First Sunday of Advent

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament: Isaiah 2:1-5

Response: Psalm 122 

Epistle: Romans 13:11-14

Gospel: Matthew 24:36-44

 

Sermon

“We begin this Advent season with the end in mind. And the end in mind is that God loves all people.”

Fr. Bill talks about "beginning with the end in mind," and how we can apply that to today's Gospel reading and our own lives. 

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament: Jeremiah 23:1-6

Response: Canticle 16

Epistle: Colossians 1:11-20

Gospel: Luke 23:33-43

Sermon

“When we are able to forgive others, a window into Heaven is opened. And that is where God’s grace pours from.”

Fr. Bill talks about the Gospel reading, and shares stories of Christ-like love and forgiveness that has been found in modern times.

Fr. Bill Breedlove

26th Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament: Isaiah 65:17-25

Response: Canticle 9

Epistle: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Gospel: Luke 21:5-19

Sermon

“God has gone out before us, and we are catching up with what God is already doing.”

In his sermon, Fr. Bill talks about change, about youth, and gives updates about what was discussed and voted upon during the Diocesan Convention.

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Children's Message

Fr. Bill talks to the children about the sense of feeling safe, and asks them about what makes them feel safe at school, with friends, and at church.

Fr. Bill Breedlove

25th Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture Readings

The Collect

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament: Haggai 1:15b-2:9

Response: Psalm 145:1-5, 18-22

Epistle: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

Gospel: Luke 20:27-38

Sermon

“Lord, take me by my hand and lead me, but keep me in Your grace.”

Fr. Fred talks about the questions that the Sadducees had for Jesus, the questions that we have about life and death, and how to prepare for the answers.

Fr. Fred Lindstrom

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Children's Message

Deacon Turner explains today's Gospel reading, talks about "tastes of Heaven" that God gives us here on Earth, and shares a story about six-year-old Ian.

Deacon Turner

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All Saints' Day

Scripture Readings

Collect

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Old Testament: Daniel 7:1-3,15-18

Response: Psalm 149

Epistle: Ephesians 1:11-23

Gospel: Luke 6:20-31

Sermon

Fr. Bill shares a story from his childhood, and encourages us to "stay thirsty" in imitation of the saints of the church.

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Children's Message 

Fr. Bill talks to the children about sharing so that they can give to, and be like Jesus.

Fr. Bill Breedlove

“Let’s not be satisfied with where we are. Let’s give thanks for what we have, but let’s stay thirsty, wanting more.”

23rd Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture Readings

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  

• Old Testament: Joel 2:23-32
• Response: Psalm 65 
• Epistle: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
• Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

Sermon

“God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”

— Luke 18:13

Fr. Bill talks about the Pharisee and tax collector from the Gospel and how we relate to them, and prepares a family for a Baptism.

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Children's Message

Fr. Bill talks to the children about Halloween, and explains that we do not have to hide our true identities when we converse with God. 

Fr. Bill Breedlove

22nd Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture Readings

Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:27-34

Response: Psalm 119:97-104

Epistle: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Gospel: Luke 18:1-8

Sermon

Fr. Bill expands on his message to the children by talking more about the unjust judge and the widow, shares a story about Las Vegas.

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Children's Message

Fr. Bill talks to the church youth about role models in their lives, and shares with them that the widow from today's Gospel is someone he looks up to.

Fr. Bill Breedlove

“God will not put up with injustice. How tenacious are we in the pursuit of justice? Will we be like that widow?”

21st Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture Readings

Old Testament: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7

Response: Psalm 66:1-11

Epistle: 2 Timothy 2:8-15

Gospel: Luke 17:11-19

Sermon

“Your faith has saved you. Your faith has made you whole.”

Father Bill talks about the struggles he experienced in graduate school, leprosy in the scripture readings, and the importance of a positive mental attitude.

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Children's Message

Fr. Bill gives the children a sticker of Good Shepherd's new logo, as well as a Time and Talent Card, and discusses what they can give back to the church.

Fr. Bill Breedlove

20th Sunday after Pentecost

Readings

Old Testament: Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4

Response: Psalm 37:1-10

Epistle: 2 Timothy 1:1-14

Gospel: Luke 17:5-10

Sermon

“You’ve been called to serve, and you’ve been equipped! You’ve been given your shovels, and you’ve been given your maps. What is it that God is calling us to dig up and discard?”

Fr. Bill talks about the difficulty of being a disciple, and explains how we can uproot the "mulberry trees" in our lives and communities.  

Children's Message 

Deacon Turner

Deacon Turner prepares the children for today's teachings by quizzing the congregation about faith, and by having one youth exercise with the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer.

Fr. Bill

Saint Michael and All Angels

The Rt. Rev. G. Porter Taylor

"We all forget who we are. We all forget why we're here. We all forget where we belong. And the reason we have the Lord, is that He reminds us."

Bishop Taylor visits Good Shepherd to celebrate the new ministry of Fr. Bill, and to administer the rite of Confirmation. During his sermon, he talks about Jesus, dragons, and Bill Breedlove. 

Readings

Old Testament: Genesis 28:10-17 

Response: Psalm 103:19-22 

Epistle: Revelation 12:7-12 

Gospel: John 1:47-51