u Ed's Notes on the Prayer Book Propers

Ed's Notes on the Prayer Book Propers


"Better the whole / Holy Bible than a Bible full of holes."

This site is constructed primarily to help Episcopalians prepare for worship. In the Episcopal church in the U.S., the Bible readings are prescribed for each Sunday, and for each special calendar day. This discipline prevents any of us from focusing on our favorite texts to the exclusion of the others.

If you attend all the services in an Episcopal church, including Morning and Evening prayer, you will hear almost all of the New Testament read aloud (and generally discussed) each year. All but the most obscure portions of the Old Testament read over the course of two years.

This is by no means an official site of the Episcopal Church, nor am I a church spokesperson.

Indeed, I am neither wise nor good. I have set up this site as a public service, out of regret for my sins, and out of gratitude to the Good Lord.

In preparing these notes, I am presupposing mainstream, modern Christianity. I retain a lively interest in historical criticism -- the real thing, rather than the silly stuff from the "Jesus Seminar" and the like.

If you are a militant-liberal, i.e., you are "offended" by Jesus calling God his "Father" rather than his "Parent", then I pray that you will have the opportunity, someday, to do some genuine good for the people in your community who really need your help ... and I ask you please leave now.

If you are a radical Biblical literalist, i.e., you believe that Noah's ark is literal history rather than meaningful fiction, then you have a simple faith that will be a big help in your living a good life. You will find nothing helpful here. I am, myself, often told that I'm wicked for not believing in Biblical inerrancy -- but never why. Please find other internet resources for your Bible time.

If you are visiting this site, chances are that you are already a Christian without knowing it, whatever you may call yourself. Christians believe in love, in kindness, in forgiveness, in keeping quiet about our own virtues, in picking ourselves back up when we do wrong, and in helping others to do the same. Mainstream Christianity is delightfully anti-legalistic, with a startling lack of rules and regulations. Apart from the laws we've developed for corporate worship and for deciding how to spend the collection money, we have only the Golden Rule: "Treat others as you'd have them treat you." Even here in Darwin's world, we believe (and most of us have discovered) that it is, indeed, possible to live with the aim of eventually loving others as Christ loves us.

If you are not sure whether you are a Christian, and would like to be one of us, you can take a moment for prayer right now. Talk quietly, assuming that the Good Lord hears you. In your own words...

Many different people will offer many different formulas, but the key has always been sorrow for the wrongs you've done, and accepting Christ as Savior. You are one of us. Your next step is to find a friend or neighbor who is a Christian, and who is living the kind of good life that you'd like to live, too. Ask that person for more information and guidance. Especially, you will learn more about Jesus and the power of his blood shed for each of us.

You may also find my own notes on the historical Jesus helpful. If you have become a Cristian... congratulations on the best decision that you will ever make. The rest of your life will not be easy, but you will find meaning and happiness in your ongoing relationship with God, and the warmth of the Christian community as well.

Year A -- First Sunday in Advent
Year A -- Second Sunday in Advent
Year A -- Third Sunday in Advent
Year A -- Fourth Sunday in Advent
Year A -- Christmas Day
Year A -- First Sunday after Christmas
Year A -- Holy Name
Year A -- Second Sunday after Christmas
Year A -- Epiphany
Year A -- First Sunday after Epiphany
Year A -- Second Sunday after Epiphany
Year A -- Third Sunday after Epiphany
Year A -- Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Year A -- Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Year A -- Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Year A -- Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
Year A -- Eighth Sunday after Epiphany
Year A -- Last Sunday after Epiphany
Year A -- Ash Wednesday
Year A -- First Sunday in Lent
Year A -- Second Sunday in Lent
Year A -- Third Sunday in Lent
Year A -- Fourth Sunday in Lent
Year A -- Fifth Sunday in Lent
Year A -- Palm Sunday
Year A -- Monday in Holy Week
Year A -- Tuesday in Holy Week
Year A -- Wednesday in Holy Week
Year A -- Maunday Thursday
Year A -- Good Friday
Year A -- Holy Saturday
Year A -- Easter Day
Year A -- Monday in Easter Week
Year A -- Tuesday in Easter Week
Year A -- Wednesday in Easter Week
Year A -- Thursday in Easter Week
Year A -- Friday in Easter Week
Year A -- Saturday in Easter Week
Year A -- Second Sunday of Easter
Year A -- Third Sunday of Easter
Year A -- Fourth Sunday of Easter
Year A -- Fifth Sunday of Easter
Year A -- Sixth Sunday of Easter
Year A -- Ascension Day
Year A -- Seventh Sunday of Easter
Year A -- Day of Pentecost
Year A -- Trinity Sunday
Year A -- Proper I (Week of the Sunday closest to May 11)
Year A -- Proper II (Week of the Sunday closest to May 18)
Year A -- Proper III (Week of the Sunday closest to May 25)
Year A -- Proper IV (Week of the Sunday closest to June 1)
Year A -- Proper V (Week of the Sunday closest to June 8)
Year A -- Proper VI (Week of the Sunday closest to June 15)
Year A -- Proper VII (Week of the Sunday closest to June 22)
Year A -- Proper VIII (Week of the Sunday closest to June 29)
Year A -- Proper IX (Week of the Sunday closest to July 6)
Year A -- Proper X (Week of the Sunday closest to July 13)
Year A -- Proper XI (Week of the Sunday closest to July 20)
Year A -- Proper XII (Week of the Sunday closest to July 27)
Year A -- Proper XIII (Week of the Sunday closest to August 3)
Year A -- Proper XIV (Week of the Sunday closest to August 10)
Year A -- Proper XV (Week of the Sunday closest to August 17)
Year A -- Proper XVI (Week of the Sunday closest to August 24)
Year A -- Proper XVII (Week of the Sunday closest to August 31)
Year A -- Proper XVIII (Week of the Sunday closest to September 7)
Year A -- Proper XIX (Week of the Sunday closest to September 14)
Year A -- Proper XX (Week of the Sunday closest to September 21)
Year A -- Proper XXI (Week of the Sunday closest to September 28)
Year A -- Proper XXII (Week of the Sunday closest to October 5)
Year A -- Proper XXIII (Week of the Sunday closest to October 12)
Year A -- Proper XXIV (Week of the Sunday closest to October 19)
Year A -- Proper XXV (Week of the Sunday closest to October 26)
Year A -- Proper XXVI (Week of the Sunday closest to November 2)
Year A -- Proper XXVII (Week of the Sunday closest to November 9)
Year A -- Proper XXVIII (Week of the Sunday closest to November 16)
Year A -- Proper XXIX (Week of the Sunday closest to November 23)
Year B -- First Sunday in Advent
Year B -- Second Sunday in Advent
Year B -- Third Sunday in Advent
Year B -- Fourth Sunday in Advent
Year B -- Christmas Day
Year B -- First Sunday after Christmas
Year B -- Holy Name
Year B -- Second Sunday after Christmas
Year B -- Epiphany
Year B -- First Sunday after Epiphany
Year B -- Second Sunday after Epiphany
Year B -- Third Sunday after Epiphany
Year B -- Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Year B -- Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Year B -- Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Year B -- Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
Year B -- Eighth Sunday after Epiphany
Year B -- Last Sunday after Epiphany
Year B -- Ash Wednesday
Year B -- First Sunday in Lent
Year B -- Second Sunday in Lent
Year B -- Third Sunday in Lent
Year B -- Fourth Sunday in Lent
Year B -- Fifth Sunday in Lent
Year B -- Palm Sunday
Year B -- Monday in Holy Week
Year B -- Tuesday in Holy Week
Year B -- Wednesday in Holy Week
Year B -- Maunday Thursday
Year B -- Good Friday
Year B -- Holy Saturday
Year B -- Easter Day
Year B -- Monday in Easter Week
Year B -- Tuesday in Easter Week
Year B -- Wednesday in Easter Week
Year B -- Thursday in Easter Week
Year B -- Friday in Easter Week
Year B -- Saturday in Easter Week
Year B -- Second Sunday of Easter
Year B -- Third Sunday of Easter
Year B -- Fourth Sunday of Easter
Year B -- Fifth Sunday of Easter
Year B -- Sixth Sunday of Easter
Year B -- Ascension Day
Year B -- Seventh Sunday of Easter
Year B -- Day of Pentecost
Year B -- Trinity Sunday
Year B -- Proper I (Week of the Sunday closest to May 11)
Year B -- Proper II (Week of the Sunday closest to May 18)
Year B -- Proper III (Week of the Sunday closest to May 25)
Year B -- Proper IV (Week of the Sunday closest to June 1)
Year B -- Proper V (Week of the Sunday closest to June 8)
Year B -- Proper VI (Week of the Sunday closest to June 15)
Year B -- Proper VII (Week of the Sunday closest to June 22)
Year B -- Proper VIII (Week of the Sunday closest to June 29)
Year B -- Proper IX (Week of the Sunday closest to July 6)
Year B -- Proper X (Week of the Sunday closest to July 13)
Year B -- Proper XI (Week of the Sunday closest to July 20)
Year B -- Proper XII (Week of the Sunday closest to July 27)
Year B -- Proper XIII (Week of the Sunday closest to August 3)
Year B -- Proper XIV (Week of the Sunday closest to August 10)
Year B -- Proper XV (Week of the Sunday closest to August 17)
Year B -- Proper XVI (Week of the Sunday closest to August 24)
Year B -- Proper XVII (Week of the Sunday closest to August 31)
Year B -- Proper XVIII (Week of the Sunday closest to September 7)
Year B -- Proper XIX (Week of the Sunday closest to September 14)
Year B -- Proper XX (Week of the Sunday closest to September 21)
Year B -- Proper XXI (Week of the Sunday closest to September 28)
Year B -- Proper XXII (Week of the Sunday closest to October 5)
Year B -- Proper XXIII (Week of the Sunday closest to October 12)
Year B -- Proper XXIV (Week of the Sunday closest to October 19)
Year B -- Proper XXV (Week of the Sunday closest to October 26)
Year B -- Proper XXVI (Week of the Sunday closest to November 2)
Year B -- Proper XXVII (Week of the Sunday closest to November 9)
Year B -- Proper XXVIII (Week of the Sunday closest to November 16)
Year B -- Proper XXIX (Week of the Sunday closest to November 23)
Year C -- First Sunday in Advent
Year C -- Second Sunday in Advent
Year C -- Third Sunday in Advent
Year C -- Fourth Sunday in Advent
Year C -- Christmas Day
Year C -- First Sunday after Christmas
Year C -- Holy Name
Year C -- Second Sunday after Christmas
Year C -- Epiphany
Year C -- First Sunday after Epiphany
Year C -- Second Sunday after Epiphany
Year C -- Third Sunday after Epiphany
Year C -- Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Year C -- Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Year C -- Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Year C -- Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
Year C -- Eighth Sunday after Epiphany
Year C -- Last Sunday after Epiphany
Year C -- Ash Wednesday
Year C -- First Sunday in Lent
Year C -- Second Sunday in Lent
Year C -- Third Sunday in Lent
Year C -- Fourth Sunday in Lent
Year C -- Fifth Sunday in Lent
Year C -- Palm Sunday
Year C -- Monday in Holy Week
Year C -- Tuesday in Holy Week
Year C -- Wednesday in Holy Week
Year C -- Maunday Thursday
Year C -- Good Friday
Year C -- Holy Saturday
Year C -- Easter Day
Year C -- Monday in Easter Week
Year C -- Tuesday in Easter Week
Year C -- Wednesday in Easter Week
Year C -- Thursday in Easter Week
Year C -- Friday in Easter Week
Year C -- Saturday in Easter Week
Year C -- Second Sunday of Easter
Year C -- Third Sunday of Easter
Year C -- Fourth Sunday of Easter
Year C -- Fifth Sunday of Easter
Year C -- Sixth Sunday of Easter
Year C -- Ascension Day
Year C -- Seventh Sunday of Easter
Year C -- Day of Pentecost
Year C -- Trinity Sunday
Year C -- Proper I (Week of the Sunday closest to May 11)
Year C -- Proper II (Week of the Sunday closest to May 18)
Year C -- Proper III (Week of the Sunday closest to May 25)
Year C -- Proper IV (Week of the Sunday closest to June 1)
Year C -- Proper V (Week of the Sunday closest to June 8)
Year C -- Proper VI (Week of the Sunday closest to June 15)
Year C -- Proper VII (Week of the Sunday closest to June 22)
Year C -- Proper VIII (Week of the Sunday closest to June 29)
Year C -- Proper IX (Week of the Sunday closest to July 6)
Year C -- Proper X (Week of the Sunday closest to July 13)
Year C -- Proper XI (Week of the Sunday closest to July 20)
Year C -- Proper XII (Week of the Sunday closest to July 27)
Year C -- Proper XIII (Week of the Sunday closest to August 3)
Year C -- Proper XIV (Week of the Sunday closest to August 10)
Year C -- Proper XV (Week of the Sunday closest to August 17)
Year C -- Proper XVI (Week of the Sunday closest to August 24)
Year C -- Proper XVII (Week of the Sunday closest to August 31)
Year C -- Proper XVIII (Week of the Sunday closest to September 7)
Year C -- Proper XIX (Week of the Sunday closest to September 14)
Year C -- Proper XX (Week of the Sunday closest to September 21)
Year C -- Proper XXI (Week of the Sunday closest to September 28)
Year C -- Proper XXII (Week of the Sunday closest to October 5)
Year C -- Proper XXIII (Week of the Sunday closest to October 12)
Year C -- Proper XXIV (Week of the Sunday closest to October 19)
Year C -- Proper XXV (Week of the Sunday closest to October 26)
Year C -- Proper XXVI (Week of the Sunday closest to November 2)
Year C -- Proper XXVII (Week of the Sunday closest to November 9)
Year C -- Proper XXVIII (Week of the Sunday closest to November 16)
Year C -- Proper XXIX (Week of the Sunday closest to November 23)
St. Andrew (November 30)
St. Thomas (December 21)
St. Stephen (December 26)
St. John (December 27)
Holy Innocents (December 28)
Confession of St. Peter (January 18)
Conversion of St. Paul (January 25)
The Presentation (February 2)
St. Matthias (February 24)
St. Joseph (March 19)
The Annunciation (March 25)
St. Mark (April 25)
St. Philip & St. James (May 1)
The Visitation (May 31)
St. Barnabas (June 11)
Nativity of St. John the Baptist (June 24)
St. Peter & St. Paul (June 29)
Independence Day (July 4)
St. Mary Magdalene (July 22)
St. James (July 25)
The Transfiguration (August 6)
St. Mary the Virgin (August 15)
St. Bartholomew (August 24)
Holy Cross Day (September 14)
St. Matthew (September 21)
St. Michael & All Angels (September 29)
St. Luke (October 18)
St. James of Jerusalem (October 23)
St. Simon & St. Jude (October 28)
All Saints' Day (November 1)
Thanksgiving Day

You can join "Propertalk", an Episcopalian newsletter dedicated to discussing the propers, by sending an E-mail message to LISTSERV@DRAGON.COM with the first line
SUBSCRIBE PROPERTALK (YOUR NAME).
E-Mail to: erf@kcumb.edu

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