<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" http-equiv=Content-Type>
<META name=GENERATOR content="MSHTML 8.00.6001.18975">
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The following are the readings for the Twenty-third
Sunday after Pentecost, Oct. 31, according to the Revised Common (RCL),
Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman Catholic, Canadian BAS, and the Church of England
(Common Worship) lectionaries. All readings are taken from the New Revised
Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. Unless noted otherwise, the ECUSA,
Canadian and C of E lectionaries are identical to the RCL for this day. This
Sunday is known as the Fourth Sunday before Advent in the C of E.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The readings are posted on our web site: <<A
href="http://satucket.com/lectionary">http://satucket.com/lectionary</A>>, in
RTF format, which can be read by all word processors.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>OLD TESTAMENT: Habbakuk 1: 1 - 4, 2: 1 - 4 (RCL)
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Haba 1:1 (NRSV) The oracle that the prophet
Habak'kuk saw. <BR>2 O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, <BR>and you will not
listen? <BR>Or cry to you "Violence!" <BR>and you will not save? <BR>3 Why do
you make me see wrongdoing <BR>and look at trouble? <BR>Destruction and violence
are before me; <BR>strife and contention arise. <BR>4 So the law becomes slack
<BR>and justice never prevails. <BR>The wicked surround the righteous--
<BR>therefore judgment comes forth perverted. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>2:1 I will stand at my watchpost, <BR>and station
myself on the rampart; <BR>I will keep watch to see what he will say to me,
<BR>and what he will answer concerning my complaint. <BR>2 Then the LORD
answered me and said: <BR>Write the vision; <BR>make it plain on tablets, <BR>so
that a runner may read it. <BR>3 For there is still a vision for the appointed
time; <BR>it speaks of the end, and does not lie. <BR>If it seems to tarry, wait
for it; <BR>it will surely come, it will not delay. <BR>4 Look at the proud!
<BR>Their spirit is not right in them, <BR>but the righteous live by their
faith. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>
<DIV><BR>Isaiah 1: 10 - 18 (CofE, alt. for RCL) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Isai 1:10 (NRSV) Hear the word of the LORD, <BR>you rulers of Sod'om!
<BR>Listen to the teaching of our God, <BR>you people of Gomor'rah! <BR>11 What
to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? <BR>says the LORD; <BR>I have had
enough of burnt offerings of rams <BR>and the fat of fed beasts; <BR>I do not
delight in the blood of bulls, <BR>or of lambs, or of goats. <BR>12 When you
come to appear before me, <BR>who asked this from your hand? <BR>Trample my
courts no more; <BR>13 bringing offerings is futile; <BR>incense is an
abomination to me. <BR>New moon and sabbath and calling of convocation-- <BR>I
cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity. <BR>14 Your new moons and your
appointed festivals <BR>my soul hates; <BR>they have become a burden to me,
<BR>I am weary of bearing them. <BR>15 When you stretch out your hands, <BR>I
will hide my eyes from you; <BR>even though you make many prayers, <BR>I will
not listen; <BR>your hands are full of blood. <BR>16 Wash yourselves; make
yourselves clean; <BR>remove the evil of your doings <BR>from before my eyes;
<BR>cease to do evil, <BR>17 learn to do good; <BR>seek justice, <BR>rescue the
oppressed, <BR>defend the orphan, <BR>plead for the widow. <BR>18 Come now, let
us argue it out, <BR>says the LORD: <BR>though your sins are like scarlet,
<BR>they shall be like snow; <BR>though they are red like crimson, <BR>they
shall become like wool. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>Haggai 2: 1 - 9 (Can. BAS)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Hagg 2:1 (NRSV) In the second year of King Darius, {1}in the seventh month,
on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the prophet
Haggai, saying: 2 Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah,
and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the
people, and say, 3 Who is left among you that saw this house in its former
glory? How does it look to you now? Is it not in your sight as nothing? 4 Yet
now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the LORD; take courage, O Joshua, son of
Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the
LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts, 5 according to the
promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you;
do not fear. 6 For thus says the LORD of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I
will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; 7 and I will
shake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I
will fill this house with splendor, says the LORD of hosts. 8 The silver is
mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts. 9 The latter splendor of
this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this
place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Wisdom 11: 22 - 12:2 (Roman Catholic) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Wisdom 11:22 (NRSV) Because the whole world before you is like a speck that
tips the scales,<BR>and like a drop of morning dew that falls on the
ground.<BR>23 But you are merciful to all, for you can do all things,<BR>and you
overlook people’s sins, so that they may repent.<BR>24 For you love all things
that exist,<BR>and detest none of the things that you have made,<BR>for you
would not have made anything if you had hated it.<BR>25 How would anything have
endured if you had not willed it?<BR>Or how would anything not called forth by
you have been preserved?<BR>26 You spare all things, for they are yours, O Lord,
you who love the living. <BR>12:1 For your immortal spirit is in all
things.<BR>2 Therefore you correct little by little those who trespass, <BR>and
you remind and warn them of the things through which they sin, <BR>so that they
may be freed from wickedness and put their trust in you, O Lord. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>PSALM 119: 137 - 144 (RCL) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 119:137 (NRSV) You are righteous, O LORD, <BR>and your judgments are
right. <BR>138 You have appointed your decrees in righteousness <BR>and in all
faithfulness. <BR>139 My zeal consumes me <BR>because my foes forget your words.
<BR>140 Your promise is well tried, <BR>and your servant loves it. <BR>141 I am
small and despised, <BR>yet I do not forget your precepts. <BR>142 Your
righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, <BR>and your law is the truth.
<BR>143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me, <BR>but your commandments are my
delight. <BR>144 Your decrees are righteous forever; <BR>give me understanding
that I may live. </DIV>
<DIV><BR><BR>Psalm 32: 1 - 7 (CofE, alt. for RCL) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 32:1 (NRSV) Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, <BR>whose
sin is covered. <BR>2 Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity,
<BR>and in whose spirit there is no deceit. <BR>3 While I kept silence, my body
wasted away <BR>through my groaning all day long. <BR>4 For day and night your
hand was heavy upon me; <BR>my strength was dried up {Meaning of Heb uncertain}
as by the heat of summer. [Se'lah] <BR>5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
<BR>and I did not hide my iniquity; <BR>I said, "I will confess my
transgressions to the LORD," <BR>and you forgave the guilt of my sin. [Se'lah]
<BR>6 Therefore let all who are faithful <BR>offer prayer to you; <BR>at a time
of distress, the rush of mighty waters <BR>shall not reach them. <BR>7 You are a
hiding place for me; <BR>you preserve me from trouble; <BR>you surround me with
glad cries of deliverance. [Se'lah] <BR>8 I will instruct you and teach you the
way you should go; <BR>I will counsel you with my eye upon you. <BR>9 Do not be
like a horse or a mule, without understanding, <BR>whose temper must be curbed
with bit and bridle, <BR>else it will not stay near you. <BR>10 Many are the
torments of the wicked, <BR>but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the
LORD. <BR>11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, <BR>and shout for
joy, all you upright in heart. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Note: Verse numbering in your Psalter may differ from the above.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>Psalm 65: 1 - 8 (Can. BAS)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 65:1 (NRSV) Praise is due to you, <BR>O God, in Zion; <BR>and to you
shall vows be performed, 2 O you who answer prayer! <BR>To you all flesh shall
come. <BR>3 When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us, <BR>you forgive our
transgressions. <BR>4 Happy are those whom you choose and bring near <BR>to live
in your courts. <BR>We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,
<BR>your holy temple. <BR>5 By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance,
<BR>O God of our salvation; <BR>you are the hope of all the ends of the earth
<BR>and of the farthest seas. <BR>6 By your strength you established the
mountains; <BR>you are girded with might. <BR>7 You silence the roaring of the
seas, <BR>the roaring of their waves, <BR>the tumult of the peoples. <BR>8 Those
who live at earth's farthest bounds are awed by your signs; <BR>you make the
gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psalm 145: 1 - 2, 8 - 11, 13b - 14 (Roman Catholic) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 145:1 (NRSV) I will extol you, my God and King, <BR>and bless your
name forever and ever. <BR>2 Every day I will bless you, <BR>and praise your
name forever and ever. <BR>3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
<BR>his greatness is unsearchable. <BR>4 One generation shall laud your works to
another, <BR>and shall declare your mighty acts. <BR>5 On the glorious splendor
of your majesty, <BR>and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. <BR>6 The
might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed, <BR>and I will declare your
greatness. <BR>7 They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,
<BR>and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. <BR>8 The LORD is gracious and
merciful, <BR>slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. <BR>9 The LORD is
good to all, <BR>and his compassion is over all that he has made. <BR>10 All
your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, <BR>and all your faithful shall
bless you. <BR>11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, <BR>and tell of
your power, <BR>12 to make known to all people your mighty deeds, <BR>and the
glorious splendor of your kingdom. <BR>13 The LORD is faithful in all his words,
<BR>and gracious in all his deeds. <BR>14 The LORD upholds all who are
falling, <BR>and raises up all who are bowed down. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>NEW TESTAMENT: 2 Thessalonians 1: 1 - 4, 11 - 12 (RCL)
<BR>
2 Thessalonians 1: 1 - 12 (C of E, Can.
BAS)<BR>
2 Thessalonians 1: 1, 11 - 2: 2 (Roman Catholic) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>2The 1:1 (NRSV) Paul, Silva'nus, and Timothy, <BR>To the church of the
Thessalo'nians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: <BR>2 Grace to you
and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. <BR>3 We must always
give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your
faith is growing abundantly, and the love of everyone of you for one another is
increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for
your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions
that you are enduring. <BR>5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God,
and is intended to make you worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also
suffering. 6 For it is indeed just of God to repay with affliction those who
afflict you, 7 and to give relief to the afflicted as well as to us, when the
Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire,
inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey
the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will suffer the punishment of eternal
destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his
might, 10 when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at on
that day among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
11 To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy
of his call and will fulfill by his power every good resolve and work of faith,
12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him,
according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2:1 As to the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg
you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either
by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day
of the Lord is already here. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>GOSPEL: Luke 19: 1 - 10 (all) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Luke 19:1 (NRSV) He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 A man was
there named Zacchae'us; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was
trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because
he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see
him, because he was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he
looked up and said to him, "Zacchae'us, hurry and come down; for I must stay at
your house today." 6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7 All who
saw it began to grumble and said, "He has gone to be the guest of one who is a
sinner." 8 Zacchae'us stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, half of my
possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of
anything, I will pay back four times as much." 9 Then Jesus said to him, "Today
salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the
Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost." <BR></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Chad Wohlers<BR>Woodbury, Vermont USA<BR><A
href="mailto:chadwohl@satucket.com">chadwohl@satucket.com</A><BR><A
href="mailto:cwohlers@bridgew.edu">cwohlers@bridgew.edu</A><BR></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>