Choral Services

Collect:

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins and give us, we beseech thee, the liberty of that abundant life which thou hast manifested to us in thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The season after the Epiphany ends in glory, with Jesus revealed once more as Christ. There are many epiphanies within the season: the visit of the magi, the presentation of Jesus in the temple (and Simeon's response), the Lord's baptism, his first miracle at Cana. On this Sunday, the last of the Epiphany season before Ash Wednesday takes us into Lent, we see Christ in all his glory, his transfiguration, atop the mountain.

We celebrate the Transfiguration twice each year: on the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, and on the feast day itself, August 6.

At Saint Thomas, there have been many sermons over the years which are helpful in understanding this miraculous event. Among them are these:

►Fr Austin's Love We Can Hardly Bear to See, delivered on February 14, 2010. An audio recording of this sermon is available in addition to the written text.

►Two sermons by the Rector: The Transfigured Cross on August 6, 2006, and A Glimpse into Glory on August 5, 2007.

►Two sermons by Fr Stafford, both on the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, one in 2007 and one in 2009.

Collect:

O God, who before the passion of thy only-begotten Son didst reveal his glory upon the holy mount: Grant unto us that we, beholding by faith the light of his ountenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Ash Wednesday begins the holy season of Lent, a 40-day period (excluding Sundays) extending through Holy Week, concluding at the Great Vigil on the night before Easter Day.

The imposition of ashes occurs at all three liturgies of the day -- 8am, 12:10pm and 5:30pm -- as well as throughout the day in between these services. Simply enter the Fifth Avenue doors and walk down the center aisle toward the high altar.

You might find these sermons helpful as you prepare your heart and mind for this holy season:

• A Sermon for Ash Wednesday (2011) by Fr Spurlock
• Why Does Jesus Say to be Good in Secret? (2010) by Fr Austin
• A Sermon for Ash Wednesday (2009) by Fr Stafford
• The Pit of Contrition (2007) by Fr Mead
• Lay Up for Yourselves Treasures in Heaven (2006) by Fr Austin
• Cheerful Piety (2004) by Fr Mead

Collect:

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

On the first Sunday in Lent, we ask God to save us in the time of trial -- to think on his mercy and not our many offenses. Always timely.

As you prepare your heart and mind for Lent, you might find these sermons by the Rector helpful:

Life in Eden and the Wilderness (2011)
Tried and Tested (2010)
Jesus: Tried and True (2009)
On Trial for Life (2008)
Passing through Trials (2007)

Do these sermons seem repetitive? Well, yes, they seem so because they are so. Perhaps that's because temptation and trial are regular parts of our lives. The Rector would say that repetition is good; the handing ourselves over to the mercy and goodness of Christ is done well when well-rehearsed.

Collect:

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted of Satan: Make speed to help thy servants who are assaulted by manifold temptations; and, as thou knowest their several infirmities, let each one find thee mighty to save; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Collect:

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from thy ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of thy Word, Jesus Christ thy Son; who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.