Tag Archives: liturgy

The Covenant Stipulations (Exodus 20)

Posted on 13 March 2024 by Fr. Brench

Something I haven’t examined much yet in this walk-through of the book of Exodus is the subject of a covenant. In the Ancient Near East, the covenant was a standardized literary form for brokering a peace treaty or similar agreement, … Continue reading →

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Feeding

Posted on 10 March 2024 by Fr. Brench

a homily for Grace Anglican Church upon the 4th Sunday in Lent, 2024, by the Rev. Matthew Brench Introduction As the Biblical narrations and teachings regarding sorrow and affliction are never without elements of hope and joy, so too in … Continue reading →

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The Most Important Chapter in the Old Testament (Exodus 12)

Posted on 5 March 2024 by Fr. Brench

Is this really the most important chapter in the Old Testament? Honestly I don’t know. It’s very hard to pick just one chapter as the most important part of anything, much less the most important within the Bible. But if … Continue reading →

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Jonah on Ash Wednesday

Posted on 16 February 2024 by Fr. Brench

One of the readings for Ash Wednesday in our new Prayer Book is ch. 3 of Jonah. The story of Jonah is well known, especially the 1st chapter when he’s swallowed by a fish. Chapter 3 is where he actually … Continue reading →

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Praying Psalm 96

Posted on 22 October 2023 by Fr. Brench

This was my sermon at Grace Anglican Church on 22 October 2023. Titles: Categorizations: Hymn,Psalm of YHWH,Enthronement Psalm The centrality of Zion is presupposed, where God is worshiped most rightly on earth The rest of the world (nations and creatures) … Continue reading →

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The Anglican Spectrum Today

Posted on 12 April 2022 by Fr. Brench

One of the biggest challenges for people looking at the Anglican tradition today is that there is such a wide variety of visual, liturgical, and theological expression under the “Anglican” banner, that it can be rather difficult for would-be members … Continue reading →

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Deep Liturgical Roots in Exodus 24

Posted on 18 March 2022 by Fr. Brench

Exodus 24 is perhaps something of a “quiet” chapter in the course of the book. The first fifteen chapters tell the story of Moses, Pharaoh, the Passover, and the Exodus itself. A few quiet chapters follow, but then it ramps … Continue reading →

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A tradition worth keeping?

Posted on 18 November 2021 by Fr. Brench

This past Sunday I preached for the commemoration of the consecration of America’s first bishop, and took that opportunity to talk about the reality and need for “tradition.” Tradition is often a negative word among Christians today, and it needs … Continue reading →

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How important is the Word in your esteem?

Posted on 17 October 2021 by Fr. Brench

Hebrews 4:12-13 The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his … Continue reading →

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Psalm 136: his mercy endures forever

Posted on 28 April 2021 by Fr. Brench

One of the more infamous psalms which I simultaneously enjoy and dread is Psalm 136. It is the poster child for the Contemporary Christian Music genre, notorious for its repetitive lyrics. This is the psalm that repeats the same half-verse … Continue reading →

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