ICCEC Sunday Lectionary Year A

1

ICCEC

Sunday Lectionary

Year A

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Scripture readings are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary,

The New King James Version.

The responsorial psalms were constructed from the psalm of the day.

ICCEC feast days were included, and some other feast days

were placed into the addendum. Minor edits to the RCL

were occasionally allowed for formatting purposes, including:

length of readings, sequence, thematic coherence,

and for occasional deference to the Anglican or Roman lectionary,

when these alternative readings were more sensible.

3

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT

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 forever. Amen

First Reading

Isaiah 2:1-5

1The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and

Jerusalem. 2Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the

mountain of the LORD's house shall be established on the top of the

mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow

to it. 3Many people shall come and say, " Come, and let us go up to the

mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach

us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth

the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4He shall judge

between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their

swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall

not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore. 5O house of Jacob, come and let us walk In the light of the LORD.

Reader: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

4

Psalm 122

Response: I desire to dwell in your house, O LORD

And live in the light of Your love.

1I was glad when they said to me,

"Let us go into the house of the LORD." 2Our feet have been standing

Within your gates, O Jerusalem!



3Jerusalem is built

As a city that is compact together, 4Where the tribes go up,

The tribes of the LORD,

To the Testimony of Israel,

To give thanks to the name of the LORD.



8For the sake of my brethren and companions,

I will now say, "Peace be within you." 9Because of the house of the LORD our God

I will seek your good.



5

Second Reading

Romans 13:10-14

10Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the

law. 11And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out

of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12The

night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of

darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13Let us walk properly, as in

the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in

strife and envy. 14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision

for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 24:37-44

37But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man

be. 38For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking,

marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will

the coming of the Son of Man be. 40Then two men will be in the field: one

will be taken and the other left. 41Two women will be grinding at the mill:

one will be taken and the other left. 42Watch therefore, for you do not know

what hour your Lord is coming. 43But know this, that if the master of the

house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched

and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44Therefore you also be ready,

for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Reader: The Gospel of the Lord

People: Praise to you Lord Christ

6

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

The Collect

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance

and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings

and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ

our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,

now and forever. Amen

First Reading

Isaiah 11:1-10

1There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall

grow out of his roots. 2The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit

of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of

knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. 3His delight is in the fear of the

LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the

hearing of His ears; 4But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And

decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with

the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the

wicked. 5Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the

belt of His waist. 6" The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard

shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the

fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. 7The cow and the bear

shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat

straw like the ox. 8The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole, And the

weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den. 9They shall not hurt nor

destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge

of the LORD As the waters cover the sea. 10" And in that day there shall be

a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles

shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious."



7

Psalm 72

Response: We wait in hope for Your Righteousness, O God.

1Give the king Your judgments, O God,

And Your righteousness to the king's Son. 2He will judge Your people with righteousness,

And Your poor with justice.


3The mountains will bring peace to the people,

And the little hills, by righteousness. 4He will bring justice to the poor of the people;

He will save the children of the needy,

And will break in pieces the oppressor.


5They shall fear You

As long as the sun and moon endure,

Throughout all generations. 6He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing,

Like showers that water the earth.


7In His days the righteous shall flourish,

And abundance of peace,

Until the moon is no more. 8He shall have dominion also from sea to sea,

And from the River to the ends of the earth.


8

Second Reading

Romans 15:4-7, 13

4For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that

we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded

toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6that you may with one mind

and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory

of God. 13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in

believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 3:1-12

1In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" 3For this is he

who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: " The voice of one crying

in the wilderness: ' Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.'" 4Now John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around

his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then Jerusalem, all

Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6and were

baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. 7But when he saw

many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to

them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, 9and do not think to say to

yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is

able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10And even now the

ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear

good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11I indeed baptize you with

water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I,

whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy

Spirit and fire. 12His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly

clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will

burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."



9

THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT

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 forever. Amen

First Reading

Isaiah 35:1-10

1The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert

shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; 2It shall blossom abundantly and

rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,

The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD,

The excellency of our God. 3Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the

feeble knees. 4Say to those who are fearful-hearted, " Be strong, do not

fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of

God; He will come and save you." 5Then the eyes of the blind shall be

opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6Then the lame shall

leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst

forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert. 7The parched ground

shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water; In the habitation

of jackals, where each lay, There shall be grass with reeds and rushes. 8A

highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of

Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others.

Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray. 9No lion shall

be there, Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; It shall not be found

there. But the redeemed shall walk there, 10And the ransomed of the LORD

shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their

heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee

away.



10

Psalm 146

Response: The LORD himself will execute justice;

It is His to reward and repay.

2While I live I will praise the LORD;

I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 7Who executes justice for the oppressed,

Who gives food to the hungry.

The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners.



3Do not put your trust in princes,

Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. 5Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,

Whose hope is in the LORD his God,



9The LORD watches over the strangers;

He relieves the fatherless and widow;

But the way of the wicked He turns upside down. 10The LORD shall reign forever-

Your God, O Zion, to all generations.



11

Second Reading

James 5:7-10

7Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the

farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it

receives the early and latter rain. 8You also be patient. Establish your

hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9Do not grumble against one

another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at

the door! 10My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the

Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 11:2-11

2And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two

of his disciples 3and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look

for another?" 4Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the

things which you hear and see: 5The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers

are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have

the gospel preached to them. 6And blessed is he who is not offended

because of Me." 7As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes

concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed

shaken by the wind? 8But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft

garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9But

what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a

prophet. 10For this is he of whom it is written: ' Behold, I send My

messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.' 11"Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen

one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of

heaven is greater than he.



12

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

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 forever. Amen

First Reading

Isaiah 7:10-17

10Moreover the LORD spoke again to Ahaz, saying, 11"Ask a sign for yourself

from the LORD your God; ask it either in the depth or in the height above." 12But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, nor will I test the LORD!" 13Then he said,

"Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but

will you weary my God also? 14Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a

sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His

name Immanuel. 15Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to

refuse the evil and choose the good. 16For before the Child shall know to

refuse the evil and choose the good, the land that you dread will be

forsaken by both her kings. 17The LORD will bring the king of Assyria upon

you and your people and your father's house-days that have not come since

the day that Ephraim departed from Judah."



13

Psalm 80

Response: Salvation awaits for the people of God.

2Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,

You who lead Joseph like a flock;

You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth! 2 Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,

Stir up Your strength,

And come and save us!


6 You have made us a strife to our neighbors,

And our enemies laugh among themselves. 7 Restore us, O God of hosts;

Cause Your face to shine,

And we shall be saved!


17 Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand,

Upon the son of man whom You made strong for Yourself. 18 Then we will not turn back from You;

Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.


14

Second Reading

Romans 1:1-7

1Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to

the gospel of God 2which He promised before through His prophets in the

Holy Scriptures, 3concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of

the seed of David according to the flesh, 4and declared to be the Son of God

with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the

dead. 5Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience

to the faith among all nations for His name, 6among whom you also are the

called of Jesus Christ; 7To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be

saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus

Christ.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 1:18-25

18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was

betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of

the Holy Spirit. 19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not

wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away

secretly. 20But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the

Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be

afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of

the Holy Spirit. 21And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name

JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." 22So all this was done

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet,

saying: 23"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they

shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." 24Then

Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded

him and took to him his wife, 25and did not know her till she had brought

forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.



15

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD - CHRISTMAS EVE

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

First Reading

Isaiah 9:2-7

2The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who

dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. 3You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; They rejoice before

You according to the joy of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the

spoil. 4For You have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his

shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. 5For every

warrior's sandal from the noisy battle, and garments rolled in blood, will

be used for burning and fuel of fire. 6For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a

Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His

name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of His government and peace there will

be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and

establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.



16

Psalm 96

Response: The Ruler of the Nations was born among us.

1Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!

Sing to the LORD, all the earth. 3Declare His glory among the nations,

His wonders among all peoples.


9Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!

Tremble before Him, all the earth. 10Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns;

The world also is firmly established, it shall not be moved;

He shall judge the peoples righteously."


11Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;

Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; 12Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it.

Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice 13before the LORD.


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Second Reading

Titus 2:11-14

11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live

soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13looking for the blessed

hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless

deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.



Gospel Reading

Luke 2:1-14

1And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar

Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This census first took

place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3So all went to be registered,

everyone to his own city. 4Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city

of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,

because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with

Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6So it was, that while they

were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7And she

brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and

laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8Now

there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping

watch over their flock by night. 9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood

before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were

greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11For there

is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling

cloths, lying in a manger." 13And suddenly there was with the angel a

multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14" Glory to God in

the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"



18

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD - CHRISTMAS DAY

The Collect

O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son

Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may

with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives

and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

First Reading

Isaiah 52:7-10

7 How beautiful upon the mountains

Are the feet of him who brings good news,

Who proclaims peace,

Who brings glad tidings of good things,

Who proclaims salvation,

Who says to Zion,

“Your God reigns!” 8 Your watchmen shall lift up their voices,

With their voices they shall sing together;

For they shall see eye to eye

When the LORD brings back Zion. 9 Break forth into joy, sing together,

You waste places of Jerusalem!

For the LORD has comforted His people,

He has redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The LORD has made bare His holy arm

In the eyes of all the nations;

And all the ends of the earth shall see

The salvation of our God.



19

Psalm 98

Response: Shout for joy, for Your Redemption is here.

1 Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!

For He has done marvelous things;

His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. 2 The LORD has made known His salvation;

His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.


3 He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 4 Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth;

Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.


5 Sing to the LORD with the harp,

With the harp and the sound of a psalm, 6 With trumpets and the sound of a horn;

Shout joyfully before the LORD, the King.


20

Second Reading

Galatians 3:29 -4:5

29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according

to the promise. 4 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not

differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians

and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we

were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when

the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman,

born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we

might receive the adoption as sons.



Gospel Reading

John 1:1-14

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word

was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made

through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him

was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the

darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There was a man sent

from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear

witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that

Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light

which gives light to every man coming into the world. 10 He was in the

world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know

Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as

many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of

God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor

of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word

became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of

the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.



21

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

The Collect

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate

Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our

lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the

unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

First Reading

Isaiah 63:7-9

7 I will mention the loving-kindnesses of the LORD

And the praises of the LORD,

According to all that the LORD has bestowed on us,

And the great goodness toward the house of Israel,

Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies,

According to the multitude of His loving-kindnesses. 8 For He said, “Surely they are My people,

Children who will not lie.”

So He became their Savior. 9 In all their affliction He was afflicted,

And the Angel of His Presence saved them;

In His love and in His pity He redeemed them;

And He bore them and carried them

All the days of old.



22

Psalm 148

Response: Praise the LORD for His kindness towards us.

1Praise the LORD from the heavens;

Praise Him in the heights! 2 Praise Him, all His angels;

Praise Him, all His hosts!


7 Praise the LORD from the earth,

You great sea creatures and all the depths; 8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds;

Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;


11 Kings of the earth and all peoples;

Princes and all judges of the earth; 12 Both young men and maidens;

Old men and children.


13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,

For His name alone is exalted;

His glory is above the earth and heaven. 14 And He has exalted the horn of His people,

The praise of all His saints—


23

Second Reading

Hebrews 2:14-17

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He

Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy

him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who

through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For

indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of

Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren,

that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to

God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to

Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee

to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the

young Child to destroy Him.” 14 When he arose, he took the young Child and

His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death

of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the

prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

19 Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a

dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His

mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s

life are dead.” 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and

came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was

reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there.

And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of

Galilee. 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be

fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”



24

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

The Collect


Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our

lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the

unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

First Reading

Jeremiah 31:7-10

7 “ Sing with gladness for Jacob,

And shout among the chief of the nations;

Proclaim, give praise, and say,

‘ O LORD, save Your people,

The remnant of Israel!’ 8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country,

And gather them from the ends of the earth,

Among them the blind and the lame,

The woman with child

And the one who labors with child, together;

A great throng shall return there. 9 They shall come with weeping,

And with supplications I will lead them.

I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters,

In a straight way in which they shall not stumble;

For I am a Father to Israel,

And Ephraim is My firstborn. 10“ Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,

And declare it in the isles afar off, and say,

‘ He who scattered Israel will gather him,

And keep him as a shepherd does his flock.’



25

Psalm 147

Response: The LORD will gather His people to Himself.

2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem;

He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted

And binds up their wounds.


4 He counts the number of the stars;

He calls them all by name. 5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;

His understanding is infinite. 6 The LORD lifts up the humble;

He casts the wicked down to the ground.


7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;

Sing praises on the harp to our God, 8 Who covers the heavens with clouds,

Who prepares rain for the earth,

Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.


12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!

Praise your God, O Zion! 13 For He has strengthened the bars of your gates;

He has blessed your children within you. 14 He makes peace in your borders,

And fills you with the finest wheat.


26

Second Reading

Ephesians 1:3-10

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed

us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He

chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy

and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption

as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His

will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted

in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the

forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to

abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us

the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in

Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might

gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and

which are on earth—in Him.



Gospel Reading

John 1:10-18

10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world

did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become

children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of

blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.14 And

the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the

glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I

said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before

me.’” 16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For

the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus

Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is

in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.



27

EPIPHANY SUNDAY

The Collect

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the Peoples

of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where

we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives

and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

First Reading

Isaiah 60:1-6

1Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen

upon you. 2For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep

darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be

seen upon you. 3The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the

brightness of your rising. 4" Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all

gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And

your daughters shall be nursed at your side. 5Then you shall see and

become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance

of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to

you. 6The multitude of camels shall cover your land, The dromedaries of

Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba shall come; They shall bring gold

and incense, And they shall proclaim the praises of the LORD.



28

Psalm 72

Response: You alone are King of the nations.

1Give the king Your judgments, O God,

And Your righteousness to the king's Son. 2He will judge Your people with righteousness,

And Your poor with justice.


11Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him;

All nations shall serve Him. 12For He will deliver the needy when he cries,

The poor also, and him who has no helper.


15And He shall live;

And the gold of Sheba will be given to Him;

Prayer also will be made for Him continually,

And daily He shall be praised.


29

Second Reading

Ephesians 3:1-12

1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles- 2if

indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was

given to me for you, 3how that by revelation He made known to me the

mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4by which, when you read, you

may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5which in other

ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed

by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6that the Gentiles should be

fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ

through the gospel 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of

the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given,

that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the

beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things

through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God

might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the

heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished

in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with

confidence through faith in Him.



30

Gospel Reading

Matthew 2:1-12

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the

king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where

is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the

East and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with

him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the

people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the

prophet: 6 ‘ But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;

For out of you shall come a Ruler

Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from

them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and

said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have

found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they

had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where

the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with

exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw

the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.

And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him:

gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to

Herod, they departed for their own country another way.



31

Feast of The Baptism of our Lord - 1st Sunday Ordinary

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

First Reading

Isaiah 42:1-7

1 “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,

My Elect One in whom My soul delights!

I have put My Spirit upon Him;

He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. 2 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice,

Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench;

He will bring forth justice for truth. 4 He will not fail nor be discouraged,

Till He has established justice in the earth;

And the coastlands shall wait for His law.” 5 Thus says God the LORD,

Who created the heavens and stretched them out,

Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it,

Who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it: 6“ I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness,

And will hold Your hand;

I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,

As a light to the Gentiles, 7 To open blind eyes,

To bring out prisoners from the prison,

Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.



32

Psalm 29

Response: He is your chosen Servant;

The Son you have raised up for yourself.

13 You have a mighty arm;

Strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand. 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;

Mercy and truth go before Your face.


The Son you have raised up for yourself.

19 Then You spoke in a vision to Your holy one,

And said: “I have given help to one who is mighty;

I have exalted one chosen from the people. 20 I have found My servant David;

With My holy oil I have anointed him,


The Son you have raised up for yourself

21 With whom My hand shall be established;

Also My arm shall strengthen him. 22 The enemy shall not outwit him,

Nor the son of wickedness afflict him.



25 Also I will set his hand over the sea,

And his right hand over the rivers. 26 He shall cry to Me, ‘You are my Father,

My God, and the rock of my salvation.’



33

Second Reading

Acts 10:34-38

34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God

shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works

righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the

children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and

began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God

anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went

about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God

was with Him.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 3:13-17 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and

are You coming to me?" 15But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to

be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he

allowed Him. 16When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately

from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw

the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17And

suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in

whom I am well pleased."



34

Feast of our Lord the Giver of Life: Third Sunday in January

The Collect

Oh Great King of Kings, let your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven

for the sanctity of all human life. You have said that your Kingdom is

righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Where there is

unrighteousness let righteousness come to bear; where there is hostility,

cause your peace to reign supreme and where there is sorrow, bring joy in

the hearts of people. Lead us into your unshakable and everlasting kingdom

in which you reign forever and ever, that truly the kingdoms of this world

will become the Kingdoms of our God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

First Reading

Jeremiah 31:10-17

10“ Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,

And declare it in the isles afar off, and say,

‘ He who scattered Israel will gather him,

And keep him as a shepherd does his flock.’ 11 For the LORD has redeemed Jacob,

And ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he. 12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion,

Streaming to the goodness of the LORD—

For wheat and new wine and oil,

For the young of the flock and the herd;

Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden,

And they shall sorrow no more at all. 13“ Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance,

And the young men and the old, together;

For I will turn their mourning to joy,

Will comfort them,

And make them rejoice rather than sorrow. 14 I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance,

And My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the LORD.” 15 Thus says the LORD: “ A voice was heard in Ramah,

Lamentation and bitter weeping,

Rachel weeping for her children,

Refusing to be comforted for her children,

Because they are no more.”

16 Thus says the LORD: (continued)

35

“ Refrain your voice from weeping,

And your eyes from tears;

For your work shall be rewarded, says the LORD,

And they shall come back from the land of the enemy. 17 There is hope in your future, says the LORD,

That your children shall come back to their own border.



Psalm 10

Response: Arise Lord! Lift up your hand, O God.

In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak,

who are caught in the schemes he devises.

He boasts of the cravings of his heart, he blesses the greedy

and reviles the Lord


He lies in wait near the villages;

from an ambush he murders the innocent,

He lies in wait like a lion in cover;

he lies in wait to catch the helpless.


You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted;

you encourage them and hear their cry,

Defending the fatherless and the oppressed,

so that the earthly man may terrify no more.


36

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 15:19-26

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most

pitiable. 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the

firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death,

by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die,

even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order:

Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then

comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He

puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till

He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be

destroyed is death.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 18:1-5

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in

the kingdom of heaven?”

2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and

said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little

children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore

whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of

heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.



37

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

The 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, worshiped, 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 forever. Amen

First Reading

Isaiah 49:1-7

1"Listen, O coastlands, to Me, And take heed, you peoples from afar! The

LORD has called Me from the womb; From the matrix of My mother He has

made mention of My name. 2And He has made My mouth like a sharp

sword; In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, And made Me a

polished shaft; In His quiver He has hidden Me." 3" And He said to me, ' You

are My servant, O Israel, In whom I will be glorified.' 4Then I said, 'I have

labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain; Yet surely

my just reward is with the LORD, And my work with my God.'" 5" And now

the LORD says, Who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To bring

Jacob back to Him, So that Israel is gathered to Him (For I shall be glorious

in the eyes of the LORD, And My God shall be My strength), 6Indeed He

says, ' It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the

tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give

You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends

of the earth.'" 7Thus says the LORD, The Redeemer of Israel, their Holy

One, To Him whom man despises, To Him whom the nation abhors, To the

Servant of rulers: " Kings shall see and arise, Princes also shall worship,

Because of the LORD who is faithful, The Holy One of Israel; And He has

chosen You."



38

Psalm 40

Response: You are Salvation to the ends of the earth.

1I waited patiently for the LORD;

And He inclined to me, and heard my cry. 2He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,

Out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock,

And established my steps.


6Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;

My ears You have opened.

Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. 7Then I said, "Behold, I come;

In the scroll of the book it is written of me.


9I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness

In the great assembly;

Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O LORD, You Yourself know. 10I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;

I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation;


39

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 1:10-17 10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that

you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but

that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by

those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of

Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or

were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in

my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to

baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.



Gospel Reading

John 1:29-42a 29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The

Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.' 31I

did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water." 32And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit

descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33I did not

know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes

with the Holy Spirit.' 34And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God." 35Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 36And looking

at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" 37The two disciples

heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, "Rabbi"

(which is to say, when translated, Teacher), "where are You staying?" 39He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where He was staying, and

remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). 40One of the

two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have

found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ). 42And he brought him to Jesus.



40

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

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, forever and ever. Amen

First Reading

Isaiah 8:20-9:2

820 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this

word, it is because there is no light in them. 21 They will pass through it

hard-pressed and hungry; and it shall happen, when they are hungry, that

they will be enraged and curse their king and their God, and look upward. 22 Then they will look to the earth, and see trouble and darkness, gloom of

anguish; and they will be driven into darkness.

91Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, As when at

first He lightly esteemed The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, And

afterward more heavily oppressed her, By the way of the sea, beyond the

Jordan, In Galilee of the Gentiles. 2The people who walked in darkness Have

seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,

Upon them a light has shined.



41

Psalm 27

Response: The LORD is our light and our salvation.

1The LORD is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life;

Of whom shall I be afraid? 5For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion;

In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me;

He shall set me high upon a rock.


8When You said, "Seek My face,"

My heart said to You, "Your face, LORD, I will seek." 9Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger;

You have been my help;

Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.


11 Teach me Your way, O LORD,

And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. 13I would have lost heart, unless I had believed

That I would see the goodness of the LORD

In the land of the living.


42

Second Reading


26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the

flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen

the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has

chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are

mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are

despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing

the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of

Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and

righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written,

“He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”



Gospel Reading

Matthew 4:12-23

12Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to

Galilee. 13And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is

by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14that it might be

fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: 15" The land of

Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,

Galilee of the Gentiles: 16The people who sat in darkness have seen a great

light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has

dawned." 17From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for

the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 18And Jesus, walking by the Sea of

Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother,

casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19Then He said to them,

"Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20They immediately left

their nets and followed Him. 21Going on from there, He saw two other

brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with

Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, 22and

immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. 23And

Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the

gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of

disease among the people.



43

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

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, forever and ever. Amen

First Reading

Micah 6:1-8

1 Hear now what the LORD says:

“Arise, plead your case before the mountains,

And let the hills hear your voice. 2 Hear, O you mountains, the LORD’s complaint,

And you strong foundations of the earth;

For the LORD has a complaint against His people,

And He will contend with Israel. 3 “O My people, what have I done to you?

And how have I wearied you? Testify against Me. 4 For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,

I redeemed you from the house of bondage;

And I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. 5 O My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab counseled,

And what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, from Acacia Grove to

Gilgal, that you may know the righteousness of the LORD.” 6 With what shall I come before the LORD,

And bow myself before the High God?

Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,

Ten thousand rivers of oil?

Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,

The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has shown you, O man, what is good;

And what does the LORD require of you

But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?



44

Psalm 15

Response: Who is like You, LORD, perfect in every way?

1LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle?

Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 2 He who walks uprightly,

And works righteousness,

And speaks the truth in his heart;


3 He who does not backbite with his tongue,

Nor does evil to his neighbor,

Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; 4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised,

But he honors those who fear the LORD;


He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5 He who does not put out his money at usury,

Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be moved.

Response: Who is like you, LORD, perfect in every way?

45

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 1:2-5

2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in

Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name

of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was

given to you by Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in everything by Him

in all utterance and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony of Christ was

confirmed in you, 7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the

revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end,

that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is

faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus

Christ our Lord.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 5:1-12

1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was

seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught

them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

For they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of

evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for

great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who

were before you.



46

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

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 forever. Amen

First Reading

Isaiah 58:1-9

1"Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people

their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins. 2Yet they seek Me

daily, And delight to know My ways, As a nation that did righteousness, And

did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of

justice; They take delight in approaching God. 3' Why have we fasted,' they

say, 'and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take

no notice?' " In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all

your laborers. 4Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the

fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice

heard on high. 5Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his

soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth

and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the LORD? 6" Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness,

To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you

break every yoke? 7Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that

you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the

naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring

forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the

LORD shall be your rear guard. 9Then you shall call, and the LORD will

answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'



47

Psalm 112

Response: God has blessed us with the mind of Christ.

1 Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,

Who delights greatly in His commandments. 2His descendants will be mighty on earth;

The generation of the upright will be blessed. 4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;

He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.


5A good man deals graciously and lends;

He will guide his affairs with discretion. 6Surely he will never be shaken;

The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. 7He will not be afraid of evil tidings


8 His heart is established; He will not be afraid,

Until he sees his desire upon his enemies. 9He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor;

His righteousness endures forever.

His horn will be exalted with honor.


48

Second Reading


12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is

from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us

by God. 13These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom

teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with

spiritual. 14But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of

God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they

are spiritually discerned. 15But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he

himself is rightly judged by no one. 16For "who has known the mind of the

LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 5:13-20

13"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it

be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled

underfoot by men. 14"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a

hill cannot be hidden. 15Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket,

but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16Let your

light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify

your Father in heaven. 17"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the

Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18For assuredly, I say to

you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means

pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19Whoever therefore breaks one of the

least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in

the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be

called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I say to you, that unless your

righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you

will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.



49

SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

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, forever and ever. Amen

First Reading

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

15"See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, 16in that I

command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to

keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may

live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which

you go to possess. 17But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear,

and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18I announce

to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in

the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. 19I call

heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before

you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you

and your descendants may live; 20that you may love the LORD your God,

that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your

life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which

the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give

them."



50

Psalm 119

Response: God is our life, and the length of our days.

1Blessed are the undefiled in the way,

Who walk in the law of the LORD! 2Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,

Who seek Him with the whole heart! 3They also do no iniquity;

They walk in His ways.


4You have commanded us

To keep Your precepts diligently. 5Oh, that my ways were directed

To keep Your statutes! 6Then I would not be ashamed,

When I look into all Your commandments.


16 I will delight myself in Your statutes;

I will not forget Your word. 17 Deal bountifully with Your servant,

That I may live and keep Your word. 18 Open my eyes, that I may see

Wondrous things from Your law.


51

Second Reading


6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not

the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to

nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden

and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers

of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the

Lord of glory.

9 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen,

what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—

the things God has prepared for those who love him— 10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 5:21-26

21"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder,

and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' 22But I say to you

that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of

the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of

the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. 23Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your

brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar,

and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and

offer your gift. 25Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the

way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand

you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26Assuredly, I say to

you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.



52

SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

The Collect

O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth

nothing; Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift,

which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which

whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your

only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one

God, now and forever. Amen

First Reading

Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18

1And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2"Speak to all the congregation of

the children of Israel, and say to them: 'You shall be holy, for I the LORD

your God am holy.

9'When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the

corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of

your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the

LORD your God. 11'You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one

another. 12And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you

profane the name of your God: I am the LORD. 13'You shall not cheat your

neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with

you all night until morning. 14You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a

stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear your God: I am the LORD. 15'You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor,

nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your

neighbor. 16You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor

shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD. 17'You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke

your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. 18You shall not take

vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but

you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.



53

Psalm 119

Response: All your ways are holy and just;

You teach them to your children.

33Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,

And I shall keep it to the end. 34Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;

Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 35Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,

For I delight in it.



36Incline my heart to Your testimonies,

And not to covetousness. 37Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,

And revive me in Your way. 38Establish Your word to Your servant,

Who is devoted to fearing You.



39Turn away my reproach which I dread,

For Your judgments are good. 40Behold, I long for Your precepts;

Revive me in Your righteousness. 41 Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD—

Your salvation according to Your word.



54

Second Reading


10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master

builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one

take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay

than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this

foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s

work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be

revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If

anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be

saved, yet so as through fire.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 5:38-48

38"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a

tooth.' 39But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on

your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40If anyone wants to sue you

and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41And whoever

compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42Give to him who asks you,

and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 43"You have

heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good

to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and

persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He

makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just

and on the unjust. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward have

you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet your

brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax

collectors do so? 48Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in

heaven is perfect.



55

EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

The Collect

Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to

fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for

us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of

this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal,

and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord;

who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, on God, now

and forever. Amen

First Reading

Isaiah 49:8-16a

8 Thus says the LORD:

“In an acceptable time I have heard You, and in the day of salvation I

have helped You; I will preserve You and give You as a covenant to the

people, to restore the earth, to cause them to inherit the desolate

heritages; 9 That You may say to the prisoners, ‘Go forth,’ to those who are

in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’ “They shall feed along the roads,

And their pastures shall be on all desolate heights. 10 They shall neither

hunger nor thirst, neither heat nor sun shall strike them; For He who has

mercy on them will lead them, even by the springs of water He will guide

them. 11 I will make each of My mountains a road, and My highways shall

be elevated. 12 Surely these shall come from afar; Look! Those from the

north and the west, and these from the land of Sinim.”

13 Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing,

O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and will have

mercy on His afflicted. 14 But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me,

And my Lord has forgotten me.” 15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child,

and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget,

yet I will not forget you. 16 See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My

hands;Your walls are continually before Me.



56

Psalm 62

Response: The LORD will reward those who wait for Him.

1Truly my soul silently waits for God;

From Him comes my salvation. 2 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense;

I shall not be greatly moved.


5 My soul, wait silently for God alone,

For my expectation is from Him. 7 In God is my salvation and my glory;

The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.


8 Trust in Him at all times, you people;

Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.. 10 Do not trust in oppression, nor vainly hope in robbery;

If riches increase, do not set your heart on them.


11 God has spoken once, twice I have heard this:

That power belongs to God. 12 Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy;

For You render to each one according to his work.


57

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the

mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found

faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you

or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of

nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me

is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes,

who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the

counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 6:24-34

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love

the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You

cannot serve God and mammon. 25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry

about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your

body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more

than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap

nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of

more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his

stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the

field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that

even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if

God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is

thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little

faith? 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall

we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles

seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But

seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things

shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for

tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own

trouble.



58

NINTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

The Collect

O God, who in His Only-Begotten Son provided for us our true Sabbath rest:

Grant to us that we, beholding Him by faith, may be strengthened to trust in

Him for all things, both in this life and life to come; through Jesus Christ our

Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever

and ever. Amen

First Reading

Deuteronomy 11:26-32 26 “Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if

you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you

today; 28 and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD

your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go

after other gods which you have not known. 29 Now it shall be, when the

LORD your God has brought you into the land which you go to possess, that

you shall put the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal. 30 Are they not on the other side of the Jordan, toward the setting sun, in

the land of the Canaanites who dwell in the plain opposite Gilgal, beside the

terebinth trees of Moreh? 31 For you will cross over the Jordan and go in to

possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, and you will

possess it and dwell in it. 32 And you shall be careful to observe all the

statutes and judgments which I set before you today.



59

Psalm 31

Response: The LORD is blessed by those who trust in Him.

In You, O LORD, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed;

Deliver me in Your righteousness. 2 Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily;

Be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. 3 For You are my rock and my fortress;


Therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. 4 Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,

For You are my strength. 5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit;

You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.


6 I have hated those who regard useless idols;

But I trust in the LORD. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy,

For You have considered my trouble;

You have known my soul in adversities, 8 And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy;

You have set my feet in a wide place.


60

Second Reading

Romans 3:21-26

21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being

witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God,

through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no

difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being

justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to

demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed

over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the

present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the

one who has faith in Jesus.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 7:21-28

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of

heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to

Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out

demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I

will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice

lawlessness!’ 24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does

them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and

the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that

house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them,

will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain

descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house;

and it fell. And great was its fall.”

28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were

astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority,

and not as the scribes.



61

TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY IN EPIPHANY

The Collect

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory

upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding 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


First Reading

Exodus 24:12-18

12Then the LORD said to Moses, "Come up to Me on the mountain and be

there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments

which I have written, that you may teach them." 13So Moses arose with his

assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God. 14And he said

to the elders, "Wait here for us until we come back to you. Indeed, Aaron

and Hur are with you. If any man has a difficulty, let him go to them." 15Then Moses went up into the mountain, and a cloud covered the

mountain. 16Now the glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the

cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of

the midst of the cloud. 17The sight of the glory of the LORD was like a

consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of

Israel. 18So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the

mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.



62

Psalm 99

Response: The LORD is exalted on His Holy Mountain

1The LORD reigns; Let the peoples tremble!

He dwells between the cherubim; Let the earth be moved! 2The LORD is great in Zion,

And He is high above all the peoples. 3Let them praise Your great and awesome name-

He is holy.


5Exalt the LORD our God,

And worship at His footstool- He is holy. 6Moses and Aaron were among His priests,

And Samuel was among those who called upon His name;

They called upon the LORD, and He answered them. 7He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar;

They kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them.


8You answered them, O LORD our God;

You were to them God-Who-Forgives,

Though You took vengeance on their deeds. 9Exalt the LORD our God,

And worship at His holy hill;

For the LORD our God is holy.


63

Second Reading

2 Peter 1:16-21

16For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to

you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses

of His majesty. 17For He received from God the Father honor and glory when

such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son,

in whom I am well pleased." 18And we heard this voice which came from

heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19And so we have the

prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines

in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your

hearts; 20knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private

interpretation, 21for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men

of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 17:1-9

1Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them

up on a high mountain by themselves; 2and He was transfigured before

them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the

light. 3And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here;

if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses,

and one for Elijah." 5While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud

overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying,

"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" 6And when

the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 7But

Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid." 8When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9Now

as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying,

"Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead."



64

ASH WEDNESDAY

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive

the sins of all 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 you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission

and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with

you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

First Reading

Joel 2:1-2,12-17

1Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all

the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the LORD is coming, For

it is at hand: 2A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick

darkness, Like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people

come, great and strong, The like of whom has never been; Nor will there

ever be any such after them, Even for many successive generations. 12"

Now, therefore," says the LORD, " Turn to Me with all your heart, With

fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." 13So rend your heart, and not

your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and

merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing

harm. 14Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind

Him- A grain offering and a drink offering For the LORD your God? 15Blow

the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; 16Gather the

people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children

and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the

bride from her dressing room. 17Let the priests, who minister to the LORD,

Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, "Spare Your people, O

LORD, And do not give Your heritage to reproach, That the nations should

rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ' Where is their

God?'"



65

Psalm 51

Response: The LORD our God is gracious and merciful.

1 Have mercy upon me, O God,

According to Your loving-kindness;

According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,

Blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

And cleanse me from my sin.


3 For I acknowledge my transgressions,

And my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned,

And done this evil in Your sight—

That You may be found just when You speak,

And blameless when You judge.


7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me hear joy and gladness,

That the bones You have broken may rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins,

And blot out all my iniquities.


66

Second Reading

2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading

through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the

righteousness of God in Him. 6:1 We then, as workers together with Him also

plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: " In an

acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped

you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18 1"Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen

by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before

you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may

have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3But

when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right

hand is doing, 4that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father

who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. 5"And when you pray, you

shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the

synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men.

Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6But you, when you pray, go

into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is

in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they

think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “Therefore do not be like

them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad

countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be

fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you

fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to

men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your

Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.



67

FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT

The Collect

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by

Satan; Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations;

and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you

mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and

reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

First Reading

Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7

215Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to

tend and keep it. 16And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of

every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17but of the tree of the

knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of

it you shall surely die."

31Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the

LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You

shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" 2And the woman said to the

serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3but of the fruit of

the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat

it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.'" 4Then the serpent said to the

woman, "You will not surely die. 5For God knows that in the day you eat of

it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and

evil." 6So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was

pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its

fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7Then the

eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked;

and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.



68

Psalm 32

Response: The LORD Himself has covered our sins.

1Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,

Whose sin is covered. 2Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity,

And in whose spirit there is no deceit.


5I acknowledged my sin to You,

And my iniquity I have not hidden.

I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,"

And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.


7You are my hiding place;

You shall preserve me from trouble;

You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. 11Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous;

And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!


69

Second Reading

Romans 5:12-17 12Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death

through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned- 13(For until

the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had

not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a

type of Him who was to come. 15But the free gift is not like the offense. For if

by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift

by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16And the gift is

not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which

came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came

from many offenses resulted in justification. 17For if by the one man's offense

death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of

grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus

Christ.)



Gospel Reading

Matthew 4:1-11 1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the

devil. 2And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was

hungry. 3Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of

God, command that these stones become bread." 4But He answered and said,

"It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that

proceeds from the mouth of God.'" 5Then the devil took Him up into the holy

city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6and said to Him, "If You are the

Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ' He shall give His angels

charge over you,' and, ' In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash

your foot against a stone.'" 7Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall

not tempt the LORD your God.'" 8Again, the devil took Him up on an

exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and

their glory. 9And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall

down and worship me." 10Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For

it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall

serve.'" 11Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to

Him.



70

SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

The Collect

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have

gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and

steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your

Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and

reigns, one God, forever and ever. Amen

First Reading

Genesis 12:1-8

21Now the LORD had said to Abram:

“Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house,

To a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless

you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless

those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the

families of the earth shall be blessed.”

4 So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him.

And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 Then

Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother’s son, and all their

possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had

acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they

came to the land of Canaan. 6 Abram passed through the land to the place

of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were

then in the land. 7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your

descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the LORD,

who had appeared to him. 8 And he moved from there to the mountain east

of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the

east; there he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD.



71

Psalm 33

Response: Blessed are they who call upon the Name of the Lord.

6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,

And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap;

He lays up the deep in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;

Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.


10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;

He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. 11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever,

The plans of His heart to all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,

The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.


13 The LORD looks from heaven;

He sees all the sons of men. 14 From the place of His dwelling He looks

On all the inhabitants of the earth; 15 He fashions their hearts individually;

He considers all their works.


20 Our soul waits for the LORD;

He is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him,

Because we have trusted in His holy name. 22 Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us,

Just as we hope in You.


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Second Reading

Romans 4:1-5 1What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the

flesh? 2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast

about, but not before God. 3For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham

believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 4Now to him

who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5But to him

who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith

is accounted for righteousness,



Gospel Reading

John 3:1-17 1There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless

God is with him." 3Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4Nicodemus

said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second

time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the

kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born

again.' 8The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born

of the Spirit." 9Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things

be?" 10Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We

know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I

tell you heavenly things? 13No one has ascended to heaven but He who came

down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted

up, 15that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever

believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17For God did not

send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.



73

THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT

The Collect

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help

ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls,

that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the

body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy

Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

First Reading

Exodus 17:1-7

1Then all the congregation of the children of Israel set out on their journey

from the Wilderness of Sin, according to the commandment of the LORD,

and camped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink. 2Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, "Give us water, that

we may drink." So Moses said to them, "Why do you contend with me? Why

do you tempt the LORD?" 3And the people thirsted there for water, and the

people complained against Moses, and said, "Why is it you have brought us

up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?" 4So Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, "What shall I do with this people?

They are almost ready to stone me!" 5And the LORD said to Moses, "Go on

before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take

in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. 6Behold, I

will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the

rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses

did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7So he called the name of the

place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of

Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us

or not?"



74

Psalm 95

Response: The LORD is our Rock,

And the well of our salvation.

1Oh come, let us sing to the LORD!

Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. 2Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;

Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. 3For the LORD is the great God,

And the great King above all gods.



4In His hand are the deep places of the earth;

The heights of the hills are His also. 5The sea is His, for He made it;

And His hands formed the dry land. 6Oh come, let us worship and bow down;

Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.



8Today, if you will hear His voice:

"Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion,

As in the day of trial in the wilderness, 9When your fathers tested Me;

They tried Me, though they saw My work. 11So I swore in My wrath,

'They shall not enter My rest.' "



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Second Reading

Romans 5:1-8

1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through

our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have access by faith into this

grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not

only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces

perseverance; 4and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5Now

hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in

our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6For when we were still

without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a

righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would

even dare to die. 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that

while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.



Gospel Reading

John 4:5-14

5So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of

ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6Now Jacob's well was there.

Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was

about the sixth hour. 7A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said

to her, "Give Me a drink." 8For His disciples had gone away into the city to

buy food. 9Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You,

being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no

dealings with Samaritans. 10Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew

the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would

have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." 11The woman

said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep.

Where then do You get that living water? 12Are You greater than our father

Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons

and his livestock?" 13Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of

this water will thirst again, 14but whoever drinks of the water that I shall

give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in

him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."



76

FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT

The Collect

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to

be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread,

that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the

Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

First Reading

1 Samuel 16:1-7

1Now the LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I

have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go;

I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a

king among his sons." 2And Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears it, he

will kill me." But the LORD said, "Take a heifer with you, and say, 'I have

come to sacrifice to the LORD.' 3Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will

show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you." 4So Samuel did what the LORD said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders

of the town trembled at his coming, and said, "Do you come peaceably?" 5And he said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Sanctify

yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice." Then he consecrated Jesse

and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice. 6So it was, when they came,

that he looked at Eliab and said, "Surely the LORD's anointed is before

Him!" 7But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at

his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see

as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks

at the heart."



77

Psalm 23

Response: The LORD 's heart is to shepherd His people.

1The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want. 2He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.


3He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil; for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.


5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.


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Second Reading

Ephesians 5:1-10

1Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2And walk in love, as Christ

also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God

for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3But fornication and all uncleanness or

covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not

fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5For this you know, that no fornicator,

unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in

the kingdom of Christ and God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words,

for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of

disobedience. 7Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8For you were once

darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the

fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10finding out

what is acceptable to the Lord.



Gospel Reading

John 9:1-11

1Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2And His

disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,

that he was born blind?" 3Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents

sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 4I must work

the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no

one can work. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." 6When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with

the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7And He

said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated, Sent). So

he went and washed, and came back seeing. 8Therefore the neighbors and

those who previously had seen that he was blind said, "Is not this he who sat

and begged?" 9Some said, "This is he." Others said, "He is like him." He said,

"I am he." 10Therefore they said to him, "How were your eyes opened?" 11He

answered and said, "A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and

said to me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed, and I

received sight."



79

FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT

The Collect

Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of

sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what

you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our

hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through

Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one


First Reading

Ezekiel 37:1-14 1The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the

LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very

many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3And He said to me,

"Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord GOD, You know." 4Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry

bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones:

"Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6I will put

sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in

you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD."'" 7So I

prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and

suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8Indeed, as I

looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them

over; but there was no breath in them. 9Also He said to me, "Prophesy to the

breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord

GOD: "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that

they may live."'" 10So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came

into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great

army. 11Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of

Israel. They indeed say, 'Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves

are cut off!' 12Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD:

"Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from

your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13Then you shall know that

I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought

you up from your graves. 14I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I

will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have

spoken it and performed it," says the LORD.'"



80

Psalm 130

Response: The LORD gives life, and raises the dead.

1Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD; 2Lord, hear my voice!

Let Your ears be attentive

To the voice of my supplications.


3If You, LORD, should mark iniquities,

O Lord, who could stand? 4But there is forgiveness with You,

That You may be feared.


5I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,

And in His word I do hope. 6My soul waits for the Lord

More than those who watch for the morning-

Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.


7O Israel, hope in the LORD;

For with the LORD there is mercy,

And with Him is abundant redemption. 8And He shall redeem Israel

From all his iniquities.


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Second Reading

Romans 8:8-11

8So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9But you are not in

the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if

anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10And if Christ is in

you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of

righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead

dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your

mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.



Gospel Reading

John 11:18-27

18Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19And many of

the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them

concerning their brother. 20Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus

was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21Now

Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not

have died. 22But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will

give You." 23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24Martha said

to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in

Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26And whoever lives and believes in

Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 27She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I

believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the

world."



82

PALM SUNDAY: AT THE PROCESSION OF THE PALMS (optional)

Gospel Reading

Matthew 21:1-12

1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the

Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into

the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a

colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says

anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and

immediately he will send them.” 4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled

which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,

‘Behold, your King is coming to you,

Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,

A colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought

the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut

down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the

multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“Hosanna to the Son of David!

‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’

Hosanna in the highest!”

10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying,

“Who is this?”

11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of

Galilee.”

12 Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who

bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money

changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13 And He said to them, “It

is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it

a ‘den of thieves.’”



83

Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday

The Collect

Almighty and ever living God, in your tender love for the human race you

sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to

suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility:

Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share

in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with


First Reading

Isaiah 50:4-9

4" The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should

know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me

morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned. 5The Lord

GOD has opened My ear; And I was not rebellious, Nor did I turn away. 6I

gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked

out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. 7" For the

Lord GOD will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have

set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed. 8He is near

who justifies Me; Who will contend with Me? Let us stand together. Who is

My adversary? Let him come near Me. 9Surely the Lord GOD will help Me;

Who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a

garment; The moth will eat them up.



84

Psalm 31

Response: I trust in You, O LORD; for You are my God.

9Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble;

My eye wastes away with grief, 11I am a reproach among all my enemies,

But especially among my neighbors,

And am repulsive to my acquaintances;

Those who see me outside flee from me.


12I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind;

I am like a broken vessel. 13For I hear the slander of many;

Fear is on every side;

While they take counsel together against me,

They scheme to take away my life.


14But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD;

I say, "You are my God." 15My times are in Your hand;

Deliver me from the hand of my enemies,

And from those who persecute me.


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Second Reading

Philippians 2:5-11

5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, being in the

form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7but made

Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in

the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled

Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the

cross. 9Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name

which is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should

bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the

earth, 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to

the glory of God the Father.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 21:1-17 (Option A - if NOT used in distribution of palms)

1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the

Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into

the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a

colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says

anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and

immediately he will send them.”

4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the

prophet, saying:

5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,

‘Behold, your King is coming to you,

Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,

A colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought

the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut

down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the

multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

86

“Hosanna to the Son of David!

‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’

Hosanna in the highest!”

10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying,

“Who is this?”

11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of

Galilee.”

12 Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who

bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money

changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13 And He said to them, “It

is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it

a ‘den of thieves.’”

14 Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed

them. 15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things

that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna

to the Son of David!” they were indignant 16 and said to Him, “Do You hear

what these are saying?”

And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read,

‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants

You have perfected praise’?”

17 Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged

there.



87

Matthew 26:14-28 (Option B)

26:14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?" And

they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. 16 So from that time he

sought opportunity to betray Him. 17 Now on the first day of the Feast of the

Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, "Where do

You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?" 18 And He said, "Go

into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time

is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples."'" 19 So

the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the

Passover. 20 When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. 21 Now

as they were eating, He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will

betray Me." 22 And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them

began to say to Him, "Lord, is it I?" 23 He answered and said, "He who

dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. 24 The Son of Man

indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the

Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not

been born." 25 Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said,

"Rabbi, is it I?" He said to him, "You have said it." 26 And as they were

eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples

and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." 27 Then He took the cup, and gave

thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is

My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of

sins.



88

Monday in Holy Week

The Collect

Almighty God, whose dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain,

and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we,

walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other that the way of life

and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

First Reading

Isaiah 42:1-9

1"Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul

delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the

Gentiles. 2He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, Nor cause His voice to be

heard in the street. 3A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He

will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. 4He will not fail nor be

discouraged, Till He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands

shall wait for His law." 5Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens

and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes

from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk

on it: 6" I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your

hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to

the Gentiles, 7To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison,

Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. 8I am the LORD, that is

My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved

images. 9Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I

declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them."



89

Psalm 36

Response: The LORD has become a covenant for His people.

5Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens;

Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. 6Your righteousness is like the great mountains;

Your judgments are a great deep; O LORD, You preserve man and beast.


7How precious is Your loving-kindness, O God! Therefore the children of

men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. 8They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,

And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.


9For with You is the fountain of life;

In Your light we see light. 10Oh, continue Your loving-kindness to those who know You,

And Your righteousness to the upright in heart. 11Let not the foot of pride come against me,

And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.


90

First Reading

Hebrews 9:11-15

11But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the

greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of

this creation. 12Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own

blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal

redemption. 13For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer,

sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14how much

more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered

Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to

serve the living God? 15And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new

covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions

under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise

of the eternal inheritance.



Gospel Reading

John 12:1-11

1Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus

was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. 2There they

made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who

sat at the table with Him. 3Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of

spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And

the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 4But one of His disciples,

Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, 5"Why was this

fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" 6This

he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had

the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. 7But Jesus said,

"Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. 8For the poor you

have with you always, but Me you do not have always." 9Now a great many

of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake

only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the

dead. 10But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, 11because

on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.



91

Tuesday in Holy Week

The Collect

O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of

shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the

cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of

your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the

Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

First Reading

Isaiah 49:1-7 1"Listen, O coastlands, to Me, And take heed, you peoples from afar! The

LORD has called Me from the womb; From the matrix of My mother He has

made mention of My name. 2And He has made My mouth like a sharp

sword; In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, And made Me a

polished shaft; In His quiver He has hidden Me." 3" And He said to me, ' You

are My servant, O Israel, In whom I will be glorified.' 4Then I said, 'I have

labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain; Yet surely

my just reward is with the LORD, And my work with my God.'" 5" And now

the LORD says, Who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To bring

Jacob back to Him, So that Israel is gathered to Him (For I shall be glorious

in the eyes of the LORD, And My God shall be My strength), 6Indeed He

says, ' It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the

tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give

You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends

of the earth.'" 7Thus says the LORD, The Redeemer of Israel, their Holy

One, To Him whom man despises, To Him whom the nation abhors, To the

Servant of rulers: " Kings shall see and arise, Princes also shall worship,

Because of the LORD who is faithful, The Holy One of Israel; And He has

chosen You."



92

Psalm 71

Response: Jesus, You are the Word of Life.

1In You, O LORD, I put my trust;

Let me never be put to shame. 2Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape;

Incline Your ear to me, and save me. 3Be my strong refuge,

To which I may resort continually;

You have given the commandment to save me,


4Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked,

Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. 5For You are my hope, O Lord GOD;

You are my trust from my youth. 6By You I have been upheld from birth;

You are He who took me out of my mother's womb.


7I have become as a wonder to many,

But You are my strong refuge. 10For my enemies speak against me;

And those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together, 11Saying, "God has forsaken him;

Pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him."


12O God, do not be far from me;

O my God, make haste to help me! 13Let them be confounded and consumed

Who are adversaries of my life; 14But I will hope continually,

And will praise You yet more and more.


93

First Reading


18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but

to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written: " I will

destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of

the prudent." 20Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the

disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know

God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to

save those who believe. 22For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after

wisdom; 23but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and

to the Greeks foolishness, 24but to those who are called, both Jews and

Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.



Gospel Reading

John 12:44-50

44 Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me

but in Him who sent Me. 45 And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46 I

have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not

abide in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I

do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the

world. 48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which

judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me

gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I

know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just

as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”



94

Wednesday in Holy Week

The Collect

Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and

his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of

the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through

Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy


First Reading

Isaiah 50:4-9

4" The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should

know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me

morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned. 5The Lord

GOD has opened My ear; And I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away. 6I

gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked

out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. 7" For the

Lord GOD will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have

set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed. 8He is near

who justifies Me; Who will contend with Me? Let us stand together. Who is

My adversary? Let him come near Me. 9Surely the Lord GOD will help Me;

Who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a

garment; The moth will eat them up.



95

Psalm 70

Response: He who trusts in the LORD,

Will never be put to shame.

1Make haste, O God, to deliver me!

Make haste to help me, O LORD! 2Let them be ashamed and confounded

Who seek my life;

Let them be turned back and confused

Who desire my hurt.



3Let them be turned back because of their shame,

Who say, "Aha, aha!" 4Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;

And let those who love Your salvation say continually,

"Let God be magnified!"



5But I am poor and needy;

Make haste to me, O God!

You are my help and my deliverer;

O LORD, do not delay.



.

96

Second Reading

Hebrews 12:1-3

1Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of

witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily

ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy

that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has

sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3For consider Him who

endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become

weary and discouraged in your souls.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 26:31-39

31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of

Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of

the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised, I will go before

you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to

stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” 34 Jesus said to

him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you

will deny Me three times.” 35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with

You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.

36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the

disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him

Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and

deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly

sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” 39 He went a little

farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is

possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You

will.”



97

Holy Thursday

The Collect

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted

the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive

it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy

mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns


First Reading

Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14

1Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2"This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month

of the year to you. 3Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: 'On the

tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to

the house of his father, a lamb for a household. 4And if the household is too

small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it

according to the number of the persons; according to each man's need you

shall make your count for the lamb. 5Your lamb shall be without blemish, a

male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the

whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. 7And

they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on

the lintel of the houses where they eat it. 8Then they shall eat the flesh on

that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they

shall eat it. 11And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your

sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in

haste. It is the LORD's Passover. 12'For I will pass through the land of Egypt

on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man

and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am

the LORD. 13Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you

are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not

be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14'So this day

shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD

throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting

ordinance.



98

Psalm 116

Response: Let us remember the sacrifice of the Lamb.

1I love the LORD, because He has heard

My voice and my supplications. 2Because He has inclined His ear to me,

Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.


12What shall I render to the LORD

For all His benefits toward me? 13I will take up the cup of salvation,

And call upon the name of the LORD.


14I will pay my vows to the LORD

Now in the presence of all His people. 16O LORD, truly I am Your servant;

I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant;

You have loosed my bonds.


99

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 23For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the

Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24and

when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body

which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 25In the same

manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new

covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of

Me." 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the

Lord's death till He comes.



Gospel Reading

John 13:1-15 1Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had

come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His

own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2And supper being

ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot,

Simon's son, to betray Him, 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all

things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded

Himself. 5After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the

disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You

washing my feet?" 7Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you

do not understand now, but you will know after this." 8Peter said to Him,

"You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you,

you have no part with Me." 9Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet

only, but also my hands and my head!" 10Jesus said to him, "He who is

bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are

clean, but not all of you." 11For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He

said, "You are not all clean." 12So when He had washed their feet, taken His

garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have

done to you? 13You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to

wash one another's feet. 15For I have given you an example, that you should

do as I have done to you.



100

Good Friday

The Collect

Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom

our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of

sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with


First Reading

Isaiah 53:1-12 1 Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been

revealed? 2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root

out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him,

There is no beauty that we should desire Him. 3 He is despised and rejected

by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were,

our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely

He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him

stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our

transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our

peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep

have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the

LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and He was

afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the

slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His

mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will

declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For

the transgressions of My people He was stricken. 9 And they made His grave

with the wicked- But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no

violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to

bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for

sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of

the LORD shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and

be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For

He shall bear their iniquities.12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the

great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out

His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He

bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.



101

Psalm 22

Response: You were crucified in weakness; and for us became sin.

4Our fathers trusted in You;

They trusted, and You delivered them. 5They cried to You, and were delivered;

They trusted in You, and were not ashamed. 6But I am a worm, and no man;

A reproach of men, and despised by the people.


14I am poured out like water,

And all My bones are out of joint; 15My strength is dried up like a potsherd,

And My tongue clings to My jaws;

You have brought Me to the dust of death.


16 For dogs have surrounded Me;

The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.

They pierced My hands and My feet; 17 I can count all My bones.

They look and stare at Me. 18 They divide My garments among them,

And for My clothing they cast lots.


30A posterity shall serve Him.

It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation, 31They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be

born, That He has done this.


102

Second Reading

Hebrews 4:14-16

14Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the

heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do

not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but

was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore

come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find

grace to help in time of need.



Gospel Reading (The Passion)

The customary responses before and after the Gospel are omitted.

The congregation may be seated for the first part of the Passion.

Stand at verse 17. Kneel after verse 30.

(remain seated)

John (18:1-40) 19:1-42

19:1 So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. 2 And the soldiers twisted

a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple

robe. 3 Then they said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they struck Him with

their hands. 4 Pilate then went out again, and said to them, "Behold, I am

bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him." 5

Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And

Pilate said to them, "Behold the Man!" 6 Therefore, when the chief priests

and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!"

Pilate said to them, "You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in

Him." 7 The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to our law

He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God." 8 Therefore,

when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, 9 and went again

into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, "Where are You from?" But Jesus

103

gave him no answer. 10 Then Pilate said to Him, "Are You not speaking to

me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to

release You?" 11 Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against

Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who

delivered Me to you has the greater sin." 12 From then on Pilate sought to

release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, "If you let this Man go, you are

not Caesar's friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar." 13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat

down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in

Hebrew, Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and

about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" 15 But

they cried out, "Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!" Pilate said to

them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no

king but Caesar!" 16 Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then

they took Jesus and led Him away. (stand) 17 And He, bearing His cross,

went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew,

Golgotha, 18 where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on

either side, and Jesus in the center. 19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on

the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE

JEWS. 20 Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus

was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and

Latin. 21 Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write,

'The King of the Jews,' but, 'He said, "I am the King of the Jews."'" 22 Pilate

answered, "What I have written, I have written." 23 Then the soldiers, when

they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each

soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven

from the top in one piece. 24 They said therefore among themselves, "Let us

not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be," that the Scripture might be

fulfilled which says: " They divided My garments among them, And for My

clothing they cast lots." Therefore the soldiers did these things. 25 Now

there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary

the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His

mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother,

"Woman, behold your son!" 27 Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your

mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. 28 After

this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the

Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine

was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop,

and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He

said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (kneel) 31

Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not

remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the

Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be

104

taken away. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of

the other who was crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and

saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the

soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water

came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true;

and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For

these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, "Not one of His

bones shall be broken." 37 And again another Scripture says, "They shall

look on Him whom they pierced." 38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a

disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he

might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he

came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to

Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a

hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips

of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the

place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new

tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus,

because of the Jews' Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

customary response is omitted

105

Holy Saturday

The Collect

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of

your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on his holy Sabbath, so we

may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to

newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one

God, forever and ever. Amen

First Reading

Job 14:1-14

1"Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. 2He comes

forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not

continue. 3And do you open your eyes on such a one, and bring me to

judgment with Yourself? 4Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No

one! 5Since his days are determined, the number of his months is with You;

You have appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass. 6Look away from him

that he may rest, till like a hired man he finishes his day. 7"For there is hope

for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its tender

shoots will not cease. 8Though its root may grow old in the earth, and its

stump may die in the ground, 9yet at the scent of water it will bud ad bring

forth branches like a plant. 10But man dies and is laid away; Indeed he

breathes his last and where is he? 11As water disappears from the sea, and

a river becomes parched and dries up, 12So man lies down and does not

rise. Till the heavens are no more, they will not awake nor be roused from

their sleep. 13"Oh, that You would hide me in the grave, that You would

conceal me until Your wrath is past, that You would appoint me a set time,

and remember me! 14If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my

hard service I will wait, till my change comes.



106

Psalm 31

Response: All our hope is in You, O LORD.

1In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed;

Deliver me in Your righteousness. 2Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily;

Be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me.


3For You are my rock and my fortress;

Therefore, for Your name's sake, lead me and guide me. 4Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,

For You are my strength.


15My times are in Your hand;


And from those who persecute me. 16Make Your face shine upon Your servant;

Save me for Your mercies' sake.


107

Second Reading

1 Peter 4:1-8 1Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also

with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from

sin, 2that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the

lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3For we have spent enough of our past

lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles-when we walked in lewdness, lusts,

drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4In

regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the

same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5They will give an account to

Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For this reason the

gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged

according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7But

the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your

prayers. 8And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love

will cover a multitude of sins."



Gospel Reading

Matthew 27:57-66 57Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea,

named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58This man

went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the

body to be given to him. 59When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it

in a clean linen cloth, 60and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out

of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and

departed. 61And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting

opposite the tomb. 62On the next day, which followed the Day of

Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63saying, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver

said, 'After three days I will rise.' 64Therefore command that the tomb be

made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal

Him away, and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead.' So the last

deception will be worse than the first." 65Pilate said to them, "You have a

guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how." 66So they went

and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.



108

Easter Day: Feast of the Resurrection

The Collect

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame

death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who

celebrate with joy the day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the

death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who

lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen

First Reading

Acts 10:34-43

34Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God

shows no partiality. 35But in every nation whoever fears Him and works

righteousness is accepted by Him. 36The word which God sent to the

children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ-He is Lord of all- 37that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and

began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38how God

anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went

about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God

was with Him. 39And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the

land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 40Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41not to all

the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and

drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42And He commanded us to

preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to

be Judge of the living and the dead. 43To Him all the prophets witness that,

through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."



109

Psalm 118

Response: This is the day the LORD has made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it.

14The LORD is my strength and song,

And He has become my salvation. 15The voice of rejoicing and salvation

Is in the tents of the righteous;



17I shall not die, but live,

And declare the works of the LORD. 18The LORD has chastened me severely,

But He has not given me over to death.



22The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief cornerstone. 23This was the LORD's doing;

It is marvelous in our eyes.



110

Second Reading

Colossians 3:1-4

1If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above,

where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2Set your mind on things

above, not on things on the earth. 3For you died, and your life is hidden

with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will

appear with Him in glory.



Gospel Reading

John 20:1-9

1Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early,

while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the

tomb. 2Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple,

whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of

the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." 3Peter therefore

went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4So they both

ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet

he did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the

tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7and the handkerchief that

had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded

together in a place by itself. 8Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb

first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9For as yet they did not know

the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.



111

Second Sunday of Easter

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the

new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the

fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess

by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you


First Reading

Acts 2:22-28

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested by

God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in

your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, being delivered by the

determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless

hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having

loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be

held by it. 25 For David says concerning Him:

‘I foresaw the LORD always before my face,

For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;

Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. 27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades,

Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life;

You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’



112

Psalm 16

Response: I believe in the Resurrection and the Life

2 O my soul, you have said to the LORD,

“You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.” 3 As for the saints who are on the earth,

“They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”


5 O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;

You maintain my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;

Yes, I have a good inheritance.


8 I have set the LORD always before me;

Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;

My flesh also will rest in hope.


10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,

Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 11 You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.


113

Second Reading

1 Peter 1:3-9

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to

His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the

resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4to an inheritance incorruptible

and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be

revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little

while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7that the

genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that

perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and

glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8whom having not seen you love.

Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy

inexpressible and full of glory, 9receiving the end of your faith-the salvation

of your souls.



Gospel Reading

John 20:19-31

19Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the

doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews,

Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the

disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21So Jesus said to them again,

"Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." 22And when He

had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy

Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain

the sins of any, they are retained." 24Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of

the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25The other disciples

therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless

I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of

the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." 26And after

eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus

came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to

you!" (continued)

114

27Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands;

and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving,

but believing." 28And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my

God!" 29Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have

believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." 30And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples,

which are not written in this book; 31but these are written that you may

believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may

have life in His name.



115

Third Sunday of Easter

The Collect

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the

breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all

his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy

Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

First Reading

Acts 2:29-36 29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that

he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore,

being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that

of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ

to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection

of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see

corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received

from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you

now see and hear.

34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:

‘The LORD said to my Lord,

“Sit at My right hand, 35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made

this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”



116

Psalm 116

Response: Jesus Christ our LORD, is risen from the dead.

2Because He has inclined His ear to me,

Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. 3The pains of death surrounded me,

And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; 4Then I called upon the name of the LORD:

"O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!"


5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;

Yes, our God is merciful. 6 The LORD preserves the simple;

I was brought low, and He saved me. 7 Return to your rest, O my soul,

For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.


8 For You have delivered my soul from death,

My eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. 9 I will walk before the LORD

In the land of the living. 10 I believed, therefore I spoke


'15 Precious in the sight of the LORD

Is the death of His saints. 16O LORD, truly I am Your servant;

I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant;

You have loosed my bonds.


117

Second Reading

1 Peter 1:13-21

13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope

fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus

Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former

lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be

holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

17And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to

each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here

in fear; 18knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like

silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your

fathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without

blemish and without spot. 20He indeed was foreordained before the

foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21who

through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him

glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.



Gospel Reading

Luke 24:13-35

13Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called

Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. 14And they talked

together of all these things which had happened. 15So it was, while they

conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. 16But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. 17And He

said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one

another as you walk and are sad?" 18Then the one whose name was Cleopas

answered and said to Him, "Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and

have You not known the things which happened there in these days?" 19And

He said to them, "What things?" So they said to Him, "The things

concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word

before God and all the people, 20and how the chief priests and our rulers

delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. 21But we were

hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all

this, today is the third day since these things happened. (continued)

118

22Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early,

astonished us. 23When they did not find His body, they came saying that

they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. 24And certain of

those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women

had said; but Him they did not see." 25Then He said to them, "O foolish

ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His

glory?" 27And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to

them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. 28Then they drew

near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would

have gone farther. 29But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it

is toward evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay with

them. 30Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took

bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were

opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32And they

said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with

us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" 33So they rose

up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and

those who were with them gathered together, 34saying, "The Lord is risen

indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" 35And they told about the things that

had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking

of bread



119

Fourth Sunday of Easter

The Collect

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that

when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and

follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns,

one God, forever and ever. Amen

First Reading

Nehemiah 9:6-15

6You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens,

with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in

them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You. 7"You

are the LORD God, Who chose Abram, and brought him out of Ur of the

Chaldeans, and gave him the name Abraham; 8You found his heart faithful

before You, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the

Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, and the

Girgashites- To give it to his descendants. You have performed Your words,

for You are righteous. 9"You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and

heard their cry by the Red Sea. 10You showed signs and wonders against

Pharaoh, against all his servants, and against all the people of his land. For

You knew that they acted proudly against them. So You made a name for

Yourself, as it is this day. 11And You divided the sea before them, So that

they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; And their

persecutors You threw into the deep, as a stone into the mighty waters. 12Moreover You led them by day with a cloudy pillar, and by night with a

pillar of fire, to give them light on the road which they should travel. 13"You

came down also on Mount Sinai, and spoke with them from heaven, and

gave them just ordinances and true laws, good statutes and

commandments. 14You made known to them Your holy Sabbath, and

commanded them precepts, statutes and laws, By the hand of Moses Your

servant. 15You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger, and brought

them water out of the rock for their thirst, and told them to go in to possess

the land which You had sworn to give them.



120

Psalm 23

Response: You lead us in the Way we should follow.

1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters. 3He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name's sake.


4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil; For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;


You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.


121

Second Reading

1 Peter 2:19-25

19For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one

endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20For what credit is it if, when you are

beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and

suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21For to this

you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example,

that you should follow His steps: 22" Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit

found in His mouth"; 23who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return;

when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who

judges righteously; 24who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree,

that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes

you were healed. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but have now

returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.



Gospel Reading

John 10:1-10

1"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the

door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2But

he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the

doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep

by name and leads them out. 4And when he brings out his own sheep, he

goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5Yet

they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do

not know the voice of strangers." 6Jesus used this illustration, but they did

not understand the things which He spoke to them. 7Then Jesus said to

them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All

who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not

hear them. 9I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and

will go in and out and find pasture. 10The thief does not come except to

steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and

that they may have it more abundantly.



122

Fifth Sunday of Easter

The Collect

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly

to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we

may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in

the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

First Reading

Acts 7:55-60

55 But he, Stephen, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw

the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said,

“Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right

hand of God!”

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him

with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And

the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named

Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord

Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud

voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this,

he fell asleep.



123

Psalm 31

Response: The stone the builders rejected,

Has become the chief cornerstone

1 In You, O LORD, I put my trust;

Let me never be ashamed;

Deliver me in Your righteousness. 2 Bow down Your ear to me,

Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge,

A fortress of defense to save me.



3 For You are my rock and my fortress;






15 My times are in Your hand;


And from those who persecute me. 16 Make Your face shine upon Your servant;

Save me for Your mercies’ sake.



124

Second Reading

1 Peter 2:4-10 4Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God

and precious, 5you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a

holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, " Behold, I lay in Zion A

chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." 7Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those

who are disobedient, " The stone which the builders rejected Has become the

chief cornerstone," 8and " A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. 9But

you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of

darkness into His marvelous light; 10who once were not a people but are now

the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.



Gospel Reading

John 14:1-12 1"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2In My

Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go

to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4And

where I go you know, and the way you know." 5Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" 6Jesus said

to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father

except through Me. 7"If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." 8Philip said to Him,

"Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." 9Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen

Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10Do you not

believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does

the works. 11Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. 12"Most assuredly, I say to

you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater

works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.



125

Sixth Sunday of Easter

The Collect

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as

surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that

we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises,

which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who

lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen

First Reading

Acts 17:22-31

22Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I

perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23for as I was passing

through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar

with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you

worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: 24God, who made the

world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not

dwell in temples made with hands. 25Nor is He worshiped with men's hands,

as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all

things. 26And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on

all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and

the boundaries of their dwellings, 27so that they should seek the Lord, in the

hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from

each one of us; 28for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also

some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' 29Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that

the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art

and man's devising. 30Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but

now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31because He has appointed

a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom

He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from

the dead."



126

Psalm 66

Response: God calls all nations to Himself,

Through the rising of His Son

1Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! 2 Sing out the honor of His name;

Make His praise glorious. 3 Say to God, “How awesome are Your works!

Through the greatness of Your power

Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.



4 All the earth shall worship You

And sing praises to You;

They shall sing praises to Your name.” 5 Come and see the works of God;

He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.



7 He rules by His power forever;

His eyes observe the nations;

Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves. 8 Oh, bless our God, you peoples!

And make the voice of His praise to be heard,



127

Second Reading

1 Peter 3:18-22

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He

might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the

Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who

formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the

days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is,

eight souls, were saved through water. 21 There is also an antitype which

now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the

answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus

Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels

and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.



Gospel Reading

John 14:15-21

15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father,

and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees

Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be

in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. 19 “A little while

longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I

live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father,

and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps

them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My

Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”



128

Feast of the Ascension

The Collect

Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far

above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to

perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth,

even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and

reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen

First Reading

Acts 1:1-11

1The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to

do and teach, 2until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the

Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many

infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the

things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 4And being assembled together

with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait

for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; 5for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy

Spirit not many days from now." 6Therefore, when they had come together,

they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to

Israel?" 7And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons

which the Father has put in His own authority. 8But you shall receive power

when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me

in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." 9Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken

up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10And while they looked

steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them

in white apparel, 11who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing

up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven,

will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."



129

Psalm 47

Response: The LORD has ascended to the Highest place;

Let all His creation serve Him.

1Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!

Shout to God with the voice of triumph! 2For the LORD Most High is awesome;

He is a great King over all the earth.



3He will subdue the peoples under us,

And the nations under our feet. 7For God is the King of all the earth;

Sing praises with understanding.



8God reigns over the nations;

God sits on His holy throne. 9The princes of the people have gathered together,

The people of the God of Abraham.

For the shields of the earth belong to God;

He is greatly exalted.



130

Second Reading

Ephesians 1:15-23

15Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love

for all the saints, 16do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of

you in my prayers: 17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of

glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge

of Him, 18the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may

know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His

inheritance in the saints, 19and what is the exceeding greatness of His

power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated

Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all principality and

power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in

this age but also in that which is to come. 22And He put all things under His

feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23which is His

body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.



Gospel Reading

Luke 24:45-53

45And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the

Scriptures. 46Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was

necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name

to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48And you are witnesses of these

things. 49Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the

city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." 50And He

led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed

them. 51Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted

from them and carried up into heaven. 52And they worshiped Him, and

returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53and were continually in the temple

praising and blessing God. Amen.



131

Seventh Sunday of Easter: The Sunday after Ascension Day

The Collect

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with

great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but

send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where

our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the

Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen

First Reading

Acts 1:6-14

6Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7And He said to them, "It is not

for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon

you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and

Samaria, and to the end of the earth." 9Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their

sight. 10And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11who also said, "Men of

Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was

taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near

Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. 13And when they had entered, they went

up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of

Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 14These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and

Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.



132

Psalm 68

Response: Through death and suffering the LORD has arisen.

4Sing to God, sing praises to His name;

Extol Him who rides on the clouds,

By His name YAH, and rejoice before Him. 5A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,

Is God in His holy habitation.


9You, O God, sent a plentiful rain,

Whereby You confirmed Your inheritance, when it was weary. 10Your congregation dwelt in it;

You, O God, provided from Your goodness for the poor. 11The Lord gave the word;

Great was the company of those who proclaimed it:


18You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive;

You have received gifts among men,

Even from the rebellious,

That the LORD God might dwell there.


19Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits,

The God of our salvation! 20Our God is the God of salvation;

And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death.


133

Second Reading

1 Peter 4:12-16 12Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try

you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13but rejoice to the

extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is

revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14If you are reproached

for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God

rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is

glorified. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or

as a busybody in other people's matters. 16Yet if anyone suffers as a

Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.



Gospel Reading

John 17:1-11 1Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father,

the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal

life to as many as You have given Him. 3And this is eternal life, that they

may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4I

have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have

given Me to do. 5And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with

the glory which I had with You before the world was. 6"I have manifested

Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They

were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7Now

they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. 8For

I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have

received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they

have believed that You sent Me. 9"I pray for them. I do not pray for the

world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10And all

Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 11Now I am

no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy

Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they

may be one as We are.



134

The Day of Pentecost

The Collect

Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race

and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift

throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to

the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns

with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

First Reading

Acts 2:1-7; 12-21 1When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in

one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing

mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3Then

there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each

of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak

with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5And there were

dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were

confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7Then

they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not

all these who speak Galileans?

12So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever

could this mean?" 13Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine." 14But

Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men

of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed

my words. 15For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the

third hour of the day. 16But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17'

And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of

My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your

young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18And on

My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those

days; And they shall prophesy. 19I will show wonders in heaven above And

signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20The sun

shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming

of the great and awesome day of the LORD. 21And it shall come to pass that

whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.'



135

Psalm 104

Response: The Spirit works wherever He wills;

And gives life to whoever He chooses.

3He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters,

Who makes the clouds His chariot,

Who walks on the wings of the wind, 4 Who makes His angels spirits,

His ministers a flame of fire.



31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever;

May the LORD rejoice in His works. 32 He looks on the earth, and it trembles;

He touches the hills, and they smoke.



24 O LORD, how manifold are Your works!

In wisdom You have made them all.

The earth is full of Your possessions—



136

Second Reading


3Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God

calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the

Holy Spirit. 4There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are

differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6And there are diversities of

activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7But the manifestation

of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8for to one is given the

word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge

through the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another

gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10to another the working of miracles, to

another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds

of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11But one and the

same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as

He wills. 12For as the body is one and has many members, but all the

members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-whether Jews or

Greeks, whether slaves or free-and have all been made to drink into one

Spirit.



Gospel Reading

John 7:37-39

37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out,

saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes

in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living

water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in

Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was

not yet glorified.



137

Trinity Sunday

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by

the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the Eternal

Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep

us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your

one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live

and reign, one God, forever and ever. Amen

First Reading

Genesis 1:26 - 2:4

126 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our

likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of

the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing

that creeps on the earth." 27 So God created man in His own image; in the

image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then

God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the

earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds

of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." 29 And God

said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face

of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for

food. 30 Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to

everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given

every green herb for food"; and it was so. 31 Then God saw everything that

He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning

were the sixth day. 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of

them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which

He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He

had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in

it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. 4 This is the

history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day

that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.



138

Psalm 8

Response: May God be glorified in all His Fullness

1O LORD, our Lord,

How excellent is Your name in all the earth,

Who have set Your glory above the heavens! 2Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants

You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies,

That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.


3When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, 4What is man that You are mindful of him,

And the son of man that You visit him? 5For You have made him a little lower than the angels,

And You have crowned him with glory and honor.


6You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;

You have put all things under his feet, 7All sheep and oxen- even the beasts of the field, 8The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea

That pass through the paths of the seas. 9O LORD, our Lord,

How excellent is Your name in all the earth!


139

Second Reading


5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do

you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you

are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear

approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem

disqualified. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we

pray, that you may be made complete. 10 Therefore I write these things

being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the

authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for

destruction.

11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of

one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with

you.12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you. 14 The

grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of

the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 28:16-20

16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which

Jesus had appointed for them. 17When they saw Him, they worshiped Him;

but some doubted. 18And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All

authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and

make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father

and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things

that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end

of the age." Amen.



140

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper One

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


First Reading


15"See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, 16in that I

command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to

keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may

live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which

you go to possess. 17But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear,

and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18I announce

to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in

the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. 19I call

heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before

you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you

and your descendants may live; 20that you may love the LORD your God,

that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your

life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which

the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give

them."



141

Psalm 119

Response: The Gift of Life is found in God's message.

1Blessed are the undefiled in the way,

Who walk in the law of the LORD! 2Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,

Who seek Him with the whole heart! 3They also do no iniquity;

They walk in His ways.


4You have commanded us

To keep Your precepts diligently. 5Oh, that my ways were directed

To keep Your statutes! 6Then I would not be ashamed,

When I look into all Your commandments.


16 I will delight myself in Your statutes;

I will not forget Your word. 17 Deal bountifully with Your servant,

That I may live and keep Your word. 18 Open my eyes, that I may see

Wondrous things from Your law.


142

Second Reading


6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not

the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to

nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden

and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers

of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the

Lord of glory.

9 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen,

what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—

the things God has prepared for those who love him— 10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 5:21-26

21"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder,

and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' 22But I say to you

that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of

the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of

the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. 23Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your

brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar,

and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and

offer your gift. 25Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the

way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand

you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26Assuredly, I say to

you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.



143

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Two

The Collect

O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth

nothing; Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift,

which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which

whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your

only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one


First Reading

Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18

1And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2"Speak to all the congregation of

the children of Israel, and say to them: 'You shall be holy, for I the LORD

your God am holy.

9'When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the

corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of

your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the

LORD your God. 11'You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one

another. 12And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you

profane the name of your God: I am the LORD. 13'You shall not cheat your

neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with

you all night until morning. 14You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a

stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear your God: I am the LORD. 15'You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor,

nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your

neighbor. 16You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor

shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD. 17'You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke

your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. 18You shall not take

vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but

you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.



144

Psalm 119

Response: Let us build our lives on the Word of the LORD.



Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 35Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,

For I delight in it.


36Incline my heart to Your testimonies,

And not to covetousness. 37Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,






Revive me in Your righteousness. 41 Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD—

Your salvation according to Your word.


145

Second Reading


10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master

builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one

take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay

than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this

foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s

work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be

revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If

anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be

saved, yet so as through fire.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 5:38-48

38"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a

tooth.' 39But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on

your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40If anyone wants to sue you

and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41And whoever

compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42Give to him who asks you,

and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 43"You have

heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good

to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and

persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He

makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just

and on the unjust. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward have

you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet your

brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax

collectors do so? 48Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in

heaven is perfect.



146

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Three

The Collect

Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by

your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence

and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you


First Reading

Isaiah 49:8-16a

8 Thus says the LORD:

“In an acceptable time I have heard You, and in the day of salvation I

have helped You; I will preserve You and give You as a covenant to the

people, to restore the earth, to cause them to inherit the desolate

heritages; 9 That You may say to the prisoners, ‘Go forth,’ to those who are

in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’ “They shall feed along the roads,

And their pastures shall be on all desolate heights. 10 They shall neither

hunger nor thirst, neither heat nor sun shall strike them; For He who has

mercy on them will lead them, even by the springs of water He will guide

them. 11 I will make each of My mountains a road, and My highways shall

be elevated. 12 Surely these shall come from afar; Look! Those from the

north and the west, and these from the land of Sinim.”

13 Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing,

O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and will have

mercy on His afflicted. 14 But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me,

And my Lord has forgotten me.”

15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on

the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. 16 See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;

Your walls are continually before Me.



147

Psalm 62

Response: God will never forget, the children of His love.

1Truly my soul silently waits for God;

From Him comes my salvation. 2 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense;

I shall not be greatly moved.


5 My soul, wait silently for God alone,

For my expectation is from Him. 7 In God is my salvation and my glory;

The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.


8 Trust in Him at all times, you people;

Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.. 10 Do not trust in oppression, nor vainly hope in robbery;

If riches increase, do not set your heart on them.


11 God has spoken once, twice I have heard this:

That power belongs to God. 12 Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy;

For You render to each one according to his work.


148

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the

mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found

faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you

or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of

nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me

is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes,

who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the

counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 6:24-34

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love

the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You

cannot serve God and mammon. 25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry

about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your

body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more

than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap

nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of

more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his

stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the

field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that

even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if

God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is

thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little

faith? 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall

we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles

seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But

seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things

shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for

tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own

trouble.



149

9th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Four

The Collect

O God, your never-failing providence sets in order all things both in heaven

and earth: Put away from us, we entreat you, all hurtful things, and give us

those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who


Amen

First Reading


26 “Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if

you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you

today; 28 and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD

your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go

after other gods which you have not known. 29 Now it shall be, when the

LORD your God has brought you into the land which you go to possess, that

you shall put the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal. 30 Are they not on the other side of the Jordan, toward the setting sun, in

the land of the Canaanites who dwell in the plain opposite Gilgal, beside the

terebinth trees of Moreh? 31 For you will cross over the Jordan and go in to

possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, and you will

possess it and dwell in it. 32 And you shall be careful to observe all the

statutes and judgments which I set before you today.



150

Psalm 31

Response: Blessed be the God of our Righteousness

In You, O LORD, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed;

Deliver me in Your righteousness. 2 Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily;

Be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. 3 For You are my rock and my fortress;






6 I have hated those who regard useless idols;

But I trust in the LORD. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy,

For You have considered my trouble;

You have known my soul in adversities, 8 And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy;

You have set my feet in a wide place.


151

Second Reading

Romans 3:21-26

21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being

witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God,

through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no

difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being

justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to

demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed

over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the

present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the

one who has faith in Jesus.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 7:21-28

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of

heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to

Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out

demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I

will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice

lawlessness!’ 24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does

them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and

the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that

house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them,

will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain

descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house;

and it fell. And great was its fall.”

28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were

astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority,

and not as the scribes.



152

10th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Five

The Collect

O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we

may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do

them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the


First Reading

Hosea 5:15-6:6

5:15 I will return again to My place Till they acknowledge their offense. Then

they will seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me."

6:1 Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal

us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. 2 After two days He will revive

us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. 3 Let

us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is

established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter

and former rain to the earth. 4 " O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? O

Judah, what shall I do to you? For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud,

And like the early dew it goes away. 5 Therefore I have hewn them by the

prophets, I have slain them by the words of My mouth; And your judgments

are like light that goes forth. 6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the

knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.



153

Psalm 33

Response: Great is your faithfulness;

Great is your mercy, O God.

1Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous!

For praise from the upright is beautiful. 2Praise the LORD with the harp;

Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.



4For the word of the LORD is right,

And all His work is done in truth. 5He loves righteousness and justice;

The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.



8Let all the earth fear the LORD;

Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. 9For He spoke, and it was done;

He commanded, and it stood fast.



11The counsel of the LORD stands forever,

The plans of His heart to all generations. 12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,

The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.



154

Second Reading

Romans 4:13-22

13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to

Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of

faith. 14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the

promise made of no effect, 15 because the law brings about wrath; for where

there is no law there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith that it

might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the

seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the

faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, “I have made

you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—

God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as

though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he

became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall

your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his

own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the

deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God

through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and

being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to

perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”



Gospel Reading

Matthew 9:9-13

9 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at

the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed

Him. 10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold,

many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His

disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why

does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 When Jesus heard

that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but

those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and

not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to

repentance.”



155

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Six

The Collect

Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love,

that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and

minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus

Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and

forever. Amen

First Reading

Exodus 19:1-9a

1 In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of

Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. 2 For they

had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and

camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain.

3 And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain,

saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of

Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on

eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed

obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure

to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a

kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall

speak to the children of Israel.”

7 So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before

them all these words which the LORD commanded him. 8 Then all the people

answered together and said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do.” So

Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD. 9 And the LORD

said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people

may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever.”



156

Psalm 50

Response: God sends forth the words of His covenant.

1 The Mighty One, God the LORD, has spoken and called the earth

From the rising of the sun to its going down. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth. 3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent


4 He shall call to the heavens from above,

And to the earth, that He may judge His people: 5 “Gather My saints together to Me,

Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.” 6 Let the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge.


7 “Hear, O My people, and I will speak,

O Israel, and I will testify against you; I am God, your God! 15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”


16 But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to declare My statutes,

Or take My covenant in your mouth, 17 Seeing you hate instruction and cast My words behind you? 22 “Now consider this, you who forget God,

Lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.


157

Second Reading

Romans 5:1-8

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through

our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this

grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not

only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces

perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now

hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in

our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For when we were still

without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a

righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would

even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that

while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 10:1-8

1And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power

over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and

all kinds of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first,

Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of

Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and

Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose

surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also

betrayed Him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying:

“Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the

Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as

you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick,

cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have

received, freely give.



158

12 Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Seven

The Collect

O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for

you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure

foundation of your loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives


First Reading

Jeremiah 20:7-13

7O LORD, You induced me, and I was persuaded; You are stronger than I,

and have prevailed. I am in derision daily; Everyone mocks me. 8For when I

spoke, I cried out; I shouted, "Violence and plunder!" Because the word of

the LORD was made to me a reproach and a derision daily. 9Then I said, "I

will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name." But His

word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary

of holding it back, and I could not.

10For I heard many mocking: " Fear on every side!" " Report," they say,

"and we will report it!" All my acquaintances watched for my stumbling,

saying, " Perhaps he can be induced; Then we will prevail against him, And

we will take our revenge on him." 11But the LORD is with me as a mighty,

awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail.

They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting

confusion will never be forgotten. 12But, O LORD of hosts, You who test the

righteous, And see the mind and heart, Let me see Your vengeance on

them; For I have pleaded my cause before You. 13Sing to the LORD! Praise

the LORD! For He has delivered the life of the poor from the hand of

evildoers.



159

Psalm 69

Response: Your suffered in our place;

You were delivered for our grace.

10When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting,

That became my reproach. 11I also made sackcloth my garment;

I became a byword to them. 12Those who sit in the gate speak against me,

And I am the song of the drunkards.



14Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink;

Let me be delivered from those who hate me,

And out of the deep waters. 15Let not the floodwater overflow me,

Nor let the deep swallow me up;

And let not the pit shut its mouth on me.



16Hear me, O LORD, for Your loving-kindness is good;

Turn to me according to the multitude of Your tender mercies. 17And do not hide Your face from Your servant,

For I am in trouble; Hear me speedily. 18Draw near to my soul, and redeem it;

Deliver me because of my enemies.



160

Second Reading

Romans 6:1-11 1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3Or do you

not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were

baptized into His death? 4Therefore we were buried with Him through

baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the

glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if

we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also

shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6knowing this, that our old man

was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that

we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7For he who has died has been freed

from sin. 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with

Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more.

Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10For the death that He died, He

died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Likewise

you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in

Christ Jesus our Lord.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 10:24-33 24"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his

master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much

more will they call those of his household! 26Therefore do not fear them. For

there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not

be known. 27"Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what

you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 28And do not fear those who

kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to

destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a copper

coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. 30But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31Do not fear therefore;

you are of more value than many sparrows. 32"Therefore whoever confesses

Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father

who is in heaven.



161

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Eight

The Collect

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the

apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone:

Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we

may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our

Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever

and ever. Amen

First Reading

Jeremiah 28:5-9, 15-17

5Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to the prophet Hananiah in the presence

of the priests and in the presence of all the people who stood in the house

of the LORD, 6and the prophet Jeremiah said, "Amen! The LORD do so; the

LORD perform your words which you have prophesied, to bring back the

vessels of the LORD's house and all who were carried away captive, from

Babylon to this place. 7Nevertheless hear now this word that I speak in

your hearing and in the hearing of all the people: 8The prophets who have

been before me and before you of old prophesied against many countries

and great kingdoms-of war and disaster and pestilence. 9As for the prophet

who prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet comes to pass, the

prophet will be known as one whom the LORD has truly sent."

15 Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Hear now,

Hananiah, the LORD has not sent you, but you make this people trust in a

lie. 16 Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will cast you from the face of

the earth. This year you shall die, because you have taught rebellion against

the LORD.’”

17 So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.



162

Psalm 89

Response: Your sheep obey your voice;

They wait for Your Anointed.

I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever;

With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever;

Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.” 3"I have made a covenant with My chosen,

I have sworn to My servant David:



19 Then You spoke in a vision to Your holy one,

And said: “I have given help to one who is mighty;

I have exalted one chosen from the people. 20 I have found My servant David;

With My holy oil I have anointed him, 21 With whom My hand shall be established;



I will not lie to David: 36 His seed shall endure forever,

And his throne as the sun before Me; 37 It shall be established forever like the moon,

Even like the faithful witness in the sky.”



163

Second Reading

Romans 6:16-23

16Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you

are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of

obedience leading to righteousness? 17But God be thanked that though you

were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to

which you were delivered. 18And having been set free from sin, you became

slaves of righteousness. 19I speak in human terms because of the weakness

of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of

uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now

present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. 20For when

you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21What

fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the

end of those things is death. 22But now having been set free from sin, and

having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end,

everlasting life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal

life in Christ Jesus our Lord.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 10:37-42

37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he

who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who

does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who

finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

40"He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him

who sent Me. 41He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall

receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the

name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42And

whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name

of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."



164

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Nine

The Collect

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you

and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be

devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure

affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and

the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

First Reading

Song of Solomon 2:8-13

8The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes Leaping upon the mountains,

Skipping upon the hills. 9My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.

Behold, he stands behind our wall; He is looking through the windows,

Gazing through the lattice. 10My beloved spoke, and said to me: " Rise up,

my love, my fair one, and come away. 11For lo, the winter is past, The rain

is over and gone. 12The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing

has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. 13The fig tree

puts forth her green figs, And the vines with the tender grapes Give a good

smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away!



165

Psalm 45

Response: The love of the world is deceptive;

The love of Lord is divine. 7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness;

Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You

With the oil of gladness more than Your companions. 8 All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia,

Out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made You glad. 9 Kings’ daughters are among Your honorable women;

At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.


The love of Lord is divine.

10 Listen, O daughter,

Consider and incline your ear; 11So the King will greatly desire your beauty;

Because He is your Lord, worship Him. 12And the daughter of Tyre will come with a gift;

The rich among the people will seek your favor.



13The royal daughter is all glorious within the palace;

Her clothing is woven with gold. 14She shall be brought to the King in robes of many colors;

The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to You. 15With gladness and rejoicing they shall be brought;

They shall enter the King's palace.



166

Second Reading

Romans 7:21- 8:1

721I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do

good. 22For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23But I

see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and

bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24O

wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25I

thank God-through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself

serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. 81There is therefore

now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk

according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

16"But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the

marketplaces and calling to their companions, 17and saying: 'We played the

flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not

lament.' 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has

a demon.' 19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look,

a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But

wisdom is justified by her children."

25At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of

heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and

prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26Even so, Father, for so it

seemed good in Your sight. 27All things have been delivered to Me by My

Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone

know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to

reveal Him. 28Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will

give you rest. 29Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle

and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For My yoke is

easy and My burden is light."



167

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Ten

The Collect

O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and

grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do,

and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through



First Reading

Isaiah 55:6-13 6 Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts;

Let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him;

And to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says

the LORD. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways

higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,

and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and

bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 So shall

My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void,

but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for

which I sent it.

12 “For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace;

The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you,

and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn

shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the

myrtle tree; and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign

that shall not be cut off.”



168

Psalm 65

Response: Your Word and Spirit bear fruit;

Abundant life in every season.

9You visit the earth and water it,

You greatly enrich it;

The river of God is full of water;

You provide their grain,

For so You have prepared it.



10You water its ridges abundantly,

You settle its furrows;

You make it soft with showers,

You bless its growth. 12They drop on the pastures of the wilderness,

And the little hills rejoice on every side.



11You crown the year with Your goodness,

And Your paths drip with abundance. 13The pastures are clothed with flocks;

The valleys also are covered with grain;

They shout for joy, they also sing.



169

Second Reading

Romans 8:8-11

8So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9But you are not in

the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if

anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10And if Christ is in

you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of

righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead

dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your

mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 1On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. 2And

great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat

and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3Then He spoke many

things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4And

as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and

devoured them. 5Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much

earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no

root they withered away. 7And some fell among thorns, and the thorns

sprang up and choked them. 8But others fell on good ground and yielded a

crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9He who has ears to

hear, let him hear!" 18"Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19When

anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then

the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This

is he who received seed by the wayside. 20But he who received the seed on

stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with

joy; 21yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when

tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he

stumbles. 22Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears

the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke

the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23But he who received seed on the

good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed

bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."



170

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Eleven

The Collect

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before

we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness,

and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not,

and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son



First Reading

Isaiah 44:1-8

1“Yet hear now, O Jacob My servant, and Israel whom I have chosen. 2 Thus says the LORD who made you and formed you from the womb, who

will help you: ‘Fear not, O Jacob My servant; And you, Jeshurun, whom I

have chosen. 3 For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the

dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on

your offspring; 4 They will spring up among the grass like willows by the

watercourses.’ 5 One will say, ‘I am the LORD’s’; Another will call himself by

the name of Jacob; Another will write with his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’

And name himself by the name of Israel.

6 Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of

hosts: "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. 7 Who

is like me? Let him proclaim it, let him declare and set it forth before me.

Who has announced from of old the things to come? Let them tell us what is

yet to be. 8 Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and

declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is

no Rock; I know not any."



171

Psalm 139

Response: The Spirit of God bears witness;

That we are the children of God.

1O LORD, You have searched me and known me. 2You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thought afar off. 3You comprehend my path and my lying down,

And are acquainted with all my ways.



4For there is not a word on my tongue,

But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. 5You have hedged me behind and before,

And laid Your hand upon me. 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is high, I cannot attain it.



7Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. 9If I take the wings of the morning,

And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10Even there Your hand shall lead me,

And Your right hand shall hold me.



172

Second Reading

Romans 8:12-18

12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors-not to the flesh, to live according to

the flesh. 13For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the

Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For as many as

are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15For you did not receive

the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption

by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." 16The Spirit Himself bears witness with

our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs - heirs of

God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may

also be glorified together. 18For I consider that the sufferings of this present

time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed

in us.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 13:36-43

36Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His

disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the

field." 37He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the

Son of Man. 38The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the

kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. 39The enemy who

sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers

are the angels. 40Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire,

so it will be at the end of this age. 41The Son of Man will send out His

angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and

those who practice lawlessness, 42and will cast them into the furnace of fire.

There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then the righteous will shine

forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let

him hear!



173

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Twelve

The Collect

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is

strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that,

with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal,

that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives


First Reading

1 Kings 3:5-12

5At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God

said, "Ask! What shall I give you?" 6And Solomon said: "You have shown

great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You

in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have

continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit

on his throne, as it is this day. 7Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your

servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not

know how to go out or come in. 8And Your servant is in the midst of Your

people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be

numbered or counted. 9Therefore give to Your servant an understanding

heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For

who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"

10The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11Then

God said to him: "Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked

long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the

life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern

justice, 12behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given

you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like

you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.



174

Psalm 119

Response: The LORD has revealed the secrets of His kingdom.

123 My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation

And Your righteous word. 124 Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy,

And teach me Your statutes. 125 I am Your servant;

Give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.


126 It is time for You to act, O LORD,

For they have regarded Your law as void. 127 Therefore I love Your commandments

More than gold, yes, than fine gold! 128 Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things

I consider to be right; I hate every false way.


129 Your testimonies are wonderful;

Therefore my soul keeps them. 130 The entrance of Your words gives light;

It gives understanding to the simple. 131 I opened my mouth and panted,

For I longed for Your commandments.


133 Direct my steps by Your word,

And let no iniquity have dominion over me. 134 Redeem me from the oppression of man,

That I may keep Your precepts. 135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant,

And teach me Your statutes.


175

Second Reading

Romans 8:26-30

26Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what

we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession

for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27Now He who searches the

hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession

for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that all things

work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called

according to His purpose. 29For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to

be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among

many brethren. 30Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called;

whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He

also glorified.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 13: 44-52

44"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a

man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and

buys that field. 45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking

beautiful pearls, 46who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went

and sold all that he had and bought it. 47"Again, the kingdom of heaven is

like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 48which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and

gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49So it will be at

the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from

among the just, 50and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be

wailing and gnashing of teeth."

51Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?" They said to

Him, "Yes, Lord." 52Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed

concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of

his treasure things new and old."



176

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Thirteen

The Collect

Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and,

because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it

always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and

reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

First Reading

Isaiah 55:1-5

1"Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no

money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money

and without price. 2Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And

your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what

is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. 3Incline your ear,

and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an

everlasting covenant with you- The sure mercies of David. 4Indeed I

have given him as a witness to the people, A leader and commander for

the people. 5Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, and nations

who do not know you shall run to you, Because of the LORD your God,

and the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you."



177

Psalm 145

Response: You, Lord, are the true bread from heaven

8The LORD is gracious and full of compassion,

Slow to anger and great in mercy. 9The LORD is good to all,

And His tender mercies are over all His works.


15The eyes of all look expectantly to You,

And You give them their food in due season. 16You open Your hand

And satisfy the desire of every living thing.


18The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,

To all who call upon Him in truth. 19He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;

He also will hear their cry and save them.


20The LORD preserves all who love Him,

But all the wicked He will destroy. 21My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD,

And all flesh shall bless His holy name

Forever and ever.


178

Second Reading

Romans 9:1-5

1I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me

witness in the Holy Spirit, 2that I have great sorrow and continual grief in

my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my

brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, 4who are Israelites, to

whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law,

the service of God, and the promises; 5of whom are the fathers and from

whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally

blessed God. Amen.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 14:13-21

13When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place

by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot

from the cities. 14And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and

He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. 15When it

was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place,

and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go

into the villages and buy themselves food." 16But Jesus said to them, "They

do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." 17And they said

to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish." 18He said, "Bring them

here to Me." 19Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.

And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He

blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples

gave to the multitudes. 20So they all ate and were filled, and they took up

twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. 21Now those who had

eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.



179

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Fourteen

The Collect

Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things

that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be

enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who


Amen

First Reading

Jonah 2:1-9

Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish’s belly. 2 And he said:

“I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction,

And He answered me.

“Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice. 3 For You cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas,

And the floods surrounded me;

All Your billows and Your waves passed over me. 4 Then I said, ‘I have been cast out of Your sight;

Yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.’ 5 The waters surrounded me, even to my soul;

The deep closed around me; Weeds were wrapped around my head. 6 I went down to the moorings of the mountains;

The earth with its bars closed behind me forever;

Yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD, my God.

7 “When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the LORD;

And my prayer went up to You, into Your holy temple.

8 “Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own Mercy. 9 But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving;

I will pay what I have vowed.

Salvation is of the LORD.” Reader: The Word of the Lord


180

Psalm 29

Response: You are the God of my salvation.

Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones,

Give unto the LORD glory and strength. 2 Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name;

Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.


3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters;

The God of glory thunders;

The LORD is over many waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful;

The voice of the LORD is full of majesty.


10 The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood,

And the LORD sits as King forever. 11 The LORD will give strength to His people;

The LORD will bless His people with peace.


181

Second Reading

Romans 10:6a-11

6a "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to

bring Christ down from above) 7or, "'Who will descend into the abyss?'"

(that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? "The word

is near you, in your mouth and in your heart"(that is, the word of faith

which we preach): 9that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and

believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be

saved. 10For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the

mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the Scripture says,

"Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."



Gospel Reading

Matthew 14:22-33

22Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him

to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23And when He had

sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.

Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24But the boat was now in

the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the

sea. 26And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were

troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27But

immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not

be afraid." 28And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command

me to come to You on the water." 29So He said, "Come." And when Peter

had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and

beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" 31And immediately

Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of

little faith, why did you doubt?" 32And when they got into the boat, the wind

ceased. 33Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him,

saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."



182

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Fifteen

The Collect

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin,

and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the

fruits of this redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his

most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns


First Reading

Isaiah 56:1-8

1Thus says the LORD: " Keep justice, and do righteousness, for My

salvation is about to come, and My righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who lays hold

on it; Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and keeps his hand from

doing any evil.”

3 Do not let the son of the foreigner Who has joined himself to the LORD

Speak, saying, “The LORD has utterly separated me from His people”;

Nor let the eunuch say, “Here I am, a dry tree.”

4 For thus says the LORD: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths,

and choose what pleases Me, and hold fast My covenant, 5 even to them I

will give in My house and within My walls a place and a name better than

that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall

not be cut off. 6"Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the

LORD, to serve Him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants -

everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My covenant- 7Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My

house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted

on My altar; For My house shall be called "a house of prayer for all nations."



183

Psalm 67

Response: You are the One through whom all nations

are blessed.

1God be merciful to us and bless us,

And cause His face to shine upon us, 2That Your way may be known on earth,

Your salvation among all nations.


are blessed.

3Let the peoples praise You, O God;

Let all the peoples praise You. 4Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy!

For You shall judge the people righteously,

And govern the nations on earth.


are blessed.

5Let the peoples praise You, O God;

Let all the peoples praise You. 6Then the earth shall yield her increase;

God, our own God, shall bless us. 7God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.


are blessed.

184

Second Reading

Romans 11:25-32

25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery,

lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has

happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so

all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion,

and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant

with them, when I take away their sins.” 28 Concerning the gospel they are

enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the

sake of the fathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy

through their disobedience, 31 even so these also have now been

disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have

mercy on all.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 15:21-28

21Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and

Sidon. 22And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried

out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter

is severely demon-possessed." 23But He answered her not a word. And His

disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out

after us." 24But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost

sheep of the house of Israel." 25Then she came and worshiped Him, saying,

"Lord, help me!" 26But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the

children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." 27And she said, "Yes, Lord,

yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." 28Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it

be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.



185

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Sixteen

The Collect

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity

by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the

glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns


First Reading

Isaiah 51:1-6

1"Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, You who seek the LORD:

Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from

which you were dug. 2Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore

you; For I called him alone, And blessed him and increased him." 3For the

LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make

her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy

and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of melody. 4"

Listen to Me, My people; And give ear to Me, O My nation: For law will

proceed from Me, and I will make My justice rest as a light of the peoples. 5My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, and My arms will

judge the peoples; The coastlands will wait upon Me, and on My arm they

will trust. 6Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look on the earth beneath.

For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, the earth will grow old like a

garment, and those who dwell in it will die in like manner; But My salvation

will be forever, and My righteousness will not be abolished.



186

Psalm 138

Response: Our God has revealed His Holy Arm

. 1I will praise You with my whole heart;

Before the gods I will sing praises to You. 2I will worship toward Your holy temple,

And praise Your name for Your loving-kindness and Your truth;

For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.


3In the day when I cried out, You answered me,

And made me bold with strength in my soul. 4All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O LORD,

When they hear the words of Your mouth. 5Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the LORD,

For great is the glory of the LORD.


6Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly;

But the proud He knows from afar. 7Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;

You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies,

And Your right hand will save me.


187

Second Reading

Romans 12:1-8

1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present

your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your

reasonable service. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be

transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that

good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3For I say, through the grace

given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more

highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each

one a measure of faith. 4For as we have many members in one body, but all

the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one

body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6Having then gifts

differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if

prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7or ministry, let us use

it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8he who exhorts, in

exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he

who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 16:13-20

13When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His

disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14So they

said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one

of the prophets." 15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living

God." 17Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-

Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who

is in heaven. 18And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I

will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you

bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will

be loosed in heaven." 20Then He commanded His disciples that they should

tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.



188

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Seventeen

The Collect

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in

our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us

with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through


God, forever and ever. Amen

First Reading

Jeremiah 15:15-21

15O LORD, You know; Remember me and visit me, and take vengeance for

me on my persecutors. In Your enduring patience, do not take me away.

Know that for Your sake I have suffered rebuke. 16Your words were found,

and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;

For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts. 17I did not sit in the

assembly of the mockers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because of Your

hand, for You have filled me with indignation. 18Why is my pain perpetual

and my wound incurable, which refuses to be healed? Will You surely be to

me like an unreliable stream, as waters that fail?

19Therefore thus says the LORD: " If you return, then I will bring you back;

You shall stand before Me; If you take out the precious from the vile, You

shall be as My mouth. Let them return to you, but you must not return to

them. 20And I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall; and they

will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you; For I am with

you to save you and deliver you," says the LORD. 21" I will deliver you from

the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible."



189

Psalm 26

Response: The righteousness of God comes through faith in Christ.

1Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity.

I have also trusted in the LORD; I shall not slip. 2Examine me, O LORD, and prove me;

Try my mind and my heart. 3For Your loving-kindness is before my eyes,

And I have walked in Your truth.


4I have not sat with idolatrous mortals,

Nor will I go in with hypocrites. 5I have hated the assembly of evildoers,

And will not sit with the wicked.


6I will wash my hands in innocence;

So I will go about Your altar, O LORD, 7That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving,

And tell of all Your wondrous works. 8LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house,

And the place where Your glory dwells.


190

Second Reading

Romans 12:9-21

9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving

preference to one another; 11not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit,

serving the Lord; 12rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing

steadfastly in prayer; 13distributing to the needs of the saints, given to

hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16Be of

the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things,

but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17Repay

no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18If

it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is

written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20Therefore " If

your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so

doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil,

but overcome evil with good.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 16:21-27

21From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to

Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and

scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22Then Peter took Him

aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall

not happen to You!" 23But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me,

Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of

God, but the things of men." 24Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone

desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and

follow Me. 25For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever

loses his life for My sake will find it. 26For what profit is it to a man if he

gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in

exchange for his soul? 27For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His

Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.



191

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Eighteen

The Collect

Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always

resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake

those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and

forever. Amen

First Reading

Ezekiel 33:7-11

7"So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel;

therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. 8When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you shall surely die!' and you do

not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his

iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 9Nevertheless if you warn

the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall

die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.

10"Therefore you, O son of man, say to the house of Israel: 'Thus you say,

"If our transgressions and our sins lie upon us, and we pine away in them,

how can we then live?"' 11Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I

have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from

his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O

house of Israel?'



192

Psalm 119

Response: The love of Christ compels us;

So sin should not pervade us.



Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.



35Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,

For I delight in it. 36Incline my heart to Your testimonies,

And not to covetousness.



37Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,







Revive me in Your righteousness.



193

Second Reading

Romans 13:8-14 8Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another

has fulfilled the law. 9For the commandments, "You shall not commit

adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear

false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other

commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love

your neighbor as yourself." 10Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore

love is the fulfillment of the law. 11And do this, knowing the time, that now

it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than

when we first believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand.

Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor

of light. 13Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and

drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14But put on

the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 18:12-20 12 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes

astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek

the one that is straying? 13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you,

he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go

astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one

of these little ones should perish. 15"Moreover if your brother sins against

you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you,

you have gained your brother. 16But if he will not hear, take with you one or

two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be

established.' 17And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he

refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax

collector. 18"Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be

bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything

that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20For where

two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of

them."



194

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Nineteen

The Collect

O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant

that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through



First Reading

Genesis 50:15-21

15When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said,

"Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil

which we did to him." 16So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying,

"Before your father died he commanded, saying, 17'Thus you shall say to

Joseph: "I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their

sin; for they did evil to you."' Now, please, forgive the trespass of the

servants of the God of your father."

And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18Then his brothers also went

and fell down before his face, and they said, "Behold, we are your servants." 19Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in

order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21Now

therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones."

And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.



195

Psalm 103

Response: Remember the LORD's compassion on you;

Remember the LORD's great mercy.

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: 3Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases



8The LORD is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 9He will not always strive with us,

Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

Nor punished us according to our iniquities.



11For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13As a father pities his children,

So the LORD pities those who fear Him.



196

Second Reading

Romans 14:9-12

9For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord

of both the dead and the living. 10But why do you judge your brother? Or

why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before

the judgment seat of Christ. 11For it is written: " As I live, says the LORD,

Every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God." 12So

then each of us shall give account of himself to God.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 18:21-35

21Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22Jesus said to him, "I do

not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23Therefore

the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to

him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he

had, and that payment be made. 26The servant therefore fell down before him,

saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' 27Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave

him the debt. 28"But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by

the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' 29So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you

all.' 30And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay

the debt. 31So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32Then

his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33Should you not also have had

compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' 34And his master

was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35"So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from

his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."



197

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Twenty

The Collect

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things

heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing

away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and

ever. Amen

First Reading

Jonah 3:10-4:11

3:10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and

God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them,

and He did not do it. 4:1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he

became angry. 2 So he prayed to the LORD, and said, "Ah, LORD, was not

this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously

to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to

anger and abundant in loving-kindness, One who relents from doing harm. 3

Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me

to die than to live!" 4 Then the LORD said, "Is it right for you to be angry?" 5

So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he

made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what

would become of the city. 6 And the LORD God prepared a plant and made it

come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from

his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. 7 But as morning

dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant

that it withered. 8 And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared

a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah's head, so that he grew

faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, "It is better for me to die

than to live." 9 Then God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry about

the plant?" And he said, "It is right for me to be angry, even to death!" 10

But the LORD said, "You have had pity on the plant for which you have not

labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a

night. 11 And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more

than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern

between their right hand and their left-and much livestock?"



198

Psalm 145

Response: The Gospel is Good News to those who receive it.

1I will extol You, my God, O King;

And I will bless Your name forever and ever. 2Every day I will bless You,

And I will praise Your name forever and ever.


3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;

And His greatness is unsearchable. 4One generation shall praise Your works to another,

And shall declare Your mighty acts.


6Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts,

And I will declare Your greatness. 7They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness,

And shall sing of Your righteousness.


199

Second Reading

Philippians 1:15-18 15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from

goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely,

supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love,

knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then?

Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached;

and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 20:1-16 1"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the

morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2Now when he had agreed with

the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3And he

went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the

marketplace, 4and said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and

whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. 5Again he went out about

the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6And about the eleventh hour

he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have

you been standing here idle all day?' 7They said to him, 'Because no one

hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is

right you will receive.' 8"So when evening had come, the owner of the

vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and give them their wages,

beginning with the last to the first.' 9And when those came who were hired

about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10But when the first

came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise

received each a denarius. 11And when they had received it, they complained

against the landowner, 12saying, 'These last men have worked only one

hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the

heat of the day.' 13But he answered one of them and said, 'Friend, I am

doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14Take what

is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to

you. 15Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is

your eye evil because I am good?' 16So the last will be first, and the first

last. For many are called, but few chosen."



200

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Twenty-One

The Collect

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity:

Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your

promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus

Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,

forever and ever. Amen

First Reading

Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32

1The word of the LORD came to me again, saying, 2"What do you mean

when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: ' The

fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children's teeth are set on edge'? 3"As I live," says the Lord GOD, "you shall no longer use this proverb in

Israel. 4" Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the

soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die.

25"Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' Hear now, O house of

Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair? 26When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits

iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that

he dies. 27Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which

he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. 28Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he

committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 29Yet the house of Israel

says, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' O house of Israel, is it not My ways

which are fair, and your ways which are not fair? 30"Therefore I will judge

you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways," says the Lord

GOD. "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not

be your ruin. 31Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have

committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should

you die, O house of Israel? 32For I have no pleasure in the death of one who

dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!"



201

Psalm 25

Response: Good and upright is the LORD;

He teaches sinners in the way.

1To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed;

Let not my enemies triumph over me. 3Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed;

Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.



4Show me Your ways, O LORD;

Teach me Your paths. 5Lead me in Your truth and teach me,

For You are the God of my salvation;

On You I wait all the day.



6Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your loving-kindnesses,

For they are from of old. 7Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;

According to Your mercy remember me, for Your goodness' sake, O LORD. 8Good and upright is the LORD;

Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.



202

Second Reading

Philippians 2:1-4

1Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any

fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2fulfill my joy by being

like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3Let

nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind

let each esteem others better than himself. 4Let each of you look out not

only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 21:23-32

23Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the

people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, "By what authority are

You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?" 24But Jesus

answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell

Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: 25The

baptism of John-where was it from? From heaven or from men?" And they

reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say

to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 26But if we say, 'From men,' we

fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet." 27So they answered

Jesus and said, "We do not know." And He said to them, "Neither will I tell

you by what authority I do these things.

28"But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and

said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.' 29He answered and said, 'I will

not,' but afterward he regretted it and went. 30Then he came to the second

and said likewise. And he answered and said, 'I go, sir,' but he did not go. 31Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said to Him, "The first."

Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots

enter the kingdom of God before you. 32For John came to you in the way of

righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots

believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe

him.



203

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Twenty-Two

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we

to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us

the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our

conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not

worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our

Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever

and ever. Amen

First Reading

Isaiah 5:1-7

1Now let me sing to my Well-beloved a song of my Beloved regarding His

vineyard: My Well-beloved has a vineyard on a very fruitful hill. 2He dug it

up and cleared out its stones, and planted it with the choicest vine. He built

a tower in its midst, And also made a winepress in it; So He expected it to

bring forth good grapes, But it brought forth wild grapes. 3" And now, O

inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge, please, between Me and

My vineyard. 4What more could have been done to My vineyard that I have

not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, Did

it bring forth wild grapes? 5And now, please let Me tell you what I will do to

My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it shall be burned; And break

down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. 6I will lay it waste; It shall not

be pruned or dug, But there shall come up briers and thorns. I will also

command the clouds that they rain no rain on it." 7For the vineyard of the

LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are His pleasant

plant. He looked for justice, but behold, oppression; for righteousness, but

behold, a cry for help.



204

Psalm 80

Response: The LORD has come to tend His vineyard.

7Restore us, O God of hosts;

Cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved! 8You have brought a vine out of Egypt;

You have cast out the nations, and planted it. 9You prepared room for it,

And caused it to take deep root, and it filled the land.


10The hills were covered with its shadow,

And the mighty cedars with its boughs. 11She sent out her boughs to the Sea,

And her branches to the River.


12Why have You broken down her hedges,

So that all who pass by the way pluck her fruit? 13The boar out of the woods uproots it,

And the wild beast of the field devours it. 14Return, we beseech You, O God of hosts;

Look down from heaven and see, and visit this vine


205

Second Reading

Philippians 3:17-21

17Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as

you have us for a pattern. 18For many walk, of whom I have told you often,

and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of

Christ: 19whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose

glory is in their shame-who set their mind on earthly things. 20For our

citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the

Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will transform our lowly body that it may be

conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is

able even to subdue all things to Himself.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 21:33-44

33"Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a

vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower.

And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 34Now when

vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they

might receive its fruit. 35And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one,

killed one, and stoned another. 36Again he sent other servants, more than

the first, and they did likewise to them. 37Then last of all he sent his son to

them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 38But when the vinedressers saw

the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him

and seize his inheritance.' 39So they took him and cast him out of the

vineyard and killed him. 40"Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard

comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?" 41They said to Him, "He will

destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other

vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons." 42Jesus said

to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: ' The stone which the

builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD's

doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'? 43"Therefore I say to you, the

kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the

fruits of it. 44And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on

whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."



206

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Twenty-Three

The Collect

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we

may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who

lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen

First Reading

Isaiah 25:1-9

1O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, for You

have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. 2For You have made a city a ruin, a fortified city a ruin, a palace of

foreigners to be a city no more; It will never be rebuilt. 3Therefore the

strong people will glorify You; The city of the terrible nations will fear You. 4For You have been a strength to the poor, A strength to the needy in his

distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the blast of

the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. 5You will reduce the noise of

aliens, as heat in a dry place; as heat in the shadow of a cloud, the song of

the terrible ones will be diminished.

6And in this mountain The LORD of hosts will make for all people a feast of

choice pieces, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of

well-refined wines on the lees. 7And He will destroy on this mountain the

surface of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over

all nations. 8He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord GOD will wipe

away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from

all the earth; for the LORD has spoken. 9And it will be said in that day: "

Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is

the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His

salvation."



207

Psalm 106

Response: We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.

1Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever. 2Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD?

Who can declare all His praise? 3Blessed are those who keep justice,

And he who does righteousness at all times!


4Remember me, O LORD, with the favor You have toward Your people.

Oh, visit me with Your salvation, 5That I may see the benefit of Your chosen ones,

That I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation,

That I may glory with Your inheritance.


48 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel

From everlasting to everlasting!

And let all the people say, “Amen!”

Praise the LORD!


208

Second Reading

Philippians 4:4-7

4Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be

known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6Be anxious for nothing, but in

everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests

be made known to God; 7and the peace of God, which surpasses all

understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 22:1-14

1And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: 2"The

kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his

son, 3and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the

wedding; and they were not willing to come. 4Again, he sent out other

servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my

dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come

to the wedding."' 5But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his

own farm, another to his business. 6And the rest seized his servants,

treated them spitefully, and killed them. 7But when the king heard about it,

he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and

burned up their city. 8Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready,

but those who were invited were not worthy. 9Therefore go into the

highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.' 10So those

servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they

found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11"But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who

did not have on a wedding garment. 12So he said to him, 'Friend, how did

you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him

away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing

of teeth.' 14"For many are called, but few are chosen."



209

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Twenty-Four

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among

the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout

the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your

Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the


First Reading

Isaiah 45:1-7

1"Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have

held- To subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings, to open

before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut: 2' I will go

before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the

gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. 3I will give you the treasures of

darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the

LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel. 4For Jacob My

servant's sake, and Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I

have named you, though you have not known Me. 5I am the LORD, and

there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you

have not known Me, 6That they may know from the rising of the sun to its

setting that there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other; 7I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I,

the LORD, do all these things.'



210

Psalm 121

Response: There is but one God, and one Lord, Jesus Christ.

1Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!

Sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2Sing to the LORD, bless His name;

Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. 3Declare His glory among the nations,

His wonders among all peoples.


4For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised;

He is to be feared above all gods. 5For all the gods of the peoples are idols,

But the LORD made the heavens. 6Honor and majesty are before Him;

Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.


11Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;

Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; 12Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it.

Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the LORD. 13For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth.

He shall judge the world with righteousness,

And the peoples with His truth


.

211

Second Reading

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the

Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our

Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2We give thanks to God always for you all,

making mention of you in our prayers, 3remembering without ceasing your

work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in

the sight of our God and Father, 4knowing, beloved brethren, your election

by God. 5For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power,

and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of

men we were among you for your sake. 6And you became followers of us

and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the

Holy Spirit, 7so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia

who believe. 8For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only

in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has

gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9For they themselves

declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you

turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10and to wait for

His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who

delivers us from the wrath to come.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 22:15-22 15Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His

talk. 16And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying,

"Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor

do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. 17Tell

us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or

not?" 18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test

Me, you hypocrites? 19Show Me the tax money." So they brought Him a

denarius. 20And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" 21They said to Him, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to

Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." 22When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went

their way.



212

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Twenty-Five

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and

charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you

command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and


First Reading

Deuteronomy 34:1-12

1Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of

Pisgah, which is across from Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land

of Gilead as far as Dan, 2all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh,

all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, 3the South, and the plain of

the Valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. 4Then the LORD

said to him, "This is the land of which I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and

Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants.' I have caused you to see

it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there." 5So Moses the servant

of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the

LORD. 6And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth

Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day. 7Moses was one hundred and

twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor

diminished. 8And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab

thirty days. So the days of weeping and mourning for Moses ended. 9Now

Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his

hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the LORD

had commanded Moses. 10But since then there has not arisen in Israel a

prophet like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11in all the signs and

wonders which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before

Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, 12and by all that mighty

power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all

Israel. Reader: The Word of the Lord


213

Psalm 84

Response: God raised up a prophet like Moses;

To Him, God says, we should listen.

1Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

And in His law he meditates day and night.



3He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. 4The ungodly are not so,

But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.



5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,

But the way of the ungodly shall perish.



214

Second Reading

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

1For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at

Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of

God in much conflict. 3For our exhortation did not come from error or

uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 4But as we have been approved by God to

be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but

God who tests our hearts. 5For neither at any time did we use flattering

words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness-God is witness. 6Nor did

we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might

have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7But we were gentle among you,

just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8So, affectionately

longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel

of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 22:34-46

34But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they

gathered together. 35Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question,

testing Him, and saying, 36"Teacher, which is the great commandment in

the law?" 37Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all

your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and

great commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'You shall love your

neighbor as yourself.' 40On these two commandments hang all the Law and

the Prophets." 41While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked

them, 42saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?"

They said to Him, " The Son of David." 43He said to them, "How then does

David in the Spirit call Him 'Lord,' saying: 44' The LORD said to my Lord, "

Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"'? 45If David

then calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his Son?" 46And no one was able to answer

Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.



215

All Saints Day

The Collect

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and

fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so

to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may

come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love

you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives

and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen

First Reading

Revelation 7:9-17

9After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one

could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before

the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm

branches in their hands, 10and crying out with a loud voice, saying,

"Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" 11All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living

creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12saying: " Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor

and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen." 13Then one

of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white

robes, and where did they come from?" 14And I said to him, "Sir, you

know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great

tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the

Lamb. 15Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day

and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among

them. 16They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun

shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17for the Lamb who is in the midst of

the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters.

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."



216

Psalm 34

Response: The saints of God always look to the Lamb.

1 I will bless the LORD at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;

The humble shall hear of it and be glad.


3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me,

And let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and He heard me,

And delivered me from all my fears.


5 They looked to Him and were radiant,

And their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,

And saved him out of all his troubles.


8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;

Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! 9 Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints!

There is no want to those who fear Him.


217

Second Reading

Ephesians 1:15-23

15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love

for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of

you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of

glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge

of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding[b] being enlightened; that you may

know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His

inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His

power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated

Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and

power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in

this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His

feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His

body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 5:1-12

1And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was

seated His disciples came to Him. 2Then He opened His mouth and taught

them, saying: 3" Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of

heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those

who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. 7Blessed

are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they shall see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be

called sons of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted for

righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11"Blessed are you

when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you

falsely for My sake. 12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your

reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before

you.



218

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Twenty-Six

The Collect

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your

faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant

that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly

promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and

reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

First Reading

Micah 3:5-12

5 Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who make my people stray;

Who chant “Peace” while they chew with their teeth,

But who prepare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths: 6 “Therefore you shall have night without vision,

And you shall have darkness without divination;

The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be dark for them. 7 So the seers shall be ashamed, and the diviners abashed;

Indeed they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer from God.” 8 But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the LORD,

And of justice and might,

To declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin. 9 Now hear this,

You heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel,

Who abhor justice and pervert all equity, 10 Who build up Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with iniquity: 11 Her heads judge for a bribe, her priests teach for pay,

And her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the LORD, and say,

“Is not the LORD among us? No harm can come upon us.” 12 Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed like a field,

Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins,

And the mountain of the temple like the bare hills of the forest.



219

Psalm 43

Response: Praise the Lord who humbly bears our burdens.

1Vindicate me, O God,

And plead my cause against an ungodly nation;

Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! 2 For You are the God of my strength;

Why do You cast me off?

Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?


3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me;

Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God,

To God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You,

O God, my God.


5 Why are you cast down, O my soul?

And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God;

For I shall yet praise Him,

The help of my countenance and my God.


220

Second Reading


9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day,

that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel

of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and

blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know

how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father

does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you

into His own kingdom and glory. 13 For this reason we also thank God

without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you

heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth,

the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 23:1-12

1Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The

scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell

you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their

works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to

bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move

them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by

men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their

garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the

synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men,

‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ 8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher,

the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your

father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called

teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest

among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be

humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.



221

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Twenty-Seven

The Collect

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the

works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life:

Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that,

when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him

in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and


First Reading

Amos 5:18-24

18 Woe to you who desire the day of the LORD! Why would you have the day

of the LORD? It is darkness, and not light; 19 as if a man fled from a lion,

and a bear met him; or went into the house and leaned with his hand

against the wall, and a serpent bit him. 20 Is not the day of the LORD

darkness, and not light, and gloom with no brightness in it?

21 "I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn

assemblies. 22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and cereal

offerings, I will not accept them, and the peace offerings of your fatted

beasts I will not look upon. 23 Take away from me the noise of your songs;

to the melody of your harps I will not listen. 24 But let justice roll down like

waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.



222

Psalm 70

Response: The Lord will return for those who await Him.

1 Make haste, O God, to deliver me!

Make haste to help me, O LORD! 2 Let them be ashamed and confounded

Who seek my life;

Let them be turned back and confused

Who desire my hurt.


3 Let them be turned back because of their shame,

Who say, “Aha, aha!” 4 Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;

And let those who love Your salvation say continually,

“Let God be magnified!”


5 But I am poor and needy;

Make haste to me, O God!

You are my help and my deliverer;

O LORD, do not delay.


223

Second Reading


13But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who

have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14For if we

believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him

those who sleep in Jesus. 15For this we say to you by the word of the Lord,

that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no

means precede those who are asleep. 16For the Lord Himself will descend

from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the

trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are

alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to

meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18Therefore comfort one another with these words.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 25:1-13

1"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their

lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Now five of them were wise,

and five were foolish. 3Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no

oil with them, 4but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5But

while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6"And at

midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to

meet him!' 7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8And the

foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going

out.' 9But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough

for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were

ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11"Afterward

the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' 12But he

answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 13"Watch

therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of

Man is coming.



224

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Twenty-Eight

The Collect

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:

Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that

we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life,

which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns


First Reading

Zephaniah 1:7,12-18

7Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD; For the day of the LORD is at

hand, For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has invited His guests.

12" And it shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with

lamps, and punish the men who are settled in complacency, who say in their

heart, ' The LORD will not do good, nor will He do evil.' 13Therefore their

goods shall become booty, and their houses a desolation; They shall build

houses, but not inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards, but not drink their

wine."

14The great day of the LORD is near; It is near and hastens quickly. The

noise of the day of the LORD is bitter; There the mighty men shall cry out. 15That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of

devastation and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of

clouds and thick darkness, 16a day of trumpet and alarm against the

fortified cities and against the high towers. 17" I will bring distress upon

men, and they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against

the LORD; Their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like

refuse." 18Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in

the day of the LORD's wrath; But the whole land shall be devoured by the

fire of His jealousy, for He will make speedy riddance of all those who dwell

in the land.



225

Psalm 90

Response: Watch, for the Day of the Lord is near.

2Before the mountains were brought forth,

Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,

Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. 3You turn man to destruction,

And say, "Return, O children of men." 4For a thousand years in Your sight

Are like yesterday when it is past,

And like a watch in the night.


5You carry them away like a flood; They are like a sleep.

In the morning they are like grass which grows up: 6In the morning it flourishes and grows up;

In the evening it is cut down and withers. 7For we have been consumed by Your anger,

And by Your wrath we are terrified.


9For all our days have passed away in Your wrath;

We finish our years like a sigh. 10The days of our lives are seventy years;

And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,

Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;

For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11Who knows the power of Your anger?

For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath.


227

Second Reading

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 2For you yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so comes as a

thief in the night. 3For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden

destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And

they shall not escape. 4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this

Day should overtake you as a thief. 5You are all sons of light and sons of the

day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6Therefore let us not sleep, as

others do, but let us watch and be sober.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 25:14, 19-30 14"For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who

called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 19After a long time

the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20"So he

who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying,

'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents

besides them.' 21His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant;

you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.

Enter into the joy of your lord.' 22He also who had received two talents

came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained

two more talents besides them.' 23His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and

faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you

ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' 24"Then he who had

received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man,

reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not

scattered seed. 25And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the

ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' 26"But his lord answered and

said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I

have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27So you ought

to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would

have received back my own with interest. 28So take the talent from him,

and give it to him who has ten talents. 29'For to everyone who has, more

will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have,

even what he has will be taken away. 30And cast the unprofitable servant

into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'



228

34th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Proper Twenty Nine

Feast of Christ the King

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your

well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that

the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and

brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with

you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

First Reading

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

11'For thus says the Lord GOD: "Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep

and seek them out. 12As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is

among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them

from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. 13And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the

countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the

mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the

country. 14I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the

high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed

in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15I will feed My flock, and I will

make them lie down," says the Lord GOD. 16"I will seek what was lost and

bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what

was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in

judgment."

20'Therefore thus says the Lord GOD to them: "Behold, I Myself will judge

between the fat and the lean sheep. 21Because you have pushed with side

and shoulder, butted all the weak ones with your horns, and scattered them

abroad, 22therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey;

and I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23I will establish one shepherd

over them, and he shall feed them-My servant David. He shall feed them

and be their shepherd. 24And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant

David a prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.



229

Psalm 95

Response: Christ, the Risen Lord, is seated as King.

1Oh come, let us sing to the LORD!

Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. 2Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;

Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.


3For the LORD is the great God,

And the great King above all gods. 4In His hand are the deep places of the earth;

The heights of the hills are His also. 5The sea is His, for He made it;

And His hands formed the dry land.


6Oh come, let us worship and bow down;

Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. 7For He is our God,

And we are the people of His pasture,

And the sheep of His hand.


230

Second Reading


21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the

dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the first-fruits, afterward those who

are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the

kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority

and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For “He has put all

things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it

is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all

things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to

Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.



Gospel Reading

Matthew 25:31-40

31"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with

Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32All the nations will be

gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a

shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33And He will set the sheep on

His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then the King will say to those

on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom

prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35for I was hungry and

you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger

and you took Me in; 36I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you

visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' 37"Then the righteous will

answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or

thirsty and give You drink? 38When did we see You a stranger and take You

in, or naked and clothe You? 39Or when did we see You sick, or in prison,

and come to You?' 40And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I

say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren,

you did it to Me.'



231

OTHER FEASTS AND SPECIAL DAYS

HOLY INNOCENTS

HOLY NAME

LORD AND GIVER OF LIFE

(alternative readings)

THE PRESENTATION

THE ANNUNCIATION

TRANSFIGURATION in LENT

CORPUS CHRISTI

THE HOLY CROSS

Thanksgiving Day

(American Holiday)

232

The Feast of Holy Innocents

The Collect

We remember this day, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of

Bethlehem by the order of King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of

your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the

designs of all evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of


First Reading

Jeremiah 31:15-17, 23-25

15Thus says the LORD: " A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation and

bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted

for her children, Because they are no more." 16Thus says the LORD: "

Refrain your voice from weeping, And your eyes from tears; For your work

shall be rewarded, says the LORD, And they shall come back from the land

of the enemy. 17There is hope in your future, says the LORD, That your

children shall come back to their own border.

23 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “They shall again use this

speech in the land of Judah and in its cities, when I bring back their

captivity: ‘The LORD bless you, O home of justice, and mountain of holiness!’ 24 And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all its cities together, farmers

and those going out with flocks. 25 For I have satiated the weary soul, and I

have replenished every sorrowful soul.”



233

Psalm 124

Response: The LORD will deliver us from every evil.

1 “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side,”

Let Israel now say— 2 “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side,

When men rose up against us, 3 Then they would have swallowed us alive,

When their wrath was kindled against us;


4 Then the waters would have overwhelmed us,

The stream would have gone over our soul; 5 Then the swollen waters would have gone over our soul.” 6 Blessed be the LORD,

Who has not given us as prey to their teeth.


7 Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers;

The snare is broken, and we have escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth.


234

Second Reading

Revelation 21:1-5

1Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first

earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2Then I, John, saw the

holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared

as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from heaven

saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with

them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be

their God. 4And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall

be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for

the former things have passed away." 5Then He who sat on the throne said,

"Behold, I make all things new."



Gospel Reading

Matthew 2:13-18

13Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to

Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee

to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the

young Child to destroy Him." 14When he arose, he took the young Child and

His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15and was there until the death

of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the

prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son." 16Then Herod, when he saw

that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent

forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in

all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which

he had determined from the wise men. 17Then was fulfilled what was spoken

by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: 18" A voice was heard in Ramah,

Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her

children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more."



235

FEAST OF THE HOLY NAME

The Collect


Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in

our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

First Reading

Numbers 6:22-27

22And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23"Speak to Aaron and

his sons, saying, 'This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel.

Say to them: 24"The LORD bless you and keep you; 25The LORD make

His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; 26The LORD lift up His

countenance upon you, and give you peace."' 27"So they shall put

My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them."



236

Psalm 8

Response: How excellent is Your name in all the earth.

1O LORD, our Lord,

How excellent is Your name in all the earth,

Who have set Your glory above the heavens! 2Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants

You have ordained strength,

Because of Your enemies,

That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.


3When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, 4What is man that You are mindful of him,

And the son of man that You visit him?


5For You have made him a little lower than the angels,

And You have crowned him with glory and honor. 6You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;

You have put all things under his feet


237

Gospel Reading

Philippians 2:5-11

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the

form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made

Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in

the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled

Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the

cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name

which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should

bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the

earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to

the glory of God the Father.



Gospel Reading

Luke 2:15-21

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that

the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see

this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16

And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in

a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the

saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard

it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But

Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the

shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they

had heard and seen, as it was told them.21 And when eight days were

completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the

name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.



238

Feast of our Lord the Giver of Life: Third Sunday in January

The Collect

Oh Great King of Kings, let your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven

for the sanctity of all human life. You have said that your Kingdom is

righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Where there is

unrighteousness let righteousness come to bear; where there is hostility,

cause your peace to reign supreme and where there is sorrow, bring joy in

the hearts of people. Lead us into your unshakable and everlasting kingdom

in which you reign forever and ever, that truly the kingdoms of this world

will become the Kingdoms of our God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

First Reading

Genesis 1:26-28

26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our

likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds

of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping

thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image;

in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply;

fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over

the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”



239

Psalm 2

Response: God is the Author of life, and King of all creation.

1Why do the nations rage,

And the people plot a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves,

And the rulers take counsel together,

Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces

And cast away Their cords from us.”


4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;

The Lord shall hold them in derision. 5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,

And distress them in His deep displeasure: 6 “Yet I have set My King

On My holy hill of Zion.”


7 “I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me,

‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You

The nations for Your inheritance,

And the ends of the earth for Your possession.


10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings;

Be instructed, you judges of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way,

When His wrath is kindled but a little.

Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.


240

Second Reading

Romans 8:35-39

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or

distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it

is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long;

We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who

loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor

principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor

height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us

from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.



Gospel Reading

John 14:1-6

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In

My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told

you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for

you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there

you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how

can we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to

the Father except through Me.



241

The Feast of the Presentation

The Collect

Almighty and Everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten

Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you

with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns


First Reading

Malachi 3:1-4

1"Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And

the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the

Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,"

Says the LORD of hosts. 2" But who can endure the day of His coming? And

who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire And like

launderers' soap. 3He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will

purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may

offer to the LORD An offering in righteousness. 4" Then the offering of Judah

and Jerusalem Will be pleasant to the LORD, As in the days of old, As in

former years.



242

Psalm 84

Response: The LORD has been our dwelling place,

From one generation to another.

1How lovely is Your tabernacle,

O LORD of hosts! 2My soul longs, yes, even faints

For the courts of the LORD;

My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.



3Even the sparrow has found a home,

And the swallow a nest for herself,

Where she may lay her young- Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts,

My King and my God.



9O God, behold our shield,

And look upon the face of Your anointed. 10For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.



243

Second Reading

Hebrews 2:14-17 14Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He

Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy

him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and release those who

through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16For

indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of

Abraham. 17Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren,

that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to

God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.



Gospel Reading

Luke 2:22-35 22Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were

completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23(as

it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall

be called holy to the LORD"), 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is

said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." 25And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and

this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the

Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy

Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought

in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28he

took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 29" Lord, now You are

letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30For my eyes

have seen Your salvation 31Which You have prepared before the face of all

peoples, 32A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your

people Israel." 33And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which

were spoken of Him. 34Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His

mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in

Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35(yes, a sword will pierce

through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be

revealed."



244

The Feast of the Annunciation

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, who declared to Mary through his holy angel,

that she was to be the mother of the Son of God, grant the we may hear the

proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ and bear fruit within ourselves,

through Him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,

now and forever. Amen

First Reading

Isaiah 7:10-14

10 Moreover the LORD spoke again to Ahaz, saying, 11 “Ask a sign for yourself

from the LORD your God; ask it either in the depth or in the height above.”

12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, nor will I test the LORD!”

13 Then he said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to

weary men, but will you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord Himself

will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and

shall call His name Immanuel.



245

Psalm 40

Response: Our God is full of loving-kindness;

And all His words are true.

1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me,

And heard my cry. 3 He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God;

Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD.



6 Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened.

Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. 7 Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. 8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.”



11 Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O LORD;

Let Your loving-kindness and Your truth continually preserve me. 12 For innumerable evils have surrounded me;

My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up;

They are more than the hairs of my head; Therefore my heart fails me.



16 Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;

Let such as love Your salvation say continually,

“The LORD be magnified!” 17 But I am poor and needy; Yet the LORD thinks upon me.

You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God.



246

Second Reading

Romans 10:14-17

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how

shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they

hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent?

As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel

of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 16 But they have not all

obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “LORD, who has believed our report?”

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.



Gospel Reading

Luke 1:26-38

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of

Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was

Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having

come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with

you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was

troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found

favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring

forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32 He will be great, and will be

called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of

His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of

His kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can

this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to

her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will

overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be

called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also

conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who

was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary

said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your

word.” And the angel departed from her.



247

Transfiguration Sunday in Lent

The Collect

O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-

beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured: Mercifully grant that we, being

delivered from the disquietude of this world, may behold the King in all his

glorious majesty; who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy


First Reading

Genesis 12:1-4a

1Now the LORD had said to Abram:

“Get out of your country,

From your family

And from your father’s house,

To a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation;

I will bless you

And make your name great;

And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you,

And I will curse him who curses you;

And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

4 So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him.



248

Psalm 33

Response: Lord, we place our trust in you.

4 For the word of the LORD is right,

And all His work is done in truth. 5 He loves righteousness and justice;

The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.


18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,

On those who hope in His mercy, 19 To deliver their soul from death,

And to keep them alive in famine.


20 Our soul waits for the LORD;

He is our help and our shield. 22 Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us,

Just as we hope in You.


249

Second Reading

2 Timothy 1:8-10

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His

prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the

power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not

according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which

was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been

revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished

death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,



Gospel Reading

Matthew 17:1-9

1Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them

up on a high mountain by themselves; 2and He was transfigured before

them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the

light. 3And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here;

if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses,

and one for Elijah." 5While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud

overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying,

"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" 6And when

the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 7But

Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid." 8When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9Now

as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying,

"Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead."



250

The Feast of Corpus Christi

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, grant us, we pray, the grace to thankfully

receive and participate in the sacred mysteries of the Body and Blood of

your Son, Our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may always manifest in

ourselves the fruits of your eternal love; who lives and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

First Reading

Exodus 25:21-30

21 You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall

put the Testimony that I will give you. 22 And there I will meet with you,

and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the

two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything

which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.

23 “You shall also make a table of acacia wood; two cubits shall be its length,

a cubit its width, and a cubit and a half its height. 24 And you shall overlay it

with pure gold, and make a molding of gold all around. 25 You shall make for

it a frame of a handbreadth all around, and you shall make a gold molding

for the frame all around. 26 And you shall make for it four rings of gold, and

put the rings on the four corners that are at its four legs. 27 The rings shall

be close to the frame, as holders for the poles to bear the table. 28 And you

shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, that the

table may be carried with them. 29 You shall make its dishes, its pans, its

pitchers, and its bowls for pouring. You shall make them of pure gold. 30 And you shall set the showbread on the table before Me always.



251

Psalm 111

Response: The Presence of the Lord is life to his people.

1 I will praise the LORD with my whole heart,

In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation. 2 The works of the LORD are great,

Studied by all who have pleasure in them.


4 He has made His wonderful works to be remembered;

The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. 5 He has given food to those who fear Him;

He will ever be mindful of His covenant.


6 He has declared to His people the power of His works,

In giving them the heritage of the nations. 9 He has sent redemption to His people;

He has commanded His covenant forever:

Holy and awesome is His name.


252

Second Reading


23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the

Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and

when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body

which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same

manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new

covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of

Me.” 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in

an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But

let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the

cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks

judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many

are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.



Gospel Reading

Luke 24:30-35

30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took

bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were

opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.

32 And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He

talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 So

they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the

eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The

Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 And they told about the

things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in

the breaking of bread.



253

The Feast of the Holy Cross

The Collect

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the

cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that

we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up

our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, in glory everlasting. Amen

First Reading


14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest

anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also

baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I

baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach

the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be

made of no effect.

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age?

Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the

wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God

through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach

Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of

God and the wisdom of God.



254

Psalm 22

Response: The LORD has triumphed over sin and death.

1 I will praise the LORD with my whole heart,

In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation. 2 The works of the LORD are great,

Studied by all who have pleasure in them.


4 He has made His wonderful works to be remembered;

The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. 5 He has given food to those who fear Him;

He will ever be mindful of His covenant.


6 He has declared to His people the power of His works,

In giving them the heritage of the nations. 9 He has sent redemption to His people;

He has commanded His covenant forever:

Holy and awesome is His name.


255

Second Reading

Colossians 2:11-14

11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without

hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of

Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him

through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And

you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He

has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us,

which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed

it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a

public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.



Gospel Reading

John 12:24-33

24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground

and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who

loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it

for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am,

there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will

honor.

27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this

hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your

name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it

and will glorify it again.” 29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it

said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”

30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for

your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world

will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all

peoples to Myself.” 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.



256

Thanksgiving Day (American Holiday)

The Collect

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth

in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we

pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our

necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of thy Name;

we ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You

and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

First Reading

Deuteronomy 8:1-3, 6-10

1"Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to

observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of

which the LORD swore to your fathers. 2And you shall remember that the

LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to

humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you

would keep His commandments or not. 3So He humbled you, allowed you to

hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your

fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by

bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of

the LORD.

6"Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to

walk in His ways and to fear Him. 7For the LORD your God is bringing you

into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that

flow out of valleys and hills; 8a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig

trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; 9a land in which you

will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose

stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper. 10When you have

eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land

which He has given you.



257

Psalm 65

Response: God is deserving of thanksgiving and praise.

1Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion;

And to You the vow shall be performed. 2O You who hear prayer,

To You all flesh will come.


4Blessed is the man You choose,

And cause to approach You,

That he may dwell in Your courts.

We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house,

Of Your holy temple.


9You visit the earth and water it,

You greatly enrich it; The river of God is full of water;

You provide their grain, For so You have prepared it. 10You water its ridges abundantly, You settle its furrows;

You make it soft with showers, You bless its growth.


11You crown the year with Your goodness,

And Your paths drip with abundance. 12They drop on the pastures of the wilderness,

And the little hills rejoice on every side. 13The pastures are clothed with flocks;

The valleys also are covered with grain;

They shout for joy, they also sing.


258

Second Reading


10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply

and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your

righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which

causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this

service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding

through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this

ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel

of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their

prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in

you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!



Gospel Reading

Matthew 6:25-33

25"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or

what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life

more than food and the body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds of the

air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly

Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27Which of you by

worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28"So why do you worry about

clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor

spin; 29and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not

arrayed like one of these. 30Now if God so clothes the grass of the field,

which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much

more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31"Therefore do not worry, saying,

'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For

after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that

you need all these things. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and His

righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.



ICCEC Sunday Lectionary Year A

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