Church of the Epiphany

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?

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