EPIPHANY 1

INTROIT:  On a throne exalted I beheld, and lo, a man sitting, whom a legion of Angels worship, singing together : behold, his rule and governance endureth to all ages. Psalm 100. O be joyful in God, all ye lands : serve the Lord with gladness.

Response: As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. AMEN

THE COLLECTS: O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people who call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same. Through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles ; mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead. Through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

First Lesson:  Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14

[2] For the Lord honored the father above the children, and he confirmed the right of the mother over her sons.
[3] Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
[4] and whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure.
[5] Whoever honors his father will be gladdened by his own children, and when he prays he will be heard.
[6] Whoever glorifies his father will have long life, and whoever obeys the Lord will refresh his mother;

[12] O son, help your father in his old age, and do not grieve him as long as he lives;
[13] even if he is lacking in understanding, show forbearance; in all your strength do not despise him.
[14] For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, and against your sins it will be credited to you;

Psalm 128 A Song of Ascents.

[1] Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways!
[2] You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
[3] Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
[4] Lo, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.
[5] The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!
[6] May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel!

Glory be to the Father………………………………………………………..

THE EPISTLE. ROM. XII. 1. 

I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being mammy, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

GRADUAL: Psalm 72. 

Blessed be the Lord God, even the God of Israel : which only doeth wondrous things. The mountains also shall bring peace : and the little hills righteousness unto the people. Alleluia, alleluia. Psalm 100. O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: serve the Lord with gladness. Alleluia.

GOSPEL: Saint Luke 2:41

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a days journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Fathers business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

THE OFFERTORY: Psalm 100. 

O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands, serve the Lord with gladness : and come before his presence with a song: be ye sure that the Lord he is God.