29 September
Michael and All Angels

Festival

Readings
First Evening Prayer

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High,*
abides under the shadow of the Almighty.

He shall say to the LORD,
   "You are my refuge and my stronghold,*
my God in whom I put my trust."

He shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter*
and from the deadly pestilence.

He shall cover you with his pinions,
   and you shall find refuge under his wings;*
his faithfulness shall be a shield and buckler.

You shall not be afraid of any terror by night,*
nor of the arrow that flies by day;

Of the plague that stalks in the darkness,*
nor of the sickness that lays waste at midday.

A thousand shall fall at your side
   and ten thousand at your right hand,*
but it shall not come near you.

Your eyes have only to behold*
to see the reward of the wicked.

Because you have made the LORD your refuge,*
and the Most High your habitation,

There shall no evil happen to you,*
neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over you,*
to keep you in all your ways.

They shall bear you in their hands,*
lest you dash your foot against a stone.

You shall tread upon the lion and the adder;*
you shall trample the young lion and the serpent
   under your feet.

Because he is bound to me in love,
   therefore will I deliver him;*
I will protect him, because he knows my Name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him;*
I am with him in trouble;
   I will rescue him and bring him to honour.

With long life will I satisfy him,*
and show him my salvation.           [BCP79]

2 Kings 6:8-17

Once when the king of Aram was at war with Israel, he took counsel with his officers. He said, "At such and such a place shall be my camp." But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, "Take care not to pass this place, because the Aramaeans are going down there." The king of Israel sent word to the place of which the man of God spoke. More than once or twice he warned such a place so that it was on the alert. The mind of the king of Aram was greatly perturbed because of this; he called his officers and said to them, "Now tell me who among us sides with the king of Israel?" Then one of his officers said, "No one, my lord king. It is Elisha, the prophet in Israel, who tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedchamber."

He said, "Go and find where he is; I will send and seize him." He was told, "He is in Dothan." So he sent horses and chariots there and a great army; they came by night, and surrounded the city. When an attendant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. His servant said, "Alas, master! What shall we do?" He replied, "Do not be afraid, for there are more with us than there are with them." Then Elisha prayed: "O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see." So the LORD opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw; the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.           [NRSV]

Matthew 18:1-6,10

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

"If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea.

"Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven."           [NRSV]

Morning Prayer

Psalm 34

I will bless the LORD at all times;*
his praise shall ever be in my mouth.

I will glory in the LORD;*
let the humble hear and rejoice.

Proclaim with me the greatness of the LORD;*
let us exalt his Name together.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me*
and delivered me out of all my terror.

Look upon him and be radiant,*
and let not your faces be ashamed.

I called in my affliction and the LORD heard me*
and saved me from all my troubles.

The angel of the LORD encompasses those who fear him,*
and he will deliver them.

Taste and see that the LORD is good;*
happy are they who trust in him!

Fear the LORD, you that are his saints,*
for those who fear him lack nothing.

The young lions lack and suffer hunger,*
but those who seek the LORD lack nothing that is good.

Come, children, and listen to me;*
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Who among you loves life*
and desires long life to enjoy prosperity?

Keep your tongue from evil-speaking*
and your lips from lying words.

Turn from evil and do good;*
seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous,*
and his ears are open to their cry.

The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,*
to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.

The righteous cry, and the LORD hears them*
and delivers them from all their troubles.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted*
and will save those whose spirits are crushed.

Many are the troubles of the righteous,*
but the LORD will deliver him out of them all.

He will keep safe all his bones;*
not one of them shall be broken.

Evil shall slay the wicked,*
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.

The LORD ransoms the life of his servants,*
and none will be punished who trust in him.           [BCP79]

Tobit 12.6-22

Then Raphael called the two of them privately and said to them, "Bless God and acknowledge him in the presence of all the living for the good things he has done for you. Bless and sing praise to his name. With fitting honour declare to all his people the deeds of God. Do not be slow to acknowledge him. It is good to conceal the secret of a king, but to acknowledge and reveal the works of God, and with fitting honour to acknowledge him. Do good and evil will not overtake you. Prayer with fasting is good, but better than both is almsgiving with righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than wealth with wrongdoing. It is better to give alms than to lay up gold. For almsgiving saves from death and purges away every sin. Those who give alms will enjoy a full life, but those who commit sin and do wrong are their own worst enemies.

"I will now declare the whole truth to you and will conceal nothing from you. Already I have declared it to you when I said, 'It is good to conceal the secret of a king, but to reveal with due honour the works of God.' So now when you and Sarah prayed, it was I who brought and read the record of your prayer before the glory of the Lord, and likewise whenever you would bury the dead. And that time when you did not hesitate to get up and leave your dinner to go and bury the dead, I was sent to you to test you. And at the same time God sent me to heal you and Sarah your daughter-in-law. I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand ready and enter before the glory of the Lord."

The two of them were shaken; they fell face down, for they were afraid. But he said to them, "Do not be afraid; peace be with you. Bless God forevermore. As for me, when I was with you, I was not acting on my own will, but by the will of God. Bless him each and every day; sing his praises. Although you were watching me, I really did not eat or drink anything--but what you saw was a vision. So now get up from the ground, and acknowledge God. See, I am ascending to him who sent me. Write down all these things that have happened to you." And he ascended. Then they stood up, and could see him no more. They kept blessing God and singing his praises, and they acknowledged God for these marvellous deeds of his, when an angel of God had appeared to them.           [NRSV]

Daniel 12:1-4

"At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, keep the words secret and the book sealed until the time of the end. Many shall be running back and forth, and evil shall increase."           [NRSV]

Acts 12:1-11

About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.) When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.

While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him. The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, "Fasten your belt and put on your sandals." He did so. Then he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me." Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel's help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."           [NRSV]

Evening Prayer

Psalms 138

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart;*
before the gods I will sing your praise.

I will bow down toward your holy temple
   and praise your name,*
because of your love and faithfulness;

For you have glorified your name*
and your word above all things.

When I called, you answered me;*
you increased my strength within me.

All the kings of the earth will praise you, O LORD,*
when they have heard the words of your mouth.

They will sing of the ways of the LORD,*
that great is the glory of the LORD.

Though the LORD be high, he cares for the lowly;*
he perceives the haughty from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe;*
you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;
   your right hand shall save me.

The LORD will make good his purpose for me;*
O LORD, your love endures for ever;
   do not abandon the works of your hands.           [BCP79]

Psalm 148

Alleluia!
   Praise the LORD from the heavens;*
praise him in the heights.

Praise him, all you angels of his;*
praise him, all his host.

Praise him, sun and moon;*
praise him, all you shining stars.

Praise him, heaven of heavens,*
and you waters above the heavens.

Let them praise the name of the LORD;*
for he commanded, and they were created.

He made them stand fast for ever and ever;*
he gave them a law which shall not pass away.

Praise the LORD from the earth,*
you sea-monsters and all deeps;

Fire and hail, snow and fog,*
tempestuous wind, doing his will;

Mountains and all hills,*
fruit trees and all cedars;

Wild beasts and all cattle,*
creeping things and winged birds;

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

Young men and maidens,*
old and young together.

Let them praise the Name of the LORD,*
for his name only is exalted,
   his splendour is over earth and heaven.

He has raised up strength for his people
   and praise for all his loyal servants,*
the children of Israel, a people who are near him.
   Alleluia!           [BCP79]

Daniel 10:4-21

On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris), I looked up and saw a man clothed in linen, with a belt of gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the roar of a multitude. I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; the people who were with me did not see the vision, though a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled and hid themselves. So I was left alone to see this great vision. My strength left me, and my complexion grew deathly pale, and I retained no strength. Then I heard the sound of his words; and when I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a trance, face to the ground.

But then a hand touched me and roused me to my hands and knees. He said to me, "Daniel, greatly beloved, pay attention to the words that I am going to speak to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you." So while he was speaking this word to me, I stood up trembling. He said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me twenty-one days. So Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia, and have come to help you understand what is to happen to your people at the end of days. For there is a further vision for those days." While he was speaking these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was speechless. Then one in human form touched my lips, and I opened my mouth to speak, and said to the one who stood before me, "My lord, because of the vision such pains have come upon me that I retain no strength. How can my lord's servant talk with my lord? For I am shaking, no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me." Again one in human form touched me and strengthened me. He said, "Do not fear, greatly beloved, you are safe. Be strong and courageous!" When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me." Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Now I must return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I am through with him, the prince of Greece will come. But I am to tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth. There is no one with me who contends against these princes except Michael, your prince."           [NRSV]

Revelation 5

Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."

Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation; you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God, and they will reign on earth." Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing!" Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, "To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever!" And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the elders fell down and worshipped.           [NRSV]

The Eucharist

Genesis 28:10-17

Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the LORD stood beside him and said, "I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place--and I did not know it!" And he was afraid, and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."           [NRSV]

Psalm 103:19-22

The LORD has set his throne in heaven,*
and his kingship has dominion over all.

Bless the LORD, you angels of his,
   you mighty ones who do his bidding,*
and hearken to the voice of his word.

Bless the LORD, all you his hosts,*
you ministers of his who do his will.

Bless the LORD, all you works of his,
   in all places of his dominion;*
bless the LORD, O my soul.           [BCP79]

Revelation 12:7-12

War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming, "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah, for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.

Rejoice then, you heavens and those who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you with great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"           [NRSV]

Hebrews 1:5-14

For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire." But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous sceptre is the sceptre of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions." And, "In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end." But to which of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?           [NRSV]

John 1:47-51

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you." Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."           [NRSV]
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