Independent Lutheran Diocese

9 Trinity (July 28, 2024)

8 Trinity (July 21, 2024)

7 Trinity (July 14, 2024)

6 Trinity (July 7, 2024)

The Visitation (July 2, 2024 – Traditional Observance)

5th Sunday after Trinity (June 30, 2024)

4th SUNDAY after TRINITY (June 23, 2024)

1st SUNDAY after TRINITY
Liturgical Colour: Green

Collect of the Day:
(H) O GOD, the Strength of all them that put their trust in Thee: Mercifully accept our prayers: and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing without Thee, grant us the help of Thy grace, that in keeping Thy commandments we may please Thee, both in will and deed: through Jesus Christ. Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
: * Amen.

Or you may use:
(VD) LORD God, heavenly Father, we beseech Thee so to rule and govern our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may not, like the rich man, hear Thy Word in vain, and become so devoted to things temporal as to forget things eternal; but that we readily and according to our ability minister to such as are in need, and not defile ourselves with surfeiting and pride; in trial and misfortune keep us from despair, and grant us to put our trust wholly in Thy fatherly help and grace, so that in faith and Christian patience we may overcome all things; through Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end.
: * Amen.

The Introit & Gloria Patri — Psalm 13:5-6; 13:1:
: I HAVE trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation: I will sing unto the Lord, because He hath dealt bountifully with me.
Psalm. How long, O Lord, wilt Thou forget me for ever?: how long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?
: * Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Collect for the Word:
: BLESSED Lord, Who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of Thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which Thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
: * Amen.

Psalmody — Psalm 33:12-22:
BLESSED is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
13 The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

: Glory be to the Father, etc.
: As it was in the beginning, etc.

The Reading — Jeremiah 9:23-24:
THUS saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

The Gradual — Psalm 41:4, 1; 7:1:
: I SAID, Lord, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against Thee.
Verse. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. O Lord my God, in Thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me. Hallelujah!

The Epistle — 1 John 4:16b-21:
GOD is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

The “Hallelujah” — Psalm 119:124-125:
: Hallelujah! O LORD, deal with Thy servant according unto Thy mercy, and teach me Thy statutes. I am Thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies. Hallelujah!

The Gospel — Luke 16:19-31:
JESUS saith: There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

TRINITAS
(The Holy Trinity/Trinity Sunday)
Liturgical Colour: White

NOTE: The Athanasian Creed may be recited in place of the Apostles’ or Nicene Creed.

Collect of the Day:
(H) ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, Who hast given unto us, Thy servants, grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the Eternal Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity: We beseech Thee, that Thou wouldest keep us steadfast in this faith, and evermore defend us from all adversities; Who livest and reignest, One God, world without end.
: * Amen.

Or you may use:
(VD) О LORD God, heavenly Father: We poor sinners confess that in our flesh dwelleth no good thing, and that, left to ourselves, we die and perish in sin, since that which is born of the flesh is flesh and cannot see the kingdom of God. But we beseech Thee: Grant us Thy grace and mercy, and for the sake of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, send Thy Holy Spirit into our hearts, that being regenerate, we may firmly believe the forgiveness of sins, according to Thy promise in baptism; and that we may daily increase in brotherly love, and in other good works, until we at last obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One true God, world without end.
: * Amen.

The Introit & Gloria Patri — Isaiah 6:3b, Romans 11:36b; Psalm 8:9:
: HOLY, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things.
Psalm. O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Thy Name in all the earth!
: * Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Or you may use:
Liturgical Text; Psalm 8:9:
: BLESSED be the Holy Trinity, and the undivided Unity: Let us give glory to Him because He hath shown His mercy to us.
Psalm. O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Thy Name in all the earth!
: * Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Collect for the Word:
: BLESSED Lord, Who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of Thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which Thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
: * Amen.

Psalmody — Psalm 29:
GIVE unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
7 The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
8 The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
10 The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.
11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

: Glory be to the Father, etc.
: As it was in the beginning, etc.

The Reading — Ezekiel 18:30-32:
THEREFORE I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

The Gradual, “Hallelujah” & Tract — Song of the Three Holy Children v.32a, 33-34:[a]
: BLESSED art Thou, O Lord, that beholdest the depths, and sittest upon the cherubims.
Verse. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, on the glorious throne of Thy kingdom: and to be praised and glorified above all for ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven: and above all to be praised and glorified for ever. Hallelujah!

The Epistle — Romans 11:33-36:
OH the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

The “Hallelujah” — Psalm 119:124-125:
: Hallelujah! O LORD, deal with Thy servant according unto Thy mercy, and teach me Thy statutes. I am Thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies. Hallelujah!

The Gospel — John 3:1-15:
THERE was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

PENTECOST
(Whitsunday)
Liturgical Colour: Red

Collect of the Day:
(H) О GOD, Who didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful people, by sending to them the Light of Thy Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, ever One God, world without end.
: * Amen.

Or you may use:
(VD) О LORD Jesus Christ, Thou Almighty Son of God: We beseech Thee, send Thy Holy Spirit into our hearts, through Thy Word, that He may rule and govern us according to Thy will, comfort us in every temptation and misfortune, and defend us by Thy truth against every error, so that we may continue steadfast in the faith, increase in love and all good works, and firmly trusting in Thy grace, which through death Thou hast purchased for us, obtain eternal salvation, Thou Who reignest, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world without end.
: * Amen.

The Introit & Gloria Patri — Wisdom of Solomon 1:7a; Psalm 68:3, 1:[a]
: THE Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: Hallelujah! Let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Psalm. Let God arise; let His enemies be scattered: let them also that hate Him flee before Him.
: * Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Collect for the Word:
: BLESSED Lord, Who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of Thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which Thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
: * Amen.

Psalmody — Psalm 143:
HEAR my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.
4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

7 Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.

: Glory be to the Father, etc.
: As it was in the beginning, etc.

Old Testament — Joel 2:28-32:
IT shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

Gradual — Psalm 104:30; Liturgical Text:
: Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Verse. THOU sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created: and Thou renewest the face of the earth. Hallelujah!
V. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful: and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. Hallelujah!

Epistle — Acts 2:1-13:
WHEN the day of Pentecost was fully come, the disciples were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judæa, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

The “Hallelujah” — Psalm 104:30:
: Hallelujah! THOU sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created: and Thou renewest the face of the earth. Hallelujah!

Gospel — John 14:23-31:
JESUS saith to Judas, not Iscariot: If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

PENTECOST EVE VIGIL [SEE NOTE]
(Saturday before Pentecost/Whitsunday)
Liturgical Colour: Red

Collect of the Day:
: O GOD, who hath promised to give Thy Holy Spirit to Thine Apostles: grant unto Thy people the performance of their petitions, so that on us, to whom Thou hast given faith, Thou mayest bestow also peace; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
: * Amen.

The Introit & Gloria Patri — Ezekiel 39:29; Psalm 81:1:
: Hallelujah!: NEITHER will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord God. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Psalm. Sing aloud unto God, our Strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
: * Glory be to the Father, etc.

Collect for the Word:
: BLESSED Lord, Who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of Thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which Thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
: * Amen.

Old Testament — Ezekiel 36:26-27:
A NEW heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

The Gradual — Luke 24:49; Liturgical Text:
: Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Verse. BEHOLD, I send the promise of My Father upon you. Hallelujah!
V. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful: and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. Hallelujah!

Epistle — Acts 1:4-5:
AND, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

The “Hallelujah” — Luke 24:49:
: Hallelujah! BEHOLD, I send the promise of My Father upon you. Hallelujah!

Gospel — John 14:16-18, 26; 16:13:
JESUS saith: I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
(xiv. 26.) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

(xiv. 13.) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

NOTE:
There has been a move to include a Pentecost Eve Vigil in the Liturgical Cycle like the Easter Eve Vigil. As such, there are no known historical Propers, however possible suggestions are given in the Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW). As such, the Collect and Gradual are variations of existing Collects for Pentecost Sunday/Whitsunday or are amalgams of other Liturgical Texts, with the Lectionary readings provided by the compiler (Pr. R. Osmundson).

THE ASCENSION of OUR LORD
(The 40th Day of Easter)
Liturgical Color: White

Collect of the Day:
(H) GRANT, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe Thy Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to have ascended into the heavens; so may we also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with Him continually dwell, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end.
: * Amen.

Or you may use:
(VD) O JESUS CHRIST, Thou Almighty Son of God, Who art no longer in humiliation here on earth, but sittest at the right hand of Thy Father, Lord over all things: We beseech Thee, send us Thy Holy Spirit; give Thy Church pious pastors, preserve Thy Word, control and restrain the devil and all who would oppress us; mightily uphold Thy kingdom, until all Thine enemies shall have been put under Thy feet, that we may hold the victory over sin, death, and the devil; through Thee, Who livest and reignest with God the Father and the Holy Ghost, One true God, world without end.
: * Amen.

Introit & Gloria Patri — Acts 1:11; Psalm 47:1:
: YE men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? Hallelujah!: this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Psalm. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
: * Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Collect for the Word:
: BLESSED Lord, Who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of Thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which Thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
: * Amen.

Psalmody — Psalm 110:
THE LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

: Glory be to the Father, etc.
: As it was in the beginning, etc.

Old Testament — Isaiah 57:15:
FOR thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Gradual — Psalm 47:5; 68:18a:
: Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Verse. GOD is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Hallelujah!
V. Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led Thy captivity captive. Hallelujah!

Epistle — Acts 1:1-11:
THE former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

“Hallelujah” — 1 Corinthians 5:7b:
: Hallelujah! CHRIST, our Passover, is sacrificed for us. Hallelujah!

Gospel — Mark 16:14-20:
JESUS appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.