1st Sunday in Advent: 27.November 2016

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

The watchword for this first Sunday in Advent: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.“ (Zechariah 9:9 KJV)

The Psalm for this Sunday is 24:7-10

  • Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 
  • Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
  • Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
  • Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

The readings for the first Sunday in Advent are God’s holy Word from the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah 23:5-8

5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord,

    “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,

a King who will reign wisely

    and do what is just and right in the land.

6 In his days Judah will be saved

    and Israel will live in safety.

This is the name by which he will be called:

    The Lord Our Righteous Savior.

7 “So then, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when people will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ 8 but they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ Then they will live in their own land.”

The Epistle ist from the apostle St. Paul’s letter to the Romans 13:8-12: 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

The holy Gospel written by the evangelist St. Matthew 21:1-9: And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

The liturgical colour is violet (Or blue!)

Together with the Christian Church we pray this collect: Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening prevails of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit one God now and forever. Amen.

If you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, wisdom, knowledge and insight – and the true words and pictures to preach his holy will faithfully according to his most precious revelation of his will and promises in both the Old and New Testament! However if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen as if God is talking to you + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes – the Jews first, but also the pagans.” (Rom 1:16 NIV)

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LTS News 2016,4: Summer update!

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber
LTS in Tshwane (Pretoria, South Africa)
Zambian students at LTS in 2016
Rev. M.J. Nkambule

Dear friends of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane! As our brothers and sisters in the USA celebrate “Thanksgiving”, we here too have lots of reason to sing God’s praises and celebrate his miracles and wonders of grace, peace and mercy for us and our salvation. Most of our Seminarians are now back home and having a well deserved rest from the hard labours of this past academic year 2016. Attached please find the latest LTS News for this year and please do give thanks for all our good Lord and triune God has done for us here at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane. We rest assured, that he will still help in days to come as he has always done in the past and in many new ways too! Here is the LTS News 2016,4: 20164-lts-news-dina4 and here is the link  in Dropbox.

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Sunday of the Fulfilment

Posted on November 19, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

 

Watchword for the Sunday of Fulfilment is from Luke 12:35: Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning…

God’s holy Word from the prophet Isaiah 65:17-19.23-25 “Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them…  Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.  The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the LORD.

The epistle from Revelation 21:1-7  Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

The holy Gospel according to the evangelist St. Matthew 25:1-13  “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’  “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’  “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.  “Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’  “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’  “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

Prayer of the Church for the Sunday of the Fulfilment

O Almighty God, merciful Father, in this present life of sin and suffering, Your holy Church longs for the return of Christ and for the fulfillment of all things in Him. Give us grace to make a good confession, to stand firm in the faith, and to be ever watchful for His coming in power and glory.

Bestow strength and steadfastness on the pastors, evangelists, teachers and missionaries of Your Church, that in these gray and latter days Your little flock, O Lord, may not be abandoned, but nurtured and built up in You so that we may declare the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

O King of glory, Lord of hosts, in humility Your only-begotten Son stood before governors and kings and was accused unjustly for our sake. Defend the cause of the weak and those who have no voice in our society, particularly the unborn, the poor, and the homeless. Give the government of our nation and our leaders the fortitude to strive for fairness and justice in our land.

O God, with all creation we look in eager expectation for our final redemption, the revelation of Your Son, and the joys of Your heavenly kingdom. Until that time, look in mercy on all who live under the cross. Give patience and hope to the hopeless. Give healing and help to the sick in body, mind, or spirit. Draw near to the dying, hold them in the arms of Your love, and defend them against the final assaults of the evil one. Comfort those who mourn  with the hope of the resurrection of the body to eternal life. Give us faith to see in our crosses that You work all things for our good and that nothing in this world can separate us from Your love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gracious Father, in the Supper of Your Son You give us a foretaste of the feast of heaven. May all who approach Your Table this day be worthy and well prepared. Give us the food of our Lord’s body and blood, that we may be sustained on our journey through this troubled life until the veil of this present age is lifted and we see You face to face.

We give You most hearty thanks, O Lord, for all the mercies You have shown Your saints on their pilgrimage in this life and who now enjoy the splendor of Your glory. Keep us faithful to the end that one day we may with them come to the fullness of Your heavenly kingdom; where You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign ever one God, world without end. Amen.

 

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Lectionary for the 22nd Sunday after Trinity

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

The watchword from Psalm 130: “But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” (Verse 4).

The Introit from Psalm 143: “Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!” (Verses 1-10)

God’s holy Word written by the holy prophet Micah in the 6 chapter: “With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Verses 6-8)

The Epistle lesson is from the apostle Saint Paul’s letter to the Philippians in the 1st chapter: “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Verses 3-11)

The holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded by the holy evangelist St. Matthew in the 18th chapter: “Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” (Verses 21-35)

Together with the holy Christian Church we pray a collect for this Sunday: O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, hear the devout prayers of Your Church, especially in times of persecution, and grant that what we ask in faith we may obtain; through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit one God now and forever. Amen.

 

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Matins in the morning

Posted on October 20, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

Please find this morning’s sermon preached in the chapel of St.Timothy at the Lutheran Theological Seminary on Romans 14:4-12 to read (draft-rom1413-21-matins) and to listen to: 

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Matins in the morning

Posted on October 19, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

 

Here is Pastor Edward Engelbrecht’s (LCMS South Illinois District) sermon preached during yesterday’s Matins in the chapel of St.Timothy at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane (Pretoria, South Africa) on the apostle Saint Paul’s 2nd letter to Timothy the first five verses of chapter 2: cfupkdkqk33hfmx3djg56huczbhotswb_chapel-2tm-2_tuesday-october-18-pdf_pdoc

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Lessons for the 21st Sunday after Trinity

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

The watchword from the holy apostle St. Paul’s letter to the Romans: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (12:21)

The Introit for this Sunday is from Psalm 19: “The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (9-14 KJV)

God’s holy Word written by the holy prophet Jeremiah in the 29 chapter: “This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.  2 (This was after King Jehoiachin and the queen mother, the court officials and the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen and the artisans had gone into exile from Jerusalem.)  3 He entrusted the letter to Elasah son of Shaphan and to Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. It said:  4 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:  5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.  6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.  7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”  8 Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.  9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the LORD.  10 This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.  11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” (29:1.4-7.10-14)

The Epistle lesson is from Ephesians in the 6th chapter: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (verses 10-17)

The holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded by the holy evangelist St. Matthew in the 5th chapter: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’  39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.  40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.  41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.  42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.  43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (verses 38-48)

Together with the holy Christian Church we pray a collect for this Sunday: O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, hear the devout prayers of Your Church, especially in times of persecution, and grant that what we ask in faith we may obtain; through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit one God now and forever. Amen.

The hymn for this week is from the Evangelical Hymnal 273:

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1

Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh’ darein
Und lass’ dich des erbarmen,
Wie wenig sind der Heil’gen dein,
Verlassen sind wir Armen:
Dein Wort man laesst nicht haben wahr,
Der Glaub’ ist auch verloschen gar
Bei allen Menschenkindern.

Ah God, look down from heaven
and still have mercy on us,
how few are the saints that belong to you,
we poor wretches are forsaken.
People simply will not accept your word as truth,
faith is also fading away
among all mankind.

2

Sie lehren eitel falsche List,
Was eigner Witz erfindet;
Ihr Herz nicht eines Sinnes ist,
In Gottes Wort gegründet.
Der wählet dies, der andre das,
Sie trennen uns ohn’ alle Mass’
Und gleißen schön von außen.

They teach vain, false cunning,
the invention of their own wit.
Their hearts are not of one mind,
based on God’s word.
One choooses this, another that,
they cause endless divisions amongst us
and have a fine outward gleam.

3

Gott woll’ ausrotten alle Lehr’r,
Die falschen Schein uns lehren,
Dazu ihr’ Zung’ stolz offenbar
Spricht Trotz, wer will’s uns wehren?
Wir haben Recht und Macht allein,
Was wir setzen, das gilt gemein;
Wer ist, der uns soll meistern?

May it be God’s will to root out all the teachers
who teach us false appearances.
For this purpose their tongues arrogantly and openly
speak defiance: “Who will oppose us ?
We alone have right and power.
What we set up is commonly accepted.
Who is there who should be master over us?”

4

Darum spricht Gott: Ich muß auf sein,
Die Armen sind verstöret,
Ihr Seufzen dringt zu mir herein,
Ich hab’ ihr’ Klag’ erhöret.
Mein heilsam Wort soll auf den Plan,
Getrost und frisch sie greifen an
Und sein die Kraft der Armen.

Therefore God speaks: “I must take action,
the poor are bewildered.
Their sighs pierce through to me,
I have heard their lamentation.
My healing word shall according to my plan
bring them consolation and relief
and be the strength of the poor.

5

Das Silber durch’s Feuer siebenmal
Bewaehrt, wird lauter funden:
Am Gottes Wort man warten soll
Desgleichen alle Stunden:
Es will durch’s Kreuz bewaehret sein,
Da wird sein’ Kraft erkannt und Schein
Und leucht’t stark in die Lande.

Silver by fire seven times tested
is found to be pure.
We should in the same way wait for God’s word
at all times:
through the cross it will be tested,
in this way its power
and glory will be known and it shine strongly.

6

Das wollst du, Gott, bewahren rein
Fuer deisem argen G’schlechte,
Und lass uns dir befohlen sein,
Das sich’s in uns nicht flechte,
Der gottlos’ Hauf’ sich umher findt,
Wo diese lose Leute sind
In deinem Volk erhaben.

May you , God, keep pure that [Word]
in the face of this evil generation
that we may entrust ourselves to you,
so that nothing in us may twist it.
The godless crowd surounds us
where such mischievous characters
are exalted among your people.

And the Bach Cantate for this hymn is from BWV 2: Ach Gott vom Himmel sieh darein …

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Matins in the morning

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

Today’s sermon on Acts 20:7-12 is available here to read: draft-ac207-12-matins and to listen to: 

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Confessional at St.Timothy’s

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

Here’s this morning’s confessional “Where the Lord leads, blessings follow” preached by Pastor Ed Engelbrecht on Exodus 16:16-30 in the chapel of St.Timothy at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane: confessional-ex-1616ff-engelbrecht

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Holiday of St. Michaels and all Angels (29th September)

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

The watchword for St. Michael and all Angels: The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. (Psalm 34:7 KJV)

Introit is from Psalm 103:  “The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.” (Psalm 103:19-22)

God’s holy Word from the Old Testament is recorded in the book Joshua chapter 5: “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD’S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.” (Jos 5:13-6:1 KJV)

The Epistle lesson is Revelations chapter 12 (This is the sermon text): “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.”  (Rev 12:7-12a KJV)

 The holy Gospel according the evangelist Saint Luke chapter 10: “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luk 10:17-20 KJV)

Together with the holy Christian Church we pray a collect for this Holiday: Everlasting God, You have ordained and constituted the service of angels and men in a wonderful order. Mercifully grant that, as Your holy angels always serve and worship You in heaven, so by Your appointment they may also help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit one God now and forever. Amen.

 

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