Gracious God, we offer thanks for the lives and work of Richard Rolle, Walter Hilton, and Margery Kempe, hermits and mystics, who, passing through the cloud of unknowing, beheld thy glory. Help us, after their examples, to see thee more clearly and love thee more dearly, in the Name of Jesus Christ our Savior; who with thee and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

30 Sept 1349: d. Richard Rolle, hermit, mystic & writer #otd He died from the Black #Death at the Cistercian Convent at Hampole #Yorkshire (SJC) pic.twitter.com/IsFSUcJaJB

— John McCafferty (@jdmccafferty) September 30, 2021

Both for perplexity and for dulled conscience the remedy is the same; sincere and spiritual worship. For worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness; the nourishment of the mind with His truth; the purifying of the imagination of His beauty; the opening of the heart to His love, the surrender of the will to his purpose and all of this gathered up in adoration, the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable and therefore the chief remedy for that self-centeredness which is our original sin and the source of all actual sin. Yes, worship in spirit and truth is the way to the solution of perplexity and to the liberation from sin.

–William Temple Readings in St. John’s Gospel (Wilton, Connecticut: Morehouse Barlow, 1985 reprint of the 1939 and 1940 original), p.67

William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1944

Inspire us, we pray, by his teaching and example, that we may rejoice with courage, confidence, and faith in the Word made flesh, and may be led to establish that city which has justice for its foundation and love for its law. pic.twitter.com/jpcgbLSsBK

— Brian E. Denton🌐🌻 (@brianedenton) November 4, 2021

O God of light and love, who illumined thy Church through the witness of thy servant William Temple: Inspire us, we pray, by his teaching and example, that we may rejoice with courage, confidence and faith in the Word made flesh, and may be led to establish that city which has justice for its foundation and love for its law; through Jesus Christ, the light of the world, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

#WilliamTemple, Archbishop of Canterbury and Teacher of the Faith is remembered today. He is especially remembered for his ecumenical efforts and also for his concern with social issues leading to the creation of state welfare provision after WW2. He died in 1944. pic.twitter.com/LqlRsk6ZHM

— Parish of Moseley (@ParishofMoseley) November 6, 2021

But I am besides my purpose when I fall to bewail the cold affection which we bear towards that whereby we should be saved, my purpose being only to set down what the ground of salvation is. The doctrine of the Gospel proposeth salvation as the end, and doth it not teach the way of attaining thereunto? Yes, the damsel possessed with a spirit of divination spake the truth: “These men are the servants of the most high God who show unto us the way of salvation” [Acts 16:17] — “a new and living way which Christ hath prepared for us through the veil, that is, his flesh,” [Heb 10:20] salvation purchased by the death of Christ.

–Learned Discourse on Justification (my emphasis)

2 Nov 1600: d. Richard Hooker key #English theologian at Bishopsbourne #Kent #otd (BM) pic.twitter.com/gKT05Uq5Lr

— John McCafferty (@jdmccafferty) November 2, 2021

O God of truth and peace, who didst raise up thy servant Richard Hooker in a day of bitter controversy to defend with sound reasoning and great charity the catholic and reformed religion: Grant that we may maintain that middle way, not as a compromise for the sake of peace, but as a comprehension for the sake of truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Today the Church of England celebrates Richard Hooker, Priest, Anglican Apologist, Teacher of the Faith, 1600 https://t.co/yAjELdi5nx

Image: Stained glass in @ChesterCath. Photo by Mum's taxi (Own work), CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons pic.twitter.com/cYPnIw0xxr

— The Anglican Church in St Petersburg (@anglicanspb) November 3, 2021

Lord, incline thine ear unto our prayers, wherein we right devoutly call upon thy mercy, that thou wilt bestow the souls of thy servants, both men and women, which thou hast commanded to depart from this world, in the country of peace and rest, and further cause them to be made partners with thy saints. By Christ our Lord. So be it.

Read it all.

All Souls is time to pray and remember loved ones who have died, each one of them known to God.

We give thanks for each life and honour their memory.

‘Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord
And let light perpetual shine upon them
May they rest in peace
And rise in glory’ pic.twitter.com/enQveEjPql

— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) November 2, 2021

God’s saints are angels and human beings. Angels are spirits without body; the Almighty Ruler created them in great beauty, for his own praise and to the honour and glory of his majesty in eternity… Now this day is worthily consecrated to these angels, and also to the holy people who through great virtues have flourished for God from the beginning of the world. First of these were the patriarchs, righteous and glorious men in their lives, the fathers of the prophets, whose memory shall not be forgotten, and their names shall last for ever, because they were pleasing to God through faith, and righteousness, and obedience. These were followed by the chosen company of prophets: they spoke with God, and to them he made known his secrets, and enlightened them with the grace of the Holy Ghost, so that they knew the things to come and proclaimed them in prophetic song. Truly the chosen prophets by many signs and tokens shone forth in their lives. They healed the sick, and the bodies of the dead they raised to life…

After the company of the apostles we honour the steadfast band of God’s martyrs, who through various torments bravely imitated the passion of Christ, and through martyrdom passed to the kingdom on high. Some of them were slain with weapons, some burned by fire, others beaten with whips, others pierced with stakes, some slain on a cross, some sunk in the wide sea, others flayed alive, others torn with iron claws, some overwhelmed with stones, some afflicted by the winter’s cold, some slain by hunger, some with hands and feet cut off, as a spectacle to people, for their faith and the holy name of Jesus Christ. These are the victorious friends of God, who scorned the commands of wicked rulers, and are now crowned with glory by the triumph of their sufferings in eternal joy. They could be killed in body, but they could not by any torments be turned away from God. Their hope was filled with immortality, though before men they were tormented. They were afflicted for a short time, and comforted for a long time; because God tested them as gold in a furnace, and he found them worthy of him, and as holy offerings received them into his heavenly kingdom.

Read it all.

Today is the Feast of All Hallows – All Saints’ Day.

The word hallow comes from the Old English for holy or sacred – hālig. In this 11th-century hymn book you can see the Old English translation 'halige' above the Latin word 'sacra'.

📷 MS B.III.32#AllSaintsDay #AllHallowsDay pic.twitter.com/rcxoyvieWh

— Durham Cathedral Library (@BedesBooks) November 1, 2021

O God, whose justice continually challenges thy Church to live according to its calling: Grant us who now remember the work of John Wyclif contrition for the wounds which our sins inflict on thy Church, and such love for Christ that we may seek to heal the divisions which afflict his Body; through the same Jesus Christ, who livest and reignest with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Autumn Lectures 2021 reminder. We plan to hold our next lunch time lecture on Zoom next Monday 1-2 pm (Oct 25). The lecturer is Rob Childs and he will speak on John Wycliffe the Morning Star of the Reformation. Log on details to from the Library. All are welcome! pic.twitter.com/p5HZWxMZd6

— Evangelical Library (@evangelibrary) October 22, 2021

Precious in thy sight, O Lord, is the death of thy saints, whose faithful witness, by thy providence, hath its great reward: We give thee thanks for thy martyrs James Hannington and his companions, who purchased with their blood a road unto Uganda for the proclamation of the Gospel; and we pray that with them we also may obtain the crown of righteousness which is laid up for all who love the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Today we remember James Hannington, first Bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa who died on 29 October 1885: https://t.co/0uuUyfMCA1 pic.twitter.com/Q1Txn2w6Is

— The Church of England (@churchofengland) October 29, 2018

O God, we thank thee for the glorious company of the apostles, and especially on this day for Simon and Jude; and we pray thee that, as they were faithful and zealous in their mission, so we may with ardent devotion make known the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

On this Feast of St Simon and St Jude, strengthen, Lord Jesus, those feeling lost or in despair, that they may know that your love and mercy endure for ever. #Prayer #Apostles #Saint pic.twitter.com/SKFPQzOdFA

— Andrew Zihni (@andrew_zihni) October 28, 2021

Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa. It is also a vibrant and expansive center of Christianity: the present Christian population of 80 million is on track to double by 2060, placing Ethiopia far ahead of any European nation. The Orthodox make up 44 percent of Ethiopia, and 22 percent are evangelicals or “Pentays”—Pentecostals. Some 31 percent are Muslims.

But religion is by no means the only factor dividing the country, which is a patchwork of ethnic, tribal, and linguistic groupings. From 1975 through 1991, those diverse populations allied to resist and ultimately overthrow a savage communist dictatorship. After liberation, one of the most powerful ethnic groups seceded to form the new nation of Eritrea. The remaining groups cooperated, somewhat tensely, to rule the restored Ethiopia. That coalition was dominated by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which effectively held power until 2018. The TPLF was then displaced by the new regime headed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who has won golden opinions as a peacemaker. In 2019, he received the Nobel Prize for promoting peace with Eritrea. As a faithful Pentay, Abiy Ahmed represents that sizable and fast-growing share of the population.

But despite initial hopes, the country has descended rapidly into turmoil. As the TPLF became ever more disaffected, violence erupted with Ethiopian armed forces, and in 2020, a full-scale Tigray War was in progress. Ethiopian forces seeking to impose their rule on Tigray were assisted by allied Eritrean regulars, and also by some lethal ethnic militias. Massacres and atrocities mounted.

Read it all.

The 🇪🇹 govt. & its allies have sought to destroy #Tigray & its people. Those in Western Tigray remain brutally occupied by Amhara forces as they enact their ethnic cleansing & genocidal campaign. Int’l community must act to alleviate Tigrayans’ suffering & stop #TigrayGenocide pic.twitter.com/9KBRerK6Xt

— Omna Tigray (@OmnaTigray) October 26, 2021

O Sovereign Lord, who didst bring thy servant Alfred to a troubled throne that he might establish peace in a ravaged land and revive learning and the arts among the people: Awake in us also, we beseech thee, a keen desire to increase our understanding while we are in this world, and an eager longing to reach that endless life where all will be made clear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Today the Anglican calendar commemorates Alfred the Great, pious Christian King and Father of the Nation, who repelled the Viking pagan hordes and, through his translation programme and scholarly endeavours, established himself as the English Solomon. pic.twitter.com/k7lP6VKGNX

— Capel Lofft (@CapelLofft) October 26, 2021

Most Holy God, whose servant Tabitha thou didst raise from the dead to display thy power and confirm thy message that thy Son is Lord; grant unto us thy grace, that aided by her prayers and example, we may be given a new life in thy Spirit to do works pleasing in thy sight; Through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord; who livest and reignest with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Today is the feast of St Tabitha, the Dorcas of Acts who made fine needlework for the poor and was raised from the dead by St Peter. A popular figure in church art, here by William Hudson, 1870 at Uggeshall, Suffolk and Percy Bacon, 1928 at Burley-on-the-Hill, Rutland. pic.twitter.com/CQesBQ03nM

— Simon Knott (@last_of_england) October 25, 2021

Grant, we beseech thee, O God, that after the example of thy servant James the Just, brother of our Lord, thy Church may give itself continually to prayer and to the reconciliation of all who are at variance and enmity; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever.

Today the Episcopal Church celebrates Saint James of Jerusalem, Brother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and Martyr, c. 62 https://t.co/4ZenSQwLYz

Image: Venetian Icon (1683) of Saint James, via https://t.co/uqo2jONleu pic.twitter.com/fmqF6dceNv

— The Anglican Church in St Petersburg (@anglicanspb) October 23, 2020

If the prophecies concerning the increase of Christ’s kingdom be true, and if what has been advanced, concerning the commission given by him to his disciples being obligatory on us, be just, it must be inferred that all Christians ought heartily to concur with God in promoting his glorious designs, for he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit.

One of the first, and most important of those duties which are incumbent upon us, is fervent and united prayer. However the influence of the Holy Spirit may be set at nought, and run down by many, it will be found upon trial, that all means which we can use, without it, will be ineffectual. If a temple is raised for God in the heathen world, it will not be by might, nor by power, nor by the authority of the magistrate, or the eloquence of the orator; “but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.” We must therefore be in real earnest in supplicating His blessing upon our labors.

[He employs an obscure passage relating to Jewish repentance after Christ’s return to show the effects of prayer]

The most glorious works of grace that have ever took place, have been in answer to prayer; and it is in this way, we have the greatest reason to suppose, that the glorious outpouring of the Spirit, which we expect at last, will be bestowed.

[He gives examples of the power of prayer]

Read it all.

OTD in 1761 William Carey, the father of modern missions, is born in England. His essay, An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens, led to the founding of the Baptist Missionary Society. He served 41 yrs in India w/out furlough. pic.twitter.com/pDSvtgqqps

— SBC History (@SBCHistory) August 17, 2020

Merciful God, who didst call William Carey to missionary work in India and didst endue him with a zeal for thy Word that led him to translate Scripture into many local languages and dialects: Give us a heart for the spreading of thy Gospel and a thirst for justice among all the peoples of the world; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who sheds thy light and peace throughout humanity, and who livest and reignest with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

OTD in 1785 William Carey was baptized in the River Nene by John Ryland Jr. They were later co-laborers in the Baptist Missionary Society. Carey is known as the Father of modern missions and served decades in India. pic.twitter.com/bNVKTFRFwf

— SBC History (@SBCHistory) October 5, 2019

O God of the nations, who didst give to thy faithful servant Henry Martyn a brilliant mind, a loving heart, and a gift for languages, that he might translate the Scriptures and other holy writings for the peoples of India and Persia: Inspire in us, we beseech thee, a love like his, eager to commit both life and talents to thee who gavest them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Today the Church of England celebrates Henry Martyn, Translator of the Scriptures, Missionary in India and Persia, 1812

Image: Stained glass in @TruroCathedral, via https://t.co/pdNVLNv7se. Henry Martyn was born in Truro in 1781 & educated at Truro Grammar School. pic.twitter.com/snjI6kr1Pl

— The Anglican Church in St Petersburg (@anglicanspb) October 19, 2021

Almighty God, who didst inspire thy servant Luke the physician to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of thy Son: Graciously continue in thy Church the like love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of thy Name; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Today is the feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist, the traditionally ascribed author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Commonly believed to have been a physician, he is considered patron of physicians, and also surgeons, artists, bachelors, and farmers. pic.twitter.com/TCL1mc7HeT

— stpeterinchains (@stpeterinchain1) October 18, 2021

Keep us, O Lord, constant in faith and zealous in witness, after the examples of thy servants Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, and Thomas Cranmer; that we may live in thy fear, die in thy favor, and rest in thy peace; for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Solemn remembrance today of Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, bishops and martyrs (d. 1555) pic.twitter.com/KPeSGqLVlD

— Archbp Philip Freier (@ABFreier) October 16, 2021

O God, who by thy Holy Spirit didst move Teresa of Avila to manifest to thy Church the way of perfection: Grant us, we beseech thee, to be nourished by her excellent teaching, and enkindle within us a lively and unquenchable longing for true holiness; through Jesus Christ, the joy of loving hearts, who with thee and the same Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever.

Today is the feast of St Teresa of Avila, 16c Spanish mystic, reformer and Doctor of the Church. Here in glass by FC Eden at St Mary the Less, Cambridge. pic.twitter.com/15ParYEIAJ

— Simon Knott (@last_of_england) October 15, 2021

O God, who in thy providence didst call Joseph Schereschewsky from his home in Eastern Europe to the ministry of this Church, and didst send him as a missionary to China, upholding him in his infirmity, that he might translate the holy Scriptures into languages of that land: Lead us, we pray thee, to commit our lives and talents to thee, in the confidence that when thou givest thy servants any work to do, thou dost also supply the strength to do it; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Today the Episcopal Church commemorates Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky, Bishop and Missionary, 1906 https://t.co/0dsI8HTuIA pic.twitter.com/dVQGHLRmfl

— The Anglican Church in St Petersburg (@anglicanspb) October 14, 2021

Churches weren’t always ready to help Evelyn Mangham. When she cold-called them in 1975 seeking sponsors for refugees from the Vietnam War, they often had other plans and other financial commitments.

But in call after call with Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA) churches, and then any congregation affiliated with the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), Mangham pushed, quoted Scripture, told stories about Vietnamese people from her 20 years as a missionary, and applied moral pressure.

One pastor told Mangham his congregation couldn’t help because they were in the middle of a building project—working on a new parking lot. She sputtered, “But these are people.”

By the end of the year, she had convinced evangelical churches to sponsor 10,000 refugees from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Read it all.

“It’s what Jesus said, that’s all,” she once explained, quoting Matthew 25. “‘I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger’—refugee—‘and you took me in.’ … It’s simple obedience." https://t.co/egbCNj4xZO

— Daniel Silliman (@danielsilliman) October 12, 2021

The Collect for Wilfrid of Ripon, Bishop, Missionary, 709 pic.twitter.com/gZ3gRDNEIk

— The Anglican Church in St Petersburg (@anglicanspb) October 12, 2021

Living God, who art the source of all healing and wholeness: we bless thee for the compassionate witness of thy servant Edith Cavell. Inspire us, we beseech thee, to be agents of peace and reconciliation in a world beset by injustice, poverty, and war. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, who livest and reignest with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, unto the ages of ages. Amen.

12 Oct 1915, British nurse Edith Cavell shot. Guilty of treason for aiding 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium. Had deep Christian faith. On night b4 died, said, ‘Standing as I do in view of God & eternity .. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone' pic.twitter.com/W2t1XMEtPM

— Revd Nicholas Pye (@RevdPye) October 12, 2021

Holy God, no one is excluded from thy love; and thy truth transformeth the minds of all who seek thee: As thy servant Philip was led to embrace the fullness of thy salvation and to bring the stranger to Baptism, so grant unto us all the grace to be heralds of the Gospel, proclaiming thy love in Jesus Christ our Savior, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Feast of St Philip the Deacon today in @churchofireland sanctoral pic.twitter.com/UppTfm5Yar

— laudablePractice (@cath_cov) October 11, 2014

Loving God, Shepherd of thy people, we offer thanks for the ministry of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, who left his native land to care for the German and Scandinavian pioneers in North America; and we pray that, following the teaching and example of his life, we may grow into the full stature of Christ; who livest and reignest with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Today the Episcopal Church commemorates Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, Patriarch of American Lutherans 1787 pic.twitter.com/UKe9YfRxnq

— The Anglican Church in St Petersburg (@anglicanspb) October 7, 2014

Almighty God, who didst plant in the heart of thy servants William Tyndale and Miles Coverdale a consuming passion to bring the Scriptures to people in their native tongue, and didst endow them with the gift of powerful and graceful expression and with strength to persevere against all obstacles: Reveal to us, we pray thee, thy saving Word, as we read and study the Scriptures, and hear them calling us to repentance and life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

On this day, in 1536, William Tyndale was strangled and burned at the stake for translating the Scriptures into English for the common man.

His final words, “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.”

How we need such bold and courageous men and women in our own day. pic.twitter.com/eILWOONmFb

— Dustin Benge (@DustinBenge) October 6, 2021

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord!
All praise is Yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing.

To You, alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all Your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and You give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!
Of You, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars;
in the heavens You have made them bright, precious and beautiful.

On his feast day #otd 4 Oct:
St Francis of Assisi preaches to the birds,
Bodleian Library MS. Auct. D. 3. 2, fol. 122r pic.twitter.com/z29s3vDSPb

— John McCafferty (@jdmccafferty) October 4, 2021

Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant unto thy people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of thee delight in thy whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

https://t.co/7SYx3mP9ca

— wyclif ⚓ (@wyclif) October 4, 2021

O God, who by the teaching of thy faithful servant and bishop Remigius didst turn the nation of the Franks from vain idolatry to the worship of thee, the true and living God, in the fullness of the catholic faith; Grant that we who glory in the name of Christian may show forth our faith in worthy deeds; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

St. Remigius (533)

For seventy-four years he was Bishop of Rheims, France. He converted and baptized King Clovis, and thus brought Christianity to the Frankish nation. St. Remigius baptized more than 3,000 of the king’s soldiers, and was celebrated for his miraculous powers. pic.twitter.com/oDX0QZl5m6

— Memento Mori (@TempusFugit4016) October 1, 2021