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Notable Feast Days this Week:

September 11 - Theodora of Alexandria, 490
September 12 - Ailbhe of Emly, Irish Bishop, 526
September 13 - Cornelius the Centurion, Acts 10:1 (Eastern)
September 13 - John Chrysostom, 407 (Roman Catholic)
September 14 - The Triumph of the Holy Cross
(Eastern and Western)
September 15 - Porphyrius the Actor, 361
September 16 - Cyprian of Carthage, 258
September 16 - Ludmilla, Bohemia, 921
September 16 - Edith of Wilton, 984
September 17 - Lambert, Bishop of Maestricht, 705

Revised Common Lectionary

Exodus 14:19-31
Exodus 15:1b-11,20-21
Psalm 114
Genesis 50:15-21
Psalm 103:1-13
Romans 14:1-12
Matthew 18:21-35

Daily Readings
Liturgical Color - Green

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The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 17, 2017 (Year A)

God's Care, Mercy, and Forgiveness

"The Lord protects his people; just as he brought them safely out of Egypt (Exodus 14:19-31), so he will care for us. We praise God for his justice, healing, mercy, and love (Psalm 103:1-13 and Psalm 114), knowing that as Christians, we must consider the feelings of others (Romans 14:1-12). In the same way, God has forgiven us much, we are to forgive others with generosity (Matthew 18:21-35)."
-Thomas Oden

The Triumph of the Holy Cross (September 14)

This week marks the celebration of The Triumph of the Holy Cross, a feast day that is common in both Western and Eastern traditions. There is a rich biblical and theological tradition behind Jesus' references to his body being "lifted up" during his crucifixion. The meaning of this symbolic image is embedded throughout Scripture and serves as a powerful anchor for reflecting on the depths of God's atonement through Christ. Consider wearing a cross necklace this week as a sign of our union with Christ through his death on a cross. Also, take a few minutes to reflect on these passages and their connection to Christ's passion: Isaiah 52:13, John 3:13-15, Numbers, 21:4-9, and Galatians 3:13.

Psalms of the Week

Scripture Readings

Psalm 114

When Israel came out of Egypt...The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back; the mountains leaped like rams, the hills like lambs. Why was it, sea, that you fled? Why, Jordan, did you turn back? Why, mountains, did you leap like rams, you hills, like lambs? Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.

Psalm 103:1-13

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed....

Commentary on Psalm 103

Augustine, Calvin, Spurgeon,
Fr. Michael Fallon

Exodus 14:19-31
God delivers Israel at the Red Sea

Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21
Miriam's song of deliverance

Genesis 50:15-21
Joseph reconciles with his brothers

Romans 14:1-12
Quarreling over disputable matters

Matthew 18:21-35
The parable of the unmerciful servant

Audio
Matthew 18, Romans 14, Exodus 14, Exodus 15, Genesis 50,
Psalm 114, Psalm 103

Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

The Entire Bible in One Year

Chronological

Prayer

O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. - from The Book of Common Prayer

Contemplative Prayer (Click to View)

Morning Prayer (Click to View)

Spotify Playlist

Singing Psalms and Hymns

Lift High the Cross | by George William Kitchin, 1887 | Leadsheet | Full Score for Organ and Brass | More Info

Praise My Soul the King of Heaven |text by Henry Lyte and music by John Goss| Leadsheets

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

Bless the Lord, My Soul | by Jacques Berthier (Taize) | Leadsheets

Psalm 103 (The Lord is Kind and Merciful) | by Sarah Majorins | Leadsheet

My Heart is Steadfast (Psalm 103) | by Ellie Holcomb and Brown Bannister

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) | by Matt Redman | Leadsheet

When Jacob Out of Egypt Came (Psalm 114) | by Bruce Benedict

Psalm 103 (O My Soul With All Thy Powers) | text by James Montgomery and music by Kevin Twit | Leadsheets

Psalm 103:1-11 | metered to the tune of "Before the Throne of God Above"

Psalm 1 03 | Genevan Psalter | Leadsheet

Psalm 103 Refrain | from The Emergent Psalter | Leadsheet

Psalm 114 Refrain | from The Emergent Psalter | Leadsheet

Psalm 103 and 114 Anglican Chant | Anglican Chant Psalter

Psalm 103 Metrical Option (Tune: Ode to Joy, Love Divine)

Psalm 114 Metrical Options

Hymn Suggestions for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost from Hymnary.org

Commentary on Matthew 18:21-35

"If the comparison is to a king like this...of whom must we be speaking if not the Son of God? For he is the king of the heavens. Just as he is wisdom itself and justice and truth, is he not kingship itself? The kingdom does not belong to any of those below, nor a part of those above, but to all those above, whatever is called the heavens. If you are curious about the Beatitude “theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” you can just as well say “theirs is Christ,” since Christ is the kingdom." -Origen

More Historical Commentary
(View and Download)

Music for Listening

Thematic Art

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