Fourth Sunday in Lent

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament: 
1 Samuel 16:1-13 

Response:
Psalm 23  

Epistle: 
Ephesians 5:8-14 

Gospel: 
John 9:1-41 

 

Sermon

Fr. Bill talks about Jesus breaking the rules, God coloring outside of the lines, and what happens when we expect Them to do otherwise.

“It is a message to us, that we need to open the eyes of our own hearts, to see God working in the most amazing ways, the most shocking ways, the most disturbing ways, in blessing those who seem to be the least worthy of blessing.”

Third Sunday in Lent

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament:
Exodus 17:1-7

Response:
Psalm 95

Epistle:
Romans 5:1-11 

Gospel:
John 4:5-42 

Sermon

Fr. Bill talks about the theme of water throughout today's readings, and tells stories of importance of gathering around water.

Fr. Bill Breedlove

“May God give you the grace to gather around the water, to sanctify that water, and be blessed.”

Second Sunday in Lent

Scripture Readings

The Collect

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament:
Genesis 12:1-4a

Response:
Psalm 121 

Epistle:
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

Gospel:
John 3:1-17 

Sermon

Fr. Bill talks talks about traditional Lenten practices, Abraham and Nicodemus, and asking important questions.

“May God give us the grace to treat each other with tremendous love and tremendous respect when we ask those questions.”

Fr. Bill Breedlove

First Sunday in Lent

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament:
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

Response: 
Psalm 32

Epistle:
Romans 5:12-19

Gospel:
Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon

Fr. Bill reflects on humans failing to be obedient in today's readings, talks about the meaning of the color purple, and asks, "What is the devil that is on your back?"

“We are placed in a garden by a loving God who is there with us, protecting us, and nurturing us.”

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Last Sunday after Epiphany

Scripture Readings

The Collect

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament:
Exodus 24:12-18

Response:
Psalm 2

Epistle:
2 Peter 1:16-21

Gospel:
Matthew 17:1-9

Sermon

“Which mountain are we standing on?”

Fr. Bill talks about two different stories of encountering God on a mountain top, and explains how we can incorporate those stories into our Lenten discipline.

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Seventh Sunday after Epiphany

Scripture Readings

The Collect

O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament:
Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18

Response:
Psalm 119:33-40

Epistle:
1 Corinthians 3:10-11,16-23

Gospel:
Matthew 5:38-48

Sermon

“Being a Christian is not for wimps.”

Fr. Bill talks about being children of God, discusses the reading from Leviticus, and encourages us to be holy as God expects us to be.

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

Scripture Readings

The Collect

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament:
Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Response:
Psalm 119:1-8

Epistle: 
1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Gospel: 
Matthew 5:21-37

 

Camp Henry Day

Fr. Bill introduces three teens who share their experiences from Camp Henry, and then talks about living a life of "L'Chaim."

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament:
Isaiah 58:1-12

Response:
Psalm 112:1-10

Epistle:
1 Corinthians 2:1-16

Gospel: 
Matthew 5:13-20

Sermon

Fr. Bill talks about the acts of piety from Isaiah, and urges us to go out into the world as salt and light.

“We are to be the church in the world. Following Christ, as Christ has gone before us. This is what it means to be a disciple.”

Fr. Bill Breedlove

The Presentation of Jesus

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament: Malachi 3:1-4 

Response: Psalm 84 

Epistle: Hebrews 2:14-18 

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 

Sermon

“We don’t know the depth of the effect of what we do when we step forward in faith and when we pronounce blessings on other people.”

Deacon Turner talks about the blessings from the Sermon on the Mount, and the blessings in our daily lives.

Deacon Turner Guidry

Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament: Isaiah 9:1-4

Response: Psalm 27:1, 5-13

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23

Sermon

“Repentance shows us the love of God for us.”

Fr. Bill discusses repentance, and explains its true meaning from the Greek word, metanoia.

Fr. Bill Breedlove