Notable Feast Days this Week:

August 28 - Prophetess Anna, Luke 2:36 (Eastern Calendars)
August 28 - Moses the Ethiopian, 405
August 28 - Augustine of Hippo, 430
August 29 - The Beheading of John the Baptist
August 30 - Fantinus of Calabria, 9th century
August 31 - Cyprian of Carthage, 258 (Eastern)
August 31 - Aidan of LIndisfarne, 651 
September 2 - Hannah (Lutheran)
September 3 - Phoebe the Deaconess, Rom. 16:1
September 3 - Gregory the Great, 604

Revised Common Lectionary

Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm 26:1-8
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28

Daily Readings
Liturgical Color - Green

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The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 3, 2017 (Year A)

Holiness, Truth, and Love

God is holy: more awesome than we can imagine or comprehend (Exodus 3:1-15). He has graciously revealed himself and called us to trust him. We respond in gratitude by choosing to walk in truth and love (Psalm 26). Remembering God's faithfulness and promises (Psalm 105 & Jeremiah 15:15-21), we pursue love, joy, and patience in the midst of our adversaries. Like Jesus, we are to take up our cross and overcome evil with good (Romans 12:9-21). Jesus' rebuke of Peter reminds us that God's ways are often counterintuitive to our ways (Matthew 16:21-28). We follow Jesus by practicing self-giving love that cultivates true life.    
Psalms of the Week
Scripture Readings

Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness...Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells...
 

Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done...

Commentary on Psalm 26
Augustine, Calvin, Spurgeon

Commentary on Psalm 105
Augustine, Calvin, Spurgeon 
Exodus 3:1-15
Moses and the burning bush

Jeremiah 15:15-21
God strengthens his prophet

Romans 12:9-21
Overcome evil with good

Matthew 16:21-28
Jesus rebukes Peter and commands his followers to take up their own crosses
 

Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

The Entire Bible in One Year
Chronological
 
Commentary
 Psalm 26 and Psalm 105 
Fr. Michael Fallon
Video's

From The Bible Project:

Exodus Ch. 1-18
Romans Ch. 5-16
Matthew Ch. 14-28

Topics relevant to this week's passages:
 
Holiness
Love 
YHWH

Moses and the burning bush in film:

Text from Exodus and a burning bush set to soundtrack from the movie
Exodus: Gods and Kings  

The burning bush scene from the
The Prince of Egypt, The Bible, and Exodus: Gods and Kings
Prayer
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. - from The Book of Common Prayer
Contemplative Prayer (Click to View)
Morning Prayer (Click to View)
Spotify Playlist
Singing Psalms and Hymns
All Creatures of Our God and King | Francis of Assisi / Lasst Uns Erfreuen | Leadsheet

Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah | William Williams / Tune: John Hughes | Leadsheet

Take Up Your Cross | Charles W. Everest / Tune: Johann Sebastian Bach | Leadsheet 

Take Up Our Cross | by Sarah Hart, Curtis Stephen, and Marc Byrd | Leadsheet

Psalm 26 | Four-Part Choral Version by Davis Peebles | Leadsheet

Psalm 26 (Judge Me) | by The Psalms Project | Leadsheet

Psalm 26 Refrain | from The Emergent Psalter | Leadsheet

Psalm 105 | Genevan Psalter | Leadsheet

Psalm 105 Refrain | from The Emergent Psalter | Leadsheet

Psalm 26 and 105 Anglican Chant | Anglican Chant Psalter

Psalm 105 (Tune: How Firm a Foundation) | Scottish Metered Psalm 

Psalm 105 Metrical Options 

Psalm 26 Metrical Options 

Hymn Suggestions for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost from Hymnary.org 
Commentary on Matthew 16:21-28
“If any man would be my disciple, let him follow me by denying himself and taking up his cross, or, let him conform himself to my example.” The meaning is, that none can be reckoned to be the disciples of Christ unless they are true imitators of him, and are willing to pursue the same course. He lays down a brief rule for our imitation, in order to make us acquainted with the chief points in which he wishes us to resemble him. It consists of two parts, self-denial and a voluntary bearing of the cross. Let him deny himself...We know with what blind love men naturally regard themselves, how much they are devoted to themselves, how highly they estimate themselves. But if we desire to enter into the school of Christ, we must begin with that folly to which Paul (1 Corinthians 3:18) exhorts us, becoming fools, that we may be wise; and next, we must control and subdue all our affections." - John Calvin
Music for Listening
Thematic Art 
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