Trinity 17 - September 26 - Spiritual Progress

Scriptures and Hymns • September 26

The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

Intent: Spiritual Progress

Processional Hymn 96

1. WELLNIGH two thousand years have passed
   Since John the Baptist’s trumpet blast
   Rang out on Jordan’s banks to tell
   The coming of Emmanuel.
2. Now once again the clarion swells,
   Triumphant ring the golden bells;
   Full soon, O Sun of Righteousness,
   Thou drawest nigh the world to bless.
3. Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
   Make straight the way for God within;
   Prepare we in our hearts a home
   Where such a mighty Guest may come.
4. For Thou art all our hope, O Lord,
   Our Refuge and our great Reward;
   Shine forth and let Thy light restore
   Earth’s own true loveliness once more.
5. All praise, Eternal Son, to Thee
   Whose Advent doth Thy people free,
   Whom with the Father we adore
   And Holy Ghost for evermore. Amen.

The Collect

ALMIGHTY God and loving Father, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service; grant, we pray thee, that we may so loyally serve thee in this life that we may be numbered among thy leal and trusty soldiers in all lives to come; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle

The epistle is taken from the sixth chapter of the First Epistle of St Paul the Apostle to Timothy, beginning at the sixth verse.

GODLINESS with contentment is great gain; for we brought nothing into this world and it is certain that we can carry nothing out; so, having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. For they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, which some having coveted, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called. I give thee charge in the sight of God, that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the blessed and only potentate, King of kings and Lord of lords, to whom be honour and power everlasting.

The Gospel

The holy gospel is taken from the eleventh chapter of the Gospel according to St Matthew, beginning at the seventh verse.

JESUS began to say unto the multitudes concerning John: What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee. Amen, I say unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, who was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Offertory Hymn 30

1. O EVERLASTING Light,
    Giver of dawn and day,
   Dispeller of the ancient night
    In which creation lay;
2. O Everlasting Health,
    From Whom all healing springs,
   Our Bliss, our Treasure, and our Wealth,
    To Thee, our spirit clings!
3. O Everlasting Truth,
    Truest of all that’s true,
   Sure Guide of erring age and youth,
    Lead us, and teach us too.
4. O Everlasting Strength,
    Uphold us in the way;
   Bring us, in spite of foes, at length
    To joy, and light, and day.
5. O Everlasting Love,
    Wellspring of cheer and peace;
   Pour down Thy fullness from above,
    Bid doubt and trouble cease. Amen.

Recessional Hymn 121

1. THOU, LORD, art Love—and everywhere
    Thy name is brightly shown,
   Beneath, on earth Thy footstool fair,
    Above, in heaven Thy throne.
2. Thy word is Love—in lines of gold
    Thy kindness prints its trace;
   In Nature we Thy steps behold
    Thy Church doth show Thy face.
3. Thy ways are Love—though they transcend
    Our feeble range of sight,
   They wind through darkness to their end
    In everlasting light.
4. Thy thoughts are Love—our Master is
    The living voice they find;
   His love lights up the vast abyss
    Of the Eternal Mind.
5. Thy Sacraments are Love—more deep
    They stamp the seal divine;
   And by their strengthening sweetness keep
    Our spirits nearer Thine.
6. Thy heaven is the abode of Love—
    O blessed Lord, that we
   May there, when time’s dim shades remove,
    Be gathered home to Thee;
7. There with Thy resting saints to fall
    Adoring round Thy throne;
   Where all shall love Thee, Lord, and all
    Shall in Thy love be one.
8. O holy Father, Spirit, Son,
    Eternal Fount of Love,
   All praise to Thee, the Three in One,
    Here as in heaven above. Amen.