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DECIDING LITURGY FOR WORSHIP AND DAILY OFFICE
Written by Scott Anderson on April 8, 2022. Posted in Uncategorized.
Did you know that thousands of churches around the globe are reading the same
scripture as you every Sunday morning? How is it that an Episcopal Church in
Orlando is reading the same scripture as a Roman Catholic Church in Canada?
Simple we draw our scripture readings from our common lectionary!
A lectionary is simply a table designating the readings of scripture that should
be read for a given day. Between pages 889-912 in the Book of Common Prayer(BCP)
you can find the prescribed Sunday reading! The Lectionary runs in a three year
cycle Year A (Gospel of Mathew), Year B (Gospel of Mark), and Year C (Gospel of
Luke).
SUNDAY SERVICE
Let’s say we are in Year C and we want to know what the readings are for this
upcoming The Fifth Sunday in Lent. All we have to do is turn to Lectionary C
section in our BCP and search until we find the date in this example page 914
that’s it!
If you don’t have a BCP handy we offer it fully online 1979 Book of Common
Prayer! Choosing The Lectionary – Year C scrolling down to The Fifth Sunday in
Lent we find the same readings to be the following.
* Old Testament: Isaiah 43:16-21
* Psalm: Psalm 126
* Epistle: Philippians 3:4b-14
* Gospel: John 12:1-8
DAILY OFFICE
> All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for
> correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to
> God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.
>
> 2 Timothy 3:16-17
We are called to engage with God’s word more than just during Sunday worship.
One way in which we are able to do so is by reading the Daily Office,
participating in Morning and Evening Prayer. The purpose of the Daily Office is
to provide an easy to follow plan to help you draw closer to Christ in study and
prayer.
The two primary services in the Daily Office are Morning and Evening prayer
which come in two forms Rite One and Rite Two. If you prefer older english with
Thees and Thoughts then you would prefer Rite One, otherwise for more modern
language many prefer to use the updated Rite Two, however both are full valid
options within the Episcopal Church! You can find the Daily Offices between
pages 37 and 140 in the BCP.
* Daily Morning Prayer: Rite One
* Daily Evening Prayer: Rite One
* Daily Morning Prayer: Rite Two
* Daily Evening Prayer: Rite Two
While reading Morning or Evening prayer there will be parts that allow for the
reading of the daily Psalm, Old Testament, and New Testaments readings. How do
we know what scripture exactly are we supposed to read? Much like the Lectionary
used for Sunday Worship we have a dedicated Daily Office Lectionary.
The Daily Office Lectionary runs on a two your cycle so we are either in Year
One or Year Two. Knowing the year and season we are in we are able to look up
the scriptures to be read for any given day. The Daily Office Lectionary can be
found on BCP 936.
If we are in Year Two in Week 5 of Lent on a Friday the following would be the
prescribed scriptural readings.
* Morning Prayer Psalms: 95 & 22
* Morning Prayer Old Testament: Exodus 9:13-35
* Morning Prayer New Testament: 2 Corinthians 4:1-12
* Evening Prayer Psalms: 141, 143-1-11(12)
* Evening Prayer New Testament: Mark 10:32-45
HINT: If you don’t know what week we are in the easiest way to find out is to
check lectionarypage.net.
CLOSING
There are countless websites and mobile apps (ours included) that simply tell
you what scripture is designated for a given day, but I hope you found this
article helpful to know how to do it “OLD-SCHOOL” and provides you a backup in
case you find yourself unable to access other resources. God Bless!
COLORS AND SEASONS IN CHURCH LIFE
Written by Scott Anderson on April 2, 2022. Posted in Uncategorized.
Have you ever noticed the difference in colors that Priests and Deacons wear
throughout the year? How do we know that we wear Purple in Lent and Green in
Pentecost… heck how do we even know when Pentecost begins?
TWO DATES RULE THEM ALL
There are two dates that our church calendar revolves around, Christmas and
Easter. Christmas having a fixed date of December 25 and Easter a floating date
being the first Sunday after the first full moon in spring.
ADVENT – PURPLE
Advents starts our church calendar beginning four Sundays before Christmas and
goes until Christmas Eve. This season marks a time of reflection, remembrance,
and anticipation in a season of Joy for our Savior who humbled himself to be
born a baby living amongst those whom he would save. The color of the season in
purple, signifying penitence and reflection.
For more consider reading Advent the light in a season of Darkness
CHRISTMAS – WHITE
The Christmas season begins on December 25th and lasts for twelve days until
January 5th. During Christmas we wear white as a symbolism of Jesus’ burial
garments and christ’s purity. Typically music becomes more joyous and upbeat in
tempo compared to Advent.
Fun Fact: Following the end of Christmas on Three Kings Day, it is common in
hispanic culture to leave water and grass for the Wise Men’s camels, in exchange
the Wise Men will leave gift for the children.
EPIPHANY – GREEN
Epiphany runs from January 6th until Ash Wednesday. This season is a time of
celebration for Jesus Christ coming to his people on earth (see prior Three
Kings Day celebration). On Epiphany we wear white, and then green for the rest
of the season symbolizing the rejuvenation in vegetation and life.
LENT – PURPLE
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and is a season of repentance and remembrance
commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert. It is common for us to
choose to give up something or take something on in order to draw closer to
Christ during this somber time. Characteristics of the season tends to be more
somber less energetic music, and not saying alleluia which is an expression of
joy and thanks. During Lent the color of the season is Purple signifying
penitence.
For more consider watching a sermon about the Season of Lent.
HOLY WEEK – RED
Holy week begins on Palm Sunday the Sunday before Easter. Palms symbolize the
story of Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem. The color of the season is red, this
color is used also on the Day of Pentecost and at ordinations.
EASTER – WHITE
On Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter season lasts for
fifty days until Pentecost. The color for Easter is the same as Christmas.
PENTECOST – GREEN (EXCEPT WHEN ITS RED)
The First Sunday of Pentecost we celebrate Trinity Sunday where we celebrate the
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit <insert joke about modalism>, on this day we wear
red. For the rest of the season we wear Green celebrating the gifts of the Holy
Spirit (much in the same as Epiphany).
CHURCH COLORS
* WHITE, the color of Jesus’ burial garments, for Christmas, Easter, and other
‘feasts’ or festival days, as well as marriages and funerals.
* PURPLE/VIOLET for Advent (or ROYAL BLUE) & Lent (or UNBLEACHED LINEN).
* RED is used in Holy Week, the Day of Pentecost, and at ordinations.
* GREEN is used during Epiphany and the ‘Ordinary Time’ after Pentecost.
Source: Episcopal Church Liturgical Colors
When you open your Christmas gifts!
FATHER’S DAY 2021: REMEMBERING WHY WE GATHER.
Written by Scott Anderson on June 20, 2021. Posted in Uncategorized.
> And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the
> discipline and instruction of the Lord.
>
> Ephesians 6:4
Happy Father’s Day to all the Fathers out there this blessed Sunday both old and
young alike. What Father’s day means to each family will vary but I pray that at
the end it is centered around a love for those who have made a positive impact
on your life. This Father’s Day June 20, 2021, is the first day I’m blessed to
not only spent time with my Father but sharing the same day with my newborn son
Noah as a father myself. In the enjoyment of all holidays, I pray that we take a
moment to pray and reflect on why we gather and celebrate these days, and from
that how we can tailor our hearts and our lives as is pleasing to the Lord.
Today I prayerfully hold Ephesian 6:4 “And, fathers, do not provoke your
children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the
Lord.” that I may live and raise my son in a household of love not just for each
other but raising him up as a disciple of the Lord.
THOUGHTS ON EPIPHANY AND AN ASSIST ON “EXPLORING THE GOSPELS”
Written by Laurie Anderson on January 13, 2021. Posted in Uncategorized.
Commentary on Matthew 2:1-12
The Story of Epiphany
The story of Epiphany – the story of the three wise men who come to visit and
honor the Christ child – is an unusual one full of sharp contrasts. These men
were priests and scholars of their day with access to the Persian emperor.
They traveled a great distance, wanting to see for themselves if the child born
in Bethlehem was the one whose birth was foretold because, like the Jews, these
Zoroastrian priests were looking forward to the birth of the true Savior.
They followed a star in the East in search of this child. On their travels,
they inquired of the king of the land, Herod, if he knew where they could find
the “new king.”
(Imagine that conversation! Travelers from afar show up at the palace of an
egotistical, insecure, Godless man, asking where they can find the “real” king –
foretold in Scripture and promised by God. No better way to say to Herod, “we
know you’re not THE one, but could you show us how to find the one who is?”
Nice conversation-starter!)
By the way, the King Herod in this part of Scripture is the father of the King
Herod who crucified Jesus. So father King Herod attempts to kill Jesus, the
child. And son, King Herod kills Jesus the man. Hateful family! (It seems they
found a name they liked – Herod – and then used it time and again, as there were
several King Herods in the Bible.)
In his Gospel, Matthew tells us that the Three Kings looked for the Messiah in
Bethlehem, not in Rome, where kings lived. The Magi – who were Gentiles –
recognized the child’s divinity and his kingship. And so, the King of the Jews
first meets the Jews in a stable in Bethlehem. Soon after he is introduced to
the rest of the world – the Gentiles – who recognize this new baby as the one
born to fulfill a prophecy.
These men brought the child gifts of great value; they offered what was precious
to themselves and knelt and worshipped him as the true Savior. And in so doing,
God in the Christ Child was revealed to all the world.
The story of Epiphany is the story of 3 men, priests from a Persian religion,
astrologers, who traveled a long way to find the true Savior, promised by God.
They find him not in a church, but in an un-kingly setting. They give their
most precious and highly-valued gifts and fall down to worship him as the Son of
God in the most unlikely of places. And after they meet Jesus, the Bible tells
us that they go home by a different route to avoid Herod who was looking for
Jesus to kill him, in a likely affirmation that after you meet Jesus, your path
changes.
The story of Epiphany is a story of the passionate pursuit of things believed
in, the faith and confidence in the promises of God, the acceptance of His
blessings and gifts to us, where and when He gives them. Most importantly, it
is a story of gift-giving, of giving the things that are precious to ourselves
in offering to God, as we ask Christ to come into our lives as our Lord and
Savior. And the acknowledgement that after we meet Jesus, our life’s journey
will surely take a different road!
Offered by Laurie Anderson
CLUNKER OR LUXURY WE FEED GOD’S PEOPLE
Written by Scott Anderson on December 16, 2020. Posted in Service.
As Christians, we are called to feed God’s people period. Due to COVID-19, those
who are left without work are now unable to even cover their four walls for
their family food, water, shelter, and transportation. A common theme in our
American culture is “pick yourself up by your bootstraps”, how can people pick
themselves up when they ain’t got no straps and ain’t got no boots?[1]. What
does it say about our economy when the Dow Jones is at the highest it’s ever
been and yet the lines at food banks are breaking record numbers?
> 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are
> blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation
> of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you
> gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was
> naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in
> prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when
> was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you
> something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed
> you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick
> or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell
> you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my
> family,[a] you did it to me.’
>
> Mathew 25:34-40 (NRSV)
NO ONE IS IMMUNE
Every 2nd Saturday of the month the Healing Hunger Food Pantry serves those in
the Azalea Park community in Orlando, FL the US Capital for Hospitality and
Tourism. This past Saturday, December 12th was no different than those before it
except for one thing… there were more cars in line seeking aid. What I observed
that day was deeply humbling and nearly brought me to tears. Right behind a 2000
Pontiac that barely ran was a brand new Infinity SUV with a plate proudly saying
UCF Alumni; they were both in the same line to receive food aid.
We are not to judge a book by its cover, but if I was to guess the 2000 Pontiac
this was a way of life scraping by paycheck to paycheck and depending on food
aid to feed their family. However, the family in the Infinity was something new.
The Pontiac perhaps had their hours cut back or perhaps were laid off again as
apart of company-wide “restructuring”, however, the Infinity which I project
represents the middle class was laid off and finally ran out of their emergency
fund.
What does this all mean? Nine month’s into this pandemic even our neighbors who
would support and serve in the food pantry are now needing it’s aid. Whether a
fast food worker, service industry worker, middle-management, accountant, or
even software engineer we are all vulnerable. Remember to not judge people by
what they drive or what they wear they may still need your help.
OUR CHARGE
“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are
members of my family,[a] you did it to me.” Our charge is quite simple to
support your fellow neighbor. If you are blessed to still be able to put food on
the table be thankful, for there are many who can not. If you are able; donate
your time, talent, or treasures to a local food bank. Support thy neighbor and
remember we too shall overcome this.
Donate to Healing Hunger Food Pantry
Donate to Second Harvest
1. TYT – Jayar Remember Jayar’s Bootstrap Rant?
ADVENT THE LIGHT IN A SEASON OF DARKNESS
Written by Scott Anderson on November 29, 2020. Posted in Uncategorized.
Happy New Year! At least liturgically speaking of course. This year has been
challenging for all of us in our own unique ways as we grapple with our daily
duties in the midst of a global pandemic. For many in our church, this has been
isolation from our friends, families, and co-workers to protect each other and
reduce the spread of COVID-19. While we are blessed to live in a modern time
where we can video call our loved ones and live-stream church from the safety
and comfort of our homes, it just isn’t the same as in-person community. In
these times of isolation, it’s okay for us to recognize the stress this can
cause inside us.
HOPE IN A SEASON OF SADNESS
While we all hope for a return to a sense of normalcy in our lives I challenge
us to change what it is we are hoping for in this season to help heal the
sadness of the time. We the church looking back in celebration of Christ’s birth
and looking forward and hope for the coming of Christ’s kingdom when he returns.
This is the season of Advent.
1 O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
2 O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go. Refrain
3 O come, O come, great Lord of might,
who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times did give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain
4 O come, O Branch of Jesse’s stem,
unto your own and rescue them!
From depths of hell your people save,
and give them victory o’er the grave. Refrain
5 O come, O Key of David, come
and open wide our heavenly home.
Make safe for us the heavenward road
and bar the way to death’s abode. Refrain
6 O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light. Refrain
7 O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace. Refrain
O come O come Emmanuel in remembrance and anticipation of God’s kingdom in our
hurting world. Much like the season of Lent where we fast in remembrance and
preparation for Easter.
HOW TO PREPARE
There is nothing wrong with decorating for the holidays, buying presents for our
loved ones, or listening to Christmas music all season long. Echoing a challenge
repeated from the past… instead of preparation for Christmas we prepare
ourselves for the coming of God’s kingdom here on earth. Amongst holiday
shopping, and decorating; make room for God first in our lives. Pray more,
forgive more, and ask forgiveness from others.
God Bless and we too shall overcome this.
RESOURCES
What is Advent?
Episcopal Glossary – Advent
The True Meaning of Christmas
GOOD FRIDAY
Written by Scott Anderson on April 21, 2019. Posted in Glossary, Uncategorized.
> And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who
> believes.”
>
> – Mark 9:23
When one enters an Episcopal parish, one of the first things that is noticeable
is an altar and usually a cross above it or near it. In Roman Catholicism, it is
traditional to have a crucifix (cross with the body of Jesus). These things
remind us that Jesus was slain by means of crucifixion for our sins. Good Friday
is the day that this event known as the Passion takes place.
Good Friday remembers the passion of Christ and the last events of His mortal
life before He was sacrificed for us. It is an emotional day as every word that
is heard brings us closer to Christ. One can almost feel what Christ felt. A man
who knew no sin has died in your stead. But it is a day of sadness but it is
also a day of rejoicing because St.Paul reminds us that there can be no
forigveness of sins without the shedding of blood.
On Good Friday, the Passion Gospel is read and then meditations follow that are
about the last events of the life of Jesus. Each event brings us further into
the story and further to our ultimate redemption.
In Leviticus 16, we read of a lamb that is slain for all of the sins of Israel.
The High Priest makes atonement for their sins through this sacrifice. Good
Friday makes us remember that Jesus was both the High Priest and the lamb who
would be slain. He had to die for our sins in order to reconcile us to God just
as Aaron, the High Preist, did for the children of Israel. Please join the
Church Catholic at your local parish for this ultimate service in remembrance
that Christ died for you!
Thanks be to God.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Written by Scott Anderson on April 18, 2019. Posted in Glossary, Uncategorized.
During the Eucharistic Rite, the celebrant lifts up the priest host (bread) and
speaks of the night before. What happened during this most important night? The
answer is Maundy Thursday.
Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper where Jesus washed the fert of his
disciples, broke bread with them and then resigned himself to the Garden of
Gethsemane and prays the famous high preistly prayer in John 17.
What do we do? We do these same events on this night. The clergy wash the feet
of the congregation and they do this in humility. Jesus was the King of Kings,
yet He washed feet as if he were just a servant. It is a reminder to us all that
we are here to serve and not to be served. Then, we celebrate the Eucharist.
This is extremely powerful because we are actually doing it on the same night
that Jesus instituted this sacrament. Then, the altar is stripped. Jesus is
going to be given up to be sacrificed for us.
Please come celebrate in a local parish and remember that Christ gave up His
life for you.
PALM SUNDAY
Written by Scott Anderson on April 12, 2019. Posted in Glossary, Uncategorized.
WHAT IS THE DAY??
> “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a
> donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
>
> Matthew 21:5
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter celebrating Jesus’ triumphant arrival in
to Jerusalem mentioned in gospels (Mathew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11a, Luke
19:29-40). The observance of Palm Sunday in Jerusalem was witnessed by the
pilgrim Egeria in about 381-384. During this observance there was a procession
of people down the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem. The people waved branches off
palms or olive trees as they walked. Shouting the antiphon, “Blessed is he who
comes in the name of the Lord!” The Palm Sunday observance was generally
accepted throughout the church by the twelfth century. In the 1979 BCP on page
270 the day is known as “Sunday of the Pashion: Palm Sunday”, services for this
Sunday start with blessings of palms followed by a procession into the church.
Some symbolisms observed from the gospels include Jesus riding on a donkey not a
horse which can be seen to signify an animal of pace and not of war, others
include the use of Palm branches as a symbol of victory, triumph, peace and
eternal life.
WHAT DOES IT MARK?
> When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is
> this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in
> Galilee.”
>
> Matthew 21:10-11
Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week. Palm Sunday is meant to be both happy
and sad dad, singing praises for Jesus but sad knowing his death within a week
by the same people singling praise.
DID YOU KNOW?
The palms used during a Palm Sunday service are saved to be burnt for use during
the following year’s Ash Wednesday.
ASH WEDNESDAY
Written by Scott Anderson on March 6, 2019. Posted in Glossary, Uncategorized.
WHAT IS THE DAY?
> 3 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
> Ecclesiastes 3:20
>
> Ecclesiastes 3:20
Ash Wednesday is the first of the forty days of Lent and is one of the most
important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent “a
season of fasting and prayer”. The ash of Ash Wednesday refers to the ashes that
serve as a sign of penitence and a reminder of mortality that are placed on
one’s forehead in the shape of a cross during the Ash Wednesday service with its
service being found in the BCP (p. 264).
FIRST DAY OF LENT AND FASTING AND FASTING
> 19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust
> consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store up for yourselves
> treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do
> not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will
> be also.
>
> Matthew 6:19-21
Ash Wednesday serves as the first of the forty days of lent, as an act of
purification and enlightenment acknowledging the ways we have turned from God in
our lives, and how we can focus on turning our hearts and minds back towards
God. By focusing on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving can help us turn away from
whatever has distracted us from God. When you make the decision to give up
something for lent this season as a way of “fasting” think about some aspect of
your life that is controlling and distracting you for this time of Lent and
allow God’s grace in.
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