Above:  Communion of Saints

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Now Praise We Great and Famous Men:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/now-praise-we-great-and-famous-men/

Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/glorious-things-of-thee-are-spoken/

The Saints of God! Their Conflict Past:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2012/10/11/the-saints-of-god-their-conflict-past/

Dayspring of Eternity:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2013/09/28/dayspring-of-eternity/

O For the Robes of Whiteness:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2013/12/24/o-for-the-robes-of-whiteness/

Make My Calling and Election:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/09/13/make-my-calling-and-election/

Jesus, These Eyes Have Never Seen:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/09/18/jesus-these-eyes-have-never-seen/

Alleluia! Song of Gladness:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/10/15/alleluia-song-of-gladness-2/

O How Blest Are Ye Whose Toils Are Ended:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/01/10/o-how-blest-are-ye-whose-toils-are-ended/

Lord Jesus Christ, My Life, My Light:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/04/17/lord-jesus-christ-my-life-my-light/

O Happy Day When We Shall Stand:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2013/09/14/o-happy-day-when-we-shall-stand/

The Gloomy Night to Morning Yields:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2013/09/24/the-gloomy-night-to-morning-yields/

O Lord of Life:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2013/12/22/o-lord-of-life/

To Thee, Eternal Soul, Be Praise:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/10/03/to-thee-eternal-soul-be-praise/

I See Thee Standing, Lamb of God:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/i-see-thee-standing-lamb-of-god/

Thy Word, O God, Declareth:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/thy-word-o-god-declareth/

Thou Lord of Life and Death:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/02/06/thou-lord-of-life-and-death/

In the Resurrection:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/02/10/in-the-resurrection/

Some Day, I Know:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/05/02/some-day-i-know/

What Joy to Think of That Vast Host:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/05/02/what-joy-to-think-of-that-vast-host/

O God Whose Smile is in the Sky:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/07/24/o-god-whose-smile-is-in-the-sky/

Though Fatherland Be Vast and Fair:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/07/24/though-fatherland-be-vast-and-fair/

Not Far Beyond the Sea:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/not-far-beyond-the-sea/

O God, Our Help in Ages Past:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2011/07/30/our-god-our-help-in-ages-past/

We Sing for All the Unsung Saints:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2011/01/27/we-sing-for-all-the-unsung-saints/

Let Saints on Earth in Concert Sing:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2010/11/09/let-saints-on-earth-in-concert-sing/

A Prayer for the Dead:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2010/10/15/a-prayer-for-the-dead/

Our Father, By Whose Servants:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2010/08/11/our-father-by-whose-servants-by-george-wallace-briggs/

For All the Saints:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2010/08/11/for-all-the-saints-by-william-walsham-how/

Now the Laborer’s Task is O’er:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/now-the-laborers-task-is-oer/

Now Praise We Great and Famous Men:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/now-praise-we-great-and-famous-men/

For the Brave of Every Race:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/for-the-brave-of-every-race/

The Saints of God! Their Conflicts Past:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2012/10/11/the-saints-of-god-their-conflict-past/

To Thee, Eternal Soul, Be Praise:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/10/03/to-thee-eternal-soul-be-praise/

Asleep in Jesus! Blessed Sleep:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/09/01/asleep-in-jesus-blessed-sleep/

O Lord of Glory, King of Saints:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/09/07/o-lord-of-glory-king-of-saints/

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Above:  An Hourglass

Image Source = User:S Sepp

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Break, New-Born Year, On Glad Eyes Break:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/12/10/break-new-born-year-on-glad-eyes-break/

To God the Anthem Raising:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/07/22/to-god-the-anthem-raising/

Jesus, O Precious Name:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/02/06/jesus-o-precious-name/

Thou, Who Roll’st the Year Around:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/09/18/thou-who-rollst-the-year-around/

Great God, We Sing That Mighty Hand:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2013/12/10/great-god-we-sing-that-mighty-hand/

Father, Let Me Dedicate:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2010/12/29/father-let-me-dedicate/

Across the Sky the Shades of Night:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2010/12/29/across-the-sky-the-shades-of-night/

Who Shall Ope for Us the Portals:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2010/12/28/who-shall-ope-for-us-the-portals/

A Prayer for the New Year:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/a-prayer-for-the-new-year/

O Father! Thro’ the Coming Year:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/our-father-thro-the-coming-year/

Time and Vocations:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2012/11/09/time-and-vocations/

For Thy Mercy and Thy Grace:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/01/15/for-thy-mercy-and-thy-grace/

Oh, Rejoice, Ye Christians, Loudly:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/01/17/oh-rejoice-ye-christians-loudly/

O Lord, Our Father, Thanks to Thee:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/05/14/o-lord-our-father-thanks-to-thee/

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Above:  Christ Pantocrator

Image Source = Wikipedia

Words (1867) by William Walsham How (1823-1897), a priest then bishop of The Church of England

Hymn Source = The United Methodist Hymnal (1989), of The United Methodist Church

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A Slightly Different Version:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2013/10/22/o-word-of-god-incarnate-2/

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1.  O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high,

O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky:

we praise you for the radiance that comes from the hallowed page,

a lantern to our footsteps, shines on from age to age.

2.  The church from you, our Savior, received the gift divine,

and still that light is lifted o’er all the earth to shine.

It is the sacred vessel where gems of truth are stored;

it is the heaven-drawn picture of Christ, the living Word.

3.  The Scripture is a banner before God’s host unfurled;

it is a shining beacon above the darkling world.

It is the chart and compass that o’er life’s surging tide,

mid mists and rocks and quicksands, to you, O Christ, will guide.

4.  O make your church, dear Savior, a lamp of purest gold,

to bear before the nations your true light as of old.

O teach your wandering pilgrims by this their path to trace,

till, clouds and darkness ended, they see you face to face.

Above:  Christ with Beard

Image in the Public Domain

Original words from Munster Gesangbuch (1677); English translation (1873) by U.S. Lutheran pastor Joseph Augustus Seiss

Hymn Source = The United Methodist Hymnal (1989), of The United Methodist Church

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1.  Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature,

O thou of God and man the Son,

thee will I cherish, thee will I honor,

thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.

2.  Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,

robed in the blooming garb of spring:

Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,

who makes the woeful heart to sing.

3.  Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight,

and all the twinkling starry host:

Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer

than all the angels heaven can boast.

4.  Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!

Son of God and Son of Man!

Glory and honor, praise, adoration,

now and forever more be thine.

Above:  A Home Library

Image Source = User:Sbrools

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Old_bookshelves.jpg)

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Loving God, whose image we bear,

thank you for the gift of intelligence.

May we express our gratitude in several ways,

including making the most of our intelligence in ways in which you direct us

and by helping others to do the same as we are able.

May we do all this for our mutual benefit

–the building up of the body–

and for your glory.

Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

OCTOBER 26, 2011 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF ALFRED THE GREAT, KING OF THE WEST SAXONS

THE FEAST OF SAINT CEDD, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF LONDON

THE FEAST OF DMITRY BORTNIANSKY, COMPOSER

THE FEAST OF PHLIP NICOLAI, JOHANN HEERMANN, AND PAUL GERHARDT, HYMN WRITERS

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Once I read a story about the late Associate Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.  He had arrived at the final stage of his long and illustrious life when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt visited him in the hospital.  Roosevelt was surprised to find Holmes studying a book of ancient Greek grammar.  So the President asked the retired Associate Justice why he was studying ancient Greek grammar on his death bad.  Holmes replied,

To improve my mind, Mister President.

I like that attitude.

KRT

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/a-prayer-of-thanksgiving-for-intelligence/

Above:  G. K. Chesterton in 1904

Image Source = Library of Congress

(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2004674426/resource/)

Words by Gilbert Keith “G. K.” Chesterton (1874-1936)

American Chesterton Society:  http://www.chesterton.org/wordpress/

Hymn Source = The Hymnal 1982, of The Episcopal Church

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1.  O God of earth and altar,

bow down and hear our cry,

our earthly rulers falter,

our people drift and die;

the walls of gold entomb us,

the swords of scorn divide,

take not thy thunder from us,

but take away our pride.

2.  From all that terror teaches,

from lies of tongue and pen,

from all the easy speeches

that comfort cruel men,

from sale and profanation

of honor, and the sword,

from sleep and from damnation,

deliver us, good Lord!

3.  Tie in a living tether

the prince and priest and thrall,

bind all our lives together,

smite us and save us all;

in ire and exultation

aflame with faith, and free,

lift up a living nation,

a single sword to thee.

Above:  Christ in the House of Martha and Mary, by Jan Vermeer

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Dear Lord,

who was a friend of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany,

thank you for friends.

Thank you

for all we do for them

and all they do for us.

May we continue to cherish each other

for our mutual benefit and your glory.

Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

OCTOBER 20, 2011 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF JOHN HARRIS BURT, EPISCOPAL PRIEST

THE FEAST OF BERTILLA BOSCARDIN, ROMAN CATHOLIC NUN AND NURSE

THE FEAST OF TARORE OF WAHAORA, ANGLICAN MARTYR IN AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND

http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/a-prayer-of-thanksgiving-for-friends/

Above:  Gustav Mahler (1860-1911), My Favorite Composer

Image Source = Wikipedia

I am, as I type these words, melting into his Symphony #1.–KRT

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God of beauty,

when we melt into a symphony,

or an aria

or a concerto,

thank you.

When music transports us positively,

thank you.

When we find and experience beauty in music,

thank you.

Amen.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

OCTOBER 8, 2011 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINT BRIDGET OF SWEDEN, ROMAN CATHOLIC NUN,

THE FEAST OF ERIK ROUTLEY, HYMN WRITER

THE FEAST OF WILLIAM BLIGHT PORTER BLISS, EPISCOPAL PRIEST, AND RICHARD THEODORE ELY, ECONOMIST

http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/a-prayer-of-thanksgiving-for-the-enjoyment-of-music/

Above:  An Old Family Bible

Image Source = David Ball

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Family-bible.jpg)

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God of glory,

as we prepare to study the Bible,

may we approach the texts with our minds open,

our intellects engaged,

and our spirits receptive to your leading,

so that we will understand them correctly

and derive from them the appropriate lessons.

Then may we act on those lessons.

For the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Amen.

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KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

OCTOBER 7, 2011 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF HENRY MELCHIOR MUHLENBERG, SHEPHERD OF LUTHERANISM IN THE AMERICAN COLONIES

THE FEAST OF FRED KAAN, HYMNWRITER

THE FEAST OF JOHN WOOLMAN, ABOLITIONIST

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A Related Prayer:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2010/07/17/a-prayer-for-opening-a-bible-study/

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/before-a-bible-study/

Above:  St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, Hamilton, Georgia, June 19, 2011

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

(https://picasaweb.google.com/114749828757741527421/StNicholasHamilton#5620026101507470674)

Words by George Bradford Caird (1917-1984), British Congregationalist Biblical Scholar

Hymn Source = The Hymn Book of the Anglican Church of Canada and the United Church of Canada (1971)

The note in the 1971 Hymn Book says that the scriptural basis for this hymn is Ephesians 3:14-19.

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1.  Not far beyond the sea

nor high above the heavens,

but very nigh thy voice, O God, is heard.

For each new step of faith we take

thou has more truth and light

to break forth thy holy word.

2.  Rooted and grounded in thy love,

with saints on earth and saints above

we join in full accord

to grasp the breadth, length, depth and height,

the crucified and risen might

of Christ, the incarnate Word.

3.  Help us to press toward that mark,

and, though our vision now is dark,

to live by what we see.

So, when we see thee face to face,

thy truth and light our dwelling-place

for evermore shall be.