Piper and Lent? Anabaptist Piper Oddly Posts Various Posts about Lent

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/sixth-sunday-of-lent?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DGBlog+%28DG+Blog%29

Rather odd that a predestinarian Anabaptist, a TULIP Anabaptist, John Piper, is commenting about Lent when non-conforming Presbyterians, Congregationalist, and Anabaptistic types have strenuously and energetically opposed the liturgical calendar.  Most odd.  What can one make of it, but oddness?

Not that we mind, be we find it odd.

Why?  Preliminarily, regarding Reformation confessions, a drifter.  Preliminarily, regarding Reformed liturgies, again, a big drifter.  Preliminarly, re: revivalism, he's an Edwarsean and predestinarian enthusiast.  Throw in some uber-American evangelicalism as well.   It appears to be this simple.

Lent 2012: Archbishop Duncan, Anglican Church of North America

Archbishop Bob Duncan,
Anglican Church of North America

Archbishop Duncan invites you to a Holy Lent

Article | February 22, 2012 - 11:24pm

22nd February, A.D. 2012

Ash Wednesday

Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and repents of evil. [Joel 2:13]

So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled with God. [I Cor.5:20]

TO ALL WHO SHARE IN THE LIFE OF THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN NORTH AMERICA:

Beloved in the Lord,

We have come again to the awesome season of Lent. The name of the season comes from the Anglo-Saxon word meaning spring. Our English word lengthen comes from the same root, for this is the season when days lengthen in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the season when we, too, are lengthened or stretched because we are invited to get our relationship with our God and our relationships with each other restored and renewed. Getting things right is hard work, often painful work, but from the effort comes the immense fruitfulness of an Easter and Pentecost - a summertime, if you will - of our souls. Lent is when I must prune my roses - and when I need to allow my Lord to prune me - so that a riot of color and beauty and fragrance can occur in a couple months' time.

As I have said my prayers in recent days, I have had a very strong sense that it was time to write you again, both to invite you into the opportunity of Lenten discipline and devotion and to share with you the results of some of the corporate pruning our God has already been engaged in.

HOLY LENT

Self-examination and confession are foundational to the Christian life. Whether it is the "sinner's prayer" that invites the Lord Jesus in the very first time, or the penitential opening of daily morning and evening prayer, or the regular accountability of the sacrament of reconciliation, we cannot make progress without personal repentance and conversion. Because we are sinners, the need to restore right relationship - with God, with our spouse, with our parents, our children, our friends, with our priest (or our people), with fellow-workers and fellow-worshippers, with neighbors, with the poor and needy - is as constant as our need to breathe and our need to give thanks. "I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a Holy Lent."[1]

Immersion in God's Word and contemplation on the mighty acts of our Savior in his Incarnation, Passion and Death-on-the-Cross are also means by which our lives - both individually and corporately - are anchored in Christ. There is no substitute for them, and there is no exercise more central to our discipleship than these twin enterprises.

CORPORATE BLESSINGS

I wrote to the Church twice in December, once in preparation for Christmas and a few days later about the crisis in one of our founding jurisdictions, the Anglican Mission in the Americas. Much hard work has been done with (and within) all three groups - the Province of Rwanda, P.E.A.R./North America, and the Anglican Mission - where relationships were fractured. That work continues, but I can honestly say that there has been much progress. As Archbishop, I, together with many other Anglican Church leaders and people, have poured much prayer and energy into healing of the wounds and the re-building of our future together. Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, Archbishop of Kenya and Chairman of the GAFCON/FCA Primates Council, has also poured himself into reconciliation and restoration of Communion order. Many of us are now encouraged and hopeful.

I continue to find young people drawn to the Anglican Way, and particularly on college campuses and in urban settings. Many will have seen the Christian Broadcasting Network's six-minute story entitled "Anglican Fever: Youth Flock to New Denomination." I think there is a direct tie between our "joyful acceptance of the confiscation of our property" [Heb.10:34] and young people seeing in us those willing to follow Jesus whatever the cost. It seems to me that what so many of us found to be painful pruning in the loss of properties and possessions has produced abundant new fruit in a generation looking for something (someone) worth living for. What is more, among the generation that is experiencing the "loss," I see very little bitterness or anger, but an abundance of the fruit of the spirit [Gal.5:22-23] and amazing hopefulness about the future.

What is also worth commenting on in this season of legal losses is the David and Goliath story emerging from one of our smallest and poorest dioceses, Quincy: a "win" on summary judgment by those who characterized themselves as "hayseed lawyers, working on a shoestring." Whatever the general losses, it remains true that our God loves to show His power by lifting up the lowly.

HALF-WAY

The Executive Committee of the Province and the Archbishop's Cabinet met together recently at St. Peter's Church, Tallahassee. (What a great company of Christian witness!) On the minds of most were that we are now half-way through the first five-year term of an archbishop. Once again there was extraordinary evidence of how far the Lord had brought us. All the difficulties and challenges we have faced because of our stand for "the Faith once for all delivered to the saints," have generated remarkable developments.

Anglican 1000 has changed us profoundly. We passed our 200th plant just before the Tallahassee meeting. We have a long way to go, but church planting increases exponentially. The catalytic work, led from Christ Church Plano, that turned an archbishop's call into church-wide reality is first and foremost something for which we are thanking God. The subject has changed. We are not looking in the rearview mirror any more. We are all about reaching North America with the transforming love of Jesus Christ through ever-increasing numbers of missionary congregations.

The Anglican Relief and Development Fund (whose Board also met during our days at Tallahassee) has also reached a new stage of growth and maturity. The notion of objective philanthropy and measurable change has so caught on that we changed our bylaws to allow for an ARDF-Australia, an ARDF-Canada, and an ARDF-US.

10-10-10 stewardship has also grown significantly, as has extra-mile and founders fund giving. More and more of our people are embracing the biblical tithe as their own personal basis for giving. At the same time congregations are committing ten percent to their dioceses and an ever-increasing number of dioceses are making a ten percent gift to our Province.

Congregations (like individuals) that have not been Anglican are also considering whether Anglicanism might be for them. Our three streams - evangelical, catholic and pentecostal - like our three accountabilities - to the Word, to the Tradition and to the transformation of society - are proving an attractive blend of faithful Christian expression. By the time of our annual meetings in June we may well have some "covenanted associations" to consider, with groups of congregations not heretofore identified as Anglican, coming especially from African-American and Latino cultures.

Our "first gathering of the whole Church since Bedford/Plano" (2009) will rally at Ridgecrest, North Carolina, June 7-9, 2012. The themes for Assembly 2012 are "captivating disciples, multiplying churches, and transforming communities." The faithful will gather from all over the United States and Canada, and from all over the world. Everyone is welcome. The task force laboring on the Prayer Book will have more work to share. There will be great worship, inspiration, learning, fellowship and recreation. Anglicans of every age will come together.

UP FROM EGYPT

I return to the Lenten theme. "It is often easier to take the people out of Egypt than it is to take Egypt out of the people."[2] We have come a very long way, but it would be easy to fall back. There are lots of stresses. It would be easy for us to regress from the new life which is our call. And we are sinners. The best way to keep the Enemy from breaking in and sowing division or discouragement is to embrace what Lent has to offer us. Remember our partners around the world who are suffering so much - in Northern Nigeria and Syria, in Sudan and Ethiopia and Myanmar, and here at home too. Give thanks for all that God has done for us, and don't fall back.

Faithfully in Christ,

1926 Irish Book of Common Prayer: Penitential Service (Lent 2012)

http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/Ireland/Ireland_Penitential.htm A PENITENTIAL SERVICE, TO BE USED ON THE FIRST DAY OF LENT, AND AT OTHER TIMES AS THE ORDINARY SHALL APPOINT. ¶ After Morning Prayer, the Litany ended according to the accustomed manner, the Priest shall, in the Reading pew or Pulpit, say, BRETHREN, there hath been, from ancient times, a godly custom in the Church, that, at the beginning of Lent, Christian people should be admonished, in an especial manner, of the great indignation of God against sin, and be moved thereby to earnest and true repentance, lest any be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.      Remembering, therefore that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness, let us return unto our Lord God, with all contrition and meekness of heart; bewailing and lamenting our sinful life, acknowledging and confessing our offences, and seeking to bring forth worthy fruits of repentance.	This service, originally developed from the 1662 Book's Commination Against Sinners service, was extensively reworked for the 1926 Book.
For now is the axe put unto the root of the trees, so that every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God: he shall pour down rain upon the sinners, snares, fire and brimstone, storm and tempest; this shall be their portion to drink. For lo, the Lord is come out of his place to visit the wickedness of such as dwell upon the earth. But who may abide the day of his coming? Who shall be able to endure when he appeareth? His fan is in his hand, and he will purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the barn; but he will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. The day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night and when men shall say, Peace, and all things are safe, then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as sorrow cometh upon a woman travailing with child, and they shall not escape. Then shall appear the wrath of God in the day of vengeance, which obstinate sinners, through the stubbornness of their heart, have heaped unto themselves which despised the goodness, patience, and long-sufferance of God, when he called them continually to repentance. Then shall it be too late to knock, when the door shall be shut; and too late to cry for mercy, when it is the time of justice. O terrible voice of most just judgement which shall be pronounced upon them, when it shall be said unto them, Go, ye cursed, into the fire everlasting, which is prepared for the devil and his angels.	Matt. 3. 10. Heb. 10. 31. Ps. 11. 6. Isa. 26. 21. Mal. 8.2. Matt. 3.12. 1 Thess. 5. 2, 3. Rom. 2. 4, 5. Matt. 25. 10,11,12. Matt. 25. 41.
Therefore, brethren, take we heed betime, while the day of salvation lasteth; for the night cometh, when none can work. But let us, while we have the light, believe in the light, and walk as children of the light; that we be not cast into utter darkness, where is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Let us not abuse the goodness of God, who calleth us mercifully to amendment, and of his endless pity promiseth us forgiveness of that which is past, if with a perfect and true heart we return unto him. For though our sins be as red as scarlet, they shall be made white as snow; and though they be like purple, yet they shall be made white as wool. Turn ye (saith the Lord) from all your wickedness, and your sin shall not be your destruction: Cast away from you all your ungodliness that ye have done: Make you new hearts, and a new spirit: Wherefore will ye die, O ye house of Israel, seeing that I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God? Turn ye then, and ye shall live. Although we have sinned, yet have we an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins. For he was wounded for our offences, and smitten for our wickedness. Let us therefore return unto him, who is the merciful receiver of all true penitent sinners; assuring ourselves that he is ready to receive us, and most willing to pardon us, if we come unto him with faithful repentance; if we submit ourselves unto him, and from henceforth walk in his ways; if we will take his easy yoke, and light burden upon us, to follow him in lowliness, patience, and charity, and be ordered by the governance of his Holy Spirit; seeking always his glory, and serving him duly in our vocation with thanksgiving. This if we do, Christ will deliver us from the curse of the law, and from the extreme malediction which shall light upon them that shall be set on the left hand; and he will set us on his right hand, and give us the gracious benediction of his Father, commanding us to take possession of his glorious kingdom: Unto which he vouchsafe to bring us all, for his infinite mercy. Amen.	2 Cor. 6.2. John 9.4. John 12. 35, 36. Matt.25. 30. Isa. 1. 18. Ezek. 18. 30, 31, 32. 1 John 2. 1, 2. Isa. 53. 5. Matt. 11. 29, 30. Matt. 25. 33, 34.
And now, brethren, I beseech you to ponder secretly in your hearts the commandments of God, and, humbling yourselves before him, to consider your ways, meekly kneeling upon your knees. ¶ Then shall the Minister read the following Sentences collected out of holy Scripture leaving short spaces for silent prayer, all kneeling.
THE first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.	Mark 12. 29, 30.
No man can serve two masters : for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.	Matt. 6. 24.
Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire.     Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.	Heb. 12. 28, 29. Rev. 4. 8
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.     Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another.	Matt. 6.33. Heb. 10. 25.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom ; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.	Eph. 6. 1. Rom. 13. 7.
He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hash eternal life abiding in him. Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue ; but in deed and in truth.	1 John 3. 14-18
Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.	1 Cor. 6. 19, 20. 1 Thess. 4. 7.
Putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.	Eph. 4. 25, 28.
Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking, be put away from among you, with all malice.	James 4. 11. Eph. 4. 31.
Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Godliness with contentment is great gain. They that will be rich fall into tempts- tion and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.	Luke 12. 15. 1 Tim. 6. 6,9, 10.
¶ Then shall the Minister say, SEARCH me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any way of wickedness in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¶ Then, all still kneeling upon their knees, the Priest and Clerks kneeling (in the place where they are accustomed say the Litany) shall say this Psalm: Miserere mei, Deus. Psalm 51. HAVE mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness : according to multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences. Wash me throughly from my wickedness : and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my faults : and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight : that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged. Behold, I was shapen in wickedness : and in sin hath my mother conceived me. But lo thou requirest truth in the inward parts : and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly. Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean : thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness : that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Turn thy face from my sins : and put out all my misdeeds. Make me a clean heart, O God : and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence : and take not thy holy Spirit from me. O give me the comfort of thy help again : and stablish me with thy free Spirit. Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked : and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health : and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness. Thou shalt Open my lips, O Lord : and my mouth shall shew thy praise. For thou desireth no sacrifice, else would I give it thee : but thou delights not in burnt-offerings. The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit : a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise. GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost; Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.
OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, Aswe forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.     Minister. O Lord, save thy servants; Answer. That put their trust in thee. Minister. Send unto them help from above; Answer. And evermore mightily defend them. Minister. Help us, O God our Saviour; Answer. And for the glory of thy Name deliver us; be merciful to us sinners, for thy Name's sake. Minister. O Lord, hear our prayer; Answer. And let our cry come unto thee. Minister. Let us pray. O LORD, we beseech thee, mercifully hear our prayers, and spare all those who confess their sins unto thee; that they, whose consciences by sin are accused, by thy merciful pardon may be absolved; through Christ our Lord. Amen. O MOST mighty God, and merciful Father, who hast compassion upon all men, and hatest nothing that shod hast made; who wouldest not the death of a sinner, but that he should rather turn from his sin, and be saved; Mercifully forgive us our trespasses; receive and comfort us, who are grieved and wearied with the burden of our sins. Thy property is always to have mercy; to thee only it appertaineth to forgive sins. Spare us therefore, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed; enter not into judgement with thy servants, who are vile earth, and miserable sinners; but so turn thine anger from us, who meekly acknowledge our vileness, and truly repent us of our faults and so make haste to help us in this world, that we may ever live with thee in the world to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ¶ Then shall the people say this that followeth, after the Minister: TURN thou us, O good Lord, and so shall we be turned. Be favourable, O Lord, Be favourable to thy people, Who turn to thee in weeping, fasting, and praying. For thou art a merciful God, Full of compassion, Long-suffering, and of great pity. Thou sparest when we deserve punishment, And in thy wrath Thinketh upon mercy. Spare thy people, good Lord, spare them, And let not thine heritage be brought to confusion. Hear us, O Lord, for thy mercy is great. And after the multitude of thy mercies look upon us; Through the merits and mediation of thy blessed Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ¶ Then the Minister alone shall say, THE Lord bless us, and keep us: the Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us: the Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace, both now and for evermore. Amen. ¶ If it be found convenient, this Office may follow Evening Prayer. ¶ If there be a Sermon, all that precedes the Fifty-first Psalm may be omitted from the Office.

Return to the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of Ireland

An American Prayer Book (2009): A Penitential Service by Robin Jordan

Robin Jordan offers this gentle revision of the 1662 BCP's Commination Service. 

http://exploringananglicanprayerbook.blogspot.com/2012/02/american-prayer-book-2009-penitential.html

An American Prayer Book (2009): A Penitential Service

A PENITENTIAL SERVICE

TO BE USED ON THE FIRST DAY OF LENT, AND AT

OTHER TIMES AS THE ORDINARY SHALL APPOINT

This service may be used after Morning or Evening Prayer, or after the Litany if the Litany follows Morning or Evening Prayer. It may be used as a part of the Second Alternative Form of Morning and Evening Worship, in which case it may replace the General Confession, the Absolution (or declaration of forgiveness), and the Prayers. It may also be used as a separate service.

When A Penitential Service is used as a separate service, it may be preceded by a Psalm, canticle, or hymn and one of the readings of the day.

The minister says

Brothers and sisters, there has been, from ancient times, a godly custom in the Church, that, at the beginning of Lent, Christian people should be warned and reminded in a special manner, of the wrath of God revealed by heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness, in order that they may take to heart their own sinfulness and continuing need to turn to God, and not become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. It is therefore fitting, that at this time (in the presence of you all) should be read the general sentences of God’s cursing against impenitent sinners, gathered out of the twenty-seventh chapter of Deuteronomy, and other places of Scripture; and that you should answer to every sentence, Amen: to the intent that, being admonished of the great indignation of God against sinners, you may be moved to sincere and true repentance, and may walk more warily in these dangerous days, fleeing from such vices, for the which you affirm with your own mouths, the curse of God to be due.

Then the minister says

Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the Lord, a thing made by the hands of craftsman, and sets it up in secret. AMEN

Cursed be anyone who dishonors his father and his mother. AMEN
Cursed be anyone who moves his neighbor’s landmark. AMEN.
Cursed be anyone who misleads a blind man on the road. AMEN.
Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. AMEN.
Cursed be anyone who strikes down his neighbor in secret. AMEN.
Cursed be anyone who lies with his neighbor’s wife. AMEN.
Cursed be anyone who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood. AMEN.
Cursed be anyone who puts his trust in man, and takes man for his defense, and in his heart departs from the Lord. AMEN.
Cursed be the unmerciful, the sexually immoral, and the greedy, the idolaters, slanderers, drunkards, and swindlers. AMEN.

Then the minister says

Now seeing that all are accursed (as the Prophet David bears witness) who err, and wander from the commandments of God, let us (remembering the dreadful judgment hanging over our heads, and being always at hand) return to our Lord God, with all contrition and meekness of heart mourning and lamenting our sinful life, acknowledging and confessing our offences, and seeking to bear fruit worthy of repentance. Even now is the axe laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit, is cut down and thrown into the fire. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God: he shall rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. For behold, the Lord is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. Then, on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment shall be revealed, shall appear the wrath that those with a hard and impenitent heart are storing up for themselves, who presumed upon the riches of God’s kindness and forbearance and patience, by which he meant to lead them to repentance. Then they will call upon me, says the Lord, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently but will not find me. And because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, it shall be too late to knock, when the door shall be shut, and too late to cry for mercy, when it is the time of justice. O terrible voice of most just judgment, which shall be pronounced upon them, when it shall be said to them: “Depart from me, you cursed, into eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Let us, brothers and sisters, take heed in good time, for now is the day of salvation. Night is coming when no one can work; but let us while we have the light, believe in the light, that we may become sons of light; that we may not be caste into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Let us not abuse the goodness of God, who calls us mercifully to amendment, and of his endless pity promises us forgiveness of that which is past, if (with a whole mind and true heart) we return to him. Though our sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone (declares the Lord God) so turn and live. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins. He was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities. Let us therefore return to him, who is the merciful receiver of all true penitent sinners, assuring our selves that he is ready to receive us, and most willing to pardon us, if we come to him, with faithful repentance, if we will submit our selves to him, and from that moment on walk in his ways; if we will take his easy yoke, and light burden upon us, to follow him in lowliness, patience, and charity, and be ordered by the governance of his Holy Spirit, seeking always his glory, and serving him duly in our vocation with thanksgiving. If we do this, Christ will deliver us from the curse of the law, and from the extreme malediction, that shall alight upon those who shall be set on the left hand. And he will set us on his right hand, and give us the blessed benediction of his Father, commanding us to take possession of his glorious kingdom; to which he condescends to bring us all, out of his infinite mercy. Amen

 

For more, see:

http://exploringananglicanprayerbook.blogspot.com/2012/02/american-prayer-book-2009-penitential.html

Lent 2012: 1662 BCP "Commination Service"

Lord, have mercy on us as we've forgotten our wickednesses, thy Holiness, and the Gospel. 

http://www.eskimo.com/~lhowell/bcp1662/occasion/commination.html

A Commination,

or Denouncing of God's Anger and Judgements against Sinners,

With certain Prayers, to be used on the first Day of Lent, and at other times, as the Ordinary shall appoint.

---

After Morning Prayer, the Litany ended according to the accustomed manner, the Priest shall, in the reading Pew or Pulpit, say,

 
RETHREN, in the Primitive Church there was a godly discipline, that, at the beginning of Lent, such persons as stood convicted of notorious sin were put to open penance, and punished in this world, that their souls might be saved in the day of the Lord; and that others, admonished by their example, might be the more afraid to offend.

      Instead whereof, until the said discipline may be restored again, (which is much to be wished,) it is thought good, that at this time (in the presence of you all) should be read the general sentences of God's cursing against impenitent sinners, gathered out of the seven and twentieth Chapter of Deuteronomy, and other places of Scripture; and that ye should answer to every Sentence, Amen: To the intent that, being admonished of the great indignation of God against sinners, ye may the rather be moved to earnest and true repentance; and may walk more warily in these dangerous days; fleeing from such vices, for which ye affirm with your own mouths the curse of God to be due.

URSED is the man that maketh any carved or molten image, to worship it.

And the people shall answer and say,
Amen. Minister. Cursed is he that curseth his father or mother.
Answer. Amen.
Minister. Cursed is he that removeth his neighbour's landmark.
Answer. Amen.
Minister. Cursed is he that maketh the blind to go out of his way.
Answer. Amen.
Minister. Cursed is he that perverteth the judgement of the stranger, the fatherless, and widow.
Answer. Amen.
Minister. Cursed is he that smiteth his neighbour secretly.
Answer. Amen.
Minister. Cursed is he that lieth with his neighbour's wife.
Answer. Amen.
Minister. Cursed is he that taketh reward to slay the innocent.
Answer. Amen.
Minister. Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, and taketh man for his defence, and in his heart goeth from the Lord.
Answer. Amen.
Minister. Cursed are the unmerciful, fornicators, and adulterers, covetous persons, idolaters, slanderers, drunkards, and extortioners.
Answer. Amen.

Minister.OW seeing that all they are accursed (as the prophet David beareth witness) who do err and go astray from the commandments of God; let us (remembering the dreadful judgement hanging over our heads, and always ready to fall upon us) return unto our Lord God, with all contrition and meekness of heart; bewailing and lamenting our sinful life, acknowledging and confessing our offences, and seeking to bring forth worthy fruits of penance. For now is the axe put unto the root of the trees, so that every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God: he shall pour down rain upon the sinners, snares, fire and brimstone, storm and tempest; this shall be their portion to drink. For lo, the Lord is come out of his place to visit the wickedness of such as dwell upon the earth. But who may abide the day of his coming? Who shall be able to endure when he appeareth? His fan is in his hand, and he will purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the bam; but he will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. The day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night: and when men shall say, Peace, and all things are safe, then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as sorrow cometh upon a woman travailing with child, and they shall not escape. Then shall appear the wrath of God in the day of vengeance, which obstinate sinners, through the stubbornness of their heart, have heaped unto them, selves; which despised the goodness, patience, and long, sufferance of God, when he calleth them continually to repentance. Then shall they call upon me, (saith the Lord,) but I will not hear; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me; and that, because they hated knowledge, and received not the fear of the Lord, but abhorred my counsel, and despised my correction. Then shall it be too late to knock when the door shall be shut; and too late to cry for mercy when it is the time of justice. O terrible voice of most just judgement, which shall be pronounced upon them, when it shall be said unto them, Go, ye cursed, into the fire everlasting, which is prepared for the devil and his angels. Therefore, brethren, take we heed betime, while the day of salvation lasteth; for the night cometh, when none can work. But let us, while we have the light, believe in the light, and walk as children of the light; that we be not cast into utter darkness, where is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Let us not abuse the goodness of God, who calleth us mercifully to amendment, and of his endless pity promiseth us forgiveness of that which is past, if with a perfect and true heart we return unto him. For though our sins be as red as scarlet, they shall be made white as snow; and though they be like purple, yet they shall be made white as wool. Turn ye (saith the Lord) from all your wickedness, and your sin shall not be your destruction: Cast away from you all your ungodliness that ye have done: Make you new hearts, and a new spirit: Wherefore will ye die, O ye house of Israel, seeing that I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God? Tom ye then, and ye shall live. Although we have sinned, yet have we an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins. For he was wounded for our offences, and smitten for our wickedness. Let us therefore return unto him, who is the merciful receiver of all true penitent sinners; assuring ourselves that he is ready to receive us, and most willing to pardon us, if we come unto him with faithful repentance; if we submit ourselves unto him, and from henceforth walk in his ways; if we will take his easy yoke, and light burden upon us, to follow him in lowliness, patience, and charity, and be ordered by the governance of his Holy Spirit; seeking always his glory, and serving him duly in our vocation with thanksgiving: This if we do, Christ will deliver us from the curse of the law, and from the extreme malediction which shall light upon them that shall be set on the left hand; and he will set us on his right hand, and give us the gracious benediction of his Father, commanding us to take possession of his glorious kingdom: Unto which he vouchsafe to bring us all, for his infinite mercy. Amen.


Then shall they all kneel upon their knees, and the Priest and Clerks kneeling (in the place where they are accustomed to say the Litany) shall say this Psalm.

Miserere mei, deus. Psalm 51AVE mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness: according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences.
Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness: and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my faults: and my sin is ever before me.
Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged.
Behold, I was shapen in wickedness: and in sin hath my mother conceived me.
But lo, thou requirest truth in the inward parts: and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly.
Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness: that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Turn thy face away from my sins: and put out all my misdeeds.
Make me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence: and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.
O give me the comfort of thy help again: and stablish me with thy free Spirit.
Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked: and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health: and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness.
Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord: and my mouth shall shew thy praise.
For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it thee: but thou delightest not in burnt-offerings.
The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise.
O be favourable and gracious unto Sion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt-offerings and ablations: then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine attar.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.


Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.


UR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.


Minister. O Lord, save thy servants;
Answer. That put their trust in thee.
Minister. Send unto them help from above.
Answer. And evermore mightily defend them.
Minister. Help us, O God our Saviour.
Answer. And for the glory of thy Name deliver us; be merciful to us sinners, for thy Name's sake.
Minister. O Lord, hear our prayer.
Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.

Minister. Let us pray.   LORD, we beseech thee, mercifully hear our prayers, and spare all those who confess their sins unto thee; that they, whose consciences by sin are accused, by thy merciful pardon may be absolved; through Christ our Lord. Amen.


MOST mighty God, and merciful Father, who hast compassion upon all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made; who wouldest not the death of a sinner, but that he should rather turn from his sin, and be saved: Mercifully forgive us our trespasses; receive and comfort us, who are grieved and wearied with the burden of our sins. Thy property is always to have mercy; to thee only it appertaineth to forgive sins. Spare us therefore, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed; enter not into judgement with thy servants, who are vile earth, and miserable sinners; but so turn thine anger from us, who meekly acknowledge our vileness, and truly repent us of our faults, and so make haste to help us in this world, that we may ever live with thee in the world to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the people say this that followeth, after the Minister.URN thou us, O good Lord, and so shall we be turned. Be favourable, O Lord, Be favourable to thy people, Who turn to thee in weeping, fasting, and praying. For thou art a merciful God, Full of compassion. Longsuffering, and of great pity. Thou sparest when we deserve punishment, And in thy wrath thinkest upon mercy. Spare thy people, good Lord, spare them, And let not thine heritage be brought to confusion. Hear us, O Lord, for thy mercy is great, And after the multitude of thy mercies look upon us; Through the merits and mediation of thy blessed Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then the Minister alone shall say,HE Lord bless us, and keep us; the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon us, and give us peace, now and for evermore. Amen.

Epiphany, Lent 2012: Lections

A weighty reminder for those of grace-initiated and grace-developed discernment:  the OT and NT lections from the 1662 BCP, aside from the Psalms twice in February and Mark, are:

• Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy from the Old Testament
• Matthew, Mark and half of Luke
• Acts, Romans and I Corinthians from the New Testament. 

The august and discerning schedule and book is suffused with the Bible beyond the rank-and-file offerings in American churches.

During the readings, one needs to read the books themselves, discover themes, characters, characteristics, motifs, symbols, dates, issues of authorship, an integration with the narratives of the entire Bible, as well as applications for individuals, families, Churches and even nations.  No small task.


Epiphany continues to expand on Advent and Christmas themes as we move to Lent and Easter themes, God's attributes, the fall and total depravity, Christ's life, the Cross, death, atonement and passion.  A rich and heavy set of readings in February and March coordinated with discerning prayers. 

Since all good counsels, all good thoughts, all good motions, all fruitful labours, and all  good works arise from His Majesty's kindness, may His Merciful Majesty inform and sustain our meditations for our sakes, the sake of the Church, and the next generations---all of which, from the Bible, serve to instruct, rebuke, correct and make mature unto righteousnes (2 Tim. 3.15-16)