A morning prayer that was shared on r/Episcopalian which I loved, from the Book of Common Prayer (1979). It's from the Ministration to the Sick (under "Prayers for use by a Sick Person"), but I hope it'll be helpful for anyone facing a difficult day. I prayed it this morning; I'll certainly need it often.

This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.

—The Book of Common Prayer (1979), p.461.

The mystery of Candlemas in Winchester 's ancient cathedral

THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER. An early closed Fore-edge painting by Hayday Bindery on Gauffered edges.

A gift of light.

Remember that you are dust & to dust you shall return.

(heads up: morning prayer + litany + combination is 45 minutes of praying plan your kneeling/sitting situation accordingly)

The Collect for Palm Sunday

Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Join us for Palm Sunday Holy Eucharist on March 24, 2024 at 10 am. The service begins with a procession around the church.

The Exsultet

Rejoice now, heavenly hosts and choirs of angels, and let your trumpets shout Salvation for the victory of our mighty King.

Rejoice and sing now, all the round earth, bright with a glorious splendor, for darkness has been vanquished by our eternal King.

Rejoice and be glad now, Mother Church, and let your holy courts, in radiant light, resound with the praises of your people.

All you who stand near this marvelous and holy flame, pray with me to God the Almighty for the grace to sing the worthy praise of this great light; through Jesus Christ his Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of earth and sky and sea; for the richness of mountains, plains, and rivers; for the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers. We praise you for these good gifts, and pray that we may safeguard them for our posterity. Grant that we may continue to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation, to the honor and glory of your Name, now and for ever. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer

The Prayer of Quiet Confidence, from the Book of Common Prayer. I have this prayer tattooed in a spiral on my right arm, under my Dropkick Murphys Celtic cross.

OTD 1553. Death of King Edward VI at the age of 15 at Greewich Palace. A strict and even bigoted Protestant, Edward's "Devise" to alter the succession, bypassing both his half sisters in favour of Lady Jane Grey was to prove unsuccesful 👑🪓

A Prayer attributed to St. Francis.

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

—The Book of Common Prayer (1979), p. 833

I have been using the Hobonichi Classic as a prayer/art journal in 2023, and so far I really like it.

BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER (Cambridge: 1672)

On Gilbert Ryle on liturgy (in particular, the Book of Common Prayer).

Along with my praying of the Daily Office, I try to go back and read through and study the Daily Office readings every night before I go to sleep. I've come to appreciate the Daily Office Lectionary (DOL) and the opportunity this twice-a-day reading presents for reading, marking, and inwardly digesting Scripture. Because I use the American '79 BCP, the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible reading has been in the two books of Samuel for the past few weeks, particularly the stories of King David. Coming to the text with a VBS-level understanding of most Davidic stories (other than David & Jonathan and David & Bathsheba- an essay to itself), I was struck by Scriptures portrayal of the relationship between David and Saul.

Saul sees David as a threat- even an enemy- from the moment David enters his household. He attempts multiple times to violently murder David, and is thwarted by God every time. Saul tries stabbing, war, undermining, etc., to get rid of his enemy David. And David, despite being literally hunted by Saul, presents himself over and over as the king's servant. Even as David's future role as God's Anointed King of Israel becomes clear to him, David still accepts and submits to Saul's authority, treating him as his authority, and not as his enemy. After Saul's death, David fully mourns for him, and slays his killer, as the man who killed Saul has "slain the Lord's anointed." David even elevates a survivor of the House of Saul to be restored to his grandfathers land and sit with the King at meals.

David's treatment of Saul exemplifies why the Bible calls him a "man after God's own heart." David remarkably follows what will become one of Christianity's most radical and difficult to follow commandments- that one ought to love one's enemy as oneself. While this comparison is itself meaningful, it became moreso as I realized that David's ability to do this is found in a refusal to see Saul as his enemy at all. Where I, and likely you, and certainly many others, would see an enemy out to get me/us/them, David sees a man to serve and submit to until he comes into his own. David trusts God to deliver Saul to justice ("vengeance belongs to the Lord"), and commits to his role (and our role) of service to those around us. I pray that I have the disposition and courage to do the same.

GROW! continues this Sunday, 2/25/24!

Join us this Sunday evening, February 25, and every second and fourth Sunday of the month, from 5–7pm for worship, fellowship, and learning.

GROW! begins with a short worship service, now the beautiful Evening Prayer service from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer rather than communion, followed immediately by a home cooked dinner and fellowship, then formation for all ages as we keep working through the Being With curriculum developed at St. Martin in the Fields, London.

Come as you are: jeans, sneakers, and grass stained soccer uniforms are welcome!