The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Feast of the Consecration of
Samuel Seabury
First American Bishop, 1784 November 14

Acts 20:28-32
Matthew 9:35-38
Psalm 133 or 33:1-5,20-21

We give you thanks, O Lord our God, for your goodness in bestowing upon this Church the gift of the episcopate, which we celebrate in this remembrance of the consecration of Samuel Seabury; and we pray that, joined together in unity with our bishops, and nourished by your holy Sacraments, we may proclaim the Gospel of redemption with apostolic zeal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Acts 20:28-32

Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after I have gone, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Some even from your own group will come distorting the truth in order to entice the disciples to follow them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to warn everyone with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the message of his grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified.

Psalm 133 Page 787, BCP

Ecce, quam bonum!

1

Oh, how good and pleasant it is, *
when brethren live together in unity!

2

It is like fine oil upon the head *
that runs down upon the beard,

3

Upon the beard of Aaron, *
and runs down upon the collar of his robe.

4

It is like the dew of Hermon *
that falls upon the hills of Zion.

5

For there the LORD has ordained the blessing: *
life for evermore.

or

Psalm 33:1-5,20-21 Page 626, BCP

Exultate, justi

1

Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous; *
it is good for the just to sing praises.

2

Praise the LORD with the harp; *
play to him upon the psaltery and lyre.

3

Sing for him a new song; *
sound a fanfare with all your skill upon the trumpet.

4

For the word of the LORD is right, *
and all his works are sure.

5

He loves righteousness and justice; *
the loving-kindness of the LORD fills the whole earth.

20

Our soul waits for the LORD; *
he is our help and our shield.

21

Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, *
for in his holy Name we put our trust.

Matthew 9:35-38

Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.

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