Andrew the Apostle

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. Amen
(BCP, ELW)

1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
   and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
   and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
   whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,
   and their words to the end of the world.
   In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
   and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
   and its circuit to the end of them,
   and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
Psalm 19 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Amos 3:12-4:5 - 2 Peter 3:1-10 - Matthew 21:23-32

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.


1 As a deer pants for flowing streams,
   so pants my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
   When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night,
   while they say to me all the day long, "Where is your God?"
4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:
   how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God
   with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
   Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation 6 and my God.
   My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you
   from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls;
   all your breakers and your waves have gone over me
Psalm 42 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Amos 3:1-11 - 2 Peter 1:12-21 - Matthew 21:12-22

Silent Night, In the midst of all the frantic activity that surrounds me these hectic Advent days, perhaps I need a little silence, Lord, some time to contemplate, to meditate ... time to listen for your voice in the voices of the angels ... and that infant Voice which, in the beginning, brought all things into existence. When I am tempted to babble, to complain, or to fill the air with noise for its own sake (or for mine), give me the gift you gave to Your prophet Elijah once in the midst of all his turmoil. Grant me, for at least a few moments each day this Advent, the gift of silence. Amen.
(Arden W. Mead)

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD;
   consider my groaning.
2 Give attention to the sound of my cry,
   my King and my God, for to you do I pray.
3 O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;
   in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
   evil may not dwell with you.
5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
   you hate all evildoers.
6 You destroy those who speak lies;
   the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
Psalm 5 – English 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

Isaac Watts

O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: be with us, we pray. Grant that what we sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and what we believe in our hearts we may practice in our lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen

1 Oh sing to the LORD a new song;
   sing to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
   tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
   his marvelous works among all the peoples!
4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
   he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
   but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
   strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
   ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
Psalm 96 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Isaiah 24:14-23 - 1 Peter 3:13-4:6 - Matthew 20:17-28

Thanksgiving Day

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 your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
   his understanding is beyond measure.
6 The LORD lifts up the humble;
   he casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
   make melody to our God on the lyre!
8 He covers the heavens with clouds;
   he prepares rain for the earth;
   he makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives to the beasts their food,
   and to the young ravens that cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
   nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
11 but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
   in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Psalm 147 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Deuteronomy 26:1-11 - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 - John 6:26-35

Clement of Rome

O Lord, in every age you write names in your Book of Life and lead the meek of the earth to be followers of the Lamb of God: Raise up for us teachers like your servant Clement, the disciple of your first apostles, who by their writings may instruct the Church without thought of self, and open to us the healing fountains of repentance, peace, and love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
(The English Liturgy)

2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
   I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3 things that we have heard and known,
   that our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children,
   but 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 testimony in Jacob
   and appointed a law in Israel,
   which he commanded our fathers
   to teach to their children,
6 that the next generation might know them,
   the children yet unborn,
   and arise 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 – English 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

C S Lewis

O God of searing truth and surpassing beauty, we give you thanks for Clive Staples Lewis whose sanctified imagination lights fires of faith in young and old alike; Surprise us also with your joy and draw us into that new and abundant life which is ours in Christ Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
(Lesser Feasts and Fasts)

1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
   you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
   and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
   behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
   and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
   it is high; I cannot attain it.
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
   Or where shall I flee from your presence?
13 For you formed my inward parts;
   you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
Psalm 139 – English 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