Readings for Pentecost Sunday (focus text in bold):

Numbers 11:24-30 - The Spirit of the Lord descends upon the chosen elders of Israel.
Psalm 104:24-34 - "O Lord, how manifold are thy works!"
Acts 2:1-11 - "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost"
John 14:15-31a - "Jesus said unto his disciples, 'If ye love me, keep my commandments, and I shall pray my Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.'"

Sermon by the Rev. Adam Rick
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Cover art: "Pentecost Sun," Pentecost Mosaic, Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis

Trinity Sunday:

Isaiah 6:1-8 - Isaiah's vision of the heavenly throne of God
Psalm 8 - what is man, that you are mindful of him?
Revelation 4:1-11 - St. John's vision of the heavenly throne of God
John 3:1-15  - Jesus discusses new birth with Nicodemus

Cover art: Icon of the Trinity, from Genesis 18:1-8 (“The Hospitality of Abraham”), Andrei Rublev, 1411 or 1425-27, tempera on wood; Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

Whitsunday, commonly called Pentecost (focus texts in bold):

Numbers 11:24-30 - Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets
Psalm 104:24-34 - When your Spirit goes forth, they are made
Acts 2:1-11 - the Spirit falls on the disciples at Pentecost
John 14:15-31a - Jesus promises to make his abode within the disciples

Cover art: Coptic icon of Pentecost, Sts. Peter and Paul Coptic Orthodox Church, Bixby, Oklahoma

Easter Day (focus texts in bold):

Exodus 12:21-28 - Israel commanded to keep the Passover forever
Psalm 111 - I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart
Colossians 3:1-4 - your life is hid with Christ in God
John 20:1-10 - Peter and John come to the empty tomb

Cover art: Coptic icon of the Resurrection, Sts. Peter and Paul Coptic Orthodox Church, Bixby, Oklahoma

The Great Vigil of Easter:

Easter Vigil

• Genesis 1:1-2:3 - the story of creation
• Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26 - God's loving mercy endures for ever
• Genesis 22:1-18 - Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac
• Psalm 16 - preserve me, O God, for in you have I put my trust
• Exodus 14: 10-15:1 - Israel's deliverance at the Red Sea
• Exodus 15:1-22 (selections) - the song of Moses
• Ezekiel 37:1-14 - the valley of dry bones
• Psalm 143 - quicken me, O God, for your name's sake

First Communion of Easter

• Romans 6:3-11 - if we are buried with Christ, we will be raised with him
• Psalm 114 - When Israel came out of Egypt
• Mark 16:1-8 - the angels appear to the women at the tomb

Guest preacher: Dr. Blake McAllister, Junior Warden of Holy Trinity Parish, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Hillsdale College 

Cover art: “The Holy Women at the Tomb” by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1890, oil on canvas, private collection

Thursday before Easter, commonly called Maundy Thursday:

Exodus 12:1-11 - the institution of the Passover Seder
Psalm 43 - defend my cause against the ungodly people
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - Paul's summary of the institution of the Lord's Supper
John 13:1-17 - the Maundy, Jesus washes his disciples' feet

Guest Preacher: Mr. Clifford Humphrey, Holy Trinity Parish Vestryman, Ph.D. candidate at Hillsdale College

Cover art: “The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane” by Francesco Trevisani, 1740, oil on copper, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow

Sunday Next before Easter, commonly called Palm Sunday:

Liturgy of the Palms

• Matthew 21:1-9 - the triumphal entry
• Psalm 118:19-29 - Blesssed is he who comes in the name of the Lord

Liturgy of the Passion

• Isaiah 50:4-9 - I set my face like a flint (the third Servant Song)
• Psalm 31:9-16 - have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble
• Philippians 2:5-11 - he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant
• Matthew 27:1-54 - the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew

Cover art: “Entry of Christ into Jerusalem" by Pietro Lorenzetti, c. 1320, fresco, Lower Basilica of San Francesco, Assisi, Italy

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (focus texts in bold):

Isaiah 7:10-15 - Behold, a virgin will give birth
Psalm 113 - the Lord lifts up the simple out of the dust
Romans 5:12-19 - one man brought condemnation, the new man brings life
Luke 1:26-38 - the annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Cover art: “The Annunciation" by El Greco, c. 1590-1603, oil on canvas, Ohara Museum, Kurashiki, Japan

First Day of Lent,
commonly called Ash Wednesday (focus text in bold):

Penitential Office: Psalm 51 - "Have mercy on me, O God"
Joel 2:12-17 - "Rend your hearts and not your garments"
Psalm 31 - "Blessed is he whose unrighteousness is forgiven"
James 4:1-10 - the most intense call to repentance in the entire New Testament
Matthew 6:16-21 - doing devotion in secret, from the Sermon on the Mount

Cover art: an ashen cross