Monday, September 28, 2009

Little Vivian's Funeral

On the Eve of the Feast of All Angels, I went to Little Vivian's funeral. How appropriate. The Littlest Angel is where she belongs.

The Psalter


Psalm 148


The One Hundred Forty Eighth Psalm

Laudate Dominum.


O PRAISE the LORD from the heavens: * praise him in the heights.

Praise him, all ye angels of his: * praise him, all his host.

Praise him, sun and moon: * praise him, all ye stars and light.

Praise him, all ye heavens, * and ye waters that are above the heavens.

Let them praise the Name of the LORD: * for he spake the word, and they were made; he commanded, and they were created.

He hath made them fast for ever and ever: * he hath given them a law which shall not be broken.

Praise the LORD from the earth, * ye dragons and all deeps;

Fire and hail, snow and vapours, * wind and storm, fulfilling his word;

Mountains and all hills; * fruitful trees and all cedars;

Beasts and all cattle; * creeping things and flying fowls;

Kings of the earth, and all peoples; * princes, and all judges of the world;

Young men and maidens, old men and children, praise the Name of the LORD: * for his Name only is excellent, and his praise above heaven and earth.

He shall exalt the horn of his people: all his saints shall praise him; * even the children of Israel, even the people that serveth him.


Psalm 150


The One Hundred Forty Eighth Psalm

Laudate Dominum.


O PRAISE the LORD from the heavens: * praise him in the heights.

Praise him, all ye angels of his: * praise him, all his host.

Praise him, sun and moon: * praise him, all ye stars and light.

Praise him, all ye heavens, * and ye waters that are above the heavens.

Let them praise the Name of the LORD: * for he spake the word, and they were made; he commanded, and they were created.

He hath made them fast for ever and ever: * he hath given them a law which shall not be broken.

Praise the LORD from the earth, * ye dragons and all deeps;

Fire and hail, snow and vapours, * wind and storm, fulfilling his word;

Mountains and all hills; * fruitful trees and all cedars;

Beasts and all cattle; * creeping things and flying fowls;

Kings of the earth, and all peoples; * princes, and all judges of the world;

Young men and maidens, old men and children, praise the Name of the LORD: * for his Name only is excellent, and his praise above heaven and earth.

He shall exalt the horn of his people: all his saints shall praise him; * even the children of Israel, even the people that serveth him.



The First Lesson


Daniel 12:1-3


And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.



The Second Lesson

Revelation 5

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.



The Collect

St. Michael and All Angels

O EVERLASTING God, who hast ordained and constituted the services of Angels and men in a wonderful order; Mercifully grant that, as thy holy Angels always do thee service in heaven, so, by thy appointment, they may succour and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ or Lord. Amen.



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