Readings
Last Epiphany –
THE
O
God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon
the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his
countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his
likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE OLD TESTAMENT
2 Kings 2:1-12
Now when
the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and
Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here;
for the LORD has sent me as far as
Elijah said to him, "Elisha, stay here; for
the LORD has sent me to
Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; for the
LORD has sent me to the
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha,
"Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha
said, "Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit." He
responded, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being
taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not." As they
continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated
the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept
watching and crying out, "Father, father! The chariots of
THE
Psalm 50:1-6 Page 654,
Deus deorum
1
The LORD, the God of gods, has spoken; *
he has called the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2
Out of
God reveals himself in glory.
3
Our God will
come and will not keep silence; *
before him there is a consuming flame,
and round about him a raging storm.
4
He calls the
heavens and the earth from above *
to witness the judgment of his people.
5
"Gather
before me my loyal followers, *
those who have made a covenant with me
and sealed it with sacrifice."
6
Let the heavens
declare the rightness of his cause; *
for God himself is judge.
THE EPISTLE
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
THE GOSPEL
Mark 9:2-9
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
6 Epiphany – February 12
THE COLLECT
O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
THE OLD TESTAMENT
2 Kings 5:1-14
Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, "If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." So Naaman went in and told his lord just what the girl from the land of Israel had said. And the king of Aram said, "Go then, and I will send along a letter to the king of Israel." He went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of garments. He brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, "When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you my servant Naaman, that you may cure him of his leprosy." When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, "Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me." But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, "Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel." So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha's house. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean." But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, "I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?" He turned and went away in a rage. But his servants approached and said to him, "Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, `Wash, and be clean'?" So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.
THE PSALM
Psalm 30 Page 621, BCP
Exaltabo te, Domine
I will exalt you, O LORD,
because you have lifted me up
and have not let my enemies triumph over me.
O LORD my God, I cried out to you,
and you restored me to health.
You brought me up, O LORD, from the dead;
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.
Sing to the LORD, you servants of his;
give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.
For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye,
his favor for a lifetime.
Weeping may spend the night,
but joy comes in the morning.
While I felt secure, I said, I shall never be disturbed.
You, LORD, with your favor, made me as strong as the mountains."
Then you hid your face,
and I was filled with fear.
I cried to you, O LORD;
I pleaded with the Lord, saying,
"What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit?
will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me;
O LORD, be my helper."
You have turned my wailing into dancing;
you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.
THE EPISTLE
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.
THE GOSPEL
Mark 1:40-45
A leper came to Jesus begging him, and kneeling he said to him, "If you choose, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I do choose. Be made clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.
5 EPIPHANY- Feb. 4, 2012
THE COLLECT
Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the
liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your
Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
THE OLD TESTAMENT
Isaiah 40:21-31
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
and spreads them like a tent to live in;
who brings princes to naught,
and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing.
Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,
scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,
when he blows upon them, and they wither,
and the tempest carries them off like stubble.
To whom then will you compare me,
or who is my equal? says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high and see:
Who created these?
He who brings out their host and numbers them,
calling them all by name;
because he is great in strength,
mighty in power,
not one is missing.
Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD,
and my right is disregarded by my God"?
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.
THE PSALM
Psalm 147:1-12, 21c Page
Laudate Dominum
1 Hallelujah!
How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!
2 The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem; *
he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted *
and binds up their wounds.
4 He counts the number of the stars *
and calls them all by their names.
5 Great is our LORD and mighty in power; *
there is no limit to his wisdom.
6 The LORD lifts up the lowly, *
but casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; *
make music to our God upon the harp.
8 He covers the heavens with clouds *
and prepares rain for the earth;
9 He makes grass to grow upon the mountains *
and green plants to serve mankind.
10 He provides food for flocks and herds *
and for the young ravens when they cry.
11 He is not impressed by the might of a horse; *
he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;
12 But the LORD has pleasure in those who fear him, *
in those who await his gracious favor.
21c Hallelujah!
THE EPISTLE
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
If
I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an
obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the
gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of
my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. What then is my reward?
Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of
charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.
For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to
all, so that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew,
in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the
law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those
under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law
(though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law) so that
I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I
might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I
might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel,
so that I may share in its blessings.
THE GOSPEL
Mark 1:29-39
Jesus
left the synagogue at Capernaum, and entered the house of Simon and
Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with
a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by
the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to
serve them.
That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who
were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered
around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak,
because they knew him.
In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to
a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions
hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is
searching for you." He answered, "Let us go on to the neighboring
towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what
I came out to do." And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the
message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
4 EPIPHANY – Jan. 29, 2012
THE COLLECT
Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE OLD TESTAMENT
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Moses said, The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. This is what you requested of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: "If I hear the voice of the LORD my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die." Then the LORD replied to me: "They are right in what they have said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak-- that prophet shall die."
THE PSALM
Psalm 111 Page 754, BCP
Confitebor tibi
Hallelujah!
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the deeds of the LORD!
they are studied by all who delight in them.
His work is full of majesty and splendor,
and his righteousness endures for ever.
He makes his marvelous works to be remembered;
the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
He gives food to those who fear him;
he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works
in giving them the lands of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithfulness and justice;
all his commandments are sure.
They stand fast for ever and ever,
because they are done in truth and equity.
He sent redemption to his people;
he commanded his covenant for ever;
holy and awesome is his Name.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
those who act accordingly have a good understanding;
his praise endures for ever.
THE EPISTLE
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him. Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "no idol in the world really exists," and that "there is no God but one." Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth-- as in fact there are many gods and many lords-- yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. "Food will not bring us close to God." We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.
THE GOSPEL
Mark 1:21-28
Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came,
he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his
teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the
scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean
spirit, and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of
Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One
of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of
him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud
voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking
one another, "What is this? A new teaching-- with authority! He
commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." At once his fame
began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
3 Epiphany – Jan. 22, 2012
THE COLLECT
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus
Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that
we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.
THE PSALM
Psalm 62:6-14 Page 669, BCP
Nonne Deo?
For God alone my soul in silence waits;
truly, my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold, so that I shall not be shaken.
In God is my safety and my honor;
God is my strong rock and my refuge.
Put your trust in him always, O people,
pour out your hearts before him, for God is our refuge.
Those of high degree are but a fleeting breath,
even those of low estate cannot be trusted.
On the scales they are lighter than a breath,
all of them together.
Put no trust in extortion;
in robbery take no empty pride;
though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.
God has spoken once, twice have I heard it,
that power belongs to God.
Steadfast love is yours, O Lord,
for you repay everyone according to his deeds.
THE EPISTLE
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
THE GOSPEL
Mark 1:14-20
Now
after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good
news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God
has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."
As Jesus
passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew
casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to
them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." And immediately
they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he
saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat
mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their
father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
—The Gospel of the Lord
2 EPIPHANY – JAN. 15, 2012
COLLECT
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the
world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments,
may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known,
worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God,
now and for ever. Amen
OLD TESTAMENT
1 Samuel 3:1-10(11-20)
Now
the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. The word of the
LORD was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.
At that
time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not
see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out,
and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of
God was. Then the LORD called, "Samuel! Samuel!" and he said, "Here I
am!" and ran to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he
said, "I did not call; lie down again." So he went and lay down. The
LORD called again, "Samuel!" Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said,
"Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call, my son;
lie down again." Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of
the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. The LORD called Samuel
again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, "Here I
am, for you called me." Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling
the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and if he calls
you, you shall say, `Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" So
Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Now the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, "Samuel! Samuel!"
And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." [Then the LORD
said to Samuel, "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will
make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle. On that day I will
fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from
beginning to end. For I have told him that I am about to punish his
house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were
blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the
house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be expiated by
sacrifice or offering forever."
Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house
of the LORD. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli
called Samuel and said, "Samuel, my son." He said, "Here I am." Eli
said, "What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do
so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he
told you." So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then
he said, "It is the LORD; let him do what seems good to him."
As Samuel grew up, the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall
to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel
was a trustworthy prophet of the LORD.]
THE PSALM
Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17 Page 794, BCP
Domine, probasti
LORD, you have searched me out and known me;
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You trace my journeys and my resting-places
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Indeed, there is not a word on my lips,
but you, O LORD, know it altogether.
You press upon me behind and before
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain to it.
For you yourself created my inmost parts;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I will thank you because I am marvelously made;
your works are wonderful, and I know it well.
My body was not hidden from you,
while I was being made in secret
and woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb;
all of them were written in your book; they were fashioned day by day, when as yet there was none of them.
How deep I find your thoughts, O God!
how great is the sum of them!
If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
to count them all, my life span would need to be like yours.
THE EPISTLE
"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are beneficial. "All
things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything.
"Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food," and God will
destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication
but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord
and will also raise us by his power. Do you not know that your bodies
are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ
and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that
whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is
said, "The two shall be one flesh." But anyone united to the Lord
becomes one spirit with him. Shun fornication! Every sin that a person
commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body
itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy
Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your
own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your
body.
THE GOSPEL
John 1:43-51
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you." Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."
Readings for January 8th, 2012
THE COLLECT
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen
THE OLD TESTAMENT
Genesis 1:1-5
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
THE PSALM
Psalm 29 Page 620, BCP
Afferte Domino
Ascribe to the LORD, you gods,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his Name;
worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders;
the LORD is upon the mighty waters.
The voice of the LORD is a powerful voice;
the voice of the LORD is a voice of splendor.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedar trees;
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.
The voice of the LORD splits the flames of fire;
the voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees writhe
and strips the forests bare.
And in the temple of the LORD
all are crying, "Glory!"
The LORD sits enthroned above the flood;
the LORD sits enthroned as King for evermore.
The LORD shall give strength to his people;
the LORD shall give his people the blessing of peace
THE EPISTLE
Acts 19:1-7
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?" They replied, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." Then he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They answered, "Into John's baptism." Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied-- altogether there were about twelve of them.
THE GOSPEL
Mark 1:4-11
John
the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of
repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole
Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to
him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their
sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt
around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed,
"The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not
worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have
baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by
John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he
saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on
him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with
you I am well pleased."
Readings for Jan 1st 2012
THE COLLECT
Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting Amen.
THE OLD TESTMENT
Numbers 6:22-27
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them, The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
THE PSALM
Psalm 8 Page 592, BCP
Domine, Dominus noster
O LORD our Governor,
how exalted is your Name in all the world!
Out of the mouths of infants and children
your majesty is praised above the heavens.
You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries,
to quell the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,
What is man that you should be mindful of him?
the son of man that you should seek him out?
You have made him but little lower than the angels;
you adorn him with glory and honor;
You give him mastery over the works of your hands;
you put all things under his feet:
All sheep and oxen,
even the wild beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fish of the sea,
and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.
O LORD our Governor,
how exalted is your Name in all the world!
THE EPISTLE
Philippians 2:5-11
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
THE GOSPEL
Luke 2:15-21
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Readings for December 25th 2011
THE COLLECT
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
THE OLD TESTAMENT
Isaiah 52:7-10
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the LORD to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
THE PSALM
Psalm 98 Page 727, BCP
Cantate Domino
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done marvelous things.
With his right hand and his holy arm
has he won for himself the victory.
The LORD has made known his victory;
his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.
He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel,
and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Shout with joy to the LORD, all you lands;
lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
Sing to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and the voice of song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
shout with joy before the King, the LORD.
Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it,
the lands and those who dwell therein.
Let the rivers clap their hands,
and let the hills ring out with joy before the LORD,
when he comes to judge the earth.
In righteousness shall he judge the world
and the peoples with equity.
THE EPISTLE
Hebrews 1:1-4,(5-12)
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. [For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,"Let all God's angels worship him." Of the angels he says, ‘He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire." But of the Son he says,"Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions." And, "In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; like a cloak youwill roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end."]
THE GOSPEL
John 1:1-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.
Readings for December 24th 2011
THE COLLECT
O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen
THE OLD TESTAMENT
Isaiah 9:2-7
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
THE PSALM
Psalm 96 Page 725, BCP
Cantate Domino
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the whole earth.
Sing to the LORD and bless his Name;
proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations
and his wonders among all peoples.
For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised;
he is more to be feared than all gods.
As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols;
but it is the LORD who made the heavens.
Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence!
Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary!
Ascribe to the LORD, you families of the peoples;
ascribe to the LORD honor and power.
Ascribe to the LORD the honor due his Name;
bring offerings and come into his courts.
Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness;
let the whole earth tremble before him.
Tell it out among the nations: "The LORD is King!
he has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity."
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
let the sea thunder and all that is in it;
let the field be joyful and all that is therein.
Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy
before the LORD when he comes,
when he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness
and the peoples with his truth.
THE EPISTLE
Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
THE GOSPEL
Luke 2:1-14(15-20)
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
[When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. ]
Readings for Sunday December 18th
THE COLLECT
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
THE OLD TESTAMENT
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Now
when the king was settled in his house, and the LORD had given him rest
from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan,
"See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in
a tent." Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that you have in mind;
for the LORD is with you."
But that same night the word of the
LORD came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD:
Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a
house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to
this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle.
Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever
speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded
to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a
house of cedar?" Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David:
Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from
following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been
with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from
before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the
great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people
Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place,
and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as
formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel;
and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD
declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. Your house and
your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be
established forever.
THE PSALM
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 Page 713, BCP
Misericordias Domini
1
Your love, O LORD, for ever will I sing; *
from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.
2
For I am persuaded that your love is established for ever; *
you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens.
3
"I have made a covenant with my chosen one; *
I have sworn an oath to David my servant:
4
'I will establish your line for ever, *
and preserve your throne for all generations.'"
19
You spoke once in a vision and said to your faithful people: *
"I have set the crown upon a warrior
and have exalted one chosen out of the people.
20
I have found David my servant; *
with my holy oil have I anointed him.
21
My hand will hold him fast *
and my arm will make him strong.
22
No enemy shall deceive him, *
nor any wicked man bring him down.
23
I will crush his foes before him *
and strike down those who hate him.
24
My faithfulness and love shall be with him, *
and he shall be victorious through my Name.
25
I shall make his dominion extend *
from the Great Sea to the River.
26
He will say to me, 'You are my Father, *
my God, and the rock of my salvation.'"
THE EPISTLE
Romans 16:25-27
Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith-- to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.
THE GOSPEL
Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
Readings for December 11, 2011
THE COLLECT
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and,
because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace
and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for
ever. Amen.
THE OLD TESTAMENT
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. For I the LORD love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being 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. 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 up before all the nations.
THE CANTICLE
Canticle 15
The Song of Mary Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
THE EPISTLE
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Rejoice
always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the
Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold
fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.
May the
God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and
soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do
this.—The Word of the Lord
THE GOSPEL
John 1:6-8,19-28
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, `Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
Reading for Advent December 4, 2011
THE COLLECT
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put
on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which
your 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 living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through
him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.
THE OLD TESTAMENT
Isaiah 64:1-9
O that you would tear open the heavens and come down,
so that the mountains would quake at your presence--
as when fire kindles brushwood
and the fire causes water to boil--
to make your name known to your adversaries,
so that the nations might tremble at your presence!
When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect,
you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
From ages past no one has heard,
no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you,
who works for those who wait for him.
You meet those who gladly do right,
those who remember you in your ways.
But you were angry, and we sinned;
because you hid yourself we transgressed.
We have all become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth.
We all fade like a leaf,
and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
There is no one who calls on your name,
or attempts to take hold of you;
for you have hidden your face from us,
and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.
Yet, O LORD, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
Do not be exceedingly angry, O LORD,
and do not remember iniquity forever.
Now consider, we are all your people.
THE PSALM
Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18 Page 702, BCP
Qui regis Israel
1
Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
2
In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *
stir up your strength and come to help us.
3
Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
4
O LORD God of hosts, *
how long will you be angered
despite the prayers of your people?
5
You have fed them with the bread of tears; *
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
6
You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7
Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
16
Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, *
the son of man you have made so strong for yourself.
17
And so will we never turn away from you; *
give us life, that we may call upon your Name.
18
Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
THE EPISTLE
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that
has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been
enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind-- just as the
testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you-- so that you are
not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our
Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you
may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful;
by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our
Lord.
THE GOSPEL
Mark 13:24-37
Jesus said to his disciples, "In those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see `the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power
and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from
the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes
tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So
also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near,
at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass
away, but my words will not pass away.
"But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven,
nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not
know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when
he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and
commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake-- for
you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening,
or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you
asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep
awake."
Block Island, RI 02807