Prayer For The Week (2nd Sunday after Epiphany)

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshiped and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit live and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Feast of St. Stephen (December 26. 2009)

We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Prayer For The Week (Dec. 13, 2009; Advent 3)

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer For The Week (November 29,2009; Advent 1)

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.

Prayer For The Week (November 22, 2009)

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Lively Discussion At iMonk About Church and Kingdom

Check it out. One additional item; Mr. Spencer lauches a volley against one of our favorite idols...tithing. Yes!

http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/is-a-passion-for-the-church-the-same-as-a-passion-for-the-kingdom

Remembering Paul and Peter Today

I actually don't care whether you think praying to the saints is okay. Because if that is all we get out of reading St. John Chrysostom's prayerful tribute to Paul and Peter, then let me suggest we take stock and trade of what we are willing to endure for the sake of Christ. Maybe we can all remember while we sit safely on our collective theological, philosophical, economic, political, self-satisfied, rearends what it took to establish the church in all nations. Maybe we can remember the blood of the martyrs willingly shed the next time we choose to gossip and tear down our brothers and sisters just so we can protect some petty project or ministry. Maybe we can remember the imperfect but steadfast devotion of Paul and Peter to Jesus the next we consider engaing in our favorite sins and rudely expect God's blessing. Maybe we can remember how Paul and Peter submitted themselves to death the next time we want or get some elevation in ministry or position in the church when at the core all we are doing perhaps is seeking the approval of men.

Maybe we can remember to follow the example of our Master Christ. Here's to you Paul and Peter from a disciple who lacks more then he knows and fears he will never do enough for and love enough, the Jesus we as his disciples imperfectly, worship, serve and love.

"O holy Apostles, how shall we thank you, you who have labored so much for us! I am filled with admiration whenever I think of you, Peter; when I remember you, Paul, I am moved to tears. My lips are mute when I consider your sufferings. How many prisons you have sanctified! How many chains you have adorned! How many pains you have suffered! How many curses you have borne! YOU bore Christ in your hearts; you refreshed the Christian communities through your sermons. Praised be the work of your tongues. For the sake of the Church your garments were sprinkled with blood. You imitated Christ in all; your voices penetrated a world, and your message crossed all boundaries of the earth. Rejoice, O Peter, that you were worthy to partake of the Cross of Christ; you desired to hang upon the Cross after the pattern of your Master Christ, not upright like the Lord, but head downward, as if you wished to journey from earth to heaven. Rejoice, O Paul, you who were beheaded with a sword. This sword which severed your neck, this instrument of the Lord, is admired by heaven and revered by earth. For me this sword should be a crown, and the nails of Peter’s cross, diamonds for a diadem."

St. John Chrysostom