Asides

Easter

Easter Week

Aside
Collect: Saturday of Easter Week

I thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered me from the dominion of sin and death and brought me into the kingdom of your Son; and I pray that, as his death he has called me to life, so by his love he may raise me to eternal Joys;  who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

ACTS 4:13-21 . . .  Persecution for the sake of truth.

PSALM 118: 14-18 . . . Infinite Mercy, Everlasting Love

MARK 16:9-15, 20 . . . Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

The Persecution for Truth’s Sake

The Birthing of the Church , T.D. Jakes 

Collect: Friday of Easter Week

Almighty Father, who gave your only Son to die for our sins to rise for our justification: Give us grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve you in pureness of being and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

ACTS 4:1-12 . . . Peter and John before the Council

PSALM  116: 1-8 . . . The offered cup.

JOHN 21: 1-14 . . . Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

 The story in video

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Collect: Thursday of Easter Week

Almighty and everlasting God, who is 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 and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.  Amen.

ACTS 3:11-26 . . . Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico

PSALM 8 . . . Divine Majesty and Human Dignity

LUKE 24:36-48 . . . Jesus Appears to His Disciples

Jesus appears to the disciples — the story behind it.

 

Collect: Wednesday of Easter Week

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

ACTS 3:1-10

PSALM 105:1-8 . . . A Song of Remembrance

  1. O God, we rise in thanks to call upon your name, we rise to spread the tiding of your deeds
  2. We rise to sing you songs of praise recounting every work and word in music’s voice.
  3. We rise to sing in honor of holy name, let every seeker’s heart rejoice
  4. And search for you with their strength until they stand before the beauty of your face, remembering.
  5. Remember, remember everything you can recall, remember every work and wonder, remember every word God speaks to you in wisdom.
  6. Remember too that you are children of the Blessed One, your heritage goes back to Abraham and Sarah.
  7. Remember that you are servants of the Lord, and chosen ones like Jacob by your God,
  8. Who is the Mighty One and Master over all, whose will prevails and works succeed forever.  (Translated by Lynn C. Bauman, in “Ancient Songs Sung Anew: The Psalms as Poetry)

LUKE 24:13-35  or “The Road to Emmaus” trailer . . . read, watch or both.

A Sermon on The subject

 

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Collect: Tuesday of Easter Week

O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever.  Amen.

ACTS 2: 36-41

PSALM 33:18-21

JOHN 20:11-18

Mary’s Encounter with the Risen Christ

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Collect: Monday of Easter Week

Grant , we pray, Almighty  God, that we who celebrate with awe the paschal feast may be found worthy to attain to everlasting joys; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

PSALM 118:19-24 . . .  Infinite Mercy and Everlasting Love

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,
    that I may enter through them
    and give thanks to the Lord.

20 This is the gate of the Lord;
    the righteous shall enter through it.

21 I thank you that you have answered me
    and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord’s doing;
    it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it

ACTS 2:14, 22-32  . . . Peter Addresses the Crowd

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. . . .

PSALM 16:8-11

 I keep 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 soul rejoices;
    my body also rests secure.
10 For you do not give me up to Sheol,
    or let your faithful one see the Pit.

11 You show me the path of life.
    In your presence there is fullness of joy;
    in your right hand are pleasures forevermore

MATTHEW 28:9-15

9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Donald Lawrence Easter Praise

And if you have time

and

Easter

Resurrection Sunday

Aside
Jesus’ triumph over death;  what happened to Jesus can also happen for us

Collect : Easter Sunday

O God, who for our redemption gave your only begotten Son to death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ you Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Acts 10:34-43 . . . Peter preaches the good news: Jesus, judge of the living and the dead, offers forgiveness

Jeremiah 31:1-6 . . . Jeremiah  foresees a time of restoration reminiscent of the first exodus.

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 . . . the hearts of believers resound with shouts of victory: “The Lord has done a mighty thing!”

Colossians 3:1-4 . . . Paul reminds us that Christ is now our life, and we have set our hearts on him.

John 20:1-18 . . . the tomb is empty, and the risen Jesus reassured Mary Magdalene of his victory.

Matthew 28:1-10 . . . about the resurrection

The Story, a film.

What the resurrection means to us,  Sermon by Bishop  T.D. Jakes at Potter’s Touch.

 

Lent - Holy Week

Holy Week

Aside

Collect: Holy Saturday

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that a the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath,  so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and raise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

JOB 14:1-14 . . . a reflection on the brevity of human life.

or

LAMENTATIONS 3:1-9; 19-24. . . a poem of lamentation and complaint.

PSALM 31: 1-9; 19-24 . . . The Hidden Face of Love.

1 PETER 4:1-8 . . . Believers are encouraged to live devoted to the will of God, steering clear of all forms of dissipation.

JOHN 19:  38-42 . . . Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea  prepare  Jesus burial according to custom.

HOLY SATURDAY VIDEO SERIES

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Collect: Good Friday

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 you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

ISAIAH 52:13-53:12 . . . the poem of the Lord’s servant who suffers and bears the sins of many.

PSALM 22 . . . a song of lamentation and a plea for deliverance by one who feels deserted and pressed in on every side, expressing final confidence in God and God’s goodness.

HEBREWS 10:16-25 . . . God has established the promised new covenant through which our sins are forgiven and God’s laws are written on our hearts.

Or

HEBREWS 4:14-16; 5:7-9 . . . we are encouraged to have full confidence in drawing near to God because Jesus, our great high priest, knows our every weakness and temptation and makes intercessions for us.

JOHN 18:1-19:42 . . . the story of Jesus’ trails before the Jewish council and Plate, followed by his final suffering and death.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

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Collect: Maundy Thursday

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 those holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life;  and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

EXODUS 12:1-14 . . . The meaning to the Passover Meal: a remembrance and reenactment of Israel’s beginnings as a people when they were saved our of slavery in Egypt.

PSALM 116: 1-2, 12-19 . . . an example of personal self-talk which allows one to move through the difficulty and maintain a balance.

  1. I love you Lord, you heard my cry because you listened closly on the day I called you.
  2. Death itself surrounded me, and trapped me in its tomb called anguish and despair. (and to continue with verses 12 thru 19)

1 CORINTHIANS 11: 23-26 . . . Paul recalls the tradition he received concerning the supper of the Lord on he night he was betrayed.

John 13: 1-17, 31-35. . . Jesus washes hi disciples feet during his last meal with them.
A Maundy Thursday presentation film for your viewing
A sermon on the Eucharist . . .  about your hands

 

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Collect: Wednesday in Holy Week

Lord God, whose blessed  our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face  to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the suffering 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 Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

ISAIAH 50:4-9 . . .the servant who speaks for the Lord and suffers persecution, but still trust in God’s help and vindication.

PSALM 70 . . . a prayer for help and vindication

HEBREWS 12: 1-3 . . . persevere in the face of adversity.

JOHN 13: 21-32 . . . At the final supper with his disciples Jesus is troubled by knowledge of Juda’s impending betrayal but tells his disciples that God is at work in the glorification of the Son of Man.

Ms. Brit Bjurstrom, postulant for Holy Orders, delivers the sermon at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in Hollywood, CA.

Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir: ‘The Passion of St John’ (2016)

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Collect: Tuesday in Holy Week

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.

ISAIAH 49: 1-7 . . . The servant of the Lord reflects movingly on his mission — it sorrows and frustrations — and God’s high calling and promise to be with him.

PSALM 71: 1-14 . . . Wisdom’s Aged Song: that Good will be our refuge and stronghold.

1 CORINTHIANS 1: 18-31 . . . Paul directs the attention of the Corinthians to God’s way of using what is weak and lowly — even what the world regards as foolish — to accomplish the divine purposes.

JOHN 12: 20-36 . . . Jesus presents teaching concerning the meaning of his death.  After his prayer to God a voice from heaven is heard.

A Sermon for Tuesday: “Thinking about Holy Week, on this Holy Tuesday, I offer this sermon from John 12:20-36 on the Greeks who ask to speak with Jesus. I hope it will encourage you as we draw closer to Easter Sunday!”
— Andrew

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Collect: Monday in Holy Week

Almighty God, whose most 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 than 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, for ever. Amen

ISAIAH  42:1-9 . . . the mission of the Lord’s servant, the one whom God has chosen to bring forth justice.

PSALM 36:5-11

HEBREWS 9:11-15 . . . Christ has inaugurated a new covenant, accomplishing all that was anticipated by the rites and rituals of the first covenant.

JOHN 12:1-11 . . . Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, anoints Jesus feet with costly perfume.

Monday in Holy Week sermon delivered by Fr. Ian Elliott Davies, Rector, St. Thomas the Apostle, Hollywood

 

Lent

Readings for Palm Sunday

Aside
The Depth of Jesus’ Suffering and Anticipate His Final Triumph

Collect: The Sunday of the Passion

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 walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

Isaiah 50:4-9  . . . Isaiah pictures God’s servant enduring rejection so that he might speak God’s word.

Psalm 31:9-16 . . . The Hidden Face of Love

Philippians 2:5-11 . . . Paul describes Christ’s spirit of humility

Matthew 26:14–27:66 . . . Jesus, nailed to a cross, receives the abuse and scorn of all people.

Sermon  by Richard W. Voelz is an Assistant Professor of Preaching and Worship at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. His sermon for this week draws on the eyewitness account of Egeria, an early pilgrim to Jerusalem, who marveled at the devotion of the all-day Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. What can we learn from those pilgrims?

Also Palm Sunday: As Passover approaches two processions enter the Holy City. The might of imperial Rome, and Jesus, riding on a donkey. Rival theologies and rival social orders. by Geoffrey Plant . . . other talks about Palm Sunday.  Enjoy!

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Lent

Readings for FifthSunday of Lent

Aside
The New Life promised to Believers Through Jesus, the Christ

Collect: Fifth Sunday in Lent

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 God, now and forever. Amen

Ezekiel 37:1-14 . . .  announces that, at the word of the Lord, God will restore the people and breathe into them God’s Spirit.

Psalm 130 . . . The Call for Healing

Romans 8: 6-11 . . . Paul asserts that those who belong to Christ have Christ’s Spirit living within, enlivening and empowering them.

John 11: 1-45 . . . Jesus demonstrates his power to give life by raising his friend Lazarus from the dead.

Homily by Jude Thaddeus Langeh

And then there is . . . Will Willimon is a bishop in the United Methodist Church

 

Lent

Readings for Fourth Sunday of Lent

Aside
Light for the world, dispelling spiritual darkness.

Collect: Fourth Sunday in Lent

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore gives us this bread, that he may lie in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen

1 Samuel 16: 1-13 . . . Samuel sees beyond outward appearances to choose the least likely son of Jesse to anoint as king

Psalm 23 . . . A Song From the Flock of God.

Ephesians 5:8-14 . . . Paul explains that the Christian’s life must be characterized by the light of holiness.

John 9:1-41 . . . a blind man gains sight and worships Jesus.

A Sermon for the fourth Sunday of Lent

Will Willimon is a bishop in the United Methodist Church and one of the most effective preachers in the English-speaking world. He is also a prolific author, having written more than 60 books. Will has something to say. In this sermon from John 9:1-41 he has something to say about the Man Born Blind, and how his encounter with Jesus moves him from darkness to light

Lent

Readings for 3rd Sunday in Lent

Aside
Jesus as thirst-quenching, life-giving water.
Collect: 3rd Sunday in Lent

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 me be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and 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

Exodus 17:1-7 . . . Despite the Israelites’ quarreling and complaining, God gives the people fresh water from a rock.

Psalm 95 Holding the Future, Remembering the Past . . .

Romans 5:1-11 . . . Paul characterizes the new life that is now ours in Christ

John 4:5-42 . . . Jesus offers living water to a Samaritan woman.

Sermon for the 3rd Sunday of Lent. Sermon delivered by Deacon Cathy Smith

Lent

Readings for Second Sunday of Lent, March 12

Aside

An Invitation to Rebirth

Collect: Second Sunday of Lent

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

Genesis 12:1-4 .  .  .  This reading marks the beginning of Israel as a people.   Hearing the call of God, Abram (later renamed Abraham), leaves his country and his people, following God into a new life.

Psalm 121 .  .  . Your Presence Till Journey’s End

Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 .  .  .   Paul explains how Abraham’s faith, revealed in his willingness to believe and act on God’s promises, makes him right with God.  Now righteousness is received by trusting in God’s Son whose own faithfulness  to God even unto death has become the basis justification by faith alone.

John 3:1-17 .  .  . Jesus invites Nicodemus, a nighttime seeker, to believe and be born again is the way this is often interpreted.  To my mind, Jesus is telling Nicodemus that “you have  to be  it to see it — the Spirit of God is already in Nicodemus.”  To my mind the invitation is to the gospel reader as stated in Mark 8:6: If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”  I appears to me, in this reading, that Nicodemus is already dragging his cross; he can see.

A Sermon on the Gospel  Carla Pratt Keyes, Pastor of Ginter Park Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Virginia, preaches a sermon from John 3:1-17 called “Believing in Christ.” How do you preach “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son”? How do you preach a Gospel text that has been reduced to the width, height, and sometimes, sadly, the depth of a bumper sticker?

Lent

1st Sunday of Lent, March 10

Aside

A  familiar cycle of temptation: fall, forgiveness and empowerment.

Collect: First Sunday in Lent

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

Genesis: 2:15-17; 3:1-7. . .  Adam and Eve, have been given all good things from God and craved more and gave in to temptation.

Psalm 32 . . . The Deep Peace in Forgiveness

Romans 5:12-19 . . . Paul announces that the gift of grace in Jesus Christ overcomes the condemnation of sin.

Matthew 4:1-11 . . . Jesus sees through the tempter’s lures and resists, using the power of God’s word.

A Lecture: “Exile and Return: the scripture and the human condition” by Geoffrey Plant.

A Sermon: “Temptation” Dr. Tracy Hartman, Daniel O.  Aleshire Professor of homiletic and Practical Theology at the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, gives an unusual spin to the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. 

Epiphany

Last Sunday after Epiphany: About the cloud, or is it light?

Aside

The Revelation of God’s Glory,  to be revisitied on March 3, 2019

Collect:  The Last Sunday after the Epiphany

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

Exodus 24:12-18  . . .  Moses encounters God on Mount Sinai

The cloud is a physical manifestation of the Lord’s presence.  Moses spent six days in the cloud before the Lord calls him.  He then spends 40 days and 40 nights on that same mountain where he encountered  the Lord and the burning bush and got his original call.

The Psalms provide the opportunity for the worshiper to put one’s self in the picture, make the psalm our personal response to situations.
Psalm 2  . . . Situation 1:  Struggle on the World’s Stage

Note these last three verses of this contemporary interpretation:

10) So listen well you rulers of the people, be wise pay heed to what you hear.

11) Learn service to the God of earth and heaven, in humility and awe draw close, come near.

12) Instead of fury, anger, fear and wrath, know blessedness, learn to live as a refuge of God.

Or

Psalm 99 . . .  Situation 2: Sovereign of the Universe

Another three verses:

7) And from the pillar to the clouds on high you shaped the words they heard and grew competent to understand and do.

8) There was no doubt  for them it was your words which spoke, and your forgiveness flowed to heal the inflicted for their evil deeds.

9) So it is your greatness God, that we proclaim, for you exist upon the sacred mountains of the transcendent being, And gathering now before that vast and mighty range, we worship, and in awe we honor you, O Holy One.

2 Peter 1:16-21 . . .  Peter testifies to the amazing events of Jesus’ glorious transfiguration. This letter is to be taken as the actual voice of the Holy Spirit speaking directly to us.

Matthew 17:1-9 . . .  Three of Jesus’ disciples witness Jesus’ radiance and hear the voice of God. Once the disciples know who he truly is,  Jesus begins to tell them of his impending death and resurrection. He then calls them to take up their cross and follow him down that road of suffering and vindication.  All this happened before the mountain top experience, where Peter, James and John can see the transfiguration first hand.

Note the cloud, the presence of God again.

Sermon for the Last Sunday After Epiphany: The Light

This sermon brings to mind the scripture verse most present for me these days: Isaiah 49: 6b — I give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.