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The Service For The 16th Sabbath In Ordinary Time
July 21, 2001
[The “+” indicates that the Moderator and the Congregation are to cross themselves, if they should so choose.]
[The men, upon entering, must remove all their clothes and when they have found a proper place to sit, out of respect for the sanctuary of our Lord, must kneel before entering the pew. It is expected that they will furnish and use their own serviettes.]
[The Choir is to sing the antiphon. If there is no Choir the Congregation is to recite it.]
Choir (or Congregation): “God Himself is my help. The Lord upholds my life. I will offer You a willing sacrifice; I will praise You name, O Lord, for its goodness.”
[The Altar man, holding the censer, and the Moderator, in that order, line up for the procession. The rest of the Congregation lines up behind them row by row and proceeds to walk around the church in the procession.]
Choir (or Congregation): “God Himself is my help. The Lord upholds my life. I will offer You a willing sacrifice; I will praise You name, O Lord, for its goodness.”
[After the procession is over, the Congregation takes their seats and the regular service begins.]
Moderator: + “In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, Most Holy and Eternal Trinity.”
Moderator: “Let us all join in a statement of our faith:”
Congregation and Moderator: “We believe that God, through His Holy Word, has made it more than evident as to how He wishes to be worshipped. God as represented by Adam created man in His image. This creation was meant to be in harmony with Nature and the Natural Laws. To this end men were created to be naked and to worship God in that, their natural state. It is only by the shame of having sinned that Adam felt that he had to hide himself behind clothes. We believe that by encasing ourselves in clothes that we are only mimicking Adam in his sin and rebellion against the First Cause. God, in His Holy Wisdom, had given Adam the option of eternal life in his nakedness. But he, in his ignorance, cast away the blessing of nudity that God so fervently wanted him to have. We believe that we of the Apertarian Church must return to the First Cause, in the way He has called us to worship Him. We offer an open door to any Gay male that would worship with us in the joys and blessings of his God-given nudity. For those who wish not to join us we offer prayers that God will also bless them. When His time is right He will open their eyes that they might see what has been so abundantly revealed to us.”
Moderator: “Amen.”
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON
Moderator: “The Old Testament lesson for the 14th Sabbath in Ordinary Time is found in
Isaiah 54: 1-3
1. Sing, O barren, thou [that] didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou [that] didst not travail with child: for more [are] the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.
2. Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;
3. For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
Moderator: “This is the word of the Lord.”
Congregation: “Thanks be to God.”
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Response: “Lord, You are good and forgiving.”
Moderator: “You, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in kindness to all who ho call upon you. Harken, O Lord, to my prayer and tend to the sound of my pleading.”
Congregation: “Lord, You are good and forgiving.”
Moderator: “All the nations You have made shall come and worship You, O Lord, and glorify Your name. For You are great, and You do wondrous deeds; You alone are God.”
Congregation: “Lord, You are good and forgiving.”
Moderator: “You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness and fidelity. Turn toward me, and have pity on me; give Your strength to Your servant.”
Congregation: “Lord, You are good and forgiving.”
THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON
Moderator: “The New Testament lesson for the 16th Sabbath in Ordinary Time is found in
Romans 8: 26-27:
26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.
Thus endeth the New Testament lesson for today.”
[The Moderator then raises the Bible.]
Moderator: “This is the word of the Lord.”
Congregation: “Thanks be to God.”
THE GOSPEL LESSON
Moderator: “The Gospel lesson for the 16th Sabbath in Ordinary Time is found in
Matthew 13: 24-30
24. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25. But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28. He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29. But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
[The Congregation rises as the altar man rings the bells.]
Congregation: + “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Most Holy and Eternal Trinity.”
Moderator: Thus endeth the Gospel for today.”
[The Moderator holds up the Bible]
Moderator: “This is the Word of the Lord.”
Congregation: “Thanks be to God!”
A hymn is sung at this point.
[The Congregation then sits down as the altar man rings the bells.]
THE HOMILY
“Wheat and weeds”
Moderator: “This week we will be discussing another of Jesus’ parables. This parable concerns itself with a field of wheat. Jesus says that the field, itself, represents the world, real life. This is the world you and I move in, work in, and live in. It is the world around us that we encounter everyday. The wheat is the Christians, we Apertarians. Why would Jesus use wheat to represent us Apertarians? Wheat was, and still is, a food staple. It is used, even today, to make bread and cakes, plus a hundred other cooking uses. It is a component of a healthy diet. It was also used to trade with, just as it is today. Like that wheat, Apertarians also, are expected to be beneficial for mankind.
Then there are the weeds sown by the enemy. Who is the enemy? Satan! We know that many people consider even the idea of the devil a laughable one. But he is very real despite what those people say. In fact, if he can get you to believe that he doesn’t exist, that’s all the better. Then he can go about his evil business without any interruption. And we all know what his work is. He is to sow discord, upset, evil and all the pain and misery he can. Look at how many Gay people he has led down the path of destruction. He has convinced them that God doesn’t love them and only has contempt for them! Even though he is wrong, there are all too many still that believe him. Far too many!
But Jesus is also sowing we Apertarians in the field. He is planting His own to help convert the world to Him. It is our job to grow bigger and stronger every day so that we might more effectively witness for Him. There is so much pain, so much misery, and so much terror... And it doesn’t have to be.
So many times we raise our hands to heaven in prayer asking God why does this have to be? Why must Satan be allowed to sow his seed amongst us? Isn’t there enough trouble, already? Even the angels in heaven ask God, “Why Lord?” They want to come down right now and weed out the evil ones.
But God, the Infinitely Wise One, has said “no”. He tells the angels to let the weeds grow up strong amongst the wheat. The two will have to grow up together. He wants the weeds to have every last chance to convert over to Him. So He has His Angels leave well enough alone. Perhaps His Apertarians will be able to save a few. And so we all grow together.
We can see them around us, growing, prospering, and overpopulating. And we wonder: why does God let these people prosper when we, His naked children, have such a hard time just getting by? Why doesn’t God do something? It is at times like these that we must remember that God has not forgotten us.
Finally the harvest will come. And the angels will gather up the wheat. The gleaners, the pickers, the processors, everyone gathers on the field to help. And so they start reaping the harvest, separating as they come picking. The wheat is tied in large, tall bundles set on end in the field where the processors can pick them up. And so the sheaves of wheat stand there in the sun, waiting to be picked up by the threshers to be carried to the threshing floors. There it will be threshed and ground into flour. And there will be enough for the coming year - a cause for great celebration and dancing.
But the weeds? The evil ones Satan has sewn in the he field. What will happen to them? They shall be separated from the wheat and bundled up. After a while they will be thrown into the bonfire to be burned - cast away for they have no practical use. They will not be allowed to cause disruption ever again.
Do not be deceived. God is not mocked. He sees everything. That is why we Apertarians wear no clothes. That is the way God created us to be. That is why we will be ready at the end time to welcome Him. For in our nakedness we know that we are doing His will. Scripture tells us to come out and be separate. And we try as much as we can. But we must still function in a world that considers its rebellion against God’s holy and eternal plan of nakedness as something good. And it views us Apertarians as wicked and depraved. So at this point we all must grow together.
But make no mistake about it! God is not mocked. In the end times, we naked people, we Apertarians, He will separate unto Himself. We are His people and He will claim us come harvest time. So we must wait and watch growing stronger and wholesomely. For we know that the day is coming.
But we must not only grow and become strong. We must be ready and able to carry God’s wonderful message of His two divine gifts of salvation and nakedness to the whole world. We must seek to go naked whenever and where ever we can. We must witness to all those who would ask us about our God. We must study. We must pray.
Christ’s sacrifice on the cross has removed our sins and He has taken away the shame of the sin also. We are free from sin just as we are free from the shame of that sin. We can live, therefore, as God originally created Adam to live: nakedly. And we must be ready to share our gift with everyone we meet.
It is our duty to try and save those who are still imprisoned in their cloth cages. When the harvest comes they will be bundled up like the weeds. Yet we can prevent it and so we must try as hard as we can never to let it happen. We know what must happen. Now we must ask God’s strength to do what we know we must do.
Thus endeth the homily for today.”
Moderator: + “In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Most Holy and Eternal Trinity.”
THE OFFERINGS
Moderator: “Jesus has said that the Lord loves a cheerful giver. We pray that you will open up your heart and give so that we may continue to carry God’s message of nakedness, healing and salvation to all those Gay male Nudists who still are suffering needless pain and rejection.”
[The collection plate is then passed around while a hymn is sung. When the collection is completed the collection plate(s) are brought forward and laid on the altar. The Moderator then prays over the gifts.]
Moderator: “Dear heavenly Father, we know we can do nothing to merit Your eternal love. Yet You did love us before the foundation of the world. Accept our humble gifts for your service and bless the givers also. We pray in Your Son’s name and for Your eternal glory. Amen.”
[The Moderator moves back to the pulpit.]
THE COMMUNAL PRAYER
Moderator: “The Lord be with you.”
Congregation: “And also with you.”
Moderator: + “Let us pray... Oh Lord, we bring before You all of the problems of the day (here list petitions for local problems). Help us to put in proper perspective the trials that You send our way. We ask that You will look down on our efforts and help us to help the Gay male Nudist who still suffers. We ask Your help in particular for N_____ and N_____. We also pray for our leaders who You have put into power. Give them the wisdom to make decisions that reflect Your will. But we always and ever give You thanks and pray that You will work Your will so that one day all men may walk free in their nakedness the way You have created us to be. Let Your Holy Spirit guide us as we pray the way Your Son taught us saying...”
Congregation and Moderator: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thou art the Kingdom and the Glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Moderator: “Amen.”
THE COMMUNION SERVICE
[The Moderator moves behind the altar and faces the people.]
Moderator: “Brothers, we are gathered here today to commemorate the sacrifice of our most Holy Lord Jesus Christ who by His willful offering of His perfect self upon the cross secured for us the promise of heaven in the next life and the blessings of nakedness in this life. Let us each examine our consciences and prepare ourselves for the communion service.”
[Here is observed a moment of silence while the men examine their consciences and silently ask for forgiveness.]
Moderator: “The Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread...”
[At this point the Moderator elevates the bread and displays it to all sides of the Congregation while the bells are rung. The priest then genuflects.]
Moderator: “And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you. This do in remembrance of me.”
[The Moderator then breaks the wafer into three pieces and places it in the chalice of grape juice.]
Congregation: “This, Lord, we will remember, to keep it holy.”
Moderator: “After the same manner also He took the cup, and when He had supped said, “This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”
[The Moderator then elevates the chalice filled with grape juice and displays it to all sides of the Congregation while the altar man rings the bells. The priest genuflects.]
Congregation: “This, Lord, we will remember, to keep it holy.”
Moderator: “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come.”
[The Congregation then lines up to receive communion. The Moderator dips a wafer in the grape juice and offers it to each communicant. Each may take communion the way he feels is right, i.e., standing or kneeling, in his hand or in his mouth, etc. When all have received communion the Moderator then offers communion to the altar man, if there is one. He then takes communion himself, and drinks ALL OF THE GRAPE JUICE IN THE CHALICE. He carefully washes the chalice and covers it with an altar cloth. He then returns to the pulpit.]
[A hymn is sung.]
Moderator: “Please stand for the final benediction.’
[The Congregation stands.]
Moderator: + “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Go thy way and be at peace in thy nakedness. The service is ended. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, most Holy and Eternal Trinity.”
[At this point a closing hymn may be sung.]
[The Congregation then observes a moment of silence while the Moderator goes to the front door to welcome the men as they exit. When the altar man rings the bells the men are then free to dress and leave the service.]