St Andrew, Apostle
He never moved to center stage, but played well an essential supporting role. He was, so someone observed, the great introducer. Three times St. Andrew took someone to Jesus, first and perhaps most significantly his own brother Peter, who Jesus appointed to head the earthly church. Andrew’s was a ministry of moving along the fringe of the crowd and making sure someone got the attention he needed when otherwise his needs and gifts might have been ignored.
The Rev. Jeffrey Wilson

Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give unto us, who are called by your Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

1The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament* proclaims his handiwork.
2Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
3There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
4yet their voice* goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In the heavens* he has set a tent for the sun,
5which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
6Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and nothing is hidden from its heat.
Psalm 19 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Amos 2:6-16 - 2 Peter 1:1-11 - Matthew 21:1-11

By the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
--Luke 1:79-80

Thanksgiving Day

Heavenly Father, on Thanksgiving Day we bow our hearts to You and pray.
We give You thanks for all You've done especially for the gift of Jesus, Your Son.
For beauty in nature, Your glory we see for joy and health, friends and family,
For daily provision, Your mercy and care these are the blessings You graciously share.
So today we offer this response of praise with a promise to follow You all of our days.
--Mary Fairchild

1To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2O my God, in you I trust;
do not let me be put to shame;
do not let my enemies exult over me.
3Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
5Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.
6Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Psalm 25 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Zephaniah 3:1-13 – 1 Peter 2:11-25 - Matthew 19:23-30

Our season of waiting begins today. The daily lectionary readings for the season of Advent begin on the Thursday prior to the first Sunday in Advent.
Appropriately, the psalmist speaks about waiting for the Lord. The Lord is certainly worth the wait and we realize this is not an idle waiting. For in this Advent season, we know that we are waiting for God to break into the world in a new way. We are not idle in our waiting; instead we are expectant. We are still being taught, led, forgiven. We live as people who trust in the Lord and as people who expect that the promised mercy of the Lord will be upon us.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness. All the paths of the Lord will lead us toward the manger this Advent. If you are headed somewhere else - get off that path.
How will you know if you are on a path of the Lord? Examine yourself. Are you learning, feeling the pull of the Spirit, offering forgiveness to others? Are you putting your trust in the Lord? These are natural events while on a path God sets before you.
Devotion by Rev. Gary Sandberg

Issac Watts, Hymnwriter

O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven with hymns and spiritual songs of praise: Give us the wings of faith to behold the joyful glory of your saints, and to be so strengthened by the vigorous poetry of your servant Isaac Watts that we may faithfully walk in the path you have set before us and at last, through your grace, possess the land of pure delight opened to us by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.Philip H. Pfatteicher

9Worship the Lord in holy splendor;
tremble before him, all the earth.
10Say among the nations, ‘The Lord is king!
The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
He will judge the peoples with equity.’
11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the Lord; for he is coming,
for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with his truth
Psalm 96 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Obadiah 15-21– 1 Peter 2:1-10 - Matthew 19:23-30

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you, bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.From The Book of Common Prayer

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the name of the Lord;
give praise, O servants of the Lord,
2 you that stand in the house of the Lord,
in the courts of the house of our God.
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
sing to his name, for he is gracious.
4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself,
Israel as his own possession.
5 For I know that the Lord is great;
our Lord is above all gods.
Psalm 135 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Nahum 1:1-13 – 1 Peter 1:13-25 – Matthew 19:13-22

Clement, Bishop of Rome, ca. 100

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all peoples may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

3 Things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
5 He established a decree in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children; 6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and rise up and tell them to their children, 7 so that they should set their hope in God,
and not forget the works of God,
but keep his commandments;
Psalm 78 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Joel 3:1-2, 9-17 – 1 Peter 1:1-12 – Matthew 19:1-12

Edmund of East Anglia, Martyr

O God of ineffable mercy, who gave grace and fortitude to blessed Edmund the king to triumph over the enemy of his people by nobly dying for your Name: Bestow on us your servants the shield of faith, with which we can withstand the assaults of our ancient enemy; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

1In your strength the king rejoices, O Lord,
and in your help how greatly he exults!
2You have given him his heart’s desire,
and have not withheld the request of his lips.
4He asked you for life; you gave it to him—
length of days for ever and ever.
5His glory is great through your help;
splendor and majesty you bestow on him.
6You bestow on him blessings for ever;
you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
7For the king trusts in the Lord,
and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.
Psalm 21 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Nehemiah 2:1-20 – Revelation 6:12-7:4 – Matthew 13:24-30

Mechtild of Magdeburg, Mechtild of Hackeborn, Gertrude the Great
Renewers of the Church
On this day three German mystics and spiritual writers are commemorated together. In the late thirteenth century, the convent of Helfta in Saxony, Germany was a center of female mysticism. This convent produced a number of well-known mystics in the latter part of the century. This sort of mystical community of women was especially prevalent in Germany, and continued well into the fourteenth century.

Eternal God of fire and mercy, you have filled the hearts of your servants throughout the ages with visions of love and splendor: Bring your light, we pray, into the darkness of our hearts that we may know the joy of your presence and the power of your grace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

1God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5God is in the midst of the city;* it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
7The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.*
Psalm 46 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Nehemiah 1:1-11 – Revelation 5:11-6:11 – Matthew 13:18-23

Hilda, Abbess of Whitby

O God of peace, by whose grace the abbess Hilda was endowed with gifts of justice, prudence, and strength to rule as a wise mother over the nuns and monks of her household, and to become a trusted and reconciling friend to leaders of the Church: Give us the grace to respect and love our fellow Christians with whom we disagree, that our common life may be enriched and your gracious will be done, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the LORD."
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD,
to praise the name of the LORD according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There the thrones for judgment stand,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
"May those who love you be secure.
Psalm 122 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Ezra 6:1-22 – Revelation 5:1-10 – Matthew 13:10-17

O Almighty God, who by your Holy Spirit has made us one with your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our earthly pilgrimage we may ever be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and may know ourselves to be surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
(From "The Book of Common Prayer")

8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
9 The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
10 All you have made will praise you, O LORD;
your saints will extol you.
11 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.
Psalm 145 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Zechariah 1: 7-17 – Revelation 1:4-20 – Matthew 12:43-50

Father,
You are my Source of faith.
Lord, I am trying to believe -- help my unbelief! Help me to take hold of the provision You made for me on the cross when You took on Yourself all my sicknesses and diseases. You carried them so that I could be healed and live a life of health and wholeness. I know what You have done for me, but I need to know it with my heart. Quicken my spirit, Lord, that I might receive Your gracious provision. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

5How great are your works, O Lord!
Your thoughts are very deep!
6The dullard cannot know,
the stupid cannot understand this:
7though the wicked sprout like grass
and all evildoers flourish,
they are doomed to destruction for ever,
8 but you, O Lord, are on high for ever.
9For your enemies, O Lord,
for your enemies shall perish;
all evildoers shall be scattered.
11My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.
Psalm 92 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Ezra 3: 1-13 – 1 Corinthians 16:10-24 – Matthew 12:22-32

Søren Aabye Kierkegaard, Theologian

“Father in Heaven! You hold all the good gifts in Your gentle hands. Your abundance is richer than can be grasped by human understanding. You are very willing to give, and Your goodness is beyond the understanding of a human heart, because you fulfill every prayer and give, what we pray for or what is far better than what we pray for.
“Give everyone her or his allotted share as it is well pleasing to You, but also give everyone the assurance that everything comes from You, so that joy will not tear us away from You in the forgetfulness of pleasure, so that sorrow will not separate You from us.”
Søren Aabye Kierkegaard

97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
102 I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalm 119 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Ezra 1:1-11 – 1 Corinthians 16:1-9 – Matthew 12:15-21

Martin, Bishop of Tours

Lord God of hosts, who clothed your servant Martin the soldier with the spirit of sacrifice, and set him as a bishop in your Church to be a defender of the catholic faith: Give us grace to follow in his holy steps, that at the last we may be found clothed with righteousness in the dwellings of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
From Lesser Feasts and Fasts

15The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their cry.
16The face of the Lord is against evildoers,
to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears,
and rescues them from all their troubles.
18The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,
and saves the crushed in spirit.
19Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord rescues them from them all..
22The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Psalm 34 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Lamentations 2:8-15 – 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 – Matthew 12:1-14

– Leo the Great

O Lord our God, you strengthened your servant Leo of Rome through turbulent times: Let your perpetual mercy ever accompany your church; that while it is placed among the storms of this world it may be both refreshed with present gladness and behold the brightness of eternal bliss; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
From the Leonine Sacramentary

11I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord;
I will remember your wonders of old.
12I will meditate on all your work,
and muse on your mighty deeds.
13Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is so great as our God?
14You are the God who works wonders;
you have displayed your might among the peoples.
15With your strong arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Psalm 77 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Lamentations 1:1-12 – 1 Corinthians 15:41-50 – Matthew 11:25-30

Martin Chemnitz

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.
Saint Augustine of Hippo

5For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
6He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
8Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.
11Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this:that power belongs to God,
12 and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.For you repay to all according to their work.
Psalm 62 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Jeremiah 44:1-14 – 1 Corinthians 15:30-41 – Matthew 11:16-24

Prayer for Discernment
Make us of quick and tender conscience, O Lord; that understanding we may obey every word of Your Son, and discerning may follow every suggestion of Your indwelling Spirit. Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.
- Christina G. Rossetti (1830-1895)

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psalm 103 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Jeremiah 38:14-28 – 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 – Matthew 11:1-6

– Elizabeth and Zechariah, Parents of St John the Baptist

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer

76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
79 to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace."
Luke 1 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Jeremiah 38:1-13 – 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 – Matthew 10:34-42

Almighty and everlasting God, you resist the proud but give grace to the humble: Grant that we be not cast down from our chief happiness by the swellings of pride, but rather that we ascend into heaven b y the steps of humility; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Mozarabic Sacramentary

1 Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 O you who hear prayer,
to you all men will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.
5 You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.
Psalm 65 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Jeremiah 37:3-21 – 1 Corinthians 14:13- 25 – Matthew 10:24-33

– Martin de Porres, Renewer of Society

O God, whose Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of Martin de Porres, may serve you with singleness of heart and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen

1 [a]I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3 My enemies turn back;
they stumble and perish before you.
4 For you have upheld my right and my cause;
you have sat on your throne, judging righteously.
7 The LORD reigns forever;
he has established his throne for judgment.
8 He will judge the world in righteousness;
he will govern the peoples with justice.
Psalm 9 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Jeremiah 36:27-37:2 – 1 Corinthians 14:1-12 – Matthew 10:16-23

Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

Almighty God, with whom still live the spirits of those who die in the Lord, and with whom the souls of the faithful are in joy and felicity: We give you heartfelt thanks for the good examples of all your servants, who, having finished their course in faith, now find rest and refreshment. May we, with David and all who have died in the true faith of your holy Name, have perfect fulfillment and bliss in your eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer

12 How can I repay the LORD
for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.
16 O LORD, truly I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant;
you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the LORD.
Psalm 116 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading) Jeremiah 36:11-26 – 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 – Matthew 10:5-15