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Notable Feast Days this Week:

October 16 - Lull, Bishop of Mainz, 786
October 17 - Ignatius of Antioch, 115 (Western Calendars)
October 18 - St. Luke the Evangelist
October 19 - Frideswide, Abbess of Oxford, 735
October 20 - Acca, Bishop of Hexham, 740
October 21 - Hilarion, Palestine, 371
October 22 - Donatus of Ireland, 876

Revised Common Lectionary

Exodus 33:12-23
Psalm 99
Isaiah 45:1-7
Psalm 96:1-13
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22

Daily Readings
Liturgical Color - Green

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Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost October 22, 2017 (Year A)

Allegiance and Praise to God

The glory and holiness of God are outside of our human capacity to comprehend (Exodus 33:12-23). In spite of this, our Creator has revealed his love for us and deserves our allegiance and praise (Psalm 99 and Psalm 96). We should turn away from idols and serve the living God, who is sovereign over all of the creation (Isaiah 45:1-7). Earthly authorities deserve our respect but are fleeting in comparison to the scope of God's rule (Matthew 22:15-22).

Psalms of the Week

Scripture Readings

Psalm 96:1-13

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods....

Psalm 99

The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake. Great is the Lord in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations. Let them praise your great and awesome name—he is holy. The King is mighty, he loves justice...Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy...

Commentary on Psalm 96
Augustine, John Paul II,
Calvin, Spurgeon

Commentary on Psalm 99
Augustine, Calvin,
Spurgeon, John Paul II

Exodus 33:12-23
The glory of God revealed to Moses

Isaiah 45:1-7
The earthly ruler following God's will

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Thanksgiving for the local church

Matthew 22:15-22
A teaching about God and the emperor

Audio
Matthew 22, Exodus 33, Isaiah 4 5, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10,
Psalm 96, Psalm 99

Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

The Entire Bible in One Year

Chronological

Video Overviews: Matthew 14-28, 1 Thessalonians, Exodus 19-40 - The Bible Project

Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; 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)

Morning Prayer (Click to View)

Spotify Playlist

Singing Psalms and Hymns

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

The Lord is King | Words: Josiah Conder, 1824; alt. by Nathan Partain, 2003; refrain: Nathan Partain, 2003; Music: Nathan Partain, 2003 | Leadsheets

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

Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me | Words by Augustus Toplady, 1776 / Music by Thomas Hastings, 1830 | Leadsheet

Holy, Holy, Holy | by Reginald Heber (1826), arranged by Bobby Krier and Citylife Church in Boston, MA | Leadsheet

Psalm 96 | by Bruce Benedict

Psalm 96 |by Eric Gilbert | Leadsheet | Capo Leadsheet

Holy (Psalm 99) | by Matt Searles | Leadsheet

Psalm 96 and Psalm 99 | Genevan Psalter

Psalm 96 Refrain | from The Emergent Psalter | Leadsheet

Psalm 99 Refrain | from The Emergent Psalter | Leadsheet

Psalm 96 and 99 Anglican Chant | Anglican Chant Psalter

Psalm 96 Metrical Options and Psalm 99 Metrical Options

Commentary on Matthew 22:14-22

"Here, too, it appears how God turns to a different purpose the wicked attempts of His enemies, and not only disappoints their expectation, but even drives them back with disgrace. It will sometimes happen, no doubt, that wicked men, though vanquished, do not cease to growl; but, though their insolence be not subdued, however numerous may be their assaults on the Word of God, there is an equal number of victories which God has in his hand, to triumph over them and Satan their head. But in this reply, Christ intended to give a peculiar display of his glory, by compelling those men to depart crowned with shame."
-John Calvin

More Historical Commentary
(View and Download)

Music for Listening

Thematic Art

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