Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
The first week of impeachment hearings into the actions of the U.S. president concludes today with people around the world wondering whether the U.S. constitutional system of government will stand or fall. The answer so far: it remains standing and will continue to do so as long as the case remains in the House of Representatives. Rep. Adam Schiff (left, D-California), chair of the Intelligence Committee, is an experienced prosecutor who is maintaining House traditions of fairness, courtesy and respect much like those seen in the investigation of Richard Nixon and Watergate two generations ago. The opposing party has plenty of opportunity to mount a defense, but does not have a defense to offer; barring an exculpatory surprise, the House is likely to impeach Trump before Christmas. But no one can predict what the Senate will do in 2020. (Associated Press)
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
INVITATORY AND PSALTER
O God, be not far from us.
Come quickly to help us, O God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
Hymn: Light of the World
Light of the world in grace and beauty,
Mirror of God’s eternal face,
Transparent flame of love’s free duty,
You bring salvation to our race.
Now, as we see the lights of evening,
We raise our voice in hymns of praise;
Worthy are you of endless blessing,
Sun of our night, lamp of our days.
Psalm 136
1 Give thanks to the LORD, who is good, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever.
4 Who only does great wonders, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
5 Who by wisdom made the heavens, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
6 Who spread out the earth upon the waters, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
7 Who created great lights, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
8 The sun to rule the day, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
9 The moon and the stars to govern the night, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever.
10 Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
11 And brought out Israel from among them, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
12 With a mighty hand and a stretched-out arm, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
13 Who divided the Red Sea in two, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
15 But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
16 Who led the chosen people through the wilderness, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
17 Who struck down great rulers, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
18 And slew mighty kings, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
20 And Og, the king of Bashan, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
21 And gave away their lands for an inheritance, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
22 An inheritance for Israel, the chosen servant, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
23 Who remembered us in our low estate, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
24 And delivered us from our enemies, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
25 Who gives food to all creatures, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
James J. Tissot, c. 1895: Get Thee Behind Me, Satan (Brooklyn Museum)
THE LESSON
Matthew 16:21-28 (NRSV)
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?
“For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
Canticle: A Song of True Motherhood
by Julian of Norwich
God chose to be our mother in all things *
and so made the foundation of his work,
most humbly and most pure, in the Virgin’s womb.
God, the perfect wisdom of all, *
arrayed himself in this humble place.
Christ came in our poor flesh *
to share a mother’s care.
Our mothers bear us for pain and for death; *
our true mother, Jesus, bears us for joy and endless life.
Christ carried us within him in love and travail, *
until the full time of his passion.
And when all was completed and he had carried us so for joy, *
still all this could not satisfy the power of his wonderful love.
All that we owe is redeemed in truly loving God, *
for the love of Christ works in us;
Christ is the one whom we love.
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
his only son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYERS
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
V. Show us your mercy, O Lord;
R. And grant us your salvation.
V. Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
R. Let your people sing with joy.
V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
R. For only in you can we live in safety.
V. Lord, keep this nation under your care;
R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
V. Let your way be known upon earth;
R. Your saving health among all nations.
V. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
R. Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
V. Create in us clean hearts, O God;
R. And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
Margaret was an English princess when she married Malcolm, king of Scotland; he came to rely on her in matters of state, as well as church and household. She established schools, hospitals and orphanages, worked with her husband to rebuild the monastery at Iona, and founded Dumfermline Abbey, a Benedictine house which became her final resting place. (source unknown)
Collect of the Day: Margaret, Queen of Scotland, 1093
O God, you called your servant Margaret to an earthly throne that she might advance your heavenly kingdom, and gave her zeal for your Church and love for your people: Mercifully grant that we, who commemorate her this day, may be fruitful in good works, and attain to the glorious crown of your saints; though Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Collect for Saturdays
O God, the source of eternal light: Shed forth your unending day upon us who watch for you, that our lips may praise you, our lives may bless you, and our worship on the morrow give you glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saturday Evening Prayer List: For the Church
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Diocese of Dublin & Glendalough, Ireland; Diocese of Sabongidda-Ora, Nigeria
For Our Mission Partners
Cuttington University School of Nursing, Liberia
Haiti Nursing Foundation
Diocese of Brasilia Afterschool Program, Brazil
Rosebud Episcopal Mission, South Dakota
St. André’s School, Mithon, Haiti
Matthew Shepard Foundation
For The Episcopal Church & All National Church Bodies
For Specialized Ministries
Brotherhood of St. Andrew
Young adult, singles and parents’ ministries
Union of Black Episcopalians and other racial/ethnic caucuses
Episcopal Church Women and Mothers’ Unions
Episcopal Peace Fellowship and church peace activists
Please add your own prayers here.
For Mission
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. Amen.
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfil now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Romans 15:13++
VIDEO: Just as I am (#693, Woodworth, William B. Bradbury; Charlotte Elliott) – Washington National Cathedral, 2010
The Daily Office 