*|MC:SUBJECT|*

Notable Feast Days this Week:

May 15 - Isaias, Bishop of Rostov, 1090
May 16 - Brendan the Voyager, Abbot of Clonfert, 577
May 17 - Andronicus and Junia, Romans 16:7 (Eastern)
May 19 - Dustan, Archbishop of Canterbury, 988
May 20 - Lydia of Philippi, Acts 16:14 (Eastern)
May 20 - First Ecumenical Council convened, 325
May 21 - Constantine the Great, 377 (Eastern and Lutheran)
May 21 - Helena, Mother of Constantine, 330

Revised Common Lectionary

Acts 17:22-31
Psalm 66:8-20
1 Peter 3:13-22
John 14:15-21

Daily Readings (RCL)
Liturgical Color - White/Gold

Forward

------ The Sixth Sunday of Easter ------ May 21, 2017 (Year A)

In Him We Live and Move and Have Our Being

The true God has been revealed to the whole world through the life and death of Jesus Christ (Acts 17:22-31). God can be truly known, even when we suffer for his sake (1 Peter 3:13-22). We can be assured of God's care for us and know that he listens to our prayers. In response, we offer our gratitude and confess what he has done for us (Psalm 66:8-20). We find freedom and take joy in his commandments through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-21).

Psalm of the Week

Scripture Readings

Psalm 66:8-20

"Praise our God, all peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard;
he has preserved our lives
and kept our feet from slipping.
For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison
and laid burdens on our backs.
You let people ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a place of abundance...Come and hear,
all you who fear God; I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
let me tell you what he has done for me...Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!”

Acts 17:22-31
Paul proclaims the true God in front of the Areopagus

1 Peter 3:13-22
The days of Noah, a sign of baptism

John 14:15-21
The Holy Spirt, our advocate and guide

Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

The Entire Bible in One Year

Chronological

The Bible Project (Video Commentary): Acts 13-28, 1 Peter, and John 13-21

And although the entrance is "straight and narrow," once inside we see a vast and limitless space, greater than any other anywhere. We have been told of these things by eyewitnesses and heirs. They speak of their trials and distresses: "You have placed afflictions before us," but then they add, "You brought us into a spacious place," and "You gave us space in our distress."
-Athanasius, commenting on Psalm 66, Festal Letters 9

Practicing Prayer

"O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen." -The Book of Common Prayer

Contemplative Prayer (Click to View)

Daily Prayer (Click to View)

Audio Prayer Meditation - Pray As You Go

Spotify Playlist

More Spotify Psalms Playlists...

Singing Psalms and Hymns

Uyai Mose (Come, All You People) | by Alexander Gondo | Leadsheet

God Moves in a Mysterious Way | Words by William Cowper/Music by Philip Majorins | Leadsheet - with vocal parts | Leadsheet - guitar capo

Cry Out to God in Joy (Psalm 66) | Words and Music by Steven Warner, 2006 | Music on pgs. 404 - 405 of Psalms for All Seasons

Psalm 66 Anglican Chant | Music on pg. 129-130 of Anglican Chant Psalter

Psalm 66 Metrical Options

Hymn Suggestions for The Sixth Sunday of Easter from Hymnary.org

Commentary on John 14:15-21

"I will not have you orphans. This passage shows what men are, and what they can do, when they have been deprived of the protection of the Spirit. They are orphans, exposed to every kind of fraud and injustice, incapable of governing themselves, and, in short, unable of themselves to do anything. The only remedy for so great a defect is, if Christ govern us by his Spirit, which he promises that he will do. First then, the disciples are reminded of their weakness, that, distrusting themselves, they may rely on nothing else than the protection of Christ; and, secondly, having promised a remedy, he gives them good encouragement; for he declares that he will never leave them when he says, I will come to you, he shows in what manner he dwells in his people, and in what manner he fills all things."

-John Calvin

More Historical Commentary
(View and Download)

Music for Listening

Thematic Art

Enjoying this newsletter? Become a patron of the Liturgy Letter on Patreon; an on-going crowd funding service where you can commit to as little as $1 a month or set a maximum limit. Anything helps!

Thank you for your support.