Festival
He shall say to the LORD,
"You are my refuge and my stronghold,*
my God in whom I put my trust."
He shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter*
and from the deadly pestilence.
He shall cover you with his pinions,
and you shall find refuge under his wings;*
his faithfulness shall be a shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of any terror by night,*
nor of the arrow that flies by day;
Of the plague that stalks in the darkness,*
nor of the sickness that lays waste at midday.
A thousand shall fall at your side
and ten thousand at your right hand,*
but it shall not come near you.
Your eyes have only to behold*
to see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD your refuge,*
and the Most High your habitation,
There shall no evil happen to you,*
neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over you,*
to keep you in all your ways.
They shall bear you in their hands,*
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the adder;*
you shall trample the young lion and the serpent
under your feet.
Because he is bound to me in love,
therefore will I deliver him;*
I will protect him, because he knows my Name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him;*
I am with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and bring him to honour.
With long life will I satisfy him,*
He said, "Go and find where he is; I will send and seize
him." He was told, "He is in Dothan." So he sent horses and
chariots there and a great army; they came by night, and
surrounded the city. When an attendant of the man of God
rose early in the morning and went out, an army with horses
and chariots was all around the city. His servant said,
"Alas, master! What shall we do?" He replied, "Do not be
afraid, for there are more with us than there are with
them." Then Elisha prayed: "O LORD,
please open his eyes that he may see." So the LORD opened the eyes of the servant, and he
saw; the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire
all around Elisha.
[NRSV]
"If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these
little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if
a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you
were drowned in the depth of the sea.
"Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones;
for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the
face of my Father in heaven."
[NRSV]
I will glory in the LORD;*
Proclaim with me the greatness of the LORD;*
I sought the LORD, and he answered me*
Look upon him and be radiant,*
I called in my affliction and the LORD heard me*
The angel of the LORD encompasses those who fear him,*
Taste and see that the LORD is good;*
Fear the LORD, you that are his saints,*
The young lions lack and suffer hunger,*
Come, children, and listen to me;*
Who among you loves life*
Keep your tongue from evil-speaking*
Turn from evil and do good;*
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous,*
The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,*
The righteous cry, and the LORD hears them*
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted*
Many are the troubles of the righteous,*
He will keep safe all his bones;*
Evil shall slay the wicked,*
The LORD ransoms the life of his servants,*
"I will now declare the whole truth to you and will conceal
nothing from you. Already I have declared it to you when I
said, 'It is good to conceal the secret of a king, but to
reveal with due honour the works of God.' So now when you
and Sarah prayed, it was I who brought and read the record
of your prayer before the glory of the Lord, and likewise
whenever you would bury the dead. And that time when you
did not hesitate to get up and leave your dinner to go and
bury the dead, I was sent to you to test you. And at the
same time God sent me to heal you and Sarah your
daughter-in-law. I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who
stand ready and enter before the glory of the Lord."
The two of them were shaken; they fell face down, for they
were afraid. But he said to them, "Do not be afraid; peace
be with you. Bless God forevermore. As for me, when I was
with you, I was not acting on my own will, but by the will
of God. Bless him each and every day; sing his praises.
Although you were watching me, I really did not eat or drink
anything--but what you saw was a vision. So now get up from
the ground, and acknowledge God. See, I am ascending to him
who sent me. Write down all these things that have happened
to you." And he ascended. Then they stood up, and could
see him no more. They kept blessing God and singing his
praises, and they acknowledged God for these marvellous
deeds of his, when an angel of God had appeared to them.
[NRSV]
While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently
to God for him. The very night before Herod was going to
bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping
between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were
keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord
appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on
the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the
chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, "Fasten
your belt and put on your sandals." He did so. Then he said
to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me." Peter
went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was
happening with the angel's help was real; he thought he was
seeing a vision. After they had passed the first and the
second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into
the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they
went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the
angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I
am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from
the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were
expecting."
[NRSV]
I will bow down toward your holy temple
For you have glorified your name*
When I called, you answered me;*
All the kings of the earth will praise you, O LORD,*
They will sing of the ways of the LORD,*
Though the LORD be high, he cares for the lowly;*
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe;*
The LORD will make good his purpose for me;*
Praise him, all you angels of his;*
Praise him, sun and moon;*
Praise him, heaven of heavens,*
Let them praise the name of the LORD;*
He made them stand fast for ever and ever;*
Praise the LORD from the earth,*
Fire and hail, snow and fog,*
Mountains and all hills,*
Wild beasts and all cattle,*
Kings of the earth and all peoples,*
Young men and maidens,*
Let them praise the Name of the LORD,*
He has raised up strength for his people
But then a hand touched me and roused me to my hands and
knees. He said to me, "Daniel, greatly beloved, pay
attention to the words that I am going to speak to you.
Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you." So
while he was speaking this word to me, I stood up trembling.
He said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day
that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble
yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I
have come because of your words. But the prince of the
kingdom of Persia opposed me twenty-one days. So Michael,
one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I left him
there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia, and have
come to help you understand what is to happen to your people
at the end of days. For there is a further vision for those
days." While he was speaking these words to me, I turned my
face toward the ground and was speechless. Then one in human
form touched my lips, and I opened my mouth to speak, and
said to the one who stood before me, "My lord, because of
the vision such pains have come upon me that I retain no
strength. How can my lord's servant talk with my lord? For I
am shaking, no strength remains in me, and no breath is left
in me." Again one in human form touched me and strengthened
me. He said, "Do not fear, greatly beloved, you are safe. Be
strong and courageous!" When he spoke to me, I was
strengthened and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have
strengthened me." Then he said, "Do you know why I have come
to you? Now I must return to fight against the prince of
Persia, and when I am through with him, the prince of Greece
will come. But I am to tell you what is inscribed in the
book of truth. There is no one with me who contends against
these princes except Michael, your prince."
[NRSV]
Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures
and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been
slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are
the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He
went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who
was seated on the throne. When he had taken the scroll, the
four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before
the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of
incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a
new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its
seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you
ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and
people and nation; you have made them to be a kingdom and
priests serving our God, and they will reign on earth." Then
I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding
the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they
numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,
singing with full voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was
slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honour and glory and blessing!" Then I heard every
creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in
the sea, and all that is in them, singing, "To the one
seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour
and glory and might forever and ever!" And the four living
creatures said, "Amen!" And the elders fell down and
worshipped.
[NRSV]
Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place--and I did not know it!"
And he was afraid, and said, "How awesome is this place!
This is none other than the house of God, and this is the
gate of heaven."
[NRSV]
Bless the LORD, you angels of his,
Bless the LORD, all you his hosts,*
Bless the LORD, all you works of his,
Rejoice then, you heavens and those who dwell in them! But
woe to the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to
you with great wrath, because he knows that his time is
short!"
[NRSV]
and show him my salvation.
[BCP79]
2 Kings 6:8-17
Once when the king of Aram was at war with Israel, he took
counsel with his officers. He said, "At such and such a
place shall be my camp." But the man of God sent word to the
king of Israel, "Take care not to pass this place, because
the Aramaeans are going down there." The king of Israel sent
word to the place of which the man of God spoke. More than
once or twice he warned such a place so that it was on the
alert. The mind of the king of Aram was greatly perturbed
because of this; he called his officers and said to them,
"Now tell me who among us sides with the king of Israel?"
Then one of his officers said, "No one, my lord king. It is
Elisha, the prophet in Israel, who tells the king of Israel
the words that you speak in your bedchamber."
Matthew 18:1-6,10
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is
the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a child,
whom he put among them, and said, "Truly I tell you, unless
you change and become like children, you will never enter
the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this
child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever
welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Morning Prayer
Psalm 34
I will bless the LORD at all times;*
his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
let the humble hear and rejoice.
let us exalt his Name together.
and delivered me out of all my terror.
and let not your faces be ashamed.
and saved me from all my troubles.
and he will deliver them.
happy are they who trust in him!
for those who fear him lack nothing.
but those who seek the LORD lack nothing that is good.
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
and desires long life to enjoy prosperity?
and your lips from lying words.
seek peace and pursue it.
and his ears are open to their cry.
to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.
and delivers them from all their troubles.
and will save those whose spirits are crushed.
but the LORD will deliver him out of them all.
not one of them shall be broken.
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
and none will be punished who trust in him.
[BCP79]
Tobit 12.6-22
Then Raphael called the two of them privately and said to
them, "Bless God and acknowledge him in the presence of all
the living for the good things he has done for you. Bless
and sing praise to his name. With fitting honour declare to
all his people the deeds of God. Do not be slow to
acknowledge him. It is good to conceal the secret of a
king, but to acknowledge and reveal the works of God, and
with fitting honour to acknowledge him. Do good and evil
will not overtake you. Prayer with fasting is good, but
better than both is almsgiving with righteousness. A
little with righteousness is better than wealth with
wrongdoing. It is better to give alms than to lay up gold.
For almsgiving saves from death and purges away every sin.
Those who give alms will enjoy a full life, but those who
commit sin and do wrong are their own worst enemies.
Daniel 12:1-4
"At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of
your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish,
such as has never occurred since nations first came into
existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered,
everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who
sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to
everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting
contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness
of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like
the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, keep the words
secret and the book sealed until the time of the end. Many
shall be running back and forth, and evil shall increase."
[NRSV]
Acts 12:1-11
About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who
belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John,
killed with the sword. After he saw that it pleased the
Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during
the festival of Unleavened Bread.) When he had seized him,
he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of
soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the
people after the Passover.
Evening Prayer
Psalms 138
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart;*
before the gods I will sing your praise.
and praise your name,*
because of your love and faithfulness;
and your word above all things.
you increased my strength within me.
when they have heard the words of your mouth.
that great is the glory of the LORD.
he perceives the haughty from afar.
you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;
your right hand shall save me.
O LORD, your love endures for ever;
do not abandon the works of your hands.
[BCP79]
Psalm 148
Alleluia!
Praise the LORD from the heavens;*
praise him in the heights.
praise him, all his host.
praise him, all you shining stars.
and you waters above the heavens.
for he commanded, and they were created.
he gave them a law which shall not pass away.
you sea-monsters and all deeps;
tempestuous wind, doing his will;
fruit trees and all cedars;
creeping things and winged birds;
princes and all rulers of the world;
old and young together.
for his name only is exalted,
his splendour is over earth and heaven.
and praise for all his loyal servants,*
the children of Israel, a people who are near him.
Alleluia!
[BCP79]
Daniel 10:4-21
On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was
standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the
Tigris), I looked up and saw a man clothed in linen, with a
belt of gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like
beryl, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming
torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished
bronze, and the sound of his words like the roar of a
multitude. I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; the people who
were with me did not see the vision, though a great
trembling fell upon them, and they fled and hid themselves.
So I was left alone to see this great vision. My strength
left me, and my complexion grew deathly pale, and I retained
no strength. Then I heard the sound of his words; and when I
heard the sound of his words, I fell into a trance, face to
the ground.
Revelation 5
Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne
a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with
seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a
loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its
seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth
was able to open the scroll or to look into it. And I began
to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the
scroll or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to
me, "Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the
Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll
and its seven seals."
The Eucharist
Genesis 28:10-17
Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. He came to a
certain place and stayed there for the night, because the
sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put
it under his head and lay down in that place. And he dreamed
that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it
reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and
descending on it. And the LORD stood
beside him and said, "I am the LORD,
the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the
land on which you lie I will give to you and to your
offspring; and your offspring shall be like the dust of the
earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the
east and to the north and to the south; and all the families
of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring.
Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go,
and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave
you until I have done what I have promised you."
Psalm 103:19-22
The LORD has set his throne in heaven,*
and his kingship has dominion over all.
you mighty ones who do his bidding,*
and hearken to the voice of his word.
you ministers of his who do his will.
in all places of his dominion;*
bless the LORD, O my soul.
[BCP79]
Revelation 12:7-12
War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought
against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back,
but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place
for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that
ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the
deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the
earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Then I
heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming, "Now have come
the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and
the authority of his Messiah, for the accuser of our
comrades has been thrown down, who accuses them day and
night before our God. But they have conquered him by the
blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for
they did not cling to life even in the face of death.
Hebrews 1:5-14
For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my
Son; today I have begotten you"? Or again, "I will be his
Father, and he will be my Son"? And again, when he brings
the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels
worship him." Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels
winds, and his servants flames of fire." But of the Son he
says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the
righteous sceptre is the sceptre of your kingdom. You have
loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God,
your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond
your companions." And, "In the beginning, Lord, you founded
the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they
will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like
clothing; like a cloak you will roll them up, and like
clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and
your years will never end." But to which of the angels has
he ever said, "Sit at my right hand until I make your
enemies a footstool for your feet"? Are not all angels
spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of
those who are to inherit salvation?
[NRSV]
John 1:47-51
When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him,
"Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!"
Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus
answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called
you." Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You
are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered, "Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You
will see greater things than these." And he said to him,
"Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the
angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."
[NRSV]
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