Holy Week Collects and Daily Readings

Holy Week Collects, Epistles and Gospels appointed for each day may be found below. Online versions of the readings are available courtesy of Episcopalnet.

▪️March 29, Palm Sunday

Collect
(This Collect is to be said everyday, after the Collect appointed for the day, until Good Friday.)
Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epistle: Philippians 2:5–11
Gospel: Matthew 27:1–54 (The Passion)
Online Propers for the Day

▪️March 30, Monday in Holy Week

Book of Common Prayer, pages 138-144

Collect
ALMIGHTY God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified; Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Epistle: Isaiah 63:1–19
Gospel: Mark 14:1–72
Online Propers for the Day

▪️March 31, Tuesday in Holy Week

Book of Common Prayer, pages 144-147

Collect
O LORD God, whose blessed Son, our Saviour, gave his back to the smiters and hid not his face from shame; Grant us grace to take joyfully the sufferings of the present time, in full assurance of the glory that shall be revealed; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Epistle: Isaiah 50:5-11
Gospel: Mark 15:1-39
Online Propers for the Day

▪️April 1, Wednesday in Holy Week

Book of Common Prayer, pages 147-152

Collect
Assist us mercifully with thy help, O Lord God of our salvation; that we may enter with joy upon the meditation of those mighty acts, whereby thou hast given unto us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epistle: Hebrews 9:16-28
Gospel: Luke 22:1–71
Online Propers for the Day

▪️April 2, Maundy Thursday

Book of Common Prayer, pages 152-156

Collect
ALMIGHTY Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, did institute the Sacrament of his Body and Blood; Mercifully grant that we may thankfully receive the same in remembrance of him, who in these holy mysteries giveth us a pledge of life eternal; the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

Epistle: I Corinthians 11:23–26
Gospel: Luke 23:1-49 or John 13:1-15
Online Propers for the Day

▪️April 3, Good Friday

Book of Common Prayer, pages. 156-161

Collects
ALMIGHTY God, we beseech thee graciously to behold
this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was
contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of
wicked men, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now
liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one
God, world without end. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified; Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before thee for all estates of men in thy holy Church, that every member of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may truly and godly serve thee; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

O MERCIFUL God, who hast made all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made, nor desirest the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live; Have mercy upon all who know thee not as thou art revealed in the Gospel of thy Son. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word; and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, to thy fold, that they may be made one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Epistle: Hebrews 10:1-25
Gospel: John 19:1-37
Online Propers for the Day

▪️04 April, Holy Saturday/Easter Even

Book of Common Prayer, pages 161-162

Collect
GRANT, O Lord, that as we are baptized into the death of thy blessed Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, so by continual mortifying our corrupt affections we may be buried with him; and that through the grave, and gate of death, we may pass to our joyful resurrection; for his merits, who died, and was buried, and rose again for us, the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epistle: 1 Peter 3:17–22
Gospel: Matthew 27:57–66
Online Propers for the Day

The Easter Sermon of St. John Chrysostom

Let those who are devout and who truly love God, take part with joy in this beautiful and glorious feast.  
Let those who are faithful servants enter rejoicing into the joy of their Lord. 
Let those who have labored with fasting now receive their reward. 
Let those who have worked from the first hour receive today what they are owed. 
Let those who came after the third hour keep the feast with thankfulness. 
Let those who arrived at the sixth hour be also confident; 
they too will not be deprived. 
Let those who have delayed until the ninth hour advance, with no fear. 
Let those who have delayed until the eleventh hour be not afraid for their tardiness; 
for the Lord is gracious, and will accept the last even as the first. 

He gives rest to those who came at the eleventh hour, as well as to those who worked from the first hour.  
He is merciful to those who come late, and he cares for those who came at the beginning. 
He gives to the one; 
and he gives to the other also. 
He rewards the work which is done, and he recognizes the incomplete attempt. 
He honors the act and He praises the intention.

And so let all enter into the joy of our Lord.  
Let the first and the second receive their reward.  
Let rich and poor rejoice together.  
Rejoice today, those who have fasted and those who have not.  
The table is full-laden; 
let all feast richly.  
The calf is fatted; 
let no one leave hungry.  
Let all enjoy the feast of faith; 
let all receive the riches of mercy. 
Let none complain of poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let none grieve for their sins; 
for forgiveness has dawned from the tomb. 
Let none fear death; 
for the death of the Savior has freed us. 
He has destroyed death by enduring it.  
By descending into hell, He has plundered it.  
He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh.  

Isaiah prophesied this and said: Hades has been embittered by meeting Him below.
It was embittered, for it was abolished.  
It was embittered, for it was mocked.  
It was embittered, for it was slain. 
It was embittered, for it was annihilated.  
It was embittered, for it was then enchained.  
It took a body and discovered God.  
It took earth and encountered heaven.  
It took what it saw and was conquered by what it saw not.

O death, where is thy sting?  
O hell, where is thy victory?
Christ is risen, and you are made nothing. 
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. 
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice.  
Christ is risen, and life reigns.
Christ is risen, and none are left dead in the tomb. 
For Christ, being risen from the dead, has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.  
To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. 

What is Candlemas?

Presentation of the Virgin at the Templefresco by Domenico Ghirlandaio, 1486-1490

On February 2nd, we will celebrate the feast of The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, commonly called the Purification of the Saint Mary the Virgin, or Candlemas. This year, the holy day falls on a Sunday. The Tables of Precedence in our prayer book give this holy day “precedence of any other Sunday or Holy Day,” so it will replace of the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany in our Liturgy this year.

What happened?
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple is a Biblical event that describes Mary and Joseph bringing the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem 40 days after his birth. The event is described in Luke 2:22-32.

Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple to fulfill the Mosaic Law, which required the consecration of the firstborn son to God. Mary also underwent ritual purification as required by Leviticus 12:2-8. Mary and Joseph offered a sacrifice of two turtle doves or two young pigeons, as required by the law.

Simeon and Anna, two devout people who had been waiting for the Messiah, recognized Jesus as the Savior. While there, the aged Simeon took Jesus into his arms, and uttered what we now call the Nunc Dimittis: “Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace…”

When is it celebrated?
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple” is celebrated by the Orthodox Church and many western churches 40 days after Christmas on February 2nd.

What does it signify?
The feast is called Candlemas because the blessing of candles, which traditionally occurs on this day, recalls Simeon’s declaration regarding Jesus, who is the “light to lighten the Gentiles, and… the glory of thy people Israel.”

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple shows how Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant. It also shows that God honors pious devotion, and that he fulfills all his promises in Jesus.

The accompanying picture is a fresco by Domenico Ghirlandaio, done in 1486-90 and entitled “Presentation of the Virgin at the Temple. ” It is displayed in the Cappella Tornabuoni, Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Italy.

Advent ~ Christmastide Liturgy Schedule

Sundays Mornings in Advent
December 1, 8, 15, and 22
10:00 am Morning Prayer and the Holy Communion
10:00 am Children’s Sunday School

Tuesday, December 24
Christmas Eve

🌲 5:00 pm Evening Prayer and the Holy Communion

Wednesday, December 25
Christmas Day

🌲 10:00 am Morning Prayer and the Holy Communion

Sunday, December 29
The First Sunday after Christmas

10:00 am Morning Prayer and the Holy Communion
10:00 am Children’s Sunday School

Sunday, January 5
The Second Sunday after Christmas

10:00 am Morning Prayer and the Holy Communion
10:00 am Children’s Sunday School

Photos from the Blessing of the Animals

This year, the St. Francis Day Pet Blessing took place on Saturday, October 5th. We had a wonderful time meeting the extended family of St. Bart’s: dogs and turtles! Thank you to all who helped make this a special day for our dear pets who love us unconditionally.

Photos courtesy of Katie Guthrie.

Participants in the event included the très chic Winifred R. (far left) along with two noble German Shepherds and their human mother, Elizabeth Feiberg. To the right side is the extended canine family of Harrison and Rachel Hess.

Pets received a St. Francis medal with their blessing.

A delicious assortment of treats for the pets and their humans.

Cooper, the copper lover of souls.

One of the Talbott turtles came for a blessing.

The vigilant Zoe Guthrie stands guard over the event.

Keep up to date on all the parish news. Contact Father Rick to be added to the weekly parish newsletter e-mail list.

Celebrating Our Patron Saint

Orthodox icon of St. Bartholomew holding a scroll

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We will gather this Sunday, August 25, to celebrate our Patron Saint and our parish, but why is a church family so important?

Because church is like a family reunion. The Bible says that we are brothers and sisters in Christ and part of the family of God (Ephesians 2:19; 3:14-15). As such, we gather to celebrate the Sacraments especially the Holy Communion, pray for one another, encourage one another, and help each other. We need each other’s support to live out the Christian Life and fulfill God’s Will in each of our lives.

Faithfully,
Fr. Rick

Parish Patronal Schedule

Sunday, August 25
10:00am Morning Prayer and The Holy Communion
10:00 am Children’s Sunday School
Join us for a delicious BBQ feast following the Liturgy. All are welcome.

Examples from the Saints

Dear Parish Family,

Two saints this week offer to us examples of how we can impact our world and the Church for the better. St. Ignatius Loyola founded the Jesuit Order in the Roman Church, but Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises continue to affect Seminarians and the Faithful throughout the Christian world, regardless of denomination. St. Nicodemus worked behind the scenes at the Crucifixion, helping rescue the body of Our Lord and ensure He had a proper burial. (See their stories below.)

Faithfully yours,

Fr. Rick

About St. Ignatius of Loyola, Confessor

The founder of the Jesuits was on his way to military fame and fortune when a cannon ball shattered his leg. Because there were no books of romance on hand during his convalescence, Ignatius whiled away the time reading a life of Christ and lives of the saints. His conscience was deeply touched, and a long, painful turning to Christ began. Having seen the Mother of God in a vision, he made a pilgrimage to her shrine at Montserrat near Barcelona.

He remained for almost a year at nearby Manresa, sometimes with the Dominicans, sometimes in a pauper’s hospice, often in a cave in the hills praying. After a period of great peace of mind, he went through a harrowing trial of scruples. There was no comfort in anything—prayer, fasting, sacraments, penance. At length, his peace of mind returned. It was during this year of conversion that Ignatius began to write down material that later became his greatest work, the Spiritual Exercises. Read more →

About St. Nicodemus

St. Nicodemus was a secret disciple of Jesus. As a member of the Sanhedrin, he would meet Jesus by night so that the others would not see him with Jesus. Eventually, it was Nicodemus who reminded the Sanhedrin that Jesus had the right to a trial. Together with St. Joseph of Arimathea, he prepared Jesus’ body and placed him in the tomb.

Tradition holds that St. Nicodemus was martyred, though no record remains.