Propers for Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Apostles

The Collect

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast built thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the head corner-stone; Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made an holy temple acceptable unto thee; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle
Ephesians ii. 19.

NOW therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The Gospel
St. John xv. 17. THESE things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep your's also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also.If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Knocking My Socks Off

In the past week, both the BCP and D.W. Whittle have 1 Timothy:3 scheduled as a passage. Wow. I don't know how I've glossed over this in the past, but it's left me reeling for days. Maybe I'm just at a point in my life where this really speaks to me:

1 Timothy, chapter 3

1: This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2: A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3: Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4: One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5: (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6: Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7: Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8: Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9: Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10: And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11: Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12: Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13: For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14: These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
15: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Needlework progress

I've completed my needlework, and can now focus on holiday preparations. We've got a busy few weeks ahead of us, even though the garden is almost done. I likely won't get a breather again, until the new year. Also, the kitchen is in full swing with autumn weather and budget menus. Prayer gives us the strength and energy to go on into the busy time.

Back from a Break

I needed a bit of a break from blogging. To catch up with the New Testament for the past week - we're now finishing 2 Thessalonians. We're winding down with the D.W. Whittle plan, and it's feeling a bit empty. I'm so much happier with the 1789 and 1928 BCE. I look forward to updating the blog in the coming year.

Our little vineyard is doing well in October. The vines are winding down and getting reading to winterize. We look forward to a quiet rest for them and a wonderful spring.

Long Doctor's Visits

We had a long doctor's visit, plus lots of routine testing. We're tired, except that the little one slept in the car. He's rested and doesn't want his mom to rest. We'll get back on track another day.

A Young Visitor

We had a young lady visit us this morning. My boys so enjoyed playing with her, and she enjoyed our hospitality. She's just learning about needlework. She doesn't have a family structure like ours, so she was delighted to learn about life here at the Cottage. All the activity and bustle of life with a homemaker and all that there is to do fascinated her. I like to think she appreciates the role model which we can provide. One never knows which moments from life are the ones that most impress upon a young child.

Amazing Hope for the Church

A address to Anglicans from the Metropolitan Jonah of the Orthodox church.

A Cool, Rainy Day

As usual, we're out all morning on Friday. However, it's cool and rainy and the perfect day to inhabit the kitchen here. Autumn is a wonderful time, watching the vineyard wind down.

Don't Hurry

Appointment, shopping, lunch, nap, appointment - the motto of the day is "don't hurry." We don't want to step over any angels along the way to our daily activities.

So what's the story with the sign of the day?

Over the past few months, the Sign of the Day has been a word at a time of the story Rise and Shine Busy Bugs. Now that it's complete, and both my boys are talking, I may leave off with the signing. At least, I may take a break from learning and revisiting signing myself. I hope you've enjoyed it, and can sign along to the children's story. They certainly enjoy Mommy signing this book to them - again and again.

Photos

I've purchased photos to send to Grandma today, and took the boys to story time. We'll enjoy reading inside and looking out at the rainy day this afternoon.

A Wonderful Day

Today is a wonderful day. I had a blessed appointment at the dentist this morning, followed by a delightful afternoon in the food factory of my kitchen. My prayers all summer for good oral health have been answered. I give glory unto God for my good health and His Grace. That I may use my tongue and my voice to praise his glorious name for the rest of my life. Amen!

O MOST merciful Father, who of thy gracious goodness hast heard the devout prayers of thy Church, and turned our dearth and scarcity into plenty; We give thee humble thanks for this thy special bounty; beseeching thee to continue thy loving-kindness unto us, that our land may yield us her fruits of increase, to thy glory and our comfort; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

October Budgeting

Today is not only weekly shopping day, but monthly errands as well. As I finish the afghan, I have much less yarn needed to buy. This is fortuitous because the budget is so tight. While it's convenient to have all that shopping and driving done when I have Grandma to babysit, it's brutal on the budget to have five grocery weeks in on month, plus five Saturday errands to budget for as well! We won't be preparing for Christmas in this month's budget. Holiday baking may have to be scaled back this year, due to the difficulties in October funds. Even so, we are so much better off than before we planned and budgeted for things.