Anna Ellison Butler Alexander, Deaconess and Teacher, 1947

The Collect:

Rite I:
Loving God, who didst call Anna Alexander as a deaconess in thy church: Grant unto us the wisdom to teach the gospel of Christ to whomever we meet, by word and by example, that all may come to the enlightenment thou dost intend for thy people; through Jesus Christ, our Teacher and Savior. Amen.

Rite II:
Loving God, who called Anna Alexander as a deaconess in your church: Grant us the wisdom to teach the gospel of Christ to whomever we meet, by word and by example, that all may come to the enlightenment that you intend for your people; through Jesus Christ, our Teacher and Savior. Amen.

First Lesson: Deuteronomy 6:4–9

⁴ Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. ⁵ You shall love the Lordyour God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. ⁶ Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. ⁷ Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. ⁸ Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, ⁹ and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Psalm: Psalm 78: 1-7

¹ Hear my teaching, O my people; *
       incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
² I will open my mouth in a parable; *
      I will declare the mysteries of ancient times.
³ That which we have heard and known,
   and what our forefathers have told us, *
       we will not hide from their children.
⁴ We will recount to generations to come
   the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the Lord, *
       and the wonderful works he has done.
⁵ He gave his decrees to Jacob
   and established a law for Israel, *
       which he commanded them to teach their children;
⁶ That the generations to come might know,
   and the children yet unborn; *
       that they in their turn might tell it to their children;
⁷ So that they might put their trust in God, *
       and not forget the deeds of God,
       but keep his commandments;

Second Lesson: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 

¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, ¹⁵ and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

¹ In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: ² proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. ³ For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, ⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. ⁵ As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

Gospel: Matthew 11:25–30

²⁵ At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; ²⁶ yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. ²⁷ All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

²⁸ ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

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