¹⁶And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. ¹⁷From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁸Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. -- NKJV

Gospel Reading

Luke 10:1-12,16-20
¹After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. ²Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. ³Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. ⁴Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. ⁵But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.' ⁶And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. ⁷And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. ⁸Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. ⁹And heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' ¹⁰But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, ¹¹'The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.' ¹²But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city. ¹⁶He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me." ¹⁷Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." ¹⁸And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. ²⁰Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." -- NKJV

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