Welcome to Church of the Epiphany!

What is Anglicanism?

Anglicanism is ancient Christianity brought into the present. Where we strive to love God with our whole heart and our neighbors as ourselves. Where preaching and teaching are faithful to God's Word, and worship reflects the celebrations of the Early Church.

The first Christians' worship and fellowship are described in the Acts of the Apostles  --

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."  (Acts 2:42-47, ESV)

Lectionary Readings
Book of Common Prayer - 1979
February-10-2016
Ash Wednesday

The Collect

Ash Wednesday
Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Old Testament Reading

Joel 2:1-2,12-17
¹ Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming, it is near, ² a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains a great and powerful people; their like has never been from of old, nor will be again after them through the years of all generations. ¹² "Yet even now," says the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; ¹³ and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and repents of evil. ¹⁴ Who knows whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, a cereal offering and a drink offering for the LORD, your God? ¹⁵ Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; ¹⁶ gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber. ¹⁷ Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, "Spare thy people, O LORD, and make not thy heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, `Where is their God?'" - OR -
Isaiah 58:1-12
<sup>1</sup> "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins. <sup>2</sup> Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God. <sup>3</sup> `Why have we fasted, and thou seest it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and thou takest no knowledge of it?' Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. ⁴ Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. ⁵ Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a rush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the LORD? ⁶ "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? ⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? ⁸ Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. ⁹ Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am. "If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, ¹⁰ if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. ¹¹ And the LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your desire with good things, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. ¹² And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.

Psalm

Psalm 103

Benedic, anima mea
1Bless the LORD, O my soul, *
     and all that is within me, bless his holy Name.
2Bless the LORD, O my soul, *
     and forget not all his benefits.
3He forgives all your sins *
     and heals all your infirmities;
4He redeems your life from the grave *
     and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness;
5He satisfies you with good things, *
     and your youth is renewed like an eagle's.
6The LORD executes righteousness *
     and judgment for all who are oppressed.
7He made his ways known to Moses *
     and his works to the children of Israel.
8The LORD is full of compassion and mercy, *
     slow to anger and of great kindness.
9He will not always accuse us, *
     nor will he keep his anger for ever.
10He has not dealt with us according to our sins, *
     nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
11For as the heavens are high above the earth, *
     so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.
12As far as the east is from the west, *
     so far has he removed our sins from us.
13As a father cares for his children, *
     so does the LORD care for those who fear him.
14For he himself knows whereof we are made; *
     he remembers that we are but dust.
15Our days are like the grass; *
     we flourish like a flower of the field;
16When the wind goes over it, it is gone, *
     and its place shall know it no more.
17But the merciful goodness of the LORD endures for ever on those
     who fear him, *
     and his righteousness on children's children;
18On those who keep his covenant *
     and remember his commandments and do them.
19The LORD has set his throne in heaven, *
     and his kingship has dominion over all.
20Bless the LORD, you angels of his,
     you mighty ones who do his bidding, *
     and hearken to the voice of his word.
21Bless the LORD, all you his hosts, *
     you ministers of his who do his will.
22Bless the LORD, all you works of his,
     in all places of his dominion; *
     bless the LORD, O my soul.

- OR -
Psalm 103:8-14

8The LORD is full of compassion and mercy, *
     slow to anger and of great kindness.
9He will not always accuse us, *
     nor will he keep his anger for ever.
10He has not dealt with us according to our sins, *
     nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
11For as the heavens are high above the earth, *
     so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.
12As far as the east is from the west, *
     so far has he removed our sins from us.
13As a father cares for his children, *
     so does the LORD care for those who fear him.
14For he himself knows whereof we are made; *
     he remembers that we are but dust.

New Testament Reading

2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10
5:²⁰ So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 6:¹ Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. ² For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. ³ We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, ⁴ but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, ⁵ beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; ⁶ by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, ⁷ truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; ⁸ in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; ⁹ as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 6:1-6,16-21
¹ "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. ² "Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ³ But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ⁵ "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ¹⁶ "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ¹⁷ But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ¹⁹ "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Lectionary Readings
Book of Common Prayer - 1979
Sunday, November-08-2015
Proper 27

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

Old Testament Reading

1 Kings 17:8-16
⁸ Then the word of the LORD came to him, ⁹ "Arise, go to Zar'ephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you." ¹⁰ So he arose and went to Zar'ephath; and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks; and he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink." ¹¹ And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." ¹² And she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a cruse; and now, I am gathering a couple of sticks, that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die." ¹³ And Eli'jah said to her, "Fear not; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make for yourself and your son. ¹⁴ For thus says the LORD the God of Israel, `The jar of meal shall not be spent, and the cruse of oil shall not fail, until the day that the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'" ¹⁵ And she went and did as Eli'jah said; and she, and he, and her household ate for many days. ¹⁶ The jar of meal was not spent, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD which he spoke by Eli'jah.

Psalm

Psalm 146

Lauda, anima mea
1Hallelujah!
     Praise the LORD, O my soul! *
     I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
     I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
2Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, *
     for there is no help in them.
3When they breathe their last, they return to earth, *
     and in that day their thoughts perish.
4Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *
     whose hope is in the LORD their God;
5Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
     who keeps his promise for ever;
6Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
     and food to those who hunger.
7The LORD sets the prisoners free;
     the LORD opens the eyes of the blind; *
     the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
8The LORD loves the righteous;
     the LORD cares for the stranger; *
     he sustains the orphan and widow,
     but frustrates the way of the wicked.
9The LORD shall reign for ever, *
     your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
     Hallelujah!

- OR -
Psalm 146:4-9

4Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *
     whose hope is in the LORD their God;
5Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
     who keeps his promise for ever;
6Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
     and food to those who hunger.
7The LORD sets the prisoners free;
     the LORD opens the eyes of the blind; *
     the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
8The LORD loves the righteous;
     the LORD cares for the stranger; *
     he sustains the orphan and widow,
     but frustrates the way of the wicked.
9The LORD shall reign for ever, *
     your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
     Hallelujah!

New Testament Reading

Hebrews 9:24-28
²⁴ For Christ has entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. ²⁵ Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the Holy Place yearly with blood not his own; ²⁶ for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷ And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment, ²⁸ so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Gospel Reading

Mark 12:38-44
³⁸ And in his teaching he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and to have salutations in the market places ³⁹ and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, ⁴⁰ who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation." ⁴¹ And he sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. ⁴² And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. ⁴³ And he called his disciples to him, and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. ⁴⁴ For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living."

Lectionary Readings
Book of Common Prayer - 1979
Sunday, October-11-2015
Proper 23

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

Old Testament Reading

Amos 5:6-7,10-15
⁶ Seek the LORD and live, lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and it devour, with none to quench it for Bethel, ⁷ O you who turn justice to wormwood, and cast down righteousness to the earth! ¹⁰ They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks the truth. ¹¹ Therefore because you trample upon the poor and take from him exactions of wheat, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine. ¹² For I know how many are your transgressions, and how great are your sins--you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate. ¹³ Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time; for it is an evil time. ¹⁴ Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the LORD, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. ¹⁵ Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the LORD, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

Psalm

Psalm 90

Domine, refugium
1Lord, you have been our refuge *
     from one generation to another.
2Before the mountains were brought forth,
     or the land and the earth were born, *
     from age to age you are God.
3You turn us back to the dust and say, *
     "Go back, O child of earth."
4For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday
     when it is past *
     and like a watch in the night.
5You sweep us away like a dream; *
     we fade away suddenly like the grass.
6In the morning it is green and flourishes; *
     in the evening it is dried up and withered.
7For we consume away in your displeasure; *
     we are afraid because of your wrathful indignation.
8Our iniquities you have set before you, *
     and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
9When you are angry, all our days are gone; *
     we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
10The span of our life is seventy years,
     perhaps in strength even eighty; *
     yet the sum of them is but labor and sorrow,
     for they pass away quickly and we are gone.
11Who regards the power of your wrath? *
     who rightly fears your indignation?
12So teach us to number our days *
     that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
13Return, O LORD; how long will you tarry? *
     be gracious to your servants.
14Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning; *
     so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.
15Make us glad by the measure of the days that you afflicted us *
     and the years in which we suffered adversity.
16Show your servants your works *
     and your splendor to their children.
17May the graciousness of the LORD our God be upon us; *
     prosper the work of our hands;
     prosper our handiwork.

- OR -
Psalm 90:1-8,12

1Lord, you have been our refuge *
     from one generation to another.
2Before the mountains were brought forth,
     or the land and the earth were born, *
     from age to age you are God.
3You turn us back to the dust and say, *
     "Go back, O child of earth."
4For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday
     when it is past *
     and like a watch in the night.
5You sweep us away like a dream; *
     we fade away suddenly like the grass.
6In the morning it is green and flourishes; *
     in the evening it is dried up and withered.
7For we consume away in your displeasure; *
     we are afraid because of your wrathful indignation.
8Our iniquities you have set before you, *
     and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
12So teach us to number our days *
     that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.

New Testament Reading

Hebrews 3:1-6
¹ Therefore, holy brethren, who share in a heavenly call, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession. ² He was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in God's house. ³ Yet Jesus has been counted worthy of as much more glory than Moses as the builder of a house has more honor than the house. ⁴ (For every house is built by some one, but the builder of all things is God.) ⁵ Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, ⁶ but Christ was faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if we hold fast our confidence and pride in our hope.

Gospel Reading

Mark 10:17-27(28-31)
¹⁷ And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" ¹⁸ And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: `Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'" ²⁰ And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth." ²¹ And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." ²² At that saying his countenance fell, and he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. ²³ And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" ²⁴ And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." ²⁶ And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?" ²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." (²⁸ Peter began to say to him, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you." ²⁹ Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, ³⁰ who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. ³¹ But many that are first will be last, and the last first." )

Lectionary Readings
Book of Common Prayer - 1979
Sunday, October-04-2015
Proper 22

The Collect

Proper 22
Almighty and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of thy mercy, forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Old Testament Reading

Genesis 2:18-24
¹⁸ Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." ¹⁹ So out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. ²⁰ The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper fit for him. ²¹ So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; ²² and the rib which the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. ²³ Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." ²⁴ Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Psalm

Psalm 8

Domine, Dominus noster
1O LORD our Governor, *
     how exalted is your Name in all the world!
2Out of the mouths of infants and children *
     your majesty is praised above the heavens.
3You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *
     to quell the enemy and the avenger.
4When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, *
     the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,
5What is man that you should be mindful of him? *
     the son of man that you should seek him out?
6You have made him but little lower than the angels; *
     you adorn him with glory and honour;
7You give him mastery over the works of your hands; *
     you put all things under his feet:
8All sheep and oxen, *
     even the wild beasts of the field,
9The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, *
     and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.
10O LORD our Governor, *
     how exalted is your Name in all the world!

- OR -
Psalm 128

Beati omnes
1Happy are they all who fear the LORD, *
     and who follow in his ways!
2You shall eat the fruit of your labor; *
     happiness and prosperity shall be yours.
3Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, *
     your children like olive shoots round about your table.
4The man who fears the LORD *
     shall thus indeed be blessed.
5The LORD bless you from Zion, *
     and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days
     of your life.
6May you live to see your children's children; *
     may peace be upon Israel.

New Testament Reading

Hebrews 2:(1-8)9-18
(¹ Therefore we must pay the closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. ² For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, ³ how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, ⁴ while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his own will. ⁵ For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. ⁶ It has been testified somewhere, "What is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou carest for him? ⁷ Thou didst make him for a little while lower than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honor, ⁸ putting everything in subjection under his feet." Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. )⁹ But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for every one. ¹⁰ For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering. ¹¹ For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren, ¹² saying, "I will proclaim thy name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will praise thee." ¹³ And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Here am I, and the children God has given me." ¹⁴ Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. ¹⁶ For surely it is not with angels that he is concerned but with the descendants of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Gospel Reading

Mark 10:2-16
² And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" ³ He answered them, "What did Moses command you?" ⁴ They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to put her away." ⁵ But Jesus said to them, "For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. ⁶ But from the beginning of creation, `God made them male and female.' <sup>7</sup> `For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, ⁸ and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. ⁹ What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder." ¹⁰ And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. ¹¹ And he said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her; ¹² and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." ¹³ And they were bringing children to him, that he might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ But when Jesus saw it he was indignant, and said to them, "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. ¹⁵ Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." ¹⁶ And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.

Lectionary Readings
Book of Common Prayer - 1979
Sunday, July-05-2015
Proper 9

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

Old Testament Reading

Ezekiel 2:1-7
¹ And he said to me, "Son of man, stand upon your feet, and I will speak with you." ² And when he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me upon my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. ³ And he said to me, "Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels, who have rebelled against me; they and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. ⁴ The people also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them; and you shall say to them, `Thus says the Lord GOD.' ⁵ And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that there has been a prophet among them. ⁶ And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit upon scorpions; be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. ⁷ And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear; for they are a rebellious house.

Psalm

Psalm 123

Ad te levavi oculos meos
1To you I lift up my eyes, *
     to you enthroned in the heavens.
2As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, *
     and the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
3So our eyes look to the LORD our God, *
     until he show us his mercy.
4Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy, *
     for we have had more than enough of contempt,
5Too much of the scorn of the indolent rich, *
     and of the derision of the proud.

New Testament Reading

2 Corinthians 12:2-10
² I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. ³ And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- ⁴ and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. ⁵ On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. ⁶ Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. ⁷ And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. ⁸ Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; ⁹ but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Gospel Reading

Mark 6:1-6
¹ He went away from there and came to his own country; and his disciples followed him. ² And on the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; and many who heard him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are wrought by his hands! ³ Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. ⁴ And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house." ⁵ And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them. ⁶ And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.

Book of Common Prayer - 1979
Sunday, June-14-2015
Proper 6

The Collect

Proper 6
Keep, O Lord, we beseech thee, thy household the Church in thy steadfast faith and love, that by the help of thy grace we may proclaim thy truth with boldness, and minister thy justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Old Testament Reading

Ezekiel 31:1-6,10-14
¹ In the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: ² "Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: "Whom are you like in your greatness? ³ Behold, I will liken you to a cedar in Lebanon, with fair branches and forest shade, and of great height, its top among the clouds. ⁴ The waters nourished it, the deep made it grow tall, making its rivers flow round the place of its planting, sending forth its streams to all the trees of the forest. ⁵ So it towered high above all the trees of the forest; its boughs grew large and its branches long, from abundant water in its shoots. ⁶ All the birds of the air made their nests in its boughs; under its branches all the beasts of the field brought forth their young; and under its shadow dwelt all great nations. ¹⁰ "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because it towered high and set its top among the clouds, and its heart was proud of its height, ¹¹ I will give it into the hand of a mighty one of the nations; he shall surely deal with it as its wickedness deserves. I have cast it out. ¹² Foreigners, the most terrible of the nations, will cut it down and leave it. On the mountains and in all the valleys its branches will fall, and its boughs will lie broken in all the watercourses of the land; and all the peoples of the earth will go from its shadow and leave it. ¹³ Upon its ruin will dwell all the birds of the air, and upon its branches will be all the beasts of the field. ¹⁴ All this is in order that no trees by the waters may grow to lofty height or set their tops among the clouds, and that no trees that drink water may reach up to them in height; for they are all given over to death, to the nether world among mortal men, with those who go down to the Pit.

Psalm

Psalm 92

Bonum est confiteri
1It is a good thing to give thanks to the LORD, *
     and to sing praises to your Name, O Most High;
2To tell of your loving-kindness early in the morning *
     and of your faithfulness in the night season;
3On the psaltery, and on the lyre, *
     and to the melody of the harp.
4For you have made me glad by your acts, O LORD; *
     and I shout for joy because of the works of your hands.
5LORD, how great are your works! *
     your thoughts are very deep.
6The dullard does not know,
     nor does the fool understand, *
     that though the wicked grow like weeds,
     and all the workers of iniquity flourish,
7They flourish only to be destroyed for ever; *
     but you, O LORD, are exalted for evermore.
8For lo, your enemies, O LORD,
     lo, your enemies shall perish, *
     and all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
9But my horn you have exalted like the horns of wild bulls; *
     I am anointed with fresh oil.
10My eyes also gloat over my enemies, *
     and my ears rejoice to hear the doom of the wicked who
     rise up against me.
11The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, *
     and shall spread abroad like a cedar of Lebanon.
12Those who are planted in the house of the LORD *
     shall flourish in the courts of our God;
13They shall still bear fruit in old age; *
     they shall be green and succulent;
14That they may show how upright the LORD is, *
     my Rock, in whom there is no fault.

- OR -
Psalm 92:1-4,11-14

1It is a good thing to give thanks to the LORD, *
     and to sing praises to your Name, O Most High;
2To tell of your loving-kindness early in the morning *
     and of your faithfulness in the night season;
3On the psaltery, and on the lyre, *
     and to the melody of the harp.
4For you have made me glad by your acts, O LORD; *
     and I shout for joy because of the works of your hands.
11The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, *
     and shall spread abroad like a cedar of Lebanon.
12Those who are planted in the house of the LORD *
     shall flourish in the courts of our God;
13They shall still bear fruit in old age; *
     they shall be green and succulent;
14That they may show how upright the LORD is, *
     my Rock, in whom there is no fault.

New Testament Reading

2 Corinthians 5:1-10
¹ For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ² Here indeed we groan, and long to put on our heavenly dwelling, ³ so that by putting it on we may not be found naked. ⁴ For while we are still in this tent, we sigh with anxiety; not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. ⁶ So we are always of good courage; we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, ⁷ for we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸ We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹ So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body.

Gospel Reading

Mark 4:26-34
²⁶ And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground, ²⁷ and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he knows not how. ²⁸ The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. ²⁹ But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." ³⁰ And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? ³¹ It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; ³² yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade." ³³ With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; ³⁴ he did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.