Altar Flowers — Sunday Next before Advent, 2017

Altar flowers — Sunday before Advent, 2017

Altar flowers — Sunday before Advent, 2017

The Sunday next before Advent

Trinity (celtic knot)

Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Martyr

The Martyrdom of St Catherine of Alexandria

The Martyrdom of St Catherine of alexandria, Altarpiece in the Cesi chapel, Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, by Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta (1521–c. 1580). From Wikipedia.

O God, who didst endue blessed Catherine, thy Virgin, with grace to witness a good confession, and to suffer gladly for thy name: Grant us, . . . → Read More: Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Martyr

Saint Clement, Bishop of Rome and Martyr

Martyrdom of St Clement

Martyrdom of St Clement, by Bernardino Fungai (1460–1516).

O Lord, who in every age dost write names in thy Book of Life, and dost lead the meek of the earth to be followers of the Lamb of God: Raise up to us teachers like thy servant Clement, the disciple of thy first Apostles, . . . → Read More: Saint Clement, Bishop of Rome and Martyr

Thanksgiving Day Sermon

Fr Kerouac

Here is Fr Kerouac’s sermon for Thanksgiving Day, 2017. Remember that many sermons are available as podcasts in our podcast library.

http://www.ststeve.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Thanksgiving.mp3

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving feast

O most merciful Father, who hast blessed the labours of the husbandman in the returns of the fruits of the earth: We give thee humble and hearty thanks for this thy bounty; beseeching thee to continue thy loving–kindness to us, that our land may still yield her increase, to thy glory and our comfort; . . . → Read More: Thanksgiving Day

Saint Cecilia, Martyr at Rome

Nicolas Poussin St Cecilia

St Cecilia, by Nicolas Poussin (1594–1665). From Wikipedia.

O blessed Spirit of God, by whose aid and grace thy servants skilled in music and holy song have beautified the worship of thine house: Unite us, we pray thee, in the concert of thy praises with the heavenly choirs, that rest not day . . . → Read More: Saint Cecilia, Martyr at Rome

1662: The most modern liturgy

Book of Common Prayer 1662

The title page of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, as printed by John Baskerville in 1762

Critics occasionally argue that there is something un-American about the 1662 edition of the Book of Common Prayer. Nothing could be further from the truth.

To be sure, the American Church adopted a new, heavily revised . . . → Read More: 1662: The most modern liturgy

Saint Edmund, King of East Anglia and Martyr

Martyrdom of KIng Edward

Martyrdom of KIng Edward. Illumination from a medieval manuscript. From Wikipedia.

O God, in whose strength Saint Edmund the King stood firm against the heathen, and at the cost of his own life was the saving of his people: Let him be a leader to encourage us to vanquish every assault of . . . → Read More: Saint Edmund, King of East Anglia and Martyr

The Twenty–Third Sunday after Trinity

Trinity (celtic knot)

O God, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all godliness: Be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

. . . → Read More: The Twenty–Third Sunday after Trinity